His Lady Mistress

Elizabeth Rolls291The horse came forward, materialising out of the wreathinggloom. It wasn’t a woman. Even as she recognised the rider,he spoke.‘Well met, cousin. What a piece of luck to find you soeasily. A pity I’ll never be able to thank Lady Arnsworth forthe service she did me when she assured Mama that Blakehursthad sent you down here.’Her lungs seized with fright. What did Godfrey want withher?The answer gleamed in a raised pistol as Godfrey halted,ten paces away.Frantically Verity swung around, yelling, slapping the reinson Bessie’s rump, knowing it was useless. Bessie couldn’toutrun the other horse, let alone a pistol shot. The mare brokeinto a reluctant jog. Oh, God! Why hadn’t she brought awhip? She slapped the reins again, and Bessie tossed herhead, snorting indignantly.A sharp crack and something hot whizzed past Verity’scheek, scorching it. Her cry of shocked pain was drownedout as Bessie screamed, plunged and bolted. The dogs wentcrazy, barking and whimpering in fright. Gripping the reinswith one hand, Verity hung on to the side of the gig with theother, nearly flung out at the jouncing as the little mare thunderedalong the road. Desperately she hauled on the reins,but Bessie had the bit between her teeth and pounded on.Wildly, Verity looked back. Godfrey was catching up. Easily.Terrified, she realised that he might not have to fire again.If he was lucky, Bessie’s bolt would do his job for him. Noone would think anything of it, save that she had lost controlof the mare.Sobbing, she fought to rein Bessie in. Ahead the beechwoods loomed. The turn off was just past them. She had toslow Bessie enough to make that turn. She had to! Haulingon the reins, she prayed and pulled harder, until her handsthrobbed with the effort. As they flashed under the trees, she