The Bride Thief

wilted, not to mention strangled. Immediately his nerves jangled, and his better judgment and common sense fired a few more volleys in the battle they'd waged ever since he'd purchased the flowers in the village a half hour ago. Drawing a determined breath, he strode into the forest.

He had no business calling upon Lady Darvin, claimed his better judgment. But his common sense scoffed. Of course he should call upon her. They were Mends. Acquaintances of long standing. There was absolutely no reason not to visit her. Especially in light of their conversation, when she'd revealed the depth of her unhappiness. He was merely a concerned friend making sure she was all right.

His better judgment snickered. Merely a concerned friend? Then why was his heart slapping against his ribs and his stomach tied in knots at the prospect of seeing her? Why had he spent his weekly laundry budget on roses instead of his clothing? And why did the idea of her unhappiness fill him with an overwhelming need to make her smile?

Because, you beef-witted booby, common sense chimed in, you're hopelessly in love with her.

Adam halted on the path and raked his free hand through his hair. He absolutely should not call upon her, but he had to know if she was all right. He nodded decisively. Yes, it was his duty to visit her. In fact-

A slight movement in his peripheral vision halted his thoughts and he turned. Peering through the trees, he observed a man leading a black horse toward Lord Wesley's stables. Moving closer to allow himself a clearer view, Adam recognized the man as Arthur Timstone, the earl's stableman.

He did not, however, recognize the horse. It might have been a gelding, but judging by its height and restless manner, he decided the animal was most likely a stallion. In fact, as he watched Arthur calm the horse then lead him into the stable, he was certain.

A frown pulled at Adam's brow. To the best of his knowledge, Lord Wesley did not own such an animal. Of course, the earl might have recently purchased the beast.

His pulse jumped as he considered another possibility. Had Lord Wesley perhaps located this animal in his effort to assist in the Bride Thief investigation? The horse certainly matched the description of the Bride Thief's mount. Excitement raced through him, and he immediately headed toward the stables, intent upon speaking to Arthur.

When he arrived slightly out of breath at the large wooden structure, he stepped inside the doorway. It took his vision a moment to adjust to the shadowy interior. When it had, he noted that the Wesley stables were vast and immaculate.

'Hello?' he called, walking in farther. 'Are you about, Timstone?'

Silence, at least of the human kind, greeted his query. Clearly Arthur had departed after settling the black horse in its stall, no doubt to the kitchens for a bite to eat. Well, he'd just snatch a look at the animal before walking up to the house to call upon Lady Darvin. With any luck the earl would also be home, and he could ask him about the black stallion.

Adam walked slowly through the stables, peering into each stall. When he looked into the last stall, he stilled. Lord Wesley owned some exceptionally fine horseflesh. But there was not a black stallion among them.

Lord Wesley's dour-faced butler opened one half of Wesley Manor's massive double oak doors in response to Adam's knock.

'May I help you, sir?' the butler asked.

Adam handed him his card. 'I would like to speak to Lord Wesley or his sister, please. Both of them, if possible.'

'I'm afraid it's quite impossible, Mr. Straton, as they left early this morning to travel to London for the day.'

'I see. Do you have any idea when they plan to return?'

'No, however as the earl is scheduled to be married at ten tomorrow morning, I would assume they shall return prior to that time.'

'Er, yes. Of course. Do you know the reason for their journey?'

The butler sniffed with clear disapproval at the question. 'His lordship is not required to explain his comings and goings to the staff.'

In other words, the servant didn't know. Or wasn't telling. Reaching out, Adam handed the bouquet of roses to the butler. 'I brought these for Lady Darvin. To help her spirits.'

The butler's stern countenance relaxed a bit as he took the roses. 'That was very thoughtful, sir. I'll see that she gets them.'

'Thank you, Mr…?'

'Eversley, sir.'

'Tell me, Eversley, have you seen Arthur Timstone about? He wasn't at the stables, and I was hoping to have a word with him.'

'If he's not in the stables, then he's most likely in the kitchen eating. Would you like me to fetch him?'

'Does he return to the stables after breakfast?'

'Yes, sir.'

'Then don't disturb his meal. I'll walk back to the stables and await him there.'

'Very well, sir.'

Adam started to walk away, but then turned back. 'One more thing, Eversley. Would you happen to know if the earl owns a black stallion?'

Eversley appeared startled by the question. 'The horses are Timstone's area, sir, but I cannot say I recall ever seeing such an animal or the earl ever mentioning one.'

'Thank you, Eversley.'

The butler nodded, then closed the door. Frowning, Adam strode back across the expanse of perfectly manicured lawns toward the stables, determined to await Arthur Timstone's return. Something very odd was going on and he had no intention of leaving until-

A gruff voice hailed his name. Pausing, he turned and saw Arthur walking toward him. Excellent. He'd have his answers sooner than he'd anticipated.

'Mornin', Mr. Straton,' Arthur said once the older man reached him. 'What brings ye to Wesley Manor?'

'I'd intended to pay a condolence call upon Lady Darvin, but I was informed she and the earl traveled to London for the day.'

'That's right.'

'Do you know the reason for this trip? Or when they're expected home?'

'Don't know for certain, but I'd guess the earl went to buy some bauble or another for his bride and asked for Lady Darvin's assistance. Probably be home by dinner time.'

'I see. I'd also hoped to ask the earl if he'd had any success with some inquiries he was making for me regarding an all-black stallion.' Adam offered the man a friendly smile. 'Has Lord Wesley located such an animal?'

'Not that he's mentioned.'

'Indeed? Does he perhaps own such an animal?'

Arthur's face scrunched into a perplexed frown and he scratched his head. 'A black stallion? No, sir. Lord Wesley has no such horse.'

'A black gelding, then?'

'No, sir. Only pure black horse his lordship owns is a mare name of Midnight.'

Adam shook his head. The horse he'd seen had most definitely not been a mare. 'Perhaps the earl is boarding the stallion for someone? I'm speaking of the horse I saw you leading into the stables approximately thirty minutes ago.'

Arthur's face cleared and he chuckled. 'The earl don't take in no boarders, so ye must mean Emperor. I walked him about a bit before me breakfast. But yer eyesight's failin' ye, Mr. Straton. Emperor's coat ain't black, 'tis dark brown. An easy mistake to make. Sunlight and shadows must have played tricks on ye.'

'Yes, I suppose so.'

'Well, if ye'll excuse me, I've a lot o' work to get to.'

Adam smiled. 'Of course. Have a nice day, Timstone.'

'Same to ye, sir.' The stableman departed, continuing across the lawn toward the stables.