Page 54 of Her Rogue of a Duke
As the first distant rumblings of thunder reverberated through the air, a subtle shift in the atmosphere unsettled Joshua's mount. The creature's muscles tensed beneath him, its movements becoming skittish and restless as its hooves began scraping anxiously against the earth, seeking purchase amidst the muddy terrain of the cliff.
Perfect. Just what I needed.
The scent of impending rain followed, now carried on the breeze that had turned cooler and more frenetic. And the distant flashes of lightning added an eerie luminescence to the darkening sky, casting an otherworldly glow upon Grenfell Cliff.
“God’s blood, why now. Just hang on a moment longer, old boy!” he roared, stroking Alexander’s mane with one hand as he swung the lantern with the other, attempting to pinpoint the exact spot of his accident. He recalled there being a very distinct formation of bushes before the carriage eventually came apart, but it was nigh on impossible to make anything out under the heavy cloak of the night.
Worse, Joshua’s cavalier efforts to reassure Alexander with gentle strokes and soothing murmurs were doing little to assuage the beast’s restiveness. Its nostrils flared, eyes wide and alert, as it snorted in distress. The approaching storm seemed to heighten its instincts, causing it to prance and toss its head in an effort to break free from the mounting tension.
Realizing the urgency of the situation, Joshua guided the steed with a firm yet gentle hand, trying to steady its nerves amidst the mounting tumult of nature's fury. Yet with each booming thunderclap and crackle of lightning, the horse's uneasiness only seemed to heighten.
Despite Joshua's expertise in handling horses and the affinity he had built with Alexander over the last several years, he found himself struggling to maintain control over the old beast.
“Steady now, boy,” he boomed against the powerful wind, tightening his grip on the reins and pulling Alexander away from the cliff’s edge before the impending tempest unleashed its full force. He was not ready to give up just yet, but he recognized it would be safer to alight and travel the rest of the distance on foot.
Suddenly, a white flash of lightning cleaved the sky, closely followed by a thunderous roar that sounded much closer than it had been before. Joshua’s mount let out a terrified shriek and reared up onto its hind legs. Caught off guard, his grip on the reins slipped, and he was tossed backward onto the unforgiving gravel. He hit the dirt hard and pain exploded along his back as his head struck the earth with a jarring force. The lantern he had been carrying rolled away into the dark, just out of reach. Out of the periphery of his eye, he caught the dim silhouette of his horse rearing up one final time before taking off down the trail.
Joshua lay on the cold, damp ground, dazed and winded. He stared up at the sky and watched as lightning continued to thread across it, the first droplets of rain beginning to patter against his skin.
A faint voice in the back of his throbbing head told him he should not just lay there. He should get up and finish what he had come here to do—before the rain came down in its full fury and drowned him in its embrace. But he could not seem to make himself move.
It was all right, though.
Hisangelwould come for him again.
She had saved him in such dire circumstances before, and he was certain she would do so once more. And he would finally uncover who she truly was.
But as the minutes ticked by, each as slow and heavy as the last, no savior appeared, nor had anyangeldescended from the skies. Confusion and disappointment swirled in Joshua's mind. Why hadn't she come? Didn't she sense his need for her once more?
His eyelids flickered and exhaustion began to tug at the edges of his consciousness, inviting him into its seductive embrace. He fought it, not wanting to miss her when she arrived.
However, as time stretched on and she did not appear, his resolve to stay awake grew weaker and weaker. Perhaps he could rest his eyes for just a moment… that would be all right, would it not?
He was so… so tired after all.
At last, Joshua could not fight the beckoning darkness any longer. And he gave in, letting it pull him down into its calm, quiet depths.
Joshua’s eyes fluttered open slowly. He found himself gazing up at the turbulent sky, his brow furrowing in bewilderment. What in God’s blood…
He attempted to rise, only to be met with vehement resistance from his own body and the merciless wind. Pain lanced through his back, and a pulsating throb besieged his head. The agony seemed to unlock the floodgates of his memory, reminding him of his fall from Alexander.
By Jove, how long have I been out?
Wincing, he clutched his head, willing the ache in his skull to go away. His attire was in a ghastly state with thick layers of mud coating his trousers and a large portion of his back. His valet would lend him an earful when he returned. Struggling to his feet, Joshua fought against the heaviness of his clothes and the piercing pain in his head. He looked around, hoping to find his horse, but the animal was nowhere in sight. The storm had, no doubt, sent the horse galloping all the way back to the safety of Elmcroft by now.
Just my luck.
Inhaling deeply, he gathered what strength he could muster. It looked as though he were going to have to make the daunting trip back home on foot, a prospect that made his already sore legs burn.
With his eyes having adjusted to the darkness by now, he scanned his surroundings, hoping to at least find his lantern toaid him on the journey. Suddenly, the clouds above parted and blessed him with a stream of moonlight, as though offering a solace.
Unfortunately, when Joshuadidfind his lantern, it was crushed. Had the horse trampled it as it had galloped away? His shoulders slumped at the sight, and a weary sigh escaped his lips. He would be walking home, and he would be doing it in the dark.
Resigned to his fate, Joshua began his slow, limping trek all the way back to Elmcroft, his mind clouded with all he would have to contend with to make it back in one piece. If the rain failed to lessen up, he would likely have to get down on all fours to keep himself safe from falling over the cliff’s edge. Perhaps a carriage tumbling through this place could be his savior—though it would turn the entire ordeal into a most humiliating experience with how he presently looked. A Duke, crawling through mud.Egad!That harrowing thought made the notion of walking back to Elmcroft alone a touch more of a pleasant experience.
Besides, he could spend the time reflecting on how he ended up in such a ridiculous predicament to begin with.
And what I get to say to Warren when he sees me next. By Jove, but I will be hearing of this for months…