The Bride and the Brute(28)

The storm outside had continued to lash the lands, only intensifying Reese’s sense of urgency. He ran to the main doors of the castle and threw them open. He stood stiffly as the rain pelted his face and the wind whipped his hair about his shoulders. His fingers curled into his palms. She was out there. Terrified. Alone. He had driven her away with his cold denials, his firm resolve against a loveless marriage. He cursed himself for a fool. He could never have thought that a woman forced on him could come to mean as much to him as Jayce did. Reese clenched his teeth and tossed his head back. “Jayce!” he shouted, as lightning ripped the sky.

He moved forward, his tense gait turning into a full-fledged run by the time he reached the outer gatehouse. As he reached the road into the village, he paused to scan the countryside. The rain splashed his face, soaked his tunic. Where can she have gone? he wondered. She could be anywhere. He needed to search the surrounding lands quickly.

Thunder boomed through the air. Then, his gaze settled on the fenced area housing Satan. He raced toward the beast’s lair before he had formed the thought to do it.

He reached the fence, wiping the blinding rain from his eyes. But the gate was closed. His eyes searched the yard for the monster. The warhorse stood in the middle of the yard, the rain seeming to have no effect on him. His black mane was saturated, hanging down in thick strands. It was the first time he had ever been glad to see the beast.

Reese climbed the fence, all but throwing himself over the top. He landed on his feet in the pen and approached the horse, determination clenching his fists. He needed a horse, and he needed one fast. The stables were back inside the castle grounds, closed up for the night. It would take too much time to return.

Satan snorted and shook his head as Reese approached, water sloshing from his wet mane.

Every instinct told Reese to make a fist and club the animal in the snout, demanding his obedience. But the memory of Jayce stroking the animal and speaking gently to it came to the forefront of his thoughts. Reese reached out to the horse’s mane, expecting the animal to try to bite him. But Satan didn’t move. “Good boy,” Reese told him. “Jayce is out there, and I have to find her.”

Thunder exploded overhead and Satan skittered nervously, rearing back from Reese. “Easy, boy,” Reese quickly said, stroking the nervous animal’s hide. The horse calmed under his touch and Reese pulled himself up onto the horse’s bare back.

Satan moved beneath his direction, toward the closed gate. Reese reached out and slid the rope off the end, kicking the gate door open with his foot. With a tug on his mane, and a gentle nudge with his foot, Reese guided Satan out of the fenced yard and onto the road.

“Now let’s go find my wife,” he told Satan, and spurred the animal on.





Chapter Twenty-One





Nicole passed the study and saw Morse sitting at the table, his head buried in his hands. Parchment littered the floor. She paused in the doorway until he lifted distraught eyes to her. Apprehension swept through Nicole, and she entered the room, moving quickly to the table. “What is it, Morse?” she demanded. “What’s happened?”

Morse shook his head and turned away from her. “I did what I felt was right.”

Nicole scowled. Did he and Reese have another fight? “Morse,” she said kindly. “You know Reese loves you.”

Morse pushed the chair back and rose. “It has nothing to do with that.” He looked at her, and Nicole was shocked at the suffering she saw in his eyes. “I thought he didn’t care for her. I didn’t know.” He dropped his chin to his chest. “I didn’t know.”

“What did you do?” Nicole gasped, understanding instantly who he was speaking of.

Morse didn’t look at her. “I showed her an annulment letter Reese had written.”

Nicole’s mouth dropped open. “Oh, Morse!” she exploded. “What happened?”

Morse shook his head. “She left.”

“Left? Where?” Nicole’s stomach dropped. She grabbed his tunic in her fist. “Where did she go?”

Morse shrugged. “I’m not sure. I don’t know.”

Nicole released him and raced for the door, cursing his interference. If she had only had a little more time!

“Reese went after her.” Morse’s words halted her.

Slowly, Nicole turned to him. “Are you sure?”

Morse nodded.

Nicole returned to stand before him, nervously worrying her lip with her teeth. She sighed desperately. “This is all my fault,” she murmured.

Morse’s brows furrowed. “It’s not your fault you were kidnapped.”