Of course, he loved his other two children with all his heart, but there was something about Bryony, some spark, that set her apart. She had always been able to wheedle anything she wanted out of him, from ballet slippers to velvet ribbons, puppies and ponies. He had feared spoiling her would make Eli and Veronica jealous of their younger sister, but they, too, had pampered her. With ten years between Bryony and Veronica, Bryony had been everyone’s baby. Everyone’s favorite child.
He slammed his fist against the wall. He should never have insisted that she marry Timothy Bloodworth. But he and Bloodworth were in business together and while they weren’t close friends, Leyton had accepted Bloodworth’s suit. Bloodworth was a decent man with a large estate and a sizeable income that would allow him to take good care of Bryony. His only desire had been to see Bryony wed to a man who could provide for her. His other two children had made suitable matches. A wealthy young man was courting Veronica. Eli had recently proposed to the daughter of Leyton’s best friend.
Months had passed with no word of her whereabouts since Eli had seen her at the theater.
He had hired more men to search for her but to no avail. It was as if she had disappeared from the face of the earth. What good was wealth and position if he couldn’t find his baby girl?
Where could she be?
If only he could turn back time. If only Bryony would come home, he would give her a generous dowry and let her marry whoever the hell she pleased.
Chapter Eighteen
Bryony woke in her room again and knew Stefan had carried her up to bed and tucked her in. She lay there, staring up at the ceiling. Twice, he had said he would take her home if she would stay with him a few days. Twice, he had lied to her.
Vampire.
What if he never took her home? Would she grow old here and never see her home or her family again? Never marry and have children? No matter that he had treated her kindly, fulfilled her every request, she was still a prisoner with no real freedom, no better than the housemaids and grooms who served at his pleasure.
Tossing the covers aside, she swung her legs over the edge of the bed. She was leaving. Today.
She smiled as Constance came in with her morning cocoa and made the bed while Claudia laid out Bryony’s clothes for the day.
“Lay out my riding habit,” Bryony said, with a smile. “I’m going riding after breakfast.”
“Yes, Miss.”
“I’ll be down as soon as I dress. Would you ask Cook to prepare me a lunch to take with me?”
Claudia nodded. “Will there be anything else?”
“No, thank you.”
The maids curtseyed and left the room.
Bryony washed her face, pinned up her hair, dressed, and went downstairs to breakfast. She ate everything and asked for seconds. No telling when she would enjoy a full meal again after she left here.
Mrs. Mulgrew frowned at her. “You’ve quite an appetite this morning, young miss,” she remarked, her gaze probing Bryony’s.
Bryony shrugged. “Must be the weather. I’m going riding today.”
The housekeeper nodded. “Be careful.”
“Of course.” She smiled as Constance placed a small picnic basket on the table.
“Your lunch, Miss.”
“Give Cook my thanks.” Rising, Bryony picked up the basket and left the house, wondering how she could convince Hawkins and James to let her go alone.
As luck would have it, neither of the grooms were about. Bryony quickly saddled Daisy, secured the basket to the saddle, and climbed on the mare’s back. Clucking to the horse, she rode out of the yard without a backward glance. Once out of sight, she kicked Daisy into a canter, anxious to put as much distance between herself and the house as possible before she was missed.
She rode for hours, stopping now and then to stretch her legs and back and rest the mare. At midday, she ate half the sandwich Cook had prepared, as well as an apple that she shared with Daisy.
It was a lovely day, bright and clear. Wildflowers bloomed on the hillsides, the trees were full and green, the air fragrant with the scent of flora and fauna. The farther she rode, the more uncertain she became. Leaving the Mountain House had seemed like such a good idea last night. But now… She glanced around. She had seen nothing for miles but forestand grass and an occasional stream. And it was quiet, so quiet. As the day wore on, she saw a fox skulking through the underbrush. Later, she spied a squirrel, another time a red deer grazing on a patch of yellow grass. But no houses and no people.
Surely there must be a town or a village nearby, she thought, frowning. Stefan must get supplies from somewhere. Even if he had no need for food, his servants and the animals had to be fed. Maybe she was going in the wrong direction. Maybe there was nothing ahead of her except the forest.
She reined Daisy to a halt and glanced over her shoulder. Should she turn around and go the other way? Return to the house? What if she couldn’t find her way back?
