The Lady of Fairhaven

by Lee Scott

As the men settled down, Luke confided to his father. “I’m sorry father for not protecting Lady Gillian. She has had a hard time at the hands of her uncle and now this. Perhaps she should have stayed with us until your arrival.”

  “There is no point in second guessing your decisions. If I had been in your place, I would have made the same choices. It was important that the ladies were sent out of harms way. Had you known the men were willing to follow them you might have selected differently.”

  “These men have gone to great lengths to get Lady Gillian. We can only pray she will not be hurt. But we must hurry to insure her safety.”

  The sun rose and Luke was waiting for it. Exhausted, but unable to sleep knowing Gillian was at the mercy of some brigand left him irritable and eager to get started. Eating dried bread, cheese and meat in the saddle the eight men traveled along the trail. If the abductor had camped nearby and was not looking for companions, they might be lucky to find them soon. Otherwise, they could have a hard ride ahead.

  In an hour’s time Luke found hoof prints in the soft mud. Two horses traveling along the same path were very different. Buttercup had a small nick near the end of the horseshoe. It was clearly Gillian’s horse that came this way.

  Only one person was holding Gillian at this point. There was still hope in getting her out unharmed. Luke was walking along the tracks in the mud, trying to pick out Gillian’s mount. It was a slow process that was frustrating him. He was afraid she was getting farther and farther away. He couldn’t bear the loss another minute.

  At that moment, they heard a muffled cry. The men tied their well-trained destriers to trees and walked to where they heard the noise.

  A large burly man sat at a fire using a saddle as a chair. His head rested in his hands as he sat near the flames. Another moan from the man broke the silence.

  The two split up and approached from opposite sides. Clearly, the man was stunned and unable to respond to any threat. With two swords pointed at his vitals he made no move to protest.

  “I suppose you are looking for that lady riding through the forest.” The man stated simply.

  “Aye, and you had better be making good time at telling us where she is and that she is well,” rasped Phillip. Phillip’s anger was in full bloom. It had been a rare occasion to see him in such an agitated state. It nearly matched Luke’s present display of temper.

  “You can have that she devil. She knocked me senseless with a log. I thought she was supposed to be a lady,” the man growled with indignation.

  Luke stepped forward to pummel the ill-mannered rogue.

  Phillip reached out and stopped his forward progress. “We need to know of Lady Gillian. Perhaps if he can tell us where she has gone, we can spare him.” Phillips voice, however, betrayed that his patience was also wearing thin.

  “I don’t know where that one went. She left with my horse. Stole it right after she knocked me senseless.”

  With that last remark Luke reached forward and landed a hard blow to the man’s jaw sending him to the ground again.

  “We had best be off. Perhaps we can catch up with her,” Luke said. He was already back to his horse. “Dog, find Lady Gillian,” he said as he mounted his destrier.

  The group was making good time since there were fewer tracks to distract them. Dog sniffed, then ran ahead, following the horse tracks in the dirt. It was dusk when the group first spotted a hut in a clearing. Dog barked and ran to the door.

  “Easy Dog,” said Luke. The sword he had used so often in the last few days swung free of its scabbard. He called a greeting to the people inside. The sound of horses reached him. Hearing no reply Luke opened the door. Inside, he saw Buttercup and another horse. On the pallet was Gillian covered with straw.

  “Gillian, wake up,” Phillip whispered. There was no response. “Gillian,” he called again. Turning to the entrance, Luke shouted, “Get a fire started. We will be staying here for the night.”

  One man started a fire in the hearth, and Phillip sat on the pallet next to his new bride. In the light of the fire he could see a sheen of perspiration spread on her brow. His hand touched her. Heat from fever radiated from her body. She was afire with it.

  “God’s wounds,” Phillip said. “She’s sick.” His hand touched her again and she struck out.

  “No! Get away. Don’t touch me. You cannot…” Gillian’s voice faded into moans.

  “I have little talent to cure a fever. What are your skills, Luke?” Phillip asked.

  “Not much better. Most men on the battlefield never survived the fever. Perhaps we should check her for wounds. Mayhap she is suffering beyond the fever.”

