Page 63 of A Raven Reformed

But why hadn’t she just told him? Did she still not trust him after all this time? Would she ever? He was trying so hard to be patient and let it happen on its own. But in moments like this, it was hard. He still had a tendency to want to force her, another reason he’d sacked Isaac.

He let out an irritated sigh and pounded the back of his head against the door. He needed to track her down and apologize, and then make sure Isaac didn’t really go out into the cold.

Belle wasn’t in her chambers, or in any sitting room. She wasn’t with Rosie or in the library. No one seemed to know where she was. Probably curled up hiding somewhere to teach him a lesson. A lesson he deserved, but he still needed to find her. Eventually, he went all the way up to Isaac’s chamber and pounded on the door. He doubted the man would allow Belle inside, but he had to check. Maybe he at least knew where she’d have gone to hide.

Isaac’s eyes went wide when he opened the door. “My lord! I’m sorry. I’ll be gone shortly.”

Michael shook his head. “That’s not why I’m here. I came to see if Belle was in your room.”

“What? No! Of course not. I know I crossed a line earlier, but I would never allow her in my private chamber.”

“I assumed as much, but I can’t find her anywhere else, so I had to check.”

His brows dropped and he quickly pushed past Michael without another word. He sprinted down the back stairs, Michael right behind him.

“I’ve already checked all the obvious places. You’re wasting your time.”

“No.” Isaac turned to face him. “Servants know where everyone is. Someone knows where she is.” He hurried down the next set of stairs and rushed into the servants’ hall.

“Who has seen Belle?” He shook his head. “Lady Dalinridge?” He raised his voice louder. “Does anyone know where Lady Dalinridge is? Or has anyone seen her leave the house?”

A young housemaid stepped forward timidly. “I-I did. I saw her leave the house.”

Michael grabbed the girl by her shoulders. “Where? When?”

“I-I-I.” She didn’t seem to be able to get any words out. A hand pressed down on his own shoulder.

“Easy,” Isaac said quietly.

He was scaring the maid half to death and getting nowhere, so he let her go with a mumbled apology.

Isaac crouched to make himself less imposing and spoke to her. “Where did you see her leave, Jane?”

“Through the back door.”

Isaac nodded. “Good. Do you remember when that was?”

“About two hours ago.”

“And did you see her return?”

The maid shook her head.

“Did you see which direction she went?”

She shook her head again. “She was obviously upset, but I didn’t think she’d go far because she wasn’t wearing a coat.”

His heart stopped. She was out in the cold, without a coat. For two hours? Dear God. He heard Isaac giving some kind of orders behind him as he sprinted up the stairs. He only had one thought. He had to find her. He burst through the back door.

Icy fear tightened like a noose around Michael’s lungs. The temperature had plummeted and all he could see was fog, thick and dense. Even the nearby trees were completely hidden. He stumbled forward, not knowing which direction to run. This couldn’t be happening. He turned in a desperate circle, his hands gripping the top of his head as his eyes searched frantically through the thick fog. Oh, God. Belle.

“No, no, no, no.” A steady hand gripped his shoulder. He turned to face Patrick. “She’s gone, Patrick! Where is she?”

“The servants are doing a search of every room. Let’s go inside until we know for sure.”

“No! She isn’t in there.” Anguish overwhelmed his control. “I must find her!”

“Michael.” Ash’s voice was commanding as he stepped in front of him. “I know you’re afraid for her, but look around you. You can’t see more than ten feet in front of you. There’s no use blundering aimlessly through this. All you’ll manage to do is get yourself lost and freeze to death. Then what good will you be to her?”

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