A Seven Year Hitch

by Mary Beeken

  “Aaarrrgh” came a scream from the shadows beyond the chapel and a man came running out, jabbering like an idiot.

  Harrison swung around and fired before he recognized the man was one of his own. Swearing profusely, he dragged Erica over into the shadow of a wall. All the while his henchman lay moaning, “Help me! Before the ghost gets me. Help me!”

  “Shut up, you fool!” hissed Harrison, callously ignoring the man’s pleas for help, all the while looking around for Prentiss whom he still believed was alone.

  “Prentiss!” he shouted. “If you want to see your whore alive you had better show yourself.”

  When there were no sounds of anyone approaching he shouted again, “Show your face or I will slit her pretty throat! ”

  Again silence followed and Harrison, his anger growing, called;

  “I am going to count to five, Prentiss. Do you hear?”

  Erica scanned the darkness and saw a robed figure drifting through the chapel ruins. It was the opportunity she had been awaiting; raising her quivering arms, she pointed at it and in a voice laced with panic and fear she bade him look. Harrison swung around in time to see the figure vanish as if into thin air, a fraction of a second before he fired.

  Taking advantage of Harrison’s momentary distraction, Erica made her escape, vanishing into the darkness and using the crumbling walls for cover. She heard his bellow of rage as he registered her escape and then his stumbling around as he searched the vicinity for her, but she had the advantage of familiarity and managed to evade him. Furtively she made her way to the hidden tunnel entrance in the chapel and upon reaching it was grasped by strong arms and hugged close.

  “Thank God you’re safe!” Gerald whispered. “Now stay here until I get back. Harrison’s henchmen have all been rounded up, so it is only the man himself now but you know what they say about cornered rats. I’ll let the others know you are safe.” He swept out and secured the door, leaving Erica leaning against the cool stone of the tunnel wall, safe but anxious for news.

  Outside, Gerry had found Trevellyn and the others and informed them of his sister’s whereabouts.

  “We’re sure he has no more thugs lurking in the shadows?” Stephen asked.

  “We have four trussed up and being guarded by Barney and Trent. The fifth is lying injured and no longer in the equation, which leaves the boss himself. Charlie and Tom Harry are making a sweep of the area just to make sure there are no others and also to cut off his escape route, should he manage to evade us,” Prentiss reassured him.

  “Then gentlemen, I believe we should make our move. He is still unaware of our presence and is searching for Robert and Erica in the refectory ruins.”

  Harrison felt a presence behind him and swept around but could see nothing in the peculiar light cast by a partially covered moon. A sound to his right had him turning again but still he could discern no movement or humanlike shapes. Successive noises had him spinning in all directions and an unfamiliar prickle of fear crept up his spine, raising the hairs on the nape of his neck.

  “ Dodd? . . . Neilson? . . . Griggs?. . .” his calls were met by silence, and the prickle of fear became a torrent. Sweat beaded on his brow and his stomach clenched and for the first time he experienced what many of his victims must have felt.

  Out of the gloom came a disembodied voice.

  “You are alone, Harrison. Your henchmen have been captured and you are alone! Put your weapons down.”

  “I know that’s you Prentiss! Come out and face me; damn you!”

  A voice, different to the first spoke from behind him.

  “It is not I who will be damned, Harrison!”

  “You are surrounded, Harrison. Throw down your weapons!” came yet a different voice.

  Harrison acknowledged that defeat was imminent but was not prepared to give up quietly. He took aim and fired in the direction from whence Prentiss’ voice had come and while the report ricocheted around the centuries old walls and mounds, he ran. Another pistol shot rocked the stillness and Harrison went down clutching his leg and yelping in pain, he scrambled a few more yards but as dark figures began to separate from the shadows he sat down, brandishing his knife.

  “Give up, Harrison, the odds are totally stacked against you. We have men everywhere and following a Government investigation, Bow Street and the Foreign Office have you in their sights,” Prentiss told him.

  With a warlike cry, Harrison threw the knife at him but Robert swiftly dodged to the side and it fell harmlessly on the grass. Bending to retrieve it, Gerry slipped it into his pocket before assisting the others with the felon.

