Mail Order Bride: Journey's End: A Mail Order Brides Western Romance (Love On The Line Book 2) Read Free

sniffed her nose. "That's the gist of it. I could go into greater detail of his drinking, how it changed him, how many times he slapped me, but what's the point? After that, I packed away the little dignity I had left and ran. I tried to find accommodation with the little money I'd left-"
    "Didn't you report it?"
    "To who, who would believe me, Elizabet? No lawman wants to get mixed up in what goes on between a man and a woman. You know whose side of the story they'll take. No, I just knew I had to get out of there. The only place I could afford was that rat infested place you found me in. Guess you were the answer to my prayers."
    Elizabet felt her hand being squeezed hard once more before Alice continued.
    "I'd prayed to God for a little help and well…"
    Feeling a tear run down her own face, Elizabet rubbed Alice's hand. "I'm glad I was there for you. What are friends for?" Hearing Alice break out in a chuckle, Elizabet wondered what was going on. "What's so funny?"
    "You," Alice replied.
    "What about me?"
    "You, being a good friend I mean. Look around. You save me and then you put me in harm's way again."
    Elizabet looked around the room and ridiculous situation they were in and smiled. "Suppose so."
    "I don't know about you, but that's taken my mind off my bladder." Alice said.
    "Who knew a few tears could do that," Elizabet added. "So any idea how we get out of this?" Feeling her chair move a little, she turned her head back over her shoulder and found Alice wriggling in her seat. Wondering what she was doing she found the woman call out in delight.
    "Yes! Guess that chair wasn't up to the job."
    "What are you talking about?" Elizabet asked. Hearing nothing but her friend exerting herself, she heard a crack behind her and asked. "What did you do?"
    "Let's just say, the guy who made this thing wasn't a good carpenter," Alice said and held out one free hand with a piece of wood in it. "That fall popped out one of the spindles at the back."
    "Oh, Alice, you're amazing," Elizabet said. Watching Alice as best she could with her limited view, Elizabet rested her head on the floor and looked behind her. Watching Alice bend at the waist, she heard her work on the restraints at her ankles. Throwing the rope to the far corner of the room and turning with a wide smile on her face, Alice pulled Elizabet and their chairs upright once more.
    "Good job it's me lifting you and not the other way around," Alice smiled.
    Watching Alice work on the ropes at her ankles, Elizabet lifted her head on hearing a noise. Looking to the door, there was no mistaking the shuffle of boots on the other side. Looking to Alice, she found the woman had heard the noise as well. Picking up the broken spindle, Alice put her finger to her lips and then ran to her chair. Looking toward the door and watching it open, Elizabet held her breath and wondered what would happen next. 

Chapter 4
    Not taking her eyes off the door, Elizabet felt her heart pulse wildly in her chest. Wondering who would enter, she was surprised to see only one of their captors come in.
    Looking at the scene in front of him the younger man said. "Well, well, well. I thought Robert told you to stay put. How the hell did you drag her all the way over here?"
    Not knowing what Alice had planned, Elizabet thought it best to keep him distracted. Still tied to her chair, she knew the only thing she could do was to keep him in conversation. "Please, whatever Charles has promised you, I'll double it." Taking up a position in front of her, she watched him smile and repeat it.
    "You'll double it."
    "Yes, whatever it was. Just let us go."
    "Nice idea and all, but we've other plans for the two of you if this doesn't work out."
    "Like what?"
    Bending down, he grinned at her. "Listen, that's nothing you need worry your pretty head over. If this Charles of yours doesn't meet our new arrangement, well, there's plenty of brothels we could sell you to-"
    "But that's slavery-"
    "Call it what you want, but