  Phillip gently lifted Gillian up and rested her against his chest as his son looked over her back and arms. When he discovered the condition of her garment, Luke complained, “I should have run that devil through. He deserved no better than a gutting.”

  Phillip’s agitation with her treatment gripped him so tightly that he walked outside the hut to clear the wild thoughts from his head.

  Luke walked out to speak with his father. “I see no injuries. She may be suffering from a lack of cover. Her abductor seemed rather witless when it came to providing comfort.”

  “For now I think we shall keep our Lady warm. I believe that is the best we can manage. We will ride for home early in the morn,” Phillip said.

  Toward dawn, Gillian awoke and found two men sleeping on the floor near her. A panic grew inside and at last she stepped lightly over their bodies and bolted for the door. She nearly made it outside before Luke wrapped his arms around her and lifted her kicking and screaming body off the ground.

  “No! She screamed. I have to get to Luke.” Her voice reduced down to quiet sobs. “I have to reach him, let me go. He will protect me. Please. Please release me.”

  Luke stared at her in disbelief. In her wild ramblings she was calling out for him. “Gillian, It is Luke. I am with you and you are safe. Phillip is here too. He has come for you.” Luke shifted her weight up off the ground and against his chest.

  “Phillip?” Gillian asked.

  “I am here to take you home Gillian,” Phillip said, as he crossed the room toward her.

  Luke placed her trembling body into his father’s arms. Phillip walked back to the pallet and gently sat his future bride down.

  “We have to get her home as soon as we can,” Phillip said. Luke only nodded. His emotions bubbled too close to the surface.

  Chapter Twelve

  Gillian rolled over fitfully on the pallet and jolted awake. Noises around her forced her gritty fear widened eyes prematurely open and she searched the hut for any sign of danger. Instantly she bolted upright. She wasn’t alone. It was so dark she could not see who was there, but she heard men’s voices outside. She clamped a hand over her mouth suppressing a sharp intake of air that could have alerted the men outside to her state of wakefulness. If she was lucky she might edge out of the hut while they were otherwise occupied.

  Gillian slipped outside the door and crept around the back and began running through the woods. Winding through the trees, Gillian didn’t look back through the dark. She ran hard, jumping over rotting logs and downed tree branches feeling her way in most cases through the pitch black night. Behind her, she heard the men’s curses fill the cold black air.

  Whoever had found her empty pallet knew she was gone. They cursed their carelessness and demanded to get her back. If only she could run until sunrise, she might make it far enough away to reach safety.

  Her lungs burned once again with exertion and fear. Leaning over with her hands clutching her knees, she gasped in air as quietly as she could manage. So many places in her body ached. Her mind was nearly resigned to surrender. She collapsed on a log, and her eyes closed with some mysterious but intense fatigue as she waited.

  The sound of a barking dog closed in on her. Being hunted like prey chilled her to the bone. A dog would find her quickly. It could run in the darkness following scent like a robin follows the moveme
nt of the worm. And if it were a fine hunter it could make a quick attack, leaving little left of her flesh in tact.

  The snapping twigs were mere feet away. Her heart beat double time. And then the crackling of leaves ceased right next to her and the animal lunged into the air flinging itself hard against her chest. Somewhere Gillian heard a scream of terror rip through the night. Was it her voice?

  She never felt Dog’s tongue swipe happily over her face. She never heard the heavy crunching of boots through the underbrush, or the harsh cursing as someone gently shook her body, or felt strong arms enfold her as Luke and Phillip carefully lay a damp cloth on her forehead. And she never heard the painful recriminations of her rescuers as they once again scolded themselves about their failure to anticipate the unexpected from the day before.

  When her eyes opened, she wondered why her captors hadn’t killed her. There were no bindings on her hands or feet. And in her lap was the large head of Dog. Had she lost her senses?

  “Gillian?” came Luke’s soft voice. “Look at me. You’re safe now. You were having a very bad dream.”

  Gillian sat, dazed. Her mind struggled to comprehend how she came to be in this spot. Her memory recalled only bits and pieces of the recent past.

