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Chapter 28

The gravel shifted beneath the horse’s hooves as it strained to climb the sloping sides of the gully. Jane kept her arms wrapped around Asher as Alexander urged the stallion forward. Her fear of being in the saddle again had dissipated the moment Alexander had mounted behind her. With the feel of his broad chest against her back and his strong arms on either side of her, she felt safe. But that was not all. No matter that her leg pulsed with pain or that her concern for Asher remained, the memory of his kiss lingered. Something had changed between them. She could not ascertain exactly what it was, but she knew there was no going back to where they’d been before.

The stallion’s rear leg slipped, and they slid backward a couple of feet. Jane flinched, and in her arms, Asher moaned.

“Alexander,” she gasped.

The earl was so focused on helping their mount regain its footing, he did not hear her. She waited, willing herself to remain calm as the horse attempted the rise again.

“Come on, Sampson,” Alexander urged.

Jane felt the horse’s muscles ripple beneath her legs and sensed his strain as he scrambled for the top. Suddenly, his hooves were on grass, and they were up and over the gully’s rim and on solid ground once more. The horse began to trot, and Asher moaned again.

“Alexander! Did you hear that? Asher’s waking.”

“Hold on to him tightly,” he said.

Anticipating the stallion’s increased gait as best she could, Jane focused on keeping Asher’s position steady as they raced toward the tree line. A flickering light emerged from between the trees.

“They are found!” Alexander shouted at the servant who had stopped to watch their approach. “Find Mr. Hadford and spread the word. We are riding directly to Bloxley Hall.”

They plunged into the woods. Alexander slowed Sampson to a walk, guiding him around the largest, darkest tangles of vegetation while keeping him headed in the general direction of the house. The moon lit their path, but branches grasped at them as they passed, and nighttime animals darted out of sight. Jane cowered low over Asher, trying to protect him as best she could. He stirred, his little legs shifting against her.

“Hurry, Alexander,” she said.

“Not much farther.”

The trees thinned, and suddenly, they were on grass again. Up ahead, Bloxley Hall loomed out of the darkness, lights shining in the windows. Hope rose in Jane’s heart. They were almost there. Alexander touched his heels to his stallion’s side, and the horse turned his nose toward home, kicking up the wet turf as he galloped toward the stables at the back of the house.

They entered the courtyard with a clatter of hooves. A man came running out of the stables to greet them. “I’ll take ’im, my lord.”

“Thank you, Samuel.” Alexander slid off the back of the horse before Sampson had come to a full halt. “Who is the fastest rider in the stables?”

The head groom took Sampson’s straps. “Well, I reckon that would be me, my lord.”

“I need you to leave for London right away,” Alexander said. “Go directly to Bakers Street and find Dr. Jacob Thorndike. Tell him that Lord Bloxley requires his services immediately at Bloxley Hall. We have two injured parties in need of his expertise.” He paused. “Tell him that one of them is Mary Brown’s son.”

“Eros is saddled already, my lord. I can leave within the next few minutes.”

“Good man.” He started to turn away. “And, Samuel, I am counting on you to have the doctor here by morning.”

“Don’t you worry, my lord. I’ll find the doctor and get ’im back ’ere straightaway.”

“Bloxley!” At the sound of her father’s voice, Jane swung around. A man on horseback was cantering toward them. “Is it true? Do you have them both?” Alexander did not need to reply. Her father rode into the circle of light pouring through the stable doors. “Jane!” He leaped from his mount with almost as much alacrity as Alexander had done. “Are you injured? What of Asher?”

“I am well enough,” Jane said, tears stinging her eyes at her father’s obvious concern for her and Asher. “Asher is in far worse condition.”

Alexander reached up and took the little boy from her. “We must get them both inside,” he said. “Would you be willing to take the child, sir?”

Without hesitation, her father extended his arms for Asher. The little boy stirred again.

“He is beginning to show signs of regaining consciousness,” Jane said.

“I shall be careful with him.” His eyes were still on Jane. “What of you?”

Alexander reached for her, and she slid into his arms. He tightened his hold upon her. “She dropped into the gully,” he said, speaking for her. “I am hoping that Dr. Thorndike will correctly diagnose the extent of her injuries.”

“What manner of injuries?” Her father’s voice held obvious alarm.