The man yanked them up and nodded. “Yes, sir.”
This continued, table after table. They all liked his coin. Ben kept watch while Jacinda chose fabric, thread, and new boots, along with pottery for the kitchen, and a silver-handled hairbrush and ribbons. She lingered over some sweet-smelling bath soaps and Ben grew hard just picturing her using them, so he tossed more coins and ordered her to get them all. Hollis followed along, instructing the merchants to have everything delivered to the stables where their wagon waited. He also ordered food supplies for both the people and the animals to be delivered to the wagon.
When they had finished their shopping and there was still no Tavis in sight, Ben turned to Hollis. “What pub were they in?” Hollis led the way to the pub and pointed it out.
“The barmaid, Molly, left with them. Perhaps she has information about their current location.”
“We will go have a bite of noon-day meal and find Molly,” Ben said, moving to push open the door.
Jacinda stopped him with a hand to his arm. “Nay, Ben, please. Not here. Can we not go somewhere else?”
“We can, but we won’t. We may be able to find out information about where Tavis has gone from someone inside.” Ben brushed a hair from her face. “Trust me.”
Jacki looked down at Hollis, who stood by her side, no doubt seeking his help to dissuade Ben. “They don’t like my kind here,” she whispered.
Ben straightened and his blue eyes narrowed to slits. “What exactly is your kind?”
Jacki once again shifted her gaze to Hollis, who stood quietly gazing sympathetically her way. Her gaze moved back up to Ben. “Freaks. They called me a freak and ordered me out.”
Ben’s jaw tensed and a nerve jumped. His eyes blazed brightly. “That won’t happen again. I promise.” Taking her hand, he pushed the door open and made his way into the pub. Those sitting at tables for their noon-day meal looked up and then quickly back down at their plate of food. A few, forgetting their meal, scrambled to their feet and made their way out the door.
The man behind the counter with the dirty-looking mustache stopped wiping at the counter and frowned at their approach. His beady eyes flicked between Ben and Jacki. “You’re back, witch? I told you we don’t cater to your type. It’s best if you get out. I don’t want no trouble.”
Ben moved in a flash. He grabbed the man and pulled him across the counter to stand in front of him. “This is my wife. Who so ever disrespects her disrespects me and will face my wrath. Do you understand?” Ben still held the man by his collar and gave him a shake. “Answer me.”
“Aye. I’m sorry, sir. I didn’t know she was your wife.”
“Well, now that you know, you will apologize … now.” Ben sent a low growl toward the man.
The man’s eyes widened and he tried to turn his head to look at Jacki, but Ben held him too tightly around the collar. “My apologies, ma’am,” he managed to croak out.
Ben picked him up higher and dropped him back behind the counter before turning to face those who still sat at tables, their food forgotten in front of them. “That goes for the rest of you. Spread the word among the villagers that aren’t here this day. The giant of the mountain has taken a wife and I will not abide by her being mistreated. Those who do so will face me.”
Turning back to the mustached man, Ben pointed to a nearby table. “We will eat here. Send your girl Molly for our order.” With his arm wrapped possessively round Jacki’s waist, he steered her to the table and helped her to sit.
Hollis took the seat across from them at the table. “Well done, sire. I think you made your point.”
Ben grunted and continued to watch the crowd in the pub. He had made sure he sat with his back to the wall so he could see the lot of them in case of a sneak attack, should one of them get emboldened by their drink. Across from him, Jacki sat quietly her head bowed. “Are you unwell, my dove?”
She raised her eyes to his and they sparkled with mirth. “I am most well, my champion, my love. Remind me never to get on your bad side.”
Ben frowned and reached for her hand. “You could never.”
Jacki smiled. “It was a joke, Ben. Only I know you are but a pussycat underneath all that gruff.”
Ben growled at her and Jacki threw her head back and laughed.
Years later, the villagers would still talk about how the red-headed witch totally entranced the giant of the mountain.
