Page 52 of The Scarred Duke's Bride

“Vastly different from people.”

He peered into the stables, finding it empty of human occupation, and stepped in. There were several horses in the stall, including, he recognized, the Stark horses— two sleek black steeds enjoying their rest and oats. He regretted not having an apple to offer or a sugar cube.

Approaching one of them slowly, he put his hand on its flank, smoothing the sleek black fur over and over again. It was very soothing. He spotted a brush hanging on the wall and went to retrieve it. He ran the brush repeatedly from the horse’s withers to its dock, down its flank, and over its shoulder. Getting lost in the mindless activity, he put the party out of his mind as his spirit calmed down.

* * *

Freya was getting a little bit frantic with worry. She had changed her clothes into a sunny yellow ball gown and piled her chestnut hair atop her head. She’d gone as slow as possible, but still, Eric had not appeared. The castle was large, and she wondered if she was to wander around until she got lost trying to find him. She began to feel angry at him for just disappearing without a word. The more she worried about him, the angrier she became.

She went back into the ballroom, walking around everywhere trying to find him. She spotted William and Isabella on the dance floor, but no Eric. She did not want to worry them by asking if they had seen him, so she slipped out and began wandering the corridors in search of a footman who might help direct her.

She ran into one at the bottom of the corridor, standing as still as a statue in front of a door. “Excuse me?” she began. “I’m sorry to bother you but have you seen a tall muscular man with a scar on his face anywhere around here?”

The footman turned to her. “Such a man as you describe went out this door about an hour ago.”

She gasped with relief. “Do you know where he went?”

The footman hesitated.

“Please. I need to know if he is all right.”

The footman sighed, “Well, my lady, I saw him walking down the gardens towards the stables.”

She clutched his arms, squeezing gratefully. “Thank you.”

He nodded uncomfortably and opened the door for her. She dashed out, looking left and right, trying to see in every direction at the same time. She began to walk towards the stables, keeping an eye out for the burgundy coat he’d been wearing. She walked all the way up to the stables without seeing it.

“Eric?" she called tentatively into the relative dark that was the stables. “Eric, are you in there?”

A figure emerged from the blackness, scaring her quite a bit, and she shrieked.

“Hush woman. What is this noise about?”

“Y-you startled me.” She put her hand to her heaving bosom.

“How now? Were you not calling me?”

“I was,” she snapped, “because I did not know where you were. Thank you, by the way, for leaving me all alone without a word.”

His lip turned down derisively. “You seemed to be enjoying yourself.”

“Well, I wasn’t. I was worrying aboutyou.”

“No need. I am fine as you can see.”

“What are you doing here?”

He grinned spreading out his arms, “Why nothing, my dear. I am simply… tending to the horses.”

She frowned. “That is what grooms are for. Let us go back to the party.”

“No.”

She jerked in startlement at his abrupt tone. “Whyever not?”

“I do not want to talk to those people anymore. I am fine where I am.Youmay go back to the party if you wish.”

Freya just stared at him nonplussed. “I think I would rather stay here with you.”