“Please keep me informed to what you will do tomorrow.”
He nodded. “Of course I will.”
“And my father would be more than happy to assist you.”
“Yes, I know.” He lifted her hand and kissed her knuckles. “Forgive me for such a tragic end to our wonderful evening.”
“It’s not your fault.”
“I know, but we were looking forward to doing other things.”
She released a weak laugh. “Fate had other plans.”
He glanced back at the burned structure and frowned. “Obviously.”
Vincent released Ellie as he walked with her back to the coach. His limbs felt as if he dragged heavy objects along with him. He glanced down at his legs, to make certain he wasn’t pulling something. They reached the coach and stopped.
“I shall see you on the morrow,” he said.
“Yes. Try to get some rest.”
“And you must do the same.”
“I fear,” she said, chuckling softly, “that as soon as I hit my pillow, I will fall asleep quickly.”
He looked up at the driver. “Please take her home, and if her father is there, explain to him what happened.”
“Yes, my lord.”
The footman held out his hand to help Ellie inside, but just as she placed her hand in his, she stopped. Her head whipped to the right of them to the grove of trees. Curious, Vincent peered in that direction. His heartbeat quickened as anger rushed through him. Was the culprit who’d burned his stable still here and hiding?
A shadow moved…and then another. Vincent jumped into a run, ready to tackle the person responsible. Just before he reached the trees, Ellie let out a squeal and darted in that direction as well.
Vincent’s heart dropped. He hoped he could stop her in time.
*
Joy soared insideEllie as she darted toward the trees. The four shadows changed into shapes, and she couldn’t believe her eyes. They weren’t people, but…Vincent’s horses!
“Oh Vincent. Look.” She clapped her hands eagerly. “The horses didn’t die in the fire after all.”
Vincent stared wide-eyed into the trees, his mouth hanging open. It only took a second before he snapped out of his daze and darted toward the animals. Ellie reached the closest and stopped. She didn’t want to frighten the horse, so she cooed soft words and gently stroked his mane.
Across from her, Vincent had his arms around the neck of another horse, pressing his forehead against the animal’s hair. Even through the shadows, she recognized the strong love he held for them. She couldn’t hear what he was saying, but his voice was tight with emotion.
Tears pricked her eyes as happiness enveloped her. She smiled with quivering lips. It made her heart melt to see how much he cared for his horses.
He lifted his head and patted the horse, before moving to the last animal. Vincent treated each animal the same, showing them gentleness and love.
Then something struck her, leaving her breathless. If Vincent acted this way around horses, he would treat a woman with the same kind of love and caring emotion. In a few days, she would be his wife.Shewould be the one whom he showered his love upon. But did he love her? For that matter, did she love him?
He’d only been courting her for a few days, and overall, he’d been very kind and extremely tender with her. When they were in the coach earlier, he didn’t paw at her or make demands as some men, but he kissed her and touched her with such kindness that she never wanted to leave his arms.
Was she already half in love with this amazing man? And what about the love she had for Adam? Could her feelings have possibly vanished within a few days? She didn’t see that as a possibility, and she hadn’t truly mourned over losing her first love since meeting Vincent.
He came to the horse she stood beside to show the same respect as he had the other three animals. But this time, he met her stare and didn’t break it as he stroked the mane. A knot formed in her throat, and she wanted to throw her arms around Vincent’s neck and blurt out her feelings. Yet she didn’t dare. She wanted to be sure she loved him beyond a shadow of a doubt before actually saying the words.
Vincent exhaled slowly. “It appears, my precious, that we will still be able to start our stud farm after we’re married.”
