Chapter Nine #2
Snorting, the stallion tried to take off, but his master held him back with all his might.
He raised up on his hind legs once more, this time tripping over something with one of his rear hooves.
Onyx went down hard on his knees as Lucien dismounted as quickly as he could. He held on to the stallion’s reins.
Looking down, it was easy to see the stallion’s knees were cut and bleeding. Pulling the reins over Onyx’s head Lucien began to slowly walk the stallion in a circle, trying to assess the injury.
“What spooked him?” Harriet asked.
“I have no idea because he never spooks,” Lucien replied. “I don’t know what he tripped on either.”
Pointing to where Onyx tripped, Harriet noticed something Lucien had not. “It appears to be some old vines. Where they came from is a guess.”
“I’d almost swear they were put there because there are no other vines to be found on the path.”
Harriet swung down off Jack and walked to Lucien. “I guess we need to walk back. Those knees don’t look good.”
“Yes, we’re going to have to do that,” he replied, rubbing the stallion’s neck. His knees had to hurt by looking at them. The cuts were beyond the surface.
“I could ride back and let your men know what’s transpired.”
“That’s not necessary. We’d still have to hand walk him,” Lucien said.
“True.”
The pair walked side by side, slower than they might usually walk. Onyx’s pace was forced, and he wasn’t as rambunctious as he normally was. Healing from this was going to be a long recovery period. The animal would have to be kept stalled and that might be for months until his knees healed enough.
Finally, they reached the point where they started.
Two of Lucien’s men were waiting on them and upon seeing the stallion limping alongside him hurried over.
Lucien barked orders that one of the men needed to ride Jack back to the mews and bring a wagon he’d had built to transport horses or other animals.
It was convenient when coming to town for the season or going back to the country to take extra horses back or forth. It would be perfect to take Onyx back.
“I’m going to wait here to make sure Onyx is loaded without further incident. I can have you taken home.”
“I’m going to stay with you,” Harriet replied. “I’ll send word to Daphne and Arthur when we arrive at your residence.”
Lucien knew he couldn’t argue with her. She was as concerned as he was about the stallion. “Very well.”
“Is he going to be all right?” Harriet asked.
“It’s hard to judge right now. Not until his legs get washed so I can see the damage. I think he should be fine. It’s just going to be a long recovery.”
“I would imagine so,” she replied.
Lucien thought the wagon would never arrive. When it finally did, he personally saw to it that Onyx walked up the ramp and settled in for the short ride over to the stables. One of the stableboys would ride in the wagon with the horse to keep an eye on him.
As the wagon drove off, Lucien put his arm around Harriet’s waist and led her to the carriage. He settled in next to her and the carriage groaned under the start.
“It’s still a beautiful day,” he said to her.
“Yes, it is.”
“I’m sorry things haven’t gone as planned,” he said.
“You had no idea Onyx as going to spook when he normally never does and take such a nasty fall.”
“True. I hope you don’t mind, but I need to be with him while we assess his injuries,” Lucien said quietly.
“Of course, I don’t mind. I can simply continue home after we arrive at your house.”
Shaking his head, Lucien picked up her gloved hand and kissed the back. “That isn’t exactly the proper way to end our afternoon.”
“No, but you need to see to your horse,” she replied. “I still think someone spooked him deliberately.”
“As do I.”
He was certain of it because while he was attempting to get the stallion under control, he thought he saw the shadow of two figures just inside the tree line.
“Then it’s settled. You’ll get out at your house, and your coach will continue and take me to Jameson House,” she said.
“Thank you for understanding, Harriet,” he replied. Leaning over, he kissed her first on her cheek and then on the lips. They would be okay. She was exactly what he needed. A woman who understood him.
They came to a halt in front of his family house. Kissing her again, he jumped out to speak with the coachman. “I’ll be in touch as soon as I know something,” he said.
“Very well,” she said softly, adding, “He’s going to be fine, Lucien.”
“Yes, he will be,” he replied.
Pulling away, Harriet did her best not to look back. He wouldn’t be there anyway as he was too anxious to see how Onyx was doing and what needed to be done to make the stallion comfortable. She was okay with that. He would have been restless if he had done anything else.
Jameson House came into view and Harriet disembarked and thanked the footman and coachman before walking up to the front door. Inside she found Daphne and Arthur taking tea on the terrace. It was a perfect afternoon for it.
“Did Lucien join you?” Daphne asked.
“No, we had a change of plans. Something or someone spooked his stallion.”
“Onyx? He never spooks,” Arthur said.
“He did and went down on his knees. They were pretty torn up. He was going to stay and see how bad things are,” Harriet replied.
“Come, join us for tea. I’m sure Lucien will let you know how the horse is once they know,” Arthur said.
“Thank you.”
“How was your ride?” Arthur inquired.
“Very well. Until Onyx’s accident. I really enjoyed it,” Harriet said. “I really liked Jack.”
“Jack?” Daphne asked.
“Yes, his mother’s gelding, Jack. He’s a delight to ride.”
“Before I forget, we’re going to have a dinner guest this evening,” Arthur said.
“Who?” Harriet asked.
“Do you remember Robert Newton?”
“I can’t say that I do,” Harriet replied.
Arthur cleared his throat. “He and I are working on a project in Parliament. We’re almost finished with our report. Somehow, he invited himself to dinner so we could work on the report and finish it this evening.”
Daphne smiled. “I think he’s interested in you.”
Harriet’s mouth fell open. “You didn’t think to tell him of Lucien?”
Picking up his teacup, Arthur looked anywhere but at Harriet. “It happened so fast, he’d done the damage by then.”
“Well, don’t think I’m going to entertain him.”
“Of course not. After dinner we’re going to my study for port and to finish our report. You can do whatever you like. Perhaps you and Daphne can play cards,” Arthur suggested.
“If we play cards and you finish before we’re finished, he’ll probably want to join in,” Harriet said rolling her eyes.
“Yes, I hadn’t thought about it that way.”
“He’s a boorish man. Nothing he does would surprise me,” Harriet replied.
Daphne smiled broadly. “Listen to you. We never would have heard you speak in such a matter when you first arrived on our doorstep.”
“I’ve had a couple of incredible tutors,” she replied.
“Which I can’t take the credit for,” Arthur said. “It’s been all Daphne. Now if you ladies will excuse me, I’m going to prepare for my meeting with Newton.”
Both women waited until Arthur had left the room to say anything. Harriet shook her head as she picked up her tea and Daphne did the same.
“What’s the ugliest dress I have? I’ll be sure to wear it this evening,” Harriet said.
That emitted a giggle from Daphne.
“I’m serious. Just because he’s coming for dinner doesn’t mean I have to dress to please him.”
“No one said you did,” Daphne replied.
Both women sat there pensively. Harriet silently went through her wardrobe to see if she might come up with the perfect fashion choice for this situation.
She recalled the evening gown her mother had had commissioned for last year.
It was hideous, a frothy orange dress her mother had realized was a bad choice for a ball but could be used for other functions.
“If you’ll excuse me. I need to have my maid press the gown I have in mind,” Harriet said.
“I guess I had best do the same,” Daphne replied.
Both women left the drawing room to go upstairs to their private dressing rooms. Harriet was grateful to have some time to herself before this Newton fellow arrived and changed how she’d hoped to spend the evening.