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His eyes as he stared were piercing, and she suddenly felt vulnerable. Why had she mentioned her father? She hardly ever spoke of her memories of him with anyone.
“I should have known…the Rose Cottage. We visited several times when our grandmother was alive.”
“Francie never confided in me that she was running away there, but she often spoke of it with love and wistfulness. I also know she has not been there in years and it…it seems likely to me she would head there with Mr. Browning instead of an inn surrounded by strangers.”
“Be ready within the hour, wife.”
He grabbed a cane from his armoire, and strode from the room, no doubt heading to the stables.
She hurriedly rang the bell for her lady’s maid.
Exactly an hour after the news of Francie’s elopement, Livvie was packed lightly but sensibly for a trip to Scotland. Her hair had been plaited in a very tight coronet and she dressed in her finest and most practical riding habit with a pleated skirt, comfortable sturdy riding boots, and a dark blue velvet over jacket. She hurried down to the stables to see two of the most magnificent stallions in the earl’s stables saddled and ready. Tobias was already seated atop his horse.
“You are allowing me to ride Arius?”
“Yes.”
She glanced at his fittings. “Astride?”
“I have observed you riding several times, you are a capable rider.”
She fisted a hand on her hip. “Capable?”
“In truth, I have never seen a better horsewoman.”
Pleasure warmed her. “Thank you, Tobias.”
He launched from his horse and strolled over to her. He took the small valise and secured it at the back of her horse, then gripped her waist and helped her astride. “Are you comfortable?”
She smiled, happy he was not cold or snarling. If he was still angry, it was carefully buried. “I am.”
The housekeeper hurried outside with a tightly wrapped bundle. She handed it to Livvie.
“Just something to tide you over milady. Bread, cheese, a few apples, and a flask of wine.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Potter,” Livvie said warmly, and the housekeeper glowed.
After ensuring the food was properly secured, she grabbed Arius’s reins and cantered off, following Tobias. She said a swift prayer, hoping they would indeed find Francie and her lover at the Rose Cottage. She didn’t want to think of how Tobias would react if they didn’t.
Chapter Fourteen
Lust was making a mockery out of his will to be in control in all aspects of his life with his new countess. Tobias never imagined he could be so…well, weak with a female. This did not bode well fo
r the future state of their marriage. He rode ahead on his horse, not trusting himself to ride alongside her.
Somehow during their argument, he had deemed it safer for his wife to accompany him in retrieving his sister. Olivia had not manipulated him with tears and tantrums. Instead, she had only been kind. She had been worried about Francie, a sentiment he shared only too well. He’d finally realized she would need the comfort of a woman, especially if the bounder had seduced and abandon her, as most cads in society did to the young ladies they preyed on.
Tobias had been at a loss where to start his search, only knowing to head to Gretna Green first. Hopefully a few coins tossed here and there would provide a trail as to where she had headed with his steward. He feared it was already too late to prevent the marriage, but by God if they traveled without stopping, they should make it to Rose Cottage before their consummation of the vow.
Tobias thought of the possible scandals and the influence he would have to exert to protect Francie. She would be cut by all who had called her their friend and she would no longer be welcomed in any drawing room. He wondered if she had even considered the full consequences of her actions before she decided to elope. It was damn likely not, for no doubt she had convinced herself she was acting with her bloody heart. Stupid chit. What in God’s name had she been thinking? Tobias fought down his rising uneasiness. Nothing good was ever accomplished by giving into rash emotions.
There was a clatter of hooves and his countess appeared beside him. He fished his watch from the top pocket of his coat. Olivia had managed to last two hours riding in silence. He was impressed. He glanced at her and softly sucked in a breath. She glowed. It was then he realized she was in her element. In the ballroom she had seemed so restricted, but now…a smile bloomed on her lips, her posture on the horse was one of supreme confidence, and there was joy in her face. A yearning to truly know her welled within him. “Tell me about your father.”
She shot him a startled glance. “My father?”
“Yes.”
“Why?”
