He smirked as he pulled a clove from his mouth and flung it to the floor. “Lord Dominic will have little chance of tracking you down. You overestimate his influence, my dear. He may have much power in the borderlands but he has little influence over the rest of England.”
“You are wrong! He is favoured by the king.”
“The king,” he spat, “has better things to do with his time than concern himself with the squabbles of lords. Particularly over a woman of no consequence.”
Isabel bristled at his words. “If I am of such little consequence, why take me? A man such as yourself could surely find a more…deserving wife,” she added with a twist of her lips.
“Oh, dear Isabel. You underestimate your charms. You are a rare creature with your sweet figure and brazen confidence. I shall enjoy taming you.” He moved closer, licking his lips. “Do you not wish to be worshipped for the Goddess that you are? It will not be long until you are down on your knees, begging for the touch of my hands.”
Everard’s finger traced the line of her bodice and she held herself tall, closing her eyes as he forced his finger below her bodice. She trembled as his damp finger swept over her breast and she bit at her lip. She should not react.
“Dominic will come for me,” she whispered, her eyes still clenched shut. And Jake…?
His fingers snapped away at the sound of Dominic’s name and Isabel risked opening her eyes. Everard’s mouth pulled into a tight line and her eyes dropped to his hands. She could see his knuckles turn white as he clenched his fists. Sweat prickled on her lip as she awaited his next move.
The lord turned abruptly from her and she jumped at the sudden movement. “Your betrothed,” he ground out, “will not find you here, as I said. And when you are married and ruined, he will want little to do with you. You would do well to accept your fate, Isabel. I have been kind thus far, but you would not wish to test my temper. Remember, I still owe you for the…altercation before you decided to go on your little adventure.”
“When you tried to ravish me, you mean.”
“‘Tis no more than you owed me, as your betrothed,” he snarled.
“I owed you naught. I owe you naught. Do as you will, Everard, I shall give you no satisfaction.”
Everard gripped abruptly at her neck, drawing a gasp from her. His thumb pressed into her flesh and she could feel the rush of blood pounding in her head.
“You shall bring me much satisfaction. When I have put stripes to your back, you shall beg to give me satisfaction.”
Holding her tongue, she sucked in a breath as he released his grip. His fingers stroked tenderly over her flesh as he eyed her lips.
“We shall move on in a few days, when I can be sure they have given up all hope of finding you. You see, Isabel, you shall not be found. But fear not, I shall keep you plenty entertained while we wait. Now, I have business to attend to. Be a good girl and mayhap I’ll not have to mar that beautiful body of yours. My squire, Simon, will remain with you should you need anything…”
Should she attempt to escape, he meant.
Everard’s hand gripped the back of her neck and he pressed his lips upon hers. She clamped her lips shut, unable to pull back from the assault of his mouth, her senses overwhelmed with the scent and feel of him.
Releasing her with a satisfied sigh, he turned to open the door with obvious reluctance. “I shall see you this night. I trust you will use this time to consider the benefits of becoming more compliant.”
The gust of wind that entered the room brought with it the smell of ale and sweaty men. A swell of desperation arose in her chest and she slammed past Everard. He grabbed at her arm with an indignant yell but she managed to slip from his clammy grasp.
Dashing along the balcony that lined the rooms of the inn, she hurtled down the stairs. If she could just get outside, then mayhap someone would spot her, mayhap someone would help. Squeezing through the crush of men that filled the inn, she threw a glance back to see Everard close behind, bearing down upon her.
Ale sloshed across her gown as she gave a man a shove before pressing past towards the door. She flew out towards the street and stared wildly around but before she could decide what to do next, Everard was upon her. He snatched her arm and hauled her against him. Isabel brought her hand up to slap him but the glint of a blade prevented her from bringing it across his face.
Everard grinned as her eyes widened and he brought the blade up between them, pressing the tip over the silk of her gown, running it down the embroidered front.
“Obviously I didn’t make myself clear. You will behave yourself or you will suffer the consequences. There are many ways I can hurt you without outright killing you.” He tilted his head and studied her. “But that said, I’d like to see you beg for your life.”
Tears beaded in her eyes and she sagged, allowing Everard to drag her back inside the inn. When they returned to the room, he motioned for Simon to follow them in. Once inside, Everard pulled some rough cord from a saddlebag. Coaxing her hands behind her back, he bound her wrists until the twine dug into her skin.
Spinning her back around, he admired his handiwork as Isabel brought her chin up and eyed him coolly.
“If she misbehaves, punish her. Just do not mar her face,” Everard told Simon.
Simon grinned. He was a fair-haired lad who was likely not much older than herself with ruddy skin and a slight overbite. His fists curled into big balls and he eyed her lasciviously. Isabel shuddered. She wasn’t sure who was worse, Simon or Everard.
The heavy door thudded shut as Everard left and she released a breath, allowing her stiff posture to soften.
Sweet Mary, what would happen to her? She did not doubt that Dominic would hunt for her, but Everard was most determined. She believed him when he said they would not find her.
