Page 78 of A Rescue by the Rakish Duke
“Good morning, Mr. Wilkes. Is Daisy ready?” she asked in her usual friendly way, even though her heart felt heavy.
What if Damian was right?
She wouldn’t take long. She just needed to take Daisy for a little trot.
The elderly man doffed his hat, smiling at her. He was missing a tooth, but he was otherwise healthy. Damian made sure that his servants were regularly examined by the physician. Gwendoline didn’t know that there were masters like him.
“Daisy’s waiting for you, Your Grace. She’s ready. I have never seen a mare finer than her.”
Gwendoline smiled, walking over to Daisy to rub her neck affectionately as the groom helped her mount.
“Have you checked if everything is in order?” she asked, suddenly feeling anxious.
She clasped her hands to quickly calm herself down. She didn’t want to alarm Daisy.
“Yes, Your Grace. She is safe. Your side saddle and mount are secure, and I can see that you have your gloves and riding boots on,” Mr. Wilkes replied as he scanned her from head to toe.
Daisy’s ears flicked back and forth. It could be a subtle sign of unease, but it could be the crisp air, too. So, Gwendoline brushed it off. Anyway, Mr. Wilkes and his son would be riding behind her.
She started off at a leisurely pace, breathing in the fresh air and embracing the countryside’s calm and quiet. The only thing she could hear aside from the horses’ hooves were the birdsong and the whistling of the wind.
“I won’t take long…”
She recalled her promise to Damian, but she was thoroughly enjoying the relaxing ride.
“A few more minutes,” she muttered to herself as she gently flicked the reins to urge Daisy on.
About twenty minutes into the ride, however, the mare’s behavior became strange. Erratic even. She usually had a predictable run, but her steady gait became more uneven. She tossed her head nervously and neighed. Gwendoline tried tosoothe her by murmuring and stroking her neck, but the mare was uneasy.
Suddenly, without a warning, the mare reared up on her hind legs, her front hooves pawing at the air.
“Daisy!” Gwendoline cried, just as Mr. Wilkes and his son called out, “Your Grace!”
Gwendoline barely had time to react. She clung to the reins as tightly as she could, grateful that she hadn’t forgotten to wear her gloves. Her heart pounded in her chest as she realized that Daisy was becoming more frantic. The mare bucked violently and let out a high-pitched whinny.
The force of the movement threw Gwendoline off the saddle, and she landed hard on the ground.
She lay there, barely feeling the grass and soil. All she could feel was the pain shooting through her shoulder and hip. Her vision was a little blurry. She blinked, and a lone tear rolled down her cheek. She could hear Daisy’s hooves thundering away from her and into the woods.
Mr. Wilkes and his son spurred their horses forward to catch up with her.
“Your Grace!” Mr. Wilkes called, quickly dismounting and rushing toward her. “Are you badly hurt?”
Gwendoline groaned at the searing pain, but she knew from the way she could move her limbs that nothing was broken. At least, nothing wasobviouslybroken.
“Just bruised and in pain, I believe,” she moaned.
Mr. Wilkes and his son helped her sit up. Both looked pale with worry. Gwendoline could almost read their minds. They were concerned for her well-being while afraid of what the duke would say.
“Jack, fetch His Grace immediately!” Mr. Wilkes commanded as he helped Gwendoline stand up and walk slowly.
“I’m all right, Mr. Wilkes,” she said quickly. “You don’t have to alarm him needlessly. Just walk me to the house.”
“No, Your Grace. As much as I don’t want to disobey your orders, I have to consider your condition.”
As soon as he heard his father’s words, Jack ran as fast as he could. Meanwhile, Gwendoline walked gingerly, not because she was seriously injured but because she was still shaking with fear and shock.
Not long after they started their walk back, Gwendoline saw her husband striding toward them. He was an impatient man, and he was quickly closing the distance between them. His face looked thunderous, his eyes flashing and his lips pressed in athin line. His eyes drifted to her limping leg, and he nearly leaped the last few inches between them.
