Page 10 of Lady Fiona's Tall, Dark Folly
Mary slammed against Fifi.
Welles landed on the floor, blinking at her mistress.
Outside, the horses raised a ruckus.
The coachman and his footmen shouted at each other.
Welles pushed backward, but the coach wobbled and the maid fell to her knees once more. She clamored to one side to try to right herself. "I'll get help, milady."
Fifi jiggled the handle of the door to try to open it. "Stuck."
Mary's bonnet had slid over her left ear and she looked tipsy. Tearing at the ribbons, she tore the thing off and tried to push away from Fifi. "We could say that the famous Flying-Post Coaches from Bath to London, don't fly at all."
Welles fell upon the coach door and rammed her shoulder against it. The coach jostled at her thrust, but did not move. The coach tottered at a precarious angle.
"Stop, Welles," Mary ordered. "Don't risk your safety."
"Milady," said Welles, "we must get out. I'll try the door again."
"I won't have you hurt, Welles. Let the men get us out."
More shouts met their ears.
Fifi pressed her face to the thin squabs. Pain consumed her every breath.
"Look!" Welles pointed. "Another coach."
"Thank heavens." Mary peered out. "More help, the better. Fifi, if you could not dig your nails into my—" She shot a glance at her. "What's wrong?"
"My foot," Fifi managed.
"What's wrong with it?"
"Hurts." Tears burned. But she would not cry.
"Don't move, Fee. Stay still, both of you. We're out of here in a thrice. You'll see. I...oh my."
Fifi heard shouts of men, neighing objection of horses.
"Is that help?" Fifi asked of Mary who couldn't take her eyes from the scene outside their carriage.
Mary waved a hand at her in consolation. "He'll get us out," she said.
Fifi prayed she was right. She couldn't see what the problem was. Her spectacles were off, of all damn times! But she certainly knew her foot was stuck between crushed floor boards and a crumpled seat.
Outside, men argued.
"What happened here?"
"Milord! Oh, milord! My reins broke."
"What?"
"Not my fault, milord. Please, tell 'em."
"Are you mad?" one man yelled to the other. "Secure your horses!"
"The reins of the leaders broke!"
