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Chapter 25
Rhys rushed out of the house and into the deluge. He mounted the horse that the stable boy had prepared for him and ventured out to look for Isabel.
Where had the obstinate woman gone in such weather? How far away did she get before the horse threw her? Was she now wandering in the storm?
He did not want to think of a more horrifying possibility, but the image of her lying on the ground, her lifeless body being drummed by the rain, did not leave his mind.
Rhys had cursed himself for his behavior early in the day. He had cursed himself for not checking on her, for not telling her that he was not angry with her. He had cursed himself for not knowing who his wife would turn to in her darkest hour.
He rode toward the village at a sedate pace. He didn’t want to pass Isabel if he hurried too much, but he impatiently clenched his hands on the reins because he wanted to find her as soon as he could.
It seemed like an eternity passed as he scoured the road with no luck. The lightning lit the sky just then, illuminating the lone figure walking down the road toward him.
He jumped off the horse, almost falling as he slid against the wet ground and ran toward her. She looked up just then and peered under her bonnet, and Rhys’s heart soared.
Isabel.
He dashed toward her and took her by her shoulders. Her bonnet was soaked, and her skirts were not only wet but covered with mud. She was wearing a strange cloak, which was also soaked to the brim. Her teeth chattered, and her lips trembled as she watched him with her wide, beautiful, blue eyes.
“Where in the devil have you been?” Rhys roared over the sound of the rain.
“I-I…”
Rhys did not let her finish. Instead, he crushed her against his body, relief coursing through his veins. She was here. She was in his arms.
Her tiny body nestled against his, her bonnet jabbing into his neck. Rhys untied the ribbons under her chin and threw the bonnet into the dirt.
Isabel blinked up at him.
“It was getting in the way,” Rhys croaked. “I shall buy a new one. But let us get home now.”
Isabel nodded but didn’t make a move.
“Do you hear me?” Rhys’s concern grew as she didn’t answer.
“I am sorry,” she finally said.
“Not to worry, darling. We shall get home, and everything will be well.”
“No.” She shook her head. “I am sorry for failing your trust, failing Millicent.” Her lips trembled as she spoke, and he wasn’t certain if she was crying or simply freezing cold.
It didn’t matter. None of it mattered.
He bent down and hauled her into his arms. “How about we talk about all of it when we get home?”
She pressed her face against his cheek like a cat looking for more contact and warmth. Rhys turned his head and kissed her forehead.
He hoisted Isabel up onto the saddle and mounted the horse behind her. Isabel trembled in his arms, and Rhys cursed. He urged the horse into a canter as he didn’t want the animal to throw them too.
Rhys took off his hat and covered Isabel’s head with it.
“What happened?” he asked as they started up toward the house.
Isabel burrowed herself closer to his chest. “I went to visit my friend, Lilian. She was g-giving birth and time got away from me. But I couldn’t stay there the night, so I left.”
“In the storm?” Rhys growled. How did those people let Isabel leave?
Isabel nodded. “They didn’t want to let me go, but I insisted. Her husband gave me his cloak, so I wouldn’t freeze.”