Isabel glanced down at her stomach. Whatever she did, she could not allow any harm to befall her, if not for her sake, then for the babe. She could submit to Everard, and pray he had mercy on her when he discovered she was carrying Jake’s child. Or…
Or she could attempt to escape. She would pay dearly if Everard caught her and she did not know where she was. She would have to rely on the kindness of others to find her way back to Thornewall. What if she walked from the arms of one evil man to the arms of another? How would she survive another attack or worse?
The knowledge of the new life growing inside of her strengthened her courage. There were risks with either path she took, but to stay with Everard would surely mean a death sentence. If he let her child survive, eventually it would have to suffer the loss of its mother. Nay, she could not allow such a thing to happen.
She would escape. And she would do it this night.
~* * *~
The missive shook in his hand, but Jake could do little to control it. Dominic’s writing. So it was done. He closed his eyes briefly, pulling in a breath. Slipping a knife under the seal, he tore it open and cast his eyes over the contents.
His hand ceased shaking as he took in the words of his brother, and he could feel the blood drain from his face.
“God’s teeth.”
“Is all well, milord?” his squire questioned.
He didn’t answer, instead running his eyes over the missive once more, praying his eyes had deceived him. Lord, what a fool he was. He should never have left Thornewall.
“Rob, see that the mounts are saddled. We ride for Thornewall.”
Robert nodded and hurried from the hall, recognising the urgency in his master’s voice.
“With haste!” Jake called out after him.
Scrunching the parchment in his hands, he flung it into the fire and strode to the armoury. The tang of metal greeted him as he hauled out his mail and gambeson. His hands shook once more as he tied the padded jacket about him. When he got his hands on Everard….
He clenched his teeth together. If he had harmed Isabel in any way, he would happily kill him, regardless of having never met the man who once had Isabel’s hand.
He yanked his mail over his head, the weight of the hauberk settling reassuringly on his chest.
Throwing on his leather armour, he secured it around his waist. Then drawing his belt around him, he wrenched it tight and pulled his sword from the rack. Jake gave it a few experimental swipes before settling it in its scabbard.
Horses whinnied in the bailey and he thanked God for such efficient stable hands. Stepping across the muddy courtyard, he noted that Rob was securing his armour. With a quick check of his sword, his squire mounted. Jake nodded his thanks and joined him.
“My brother has need of our aid. Lady Isabel has been taken. We will return her to Thornewall.” And to his brother? He shook aside this thought. It did not matter, as long as she was safe.
“Aye, milord.”
The portcullis clattered open and, with a kick, the two men bolted through the gates. Jake kept his eyes on the horizon. It would take but a few hours to reach Thornewall if they rode hard. Hopefully Everard would not have made it far and if he were still intent on marrying Isabel, he would not harm her. Hopefully.
His heart ached as he pictured her in the hands of another man. It was bad enough to imagine her with Dominic, but Dominic would treat her well. Everard on the other hand…
Jake knew nothing of the man, but if Isabel - sweet, courageous Isabel - feared him, then he must truly be a man touched by the devil.
His hands became clammy around the reins as they neared Thornewall, the scragginess of the surrounding countryside slowly giving way to the moorland. The keep was still at least an hour away and he had to keep himself from pushing his mount too hard. Once he had consulted with Dominic, he would waste no time in searching Isabel out, so he could ill afford to weary the steed.
What he would not give to have Isabel back in his arms. How many times had he thought back to their last night together? What a blackguard he was, bedding her then leaving her. He should have stayed well clear. Not only had he hurt Isabel, but he had betrayed his brother. The guilt of hurting them both had lingered along with the memory of Isabel and the love that he still held for her.
Aye, these lonesome sennights had done little to diminish his love for her. Instead, it ate away at him, regret burning in his gut. He probably loved her more than ever. Her bravery, her strength, her spirit…
Ack, if only he had not behaved like a coward, he could have prevented anything happening to her. He could not allow Isabel to pay for his idiocy. Cursing, he realised all these thoughts were for nothing. It was not up to him to protect her, it never would be.
The towers of Thornewall Keep became visible over the horizon and he ignored his thoughts of taking it easy on his destrier. Desperation fingered at his gut and he pushed the mount harder. He could always take one of Dominic’s horses.
James wasted no time in ordering the gates open, hurrying down the steps to greet him.
“My lord.”
“James, what news?” Jake asked as he slid off his mount, handing the reins to a stable hand.
“Lord Dominic left this morning with a small party of men-at-arms. He asks that you make for Durham where he will await you at The Rose and Crown. There was word that Lady Isabel had been sighted there and ‘twas his intent to make a search of the town.”
“Aye.” Jake nodded briefly. “Have the hands saddle a mount, I fear I’ve wearied mine.”
James offered a careful smile. “There is one saddled and waiting for you, my lord.” He signalled to one of the stable boys, who hurried to the stables and returned with a strong looking black mount.
“I thank you, James. I shall join with my brother and we shall send word should we need more men. You have enough men to defend Thornewall?”
“Aye, milord. We number at about a hundred and some of the village men have offered to join in the search should we need extra help.”
Jake smiled tightly. “You are a good man, James. With any luck, I shall not see you until we have Lady Isabel safely back at Thornewall.”
