Page 20 of Indecent
She thrust the coat toward him. “Put this on before you’re drenched to the bone.”
“Might be too late for that,” he said with a smile, taking the garment and throwing it over his shoulders. “Go back in. We won’t be long. We can’t move the tree until the storm is over.”
“Be careful,” she said, her gaze holding his.
“I will. Go.” He smiled at her as she turned. Another bolt of lightning lit the sky followed by a loud crack.
“Prudence!”
Prudence heard her name just before she felt a weight crash against her. She fell forward, turning her head just before she hit the muddy ground.
Her breath had been knocked from her, but she didn’t feel hurt. It took her a moment to realize it wasn’t a branch that had sent her falling, but a person whose weight now held her down.
Turning her head farther, she tried to see who was on top of her back, but she couldn’t. She inhaled deeply through her nose because there was mud on her lip. Then she knew who it was—by scent.
“Bennet, are you all right?” He hadn’t moved since they’d fallen.
He let out a groan. “Yes.”
“Your lordship!” One of the men called just before the weight was removed from Prudence’s back.
She instantly turned over and scrambled to get up. The stable master, Tasker, had pulled Bennet up.
“Bloody hell.” Bennet stared toward the stable, provoking Prudence to pivot.
A tree had crushed one side, falling completely through the roof.
“Go,” Bennet said to Tasker. “I’ll be fine.”
Prudence looked to him and saw blood trickling from his temple, mingling with the rain. “You are not fine,” she said, rushing to his side.
“I wager I’m better than my coach.” He winced as she touched his cheek.
“You’re coming inside,” she insisted, grabbing his arm and dragging him toward the house.
“All right.” He sounded resigned. Defeated almost.
Mrs. Logan met them at the door. “Did that branch hit you?” She gestured toward the very large piece of wood that lay in the mud next to where Bennet had fallen on top of Prudence.
“I think it hit his lordship, yes,” Prudence said as they moved inside. She pulled the sodden coat from Bennet and cast it behind her, careless of where it landed. “Come to the settee so I can look at your head.”
“Better me than you,” he said, touching his head gingerly.
Prudence settled him on the settee in the seating area near the front window. “What do you mean?”
“That bolt of lightning hit the tree. It split, and the branch was diving straight for you.” He looked up at her, his blue-green eyes stark with distress. “It might have killed you.”
“You saved her life,” Mrs. Logan whispered, sounding as if she were awed. “It’s a miracle you weren’t more seriously injured. Or killed yourself.”
“I tried to move us out of the way.” Bennet didn’t take his eyes from Prudence. “I’m sorry if I hurt you when I tackled you.”
“You didn’t.” She couldn’t believe what he’d done, how quickly he’d acted. And with no thought to himself. “You shouldn’t have done that.”
“Don’t say that.” His voice was low and raw. “Please don’t say that. I’d do it again.” He wiped at the blood that was still streaming down his face. “Might I have a towel or something to press on this?”
“Good heavens, look at me standing here doing nothing!” Mrs. Logan dashed toward the kitchen, delivering a commentary as she went, “I hope Mr. Logan and Mr. Tasker come in before too long. It’s far too dangerous out there!”
Prudence sank down beside him on his injured side. “Does it hurt?”
