Chapter Hundred And Sixty Nine

The sky outside Ryan's study window had deepened to a dusky blue, the last remnants of daylight fading into the approaching night. Inside, the warm glow of the oil lamps cast long shadows across his desk, illuminating the parchment where he scribbled notes. 

However, his focus was fractured, his gaze frequently drifting towards the window, his brow furrowed with worry.

He had been growing increasingly anxious about Suzy's delayed return. He had repeatedly asked Davis and the maids about her whereabouts, but each inquiry was met with the same response: she had not yet returned. The uncertainty gnawed at him, a knot tightening in his stomach. He fought the rising urge to mount his horse and ride out in search of her, reminding himself that she was likely safe, simply delayed. Yet, the image of her carriage being attacked, or something worse, kept flashing through his mind.