  “Gentlemen, allow me to help him to his feet, Ross said succinctly, grabbing Harrison by the scruff of his neck and yanking him up. He then drew back his arm and punched him squarely on the nose, from which blood came pouring.

  “That Harrison was for kidnapping my wife and causing her untold stress and anxiety. If I find you have harmed her in any way, I will save the country the expense of your hanging!”

  “Wife!!” exclaimed Stephen and Charlie clearly, while a more muffled, incoherent version was said by Harrison who held a handkerchief to his face whilst trying to stem the flow of blood from the wound in his leg with his neck cloth.

  Gerald and Robert each took an arm and hauled him to his feet. With a nod at the others they dragged him off towards his horse that had been tethered, out of sight, beyond the Abbey walls.

  “Erica and I are married but I ask that you keep the information to yourselves for the present. We still have one or two issues to resolve before hopefully making an announcement to the family before the end of the house party. I promise all will be revealed and any questions answered then,” Ross informed the still gaping Stephen and Charlie.

  “Congratulations then,” said Stephen offering his hand and shaking it vigorously when Ross took it. “I thought there was something between you but never imagined you were married!”

  “Yes, congratulations. I thought you and Erica were well matched but feel it is incumbent upon me to warn you that many stormy years lay ahead of you.”

  “I would not want it any other way,” laughed Ross. “Can I leave you to get the wounded henchman and assist the others while I go to Erica?”

  “Of-course. If you’re returning via the tunnel can you have Boodle send a cart to pick up this lot and to arrange a secure cellar to lock them up in until the morning?”

  Ross hurried to the tunnel entrance and found his wife inside, sitting by the entrance whilst waiting for news. The tunnel was relatively soundproof but she had made out the two shots and was beside herself with worry. On several occasions she had contemplated leaving the safety of her hiding place to go and see if she could help, but commonsense intervened making her see how foolish it would be and how it would likely hinder the operation rather than help. When the door slid quietly open to faint moonlight, she looked up to see Ross standing there and with a sob she leapt up and flung herself into his outstretched arms.

  “Is everyone safe? Have you caught him? Have you caught all his men?” she fired at him, frantic to know the details.

  “Yes. Yes and Yes. Only Harrison and the man he shot himself are injured, everyone else is fine. They are seeing to the villains. But what about you, my darling, Gerry said you were unharmed?”

  “Yes, I am. I was so scared but tried to keep calm and sensible,” she told him and then promptly burst into tears.

  “Oh darling, you’re safe now,” Ross said hugging her tightly to his chest while the tears poured and sobs racked her body. “You’re safe now.”

  When the initial burst of tears had subsided Ross lit a lamp, and taking her trembling hand, led Erica back along the dusty passage to the house where Boodle and Aunt Clara were anxiously waiting to greet them. Although her sobs had ceased, Erica found she could not stop the tears from falling or prevent the violent tremors that shook her body as though it was suffering from extreme cold although in truth it was the opposite she felt.

&nb
sp; “Oh you poor dear!” Aunt Clara swept her into a tight embrace and led her to a sofa where she continued to hold and gently rock her distraught niece.

  “She is in shock but otherwise unharmed?” she looked to Ross for confirmation who nodded, not trusting himself to speak, his own emotions rubbed raw at his wife’s distress.

  “Don’t worry. A little tender loving care and she will be back to her old feisty self,” she told him.

  “Erica, I need to go and help the others but I’ll be back soon,” and to reassure him as much as her he repeated, “You’re safe now!”

  “There’s no villain brave enough who could get past me, my dear girl,” Aunt Clara informed her.

  Ross gave a perfunctory smile at Aunt Clara’s attempt to lighten the atmosphere before dropping onto his haunches in front of them and taking Erica’s hands in his, dropped a kiss on each of them before stretching up and lightly brushing his lips against her bruised cheek. Then exchanging a look with the older woman, he left with Boodle close on his heels.

  It was over an hour later when the men entered the drawing room and were immediately besieged with questions from all, for no-one had been prepared to go to bed until they had discovered what had been happening. It was Robert who raised his arm for silence and related the events leading up to and including that night although he omitted to mention Erica’s role in it as ‘Eric Hurst’.

