“Not so fond of winter now, are we?”
“Do not be shrewish.” Merry scrubbed her arms, then gathered her fur-lined cloak closer around her. “What do you know of our hero, Lord Kirkston?”
Serendipity frowned, her eyes narrowing as she eyed the men slogging through the water around the carriage. “Other than the fact that he is an enormous brute of a man of Scottish ancestry? Nothing.”
“He said the man with him is his brother.”
“I have yet to speak with that one.”
“He is not nearly as tall and muscular as Lord Kirkston,” Merry observed. “I wonder if they have different mothers.”
“It does not matter. We should be praying they are able to pull the carriage free rather than sizing them up as if we are about to purchase them.”
A loud pop, like the firing of a gun, went off on the far side of the carriage, and it twisted to one side, submerging itself even deeper in the icy water that had yet to freeze solid.
“Unhook them!” Lord Kirkston shouted to Jasper. “’Tis a lost cause now.”
“Oh dear.” Merry huddled closer to Serendipity. “Didn’t Grace mention that the draft horses were quite docile in nature? Surely they will allow us to ride them.”
“Bareback?” Serendipity fixed her with a horrified look.
“Would you rather walk?” Merry began pacing along the embankment more to stay warm than because of impatience.
Serendipity huffed and sank deeper into her hooded cloak.
As the men finished unhooking the team of four, the carriage slowly slid farther into the swollen river, then gracefully floated off into the faster waters until it sank.
“Our things,” Serendipity said ever so wistfully.
“All of us are safe,” Merry said. “People and horses alike. That is all that matters.”
“Yes.” Serendipity squared her shoulders and nodded. “That is all that matters.”
Eyes downcast, twisting his cap between his hands, Jasper approached, plodding through the ever-deepening snow. “Lady Serendipity.” He halted and slowly shook his head. “May you and God forgive me for nigh on killing you and Lady Merry.”
Merry stepped forward, since Serendipity currently seemed unable to cope with their circumstances. Jasper had always been a loyal servant, serving them for years. “It was an accident that could not be helped. We are safe. The horses are safe. You are safe. That is all that matters.”
He shook his head harder. “That patch of ice caught the wheels, and away it took us, dragging us into the ditch, and then the wet snow and mud pulled us into the river. Ain’t never seen nothing like it.”
Lord Kirkston joined them, still looking angry enough to bite through iron. “There is a coach inn to the south. My brother and I left there this morning. We should make haste to get there and dry out. A replacement conveyance can be obtained at the inn so ye might continue yer journey.”
The man with him stepped forward with a gallant smile and bowed. “I amthe brother.Lord Malcolm Galloway at yer service, ladies.” He smirked at Lord Kirkston. “Never mind Duncan’s mood. His milk is always a bit soured.”
Merry offered the amiable brother a curtsy. “I am Lady Merry, and this is Lady Serendipity. We are two of the Duke of Broadmere’s seven sisters.”
Lord Kirkston’s eyes narrowed into an even more critical squint, and a disgruntled snort escaped him. “As I said, we must make haste. The later the day grows, the colder.” He shifted his focus to Merry as if determined to frighten her with his dark glower. “I assume the two of ye ride?”
She was more than up to the challenge. How dare he be so surly when none of this was anyone’s fault? “Well, of course we ride.” She turned to Jasper. “Will the team allow us to ride them?”
The servant stared at her in disbelief, his eyebrows arching so high they disappeared behind the fringe of tousled hair across his forehead. “Aye, they will. They be Suffolk Punches. Gentle as lambs, they are, but…” He took a step closer and lowered his voice. “But bareback, my lady? We lost all the blankets with the carriage, and since they were four in hand, they were not fitted with their saddles for postilions.”
“The ladies can ride our mounts,” Lord Kirkston said. “They shall have to ride astride, but that will be better than bareback. Malcolm and I will take two from the team.” He turned to Jasper. “Ye can ride one of the team as well as lead the remaining horse, aye?”
“Yes, my lord, but begging your pardon…” Jasper gave the marquess a dubious look.
“What?” Lord Kirkston glared at him, daring him to challenge the order as it had been given.
“You will cease barking at him.” Merry stepped between the men, well and truly finished with Lord Kirkston’s abruptness. “Jasper is loyal and true, and you will treat him with the respect he deserves, or I shalltake issue with you, my lord. Am I quite clear?”
