Then he stopped. His eyes moved from the tavern door to Livia's pale face. Beaumont was inside.
If Richard called for help, Beaumont would come running. He would take her back and sell her to the old pervert.
Richard swallowed. Maybe… Just maybe, this was the escape she needed. Not the one she had wanted. Not with the man she had wanted, the one who had filled her head with impossible hopes. But an escape all the same. Away from Beaumont. Away from the old man. Away from that cursed house.
"Ah fuck!!!" he murmured. He lifted her carefully into his arms. He carried her to the horse, settled her across the saddle, then climbed up behind her and held her firmly against him. He cast one last look toward the roof.
Still empty.
Then he turned the horse away from Beaumont's tavern and rode off into the night.
