shook his head and mounted his horse while heavy flakes fell with increasing speed.
“Ready?”
Athena gave a curt nod and then they were off, racing through the gates and out onto the country road. A gust of wind swept toward them, tossing snow in their faces.
“I came over the hills to the right,” Athena yelled.
It was the quickest route. Robert nodded and steered his horse off the road and across the field. He glanced at his companion to make sure she was all right. Of course she was, he thought wryly. This was Athena Townsbridge, not some delicate flower who couldn’t withstand a bit of harsh weather. An odd bit of satisfaction bloomed in his chest. In spite of everything, she was a woman to be admired. Her courage, however destructive it might be on occasion, knew no equal. She’d stood up in church and risked her own reputation to see her brother happy, she’d sought him out at his home when she must have known she’d not be welcome, had risked her reputation again for the sake of making amends, and had voiced her regrets in spite of his censure.
No doubt Athena Townsbridge had more grit than most fully grown men. He did not doubt she’d call out anyone who dared insult those she loved. She’d fight them to the death, because that was the sort of person she was. He knew this – had always known this. She was a force to be reckoned with, and he needed her out of his life right away before he began getting stupid ideas.
“We’ll cross the river over there,” he shouted, his voice weakened by the increasing wind. Turning slightly in his saddle, he made sure she was still with him. She leaned forward and urged her mount into a faster pace, passing Robert as she raced toward the spot he’d suggested.
With a shake of his head, he followed, only to watch with helpless horror one moment later as her horse reared on its hind legs and threw Athena from the saddle.
Robert reined in his own mount, leapt to the ground, and grabbed the harness. He whistled for Athena’s horse as he hurried toward her, pulse leaping with frantic movements at the sight of her looking so still, but the beast was gone.
“Athena.” With a groan, she pushed herself into a sitting position, and Robert expelled an immediate breath out of pure relief. Thank God. “Are you all right? No. Wait. Don’t get up.”
“My thigh hurts like the devil, but I think I’ll survive.”
He crouched beside her. “No sprained ankles then or broken limbs?”
“I don’t believe so.”
“You’re not sure?” His concern for her increased tenfold. “Can you feel your legs?”
She nodded. “Yes.”
“And the rest?”
“My bottom is getting a bit cold from sitting here,” she confessed. “I’ll probably have an ugly bruise tomorrow, but other than that, I’m fine.”
He blew out a breath and offered his hand. When she clasped it, he helped her up slowly, then took a moment to assess their surroundings and saw that their path was blocked by branches. “The low visibility masked this fallen tree. If I’d been ahead of you I would most likely have been the one thrown.”
“Can we go around it?”
“Yes, but I’m not sure we should.” The wind was howling, sweeping snow up off the ground to mix with the flakes that were falling. White mingled with white, obliterating all recognizable landmarks. Thankfully, they were still on his land – an area he could navigate with his eyes closed. “I think we ought to turn back.”
“What?”
“Most of our ride still lies ahead. Proceeding in this weather would not only be unwise but extremely foolhardy.”
“But I cannot return to your home with you. I mean, coming for a brief visit when no one would be the wiser was one thing. Remaining there until this storm passes is something else entirely. Lord Darlington, I cannot possibly do so.”
“I’m sorry, but your safety must come first.”
“My family will be beside themselves with worry.”
“Perhaps you should have considered that before you set out to visit a bachelor on your own.” He hadn’t meant to snap at her but lord help him if he wasn’t losing whatever remained of his patience. Regretting the outburst, he forced himself to calmly ask, “Does no one know where you were headed?”
“I did inform my lady’s maid.”
“Well then. There you are. She will no doubt reveal your secret in order to appease your family. They will then realize what happened – that you