Dare waved him off. “It can’t be helped. I know you didn’t do it on purpose. Are the horses all right?”
“Yes, milord.” The coachman bobbed his head. “They be fine. But we’re stuck here well and good until we can procure a new wheel. Then we’ll have to return to Norwalk to check for other structural issues.”
Dare stood rigid, glaring at the coach, saying nothing. He paced from one end to the other, bent at the waist to examine the axel again, and still nothing.
With her heart pounding in her throat, Nivea waited. When no response was forthcoming, she squeaked out, “Well, what are we to do now?”
He cocked his head, as though surprised by her question. “We will have to return to town.”
Oh god, no. How could he even think that? “But it’s miles away.”
“Yes.”
“But…we’ll be well behind. We may miss the wedding!”
He shrugged. “That is a distinct possibility.”
“It’s my sister’s wedding! I can’t not be there. There must be something we can do.” She tried not to sound like a hysterical female, but feared she failed miserably. The thought of missing Caro’s wedding was unfathomable. Dare would have to come up with a better solution.
He returned his attention to the carriage, apparently considering their options. It didn’t take him long. “Weldon! Unhitch two of the horses. Miss Horsham and I will take them and ride on. You wait here with the carriage. Someone should be along soon to offer aid. Then you can get the necessary repairs and meet us with the luggage at the next stop.”
“Yes, milord,” Weldon nodded.
Dare took a step toward the carriage, but drew to a sudden stop when he noticed Nivea’s expression. No doubt she was staring at him as if he’d sprouted a third head. “No, that will not work.”
“And why, pray tell, would that not work?” he asked, without sparing her another glance.
“I do not ride,” she answered simply.
Ignoring her, he reached for the buckle on the first horse. “Come now, I’m sure you prefer a carriage, but it is not an option at this time. If we want to make the wedding, we will have to ride the horses.”
“I hate horses.”
That stopped him.
He turned to give her his full attention. “You’re a Horsham,” he said, as if it explained everything. In fact, it did, to anyone in the ton. The Horshams owned some of the finest horses in England. They hosted the best hunts, won the most races, and rarely finished a conversation without an equine reference.
Nivea sighed. “That is true. It has been rather inconvenient in my family to not share their passion.”
“Not sharing their passion, I could understand. But you said you hate horses,” he repeated with bafflement. She almost laughed at his confusion, but this was a serious matter, and she had to make him understand.
“I suppose it’s not the horses themselves I hate. But given my size, riding them always seemed rather mean.” She dreaded bringing attention to her weight, but she had never been comfortable balancing herself on a beast with such spindly legs. She knew it was irrational, but there it was. She did not ride.
“Come now,” he said, waving toward the black beasts, “they are powerful enough to pull a sizable wagon with no trouble. We’ll be fine.”
“No! We will not be fine! I have no intention of riding that thing anywhere.” Nivea crossed her arms across her bosom and glared at him.
Her response didn’t impress him in the slightest. Reaching into the rear of the carriage Dare pulled out his bags. “As you wish. I will offer your apologies to your family.” He motioned to Weldon who transferred his possessions into a pair of saddlebags and slung them over the horse’s back.
She couldn’t believe her eyes. “You cannot be serious. You are just going to leave me here…unescorted?”
“My coachman is quite respectable. I’m certain he will ensure you are protected. Isn’t that right, Weldon?”
“Yes, milord,” the man snapped to attention.
Nivea was dumbfounded. He must know he was putting her in an impossible situation. Either she could go back to town, escorted only by a coachman, for an uncertain length of time and risk missing her sister’s wedding, or she could continue the trip, riding a horse. Good God, there wasn’t even a saddle! She would kill herself for certain.
“Well, I’m off. Are you coming or not?” Dare asked. Unconcerned by her predicament, he swung himself up on the enormous horse’s back and grabbed the makeshift reins. He didn’t even require the assistance of a groom. That feat of athleticism helped Nivea to make up her mind. Even atop a coach horse, Dare was a breathtaking sight.
She could not pass up the chance to be with him, no matter how distressing the circumstances. “I’m coming,” she huffed and turned to search through her bags.
“Only grab your necessities, please. The rest will catch up with us sooner or later. In fact, you will be better suited to pack more serviceable attire. This trip may be a bit dusty.”
Naturally. Knowing she’d be riding with Dare for three or four days, she’d packed her most attractive outfits, and now she was being asked to stuff them into a sack. With a sigh, she dug through to find her most comfortable clothes. She changed into a pair of serviceable boots and handed her bag to the coachman.
Using the coach as a stepladder, Weldon helped hoist her up onto the horse. She settled on its back and trotted over to Dare, about as comfortable as a fish riding a crocodile.
The first few miles were exhausting. Nivea used all her strength to stay upright. The constant rocking of the horse made her slightly sea sick, and the jolting rattled her. Dare seemed perfectly at ease on his massive mount, riding it like a thoroughbred. He would turn back every so often to make sure she was still in attendance, but did not offer any encouragement.
After what seemed like an eternity, they arrived at a small hamlet and Dare slowed his horse. “I had hoped to be farther along today, but in light of our difficulties, I suggest we stop here. I will endeavor to find a place for us to stay tonight.”
She could do no more than nod in response.
Thank God, this nightmare was almost over. She hoped she could survive until tomorrow.
Chapter 3
Dare took one look at Nivea’s grateful expression and felt a pang of remorse. He should be more solicitous of her. True, she was not his most shapely companion, but she was much less disagreeable than most, barely voicing a word of complaint.
It wasn’t her fault he was so ill tempered. It was his blasted carriage that had broken, after all. And now he was forced to ride through the countryside on a coach horse, looking like a farmhand. Dear God, how his family would laugh if they saw him. Their ridicule would be endless.
Thinking of his family brought on a familiar surge of anger. Unwilling to give in to such a relentless emotion, he slowed down and returned his attention to his companion trailing behind.
“Don’t worry, it won’t be much farther.” He offered her an encouraging smile.
Her response was a tired shrug.
Fortunately, the second building they came upon had a small, faded sign out front, declaring itself a respectable establishment for travelers. As they turned up the entrance, a young man emerged from the stable.
Dare said under his breath, “It would be best if we pose as brother and sister, to avoid any impropriety. The rest