Page 63 of Secrets of the Marriage Bed
A sigh escaped her when she had sworn she would not let him see how much his reserve troubled her. It was his nature. She could not expect him to change to make her happy. It was she who had to suit him. That was the way things were.
A little beyond the village, Alistair gazed around him. ‘I suggest we take a shortcut across that field,’ he said. ‘Thor needs to run.’
The meadow to their right did indeed look inviting, nearly as inviting as the apple-tree house. Alistair opened the gate, when she knew he and his horse could easily have jumped it. And would have, had he been alone. Jumping in a lady’s saddle was always a risk, so she could appreciate his gentlemanly consideration, even if she did not appreciate his cool nature.
The field rose in a gentle incline and the horses, once given their heads, did indeed show their eagerness to be stretching their legs in a full-out gallop to the top of the hill and over a log in the break in the wall that Thor hopped with ease. Beneath her, Bella gathered for the jump. Julia relaxed and the little mare took it easily. When she lifted her gaze to see which way Alistair had gone, she was shocked to see him crumpled on his side on the grass. Thor stood a little way off, trembling, his saddle slipped around beneath his belly.
Julia kicked free of her stirrup and slid carefully down. ‘Alistair?’
She ran and knelt at his side, touching her fingertips to his neck to find his pulse a strong, steady beat. With some effort, she pushed him onto his back. He remained pale and unconscious with a trickle of blood running down his forehead.
Gently, she ran her fingers over his scalp, sifted through the thick silk of his golden hair and found a lump sticky with blood just above his hairline. She parted his hair to see a still-swelling bump already turning blue. His head must have hit a rock when he’d landed. ‘Alistair.’ She shook his shoulder and wildly looked around for help. Not a soul in sight.
Now what was she to do? She could not carry him, nor could she leave him here alone. She sat down beside him cross-legged and eased his head into her lap, gently stroking her fingers across his forehead, praying he would wake up, praying someone would pass by and see them.
He groaned. Brought a hand to his head.
Relieved he was coming to his senses, she captured his hand in her own. ‘Careful, you might make it worse.’
His eyes fluttered and opened. ‘Gads, that hurts.’
He blinked several times, then squeezed his eyes shut. ‘Everything is blurry.’
She glanced over at Thor. ‘You came off your horse. Bumped your head.’
He frowned. ‘Where?’
‘We were taking a shortcut.’
He pressed his fingers to his temple. ‘We were going to Beauworth, last I recall.’ His voice trailed off. ‘No, we were there.’ He squeezed his eyes shut. ‘What happened?’
‘You showed me a clean pair of heels and jumped a log. By the time I reached the other side you were down. Your saddle slipped.’
‘My saddle?’ He made as if to sit up, groaned and lay back down in her lap. ‘Devil take it, I feel dizzy.’
‘You hit your head. Lay still for a moment or two.’
‘Thor?’ He tried to turn his head, but closed his eyes immediately.
‘I told you, lay still.’
‘Bossy little thing, aren’t you.’
Only a man as large as Alistair would call her little. ‘It is for your own good.’
He gazed up into her face, the grey eyes not cold any more, but the frown creasing his brow speaking of pain. ‘Do that thing with your fingers in my hair. It felt nice.’
‘Close your eyes, then.’
He did as she bid and she combed her fingers slowly through his hair, careful not to touch his scalp near the bump. His sigh was long and soft through parted lips that looked softer and fuller than usual. Her heart gave a little clench. Why couldn’t he always be this open? He was so handsome. And protective. But so aloof.
He was not aloof now. He was permitting her to care for him. A feeling of great tenderness filled her chest. She closed her eyes briefly, not wishing to admit how much she also wished he could care for her.
‘Better?’ she asked.
‘Much.’ Eyes squinting, he peered around. ‘Thor?’
‘He is all right. A bit twitchy about the saddle being almost below his belly, but calm enough.’
