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“Oh, God. Help us,” she cried in a strangled voice.

Nala barked and bared her teeth.

The horse’s lathered sides heaved.

The poor beast couldn’t continue much longer.

Another shot reverberated through the air.

Cassius braced himself for the horse to stumble, but it continued onward, stretching its legs out in a manner that would credit any Ascot champion.

By God, he would buy this animal, and the gelding would live the rest of his days in luxury and comfort at Hefferwickshire.

The creature had proven himself ten times over.

The thunder of hooves echoed as riders approached from the house, hell-bent-for-nothing.

His Father and brothers, Fletcher and Adolphus, were among the riders along with several stable hands. They must’ve been about to go for a ride or just returned from one, given the many saddled horses. Behind them, at least a half dozen more men charged across the field on foot.

“Cassius,” Beatrice gasped into his ear. “The m-men…They’ve turned around and are f-fleeing in the other d-direction.”

A swift glance over his shoulder verified the cowards had indeed tucked their tails and were making their escape.

Sweat ran in rivulets down his face and soaked his shirt.

His heart beat an irregular staccato behind his ribs.

That had been too bloody close.

If he and Beatrice hadn’t been near the house…

The consequences were too horrific to consider.

His father, brothers, and three men raced to meet him while another five continued on in pursuit of the henchmen. There was little chance they’d catch them, and Highbury’s hirelings would escape to report back to the earl.

“Are you both unharmed?” Father skimmed his worried gaze over him before darting a concerned glance toward Beatrice. “Miss Fairfax, I presume?”

Naturally, his father would make the connection as Cassius had asked for his help regarding her inheritance.

“We’re fine now, thanks to you, Father. And yes, this is Beatrice Fairfax.” He squeezed her fingers, still digging into his ribs. “I’ll perform proper introductions later.”

“Your Grace.” Fear and perhaps awe at meeting the Duke of Latham rendered Beatrice’s voice a faint, reedy sound. She rested heavily against Cassius. “I apologize for this debacle.”

As if it were in any way her fault.

She’d rotated the sling forward and lifted Teddy from his enclosure. “My dog.”

At once, Maddock hurried forward and accepted the wriggling bundle of ebony fur. “Hello, little laddie. Aren’t ye a handsome wee fellow?”

“The horse is hit.” Adolphus made that shocked observation.

What?

Pivoting in the saddle, Cassius bent to see where his brother pointed.

Sure enough, scarlet covered the poor beast’s side.

“Good God!” Fletcher leaped from his horse and hurtled toward Cassius and Beatrice. “It’s not the horse. It’s Miss Fairfax who’s been shot.”