“You’ll regret it.”
“I all ready do,” Douglas replied grimly, and to Candace, he said, “We must go.”
“Aye, Douglas, I’m coming.”
Isabel smiled, hearing their words. Happiness burst inside her. Candace looked at her oddly.
“Be brave, Candace, I’ll be thinking of ye.”
She blushed when she looked at Douglas, who continued to gaze at her. He shook his head, while waiting for Candace to get on her horse.
“That’s if I ever make it home,” Candace said.
“You’ll be fine.” Isabel hugged her then pushed her toward her horse.
“Candace, come. You’ll make it home, I promise.” Douglas said, to ward off her hesitancy.
“I’m coming, Douglas.” Candace mounted her horse and looked distressed.
Douglas waved to the Gordons then he looked at Isabel. She waved goodbye to Candace and walked to the gate. Even as Douglas rode away, Isabel smiled at the thought of seeing him again.
Chapter Six
Raven’s Hill Castle
Nottinghamshire, England
May 1221
The corridor’s flickering torches barely provided enough light to see by, but Isabel knew the way. She could hear Nigel’s footsteps on the cobbles behind her. He laughed harshly and called to her.
“Isabel, Isabel.”
If she could only make it to her chamber and lock the door before he caught her.
“Isabel, come, can you not tell how much you excite me?”
She gasped, hearing him close in on her. Her heart pounded hard in her chest and she couldn’t breathe from running so fast. Almost there, she thought, just a few more steps.
“I feel your fear, Isabel, aye it makes me want ye. Cease running.”
She ran faster, but he was on her heels. Her door was only a step away, but she tripped on a cobble, landing on her knees. The pain of her scraped knees was forgotten when she glanced behind her, and saw his form outlined in darkness. Nigel laughed snidely when he reached her. Isabel kicked out at him, striking his thigh. He pulled her by her neck with both hands fastened around her throat.
She grabbed his arms, trying to remove his hands from her neck, but she wasn’t strong enough to gain her release. Nigel lifted her and her feet dangled. A prayer crossed her mind, knowing she would die.
“Hold still, I won’t choke ye. If you don’t cease resisting me, I won’t hesitate to kill you.”
She cried out when he released her, letting her fall to the stones. Isabel sucked in air, barely able to draw breath.
He grasped her hair, pulling her to stand. “I just want a little entertainment, Isabel. I won’t hurt ye.”
“Pray, Nigel, please release me.” She kicked him again, her knee striking his abdomen, causing him to fall against the wall. He dropped her to the floor. Isabel tried to crawl away, but he clutched her foot, dragging her back.
“You dare strike me? I’ll be lord one day, and you will learn to do my will,” Nigel shouted.
She lay on the floor tucked into a defensive position, hoping to ward off his attack. He threw himself on top of her body—nothing would stop him now. Nigel struck her jaw, knocking her senseless. Isabel lay unmoving, barely conscious. Her ears rang and her eyes couldn’t focus. Pain shot through her jaw and she couldn’t move her mouth. Darkness came and Isabel escaped the terror.
“Come now, I didn’t kill ye with that light tap.”
He picked her body off the floor, and carried her to his chamber door. “I planned this for so long, and finally, I will have ye.” He rubbed his hands together in anticipation, laughing while running his hands over her arm.
She lay unmoving.
“What are you doing, Nigel? What the hell! You cur.”
Isabel could hear voices, but she daren’t open her eyes. She was fearful of what she would see. Her eyes began tearing, so much so everything became blurry when she peeked. She knew her younger brother was inside the room now. All she could think of was warning Nathaniel to leave lest he be hurt too. Her chest racked with shutters from crying, and she couldn’t for the life of her speak.
“Get out, Nate, leave us.”
“You’ll not use her like that.” Nathaniel turned and yelled into the corridor. “Father, come quickly. Father!”
Nate walked to Nigel and grabbed his arm. He flung him off the bed, onto the floor.
Her father entered the room a minute later, she heard his voice.
“What’s the matter, Nathaniel? Why are ye shouting? I could hear you from the rampart.”
