Page 76 of Gambling with the Earl
He was too well-mannered to question her intent. Kitty was not dressed for a journey of any kind, but she would press his well-bred reticence to her advantage.
“Not far, I assure you. And I give you my word that I do not usually rampage about the country in such a manner. I will greet you properly, Mr Erkine, on my return. Forgive my impatience to be gone.” She put a hand on the animal’s neck in what she hoped was not too proprietorial a gesture.
“There is nothing to forgive,” he said smoothly. “I can see that events have, mayhap, overtaken you? Allow me.” He cupped his hands to give her a leg-up, and after a moment’s thought she placed the tip of her foot into his palms. “There we go.”
She caught her breath as Richard Erkine launched her upwards, but found her seat more easily than she’d feared. Thecob had a broad back and she could balance quite well, despite her cumbersome gown.
“Thank you,” she said, still breathless from the speedy ascent. “Fear not, Mr. Erkine, I will take good care of him.”
She urged the horse forward and soon settled into his smooth stride. It had been some years since she rode, but it all came back to her. A voice in her head cautioned that her mother’s fine dress would be ruined within minutes. She knew a moment of doubt at the waste, but Rosalind’s prospects were secure and her own hung in the balance.
Besides, she would have no need of fancy gowns if her quest did not succeed.
She trotted up the cliff road. As soon as it levelled out, she would break into a canter. She would find Guy, even if she must ride into the night.
But her courage began to falter as the shadows lengthened and the day’s strong sunlight grew dim. The horse’s ears flicked backwards and forwards uneasily and the tight bodice of her gown chafed her skin. Evening insects buzzed around her, buffeted by a salty breeze rolling off the sea. Soon it would be dark and cold. If Kitty wasn’t dressed for riding, she most certainly wasn’t dressed for riding in the dark. Besides, the horse may stumble and fall, or ruffians could set upon them.
Stifling a sob, Kitty drew back on the reins and brought the uneasy horse to a halt.
She must admit defeat. To continue was madness. She should never have set off in such a hurry.
She was both a thief and a fool.
“It’s no good.” She stroked the horse’s hot neck. “We will turn back.”
The rumble of wheels and a distant sound of horses’ hooves brought a new chill to her bones. What fresh challenge was this?There was nowhere to hide on the clifftop. She must take her chances with whomever had presumed to follow her.
“Whoa,” a man’s voice carried on the breeze.
Kitty stiffened. She could urge her horse into a gallop, but would that be wise in the failing light, with the sheer cliff edge just feet away?
“Steady there.”
She heard the approaching cart come to a stop. Breathing as deeply as her dress would allow, Kitty turned to face them.
A kind-faced old man held a lantern towards her.
“Miss Katherine, thank goodness I’ve found you.”
“Alfred.” She was weak with relief.
“Come here to me now. I’ve got a blanket and a flagon of mead to warm you.”
She slid from the horse, leaning against its belly for support. Her aching legs threatened to buckle beneath her.
“Oh Alfred, I’ve been so rash.”
“None of that now.” He was behind her, wrapping the blanket around her shoulders and taking the reins from her hands.
“How did you know where I was?”
“Mr Erkine came to us with a story which Lizzie and myself found hard to credit. Miss Rosalind, though, said it may well be true. So here I am, in the Erkines’ trap. And not before time, by the looks of things.”
“You must think me a fool,” she said, though she hardly cared. It was enough to be safe with the prospect of rest and warmth ahead of her.
“I think you are brave,” he countered, stoutly. “But two heads are better than one.”
“You’re here to help me?” she sagged against the wooden trap as hope unfurled in her chest once more.
