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“You’re very damned lucky they didn’t kill you!” Julius growled, trembling with fatigue—and relief. Now that the fight was over, he could afford to vent a little of his anger over her recklessness.
“I was so afraid.” Her eyes were haunted. “I heard them talking about me, and I knew there was nothing I could do to stop them if they…”
He held her as she wept, held her until the cold of the earth beneath him seeped into his bones. When warmth spread across his back, he looked up to see flames creeping toward them through the bracken. “We have to get out before it reaches the path and traps us down here.” He pulled himself to his feet and immediately dropped back down. The air above was thick with smoke. “Keep low. And when I tell you, run.”
The path itself was clear; however, the air was anything but. “Hold your breath for as long as you can and move as quickly as possible,” he urged, pushing her ahead of him.
At last, gasping and coughing, they emerged above the smoke. He looked back just in time to see the cottage go up in a tower of sparks.
A loud, shrill whistle sounded behind him, and he turned as Victoria brought her fingers down from her lips. A distant whinny followed, and soon Primero’s bulk loomed out of the darkness.
“You wonderful, wonderful darling!” she cried, leaping up and hugging his great neck. “Thank you. Thank you, Primero,” she sobbed, stroking his cheek as he stood, his legs trembling, his sides heaving. “All is well now. The fight is over, and we are safe.”
He watched in amazement as she blew gently into the beast’s nostrils and began to murmur to him in Romani. She stroked him slowly as she talked, until the whites slowly disappeared from around his eyes and his breathing slowed. After a little while, he chuffed and butted her shoulder. Smiling, she patted his forehead and leaned against him.
“We can’t wait for daylight, not without shelter,” Julius said softly.
“The other horses?”
“They fled from the fire, and I dare not attempt to find them in the dark.”
“We can ride double on Primero,” she said after a moment. “He’s tired, so we’ll have to take it slow, but it’ll still be faster than walking.”
He nodded and looked again toward the dell, which was now entirely engulfed in flames. “I’m hoping your father’s people see that and send help in this direction.”
She shook her head. “They won’t. It’s hidden by the hills. It’ll probably draw attention from the village, but it’s unlikely anyone will come to investigate. More likely they’ll see it and ready themselves for trouble.”
She was right. “Then we have no choice. We cannot stay here in the open.” He helped her up onto Primero’s back and then wrapped her in one of the thick woolen blankets he’d brought. His cloak had been lost to the fire. He mounted behind her and wrapped a second blanket around them both.
“I’ve food, if you’re hungry,” he offered.
She shook her head. “Food is the last thing I want right now. I’ll eat when I get home.”
“It might be a while,” he warned. “At least have some brandy to warm you. It’ll help settle your nerves as well,” he added, offering his flask.
She took a mouthful, made a face, and swallowed. “Thank you,” she said, passing it back. “Take us home, Primero.”
Letting him set his own pace, Julius wrapped his arms around Victoria and held her close. Soon, her head fell back against him. She must be exhausted.
“Why did you come for me?”
Startled, he looked down to see that her eyes were wide open. He’d thought her asleep. “Amelia told me what happened.” His gut twisted. “Victoria, I cannot apologize enough. I let something in my past taint my perception of you. I should never have believed you capable of such a betrayal. None of this would have happened, had I come to you before taking action. I was a coward and a fool, and I am entirely to blame. Can you ever find it in your heart to forgive me?”
“I already have. I love you, Julius.”
His arms tightened around her, and he kissed the top of her head. “Rest now. As soon as we arrive, I’ll wake you.”
THE MORNING SUN streamed in through her window, and Victoria wondered if she’d dreamed it all. Until she tried to move.
Definitely not a dream. Carefully, she lay back. The sound of gentle breathing told her she was not alone.
Turning, she saw Amelia beside her. Her face was softened in slumber, the years smoothed away by oblivion’s gentle brush. At some subconscious level, her sister must have been aware of her scrutiny. After a moment, she opened her eyes.
Victoria steeled herself, ready to see the return of the wary cynicism and disapproval that had crept into her sister’s gaze since their mother’s death. Instead, however, she saw only a profound sadness.
“I don’t deserve forgiveness for what I did to you,” said Amelia quietly. “But at least let me explain myself. The reason I was so determined to keep you from the follies of love was because I once fell in love.”
Forgetting her aches and pains, Victoria sat up, intrigued. “When? And more importantly, who?”