“Father, look at what he’s done.” Nate pointed to Isabel’s precarious position.
His father’s eyes moved from her lying on the bed, to Nigel standing beside her.
“What is betwixt you two?” Her father’s tone implied he’d feigned concern.
Nigel smirked then sighed at the situation. “She wanted me, and I decided to give into her pleas. When I took my clothes off, she fainted.”
“Nigel, you cannot have her. She’s your sister for God’s sakes. Get away from her.” Nathaniel’s voice turned to outrage. He shoved Nigel and frowned at their father.
“Father, let me have her. She’s nothing but a simple girl. You shouldn’t be concerned.”
Her father rubbed his chin, and looked to be considering his request for a moment.
“I don’t see why I should, Nigel, but let me hear from her own mouth that she wants ye.”
Nathaniel took a pitcher from the table, and poured water on Isabel’s face. She sputtered and opened her eyes. A gasp escaped her when she was finally able to make a sound. Thankfully, Nathaniel threw a covering at her and she quickly wrapped it around herself.
“Help,” she could barely get the word out, her jaw throbbed.
“Nigel says ye wants him. I’ll give you to him if that be your wish.”
She prayed her voice would find its way out, but it wouldn’t.
Nigel spoke up, “Father, I’ve had her. She’s now mine, and doesn’t know her own mind.”
“You didn’t take her without her permission, did ye?”
“No, father, I wouldn’t do that. I swear.”
Nigel’s falsehood was accepted by her father, who nodded. She wanted to shout her outrage, but was only able to muffle a cry.
“Isabel, return to your chamber at once. Nigel, leave her be for now. Obviously she’s afeard of what you’ve done. Give her time to get over her fear.”
Nigel gave her a contemptuous look when she ran past him.
Isabel wrapped the fur cover tightly around her as she entered her chamber, then quickly locking the door behind her. Her hands shook so much that she could barely pull the latch to secure the door. She fled to her bed and curled into a ball.
Oh, God, I must leave at once. A knock startled her from her prayer.
“Nathaniel. Open the door, Issy.”
Isabel ran to it and unlatched the lock. Her brother came inside and crossed the room, looking as bleak as she felt.
“Lock the door. He might be right behind me.”
She slid the latch into place and sat on the bed. Nathaniel sucked a breath when he got a good look at her face. He went to her nightstand and retrieved a cloth. When he returned, he sat on the bed and held her in his arms. He applied the cool cloth to her face, and it felt much better.
“Did he …?”
Isabel wasn’t knowledgeable in such matters and wasn’t sure. During the minutes after he’d struck her jaw, she hadn’t been aware of anything. Maybe he had done the deed. Her eyes began watering at the thought. “I—”
“Nay, don’t speak. By the look of it, he must have. I’m sorry I wasn’t able to protect ye, Issy. Father will concede and let him do whatever he wishes. I know you’re scared, and I am too, for you. I wish you would let me kill him. I know, I know I promised I wouldn’t. I could kill him easily, Issy, it’s what that bastard deserves.”
Nate hugged her and lessened her fear somewhat. She knew Ni
gel was definitely of an insane mind. Her father was too, but Nate, he was her protector. Nate had safeguarded her day in and day out since her return from the Gordon’s holding.
“Ye must leave here, but where could you flee?”
Isabel pulled away from him and went to her table, where she kept her correspondence. She took the note she’d written to Candace and gave it to him.
“Ye want me to deliver this so Candace will send her brother?”
She nodded. Taking his hand, she led him to the window, and pointed to the bailey, where her friend Russ stood. He always stood guard this time of night. She hoped her brother would understand.
“Father won’t let me leave.”
She shook her head and pointed through the window casement. He looked through and understood. Her throat burned and no sound would come, so she mouthed Russ’ name.
“Ah, you want me to have Russ take your note to Candace? I’ll see if I can get him to do so. Stay inside your chamber, and I’ll make sure the chambermaids bring food.”
Isabel swallowed and spoke. “Why is Nigel so …?” She sounded hoarse.
