Outside, I hoped to find the Winfields’ family carriage, but the drive was empty, and Damon was nowhere in sight.
No!
I stared down the drive, dark but for a few lanterns. I had missed him, but he could not have made it far. If I hurried, perhaps I could still catch him.
Heart racing, I ran down the steps and across the drive. A full moon illuminated my way across the grass to the stableyard. The gate was closed but not locked. I pressed the door open, and it clanged loudly against the wall.
A horse startled, and a groom rushed to calm the animal.
“A horse,” I said. “I need a horse.”
“Are you all right, miss?” the groom asked.
“I must catch a guest who has just left.”
“Perhaps you should wait until morning, miss.”
“This cannot wait.” I could not be parted from Damon another moment. I could not endure the thought of him believing I had rejected him. “Please,” I pleaded. “Help me.”
A man stepped out from one of the stalls, reins in hand. At first, I thought him to be a groom, but when he emerged from the shadows, I realized it was Ollie.
“Hannah?” he asked. “What are you doing here?”
“I read Damon’s letter. He is returning to Summerhaven . . . I must ride after him.”
Ollie glanced at the groom.
“I’ve already told her that it is better to wait until morn’,” the groom said. “It is dark, and horses are easily spooked.”
“Hannah is capable,” Ollie said.
“I’m sorry, sir, but I cannot risk it. Although Captain Bromley is a kind and fair master, I do not think he would be understanding if I put his guests in harm’s way.”
“I understand,” Ollie said to the groom, then he turned back to me. “You can take my horse, Hannah.”
“Are you sure?”
“He is ready and saddled.”
“Aye,” the groom said. “With a gentleman’s saddle.”
“I do not need a lady’s saddle,” I assured him. “If you will only adjust the footholds on a man’s saddle, I will tie up my skirts and ride astride.”
“It is not safe, miss.”
“I will risk it,” I said, already stooping to tie up my skirt.
And despite the groom’s continued protests, Ollie led me outside to the mounting block, adjusted the footholds himself, and assisted me onto my mount.
“Thank you, Ollie. You don’t know what this means to me.”
“Be happy,” he said, and then he handed me the reins.
I directed my horse through the stableyard in the direction of the gate. At the lane, I kicked its flanks, and my mount sprang forward.
At the sudden increase of speed, my hands tightened instinctually around the reins, but I remembered Damon’s instruction to give my horse its head and loosened my grip.
The horse charged into a powerful gallop.