  “The Doctor has patched up Harrison who will be fit enough to stand trial for his many crimes, but he was unable to save the other man who was shot. He died shortly after he was brought here.”

  “So those nasty men are in the house as we speak? How on earth do you expect us to get a wink of sleep?” Great Aunt Celia wrung her hands nervously.

  It was Gerald who reassured her. “Don’t worry Aunt, Harrison and his gang have been locked in a cellar. We have arranged for there to be two guards on duty and will be taking turns throughout the night along with the most trusted men servants. Trevellyn is taking first watch. We are still unsure how Harrison managed to obtain such a detailed knowledge of the layout of the house to the extent that he knew exactly where to find Erica’s room. I am very much afraid it was one of the staff and I plan to launch and investigation in the morning.”

  The door opened and Aunt Clara wearily entered but upon seeing Gerald perked up saying, “Ah there you are, my dearest boy. Now would be a good time to give me an account of what has happened here tonight!”

  “We have just finished telling everyone, Aunt. You missed it all!” he laughed but seeing the storm clouds gathering in the look she cast him, he hastily added, “Prentiss here will be more than happy, however, to relate everything. But first, how is my sister?”

  “Sleeping. The poor gel was suffering from delayed shock and could not stop shaking, which is hardly surprising considering what she has been through. But she’s had a soak in a warm bath and a lovely cup of hot chocolate liberally laced with brandy. She is now safely tucked up in bed and her maid is staying with her.”

  “I think I will go up and relieve Ellie,” said Fiona standing up.

  “No, I don’t think that’s a good idea!” Stephen told her.

  “Why ever not?” Fiona asked amazed that he should think such a thing.

  “Because she’s asleep and you might disturb her,” he answered.

  “I do know how to be quiet, Stephen!”

  “I know you do sweetheart, but tomorrow is when she’s going to need you most and if you sit up with her now, you’ll be too tired,” he replied inspirationally.

  “I suppose so,” Fiona sounded sceptical but sat down again.

  Stephen and Gerald exchanged relieved glances and headed for the brandy decanter where they poured themselves a generous measure.

  “But we could take it in turns, just as you men are taking turns with guard duty. Sophie, Charlotte, you don’t mind taking it in turns with me to sit with Erica, do you?”

  “Of-course not,” replied Sophie.

  “I’d love too,” Charlotte assured her.

  “That’s settled then,” Fiona stood up for the second time, glad that she had hit upon the idea.

  Gerald and Stephen exchanged anxious glances and took a gulp of their drinks.

  “You girls are so kind, but I really think it is best if you leave Ellie with Erica tonight. As I understand it, she has been her maid for many years and will be reluctant to leave her. Indeed, I very much fear she may not appreciate you trying to usurp her position,” The Duchess of Penkhill intervened. “ Stephen is right, you know. You would best serve your cousin by being fresh for the morning.”

  Fiona considered for a moment and then said, “Perhaps your right.” And sat down again.

  Stephen and Gerald traded smiles and relaxed.

  The house and many of it’s occupants were wrapped in slumber when, a couple of hours later, Ross crept along the dark corridor. Robert had come to relieve him from guard duty and had told him of the lengths to which they had gone to dissuade Fiona and her cousins from sitting with Erica.

  “Her maid is with her at the moment, but will be glad to seek her bed and snatch a few hours of sleep.”

  Expressing his thanks, Ross had bid him a good night and headed for his wife’s bedroom.

  Opening the door softly, he crept into the dimly lit room and startled Ellie who was yawning in a chair close to the bed.

  “My Lord?” She whispered, suspiciously looking at him.

  “It is alright, Ellie. I shall be staying with her tonight so off you go to bed. I’ll ring in the morning when she wakes.”

  “But sir, you should not be here. I cannot leave you alone with her. It would not be proper.”

  “It is proper Ellie, for I am her husband, she’ll be perfectly safe with me,” he assured her.

  “I know that, Sir, but Miss Erica is seeking an annulment,” Ellie replied doggedly, determined not to desert her mistress.

