Page 52 of The Burning Passion of a Fiery Lady
Susannah headed towards the stables, almost tripping in her haste to get there. She knew there would be lanterns that they could use there, once darkness had fully descended. She only hoped and prayed that he would be found before that was necessary.
Perhaps he has just gone for an evening stroll, she thought.Perhaps he just lost track of time.
But even as the thought slid into her mind, she knew it wasn’t true. David had told her that Jasper had been looking forward to the dinner and that his evening clothes weren’t in his room. That meant that he had already dressed, intending to come at the allotted time … before something, or someone had intervened.
Dear Lord, she prayed fervently.Please, let him be safe. Please, let no harm come to him!
She felt sick to her stomach. This was all her fault. Why had she insisted on playing dress ups and having a nice dinner when The Willows was obviously under threat? She had been so determined that life would go on in a normal manner, but now it struck her as madness. Almost akin to Nero playing the fiddle while Rome burned around him.
Her lips tightened. She should have left the property after what had happened in the stables last night. She should have left taking Jasper, Amy, and David with her to a safe place, where Leonard Green could not find her. Or she could have employed extra staff that very day to patrol the grounds. She could have done so many things to have avoided this.
Fear gripped her heart. Sheknewthat Leonard Green was a threat, but she had felt so helpless. His wild ramblings about doing terrible things for her, and endangering his immortal soul, were not proof of anything.
She could not have gone to the local constabulary with the information and expected them to do anything with it. They would have laughed at her, telling her that it was too cryptic, that it wasn’t a confession of anything. And she had no proof that he had let out the horses, either.
They were almost upon the stables. Suddenly, David veered to the left, going in the opposite direction.
“Stay safe,” called Amy, in a high pitched voice.
David peered back at her over his shoulder. He was frowning. “And you, Amy. I do not want the two of you separating. If there is a threat, you are safer together. Do you understand?”
Susannah smiled slightly at his authoritative manner. Perhaps young David Bragg was a born leader. Or perhaps he was just very concerned about the housekeeper.
“I promise,” said Amy slowly, her eyes wide. “Please, take care …”
He grinned. “I always do.”
He slipped away, into the shadows, running swiftly.
Susannah took a deep breath, turning to the front. She just had to trust that David would be safe. But he was a smart man and knew how to take care of himself. He was an orphan, who had taken care of himself all his life, after all.
She kept running, with Amy by her side. The light was growing dimmer by the second. They would have to light the lanterns if he was not immediately visible.
Her heart was in her mouth as they approached the stables. They were already almost shrouded in darkness, and not a sound emerged from within them. They almost looked desolate and deserted as if there was nothing inside, at all.
Any’s hand was on her arm, restraining her, pulling her back.
“Please, do not be hasty,” she whispered. “We must stay together …”
Susannah nodded. “Wewillstay together. I promise.”
They gripped each other. Susannah could feel Amy trembling. Her heart was hammering in her chest as they slowly advanced.
***
The stable gate wasn’t locked for the evening. She saw that immediately. It was closed, but it wasn’t locked.
She pushed against it until it opened, swinging wide. Together, they walked through, picking up two lanterns that had been placed at the entrance. She lit them with trembling fingers, watching the sudden illumination create shadows over the ground, dipping and falling.
“Jasper?” she called into the darkness. “Are you here?”
There was no response. No voice called back to her from within.
“He is not here,” whispered Amy, gripping her tighter.
Susannah raised her lantern. “No, it does not appear that he is. However, we should search the stables thoroughly, just in case …”
“Just in case of what?” Amy’s voice was fearful.
