As Philip mounted his horse and rode out into the countryside, he let the wind whip away the remnants of his argument with his mother. The open fields offered a sense of freedom and clarity that he desperately needed. The further herode from his family estate, the lighter he felt, as if each step of the horse was a step away from the suffocating expectations placed upon him.
He knew he needed to find a way to see Lady Verity again. The thought of her brought a sense of calm and happiness that was starkly missing from his life. But how could he when it felt like the whole world was watching his every move?
As the sun began to set, he found himself at the edge of a familiar grove, a place where he and Verity had once shared a picnic with her family.
He dismounted, allowing his horse to graze while he sat on a fallen log, contemplating his next move. But of course, he also had to think about the obligations he faced as the Marquess of Eilendale.
The conflict between his head and his heart was almost unbearable. His title came with obligations that he could not simply wish away, but his heart yearned for Verity. The conflict was tearing him apart, and he needed a solution.
He recalled the many conversations he had shared with Verity, the easy laughter, and the deep connection that seemed to grow stronger with each encounter. In her presence, he felt understood, valued, and seen for who he truly was, rather than the title he bore. He longed to confide in her, to share the burdens he carried and to seek her counsel. Her wisdom and kindness always seemed to provide clarity in the most tumultuous of times.
The thought of Verity brought a small smile to his lips, but it was quickly overshadowed by the reality of their situation. His mother’s harsh words echoed in his mind, reminding him of the impossibility of his desires.
He stood up, brushing the dirt from his coat, knowing that he could not remain here forever. Mounting his horse, Philip knew that his brain wasn’t cleared yet, but he hoped thatriding some more would change that. He gently urged his horse forward, hoping the rhythm of the ride would calm his turbulent thoughts. But instead, as his thoughts grew more tumultuous, so did his pace. The gentle trot quickly became a canter, then a full gallop. The countryside blurred past him, and the rhythmic pounding of hooves against the earth matched the frantic beat of his heart. He leaned forward, pressing his body closer to his horse, urging it faster and faster.
The wind tore at his hair and clothes, but he barely noticed. His focus was solely on the speed, the sensation of escaping everything that weighed him down. The landscape around him transformed into a streak of colors, and he felt an exhilarating rush as the horse’s powerful muscles worked beneath him.
Faster and faster he rode, until the line between thrill and recklessness began to blur. He ignored the treacherous dips and rises of the terrain, driven by a need to outrun the expectations that suffocated him. The horse’s breath came in heavy, labored gasps, but Philip could not bring himself to slow down.
He needed to feel the edge, to push beyond the constraints of his title, his obligations, his entire life. The ground beneath them became a blur, and he finally realized he was riding recklessly, dangerously fast.
Lost in his turbulent emotions, Philip failed to notice a low hanging branch in his path.
At least, he did not notice it until it collided with his face.
Before he could react, the branch struck him, knocking him off his horse and sending him tumbling to the ground. Pain exploded through his body as his head collided with a rock on the ground, and the world around him started to fade to black. Philip lay unconscious on the ground, barely able to hear his horse nervously pacing nearby as his vision pin holed.
As Philip lay there, the sounds around him seemed distant and muffled, like echoes in a dream. His consciousnessflickered in and out, the pain in his head pulsing with each heartbeat. Through the haze, he heard faint voices, snippets of conversation that floated around him.
“...carriage collision...”
The words barely registered in his clouded mind, but a sense of unease stirred within him. Could it be that his reckless ride wasn’t the only danger that had beset him? Had there been another incident, another victim of fate’s unpredictable hand? He struggled to open his eyes, his vision blurry and swimming. Shapes moved around him, indistinct and wavering.
He tried to call out, but his voice was feeble, barely a whisper lost in the evening breeze. Hands gently touched his shoulder, and he felt someone kneeling beside him.
A voice, clearer now, spoke with urgency. “Can you hear me? Sir, can you hear me?”
Philip wanted to respond but he could not find the words.
It was as if all the air had been knocked out of his lungs completely and he had nothing left. He could not respond however hard he tried.
CHAPTER 21
Oh my…!
The carriage taking Verity away from Faye’s home lurched unexpectedly, jolting her from her thoughts. She slid violently to the side and knocked into the door, nearly whipping the air from her lungs completely.
What just happened?
Curiosity mingled with a sense of unease as she leant forward, peering through the window to discern the cause of the commotion outside. Her gaze fell upon a gathering of people, their faces etched with concern, huddled around what appeared to be the scene of an accident.
Verity’s heart pounded violently against her rib cage as she creaked open the door. She wasn’t sure if this was the right thing for her to do, but she absolutely had to know what had happened. She needed to know if she could help.
With a growing sense of trepidation, Verity stepped out of the carriage. She could hardly feel her feet touching the ground as she approached the crowd. Nerves zig zagged through her system as she made her way through the throngs of people watching.
“Did you see that?”
“What happened to him?”
