Page 34 of The Burning Passion of a Fiery Lady
Susannah’s heart sank. The man may have murdered her husband. He may have crept back to The Willows, this evening, and let out the horses. It looked more and more likely that he was indeed responsible. But how could she prove any of it?
Slowly, she walked into Blitzen’s stable, going to the saddle resting in the corner. The saddle that the horse had worn the night that Gilbert died. She bent down, stroking it gently, remembering how she had talked to the horse, telling him that she would keep him, that she was sorry that they had stopped being friends.
“They will find Blitzen,” said Amy, behind her. “They will find all the horses, Susannah. They are good men, and they will not give up until every last one is accounted for.”
Susannah got up, gazing at her friend. “Theyaregood men, aren’t they?”
Amy slowly nodded. “You are right to put your trust in them.” She hesitated for a moment. “I was not going to ask you … but is something happening, between you and Mr Stone? You were gone for an awfully long time yesterday.”
Susannah smiled faintly. “Yes, Amy, somethingishappening between us.” She stared out the stable door. “I never believed it was possible that I could feel this way again. I never sought it. I believed that such a thing was not even meant for me …”
“Susannah.” Amy’s voice was firm. “I have stood witness to your marriage, all these long years. I watched you battle to retain your dignity throughout it.” She took a deep breath, her eyes filling with tears. “He never defeated you, my dear. He never broke you, although he tried his hardest. You still retain that dear, sweet nature that you have always had, in spite of it.”
Susannah’s eyes filled with tears, too. She was so touched, she almost couldn’t speak.
“You deserve this,” continued Amy quietly. “You have suffered enough …”
The tears spilt over, streaming down her face. She turned back to her friend. “But how can I trust that he is genuine, Amy? Gilbert was all charm when he first wooed me. He acted as if he deeply loved me, smothering me in affection, telling me that I was his world.” She paused. “But it was all a lie. He was not the man he pretended to be. How can I know that Jasper Stone is not pretending, as well?”
Amy took a deep breath. “You cannot know, for sure, of course. But that is the very nature of trust. I believe that Mr Stone is worth risking it for. I have an instinct about him … he cares very deeply for you, Susannah. That is why he is out there tonight, trying to find your horses.”
“Does he?” whispered Susannah wistfully. “I hope that he does, but he has not uttered those words to me. Perhaps he is a ladies’ man, who woos any lonely woman he spots, wherever he goes …”
“He isnot Gilbert,” said Amy sharply. “What you see is what you get, with Mr Stone. Your late husband had very deep problems that had nothing to do with you. He would have been the same with any woman he had married.” She took a deep breath. “I have seen his type, many times, over the years, my dear, and Iknowthat Mr Stone is different.”
Susannah’s heart lurched. She wanted to believe so much that Jasper was genuine. The connection between them was so powerful; she had never felt like this, even with Gilbert, when the relationship had been at its very best. Even when she had been deliriously in love with her husband, it had still been a shadow of what she felt now, with the horse master.
She shivered, remembering how he had pleasured her in the woods. How intent he had been on her pleasure, even refusing his own. And then she remembered again how Gilbert had been with her, always selfishly pursuing his own release. Her pleasure in making love had never been important to him at all.
“Well, we shall see,” she said slowly. “Perhaps he will not want to pursue anything permanent with me. He is a nomad, travelling from place to place …” She frowned. “I should not be thinking about such things now, anyway. He is out there, trying to find the horses. His safety is at stake …”
Suddenly, they heard a low rumble coming over the hills towards the estate. For a moment, she mistook it for thunder, before realising what it was.
Her face split into a wide smile. “It is the horses!” she cried joyfully, rushing out of the stables towards the edge of the estate.
She heard Amy, close behind her. The noise was getting louder, now. It seemed to be filling the air. Susannah strained her ears, listening intently. There was no mistaking it; the rumble was definitely horses’ hooves, pounding into the ground.
She ran further, right to the edge of where the estate ended and the woodlands began, eagerly scanning the terrain. And then, just over a clearing, she saw it. Her heart leapt.
It was David Bragg, the apprentice, riding bareback on one horse while leading two others on a rope. Smiling, she looked beyond him, searching for the other man, who should be returning with him.
Her smile faded. There was no sign of Jasper Stone.
David drew up alongside her, pulling the other horses to a halt. He stared down at her solemnly.
“Where is Mr Stone?” she asked quickly, her heart in her mouth.
“He is still out there, Mrs Drake,” he replied, his eyes wide. “He told me to return these horses so I can go back out again.” He paused. “He is after Blitzen …”
Susannah staggered forward a little, her head spinning.
Blitzen. The horse that had apparently killed her husband. And now, Jasper was out there, in the night, pursuing him. If he found him, he would probably try to ride him back to the estate. He would jump on his back, without even thinking about it, without a saddle.
No, she thought desperately.Not again! I cannot endure it again!
Her husband had died out on those hills, in the dark. As she peered out into the night, she had a sudden, awful vision of the same thing happening to the man she now realised she desperately loved.
Chapter 15
