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side, partially pinned by the shafts and getting more and more tangled by the minute. Taking care to keep away from its flailing hooves, Myserleigh tossed his coat over the frightened animal's head and held it there. His efforts seemed to merely send the horse into greater struggles and Myserleigh was nearly thrown off his feet when its huge head swung into him and caught him off guard.
    "Talk to him," Miss Meriwether said, suddenly materializing at his side. "Use soft, soothing words to calm him."
    He supposed it would help nothing to bark at her to get back to the wagon where she'd be safe, but he did manage to glance over his shoulder and catch her eye, giving her a very stern look. She was unflinching. Instead of running from either his angry looks or the shrill cries of the horse she moved in closer. Her delicate hands reached past his to touch the desperate creature.
    He held more tightly to his coat, trying to pin the horse so it would not harm her. What the devil was she thinking to come out here, to put herself in danger this way? Onc e things were under control he'd speak very sharply to her about such reckless behavior.
    "There, there," she cooed, ignoring him and focusing on the horse. "That's a good boy. Be still... let us help you."
    Myserleigh held his coat in place, covering the animal's eyes to lessen its worry. Miss Meriwether continued muttering soft, tender things into its ear. Slowly, the horse responded and Myserleigh could feel it relax, giving up on its struggles and letting the young men in close enough to untangle its legs.
    "It's no use," one of them said after a few moments. "They're twisted up tight. We'll have to cut the traces."
    His companion agreed and produced a knife. Myserleigh kept the coat in place as Miss Meriwether entranced the creature with her smooth talking. The young men worked as quickly as they could to free the animal's legs, dodging every now and then as a frightened kick lashed out for them. The more they had the beast untangled, the more danger they were in.
    Myserleigh could only be thankful the horse seemed more intent on kicking its former passengers than aiming for Miss Meriwether.
    "Here, this is the last one," the young man with the knife said.
    He cut through the tough leather and the horse twisted, realizing its legs were free and giving one final, desperate push to get back on its feet. Myserleigh wrapped one arm around Miss Meriwether's waist and pulled her aside just in time to avoid being trampled. They staggered back as the horse pulled free of the shafts, shaking and puffing and tossing its mane.
    "He's none too happy about it all, but I don't see any injury," one of the young men said.
    To prove the point, the horse lunged forward, its harness jangling as it put distance between itself and the overturned carriage. Myserleigh reached to grab the bridle, but he was half a second too slow. The horse realized his opportunity and took off, galloping for all his worth up the road and around the next bend.
    One of the young men swore. Myserleigh was about to chide him for such language in the presence of a lady, but a moan from the other side of the carriage caught his attention.
    "Good heavens! Someone is injured!" Miss Meriwether exclaimed.
    Myserleigh peered around and found a third young man propped up against the roof of the badly damaged carriage, a trail of blood running across his face and his arm cradled uselessly against his chest. His companions dashed around to him. In all the commotion Myserleigh hadn't noticed that the horse had not been the only near casualty of the wreck. This young man, however, was not likely to get up and go galloping down the road.
    " The horse ran off, Jasper," one of his companions told him. "Are you hurt badly? What should we do?"
    Miss Meriwether was gaping at the blood running down and seeping into the man's clothing. Myserleigh wished she would turn her head since it was obvious the sight was distressing her, but instead she