‘You wanted to stay for the night,’ Judy countered angrily. ‘We could have left hours ago and be home by now.’

His reply was lost in the pounding of the horse’s hoofs, the sound of the rain lashing on the leather hood and the wind howling around them like spirits in agony. Rob had to concentrate on the road ahead, attempting to guide the horse away from the deepest of the ruts and huge puddles. Judy clung on for dear life as the chaise swayed dangerously from side to side. It was a light vehicle and much better suited to travelling in more clement weather. She was beginning to regret her impulsive decision to run away. Maybe it would have been better to brave a night at the inn and a possible embarrassing reunion with Jack. She huddled beneath the blanket, although it was impossible to keep warm and she leaned against Rob’s tense body as he struggled to control the frightened animal. Now they were faced with winding lanes and the wind whipped the overhanging branches into a frenzy, lashing the hood as if intent of causing damage. It was impossible to sleep, but Judy kept slipping into a state somewhere between waking and dreaming. At one moment she imagined she was curled up by a roaring fire, and then cold reality brought her back to the present with a start. She was sliding into another more pleasant place when suddenly there was an almighty crack. The horse uttered a horrific sound so like a human scream that Judy covered her ears with her hands. Seconds later the chaise tilted to one side and the horse reared up in the shafts as the vehicle toppled over. Rob was thrown to the ground but somehow Judy managed to hang on, although one leg was trapped in the buckled woodwork, and a tear-inducing pain in her ankle made her cry out.

‘Rob.’ She called his name again and again but there was no reply. One carriage light had been smashed, but in the dim glow of the other one she could just make out one broken shaft. As if by a miracle, the horse remained upright, although trapped and obviously terrified. Of Rob there was no sign. That side of the wrecked carriage was in complete darkness and his silence was even more frightening. Very carefully she pulled herself to a sitting position and slowly, and with great difficulty, she managed to free her ankle from the splintered footwell. She sat upright, not daring to move for a few agonising moments, and then she leaned over to massage the injured ankle. Her boots had saved her from a more serious injury and she could wriggle her toes, even though it was painful. She could only hope that it was a bad sprain and nothing worse. But her main concern was for Rob and she edged herself over the wreckage, calling his name, but still there was no answer.

She slid down into the tangle of metalwork and splintered wood, and felt about in the darkness as best as she was able. She was limping badly and the wind had tugged off her bonnet and dragged her hair from its confining snood. Rain-soaked and blinded by the water dripping into her eyes, she almost fell on top of Rob’s inert body. She went down on her knees regardless of the deep puddle of muddy water, and as she ran her hands over his body she realised that he was trapped by a branch of the fallen tree that had caused their accident.