Mrs. Logan returned with a dark brown coat.
“I’ll take it to him,” Prudence said.
“You’re going to get soaked.” Mrs. Logan eyed her doubtfully, but gave her the coat.
“I’ll be quick.” Prudence dashed outside as lightning flashed overhead. She ran toward where Bennet stood with the others, the mud sucking at her booted feet. They seemed to be assessing the situation with the tree. “Bennet!” she called just before she reached his side.
He turned, his eyes widening. “Pru, you shouldn’t be out here.”
She thrust the coat toward him. “Put this on before you’re drenched to the bone.”
“Might be too late for that,” he said with a smile, taking the garment and throwing it over his shoulders. “Go back in. We won’t be long. We can’t move the tree until the storm is over.”
“Be careful,” she said, her gaze holding his.
“I will. Go.” He smiled at her as she turned. Another bolt of lightning lit the sky followed by a loud crack.
“Prudence!”
Prudence heard her name just before she felt a weight crash against her. She fell forward, turning her head just before she hit the muddy ground.
Her breath had been knocked from her, but she didn’t feel hurt. It took her a moment to realize it wasn’t a branch that had sent her falling, but a person whose weight now held her down.
Turning her head farther, she tried to see who was on top of her back, but she couldn’t. She inhaled deeply through her nose because there was mud on her lip. Then she knew who it was—by scent.
“Bennet, are you all right?” He hadn’t moved since they’d fallen.
He let out a groan. “Yes.”
“Your lordship!” One of the men called just before the weight was removed from Prudence’s back.
She instantly turned over and scrambled to get up. The stable master, Tasker, had pulled Bennet up.
“Bloody hell.” Bennet stared toward the stable, provoking Prudence to pivot.
A tree had crushed one side, falling completely through the roof.
“Go,” Bennet said to Tasker. “I’ll be fine.”
Prudence looked to him and saw blood trickling from his temple, mingling with the rain. “You are not fine,” she said, rushing to his side.
“I wager I’m better than my coach.” He winced as she touched his cheek.
“You’re coming inside,” she insisted, grabbing his arm and dragging him toward the house.
“All right.” He sounded resigned. Defeated almost.
Mrs. Logan met them at the door. “Did that branch hit you?” She gestured toward the very large piece of wood that lay in the mud next to where Bennet had fallen on top of Prudence.
“I think it hit his lordship, yes,” Prudence said as they moved inside. She pulled the sodden coat from Bennet and cast it behind her, careless of where it landed. “Come to the settee so I can look at your head.”
“Better me than you,” he said, touching his head gingerly.
Prudence settled him on the settee in the seating area near the front window. “What do you mean?”
“That bolt of lightning hit the tree. It split, and the branch was diving straight for you.” He looked up at her, his blue-green eyes stark with distress. “It might have killed you.”
“You saved her life,” Mrs. Logan whispered, sounding as if she were awed. “It’s a miracle you weren’t more seriously injured. Or killed yourself.”
“I tried to move us out of the way.” Bennet didn’t take his eyes from Prudence. “I’m sorry if I hurt you when I tackled you.”
“You didn’t.” She couldn’t believe what he’d done, how quickly he’d acted. And with no thought to himself. “You shouldn’t have done that.”
“Don’t say that.” His voice was low and raw. “Please don’t say that. I’d do it again.” He wiped at the blood that was still streaming down his face. “Might I have a towel or something to press on this?”
“Good heavens, look at me standing here doing nothing!” Mrs. Logan dashed toward the kitchen, delivering a commentary as she went, “I hope Mr. Logan and Mr. Tasker come in before too long. It’s far too dangerous out there!”
Prudence sank down beside him on his injured side. “Does it hurt?”
“Yes.”
“Did you lose consciousness?” she asked. “You didn’t move for a moment.”
His brow furrowed, then he winced. “I don’t think so, but I’m not sure. Everything happened so fast. All I could see was that branch coming straight down toward you. If anything had happened to you…” He closed his eyes and pressed his lips together until they whitened.
“Nothing happened, save my sudden need for a bath.”
He laughed and winced again.
“No more laughing,” she admonished.
“Then stop being witty and charming.” He opened one eye. “If you can, which I daresay you can’t.”
“Nonsense. I’ll be ruthless in my care of you.”
His other eye opened, and he regarded her with a heat that shocked and thrilled her. “Promise?”
Before she could summon an appropriate response—and she wasn’t at all sure she could—Mrs. Logan returned with warm water and toweling.
“The love you share is so wonderful to see,” Mrs. Logan said, handing Prudence a cloth. “I’m so relieved you’re both all right.”
Prudence wanted to roll her eyes or in some way dismiss Mrs. Logan’s observation, but she couldn’t. And not just because it would reveal their deception. She didn’t want to upset this moment.
Because Bennet was injured. Yes, that was the reason.
She gently put the cloth to his forehead. “Is this all right?”
“Yes, thank you. You can press a little harder.”
She applied more pressure, but he winced so she lightened it again. “Just try to relax. Perhaps some brandy, Mrs. Logan.” She glanced toward the woman, who nodded and presumably went to fetch it.
“I’d like to know the state of the coach.” He grimaced, and she wasn’t sure if it was from pain or the likelihood that they’d lost their only mode of travel. A terrible thought occurred to her—given his financial state, was it his only mode of travel? Could a gentleman be a gentleman without a coach?
“We’ll ask when they come in. They can’t remain in the storm too long.” Gusts of wind rattled the inn. Prudence glanced up at the ceiling. “Will it tear the house apart?”
“Only if it sends another tree our way. But I don’t think there are any others close enough to damage the house.”
“What of the one resting over there?” She inclined her head toward the corner.
“We’ll pull it off tomorrow probably. Hopefully. The damage is minimal. The stable, on the other hand…” He frowned, and she knew he was concerned.
“We can hire transportation or ride the mail coach if necessary,” Prudence said.
He arched a brow, but only for a second because he winced and relaxed his features. “How are we to pay for that?”
“I’ve a bit of money hidden in the lining of my case.” Her mother had taught her this trick years ago—always have something stashed for emergencies. “Don’t tell me you refuse to use it.”