Chapter Eighteen
Jacki was still smiling when Molly arrived at their table. Jacki remembered her from when she had first come in looking for work. She was a pretty woman, but today there were dark shadows under her eyes and Jacki noticed marks on her neck and arms. She’d clearly had a busy night.
She shot Jacki a quick look but smiled prettily at both Ben and Hollis. “What can I get for you?”
Ben looked at Jacki. “What do you fancy, my love?”
“Is the stew fresh?” she asked Molly.
“Yes, it was made this morning.”
“We’ll have three bowls of stew with a loaf of fresh bread with cream, and bring a pot of tea.”
Molly’s gaze narrowed and moved to Ben. “Would that be all?”
“Some information.” Ben slid a gold coin across the table to Molly. “The men you left with last night … where are they now?”
Molly eyed the coin but didn’t reach to pick it up. Instead, she looked over her shoulder as though to see if she was being watched, and when she saw the eyes of the mustached man on her, she leaned forward and whispered, “After your meal, meet me behind the building and I will give you what you seek.” She straightened up and in a louder voice announced she would be right back with their order before turning and going to the kitchen.
Jacki watched Hollis’s interested gaze follow her. “Do you fancy Molly, Hollis?”
“What’s not to fancy, mistress?”
Ben frowned at him. “Careful, you old goose. You speak to your lady.”
Hollis flushed. “I beg your pardon.” He nodded to Jacki and she smiled back at him.
“Perhaps, Hollis, you should think of taking a wife. Surely you grow lonely in the barn?”
He choked on his sip of tea and coughed loudly before speaking. “Actually, I manage to stay quite occupied … I mean to say, my duties are many … a wife is not necessary, or desired for that matter.”
Ben reached over and patted Hollis on the back. “Calm down. Jacinda only means to tease you. She’s not going to force you to wed. Not all beasts can be tamed by a beautiful woman.”
****
After their meal, Ben insisted that Jacinda and Hollis stay outside the front of the pub least Molly be leading them to a trap. Ben made his way through the alley and to the back of the pub where Molly stood waiting. “Hello, giant. I’m glad you’ve come alone.” She walked toward him, swinging her ample hips. A couple of laces had been left undone and her breasts all but tumbled from her dress.
Ben scanned the area for an ambush before his scrutiny fell back on Molly. “I seek only information on the man called Tavis and his traveling companions. What you tell me will stay between us and you will be paid handsomely.”
Molly stood in front of him, her head barely reaching above his waist. “I always hoped Hollis would pick me to bring back to you. I have longed to take on the giant to see if you are as large as the rumors say you are.” Her hands shot out and she grabbed the laces of his pants.
Ben stilled her movements with just one firm hand. “Nay, I only want the information.”
Molly pouted. “But, giant, I could make you feel so good. I could use my mouth on you and I’m most skilled.”
Ben placed his hand on her shoulder and squeezed. “I have no doubt you are. However, you will tell me what you know now, if you wish payment, or I will be gone and you will see no coin.”
Molly crossed her arms across her stomach, pushing her breasts up higher. “Very well, I will tell you. I spent the night with the three men.” She paused and grinned. “I plea
sured all of them. The one called Tavis likes his pleasure with pain. He was rough and mean.” She shrugged. “But sometimes I like it like that too.”
Ben frowned. “I care not about his ways in bed, or yours, for that matter. Did they speak of my wife? Did you hear any plans they may have or where they may be now?”
Molly sighed. “They are going for Tavis’s stepsister, he called her Jacki. He says he owns her. She’s to work in his new whore house he is opening. He said he will come back for me too and I will get to be a star. He’s going to take me out of this stupid village. I’ve always known I was better than this place.”
Ben didn’t comment on her words. “Did they know where Jacki was?”
“Yes, they went to climb the mountain. Someone in the pub told them she was with the giant and more than likely already dead.”
Ben sighed with relief. So they didn’t know about the hidden road. They were climbing the mountain. Reaching into his shirt, he pulled out a gold coin and gave it to Molly. “Thank you for your help.”
