page21 (1/2)

Almost three weeks later, Gabriel could not understand how he'd failed to find his Primrose Worry for her filled his heart and his mind constantly Desperation had pushed hied his cousin with him across the countryside Pernell Walker was a vicar, and at first, had been ained Primrose could be so he could wed them immediately A fire burned merrily in the stone fireplace of the inn they had stopped at, but he felt cold and empty The simple fare of steak and roasted potatoes could not teer

Cousin Pernell stabbed at his slab ofbeen away froht days And the special license burned in Gabriel’s coat pocket Cousin Pernell, though a mild-mannered man, seemed as if he would jump on the table between them and reach for Gabriel’s throat

He'd traveled to Durham to visit her aunt and Cousin Jane and had been infore of her whereabouts He'd ered e from the atmosphere Then he'd traveled to her childhood ho with his very pregnant wife They'd not seen Pri Gabriel's heart was untenable

“I do not believe your Miss Primrose Markham wishes to be found Whatever are you to do?" Cousin Pernell de at his simply tied cravat "I cannot traipse around with you until she is found My family awaits me, and I have my flock to attend"

Gabriel lifted the tankard of mead to his lips and took several ss "She is without money or connections She is not with her aunt in Durhaine where in God's name she could be" And he prayed she had taken the money his mother had offered and used it to live He couldn’t stand the notion of Pri in any manner

He felt eretful It was almost with a sense of despair that he lowered the tankard, pushed to his feet, and made his way fro the collar of his coat up to his ears

“Where do you go to?”

“Hoe that would echo with emptiness

“Are you giving up then?”

"Never" But he needed money He was down to only one hundred pounds, and if he were not careful, it would not last for the year Money was required to travel to town, to the far reaches of England, and to Scotland even The ht of his various plans on how to find her, the more desperate he felt

Primrose could be anywhere

He would tan her backside when he found her for having so little faith in him Then he would hold her, and kiss her, and promise it would all be well Then he would daht away and possibly chain her to the dae

There was an odd hollowness about the cottage The holly bush was overgrown, the roses and flowers of the se yard showed no footprint, and the curtains were drawn

Priripped the valise in her hand, and carefully e Gently she eased the door open, shivering at the coldness of the s the valise by the front door, she made her way into the parlor

Memories clutched at her heart, and she pressed a hand to her throat She'd been traveling fro at several inns, her mind and heart a mess of emotions She had been with her aunt when Gabriel had visited, and it was at her insistence they'd turned him away and lied that they hadn’t seen her