Claimed By A Charmer (The Pith Trilogy)

by Griffin, Kara

  Against her better judgment, Isabel followed Rachel through the gate. They rode for many minutes. The wind whipped her face, making her cold, but she continued on. Since she and Rachel became friends of a sort, she enjoyed spending time with her. With Candace’s dispirited manner of late, she hadn’t been able to get her to cheer no matter what she did. Isabel felt resilient riding, yet grew concerned when they set off in an unfamiliar direction, not that she was familiar with his land.

  “Where are we going?”

  “I thought I’d show you the lovely loch, just to the south. Not much farther.”

  “I would like to see some of Douglas’ land. It’s very beautiful here.”

  “Aye, nothing like the useless lands in England.”

  “England has a beauty of its own.” Isabel noticed the quietness of the forest. A sense of fearfulness rose within her chest. She started to call out to Rachel when several men on horses came at them from the tree line. Isabel tried to rein in her horse, and turn it around, but the men flanked her, trapping her on all sides.

  “Isabel, I found you at last. I worried for ye, my sweet little sister.”

  Isabel gawked at Nigel. He sat on a horse two feet from her. She tried to nudge her horse backward, but the animal wouldn’t move.

  “I’m returning you to the asylum where ye belong.”

  “Let me go, Nigel. I’m married now, and I shan’t return there.”

  “I know about Laird Kerr. You’ll be of better use at the asylum. Father is angry with ye, dear sister.” Nigel reached for her, and pulled her forward. Before she could pull away, he bound her wrists, and patted her cheek in a detestable manner.

  Isabel glanced at Rachel with pleading eyes. Rachel’s face flushed. Was she in on the deception? Isabel was unsure. Nigel faced Rachel and leaned close to her.

  “Return to Irving. Tell him I’ll return after I deposit my sister at the asylum.” He grasped her hair. “I expect you’ll give him my message and be there on my return.”

  Isabel glared at her back, but for some reason she pitied her too. It seemed she was Nigel’s cohort, but she didn’t have a choice in the matter. Still, Isabel swore if she ever saw her again, she’d stick her dagger in her black heart. She rode silently and hoped Douglas would return home soon. Now back in her brother’s hands, she knew he wouldn’t give up on his demented plan. She sighed, feeling despair.

  Isabel was beyond tired after days of riding. The image of the asylum came into view. She sat upon her horse with her hands bound behind her. Her gown restricted her movement, and she was unable to jump from the horse. She thought about throwing herself to the side, but knew she wouldn’t fare well, and might even die performing such a folly. Her only hope was Douglas. He would save her; she had no doubt, but she wished he’d hurry. Nigel yanked her from her horse, and once again, she was shoved toward the doors of the asylum.

  Friar Whickham greeted Nigel, giving her a glare.

  “Well now, ye got ‘er back. I don’t have any spare rooms at the moment.”

  “Put her in with another. I can’t stay, Freddy. I’ll come back for her later.”

  Freddy nodded.

  Nigel grasped her hair. She thought she would faint and tried to pull away.

  “Await my return, dearest sister.” He pressed his lips against hers, and Isabel’s stomach hitched.

  She spat on the ground. “You are foulness, Nigel. My husband will kill you for this.”

  Nigel laughed and strode to his horse. Friar Whickham tugged on her arm and led her inside. The Friar unbound her wrists and pulled her to the stairs that led to the rooms above. She was taken to a different room and was all but thrown inside the darkened chamber. The room was far worse than the previous one she’d been in. Her feet stuck to the grime covered floors. She walked to the window and pulled the covering open. There was no hope for escape from the second floor; the window held bars three inches apart. She didn’t have a single weapon to use on the door or on Nigel when he returned. She set her mind to think of something. Then a sound came from the bedding.

  She reached the bedside. Aghast and confused, she found a girl tossing on the small frame. The girl looked frightened and stared wide-eyed.

  “Don’t be afraid. I’m Isabel, a friend.” The girl nodded, but continued to move side to side. “Are you in pain? Have you been hurt?” The girl shook her head. “Tell me what ails ye.”

