Harriet’s heart hammered as she rushed forward, fearful she wouldn’t reach the woman in time. With a lunge, she grabbed the woman’s arm, jerking her back just as the carriage flew past.
“Out of the way!” the driver shouted.
Harriet wanted to shake her fist at the man, but he’d already passed by. Instead, she turned to the woman whose arm she still held. “Are you all right?”
The lady’s hazel eyes were wide with shock as she stared at Harriet. Her mouth opened but no sound emerged.
“What happened?”
Harriet turned at the male voice, surprise stiffening her entire body at the sight of Viscount Garland staring at her.
Chapter Two
Joseph looked betweenhis mother and the lady who had saved her in disbelief. “Are either of you hurt?”
He’d walked out of the shop in time to see his mother step into the path of an oncoming carriage that showed no sign of slowing.
The sight of the galloping horse and the tall carriage wheels drawing ever closer wasn’t one he’d soon forget.
His mother glanced down as if to check to make certain all was well before looking back at him. “I—I believe I’m well. Thanks to this kind lady,” she said as she gestured toward the woman.
“The driver was going far too fast.” The lady, who looked vaguely familiar, scowled as she stared down the street to where the carriage had disappeared from sight.
“Oh, my goodness.” Another lady joined them and wrapped an arm around the younger one. “That was a near miss. Thank goodness neither of you was hurt.”
Based on the faint resemblance between them and the age difference, they appeared to be mother and daughter. But his concern was for his own parent, especially when she was visibly shaken by the incident.
“Mother,” Joseph began as he reached for her trembling hand, his heart still pounding with fear, “you must take better care.”
“I suppose my thoughts were on our conversation rather than the traffic.”
Guilt struck him at her words. He hated to think his comments about Reverend Henderson’s visits had bothered her when she already had enough on her mind. He needed to keep his worry to himself.
“Please don’t mention this to your father.” Her face went paler with the request.
Joseph held tighter to her hand, ignoring the curious looks of the two strangers. “No, I won’t.” On that, they agreed. He wouldn’t be pleased with either of them or the fact that they’d been together.