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The smile fell as her thoughts drifted to other things. His sensual eyes and the way they raked down the length of her when he thought he couldn’t notice. The broad build of his shoulders and how hard his chest was every time she was pressed up against it. Belle wanted him more than she’d ever wanted anything before.
I hope he comes today. If he does, then I’ll know for sure.
* * *
Richard scarcely ever went down to the stables anymore unless it was necessary. He couldn’t remember when he last had taken a horse out into the countryside for fun, but he supposed it was back during a time when he didn’t have so many responsibilities to deal with. Right now, there was one responsibility of his that was creating too much trouble.
He stopped when he saw the stable hand he was looking for. The man was too busying grooming one of the horses to notice him standing nearby—or to notice the hush that went over the stables when the other hands noticed his presence.
He approached Tom, crossing his arm. He studied the man and the energetic way he groomed the horse, as if he was doing his favorite thing in the world. Richard noted that.
“You’re doing good work here,” he said. Tom jumped, the brush slipping out of his hand. He looked at Richard with wide, frightened eyes.
“Y…Your Grace, I didn’t see you there. Were you waiting long?”
“Not long,” Richard said. “Do you like your work here, Tom? You seem to be enjoying it.”
Tom wrung his hands together as he swallowed harshly. Richard wondered if he realized how hunched over he was becoming in Richard’s presence. “It’s good work, Your Grace. And I enjoy working with horses.”
Richard nodded. Tom was a nervous mess before him, now not even bothering to conceal his trembling hands. Satisfied by his reaction, Richard inclined his head to the side, a quiet order for him to follow him.
Tom did as he was told. Richard led him out of the stables and around the large building where they were alone. By this time, the stable hand was shaking in his boots.
“As you know, my daughter is missing. Do you happen to know anything about it?”
Tom shook his head quickly. “No, Your Grace.”
Richard pursed his lips. “You are in charge here, are you not? I’m sure Belle did not get up and wander into the woods on foot.”
Tom went silent. He swallowed harshly.
Richard took a step closer to the trembling man and decided to go in for the kill. “If you value your job here, Tom, then I would suggest you tell me everything you know. You have a family to provide for, don’t you? I don’t think you can afford to lose the little income that you get.”
Tom swallowed again and when his eyes fell to the floor, Richard knew he had succeeded. “F…Forgive me, Your Grace. The night Lady Belle left, I was the one who saddled her horse for her.”
“Ah, I see.” Richard dropped his hand heavily on Tom’s shoulder and the other man looked up at him. “Thank you for telling me that, Tom. And do you know where she was headed?”
“I’m…I’m not sure, Your Grace. I think it might be London.” Tom’s eyes slid away once again.
Richard nodded at him. “Thank you.”
As he turned to leave, he heard Tom let go a breath of relief. He stopped and looked over his shoulder at him. “As punishment for aiding Belle, your services here are no longer required. You are fired.”
Richard didn’t stick around to see the man’s despair. He made his way back into the manor and went straight to the drawing room where he knew his wife was. She looked up in alarm when he strode in and she quickly closed the book she was reading and rose to her feet.
“What is it?” she asked timidly.
“Prepare your things, Ellen. We are going to London.”
“Why all of a sudden?” Ellen asked with round eyes. “Is there business you need taking care of?”
Richard shook his head. He was already walking away from her, not caring to be in her presence any longer than was necessary. She should consider it a courtesy on his part thathehad come toherin the first place. “Belle might be in London,” he said curtly, already going through the door, “and I’m going there to find her.”