“Demented? Issy, they both are. I must keep ye safe until I can figure out something. Don’t worry so. We’ll get you somewhere safe. Just don’t open that door to anyone.”
Isabel walked him to the door. Nathaniel was one good lad, against two evil souls. At five and ten, he was rather young to go against them, and she felt disheartened depending on him. It was a matter of the good versus the wicked.
She immediately went to her basin and scrubbed her skin until it hurt, just to get the vile touches of Nigel’s hands from her body. Once cleaned, she sat on the bed thinking about her circumstances. The night air blew the cover on her window casement as she sat for hours staring at it. How long would she have to stay inside the room? Her father wouldn’t arrange a marriage for her, she knew that now. Her hope of marrying a man and living a normal life was completely dashed. She would have to ponder a plan for her future and escape from hell.
Chapter Seven
Nathaniel Calvert observed his father, Morton Calvert, lord of Raven Hill, watching him and his brother throughout supper. Nathaniel’s stomach couldn’t handle food, not while sitting with his crude father and brother. He knew his father’s thoughts about his children. How many times had he said that Nigel was as dark and crude as Nathaniel was light and forbearing? Nigel made him proud to be his father, while he took after their mother.
She had too good a heart for the likes of his father, but her beauty was what his father had coveted. He’d always said that his strength was catechized in his children. After bearing Nathaniel, his mother had succumbed to childbirth. At least she’d given his father sons to carry on his name before she departed, but she’d given him a daughter that his father longed to rid himself of. Those were his father’s beliefs, which had been ingrained in his children since they’d all been young. Nate didn’t hold the same sentiment.
If Nigel wanted Isabel, his father wouldn’t deny his eldest’s request. His sister’s safety didn’t overly concern their father. Nathaniel loved his sister, and always protected her. He knew his father considered sending him to another keep for training, hoping it would harden him, but Nathaniel had been able to stay at his father’s manor. His father thought the matter inconsequential enough to be put off.
“Father, have you made a decision?”
“About what, Nathaniel?” His father looked up from his trencher.
“About Isabel, you cannot mean to let Nigel have her in that way. She doesn’t deserve to be treated like a serf.”
“She’s a girl, not much better than a serf. I don’t see why Nigel cannot have her.”
“You cannot mean that, Father. If that is so, why don’t you send her away? She doesn’t want him, she’s told me so. Why, it goes against everything I believe, and what she believes. God wouldn’t condone such a sin.”
His father’s eyes narrowed at his harsh speech.
“She’s of little consequence and has no say. I’ll give her time to get over her fear. As to God, He made men the wiser—the stronger—and put women here for one purpose, Nathaniel, to bear man’s children. Doesn’t matter which.”
Nathaniel shook his head at his father’s fallacious sentiment. He could never get him to change his view. There was only one way to save Isabel.
“Father, if he gets her with child, do you realize what could happen?” Nate put in motion his backup plan. His father was of a superstitious nature, and it would only aid his sister.
His father swiped his sleeve over his mouth, sitting forward. “Nathaniel, do you speak of witchery?”
“If she gets with child, her children will be insane. She will probably become maddened herself. Darkness would befall us all.”
“I hadn’t thought of that. I heard stories of such happenings between relations. Do ye think that could happen?”
“Aye, I do. Ye should consider such before you give her to him. He’ll drive her mad and she will wreak havoc on your home. Do you really want that to happen?”
“If she’s with child, she could verily be going mad.” His father’s head rose, looking toward the steps. His eyes widened.
“Aye, what then?” Nate tried to sway his father’s trepidation. “She will be wrath and cause ye much tragedy and misfortune. Mayhap darkness has befallen?”
Nigel laughed at his conversation with their father. “Father, you’ll have to send her to Fairview Asylum. You’ll not want a deranged woman in our household.”
Nathaniel stood, knocking his chair backward. How could he suggest such a thing? “Father, if ye send her there, she’ll not return. No one has ever seen the girls sent there again. Nay, don’t listen to Nigel. Ye should send her to our aunt’s. She will trouble ye no further.”
