Worry seized Emmie’s throat, and she walked slowly around the vehicle, hoping she didn’t see any feet sticking out… or, heaven forbid, a head. “I cannot see him underneath.” She prayed he wasn’t completely crushed and sucked into the wet ground. But she felt he wasn’t. Something else had happened to him.
“I want to go home,” Anna whined again.
Emmie nodded, but at the same time, she wished her maid would stop complaining. “Unfortunately, we cannot. Not until my father lets us know it’s safe.”
“I know, but being in an unfamiliar place is just as frightening.”
“Very true.”
Anna released another cry and pointed to the bottom of the hill. “How will we retrieve our trunks?”
Heaving a sigh, Emmie rubbed her forehead. The painful tic throbbing behind her eyes threatened to expand into a huge pounding before too long. If only she could go back to this morning and start all over from when she crawled out of bed, maybe things would have worked out better. Or if she could go back to eight weeks ago, she would still be in Paris. Then again, this part of the country was where her mother had been bornand raised. Part of her heart wanted to search for relatives she had never met, but she didn’t dare.
Emmie adjusted her crooked bonnet and tightened the bows under her chin—now dripping with filth. At least she could act dignified, even though she appeared far from it at the moment.
The rumble of another coach from up the road pulled her from her thoughts. She held her breath, hoping good fortune had decided to smile upon them after all. Anna scooted closer to her side and clutched Emmie’s arm.
The vehicle slowed as it neared, the driver’s gaze roaming over both Emmie and her maid. The coach appeared to be one of someone with wealth. The gold crest of eagle wings on the door hinted that the vehicle’s owner could be a noble.
Once the horses stopped, the driver shifted on his seat, leaning toward them. “What has happened here?”
Emmie took a step closer. “We are stranded, sir. Our coach overturned, and we cannot find the driver.”
The door to the vehicle opened, and a head poked out mere seconds before the man’s frame followed. Emmie’s mouth hung open as she stared at the man emerging. He was very tall and muscular, and she couldn’t believe someone so robust could be so incredibly handsome as well. His light brown hair was pulled back from his face and secured with a leather tie. Dark brown eyes widened as he gazed over both Emmie and Anna. Never in her life had she felt so unclean before, but concern registered on the man’s face even though she and Anna looked a fright.
“What happened?” The handsome man glanced at the wrecked vehicle.
“I wish I knew,” Emmie answered. “We were riding along smoothly, then the wheel must have hit something, and we were thrown into the mud.” She pointed to the sloping hill just off the road. “Our trunks ended down at the bottom, but I can’t seem to locate the driver.”
He blew a heavy sigh between his teeth, and it whistled. “I’m relieved to know you are unharmed. Where are you heading, may I ask?”
“Mr. and Mrs. Crampton’s estate—”
“Henry and Martha Crampton?” His gaze slid over both women once again before his eyes widened. “Are you perhaps their guests from Manchester?”
Emmie hitched a breath in surprise. “Indeed, we are.”
He studied them again, slower this time, until he rested his gaze on Anna. He smiled. “Then you must be Lady Sarah Langston.”
Emmie held her breath, praying Anna would remember what they had discussed during their journey.The charade.But what if Anna forgot… or, heaven help her, what if the maid was too frightened?
Quickly, before Anna could respond, Emmie squeezed her hand and met the man’s stare. “Indeed, this is Lady Sarah Langston. I’m her companion.”
Anna’s wide-eyed expression clashed with Emmie’s, but she gave her maid a small, reassuring smile and nodded to follow along.
The handsome man tilted his head toward Emmie. “And does Lady Sarah’s companion have a name as well?”
Emmie swallowed hard. “Indeed she does. You may call me Miss Emmie.”
He bowed. “It’s a pleasure to meet both of you.” When he straightened, he turned to his driver and motioned. “Come help me assist these two lovely ladies.” He shrugged out of his waistcoat and laid it across the lip of the coach. The driver jumped down. The younger man pointed toward the vehicle. “Let’s see if we can turn this aright.”
“Splendid idea,” Emmie cheered. “I shall help as well.” She glanced at Anna, who still looked at a loss for words. “Lady Sarah, please stand over there, so you don’t hurt yourself.”
“Uh, I—I think I should help, too. More hands are better.”
The handsome man held up his hand. “Please, my lady. I fear you may strain yourself if you try to help.” He paused and looked at Emmie. “I think you should stand aside with your lady. My driver and I can see to the matter ourselves.”
“Nonsense. I’m very adept. I think you should allow me to assist.” Emmie lifted her chin, challenging the man.
