Page 33 of The Burning Passion of a Fiery Lady
He was standing there, gazing down at her, a terrible smile on his face.
And she could clearly see the dried blood, the deep gash in his head …
A voice was reaching her from far away. With difficulty, she forced her eyes open.
Amy was standing over her, shaking her. The room was dark. Disoriented, she sat up, staring at the housekeeper.
“What is it?” she whispered.
The housekeeper looked frightened. “I am so sorry to disturb you,” she whispered quickly. “But I knew that you would be upset if you were not informed straight away …”
Susannah suddenly snapped fully awake. She pushed back her hair, taking a deep breath.
“What has happened?”
“It is the horses,” continued Amy. “Someone has let them out of the stables! They are all gone … including Mr Drake’s horse, and the colt that you have just purchased.”
Susannah gasped, her head spinning. “What? Was a gate left open, by mistake?”
Amy’s lips thinned, and she shook her head. “No. I have been assured that it was all locked up for the night, just as it should have been.” She took a deep breath. “And a lock was picked. It was deliberate …”
Susannah scrambled out of bed, grabbing her black cloak, and slipping into it.
“Where are my shoes?” she barked, frantic. “I must go out and look for them …”
“Susannah.” Amy’s voice was gentle but firm. “It is the middle of the night. You cannot hope to do any good and will put yourself at risk if you did.” She paused. “Mr Stone and Mr Bragg are already out looking for them. You do not have to do anything. I just wanted to let you know that it had happened.”
But Susannah wasn’t listening. Finally, she found her shoes, slipping them on. Then she turned to her friend.
“I might not be able to help,” she said. “But I cannot lie here, with what is happening. I will go to the stables and wait for their return. It is the least that I can do.”
Amy sighed deeply. “Well, if you are insistent, then I will accompany you. But it might be a long night.”
***
The moon was not quite as full as it had been two nights ago when she had slipped out to the stables, unable to sleep. The night that Jasper Stone had surprised her there, kissing her for the very first time.
Susannah’s hand strayed to her lips, remembering that passionate encounter. Jasper. He was out there, in the night, desperately searching for the horses. Her eyes filled with tears. She had not even seen him today; she had not even talked to him, or touched him, since their encounter in the woods.
She quickened her pace. Amy straggled behind, trying to keep up, but she didn’t stop to wait for her friend. She must get to the stables; it was imperative. Only then could she breathe.
Lanterns had been lit, bobbing in the distance, illuminating her path. The stables were not in darkness, either. Determinedly, she pushed on, her eyes filling with tears again.
Her beloved horses. They had been the only thing that had kept her going through these hard few months. They were her life. They were the only thing that had really kept her at The Willows. If it weren’t for them, she probably would have packed up, heading back to Lincolnshire, to live with her parents, leaving this remote house on the edge of Wales to memory and ghosts.
Her fists clenched. Shecouldn’tlose them. She mustn’t lose them.
***
The sight of the empty stables stopped her in her tracks. She stared in dismay, taking in the swinging gates. It was deathly still, and quiet.
“Who would do this?” she said, in a choking voice.
Amy had reached her side. “Do you have to ask?” she said, in a low voice, frowning. “We talked today about your so-called friend. I think that he is the one responsible for this. You spurned him, and he has turned capricious and spiteful. He must know how much you love your horses.”
Susannah nodded miserably. Yes, of course, it was Leonard Green. She already had disturbing suspicions about him. It would be just like him to do this to spite her. They had always headed to the stables when they had been friends all those years ago. He did indeed know how passionate was her love of the animals.
“I am frightened,” continued Amy. “I am frightened of the lengths that he will go to. He is trying to manipulate you into doing what he wants. He is showing you that he holds power to take something you love away from you if you do not do what he desires.”