  “My b-babe is coming,” the girl’s voice imbued with pain.

  Isabel’s breath hitched. “Oh, Lord. What should I do? Calm down,” she told herself. “You need to take deep breaths, and calm down.” She took a deep breath without realizing it.

  She tore fabric from her cotte, and wiped the girl’s forehead. Soothing her with gentle words of encouragement, she had no idea what to do. She hadn’t ever delivered a babe before, nor was she privy to information, and she felt useless and hopeless. The girl bore down, her hands fisted the filthy linen. After yelling several times, Isabel heard a faint noise. She edged closer to the girl, lifted a babe, and held it in her hands. A long cord stuck to the slippery babe. Isabel realized she had to sever it. She looked around the room, and found nothing in which to use for the task. The girl took her babe from Isabel’s arms and cried.

  Isabel walked to the door and banged on it. After a few minutes the door was opened by a guardsman. “Tell Friar Whickham I want to see him.”

  The man shut the door, and she heard his steps retreat. Another few minutes passed before Friar Whickham came.

  “Friar, I need food and water to cleanse myself. I need eating utensils and clean linens. I’ll not lay on such filth.”

  “Pardon, my lady?” He seemed dumbfounded by her request.

  “You heard me. I want those things immediately. If I don’t get them within five minutes, I’ll tell Nigel that you treated me horrible and I shan’t submit to him. It will be your fault and he will be angry.”

  “But, my lady, he didn’t say to—”

  “I will not be treated so. Get the items now.” Isabel slammed the door in his face.

  Several minutes later a knock came at the door. Isabel didn’t let him enter, but she accepted the items from the guard and closed the door. She took the dull-bladed knife and severed the cord to the babe. It took minutes to release the babe from her mother, and she knotted the sticky cord.

  Isabel washed the babe and wrapped it in one of the clean—if you could call it clean—cloths. After the babe was washed and cared for, she worked on the mother.

  She wiped the girl’s face “What’s your name?”

  “Romy. Thank ye, my lady for … I don’t know what I would have done without you.”

  “Please, call me Isabel. Your babe seems content for now. How are you feeling?”

  “I’m well, truly.”

  “Let’s remove that sheet. I’ll have them bring more clean linens.” She went to the door and banged again. The guardsman came again and waited for her to speak. “Bring clean sheets. I’ll not lay on such filthy linens.” The man nodded and returned a moment later with a handful of sheets. He closed and locked the door again.

  “My lady, why are you here?” Romy asked.

  “I’m being held here by my brother. I’m not worried, my husband will rescue me.”

  “Your husband?”

  “Aye, I must have faith in him,” Isabel said more to herself, than to Romy. When she finished stripping the sheets and replaced them with clean ones, she motioned for Romy to lie back down. She handed her the baby.

  “You have a sweet baby girl, Romy. What are you going to name her?”

  Romy wailed. Isabel sat beside her on the bed, patting her shoulder. “Don’t cry, it’ll be all right. I’m here with you and I won’t let anything happen to you.”

  Romy wiped her eyes and smiled faintly. “I was sent here because I was to be married, but Lewis left me, and didn’t show up for the wedding. My parents sent me here when they found out I was carrying.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry.
I’m your friend now, and you’re not to worry. We’ll get out of here, somehow.”

  Romy looked down at her baby. “I will call her Belle, after you. I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t come.”

  “Belle. She’s beautiful, and you were so brave.” Isabel retrieved the food tray that contained various kinds of breads, and some unknown items. “Let me take the babe for a while. You eat something. You’ll need your strength.”

  Isabel held the baby and couldn’t help but fall in love with her. She was so light and sweet. She glanced at Romy, and tried to see what color hair she had, but it was awful dirty. Darkness didn’t allow her to see well. She had to get them out of there. If only Douglas would rescue them. She didn’t know if he even knew she was gone. She hoped he returned from the MacIver’s keep by now. Pacing the chamber, she cuddled the baby. Romy ate and fell asleep. The babe whimpered, and she rocked her until her eyes closed. She laid the baby beside her mother, and then she searched the room for anything she could use. If Douglas couldn’t get to her in time, then she would make her own escape.

