Heturnedher around to face him.
“Did you find Mrs. Hopper?”
His expression was grim. “Not as yet. I was too busy trying to findyou.”
“I’m sorry. I didn’t realize ithad gottenso congested.”
He nodded.“We should be returning to the castle.”
While Isabella had been anticipating this outing all morning, now she realized that it was for the best if they headed back.What had begun as a beautiful day was marred by the anxiety still tripping through her veins. She still found it hard to believe that Simon wasn’t already on a ship bound for the New World about now, but Ridge hadworked atconvincingher that danger lurked around every corner until she was starting to believe it.
She looked at him. “Should we split up totry tofind Mrs. Hopper or—?”
Without any sort of warning, hebent his head andkissed her.
Isabella froze, shock turning her immobile at the first brush of his mouth against hers, butfiresoonexploded in her midsection. Her corethrobbedwith wanton desire, as his mouth slid over hers in a sensual dance.
As he deepened the embrace, his lips taunting and teasing hers, his handwanderedupward andcuppedthe underside ofher breast through her gown. When he brushed the tip of her nipple, she whimpered at the sheer torture of it.He was tempting her in ways that she hadn’t dared, had never wanted before. She thought of his firm chest, and yearned to feel his naked skin against hers.
Simonhadnevermade her feel like this.
And thatwaswhen sheunderstoodthe truth. She had never been in love with Simon. She’d merely harbored a childish infatuation toward him, for if sheweretrulydevoted toher husband, this man’s touch wouldn’t affect her like this. She would have pushed him away and declared her adoration for her husband. But she didn’t. In truth, she wantedmore.
“Isabella?”
Ridge broke away as Mrs. Hopper’sfrantic voice sounded nearby. Isabella swallowed deeplyand managed tocallouta reply.“Over here, Mrs. Hopper.”
Ethelhasteneddown the alley toward her. “Thank goodness! I was searching everywhere for you both.” Sheputa hand to her chest,visibly relieved.
“I trust that you have procured everything you need?” heaskedcrisply.When she nodded, he said,“ThenI think it’s time wetook our leave.”
“I’llgather my things andmeet you at the carriage.”Mrs. Hopper rushed offthe way she’d come, asRidge led Isabella out into the bustling street.
A sudden gust of wind had Isabella holding on toher bonnet ashehelped herinside the vehicle. Aquickglance at the dark clouds rolling in off the seaproved that asquallwas blowing in. Sheprayedthat it wasn’t a precursor of things to come, butsome inner intuition warned her thatthe storm was just beginningand the urgency to return to the castle was palpablewith restless inner energy.
Isabellacould imagine what her mother might say if she were here, that she’d always been too headstrong for her own good, and that was the reason shewas feeling so apprehensive. After spending the past few years as the timid spinster of society, she admitted that it hadn’t taken much for Simon to convince her to run away with him.She wanted to blame all herimpulsiveness on him, but the truth was she’dalways had a restless spirit,she’d just shoved it aside because it was what she had been expected to do.At the moment, that same unsettled nature had returned with a vengeance.
When Mrs. Hopper returned, Ridge took care of the supplies as sheclimbed inside the carriage.“It looks like quite a tempest is brewing.”
“It does.” Isabella looked out the window and forced herself to breathe.Stay calm. Everything is fine.
Ridgetook aseat and snapped the reins; the horses jerking the vehicle into motion. He must have been feeling the effects of uncertainty as well, for it didn’t seem like it took as long to return to the castleas it had to depart. And here, more ominous thoughts tumbled through her mind, asthe incoming rain cloudsappeared to bethe heaviest.
Isabella was sure that it would start pouring the moment Ridge led them to the stables, but it held off as heunhooked the horses andtook the provisionsMrs. Hopperhad purchased. Herbellywas still churning with dread, but as they entered the kitchens, nothing seemed amiss.
However, the momentEthel opened the door to thegardens,shegave a cry and immediately lifted her skirts andranforward. Ridge and Isabella were right behind her.
Isabella gasped when she saw Mr. Hoppersittingon the groundand holding his head.His wifebent down besidehim.
When he tried to stand,Ridgesettledagentlehand on his shoulder. “Take it easy, oldman,”heinstructed firmly. “Wedon’t know the extent of your injuries just yet.”
WhenHerbturned his head,Isabella could clearly see the line of blood that ran from his hairline down his cheek.Shepaled asall the blood abruptly drained to her feet.
“What happened?” his wife asked, unshed tears clogging her voice, her face pale.
“’Twas a man,” hesaid grimly. “He was waiting near the hedge when we came outside, not long after you left.”
Isabellaput a hand to her abdomen,abruptlyrealizingthat someone wasmissing.Fear clenched her heart to the point she had to press afistto her chest.“Where’s Claudia?”
Mr. Hopper’s gaze turned to her, andthen hepointed toward the line of bushes whereshe saw another body lying still on the grass.
Isabellascreamed—just as theheavens opened up.
