Once the coach stopped, the footman assisted the dowager out of her rollerchair with Priscilla’s help, as the woman barked orders to the driver. Within five minutes, the ladies were settled inside the vehicle and the dowager’s chair was attached to the back. Priscilla let the housekeeper sit on the bench by herself so as not to feel cramped, while she sat beside the duchess.
During their ride, Mrs. Jones chatted nervously, even though Priscilla tried to keep her voice calm to help soothe the woman’s fears. The topic of discussion was the fire in the stable. Thedowager shared with them what the constable had found on the far side of the stable, which was why Gavin had ridden to Birmingham.
Priscilla’s heartbeat quickened from the mention of Gavin. Would he be home today or tomorrow? She prayed it would be today. It surprised her how much she missed him already.
“So nobody saw anyone on that side of the stable?” Mrs. Jones asked, her eyes wide with wonder.
The Dowager Duchess of Englewood shook her head. “None of them saw how the fire started, and of course they were all too busy keeping the structure from burning to the ground to see anyone flee into the woods.”
“Does that mean…” Mrs. Jones’s throat jumped as she swallowed hard. “Could it be someone here at the manor who started the fire? After all, the moment someone saw the smoke, everyone jumped into action to help save the horses.”
“Oh, I pray it wasn’t someone who lives here.” The dowager waved her fan faster in front of her face. “I would hate to think one of my devoted servants was responsible for this.”
Mrs. Jones nodded. “I will keep alert for anything suspicious with the staff. You can count on my assistance, Your Grace.”
“Of course I can.” The dowager duchess smiled.
Suddenly, the coach jerked to the side. Priscilla braced a hand on the wall beside her, using her other hand to keep the dowager from sliding off the seat. The housekeeper released a cry, closing her eyes as she drew a cross over her bosom. Finally, the vehicle came to a stop, but continued to tilt on its side.
Priscilla struggled to climb toward the door. “Your Grace?” she asked in a strained voice. “Are you all right?”
“I am for now.”
Frightened sobs came from the housekeeper as she kept her eyes closed. Priscilla had to help, but she didn’t want to leave thedowager alone. “Mrs. Jones? Can you move over and take my place? I will try to get out to see what is going on.”
She figured the housekeeper’s large body would help keep the dowager secure in her seat for now. But when the round woman snapped open her eyes in fright, Priscilla wondered if the servant would be any use to them at all.
“You are going to leave us here alone?” The housekeeper’s voice trembled.
“I’m just going to climb out and see what has happened and lend my assistance.” Priscilla struggled to reach the door. “I have been in this situation before, and I believe that a wheel has come loose. We should be fine.”
Just as she and the housekeeper switched places, the coach made another jerking motion and tipped again. The two other women screamed. Priscilla braced herself the best she could. She didn’t think the wheel had come off in this instance, especially because it felt as though the coach was sliding down a hill. Priscilla slipped to the floor of the vehicle, which helped her to not slide all over the place. She curled in a ball, trying to protect herself.
Squeezing her eyes shut, she said a silent prayer that the coach would stop soon. She prayed that no injury would come upon the dowager, because the woman had been through enough hardship already.
When the coach finally stopped, she opened her eyes and peered toward the dowager. Thankfully, the two women were still on the seat. Priscilla leaned over and touched the elderly woman’s leg. The dowager’s eyes opened, and she looked around.
“Your Grace, are you hurt?” Priscilla asked.
“I… don’t think so.” The woman turned her attention toward the housekeeper. “Bea? Look at me. Are you hurt?”
The housekeeper’s face was as white as death, but she blinked open her eyes and glanced down at her body as she ran her palms over her arms and legs. She sobbed a sigh as tears came to her eyes. “I’m fine, thank the good Lord.”
Priscilla listened closely for voices, anything to let her know if someone was coming to help them out of the broken vehicle. But she didn’t hear anything. That couldn’t be good at all.
“Is anyone out there?” she shouted.
After a few moments of silence, she steadied herself in the overturned coach and stood, reaching for the door. She pushed with all of her might, and thankfully, it opened. The tops of trees and the blue sky were all she could see.
“Someone help us!” she called at the top of her voice.
When she was around ten years old, she had been in a carriage accident with her mother and father. They had pushed Priscilla out of the overturned vehicle so that she could find someone to help them. She prayed she could do the same now as an adult.
She pulled her dress up to her knees and shimmied up the wall. Reaching the opening, she used all the strength in her arms to pull herself up out of the coach. She remembered this being easier when she was ten, but she didn’t stop trying. Soon, she was out and sitting on the edge of the coach.
Immediately, she saw the slope their vehicle had slid down. The ground was still muddy because of the recent rainstorm. She sighed. It would be hard enough for her to climb that hill, let alone try to help an old woman who was crippled.
In the distance, she heard the neighing of a horse. Since their horses were missing, it could be one of them that she heard. Or maybe the Lord was answering her prayers.