  Chapter Thirty-Five

  Douglas and his men were tired from riding for such a long time and his men expressed their glee at returning home. He rode through the portcullis, dismounted, and handed his horse’s reins to a lad. He met his mother on the steps of the keep.

  “What’s amiss, Mother?”

  “I haven’t been able to locate Isabel. She’s been missing since yesternoon. Cedric sent a search out, and he hasn’t returned.”

  Douglas reached the table and slumped in a seat beside the hearth. He placed his hands on his head. “Hell, I should have known this would happen.”

  “What?” His mother knelt beside him.

  “Cosh, she’s in danger.”

  “Oh, Lord Almighty. Ye must find her.”

  Candace walked in the room. “Mother, why are you crying?”

  Shelagh couldn’t answer, so Douglas told her to have a seat. “I’ve distressing news.” He took her hand. “Isabel is missing, but I will find her. I promise.”

  “Oh, Douglas. Why is this happening?”

  “There’s more, Candace, no one can find Wills. We’re searching for him. His da was found killed.”

  Candace cried, and his mother held her. “Douglas, find them. I’ll take care of Candace.”

  He kissed his mother’s cheek then hugged Candace. With determined strides, he went to the garrison. Cedric came toward him, his expression furious.

  “Laird.”

  “Have you found her, Cedric?”

  “Nay, but I was told Rachel and Milady went riding, the guard didn’t question it. They became friends. They should have stopped them. ‘Twas my duty to protect her. I failed ye.” Cedric’s shoulders slumped.

  “It is not your fault.” He heard shouts come from the bailey, and he ran through the doors of the garrison. The sentry returned from their duty had found Rachel.

  “What happened to her?” Douglas flinched. Her face was swollen so badly, he barely recognized her. The poor lass’ hair was cut off and her clothing ripped in shreds. “Get her inside.”

  Cedric lifted her from the horse and carried her inside. Fortunately, his mother and Candace had retired to their chambers. Douglas had her put in his chamber, and sent Cedric for the healer. He stood inside his room and waited. The lass took a hell of a beating. If this was how she looked, he knew Isabel probably didn’t fare any better. He wanted to run out and search for her, but Rachel might have vital information on her whereabouts or who had abducted his wife.

  The healer arrived and he waited in the hallway until she came out. He told his mother about Rachel’s condition, but she grumbled that she deserved it. The healer finally came out and told him he could go inside.

  He approached the bedside. She was awake, but he couldn’t tell if her eyes were open.

  “Rachel.”

  She licked her lips. “Laird Kerr, help her. I’m … sorry, so sorry.”

  “Was it her brother, Nigel?”

  Rachel nodded.

  “Where did he take her?”

  “Asylum.” Her voice broke.

  “You know more.” Douglas leaned toward her.

  “I never meant to … Irving has Wills, he’s under the sorceress’ spell.”

  “That bastard. What kind of spell?”

  “She uses spells, so Wills will ally against ye. He doesn’t know himself. Ye must get to Isabel foremost, Irving said Nigel will … hurt her.”

  “I will, worry not.” Douglas stiffened, knowing he’d finally found his foe. What fool plan did Irving maintain? “What does he hope to gain by all this?” He waited for her to answer, but she’d fallen asleep.

  He strode from the room, not speaking to anyone, and walked directly to the barracks. He told his usual corps to ready. Douglas wanted badly to get Isabel to safety then he would confront Irving. As he rode out, his heart weighed heavily in his chest. His manner became so agitated that he didn’t realize how labored his horse was. He slowed down.

  His wife needed him, and he cared for her so much that he felt hopeless for the first time in his life. Aye, his sweet bonny wife, a lass who would get an ugly boar etched on her back for him. He knew what she’d done, and wanted to wait for the surprise, so he hadn’t let on that he knew. Still, he felt her show of love courageous. Now he had to rescue her from hell itself, again. She should never have been put in such danger, and he felt disheartened for letting it happen.

  Douglas rode hell-bent toward England, and the asylum. The men stopped their horses suddenly causing him to turn. “Why did you stop?”

