Two horses were brought around for her and Lady Burwell. With the pounding of the horse’s hooves toward Malcolm, she prayed he would be all right. Fear numbed her mind, and anxiety propelled her limbs into motion as she guided the animal, knowing she needed to get to him quickly.
When she reached the crowd surrounding him, her hopes plummeted. The expressions on the bystanders’ faces were grim. Her heart wrenched. She couldn’t lose Malcolm now.
She jumped from her horse and elbowed her way through the crowd until reaching his location. His face was deathly pale. A pool of blood circled his head, and a red spot dampened his shoulder. She gasped and covered her mouth.
A physician knelt beside Malcolm, listening to his chest. She waited for his answer, praying to hear a positive word. Her numb body wouldn’t let her breathe.
The physician straightened and released a heavy sigh. He nodded to her and smiled. “His heartbeat is strong. That is a good sign.”
Tears stung her eyes.Thank you, gracious Lord.The man gently rolled Malcolm over to examine his head wound. The doctor retrieved bandages from his bag and wrapped Malcolm’s head.
A knot formed in her throat as she studied him. He seemed so helpless, so still. How could she handle this? Memories of her father’s death crashed in around her. The thought of losing Malcolm, too, caused her body to tremble. Although the physician had given her words of encouragement, it didn’t stop the doubts that plagued her mind.
Malcolm had to live. She couldn’t imagine life without him.
When the physician finished bandaging Malcolm’s head, he moved down to his twisted leg. He fastened two long sticks to immobilize the break, and her stomach lurched.
“I don’t believe the break is too serious. I’m certain it will heal quickly,” the doctor said.
She nodded, still afraid to say anything without losing what little was in her stomach.
Behind her, the crunching of wheels on rocky soil announced the wagon’s approach, and the crowd parted to let it through. The physician and four other men gently lifted Malcolm into the bed of the wagon. The conveyance began its journey to the manor. She stared after them in a mindless state of panic. When somebody beside her took hold of her upper arm, she turned.
Brandon Kennedy stood closer than she wanted. “Would you like me to escort you back, my dear Mrs. Worthington?”
Irritation rolled in her stomach. “No. I can manage by myself.”
He stepped closer. “What kind of gentleman would I be if I let you return alone?”
“Thank you for your kind offer,” she replied in a bitter tone, yanking herself away from his grip, “but I would like to return with Lady Burwell.” Without waiting for his reply, she lifted her skirts and hurried to catch up with her hostess, who waited by the horses.
“Mrs. Worthington?” Brandon called behind her. She ignored him, but the insistent man wouldn’t leave her alone. He grasped her arm again. “Mrs. Worthington, a moment, please.”
Straightening, she slowed her pace, letting the unrelenting man walk beside her. “I really cannot imagine what we have to discuss, Mr. Kennedy.”
“I just want to make certain you are all right.”
“I will be just fine the moment I find out my husband is conscious.”
“Camilla.” His voice lowered several notches. “You are talking to me, remember? You don’t have to pretend now. I know you are not worried about your husband.”
She stopped and narrowed her eyes at him. “Then you are sorely mistaken, once again.”
He grumbled softly. “I think this episode was not an accident.”
“What are you saying?”
“I think somebody tried to hurt him.” He glanced around the area and stepped closer.
“Then we should inform Colonel Burwell at once.”
“No,” he said quickly. “I don’t think we should, especially if you were behind this.”
“Me?” She gasped. “Why would you say such a thing?”
“Not long ago, you were in my arms making plans to kill him, or have you forgotten?”
In stunned disbelief, she grabbed the folds of her skirt to keep her nervous hands occupied. Blinking, she fought the dizziness attempting to consume her vision.Kat wantedMalcolm dead?“I wasn’t even in the fox hunt. How could I have made him fall from his saddle?”