  “I was not aware of whose company I shared. I believed that vile man in the woods had finally found me.” Gillian smoothed her hair back into a long plait over her shoulder.

  “You appear to be feeling heartier than you did last night, Lady Gillian,” Phillip remarked.

  “Pray tell me, are you Phillip, my future husband?” Gillian asked. Her eyes searched deep into his for some type of unspoken confirmation of the truth.

  “Aye, My Lady. I have been most anxious to meet you and regret the circumstances of our first encounter. Are you well?” Phillip asked. His smile was curved guiltily.

  “Very well indeed, Sir, under the circumstances,” Gillian answered. “I am but weary and cold.”

  “You had been struck low with a fever,” Luke said.

  “I do not recall feeling ill. I was but weary of running from that horrid man who…” Gillian choked back a single sob.

  “Lady Gillian, did this man…” Phillip was so upset he couldn’t ask the question.

  She read the distress in his words. “My Lord, for that I cannot answer. I was not conscious all of the time with him.” Her voice was now steady. She held her head high. A lone tear trickled down her cheek. There was nothing to do about it now, but her new status could effectively end her marriage if Phillip wished it. No man could be forced to marry a soiled woman. Gillian’s gaze dropped down to her trembling hands thus easing Phillip’s burden by not making eye contact with him, should he wish to call an end to their betrothal. “Does this mean you will not want me as your wife?” Gillian asked. A shaky voice she recognized as her own startled her. Finally, after a long silence her eyes made steady contact with her future husband.

  He was looking at her with stunned surprise. “Do not trouble yourself, Lady Gillian. This unfortunate affair has no effect on my wishes. I merely asked the question to determine how much pleasure I will get in running the man through. We left him back in the woods with only slight wounds, but it would give me great pleasure to punish the brigand severely”

  At Phillips statement, Gillian’s relief was so great she sat down hard on the pallet. Phillip caught her in his arms. Her trembling hands clutched to Phillip’s shoulders and she leaned forward and whispered, “My thanks, Sir Phillip for your generosity and kindness. But if you should change your mind, I would release you. I would not want to burden you with an unworthy wife.”

  “Unworthy?” he laughed heartily. The happy noise was so loud it jarred the birds from their nests. “You are most worthy, My Lady Gillian,” Phillip said with a chuckle. “You are brave and resourceful, as well as considerate. Never have I seen a woman who would embrace such danger headlong. I would count myself fortunate if you would still consider me as a worthy match for you.” Phillip spoke tenderly, hoping to relieve Gillian of any remaining fears. His hands reached out and clasped her tinier one firmly in his grip.

  “We pray, My Lady, that you will be up for the ride to Longmore. It is but a short distance. I feel it would be safer for you if you should ride with me, but Buttercup is saddled and ready for you.”

  “I fear I have lost her saddle forever, My Lord,” Gillian confessed. “I was so swift with my retreat that I left it in the woods with my abductor.”

  “Aye. We found it with your attacker and reclaimed it.” Phillip gently helped Gillian up and led her to his destrier. “With your permission, you will ride with me. I would not want some other mishap to befall you on our journey back to Longmore. And although none of these previous misfortunes could be avoided, we will endeavor to reach Longmore without any further trials.

  Phillip’s armor was cold and hard but Gillian felt it somehow comforting. She felt safe with both Phillip and Luke. His arms held firm around her waist. She looked at Luke. She longed to lean into his strong body, but she knew she must now put all those thoughts out of her mind. Her future husband was a kind man who apparently was ready to protect her. The feeling was so new and heartwarming but somehow empty. Her heart already belonged to Luke. As they rode through the forest, silent tears began to collect in Gillian’s eyes and eventually run down her cheeks.

  After three hours of riding, the rescue party arrived at Longmore castle. As if sensing the shift in Phillip’s posture, Gillian slowly awoke from her much needed respite. Her head lifted from its cradle in the niche under Phillip’s chin. Reluctantly, Phillip loosened his grip around her tiny waist.