Molly stuck it between her teeth and bit down before pulling it out and pocketing it in her skirt. “Giant, remember I am always available to you should you feel the need.” She ran her hand over her bosom, stopping to pinch a nipple through the thin cloth.
Ben turned and walked back to the front of the building and pulled Jacinda to his side, needing to feel her warmth and sweetness.
“Did she give you information on Tavis and his plans?”
“Yes, they climb the mountain. If we leave now, we should just beat them to the house by nightfall.”
“So, no one told them of the road then? That is good,” said Hollis, “Sire, should I fly ahead and check out their current location?”
Ben nodded. “Yes, I think that’s an excellent idea, Hollis. Report back when you’ve located them. Jacinda and I will head to the livery and collect the wagon and meet you on the road.”
Chapter Nineteen
They were almost home when Hollis rejoined them. He landed in the back of the wagon as a goose and quickly flapped his wings and changed into a man. Jacki watched with amazement. “That is incredible,” she whispered. “I would never have believed it had I not seen it with my own eyes.”
Hollis bowed. “Thank you, ma’am. I, too, am amazed by myself at times.”
“What did you see, Hollis?” Ben asked.
“Two climb the mountain, Tavis and another. They should be here within an hour. A third lies at the base, dead. From a fall, I suspect.”
Ben frowned. “It’s just as well. He would have died either way, be it by my hand or the mountain. They will all find their death this day.”
Jacki spotted the cottage and a feeling of peace came over her. How quickly it had come to feel like home. Of course, with Ben, anywhere would be home. She sighed out loud and drew a glance from Ben.
“I know it’s not much, my dove. I promise to build us something bigger as quickly as possible.”
Jacki turned to him with a frown. “Don’t you dare! I love our home. It’s perfect for us.”
Ben grinned. “Perfect for us, maybe, but not for all the babes I plan on putting in your belly. We are going to need a much larger home.”
Jacki laughed even as her cheeks turned rosy. Oh, how she loved this man. She would be forever grateful to Hollis for giving her the magic beans that had led her here and to Ben. “Well, when you put it that way, perhaps we could benefit from a little more room.”
Ben pulled the wagon to a stop and set the brake before jumping down and helping her down into his arms. “I love you, Mrs. Stalks.” His lips came down on hers and Jacki thought she would surely faint from the pure pleasure this man brought her. Releasing her, he turned to Hollis. “Go with her in the house and do not leave her side. I will unload the wagon while I await our guests.”
“Ben, let me stay. I can help.”
“Nay, Jacinda. I would know that you are safe. Go with Hollis. He will keep you and the babe from harm. I will join you when this nasty business is finished.”
“Come along, ma’am.” Hollis took her by the elbow and lead her to the cottage. Jacki looked over her shoulder at Ben. He had climbed up on the wagon and was turning it toward the barn. Their eyes caught for a brief moment and he smiled at her. Jacki wished she had his confidence, but she knew Tavis and the cruelty he was capable of. She only hoped Ben didn’t have to find out too.
****
“Ma’am, come away from the window and have a cup of tea with me.”
“Nay, Hollis.” She heard his long sigh and turned to look at him. “I’m sorry, but I cannot. By your calculations, they should be here by now. What are they up to? What is taking so long?”
“I suspect they are planning their strategy, perhaps even waiting for nightfall and hoping for a surprise attack.”
“Of course, you are right,” Jacki mumbled, her mind on what Tavis could be planning. It was so like him to be sneaky and plan for a surprise attack. He would never be man enough to face Ben in the daylight one-on-one. He was probably watching them now. A prickle of awareness ran up her spine. She turned back to look out the window and scanned the quickly approaching darkness for movement, or something out of place. The sun was just setting behind the mountain, sending shards of orange, pink, and gold into the sky and across the top of the mountain. She could feel Tavis nearby.