“As you will, my lord. Godspeed.”
Jake climbed easily onto the large horse and turned to Rob. “Wait here. I shall ride faster as one. I shall send word should I need your aid.”
The lad nodded. The boy was strong and loyal, but he could not ride as fast as he could. He could not afford to have him slow him down.
The eyes on his back all willed him to bring back Lady Isabel as he thundered out of the gate. None could feel the desperation he did, though. None loved her as he did. The reins bit into his gloves, imprinting his palm. If he found Isabel, how would he ever part from her once more?
~* * *~
The shadows lengthened in the tiny room as night neared. Isabel chewed at her lip as she glanced outside. Everard would surely return soon and she knew not what he was intending to do with her. She doubted very much he had any intentions of waiting until the wedding night to take her.
Isabel flicked a glance at his squire. Simon could not have been much more than one and twenty but he had a man’s strength. There was no way she could get past him. He had barely uttered two words to her as he sat by the door, watching her every move. The flicker of appreciation in his eyes made her stomach churn. However, mayhap she could use it to her advantage…
“Have you fostered long with Everard?”
The lad blinked and coloured as he brought his face back to hers. “Aye, milady. Some seven years.”
“You will be hoping to prove yourself in battle soon, will you not?”
Simon puffed out his chest. “Aye, milady, ‘twill not be long before I am a knight.”
Her smile widened. “Aye, I’ve no doubt you will prove yourself worthy…‘twould be a shame to have you reputation tainted so.”
“Milady?”
“Well, involved in the kidnapping of a noble lady. It surely could be no good thing to have your name sullied by such affairs.”
“You were my lord’s betrothed, Lady Isabel. ‘Tis not kidnapping.”
“Our betrothal agreement was broken,” she snapped, forgetting herself. “I have been taken against my will.”
“I would do as my master bids, milady. He only claims what is rightfully his.” He gave a quick grin. “If I know my master, he will claim it soon.”
Well, she obviously wouldn’t be able to talk him into releasing her.
“And you, my lord? Do you take whatever you wish for?”
Simon shifted in his chair. “I…milady…?”
“A strong man such as yourself, I bet you have no need to go snatching women. I would wager they fall at your feet.”
He looked unsure how to answer, so Isabel pushed again. “Aye, you are a fine catch, Simon. Too fine a man to be under the rule of such a man…” She smiled secretly as she saw his eyes widen.
Feigning a yawn, she carefully laid herself on the mattress, ensuring her skirts slipped up enough to reveal some leg. Her heart thudded as peeked up at Simon through her lashes.
“I have need of some rest. Will you watch over me carefully? I am a heavy sleeper.”
The man shifted in his chair and nodded, his eyes lingering none too subtly on her legs. She forced her breathing to slow as if in slumber and waited. She only hoped she had read the man right.
Sure enough, the chair groaned as Simon stood and the floorboards creaked as he edged towards her. She remained motionless, her breathing seeming unnaturally loud to her ears.
The bed dipped marginally and she waited.
There it was. A large hand came upon her hip, tracing the curve of it experimentally. She did nothing, just waited. Emboldened by her silence, the hand moved upwards, coming around to the curve of her breast. A finger rubbed underneath one and she gave an encouraging sigh. The bed dipped further as Simon’s bulky form came to lie next to hers.
Isabel felt his breath near her cheek as he leaned in towards her.
Now or never.
Her eyes sprang open and she kicked between his legs. Simon let loose a howl and clutched at his crotch as she shoved against
his shoulders. His form was too big for the narrow bed and he rolled off easily, landing with a thud.
Jumping up, she skirted past him as he rolled around in agony. He lifted one hand away from his groin to grab at her but she stomped on his fingers, eliciting another yowl from him.
The patrons paid little attention to her as she stumbled through the inn and onto the streets, hands still bound behind her back. She ran up the main street of the town as fast as she could. It was quiet aside from a few drunks and they paid little attention to her. The ropes burnt against her wrists as she twisted and tugged at them with all her might. One loop loosened enough so she could squeeze her wrist through and she freed it with a sigh of relief. The warm trickle of blood told her victory was not without its cost.
Continuing on, she ran until she reached the outskirts of the town. She had no idea if she was running in the right direction but she could not remain in the town. She had to put as much distance between her and Everard as possible.
Chapter Twelve
Jake reached Durham by nightfall. Situated on a river bend, the water encompassed the large town on three sides. He crossed one of the bridges and glanced up at the square keep that dominated the town. God, let her be here.
He navigated the winding streets with ease until he spotted the painted sign - a red rose with a crown atop it. The Rose and Crown was a top-heavy building with whitewashed walls and black timbers. It was the cleanest and most reputable of the inns in Durham.
Dismounting, he motioned to a stable hand, pressing a coin into his hand. “Keep him ready but see that he is fed and watered. Do not tarry.”
The boy nodded with a wide-eyed glance at the coin and led the destrier to the stables.
Jake burst in through the inn door and stopped in front the nearest serving girl. Her eyes widened as she stared up at him.
“Is Lord Dominic of Thornewall here?”
“A-aye, milord. I-in the private hall.” She motioned to a door across the room.
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