Page 167 of Rogue of My Heart

Albina limped over to the horse, who was prancing in place rather anxiously. After patting her coat and speaking a few soothing words in the mare’s ear, she slowly calmed enough where Albina could assess the damage to the vehicle. She winced, for the phaeton wasn’t going anywhere for a while. Not only was the axle broken, but the back left wheel was stuck in a rut that was now several inches deep in mud.

I’ll simply ride back. Albina set about trying to unhitch the mare from the broken carriage, but her fingers were so wet and numb that she only fumbled with the straps, getting them in an even more tangled shape than before.

She stood back and set her hands on her hips as the rain continued to lash out at her. What now? She certainly didn’t want to leave the horse unattended, but neither did she care to spend the night on the road waiting for someone to happen to come by and assist her. Or rob her.

She shivered again, but this time it was for a different reason entirely.

Michael was exhausted. Not only had this been one of the most trying days of his life, but he was riding back to Beauley Hall in the pouring rain.

It hadn’t taken long for the roads to become a muddy mess, nor for his greatcoat to be drenched. At least his head was still dry. Thank God for a wide brimmed, tricorn hat. It might not have been all the fashion anymore, but it served a good purpose, and he was grateful for it.

He kept imagining a cheery fire waiting for him when he returned home, and a nice, warming glass of brandy. Fortunately, trying days like these were few and far between. But then, when a man was doing all he could to save a drowning marriage, some sacrifices had to be made.

Michael rounded a bend in the road and had to squint his eyes against the lashing rain that tried to obscure his vision. Tucking his head down farther into his coat, he frowned as a dark shape began to take form ahead.

He was only about a mile from Beauley Hall, and to see another carriage wasn’t much of a common occurrence. Most travelers stuck to the main road.

As he began to draw closer, he frowned, for it was evident that he was coming upon a wreckage. The black and yellow phaeton was clearly?—

He blinked. Then blinked again.

That phaeton was his.

What the devil?—?

And that was when he saw her. Dress torn, bonnet drooping rather pathetically, and huddled next to one of his horses, was his wife. He could tell she didn’t recognize him at first, for her hazel eyes were wide and uncertain, trying to determine if he was a friend or foe.

He knew it wouldn’t endear her to him, but he couldn’t stop the laughter that bubbled up from his chest.

She stared at him as if he’d gone mad, until his identity became clear.

“Michael?”

He crossed his wrists over the pommel of his saddle, intending to enjoy this moment. Suddenly the rain didn’t seem nearly as annoying.

“You seem to need some assistance, my lady.”

Albina folded her arms, irritated now that she knew he wasn’t a highwayman. “What gave it away?” she returned sarcastically.

“You seem rather uncharitable for someone who could use some help,” he countered, although he slid off of his mount and walked over to her.

“Oh, just stop aggravating me and unhitch this animal so that I can get home and into some dry clothes before it gets dark and any manner of

* * *

creature might come out of those woods.” She indicated the thicket in question.

Michael smiled, although the idea of her calling Beauley Hall home once again hit him squarely in the chest. He knew it meant nothing, just a mere slip of the tongue, but it made him want to shout at the moon nonetheless.

Once he’d freed the mare from the broken phaeton, he held his hand out to Albina. She would have to ride bareback the rest of the way, but he had no doubts as to her ability to do so. She was an accomplished horsewoman and had been the one to teach their daughters, Mary and Sarah, how to ride.

But as for her driving abilities…

“If you don’t mind me asking, how did you manage to break my phaeton?”

That question earned him a glare, but she replied evenly, “A rabbit ran out into the road and scared the horse.”

“Ah.” He nodded.