His Wicked Seduction novel Chapter 44

Horatia stared at Lucien's riderless horse as it galloped around the side of the house and found its way back to the stables. Even as fast as it was moving, it seemed to be favoring its left foreleg. The reins hung limply in front of it.

Where was Lucien? She ran to snatch her cloak and left through a side door close to the stables. She dashed outside and took hold of the horse's reins. The horse fixed her with a baleful stare. It was then that Horatia saw the trickle of blood near the back of the saddle. She loosened the girth and raised the saddle with trembling fingers.

A sprig of barberry was embedded into the horse's skin, the thorns causing a painful wound on the animal. If Lucien had sat back too hard he would have forced the thorns deeper. Horatia gazed out towards the field. Where was Lucien? Perhaps the horse had escaped him when he'd returned.

She brought the horse to the stables where a groom took the reins.

"He had some barberry tucked under his saddle," she informed him.

"What?" The groom looked mortified. He removed the horse's saddle to inspect the damage. "Blast, the thorns must have caught on the saddle blanket somehow. Did his lordship find this?"

"No. I thought Lucien was here. Did he not return?"

When the groom shook his head, Horatia felt her heart leap into her throat. She ran to the nearest occupied stall where a stout horse was feeding contentedly. She pulled out a loose bridle and quickly fixed it before dragging it from its stall.

"I'll saddle him quickly. Allow me to go with you." The groom hastily threw a blanket and saddle over the horse's back and strapped him in. "You'll need help if he's had an accident."

Horatia shook her head. "No. If he's had an accident I need you to get the doctor from Hexby immediately. We can't waste any time." She raised a hand when he started to protest. "You'll be able to ride faster to the village to get the doctor."

"Very well." The groom frowned but did as she asked.

Once mounted, she guided the house out of the stables and looked along the ground for hoof prints. Only one set of tracks led away from the hall. Horatia followed them, urging the horse to gallop. Its heavy large hooves pounded through the snow steadily.

Lucien, where are you?

After what seemed like acres of endless white, Horatia spotted a dark shape in the distance. As she drew closer she realized with horror that it was Lucien's body.

"Oh God!" she gasped. "Faster, damn you!" she shouted at the draft horse and it increased its pace.

When she was within a few yards she slid from the saddle and ran to Lucien. He was face down in the snow, cloak wrapped about him. Horatia rolled him onto his back and paled when she saw the bloody gash above his forehead. His eyes were closed and his pale lips parted.

She couldn't lose him now, not after everything that had passed between them. Memories flashed across her eyes-the way he'd twist his lips up in a wicked smile, the brush of his lips against hers, the sweetly whispered words he'd spoken to her when they'd shared the room at the Midnight Garden.

"Lucien!" She bent her ear to his lips, praying to feel the warmth of his breath. It was there, but barely. Horatia put her palms on either side of his cheek, letting her warmth seep into his cold skin. Once her hands grew too cold she dragged his body into her lap and held him close, rubbing him, praying her body heat would have some effect. After what felt like an eternity, Lucien's dark lashes fluttered. When his hazel eyes focused at last, it was not on her face but on her bosom, which was mere inches from him. He managed a weak smile.

"Heaven looks quite lovely from this angle." The smile changed into a playful leer, even as Horatia's eyes narrowed.

"I'll ignore that because you are alive." She cupped his cheek and pressed her trembling lips to his forehead in a thankful kiss. She could have wept with relief, but she pushed the tears back. He wasn't out of the woods yet. She needed to get him back to the house and have the doctor see to him.

"Scared you, did I?" Lucien teased but still she couldn't stop shaking. "More than I'd care to admit. What happened?"

"Not sure, I was riding and suddenly my horse threw me."

"There were thorns under the saddle blanket digging into your horse."

"Thorns?" Lucien struggled to sit up.

He squeezed her breasts and chuckled, then shifted even closer to her from behind. She felt a distinctive prod against her backside.

She glanced up at the skies. Even in grave bodily danger the man was a cad. "Fine. If it helps you stay awake...but I swear to God, Lucien, the second we're in sight of the house, move your hands, unless you want my brother to see!"

That comment had him drop his hands straight back to her waist, but he stayed awake the rest of the journey home. The sting of disappointment that he hadn't tried to push her further surprised her. Did she want him to just walk all over her and force her to admit she wanted, no, craved his touch? Yes. She loved it when he did that.

When she drew the horse up by the main doors she was relieved to see a carriage and a separate pair of horses had beaten them there. The two riders she recognized at once.

"Avery, Lawrence, help!" The two younger Russell brothers leapt from their horses and ran to her.

"What happened?" Avery reached up to help her down. She let him catch her waist and drop her gently to her feet.

"His horse threw him. I found him out in the meadow a good deal away." Horatia pointed to Lucien who slumped immediately without her body for support. "He was unconscious, and he has a nasty head wound. Before I left I sent the head groom for the doctor in Hexby."

"Well done, Miss Sheridan. Come on, Lucien. This way, towards me." Lawrence coaxed his drowsy elder brother down from the horse.

Avery seemed reluctant to release Horatia. "And you, are you all right?"

"I'm fine, really. Help Lawrence."

The brothers carried Lucien inside like he'd staggered home drunk from a tavern. Horatia handed the bridle to a groom, then took off after them.