Had the wretch crawled out from whichever rock he’d been hiding under?
However, such a discussion couldn’t take place in front of Patsy. The child had barely recovered from the trauma of the attempted kidnapping.
Impatient to be off to the stables, Susan stood. “Let’s go, Patsy,” she declared. “Orion awaits.”
Her niece leaped out of her chair. The men got to their feet and, within five minutes, the four of them arrived at the door to the stables.
“I think you’ll be pleased,” Gabriel told Griff. “Our ostler is still intimidated by the stallion, but Blair and our farm manager made certain your directions about feeding, grooming and exercise were followed. They’ve soaked his feet in warm water, as you instructed.”
Excitement tightened Susan’s throat when the ostler led Orion out of the stables.
She stood motionless, unbidden tears welling as she watched Griff run an expert hand over the sleek chestnut stallion and inspect every inch of the horse. The animal stood stock still, clearly trusting Griff. It struck her like a blow to the belly she might be in danger of losing both the magnificent creatures she loved.
*
“He’s in finefettle,” Griff declared. “You’ve done well,” he told the ostler who beamed a toothless grin in reply.
He didn’t know what to make of Susan’s reaction to seeing the horse again. She seemed to be in a trance. He could only assume the tears were caused by joy. He knew how she felt. His heart recognized an unspoken bond between himself and the stallion. He loved horses, but this magnificent creature was special—one in a million. He knew without a doubt it was his destiny to ensure Orion’s bloodlines continued.
He was also coming to realize there was an equally strong and undeniable alchemy between him and Susan. However, the situation was volatile. He sensed she was as confused about their relationship as he was. Dithering uncharacteristically as to the best course of action, he breathed again when Gabriel suggested, “It’s a lovely day. Susan, why don’t you and Griffith take Orion for a walk to the dower house?”
“I would like to see the house,” Griff said when Susan hesitated, looking like a rabbit caught in a snare. “The exercise will do Orion good and give you a chance to get reacquainted.”
The last suggestion seemed to resonate.
“I’d like that,” she confessed, stroking the horse’s nose. “But you should lead him.”
Accepting the concession as a good omen, Griff took the rope attached to the halter and proffered an arm. “My lady,” he said with a polite nod, pleased and not a little aroused when she linked her arm with his.
They walked in silence for a few minutes, Orion following like a docile puppy.
“Tell me about the dower house,” he said in an effort to start the conversation off with something innocuous.
She turned wide eyes on him. The anger burning in those gray depths was a clear sign he’d erred.
“You do know it’s where my father died?” she asked, her lovely lips pressed in a thin line.
Griff hadn’t known that, but people died all the time, and he’d understood Susan and her father didn’t get along. “No. I asked because you live there and…”
Her frown eased. “I apologize,” she said. “The dower house can be a touchy subject. You’ll see it has been restored. There was a fire.”
Griff got the uneasy feeling there was more to the tale than she wanted to tell him. For once, he paid heed to his intuition and said nothing.
“My father set the fire deliberately,” she said softly. “It’s common knowledge he died in the flames. Mad as a hatter.”
Saddened by the sorrow in her voice, he longed to let go of the rope and take her into his embrace. “That must have been a dreadful time. I’m sorry. I had no idea.”
She inhaled deeply. “It was hardest on Matthew. As the new earl, he suddenly found himself facing a scandal. People tend to get nervous if they think members of the local aristocracy have gone off their head.”
“It’s possible I was dealing with my parents’ accident at the time,” he suggested. “I admit I was oblivious to just about everything going on around me.”
“It’s the reason you moved to London, isn’t it?” she asked.
“Yes, Clifton Heights was too much. I was lonely.”
He realized he’d never admitted that to anyone before.
“I expect you’re anxious to get back to the city.”