Page 53 of A Duke in the Rough

Burwood nodded and rose.

Victor stood and grabbed Burwood’s arm. “I’ll go with you. We can split up if necessary in order to find them.”

Drake continued to stare at Anne, stroking her face with a gentleness that broke Honoria’s heart. Momentarily glancing up at Burwood, he said, “Take Major. It will be quicker if you don’t have to go around. And hurry.” His voice cracked on the last words.

Once Burwood and Victor raced off to search for help, Drake wiped a hand down his face. “It’s all my fault.”

“No!”

He shook his head. “It is. I should have forbidden her to ride Buttercup. He’s stubborn and needs a gentle, trusting hand. He doesn’t like to be forced.”

“Just like Anne.”

Drake’s gaze snapped to hers.

“It’s true,” Honoria said, the admission breaking her heart, especially considering the recent consequences. “If you tell her not to do something, that’s exactly what she winds up doing. She’s headstrong and impetuous.”

“I told her to go around. Mr. Pratt injured himself on the jump over, and I wanted to assist him. I told her to meet me on the other side.” He shook his head again. “Even for Major, the jump was risky.”

She touched his arm in an effort to reassure him. “And yet you did so without regard to yourself. You couldn’t have known Anne would get it in her head to emulate you. You’re such an excellent horseman, you probably made it look effortless.”

He gave her a wobbly smile. “Always seeing the best in people.” He stared back at Anne. “But I should have insisted you ride Buttercup.”

“And what weight would your order have carried? Perhaps if Burwood had given the command. But Drake, be realistic. Does anyone in thetonlisten to someone not of the peerage?”

“Say what you will, Honoria. I take full responsibility for this.”

Anne’s bonnet had flown off with the fall, and Drake brushed a lock of red hair from Anne’s face, then turned toward Honoria, pain radiating in his eyes. “If she would only wake up.”

Time passed slowly as they watched Anne’s face for any sign she would wake.

“What’s keeping them?” The strain in Drake’s voice matched the tension coiling in Honoria’s chest.

At last, the sound of horses’ hooves grew closer. Honoria cupped Drake’s face. “Take heart. Help is on the way.”

Victor Pratt led the way, with Mr. Weatherby right behind. Mr. Weatherby practically jumped from his horse before it came to a fullstop. “What happened?” His gaze shot frantically from Anne, to Drake, to Honoria.

Drake opened his mouth, and Honoria placed a hand on his arm again, giving it a squeeze and hoping he would take heed and remain quiet. He shouldn’t take the blame for something that was a horrible accident. “Anne’s horse balked and threw her when she tried to jump the trees. Mr. Merrick warned her, telling her to go around.”

“It’s true, Weatherby,” Victor said. “We both told her to stop, as did Lady Honoria and Burwood.”

“Where is Burwood?” Andrew Weatherby said as he crumpled to the ground beside Anne and picked up her hand.

Before anyone could answer, Burwood approached with Dr. Marbry close behind.

Drake finally spoke. “Thank God.”

“Oh, Anne,” Andrew said, stroking her hand again. “What am I to do with you?” He glanced up at Drake. “We both warned her not to ride that horse, yet she wouldn’t listen. She never listens.” He wiped a coat sleeve against his face.

Dr. Marbry raced up, gently moving Andrew and Drake aside. “Give me some room, please.”

Honoria wished more than anything she could pull Drake into her arms and comfort him. She knew him well enough to understand the guilt he was laying upon himself.

As Dr. Marbry examined Anne, lifting each eyelid and carefully palpating her head, a collective hush fell over the small crowd gathered around her tiny form. More riders approached, abandoning the chase and giving the fox an unexpected reprieve. Murmured questions rose among the recently joined members.

Dr. Marbry looked up, his face a mask of solemnity. “We need to get her back to the house. Pockets, Oliver’s son, experienced a fall from a velocipede some years back, and Ashton helped treat him. Perhaps he will have some advice.”

Drake rose. Sheer determination colored his voice. “I’ll take her.”

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