His Lady Mistress

294 His Lady MistressGod... She screamed his name. Ice-cold rage edged with despairripped through him as he heard the screaming horse andthe second shot.The flint struck the already upset horse full on the muzzle.It reared up even as the dogs hurled themselves forward,barking insanely. Verity shrieked in terror as the horse camedown, steel-shod hooves slashing at the dogs. She could hearGodfrey yelling as he tried to control the horse and force itforward, still aiming the pistol at her.Gus charged in, snapping at the horse’s fetlocks, closelyfollowed by Taffy. The frightened beast reared again, strikingout wildly as the pistol discharged. For a moment time hungsuspended as the horse hovered and then collapsed on top ofits shrieking rider, legs flailing feebly.The mist and the woods spun in a whirling gold-and-silverblur around Verity as she became conscious of more poundinghoofbeats, a hoarse voice yelling her name over the barkingand the dreadful, gurgling moans from beneath the fallenhorse...and then nothing.She was safe. She couldn’t move, but she was safe. Someonewas holding her. Powerful arms held her close, as thoughthey would never release her and a breaking voice whisperedher name over and over. ‘Verity, oh, God. Verity, sweetheart,my love. For Christ’s sake, say something!’‘Max?’ It was all she could manage, through the dizzinessand confusion that still swung about her. She burrowed a littlecloser, needing his warmth, his closeness. Clumsy handstrembled over her face, pushing back her tumbled curls.‘Are you hurt badly, dearest?’ His voice shook too.She tried a deep breath and winced. ‘My ribs. I think one’scracked.’He swore and eased his hold on her. Panic flooded in. Sheshrank against him. ‘No! Please, hold me. Please! Where...where is he?’