“Lord Farrington,” the vicar denounced with righteous indignation. “Need I remind you that you’re in a house of God?”
“With a demon outside, threatening to break down its hallowed walls.” Eric was already heading for the door. “I instructed the little hoyden to remain on the lawn and amuse herself during my meeting. By now, she’s doubtless annihilated your gardens and every living creature within it.”
“She’s scarcely four years old.” Curran urged his aged body into motion, walking stiffly in Eric’s wake. “She shouldn’t be left unattended.”
“Fulfill my request and she won’t be.”
He was reaching for the door when a terrified shriek rang out, followed by shouts of “Whoa!” and the sound of scrambling hooves.
Eric exploded from the church in time to see Noelle crouched in the road, paralyzed with terror as an oncoming carriage swerved from side to side, its driver trying desperately to avoid running her down.
“Christ.” Eric took the church steps in two long strides, knowing even as he did that he could never reach her in time.
Out of nowhere, a flash of color darted from the opposite side of the road, snatching Noelle and rolling away as the horses reared—once, twice—tossing their heads in protest.
The carriage stopped.
Silence ensued, broken only by the disoriented snorts of the horses and Eric’s harsh, uneven breaths as he battled a wild, immobilizing surge of emotion.
From somewhere behind, he vaguely heard the vicar approach, heard his murmured, “Thank God.”
Oblivious to their presence, Noelle lifted her head and stared, white-faced, at the young woman in whose arms she was now clasped—a woman who had just saved her life.
With a howl of outrage, she began to struggle and beat at her rescuer’s shoulders. “Let go of me! Fuzzy is under there. I’ve got to find him.”
Unflinching, the young woman warded off the blows. “Stop it,” she commanded quietly, catching Noelle’s small, trembling fists. “You can’t rescue—Fuzzy, did you say?—if you’re flattened beneath a carriage wheel.” She squeezed Noelle’s hands—a tender gesture that belied the severity of her tone—then raised her head and calmly regarded the sweating carriage driver, who looked as if he’d seen a ghost. “It’s all right,” she soothed him. “The child is unharmed. But I’d appreciate your keeping the carriage stationary a moment longer. Would that be possible?”
Mutely, he nodded.
“Thank you.” The woman stood, still clutching Noelle as she brushed the road dust off her simple, mauve-colored frock. “Now,” she addressed the child, “suppose you tell me what kind of animal Fuzzy is. Then we shall find him.”
“He’s a cat.” A mutinous spark ignited in Noelle’s eyes, and her chin jutted out belligerently as she clarified her statement. “A stuffed cat.”
“Excellent. Now I know what I’m searching for.” Disregarding Noelle’s stunned expression, the woman nodded matter-of-factly. Then, shifting Noelle’s weight onto one arm, she marched closer to the carriage, squatting to peer beneath. “Is Fuzzy fawn-colored?”
“Yes.” Noelle strained to see. “Have you spotted him? Is he there?”
“Indeed he is. There and intact. A most fortunate cat.” Noelle’s rescuer turned to face her wriggling bundle. “I’ll offer you
a deal. If you promise to return to that pile of leaves you were playing in, I promise to rescue Fuzzy. However, if you venture back into the street before I reach your side, I can’t be responsible for Fuzzy’s fate. Is it a deal?”
Noelle stared at her as if she’d lost her mind. “Did you hear what I said? Fuzzy’s not a real cat.”
“I heard you. I repeat, do we have a deal?”
A slow, astonished nod. “Yes.”
“Good.” The young woman set Noelle on the ground and gave her a gentle push. “Go ahead.”
Noelle sprinted to the grass.
Her rescuer smiled her approval. Then, shoving unruly chestnut curls behind her ears, she dropped unceremoniously to her knees. With calculated caution, she crawled alongside the carriage, keeping a healthy distance from the wheels, lest the horses bolt. At last, she stopped and groped beneath the vehicle.
Scant seconds later, Fuzzy emerged, gripped tightly in her hand. “Success,” she called out, grinning. Her grin faded as Noelle lunged forward. “Stop.” One palm rose to ward off Noelle’s advance. “Our deal was for you to remain on the grass. One more step and Fuzzy will resume his precarious position beneath the carriage.”
Noelle halted in her tracks.
The dazzling smile returned. “Wonderful. I appreciate a person who keeps her word.” She glanced back at the driver. “Thank you, sir. You can be on your way.”