My Bratty Wife
Chapter 140 - Hundred And Forty

Chapter 140: Chapter Hundred And Forty

The carriage interior was a study in opulent simplicity. Rich, dark wood paneling lined the walls, polished to a mirror-like sheen. A plush, velvet seat, upholstered in deep burgundy, dominated the space, promising comfort even on the roughest of roads. A small, round table, inlaid with intricate patterns, sat opposite the seat, its surface currently bare. The carriage was dimly lit by a single, ornate lantern, casting long, dancing shadows across the velvet upholstery.

Ryan sat on the velvet seat, his brow furrowed in concentration. He was lost in thought, his mind racing as he tried to piece together the puzzle of the murderer.

The killer will be there, and Count Edmund is in grave danger. Ryan knew he had to be proactive, to anticipate the killer’s next move.

"I must think critically," he murmured to himself. "The killer is cunning, and they will not make the same mistake twice. I must be prepared for any eventuality."

He began to outline his strategy, his voice barely a whisper. "First, I must continue to gather information. Every detail, no matter how insignificant, could be a crucial piece of the puzzle. I must speak with the guards or anyone who may have seen or heard something suspicious.

Next, I must increase security around the Count. I will personally oversee his movements, ensuring that he is never alone or vulnerable. I will also coordinate with the guards to tighten security measures, both inside and outside the hunting grounds.

Finally, I must try to anticipate the killer’s next move. What would I do if I were in their shoes? What would be the most effective way to strike again? By understanding the killer’s mindset, I may be able to thwart their plans."

Ryan’s thoughts were interrupted by a flurry of activity near the entrance. Suzy, as usual, was now wrestling with a pair of white gloves as if they were trying to escape.

"These damn gloves!" She muttered, her frustration evident.

She resorted to a rather unconventional solution, tucking her fan under her arm to free up her hands. With a fresh determination, she attacked the gloves once more. Ryan couldn’t help but chuckle at the sight. She was always like this but he began to wonder ’ why didn’t Doris help her?"

When she finally managed to secure the gloves, she turned to face the carriage. Ryan was struck speechless. She was dressed in a stunning royal purple gown, the color accentuating her beauty. A matching white hat adorned her head, ivory fan and the white gloves completed the elegant ensemble.

"Good morning, Your Grace," Davis greeted, opening the carriage door.

Suzy, a bit breathless from her earlier struggle, smiled. "Good morning to you too, Davis." She took his offered hand and stepped into the carriage.

"Would Noah be joining us?" She asked.

" Certainly Your Grace." Davis replied.

As she settled into her seat, she noticed Ryan staring at her, a look of surprise and admiration on his face. Confused, she glanced down at her attire, a traditional dress that Doris had chosen with care.

"Do I look that weird in this that you keep staring at me like that?" she asked, her voice laced with slight annoyance.

Ryan was startled out of his reverie. "Oh, I... I didn’t mean to stare," he stammered, his face flushing with embarrassment. "I apologize if I made you uncomfortable."

Suzy didn’t respond immediately. Instead, she turned away and began dabbing her face with a lace handkerchief. She could feel the heat rising to her cheeks, and she was grateful for the low light in the carriage.

He was still staring and she couldn’t help but look at him directly. "What’s wrong, Ryan? Is there something on my face?" she asked, self-consciously touching her cheek.

Ryan shook his head, still a bit dazed. "No, no. You just... you look... you looked pretty frustrated when you were outside approaching the carriage."

Suzy raised a brow. "Oh, it was nothing. It’s fine now. I was just trying to get these stupid gloves on."

Ryan smiled. "Well, you did it. Should I check if you put it on correctly?" He asked politely.

Suzy held her gloved hands to her chest. " Thank you, but it isn’t necessary."

Ryan nodded his head in agreement and turned his gaze towards the window and Suzy followed suit.

A moment later, Ryan’s voice broke the silence. "By the way, I’ve never seen you in a traditional outfit before. It suits you. You look... beautiful. Absolutely beautiful."

Suzy was taken aback by his compliment. She hadn’t expected him to say such a thing, especially after their recent argument. A genuine smile spread across her face. "Thank you," she replied, her voice soft.

As the carriage began to move, a comfortable silence settled between them. The carriage ride was long and quiet, interrupted only by the occasional creak of the wheels and the clip-clop of the horses’ hooves. Suzy and Ryan sat opposite each other, lost in their own thoughts.

——————-

The carriage lurched to a stop, the horses snorting and stamping their hooves impatiently. Ryan hopped down, extending a hand towards Suzy. "Shall we, duchess?" he inquired, a gentle smile gracing his lips.

Suzy accepted his hand, her gloved fingers fitting neatly into his. With a graceful step, she alighted from the carriage, her skirts swirling around her ankles. As she stood, she smoothed the folds of her royal purple gown, a precise motion. Then, with a delicate touch, she adjusted her wide-brimmed hat, ensuring it cast a flattering shadow across her face. Finally, she carefully tucked a stray strand of auburn hair behind her ear, her gaze briefly meeting Ryan’s in the reflection of a nearby puddle.

Opening her ivory fan, she fluttered it gently before her face, a small, amused smile playing on her lips. "Let us go, Noah," she announced, her voice light and melodious.

Noah, leaving Davis side, inclined his head in acknowledgement. "Coming, Your Grace," he replied, his voice a low rumble, his gaze fixed on the bustling crowd that had gathered for the hunt.

As they left, Ryan turned to Davis, his expression serious. "Protect the Duchess," he commanded, his voice firm.

Davis hesitated. "Can you handle this alone, Your Grace?" he asked, his eyes scanning the surrounding woods.

Ryan placed a hand on Davis’ shoulder, his grip reassuring. "Who else would protect the Duchess?" he countered, his voice low.

Davis nodded slowly. "True, Your Grace. But she has Noah."

Ryan shook his head. "Precisely. That’s why we must be extra vigilant. Noah is a great guard, he has been fulfilling his duties splendidly, but even the best can be overwhelmed."

Davis understood the gravity of the situation. "As you wish, Your Grace," he acknowledged, his gaze hardening.

Suzy, meanwhile, had decided to join a group of ladies, their laughter mingling with the excited chatter of the crowd. She moved through the throng with the grace of a swan, her presence drawing admiring glances.

Ryan watched her for a moment, a flicker of concern in his eyes. The hunt was not just an opportunity for him to end the murder spree; it was also an opportunity for the murder to get to him, an opportunity for Suzy to used as a trump card against him.

"Keep her close, Davis," he repeated, his gaze fixed on Suzy’s retreating figure. "And if you even suspect trouble, deal with it immediately ."

Davis saluted, his eyes narrowed as he scanned the crowd. He knew his duty: to protect the Duchess, even if it meant sacrificing his own life.

Ryan was still staring, lost in thought when Davis moved closer to his side. "Shall we, Your Grace?" he asked, his voice low and cautious.

Ryan nodded, his gaze following Suzy’s figure. "Let us," he agreed, his voice grim. "Let us ensure the duchess and her father, the count, will stay safe."