Ben must have finished unloading and unhitching the wagon. He was coming toward the cottage, his arms laden with the goods they’d bought in town. A bucket of fresh milk sloshed out of a pail held precariously in one hand. His sword in its leather holding slapped against one long, muscular leg. She smiled at the load he carried and turned from the window. “Ben comes,” she said racing, to open the door for him.
Jacki stepped out and started toward Ben, behind her Hollis followed. “We’ll be lucky to have any milk left by the time you get to the cottage. Puss Puss will be unhappy.” She laughed, reaching to take the pail from him.
There was an odd whistling in the air a moment before Ben jerked forward as an arrow pierced his skin and he froze. Tossing the items in his arms to the ground, he whirled, pulling his sword from its leather holding all in one quick, fluid motion. Jacki cried out when she saw the arrow still sticking from the back of his shoulder. A lone dark figure walked toward them. His bow rose to fire again. Ben used his body to block the arrow from Jacki while he yelled, “Hollis, get her in the house.”
“Ben!” Jacki screamed, trying to go to him. Hollis grasped her by the hand and tugged her toward the cottage door. For a small man, he was surprisingly strong.
“Come along, ma’am,” she heard him call out. But everything was happening so fast.
Jacki went along with Hollis but looked back over her shoulder at the sound of a sword unsheathing. The stranger had tossed his bow and was now approaching Ben with his sword drawn.
Suddenly, Jacki was grabbed from around the waist and a knife appeared at her throat. “Hello, dear sister.” Tavis’s rancid, hot breath blew into her face and Jacki fought back a gag.
“Tavis, no.”
“Oh, yes, it is I. I have come for you. I will see that you pay for the trouble you have caused me and you will pay with your body,” Tavis hissed.
Jacinda screamed.
Tavis had found her.
Chapter Twenty
Ben heard Jacinda’s scream and it sent ice water racing through his veins. He glanced over his shoulder to see Jacinda near the cottage door’s entrance. A man had one arm around her waist and another around her neck, and the gleam of a knife’s blade shimmered when the moonlight hit it. Hollis had been knocked back and was getting up from the ground. His arms were flapping furiously.
“Jacinda!” Ben turned to go to her and a sharp, burning pain sliced through his back and he roared in outrage. Turning, he faced a large man all in shadow. The stranger’s sword dripped with his blood. Ben could smell the fear that radiated off his body.
“Because of you, giant, my brother is de
ad. Now you will meet the same fate,” the stranger hissed.
“Nay, your brother is dead because he was foolish. He dared to try and climb my mountain and take my wife from me. You, stranger, will join your brother in hell this night.” Ben raised his sword and brought it down in a punishing strike. The man raised his own sword and blocked the initial hit, but his strength was no match for Ben’s. His arm grew weary and he dropped it and spun away. Ben roared and walked toward him. He raised his sword again. This time, he went in with a slashing side motion and he severed the man’s head cleanly and quickly. His headless body dropped to the ground with a thud.
Whirling, Ben stalked toward Jacinda. Hollis was nowhere in sight and the man still held a knife to his beloved’s throat. “Your hired help is dead. You’re all alone now. Let Jacinda go, Tavis, and I will ensure your death is quick.”
“No, she’s mine. I have plans for my dear sister. She’s coming with me. Let me leave with her and I will spare your life,” Tavis screamed, spittle spewing from his mouth.
The man was clearly mad. “She’s not your sister, but she is my wife. She’s not going anywhere with the likes of you.” Ben avoided looking at Jacinda. He knew the look of terror in her eyes would be his undoing. In order to get her safely away from Tavis, he needed to stay calm.
“Your wife, you lie! I killed my own father for her, giant. Jacki belongs to me.”
“You murdered them? You set the fire? My God, you are evil. Why, why would you do such a thing to your own father?” Jacinda cried, clearly shocked at Tavis’s admission.
“The old man wouldn’t let me have you. He caught me watching you when you were bathing and he had the gall to threaten me if I didn’t leave you be.” Tavis shrugged nonchalantly. “I knew he had to go. Your meek little mum was just an added bonus.”
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