Page 44 of The Burning Passion of a Fiery Lady
It had felt so good, knowing how much they meant to her. A capricious whim, to be sure, but she deserved it after she had spurned him in that cold way. Informing him that she would never marry him, had never wanted to marry him, and that he needed to leave her alone.
He laughed now at the memory. She still didn’t realise that he wouldneverleave her alone. He had done everything for her. It had only been the promise of her, all these years, that had sustained him. They were so close to being together at long last. All the wasted years that they had been apart were finally coming to a close.
He watched her, gazing out her chamber window, that soft smile on her face. Howcouldshe be smiling? How dare she?
The horse master.
He had watched when the tall, dark-haired man returned to the property, as sunrise had spread over the hills, riding bareback on the husband’s horse. He had watched as she had greeted him, like a wife, and they had gone to the stables together. He had watched as she had taken his hand, leading him into the small barn at the back of it, and he knew what had happened in there.
His face darkened. The horse master had taken her. He still couldn’t believe that she had given herself willingly, though. The man must have coerced or forced her. His sweet Susannah would never have lain willingly with such a peasant, even if she did like him. Even if she was now gazing dreamily out the window, wearing a bright dress …
The curtain dropped. She was gone.
Restlessly, he skulked away. He was tired after the events of the previous night, and he should rest. He couldn’t enact any of his plan when he was so weary. A few hours sleep would do him the world of good; he could return refreshed to resume his vigil.
He skirted the grounds of the property, treading carefully. He knew The Willows inside and out, by now, and had become adept at lying low, so that he wasn’t discovered. He knew the habits of the servants, what time of day they did things, and how to avoid them. Thus far, no one had noticed him at all. He was like a shadow, slipping in and out.
Suddenly, he noticed two servants walking towards a field. They were carrying bundles of clothing in their arms, and one of them was carrying a lit torch. Curious, he watched them, getting closer. What on earth were they doing?
They threw the clothes onto the ground, and the servant carrying the torch placed it down upon them so that the fire ignited. Soon, thick smoke was filling the air, and orange flames were licking high as the material burnt.
He gasped, as understanding trickled through him. The clothes. They were all gowns. Some were deepest black, and some were paler, in lavender hues.
Her mourning clothes. She wasburningthem.
Fierce anger shot through him as he watched the bizarre spectacle. If this had been done before the horse master came, he probably would have gloried in the sight of it, thinking that she was finally free of the husband. That she was ready, at long last, to move on, and all that he had to do was waltz into that house and claim her.
But everything was different now.
It was because ofhim, the horse master, that she was doing this. It was because ofhimthat she was wearing her bright gown and had a dreamy smile on her face. It was because ofhimthat she felt finally ready to leave her mourning period behind her.
The fury was almost choking him as much as the thick smoke of the pyre. This could not be endured. It must not be endured.
The horse master was going to snatch her away before his very eyes if he did not do something. The horse master was planning to take away his sweet Susannah, once again, just when he was so close to having her, at long last.
At that moment, the tall, dark-haired man emerged from the house, watching the spectacle, a bemused expression on his face. He walked closer towards it as understanding dawned. The horse master knew what was happening.
Leonard watched as a slow smile spread over the man’s features, almost illuminating them with joy. He was smiling because he knew that she was doing this for him. He was smiling because he thought that he was one step closer to claiming her.
It must not be endured.
He watched the man intently. Now was not the time; there were too many people around, too much activity. He had been so very patient up until now. He had waited and planned with care. He could wait just a little while longer for the right moment.
He turned away from the bonfire, walking quickly. He would rest and gather his strength. A war wasn’t won in a day, after all. A war called for strategy and tactics, and stamina. That was how all wars were won, in the end.
The husband had been dealt with. The horse master could be dealt with, too. In reality, he was just a minor player in this story, after all. A story that had been playing out for years. It was all about timing.
He had lost this small battle. But he was ready and willing to take on the next one. The prize was so very close now. It was so close that he could almost taste it.
Chapter 19
Jasper watched the smoke drifting into the sky, almost in plumes, as the gowns burnt to ashes. Her mourning clothes. She had ordered that they be taken outside and set alight. The fire burnt bright, the flames licking the air, almost leaping into it.
He watched the spectacle, still not quite believing that it was happening. That his sweet, gentle Susannah had done such a bold, brash thing. There would be no going back from this now. The servants would gossip, and everyone in the vicinity of The Willows would be agog with the story of the widow who had burnt her weeds to the ground.
His heart lurched. She had told him, in the barn, that she didn’t want to keep their love a secret. She had told him that she wanted everyone to know about it. He just hadn’t thought that she would do it in such a spectacular fashion.
He was so proud of her; he almost felt he was going to burst with the emotion.
