Chapter 33

33

CLARA

C lara picked up her skirts and ran to the stables. There was no sign of the stable hands anywhere—no doubt they were enjoying the respite after seeing to the evening's arrivals. So much the better.

Clara hesitated as she looked at the rows of horses in the stalls. She was a confident rider and might take any of them. What would happen, though, if it was discovered she had made off with the horse of one of the guests? She had only just managed to set things right from the last time she had been accused of stealing.

The horse in the nearest stall nickered, and Clara glanced over. Comet was within. She was the only horse Clara had personal experience with, and she didn't hesitate a moment longer. She hurried to the tack room and slung a bridle, a blanket, and the only lady's saddle over her arm.

Within a few minutes, Comet was ready for riding. Using the mounting block just outside the stable doors, she arranged the skirts as carefully and quickly as possible over the pommel.

"'Scuse me!" a voice called.

Clara did not even look back, giving Comet a kick. The mare charged forward frantically, and they were off. She had heard of Underwood House from the servants—a large estate off the main road. Mr. Silas had said it was fifteen miles east of Rushlake. He could only have ten minutes' start on her. If she rode quickly enough, she could overtake him.

She had to.

Comet was fresh and overeager, and Clara gave her the rein she wanted as they took the lane leading from Rushlake to the main road. It had been a long while since Clara had ridden in this way, but her past training stood her in good stead, allowing her to focus her eyes and ears on the road ahead. Every sense was required as the darkness deepened.

She blessed the clear night and the stars and moon for the scant light they offered. She rubbed Comet's damp neck, praising her as they flew down the road in the direction of Underwood.

As they continued entirely alone on the road, doubt began to plague her. What if he had taken a different route, keeping to the fields rather than the main road? What if she failed to stop him from reaching Underwood?

Fear settled deep in the pit of her stomach just as a movement caught her eye. She turned her head, straining for sound ahead.

She heard it. The clop-clop of hooves that did not belong to Comet. She urged the mare forward, and they drew nearer the rider ahead.

When they were close enough that Clara felt she might be heard, she called out, "Mr. Silas!"

The rider pulled up, whipping his head around toward her.

"Wait!" The gap between them narrowed, and Mr. Silas slowed his horse to a stop .

"What are you doing, Clara?" he asked, the whites of his eyes visible in the dark.

"I came to stop you," she said breathlessly, trying to control Comet's fidgeting. "You cannot go."

"I must," he countered. "I cannot waste this opportunity. Not when Drayton is so near—when freedom is within my reach."

"It is too dangerous," she replied. "Return with me to Rushlake. Please."

He shook his head. "Don't you see, Clara? If I do not go, William will feel he must sacrifice himself on the altar of marriage to Lady Cassandra in order to save me. This is for William every bit as much as it is for me."

"And what happens if you are killed? Lord Drayton has shown how dangerous he is, how little he regards a life. How will your brother bear that burden?"

Mr. Silas showed the first signs of hesitation. "He wouldn't kill me in front of Underwood."

"You cannot know that. And even if it were true, what if you were hurt or arrested? How do you think that will affect your brother? Lord Drayton will know he has been concealing you here. You will go to the gallows, and your family will be accused of aiding and abetting you."

Mr. Silas grimaced and turned his head away.

"Please," Clara begged. "Return to Rushlake with me. I swear to help you find a way to clear your name—a way that does not risk your life."

The silence stretched long with only the sound of the horses' sidling and impatience to break it. Finally, Mr. Silas closed his eyes and hung his head. "Very well. You are right. I will return with you."

Clara let out a gushing breath of relief.

Silas guided his horse in the direction of Rushlake, offering her a pathetic smile. "You may be the best thing that has ever happened to my madcap family, Clara. I only wish you could say the same of us."

Clara laughed softly, but the backs of her eyes stung. She was coming to care deeply for his madcap family. And she loved his brother so much, it sometimes hurt to breathe.