Free The Reluctant Countess by Wendy Vella Page A

trying to look over the small crowd that had formed before him. “Appears to be some sort of commotion up ahead. Perhaps you should wait in the carriage and I will move us on as soon as the way is clear.”
    Ignoring Robbie, Sophie walked around him, trying to get a clear view of what was happening.
    “Oh dear,” she whispered as her eyes fell on a young lady lying prone on the ground. It appeared no one had come to her aid and instead all were looking at the poor woman. Pushing through the people, Sophie rushed to her side.
    “Here now, my lady, you must move back,” a short rotund man said, although he appeared to be making no move to aid the prostrate woman.
    “Nonsense, this woman obviously needs help. What has happened?”
    “My carriage struck her. Of course, the stupid girl walked right out in front of it. I hope there is no damage to my phaeton, only had it a week.”
    Stunned at such insensitivity, Sophie felt her anger rise. She was well aware of how the English treated their servants, having been one for most of her life. Swallowing the retort that had sprung to her lips, she turned her back on the man and instead looked to the girl who needed her help. Crouching down, she studied the pale face before her.
    “How long has she been like this?” Sophie ran her hands lightly over the girl, trying to find an injury. The young woman was very cold, her clothes torn and ragged, and her hair matted.
    “A few minutes? Long enough to make me late for an appointment,” the pompous oaf said from over her left shoulder.
    Sophie ground her teeth and fought for calm. This man was an insensitive clod; he cared nothing for this poor girl, and all because she was from beneath his class.
    “You struck her with your carriage and you are blaming her for missing an appointment? I find that extremely insensitive and ill-mannered, sir,” Sophie snapped. The girl winced as she reached her head and her hands found a large lump that appeared to be bleeding.
    “Now see here, I will not be taken to task by some schoolroom miss!”
    “Robbie!” Sophie called and instantly he was beside her.
    “Yes, my lady.”
    “Send me Jenny, and I need blankets, Robbie, and anything else you can find that might give this poor girl comfort. Now, Robbie,” Sophie added as he hesitated to leave her side.
    “Yes, my lady,” Robbie said, reluctantly moving toward the carriage.
    Sophie started looking around for something to stop the blood and her eyes fell to the man who had knocked the girl down.
    “Give me your handkerchief now!” she demanded.
    “M-my hankerchief certainly not,” he said, clutching his pocket and taking a step backward.

CHAPTER FIVE
    “What is all the commotion, Scully?” Patrick said, leaning out of his carriage window trying to see what, or indeed who, was making all the noise.
    “Seems to be a lady, your grace,” his driver, who was also craning his neck to see what had caused the disturbance, replied.
    Patrick wondered if he should have followed his earlier inclination and stayed in bed. Scalding his chest by spilling his morning coffee on it had bloody hurt, and was hardly an auspicious start to the day. He had then found that Bidders, Stephen’s scruffy little dog, had chewed the buttons off his favorite waistcoat and vomited them up all over his bedroom floor. Stephen had told Patrick this was a compliment of the highest order, because Bidders did not chew just anyone’s clothing. Fletcher, his butler, had then informed him of his youngest cousin’s latest escapade, which involved a married woman and a hasty retreat through a bedroom window, which had left the naughty cousin in bed with a swollen foot.
    “And what, Scully, is said lady doing?” Patrick asked his driver, striving for patience.
    “Actually two ladies, my lord. One lying very still and the other appears to be tending to her in some way.”
    Patrick heaved a disgusted sigh, something he rarely did, but the gesture seemed to fit the moment