  “It’s fine, Ellie,” Erica had woken. “We have decided to remain married. Thank-you for sitting with me but off you go now and don’t get up too early.”

  “Very good, Miss. I mean, My Lady,” She bobbed a curtsey and with a huge grin at the ‘happy couple’ hurried off to bed.

  Dousing the light, Ross quickly undressed and climbed into bed beside Erica and drew her close. Placing her head upon his shoulder, she nestled into him, and for the first time since her ordeal, felt totally safe and at peace.

  “I am so sorry I behaved like a veritable watering pot, I pride myself on my common sense and yet at the first sign of crisis, I turned into a complete ninny. I feel so ashamed.”

  “At the first sign of crisis and throughout it, you remained calm and focused enough to make a difference,” Ross assured her. “You persuaded Harrison to arrange the meeting in the Abbey ruins, giving us a huge advantage which paid off. You even managed to get away from him. It was only when it was all over that you went into shock and that can happen to the most hardened soldiers, believe me.”

  “I was so scared he would kill one of you. He has no conscience at all, he didn’t even show remorse at shooting one of his own men!” she told him.

  Ross kissed the top of her head and tried to reassure her.

  “In his eyes everyone is expendable. Fortunately his kind is very few and far between. Even in your work for the Government, dealing with scoundrels and cheats, it is unlikely you’ll come across many so devoid of basic human decency and compassion.”

  “Thank goodness,” she yawned.

  “Try to rest now,” he said, but she had already fallen asleep.

  Ross gently stroked along her bare arm, marvelling at the softness of her skin and noting the subtle perfume of roses that delicately clung to her. He gathered her auburn curls into his hand and gently raked his fingers through it, all the while thanking God for the peculiar circumstances that had led to his marriage to the beautiful woman lying beside him, and to the set of coincidences that had led him back to her, seven years after the event. Although his body
had raged to make love to her since his arrival at Monksleigh, at this moment he was content to just hold her to him, gently caressing her while she slept, safe in the circle of his arm. He smiled into the darkness and then drifted off to sleep himself.

  Expecting her to sleep late, Ross was surprised to be woken early the following morning by her trying to extricate herself from his embrace. During the night they had shifted position so that Erica lay on her side with Ross spooned in behind her, his arm slung around her and holding her flush to his naked body.

  “Good morning, wife,” he murmured, his eyes still closed.

  Her wriggles, more especially those of her bottom, had not only awoken him from sleep but had also had the affect of arousing his body and she could not mistake the growing hardness that was pressing into her buttocks. Embarrassment brought a flush to her face and she could hardly return his greeting. Obviously, she had never before been in such close proximity to a naked man and although she rather liked the sensation; she still felt shy and a certain amount of trepidation of what was inevitably about to take place.

  Breathing in the scent of her, Ross trailed his hand up from her waist to her breast, stroking gently and teasing her nipple until it hardened and peaked. When he heard the soft moan of growing desire he allowed his hand to drift down across her stomach and over the curve of her hip, ending on her thigh.

  “I think we should dispense with this, don’t you?” he asked, gathering the fine lawn material of her nightdress and tugging on it.

  Erica gave a noncommittal sound but did not demur when he raised the hem, his fingers caressing her silky skin on their journey upwards. The gown duly dispensed with, Ross leaned upon an elbow and by the early morning light, drank in the sight of her. She was all he’d dreamed she would be and more, all luscious curves and lithe limbs.

  “You are so beautiful,” he told her, his gaze following his hand as it explored her contours wending its way down to the thatch of soft curls and then returning to lightly knead the perfectly formed orbs. Having feasted with hand and eyes, Ross lowered his head, wanting now to taste with his mouth. His lips and tongue flirted with her dusky pink aureole, wringing a gasp from her, before he drew it into his mouth to suck and nip. Once satisfied with the hard little button, he rolled his tongue around and over it before transferring to the other breast and repeating the exercise again. Erica arched her back, her hands of their own accord going up to rake through his hair and hold his head as he suckled and tormented. Glancing up long enough to see her eyes heavy with passion, Ross then began to trace a path of kisses downwards and when he touched his lips to the sensitive skin of her inner thigh, she could not prevent a shudder.