Chapter 0092

The stable workers react in much the same way as his home staff did – getting out of his way as fast as

they can and making themselves scarce, so that when Kent strides through the stable it looks like a

ghost town. Only the horses are curious enough to peer at him over their stall doors.

When he gets to Heathcliff’s stall, though, it’s empty.

Which means only one thing.

Kent keeps going, passing quickly through the barn and heading for the training ring out back.

He sees her almost immediately, her flame-red hair flowing over her shoulders, seated on the beautiful

red horse that he chose specifically because they were a match, a pair. Even as Kent strides forward,

eager to interrupt, needing to talk to lock her down, he can’t help but admire her progress.

Fay is going in slow circles around the ring, her horse trotting neatly as she raises and lowers herself in

the saddle to match the horse’s gait. Kent can see the smile and the joy on her face as she does it – a

natural horsewoman, yes, but also someone who is seeing the results of her hard work.

As he nears, though, Kent frowns. He sees that her smiles seem to be continually directed to the center

of the ring. Kent shifts his gaze, then, and is suddenly furious when he sees someone standing there in

the middle of the ring, giving her directions.

Not her trainer, but, instead, Jerome.

Kent increases his pace, fueled by his anger at that boy. What the hell is he doing in the ring with her –

he isn’t trained –

As Kent continues forward, he sees Jerome call to Fay. She slows the horse and, smiling, walks him to

the center of the ring, where Jerome waits.

The smile on her face – coy, sweet, as she laughs and jokes with that kid – the fucking kid he picked up

to cover the most menial of the family’s tasks – completely expendable –

And yet she’s smiling at him, laughing down into his face, and he’s –

Kent goes red when he sees it.

The boy first grasps the horse’s reins, and then puts a hand out to rest on Fay’s knee –

To slowly, leisurely stroke his fingers across her thigh, working his way upwards –

Fay glances at the touch, blushes, but doesn’t push it away –

Kent rips open the gate to the riding arena, bursting through it.

Fay sees him first, her eyes going wide with shock and then her face going white when she sees the

expression on his face, the fury in his eyes.

Which, a second later, slams directly into Jerome’s face, cracking across his jaw.

Fay screams, unable to stop her own fear and surprise, as Jerome stumbles and then falls back into

the dry dirt of the arena -

She slams into the ground, face down, her heaped form laying still as Kent rushes forward.