Authors Note: I would just like to thank everyone who has reviewed my story so far. The feedback has been great and it's really wonderful to know that so many people have liked my story so far.

Chapter Three: The Search is On

Anne, a maid in the de Changy household, diligently swept the floor outside on the back porch, near the stables. She had heard the argument between the Vicomte and the Vicomtesse earlier and had tried to block it out but couldn't. After she had heard Christine cry out in pain, she wanted desperately to help her but also couldn't. By the time she had reached the door to the living room, Raoul was walking out the door and headed towards the stables. A few seconds later, Anne had heard the thunder of horses hooves as she looked out the window and saw him ride away on his white stallion.

She had looked into the living room only to find the Vicomtesse lying on the floor, her hair splayed all around her head and blood trickling from a small cut on her forehead. Immediately she had rushed to the kitchen to fetch a bowl of water and some bandages, but when she returned to the room, she saw that the Vicomtesse was gone. It was if she had gotten up and walked away. After searching the house for Christine, Anne discovered that she had just simply disappeared. "The Vicomte isn't going to be happy when I tell him that his wife isn't here," she thought as she continued about her chores.

Suddenly, the same thunder she had heard only four hours before could be heard again. Looking up, she saw a familiar white stallion making his way towards the house carrying the Vicomte. As he approached the house, she could see that the Vicomte was not in a particularly good mood. Slowly Raoul pulled the horse to a stop and dismounted him.

"Where is my wife?" he asked, approaching her.

She gripped onto the broom handle tightly, as if bracing for the anger that was sure to follow after she told him what had happened. "I don't know sir."

Raoul looked away for a moment and then back at Anne, taking another step towards her. "I'll ask you again, and this time, I would like the truth please. Where is my wife?"

She took a step back and gave him the same reply. "Sir, I searched the entire house myself. The Vicomtesse is not here. I do not know where she went," she said quietly.

It was as if something in him had snapped. He strode into the house, calling for Christine. "Christine? Christine where are you? CHRISTINE!"

Anne stayed nearby the door, waiting on her master. Soon he returned and headed back towards his horse. "I'm heading back into town. If my wife happens to return, lock her in her room and do not let her leave," he instructed her.

"But sir!"

"You will do as I say!" And with that, he was gone.

"How can the Vicomte be so cruel to his wife?" she thought. The Vicomtesse had never been cruel or mean to her or anyone else on the staff. She had even given Anne a couple extra francs in her pay once just for doing a good job. "I just hope the Vicomtesse doesn't come back anytime soon. I don't know what he will do to her." With that, Anne continued about her work, but still thought about the beautiful Vicomtesse and where she might possibly be.

Raoul pulled the white stallion to a halt outside the local tavern. Dismounting the horse, he tied him to a nearby pole and entered the room. Striding right up to the bar, he looked around the place then back at the bartender. "What can I get for you Raoul?" the bartender asked.

"I need to see someone about locating my wife. She seems to have come up missing."

"You see that guy in the corner? He's the guy you want to talk to. There isn't anything that he can't find," the bartender replied, gesturing towards the back corner of the bar.

Nodding his thanks to the bartender, Raoul made his way over to the table that the man was sitting at. Sitting down, he looked the man straight in the eye. "I hear that you're the man to come to about locating a missing person."

He nodded. "Aye, that I am sir. Nathaniel is my name. I can find anything or anyone that you are looking for," he replied.

"Good. I'm looking for my wife. She has simply disappeared."

Nathaniel smiled. "Ah, the Vicomtesse de Changy! I have seen her out about town with her maids. But why would she want to leave you Vicomte?"

"That's none of your concern! I just want her found and brought back to me immediately!" Raoul replied, his voice rising.

"Very well Vicomte. I will leave whenever you want me to."

The two men continued their conversation, making the necessary arrangements until finally, they came to an agreement. They shook hands and Raoul left. Once outside, he began to get his horse ready for the trek back to the estate. "Christine will be mine!" He thought with a evil smile on his face as he mounted his horse and headed for home.

Sorry I had to make Raoul look like a total jerk. I really don't like that guy. Hope that you guys enjoyed this chapter. I will try and get the next one up sometime tomorrow. Please read and review! I really enjoy reading your reviews! Thanks again to all who have reviewed so far…hey, I may only have three reviews, but they are the best reviews that I have read.

Sarah