Page 60 of So Wild A Heart

“I’ll tell Cook to fix us up a light luncheon basket,” Rupert went on. “We can rest at Chasenford. It’s pretty there.”

They arranged to meet at a little before eleven, at which time they set out from the stable yard for the river with the quaint name of Dove. Much of what Miranda had seen of the area consisted of magnificent vistas of moors or rolling hills, grand and green and almost barren of trees. She was unprepared for the sight of the river when they wound their way down to it, meandering in a shallow, lazy fashion at the base of high white limestone cliffs. The cliffs rose up in a sheer expanse, scarred here and there with holes that Dev explained were the entrances to caves that wandered through the porous rock. The narrow river was lined with grassy banks, dotted with large chunks of limestone rock. Slender, graceful ash and alder trees grew along its edge, casting shadows across the dark-green water. It was a lovely, peaceful place, undisturbed except for their presence.

The banks were narrow, and they broke up into pairs to ride alongside it. Dev moved forward to chat with his uncle, and Joseph rode beside Miranda, enthusiastically pointing out all the beauties they saw. They gradually fell somewhat behind the other two.

Miranda was watching Devin, not really paying much attention to what her father was saying. Joseph turned to look up at the limestone cliff towering above them, and suddenly his expression turned to one of horror.

“Watch out!” he screamed, spurring his horse forward and reaching out to slap the flank of Miranda’s horse.

Miranda turned in surprise even as the horse leapt forward. An instant later, so close she felt the breeze of it falling, a large chunk of limestone crashed onto the ground behind her. The noise sent her mount into a panic, and the mare took off running, unseating Miranda and sending her falling flat on her back, knocking the wind out of her.

She lay on the ground, staring up at the sky, struggling to breathe, trying to assimilate what had just happened. There were shouts from in front of them, then the sound of horses running. A moment later Devin was looming above her.

He dropped down onto his knees beside her, his face creased with fear. “Miranda! My God, what happened? Are you all right?” He swept her up into his arms, holding her against his chest. She could feel the trembling of his body.

Finally, blessedly, her lungs relaxed and air came rushing back in. She nodded a little uncertainly, whispering, “I think so.”

“That rock almost killed you. If you had been a second slower…“

“Papa…?”

“He’s fine. Just getting his horse under control. Uncle Rupert’s gone after your mare.” He rubbed his hand up and down her back. “Bloody hell! You could have been killed.”

“Miranda!” She turned her head to see her father trotting along the bank toward them, leading his horse. “Are you all right? Sweet Jesus in heaven, when I looked up and saw that rock tumbling off…” He, too, went down on his knees, not quite so agilely, beside her.

“You saved my life.”

Devin’s arms tightened around her, and she felt his lips press against her hair. Miranda was shaking from the experience, and she clung to Devin.

Uncle Rupert rode up, leading Miranda’s mare, and dismounted quickly, coming over to join the group. “Is she all right?” His gaze went from her to the large rock now sitting on the flat bank behind them, split in two from the force of its fall.

“Good Lord! Is that what almost hit you? It’s a wonder you weren’t killed! That’s the thing with limestone—it breaks off and falls. But usually it’s after a lot of rain. I never would have thought—I beg your pardon. I am deeply sorry. I never should have brought you this way.”

“There is no way you could have known,” Joseph said, rising creakily. “Thank God Elizabeth wasn’t with us. She would be hysterical by now.”

“I think I am close to it,” Miranda said, trying a smile.

Devin made a rude noise. “You wouldn’t know hysteria if you met it. My heart’s about to pound right out of my chest, and you’re cool as a cucumber.”

“Well, I’m alive. Let’s see if I can stand up.”

Devin rose, setting her on her feet, his arm still around her to steady her. It felt sweet to be there, Miranda thought, and she stayed a bit longer than was absolutely necessary before she stepped away and shook out her riding habit.

“We’ll turn right around and go back to the house,” Uncle Rupert said, starting to mount.

“Not on my account,” Miranda protested. “I’m fine, really. The worst that happened to me is that I was thrown, and that’s happened before. There are no broken bones. I lost my breath for a moment, but that’s back. There is no reason to cut short our expedition for a little accident.”

“A little accident!” Uncle Rupert exclaimed, staring at her goggle-eyed.

“I told you, Uncle, she is not like other women,” Devin said, laughter in his voice. “You know, Miranda, there is no need for you to go on. It isn’t important.”

“No reason to go back, either,” Miranda pointed out. “We have our lunch—unless the groom’s horse stampeded, too.”

“No, he’s here,” Rupert said faintly. “The food, as well.”

“Well, I’d like to finish the tour. I think it is highly unlikely that another rock will drop on us, isn’t it?”

“Well, yes, I suppose so.”