Free Bride Who Fell in Love with Her Husband by Cheryl Ann Smith Page A

Wilkinson and break all of his bones.
    He wanted to trust his wife. It was the deception he’d felt in her explanation that left him feeling duped. She’d not told him about the visit. Had she done so, he might have accepted that Wilkinson had come to offer his best wishes. Now he wasn’t certain of anything. All he knew was that Rose was not being honest. He’d seen it in her eyes.
    He’d warned her about the man. He’d also told her of Wilkinson’s wealth, and now he wondered if that might have been his biggest mistake.
    Many character flaws could be overlooked if a purse was big enough. But could Rose be easily swayed to break their wedding vows over the first wealthy man who crossed her path?
    It was that damnable hat that had planted the seed of doubt. Now it had grown into a thorny weed, set to ruin everything. He had to find out what Wilkinson had planned for Rose before it was too late.
    * * * *
    Accepting her excuse of a headache, Thomas took Rose and Priscilla home and saw Rose settled in bed. She feigned sleep when he finally joined her and watched him sleep during the long hours of night, crying silently beside him in the large bed.
    He loved her. The words had broken her heart.
    Wilkinson’s evil face rose in her mind and solidified her decision.. She had to make her escape.
    Just before dawn, she dressed herself in a plain brown dress and bonnet and slipped from the room, with one last glance at the bed. “I love you,” she whispered to his sleeping form, put the note on the dressing table, and closed the door quietly behind her.
    Rose took care not to be seen by the servants and slipped from the house. She crossed the tiny garden and stepped into the mews. As she’d arranged the day before, the sleepy stable boy was waiting with a chestnut-colored gelding that had seen better times. Its back was swayed and its muzzle speckled with gray.
    â€œâ€™Twas the best I could find, missus, with the coins ye gave me,” he said, looking sheepish as she frowned. “Certainly Mr. Stanhope could provide ye with a finer nag.”
    â€œAs I explained earlier, I am off to ready a surprise for my husband. If a horse is missing from the stable, he will ask questions. So we must keep this secret between us.” She leveled a hard glare on the boy.
    He gulped and nodded, sending bright red hair tumbling over his forehead. “Aye, missus.”
    Leading the horse to a mounting block, the boy held the animal steady while Rose settled onto its back. She was a fair rider, albeit a bit out of practice. She was thankful the nag did not appear to have the stamina to toss her off. He stood still as she collected the reins from the boy.
    â€œIf anyone asks, I will be back tonight.” The boy accepted the lie and stepped back. She nudged the horse forward with her heel and turned him toward Scotland.
    * * * *
    Thomas awoke to find Rose gone. His valet came to dress him and assured him that he hadn’t seen Rose this morning. It was unlike her, as she enjoyed waking in his arms.
    Concerned, he went off to question the maids, the housekeeper, and the footmen. No one had knowledge of her whereabouts.
    They had quarreled earlier last evening. Perhaps she went to the courtesan school to visit Miss Eva . . . If Rose needed a few hours away, she might go to her friend.
    He walked into the breakfast room and found Prudence sitting alone at the table. “Have you seen Rose?” he asked.
    â€œNot since last evening,” Prudence said, and took a bite of toast. “Have you lost her?”
    â€œIt seems I have.” He took a pastry and headed for the mews. If Rose had gone off at this early hour, the groom would know. When he questioned the man, the groom shook his head.
    â€œI haven’t seen the missus, but there is something curious,” he said. “A saddle and bridle are missing.”
    Thomas’s stomach knotted. Rose would not be able to