  Upon entering the castle, a circle of servants and knights assembled in the bailey to get a glimpse of the new mistress. A squire stepped forward and held the lord’s destrier. Another assisted Gillian to the ground where she stood, head held high, meeting the assessing gaze of the castle folk.

  Gillian’s hair, although caught back in a neat plait, still displayed the hay and twigs snagged during her ordeal. Her hands and face were washed clean of mud and dirt, but her chemise, exposed where her skirt had been torn away, was badly soiled and ripped in several places. Clearly her gown was once lovely, but her overall appearance was unexpectedly ragged.

  “We have rescued the Lady Gillian Blakely from a band of highwaymen and have brought her to the safety of Longmore,” Phillip announced to the members of the crowd, as if he had read their minds. Walking over to his bride-to-be, Phillip held his arm out to escort Gillian to the great hall. Lightly, she placed her fingers on his armored forearm and allowed his guidance.

  Once in the hall, Phillip accompanied Gillian to a gathering of people. Deep curtsies and bows from the smiling groups expressed the affection and respect they held for the Lord of Longmore. Curious eyes raked over Gillian as she approached with her fiancé. Expecting some hint of antagonism, she searched the faces for some sign, but found only happy welcoming faces.

  “May I present my family to you,” Phillip said proudly. “My brother, Sir, Anthony Thornburgh and his wife Francesca.”

  Sir Anthony bowed and kissed Gillian’s hand. He then said, “I pray you will find Longmore as pleasing as we do. It has many charms and it is our wish you come to love it as much as we do.” After this courteous greeting, Francesca leaned forward and gently kissed Gillian on both cheeks. Then she stepped back.

  “Thank you, I know I shall like it very much, Gillian said. “It is quite handsome and is situated in a most pleasing setting,”

  Leading a young man to the front, Phillip said, “And this fine warrior is Edward Thornburgh, my youngest son.” Edward too bowed low and kissed Gillian’s hand. It was obvious from his smile that the kind words about his ancestral home pleased him.

  “Enchanted, My Lady,” Edward said smoothly, “You are as lovely as was claimed. Welcome to our family.”

  Gillian blushed. “Thank you, Sir Edward. You are very good to a stranger in your home.”

  “You will not be a
stranger, you will be family,” Edward said happily. The group’s kind laughter only caused Gillian’s blush to stain a deeper hue.

  Phillip eased Gillian forward slightly. “It gives me pleasure to introduce my daughter Lady Alicia Denton and her husband Sir Stephen Denton.”

  Alyssa’s smile was warm and welcoming. She also leaned forward and bestowed gentle kisses on each of Gillian’s cheeks.

  “Of course you know my son, Sir Luke Thornburgh.” Turning toward Luke, Phillip said, “I am so grateful you were around to assist Lady Gillian through her trials at Fairhaven. Truly she had a most trying time, and I am grateful that you were my representative.”

  Luke nodded his acceptance of his father’s praise.

  Gillian then stepped forward and said, “I too would thank Sir Luke for his fine care. If not for his protection, I fear I would have perished long ago. I will forever be in his debt.” Her hazel eyes met Luke’s in a controlled but admiring glance. “His acts of bravery were my salvation.”

  “Bravo, my dear brother,” said Anthony. He slapped his hand on Luke’s armored back.

  “Had I been there my acts would have spared the lady any misfortune.” Edward joked.

  Luke shot Edward a deadly glance, immediately wiping the smile from his younger brother’s face. Luke obviously felt he had punished himself enough with guilt over Gillian’s trials.

  Gillian then turned to Phillip and said, “Indeed, Sir Luke did provide the best of protection and had been most sorely deceived in the plot against me and my future husband.”

  “You speak too highly of me, My Lady,” Luke answered.

  “Enough of this,” Alyssa declared. “You two can be left to your own devices while I take Lady Gillian to rest. It is obvious from your tales that she is in need of some rest and refreshment. I shall be happy to assist her.”

  “I too will assist,” said Francesca. “I am eager to learn more of my new family member.”

  “Thank you, Alyssa, Francesca,” Phillip responded. “Lady Gillian, are you well? I was concerned last night as your fever raged.”