Bennett mounted his horse. With a firm grip on the reins, he urged his horse into a gallop, cutting through the open fields and charging towards the woodlands. This uncharted territory was a welcome change from the familiar paths he had explored countless times near his family’s manor. The dense canopy provided a comforting shelter from the outside world.
The recent rainfall had transformed the path into a slick and treacherous terrain, but Bennett pushed onwards with reckless abandon. The cool droplets that fell from the trees above were refreshing against his skin and he relished the time alone.
He had every reason to be happy. He was an earl and heir to a marquessate. Their estate was profitable and their relationship with the villagers was stronger than ever. And yet, his heart still felt a longing for something more.
Bennett brought his horse to a sudden stop and looked up at the towering trees. He was almost thirty and his parents had been relentless that he should wed. But he refused to marry for convenience or obligation. He wanted a love match or nothing at all.
Suppressing a chuckle at how much he sounded like his sister, Melody, he turned his horse around to head back in the direction he’d come from. That was when he noticed fresh footprints just off the path. They couldn’t have been there long or else the rain would have washed them away.
His curiosity was piqued as he dismounted and moved tosecure his horse, wondering who was wandering on his family’s land. He followed the footprints deeper into the woodlands and the terrain became more hazardous. Eventually, he came upon a ravine with a small stream running through it, washing away any trace of footprints.
Disappointed that he’d wasted his time, Bennett was about to turn back when he caught sight of a flash of color further down the ravine. He focused his gaze on it and saw that it was the body of a woman, dressed in a blue gown.
Good gads!
And she was all alone.
Without hesitation, he slid down the side of the ravine and hurried towards the woman’s side, unsure of what to expect.
Once he reached her side, he noticed that she was still breathing, her chest rising and falling with each shallow breath. Relief washed over him as he realized she was alive.
Taking only a moment, Bennett perused the length of her, looking for any signs of injuries. Her dark hair fanned out around her, almost like a halo, and her face was an alarming shade of white. She had scratch marks along her skin, evidence of her flight through the trees. One shoe was missing from her foot and dried blood marked her forehead where she must have struck her head.
What terrible misfortune had befallen this young woman? And more importantly, who was she? How had she ended up alone and injured in the woodlands?
He knelt by her side and gently shook her shoulder. “Miss,” he said, his voice laced with concern. “Can you hear me?”
No response.
Bennett removed his hand and let out a sigh. He couldn’t leave this young woman here. If he didn’t get her help, he feared that she would perish. And he couldn’t let that weigh heavily on his conscience.
Her gown was exceedingly fine, making him assume herpresence would not be missed for too long. Surely someone was looking for her. But they would never find her here. The woodlands were too dense for riders to happen upon her.
Quite frankly, there was only one choice in his mind. He would take her back to his manor and send for the doctor.
Before he moved her, he shook her once more, hoping for any sign of consciousness. “Miss? If you can hear me, I am going to pick you up now.”
Still no response.
With careful movements, Bennett lifted her into his arms, stumbling slightly as he stood. She felt so delicate against him, and he couldn’t help but feel a sense of protectiveness towards this unknown woman.
As he made his way back up the ravine, Bennett slipped a few times on the rocky terrain but managed to keep hold of the woman in his arms. He arrived at his horse and carefully placed her on the saddle before taking a seat behind her. He wrapped his arms around her as they rode off, aware of how it might look to anyone who saw them.
But above all else, Bennett was a gentleman.
He urged his horse forward, mindful of not jostling the injured woman too much. The manor wasn’t far, and he knew they needed to reach it quickly for her sake.
Delphine awoke with a pounding headache, her eyes reluctant to open. As she blinked her vision into focus, she found herself lying in a luxurious bed with an unfamiliar canopy draped above her.
Where was she?
Confusion set in as she tried to piece together where she was. She turned her head to one side and saw lavender-papered walls, heavy drapes framing two tall windows, and awriting desk in the corner. Sunlight streamed through the windows, casting a warm glow over the room.
A soft clinking sound caught her attention and she slowly turned her head to see a petite blonde maid tidying up at the dressing table.
With a raspy voice, Delphine managed to croak out, “Where am I?”
The maid’s eyes widened. “You are awake.” Her words were more of a statement than a question. “The doctor will want to speak with you immediately.”
