Seger entered the drawing roomwhere the gentleman was waiting. He wore a shabby-looking suit and held a bowler hat in his hands and straightened uncomfortably when he locked eyes with Seger.
“Sir, you have disturbed me at a most inopportune time. I hope this is important.”
The man spoke shakily. “It is, my lord. Gillian Flint...is she a relative of yours?”
“A relative by marriage, yes. She is my stepmother’s niece. What of her?”
The man turned his hat over in his hands. “I regret to inform you that Miss Flint fell from her horse in front of my house this morning. She was unconscious and a good civilian brought her to my door. My wife is with her now. The young lady mentioned your name.”
Seger tensed. “Is she all right?”
“Shaken up, to be sure, but I reckon she’ll survive.”
“Have you summoned a doctor?”
“No, my lord, I came straight here.”
Seger nodded. “Thank you for bringing this news to me, sir. Wait here, if you please.”
Seger left the drawing room and requested that his coach be brought around to the front door posthaste. He returned to the room just as Clara appeared in a simple morning dress with her hair in a loose knot.
“Gillian has been hurt,” he told her.
“What happened?”
“She fell from her horse. I must go and fetch her right away. Will you tell Quintina to send word to my physician to meet me at this gentleman’s home?”
Seger questioned the man, who related the address to Clara.
A short while later, Seger was stepping into the coach with John Hibbert, but paused when he heard Clara call his name from the front door.
“Wait!” Without so much as a shawl or gloves or hat, she bounded down the steps and practically leaped into the coach. “I’m coming with you.”
Seger helped her inside and shut the door behind her.
Clara sat by the sofa where Gillian rested in the Hibberts’ front parlor and listened to the physician speak to Seger at the door.
“She’ll be fine,” the doctor said. “No signs of bruising or any broken bones. I believe she is simply distressed, as any lady would be. You might want to take a look at that horse, however. Miss Flint said he bucked suddenly without any cause whatsoever.”
Seger shook the man’s hand. “I will, Dr. Lindeman. Thank you.” A few minutes later, Seger entered the parlor. “You gave us quite a fright, my dear girl,” he said to Gillian.
She squeezed Clara’s hand. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to cause this much trouble. I was riding too fast, I suppose.”
Sensing the girl’s embarrassment, Clara pushed a lock of hair away from her forehead.
“Why would you do such a thing?” Seger asked. “And why did you go out alone without your groom? It’s not like you to be so careless.”
She shrugged. “I know it was foolish...I...I simply couldn’t help myself. I felt reckless this morning.” Gillian leaned up on both elbows. Her gaze flitted back and forth from Seger to Clara. “I didn’t mean to disturb you, the morning after your wedding.”
An uncomfortable silence ensued, and Clara tried quickly to dispel it. “Nonsense. Don’t be silly. We’re just glad you’re all right.”
Gillian smiled up at her. “Yes, me too.”
Mrs. Hibbert entered the room. “Would anyone like a cup of tea?”
“No, thank you, Mrs. Hibbert,” Clara replied. “You’ve been very kind.”
The woman bowed slightly and left the room again.
