Free Lady Blue by Helen A Rosburg Page B

valley. As it had been at the inn, Harmony did not look back. She was afraid emotion would overwhelm her, but when they reached the meadow they broke at once into a gallop. She could only concentrate on the ride.
    Anthony had told her they were not far from Agatha’s house, and he had been correct. They reached the road, crossed it, and soon reached the dark, familiar silhouette of the forest surrounding Agatha’s home. Harmony’s muscles tensed.
    The chestnut mare picked her way through the trees and all too soon they arrived in the clearing. Anthony turned in his saddle.
    “This is as far as I go.”
    It took a moment for his comment to register. “But … but the money. Don’t you have to go and … and pick it up someplace?”
    “Oh, I don’t think so.” Anthony smiled and leaned forward, resting an arm on the mare’s neck. “Let’s just say … the pleasure of your company was enough. But don’t let it get around!” He laughed as he straightened in the saddle and picked up his reins. “I wouldn’t want to ruin my reputation.”
    Harmony did not return Anthony’s smile, or respond to his casual good humor. “Why?” she demanded. “Tell me the truth.” Suddenly, it seemed very important.
    Anthony hesitated. His grin faded to a soft smile that barely touched the edges of his lips. “Why didn’t you leave last night when you thought I was asleep?”
    A wave of emotion moved through her, leaving warmth in its wake. It was a second before she could speak.
    “You were awake, then.”
    “I wouldn’t have stopped you if you
had
left, you know.”
    “You called my name.”
    “I never said I didn’t
try
to stop you.”
    This time Harmony returned Anthony’s smile, although teardrops quivered at the corners of her eyes.
    “Then we’re even,” she said at length, softly.
    But Anthony shook his head. “Not quite. I have something I’ve been meaning to return.” He plucked a small object from his breast pocket and held out the sapphire ring. “I don’t think I’ll need this any longer to remind me of the lady with the sapphire eyes. I don’t think I’ll ever be able to forget her, as a matter of fact.”
    Harmony merely stared at the jewel in the palm of Anthony’s hand. She looked up into his eyes.
    “No. You keep it. Just to make
darn
sure you never forget.”
    She whirled the gray mare around before Anthony could see the tears spilling over, and set off on the now-visible path through the trees. Within moments she had disappeared into the shadows.

Chapter Ten
    A ll too soon the house loomed into sight. She hardly would have realized it was there, standing darker than the night around it, but for a sliver of light coming from the parlor where the curtains had not been drawn together all the way. Harmony guided the mare to the stone lions and dismounted. She patted the animal’s shoulder and fought back the lump in her throat.
    The gray was the last remaining link to Anthony. She knew she had to sever it quickly. With numb fingers she tied the reins to the stirrups.
    “Go back to the inn. Find Anthony.” Harmony slapped the animal sharply on the rump. She did not look back as the mare cantered down the road. She took a deep breath, climbed the steps, and tried the door. Not surprised to find it locked, she rapped sharply.
    Mrs. Rutledge opened the door. Her eyes widened in surprise. “Miss Simmons! Where—?”
    “Never mind where I’ve been.” Harmony brushed past the housekeeper. “Where’s my sister?”
    “In the par—” Harmony was already gone.
    Agatha sat in her usual chair, a Bible open in her lap. When Harmony entered the room, she looked up with an expression remarkably similar to Mrs. Rutledge’s.
    “Harmony! It’s about time you came home. Where have you been?”
    Harmony stopped short. “What do you mean, where have I been? I was just released.”
    “Released? Released from what?”
    “From … from the kidnapper!” Harmony was incredulous.
    Agatha made a rude