“Stupid creature that refuses to follow a simple command!” she barked, jabbing a thumb back towards the phaeton.
Finch took Miss Barrows by the arm, pulling her to a stop, and turned her to face him. “Now, why did you leave your carriage—”
“That infuriating horse refuses to go another step!” Her brown eyes blazed as she threw another furious point in the phaeton’s general direction. “It was supposed to be a relaxing drive, but the worthless thing won’t move more than a few steps before stopping again, so now I am left to walk several miles in the snow and cold!”
Finch’s eyes widened as her voice rose, her temper snapping and hissing like a snake. He held up his hands, and Miss Barrows kicked at the ground, sending up a flurry of flakes with a grunt. The lady’s muscles tensed and she sucked in a deep breath, but as she let it out in a hiss, her body relaxed once more, deflating her posture as she rubbed at her forehead.
“I apologize,” she murmured. “I didn’t mean to lose my temper, but it has been a trying day, and this has sapped me of my last bit of patience. But, if you’ll excuse me, I must be on my way. It will take some time to make my way back on foot.”
Finch frowned and stopped her when she moved to leave. “Allow me to take a look at it. I may be no groom, but I know a few things about horses and carriages.”
A smile crept across Miss Barrows’ face as though he’d offered her the moon and stars. “Would you? That would be divine.”
Motioning for her to return to the phaeton, Finch stared at her with a scrunched brow. “I only offered my assistance, Miss Barrows. I hardly think that is deserving of such praise.”
Giving a faltering chuckle, the lady patted his arm and followed his lead. “You underestimate the assistance you are offering, Mr. Finch. Today has been trying, and a helping hand is heaven-sent.”
Finch slanted a look in her direction as he guided her and Sheba back to the carriage. “I’m growing rather used to rescuing you. This is the second time I’ve done so.”
Miss Barrows gave him a haughty sniff, straightening as she replied, “I’ve rescued you as well.”
“I recall you standing over me and laughing without a hand up or even an offer to carry me.”
“Yes, but I rescued your hat.”
Finch chuckled. “That you did, and my hat thanks you for it.”
Arriving at the road, he tied Sheba to the carriage and gave the other poor creature stuck in its harness a rub on her neck and a few words of comfort. Working his hands along the straps, he examined the tack.
“We were driving along, and one of the reins slackened,” said Miss Barrows. “I tried to get Duchess to move, but she would not follow my commands and started listing towards the edge of the road. I stopped to get a better grip, but she refused to move another inch.”
It took no more than a moment or two before he discovered the issue. “Lady Lovell’s groom has been derelict in his duty. The leather hasn’t been properly maintained, and the tack has broken in a couple of places.”
Miss Barrows’ shoulders drooped, her expression falling once more. “Then might I ask you to send word to Buxby Hall—”
“No need,” he said, nodding at the tack. “I should be able to rig it together enough to get us there.”
*
Before Felicity could protest (if she’d even intended to), Mr. Finch herded her into the phaeton, handing her the blanket she’d abandoned. Tugging off his gloves, he shoved them in his pocket and set to work. The gentleman moved around Duchess, soothing her with a rub and soft words, and took the straps in hand.
Smoothing out the blanket and tucking it around her, Felicity snuggled into the warmth as she watched Mr. Finch move with impressive skill and ease. She bit on her lips, turning her gaze to the side as she blinked away the first signs of tears. It was utter foolishness to be overwrought by such a simple thing, but it had been such a long time since someone had taken matters in hand on her behalf. The weight in her heart lifted as she faced one catastrophe she needn’t resolve on her own.
It was rare enough for her to be on the receiving end of such honest kindness. Most of her days