Page 57 of The Duke's Spinster Bride
“What the-” with a startled cry he realised that he was seeing the carriage tearing down the road. “She is going to get herself killed!”
Frederick pulled on his coat, and hurtled out of his room. He was barely aware of anything as he reached the stables.I cannot believe she did this.
“I am going to sack the driver who agreed to take her.” He muttered as he sprinted into the stable yard.
To his immense relief, he saw one of the horses already saddled and being run around one of the paddocks. He ran towards the horse and its rider.
“I need the horse. I trust it is not spent.” Frederick opened the paddock gate.
The stable boy leapt down and led the horse towards him. “No, Your Grace. She still has a few hours’ hard riding in her.”
“Excellent.” Frederick pulled himself into the saddle, whirled the horse around and galloped after Andrea.
He urged his horse onwards as fast as he dared. The sound of thunder and screaming filled his mind, fueling his panic further.Fool. Absolute fool.
“Andrea!” He yelled as soon as he spotted the carriage. “Andrea! You have to stop! It is dangerous.”
She gave no sign that she had heard him and he cursed, digging his heels into the horse to increase its speed. Thankfully, the carriage was not moving at more than a trot.
“Andrea! Andrea, listen to me!” He roared above the wind rushing against his face. “Damn it, pull over the carriage!”
His mind filled with images of falling, of crumpled and broken bodies, with rain flooding the road, but he pushed it away. He opened his mouth to call out again, he was so nearly level with her.
The wheel of the carriage snapped, wood splinters narrowly missing him. Andrea screamed as she was flung from the carriage onto the road.
Frederick let out a howl and leapt from his horse, uncaring of the danger. He landed, stumbled and fell, pain lancing through his hands and knees, but he ignored it. He pulled himself to his feet and sprinted towards Andrea. She was clutching her ankle, caked in mud.
His heart seemed determined to beat itself out of his chest as he drew level with her. He knelt beside her, his eyes searching her for any signs of injury.She is awake. That is a good start.
“Are you hurt? Did you hit your head?” He gently touched her head, feeling for lumps or for any sign of bleeding.
He let out a sigh of relief when he felt neither, but continued to search her body for other injuries.
“I-I-I do not think so.” Andrea’s voice was small and shaky, and it broke his heart. Rain beat down on both their heads, tugging her hair into damp locks against her cheeks.
Frederick nodded. “I need a better look at you, there does not seem to be any bleeding anywhere, though it is hard to tell with all this mud.”
“I suspect it broke my fall.” She gave him a weak smile. “It is lucky the carriage was not moving any faster.”
The thought of what might have happened if the horses had been moving at any great speed sent ice through Frederick’s veins. He paused, tensing as he tried to dismiss the image from his mind.
“I should have listened to you. I cannot believe I have been such an idiot.” Andrea bit her lip. “I just thought you were trying to control me. I did not stop to think… to think that there might be a sensible reason you were telling me no.”
Tears filled her eyes. “I am sorry I did not listen to you. And now the carriage is ruined.”
He wiped the tears from her face with the pad of his thumb. “You do not need to apologise for that. I should have realised how it would sound. If anyone is to blame it is me.”
“But – ”He cut her off.
“Please do not beat yourself up for this. It is my fault. I should have explained myself, made you understand my objections and that the carriage was broken.” He gave her a firm look. “Now hold still, I need to check for any other injuries.”
His hands skated across her skin, as he watched her face for any sign of pain. She stiffened slightly at his touch, her breath catching.
“Does this hurt?” his heart sped up, his eyes widening.
She shook her head. “Just… I am not used to…”
Two faint spots of colour appeared on her cheek and Frederick hastily looked away. He gently moved her limbs, pushing and checking for any injuries, noting various scrapes and cuts as he did. When he reached her right ankle, she let out a pained hiss and clutched it tightly.
