Page 90 of The Viscount's Unwanted Bride
“Good.” Nicholas gave him a little push. “Go, then.”
Theo bolted down the stairs and shoved the front door open, stumbling as he donned the hat and coat, realizing too late that he should have put them on before leaving the house.
He managed to work his arms into the sleeves as he headed for the stables, and by the time he got there, the front was fully buttoned up and he was ready to depart. He burst into the stables, startling the stable master, who was soothing one of the more finicky mares.
“My lord?” He straightened. “What is it?”
“I need to saddle Prince.” Theo hurried to the stable that housed his favorite gelding, taking care to do what he could to regulate his breathing and release the strain from his muscles so he wouldn’t frighten every horse here.
He opened Prince’s stall door and led him out. The stable master grabbed his saddle, and together they strapped it ontothe horse and made sure everything was in place. Theo sensed the stable master’s curiosity, but the man didn’t ask any questions.
Theo took Prince outside, mounted him, and steered him toward the road that led away from Blackwell Hall. He had no idea where Kate was going, but there was only one road leading to and from the estate, so if she had taken a carriage, that was the way she must have gone.
Snow stung his cheeks, and he used his left hand to dash it out of his eyes as he urged Prince faster. The horse knew the road well and dodged any holes and icy patches. It was fortunate they’d ridden this way so many times together because between the snow and the wind, Theo could hardly see more than a horse length in front of them.
He squinted into the distance, trying to make out the silhouette of a carriage. He saw nothing.
Prince rounded a corner, and there, up ahead, Theo finally spotted what he’d been looking for. He relaxed, grateful to have tracked Kate down without any harm coming to either of them.
But then, as he watched with his heart in his throat, the carriage began to turn. Its wheels slid on an ice slick and the carriage toppled.
A scream ripped from him, but he could hardly hear it above the roar of the wind, the clatter of wood, and the frantic cries of the horses.
The carriage tipped onto its side, and the driver was thrown from the front, hitting the dirt like a sack of potatoes and rolling once before coming to a stop. If Kate made any sound from within the carriage, Theo didn’t hear her.
Prince was skittish, frightened to get close to the wreck, so as they drew near, Theo pulled him up short, slipped off the horse, and then raced on shaky legs to the carriage. It rose from the road like a nightmare of mist, blood, and memories.
He’d lived and relived this moment so many times in his dreams and the worst corners of his mind. He glanced between the carriage and the driver. He wanted to go to Kate, but it probably wouldn’t take long to determine whether the man was all right, and then that would be at least one matter he needn’t worry about further.
Making up his mind, he dropped to his knees beside the driver and turned him onto his back. The driver stared up at him, his eyes dazed but alert. Theo quickly checked his body, searching for any massive injuries. Not finding any, he hesitated for just one second more before assuring the man he’d be back quickly and rushing to the carriage.
The horses were struggling against their harnesses, and he feared they’d make things worse in their panic. He considered freeing them, but his hands were numb from the cold, and he feared it would prove challenging. He had no time to spare. He couldn’t wait any longer to check on Kate. He’d return to release them as soon as he’d assured himself that she was safe.
The door lay flat against the road, so he had to enter by climbing over the carriage and lowering himself through the window. Kate lay sprawled on the other wall, unmoving. His breath caught.
No, she couldn’t be dead. She couldn’t be. He refused to accept it.
He wriggled through the window and fell awkwardly inside. There was a sharp twinge in his hip as he landed. He crawled to Kate and carefully pulled her into his arms. As he saw her face for the first time, he could hardly bring himself to look at her eyes, dreading the possibility that they’d stare blankly back at him.
He forced himself to check. They were closed. He exhaled sharply and stared at her chest for several seconds until it rose and fell. A cry of relief passed between his lips.
She was alive.
Gently, he checked her for wounds. The side of her head was wet with blood, perhaps from where she’d hit it as the carriage rolled. Beyond that, nothing seemed amiss.
Thank God.
“Kate,” he said, curving his hand around the side of her face. “Wake up, my love.”
She didn’t stir.
“Kate?” He jostled her shoulder but got no response.
Damn, he’d have to get her out of here on his own.
He grabbed her by the waist and, taking as much care as possible, maneuvered her up and through the window on the side of the carriage that now faced the sky. With a grunt of effort, he lifted her so that her torso rested against the exterior of the carriage.
“I’ve got her.”
