Page 84 of A Single Obsession

“How I wish I could see him,” she said, letting out a long sigh.

The old man pointed into the tavern yard. “No trouble about that. He’s in yonder stable.”

“Are you sure?”

“I may be old, but I’m not an idiot, ma’am.”

“I beg your pardon,” Eliza said, hurrying to smooth the man’s ruffled sensibilities. “It’s just that a friend of mine—the man I’m going to marry, in fact—had a horse of that description stolen a few weeks back.”

He stroked his chin. “Did he now? That explains a lot. Baxter won’t like it. Gets mighty tetchy if there’s any trouble.”

Who was Baxter? The landlord? It seemed likely, but she wasn’t sure she cared. Not if Romeo really was in the inn’s stable. She gave the old man a dazzling smile. “Could you…would you show me where the horse is, please?”

He grunted and gave her a toothy grin. “For you, sweetheart, I’ll risk Baxter’s wrath.” He picked up his walking stick and hobbled through the yard, with Eliza following behind. After casting a furtive glance about him, he led the way into the stables.

They walked down the line of stalls together, but her heart sank when they reached the end and there was still no sign of Romeo.

“Don’t you be looking so glum,” the elderly man said, shaking his head at her obvious disappointment as he walked to the end wall and turned right. There, in front of them, was another door, which was almost invisible in the gloom. It would be easy to overlook if you didn’t know it was there.

“In here.”

Eliza followed him through the doorway into a second stable.

Her mouth dropped open at the marvellous sight she beheld.

There, before her, was Romeo.

Chapter 37

Eliza entered the loose box in front of her, and Romeo whickered in recognition. Her heart lurched at the sound she never thought to hear again.

“Hello, boy,” she said, nuzzling her face into the colt’s mane. “How good it is to see you.”

The elderly man nodded. “I thought you was telling the truth, and now I’m sure. That horse recognises you, all right. You’d better get him out of here before those thieving rascals find out you’ve bubbled their plot.”

Eliza jerked her head round toward him. “They’re here?”

“Oh aye. Been putting up at The George for weeks. They think I don’t see what goes on here, but old Stanton knows everyone’s business.”

“I must fetch my groom.” She gave Romeo one last pat. “I’ll be back for you.”

They retraced their steps, as fast as Stanton could go, but as they reached the archway that led to the street, he raised his hand, directing her to stop.

Though puzzled, Eliza did as she was told. Two men walked past the yard entrance and entered the inn. To her surprise, one man looked vaguely familiar. How strange to see someone she recognised in such a remote location. Where had she seen him before?

When they had disappeared from sight, Stanton turned to her. “That was them.”

“The thieves?”

He nodded.

Eliza’s face hardened. If these were the crooks who had stolen Beau’s horse and she recognised one of them, was it possible that some of Lord Harting’s own men were responsible for the theft?

She walked across to the smithy with her new friend and found Finch peering about him anxiously, looking for her.

“Where have you been? We must be on our way.”

Eliza ignored his grumbling. “Finch, this is Stanton.”