“The girl cannot stay here. I’ll not have someone with lunacy in my keep nor interfering with your brother’s training. Aye, ‘tis time she was sent away.”
“Father, I implore ye, she won’t go mad. He’s trying to get her for himself,” Nigel said.
“I’ve made my decision. Nigel, find another girl to couple with. You’ll both stay away from her. I must have the two lecherous sons in England,” his father muttered in disgust.
“Father, I’ve never wanted Issy like that. She’s my sister and I care for her.” Nathaniel gave a repulsive look at his brother.
“I’ll not have her affecting ye. My decision is made.” His father banged the table, and strode from the hall.
“You played right into my hands. I tell you, Nate, when father dies, you’ll be the first idiot I rid myself of.”
“You can certainly try, Nigel. You’re a bastard for hurting our sister like that. At least I’ve been able to convince father not to let you have her.”
“Yeah, but she’s going to the asylum, the perfect place for her. I’m jealous of the keeper there,” he baited. “He will have sporting fun. Mayhap I’ll visit once in a while and avail myself—”
Nathaniel struck his mouth to cut off his vile remark. “You’re a whoreson, Nigel. I should kill you. If you weren’t my brother, I would.”
“Damn ye, Nathaniel.” Nigel licked the blood on the side of his mouth. “You’ll pay for that.” He rubbed his chin and left the hall.
Nathaniel watched him leave. He hoped he had given him more than a bloody lip, like a loose tooth or a cut on his loathsome tongue. Though Nigel was the sovereign son, Nate was bigger, and more intelligent. His brother couldn’t best him in a fight. One day Nate would make his brother pay for his wrongdoings, every single one of them. He had planned his revenge, and sooner or later the day would come when he could inflict it.
*****
Isabel closed the door behind Nathaniel and was disheartened by what he’d told her. She couldn’t believe the conversation he’d had with their father. She did laugh about Nate’s ploy on her father’s superstitious nature, but she doubted it would help much.
A fortnight had passed since Isabel
locked herself in her chamber. As promised, Nathaniel had the maids bring her food, but he wasn’t able to give Russell her note to deliver to Candace. Russ had been sent to another keep with messages her father needed delivered. She despaired, until she’d heard the maids talking about Russ’ return this very day.
She became lonely waiting for Nate to find someone to take her message to Candace. Somehow she would find a way to send it herself. A noise from the lower bailey echoed from the wall, alerting her that someone was outside. Isabel ran to the window. She hoped her father wasn’t outside, and that she could yell to one of her friends. Luckily, she saw Russell, carrying a large vat of water, strolling along.
“Russell.”
He glanced up at her window. “What are ye up to, Isabel?”
“I need your help. Can you sneak up here?”
“Your father and Nigel are in the hall, but if I wait until later, I might be able to get past them.”
“Please, I need to speak to you, Russell.”
“Are you well? I heard that you locked yourself in your chamber.”
“Aye, I’m well enough. I’ll await ye. Until tonight then?”
“Aye, I’ll come.” Russell continued on his way, taking the water in the kitchen entrance.
Isabel moved away from the window. Her plan for escape was made, all she needed was her message carried to the Kerr clan. Nigel wouldn’t be put off much longer. He had banged on her chamber door for the past five nights. Luckily, her door was well locked and he couldn’t gain entrance.
She returned to her pallet, but then heard the bang at her door.
“Isabel, open this damned door,” her father demanded.
“Nay, go away. I don’t wish to see ye.”
“Open the door, child. If you don’t open it, it’ll be worse for you.”
Isabel unlatched the door. Her father pushed the door open wider, and entered the room.
“I’ve come to find out if you’re with child. Are ye?” He seemed to be searching her eyes for the maddened look that he’d been told about. Nate filled her in on their conversation at supper that night. She wasn’t deranged, but would keep her distance anyway. Truly, now with her father in her presence, it wasn’t a laughing matter. His mean look scared her a bit.
Claimed By A Charmer (The Pith Trilogy) Page 5