Ann Lethbridge - More Than A Lover

The closer they drew to the courtyard the more Caro’s stomach tightened.

Mrs Garge rose from the bench the moment they passed beneath the arch, her gaze darting from one face to the other, then past them to see who followed.

Her lined face seemed to collapse. ‘Somat’s happened.’

‘There was an accident,’ Caro said, her voice feeling like sandpaper against her throat. ‘Mr Garge was thrown from the box.’

‘Josiah? No. Is he all reet? Where is he?’ She made to push past them.

‘Mrs Garge,’ Mr Read said, his voice gentle but firm, ‘your husband was killed. Instantly.’ He stepped closer and held out his arms. ‘I am so very sorry.’

The woman stared at his face for a long moment. ‘No.’ Tears ran silently down her face. She collapsed against his chest and he held her while she sobbed. The look on his face startled Caro. Most men did not feel comfortable around a woman in tears and this one was sobbing uncontrollably. But his stoic expression held sympathy and sadness, not discomfort or impatience.

Caro put her arm around the woman’s shoulders and leaned close. ‘I am so sorry. There was nothing we could do for him.’

After a few minutes, Mrs Garge raised her head. ‘An accident, you say? What happened? Never in his life has my Josiah found a team that could take him unawares. Not even those dreadful wild creatures Lord Robert used to drive.’

Garge had been with the family since the twins, Charlie and Robert, had been small children.

‘We think something startled the horses,’ Mr Read said. ‘The wheel struck a rut and shattered. The jolt must have dislodged him from the box.’

Mrs Garge stared at him, eyes wide. ‘Dislodged him?’

‘There was a rock where he landed. He landed hard. I am sorry, Mrs Garge. It was instant.’

Stepping back, she gazed around wildly. ‘I have to go. Tell—’ She swallowed loudly. ‘Tell my family.’

She rushed past them and was gone.

Caro’s knees felt weak. ‘Oh, the poor woman.’

Mr Read took her arm and led her to the bench where Mrs Garge had been sitting. Caro sank onto the hard wood and leaned back against the plank wall. ‘I didn’t even think to tell her we would write to Tonbridge, to ask him to ensure she was cared for. I really meant to do that.’

He put a comforting arm around her shoulders.

‘Give her a bit of time,’ he murmured. ‘I will call round and tell her.’

The sensation of his strength at her side seemed to seep into her bones. She found herself wanting to lean against him. To confide. Terrified of her reaction, she rose to her feet. ‘Thank you, Mr Read.’

She hurried indoors.

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