The binocular’s lenses magnified the chaotic scene. Anna could see that at the last jump, the highest jump, at least three horses had tumbled in an ungainly heap of twisted equine legs. Anna gasped, scanning all the horses, hoping desperately that Vronsky’s horse wasn’t in the melee. Unable to contain herself, Anna jumped the partitions of hay and bolted out into the field.

“Murf!” she screamed. “Was it him? Is he okay?”

Murf, already running toward the chaos, stopped at the sound of Anna’s voice and turned around to face the lone figure standing in the field, her face stricken.

“Go back, Anna!” Murf yelled. “I’ll let you know as soon as I do.”

Steven, who had seen his sister run out into the field, pounded down the bleachers himself, vaulted over the partition, and was by her side in seconds. He put his arm around her as he escorted her back to the stands. Anna hid her face, but it was too late; everyone had already witnessed what she had done.

“Bring her here,” Alexander called out, his voice stronger than it had been since his accident. Unsure of what to do, Steven thought about whisking her away, but knowing she’d never leave until she knew Vronsky’s fate, he ushered her back to the Greenwich OG.

Anna sat on the bale of hay where Alexander’s leg was propped, and promptly pulled out her phone, waiting for news.

Her phone dinged, and she saw Murf’s message. He’s okay. But Frou Frou is ducked. Ducking autocorrect! Anna started to cry happy tears that Vronsky was all right.

“What did you hear?” Alexander asked sternly.

“One of the horses that fell is badly hurt. It’s terrible. I’m going to go down there.”

“You’ll do no such thing,” he replied. “I want to leave right now, and you’re coming with me.”

Anna glanced at him in shocked amazement. “As if I’m some kind of pet to be ordered about at the whims of my master?”

“Anna,” Alexander said in a low voice. “I don’t feel well. You’re obviously upset, and everyone is watching. We’re going home now. Steven, can you help me with my chair?”

Steven looked at his sister, and she nodded for him to go ahead. Anna knew she would have to go with Alexander. Her only consolation was that in all the hubbub and rush to get Alexander home, they had forgotten Eleanor, and Anna smiled thinking of her bf’s half-sister looking all over for them in her ugly pink hat.

XII