“To hold me?”
“To feel the wind on your face. And yes, to hold you.”
They cantered a little faster. April laughed as her bonnet ribbon fluttered loose.
By the stream, they dismounted for a time, letting Brutus drink. She reached down and flicked water at him. He returned the favor more thoroughly, and she yelped, laughing. Theo picked a wildflower and tucked it behind her ear.
“You are ridiculous,” she said.
“You love me anyway.”
She said nothing—but the answer shimmered in her smile.
They returned to Stone Hall glowing with sunlight and contentment. April kissed his cheek, murmured something about Eugenia’s embroidery, and disappeared into the house.
Theo stood still a moment then he turned to the front doors.
“Redmond,” he said.
The butler arrived promptly. “Yes, Your Grace?”
“I want every groom, stable hand, and steward in the stables assembled. Immediately.”
Redmond’s brow furrowed. “Is something amiss?”
“Yes. Someone wanted my wife to fall off her horse today.”
Redmond’s face hardened. “At once, Your Grace.”
When the servants had gathered in a salon,Theo entered with the damaged tack in hand. The grooms stood with their hands behind their backs, the stable boys with pale faces, and the head steward hovering to the side with a furrowed brow.
Theo held up the cut girth for all to see.
“This was meant to fail,” he said. “And had my wife ridden alone, it would have done so. I ask you only once. Who did this?”
Silence.
He studied them one by one. Eyes darted. Feet shifted.
“I will only say this once,” Theo said. “If the culprit is among you, produce him before dawn. If not, you all shall face the consequence. I do not make idle threats.”
Still, not a word. He turned and strode out of the room, his muscles drawn tight with rage and something deeper. The ache of helplessness.
April appeared just outside the door.
“What has happened?”
He paused. “Nothing that you need worry over.”
Her eyes searched his face. She took his hands in hers. “I know you are worried. I see it.”
He pulled her close, wrapping his arms around her. “All I want is for you to feel safe. Stone Hall is your home. I’ll not have you afraid within its walls—or outside them.”
She laid her head against his chest. “I know you’ll keep me safe.”
They began walking toward the drawing room, her arm linked with his.
Before they reached it, Redmond appeared again.
