Page 65 of A Single Obsession

This kiss was so unlike the first that it took her breath away. It was urgent, demanding a response, and sent tingles all down her spine and legs to her feet.

All her doubts about whether he cared for her fled in that moment.

She wrapped her arms around his neck, and kissed him back with fervour, revelling in the glorious sensation of knowing she was his at last.

Chapter 29

Beau had not reckoned on how intoxicating he would find Eliza’s kiss.

When he set out that night, his only thought was to bring the smile back to her face. After discovering there were still badgers in the woods, he’d wanted to take her to see them, without stopping for one moment to consider how improper it was.

And then she’d stood in the doorway, so scantily dressed, looking at him as if he were a hero and putting herself entirely in his power. He’d felt humbled by the realisation—and it had shaken him to the core.

In the woods, he’d stolen a kiss, but this was different. He’d tried to put his feelings into words, but his supply of flirtatious comments seemed totally inadequate.

So he had kissed her, and she’d melted beneath his embrace. And it was so intoxicating he was in danger of losing control.

A screech broke the silence, causing them to jump apart. Beau felt as if he’d been doused with a bucket of cold water. All his senses were on the alert as the echoes of a howl hung in the air.

They stood listening, not daring to move, as the noise faded away into an eerie silence.

Eliza grabbed his arm in fear. “What was that?”

Beau knew that sound. It was a human cry, and it had come from the direction of the stables. That could only mean one thing. Trouble.

His stomach clenched. Was someone trying to steal Romeo?

He had to get Eliza away from here. Fast. If there were horse thieves about, she was not safe. But if he took the time to see her inside, he might be too late.

Darn it. He would have to send her back alone. It was the only way to protect her and have a chance of saving his colt.

“Return to the house,” he ordered, detaching her grip from his arm. “I need to check on the horses.”

He turned on his heel and headed for the stables without a backward glance. If he looked behind him, his resolution would waver, and that might ruin everything.

He owed it to his horses to make sure they were unharmed, and he mustn’t jeopardise Eliza’s reputation by being found with her at night. He wouldn’t want her to be forced to marry him.

How he hated to leave her like that. He wished he had a riding whip in his hand to slash away at the grass in his frustration. The anguished look on her face would be impressed upon his mind forever.

What must she think of him for deserting her? Perhaps she would stop believing in him like everyone else. He wouldn’t blame her. He knew he’d behaved badly.

Beau half-ran, half-walked to the stables, eager to find out what had happened. There was a possibility it might be nothing more than a drunken stable hand stubbing his toe, but he doubted it. Fear gripped his stomach as he thought of more sinister possibilities.

As soon as he entered the yard, he knew something was wrong. In the moonlight, he could see the stable door stood wide open.

He went inside with a sinking heart, afraid of what he’d find there. As his eyes adjusted to the gloom, he made his way to where Romeo had been tethered, but he discovered no more than he’d expected. His young racehorse had gone.

As he entered the stall, he almost tripped over a figure lying motionless on the stable floor. He bent over the body, trying to see if the man was still breathing.

A second figure leapt out of the darkness and punched him in the stomach. Beau was winded, but reacted on instinct, lashing out with the punishing right that was well known amongst the amateur pugilistic community, sending his adversary staggering back.

While Beau was still reeling from the punch he’d landed, the man attacked again, knocking him off balance. They rolled on the floor together, arms and legs flying as each tried to overcome the other.

Though his assailant had winded him at the outset, Beau was much the larger man, and at last he broke free from his grip. He yanked his opponent’s arm behind his back, pulling it up so hard that he forced a cry of pain.

There was something awfully familiar about that voice.

“Jem?”