  Gil pulled his horse next to his. “Laird, we must stop to rest. The horses are winded and the men need rest. I know ye want to get to Milady.”

  “Damn it, Gil, I can’t rest, not until I get to her.”

  “You’ll not be able to help her if you can barely stand. Come rest yourself for a short while.” Gil turned, motioning for the men to take rest.

  Douglas dismounted and handed his horse to him. “We’ll ride out in a few hours.” The men made camp as he sat quietly next to Gil.

  “Laird, I know Milady will be well when we reach her. She’s a skilled lass, Brendan told me how she uses a dagger. Aye, she’ll be well enough, she can protect herself.”

  “She may not have her daggers with her. Gil, I can’t lose her.”

  “I know how ye feel. Have you given thought to Irving? He must pay for his misdeeds.”

  “That bastard will pay. I’ll get to him when I’ve gotten Isabel safely home. I will call up my allies, and he’ll pay for the injustice his clan has caused all these years.”

  “Mayhap ye should find out why he’s done these things. Surely you want to know.”

  “Aye, I do, but he’ll pay for hurting my family.”

  Gil nodded. “Irving’s always been cowardly. ‘Tis unlike him to act so foolishly. I can’t help but think he has someone telling him what to do, mayhap he’s the cohort.”

  Douglas nodded. “I’ll consider that.”

  They became silent as they waited for the men to take their rest. Douglas thought about his so-called stepbrother. He was sure Irving didn’t know of his parentage. Mayhap he was lied to, as he had been. Didn’t his father say that Donald fueled the feud with lies? He should meet with Irving and find out what he knew or thought was the truth. Could they put their father’s feud behind them? Could he be so forgiving? Douglas didn’t think so, not now, not after the deeds Irving enacted against Ellic, mayhap Bonnie, Wills, and most of all, Isabel.

  Douglas wanted his wife back, and to return to some rationale of peace. That was more important to him. Hadn’t his father asked him not to take the feud into his heart? But he hadn’t listened, he had revulsion in his heart then, learning who his real father was.

  Don’t take Donald’s and my feud into your heart.

  He should have put it behind him, and had done as his father asked. He closed his eyes to rest, but the only vision
that came to mind was that of Isabel. Her beauty and sweetness called to him. Aye, he must get to her and soon.

  Douglas rousted at Gil’s shove. “Laird, the sun is coming up. We should be on our way.”

  He ordered the men to ready. Fifty men rode with him, and he knew the asylum had about twenty men guarding its walls. It wouldn’t be too difficult to overtake them. He thought about his plan of attack as he rode along.

  Chapter Thirty-Six

  Isabel held the dull knife, jimmying the lock on the door. After several minutes, the lock clicked, and she pulled the door open. Peering down the darkened hall, she saw one guard sat on a chair, seemingly asleep. With the added light from the hall, she could now see a basin in the chamber. It was a heavy object, she mused. She dumped the remaining water and held it, slinking along the wall until she reached the man. His snore startled her, but she clunked him on the head as hard as she could. The man slumped to the floor, no longer snoring. A giggle escaped her when she reached the main hallway that lead to the stairs. There were too many guards blocking her exit. She returned to her chamber.

  Romy stood beside the door when Isabel came back inside. “What are you doing, Isabel?”

  She jumped, not knowing Romy was awake. “I’m trying to escape. I knocked a guard out, now all I have to do is figure out how to pass the guards in the foyer and courtyard.”

  “How are you going to do that?”

  “I have no idea. Get Belle, we’ll go now. I can’t take the chance that Nigel will return.”

  Romy didn’t waste a second and gathered her sleeping babe, falling in line behind Isabel. They prowled along the walls until they reached the exit then slipped outside the doorway, behind a large bush. The guards in the foyer were gone; their exit wasn’t noticed by anyone.

  Romy started to say something, but Isabel put her hand over her mouth, shaking her head. As they made their way along the bushes to the wall’s gate, she realized they wouldn’t be able to get through it. A guard was posted, and the gate was closed. She sighed dismayed, and pulled Romy down beside her. They sat behind the greenery that provided them a haven until she could figure out how to get past the watch.