Claimed By A Charmer (The Pith Trilogy)
Read Claimed By A Charmer (The Pith Trilogy) Online
Authors: Kara Griffin
Praise for Claimed By A Charmer
Nominated for Ecata 2005 Reviewer's Choice Award for
Claimed By A Charmer!
Copyright @ February 2012 by Kara Griffin
This e-Book has been previously published.
Published in the United States of America
This book is dedicated to all the women who are true to
themselves and who value friendship.
Thanks also to my family, especially my daughters:
Sherri, Morgan, and Emily,
who inspire me every day
.
Table of Contents
Fairview Asylum, England
May 1217
From the distance the compound loomed in the darkness. Nigel
Calvert heard the cries drifting into the night. He galloped to an outbuilding
and handed his mount over to a grubby faced boy who led his steed away. A
woman’s scream pierced the obscurity. The noise drew his gaze to the shadowed
window casements above. His lips curled into a smirk and he hurried inside. In
his excitement, his boots clipped the ground and echoed his haste.
“I didn’t think ye would come.”
“Why should I not, Freddy? Your offer was too tempting.”
His friend, the caretaker of the asylum, Friar Frederick
Whickham, roared laughter at his retort.
“Here, ‘tis more than enough payment for the night’s
entertainment.” Nigel sneered as he pulled a cloth sack from inside his tunic. He
dumped five gold pieces into Freddy’s waiting hand.
“Have yourself a grand time. You’ll find her above, beyond
the first door on the right.”
He nodded as he turned to leave, but Freddy stopped him.
“Aye, your grace, she’s tied up and ready for you, just
arrived early this morn. The girl’s not showing yet so you won’t be hindered.” Freddy
snickered when Nigel rounded his desk. “I believe she’s worth extra coin.”
“If so, I’ll drop them off on my way out.”
“I expect to see ye ‘ere the night is over, my lord. She’s a
comely girl. Aye, beguiling.” Freddy grinned.
Nigel smiled, knowing he’d secured a girl to his tastes. “Oh,
I’ve been meaning to ask,” he said over his shoulder as he turned back. “What’s
the fee to have someone placed here?”
“The same as you pay for your visit, my lord. Why, do you
have someone you’d like to commit?”
Nigel watched him rub his hands together—possibly to ward off
the chill in the room, or perhaps it was due to gaining more funds, but most
likely it was at his suggestion at committing someone.
“Mayhap. I’d like to keep her here for my sole use. How much
for that?” He relaxed his stance, leaning against the desk while Freddy
considered it.
“For ye, five gold pieces and two steeds, good ones.”
Nigel grinned knowing Freddy threw in the last hoping he
would be generous. “Quite costly, Freddy, but well worth it. Done. I’m not sure
when she’ll arrive. It may be months before I can make the arrangement.”
“The asylum isn’t going anywhere and neither am I. Her place
will be secure. Be sure to send those horses though.”
“We have an accord then, I’ll send them in a fortnight.”
As Nigel walked the corridor to the
stairs, he thought about the asylum. His friend had made a handsome fortune
providing amusement for his young comrades.
Fairview
Asylum, where the church often gave sanctuary to those needing it, had been
overtaken by Freddy in less than a year. He was supposed to support the nuns in
caring for the people sent there. Instead, he made arrangements for unwed
mothers who were no longer wanted, to be used for his endeavor. It was the
perfect place for his commerce. Many girls were never seen or heard from again,
after they’d been committed. Families embarrassed by their daughter’s state or
those seeking to rid themselves of worthless daughters, entrusted them to
Freddy and the asylum. If the church knew the happenings that went on at
Fairview, Freddy would probably be hanged, condemned for his sins. Who had not
a sin these days?
Nigel reached the door, opened it,
and peered inside the dimly lit chamber. He found the girl trussed, lying in
wait for him. The girl didn’t know what the night had in store for her. He
assumed she wouldn’t lie there so compliantly if she had. Closing the door, he
regarded the unmoving figure.
His father would find this place
highly amusing, and mayhap in time he’d tell him about it. At present, he
needed to keep it secret. If his plan to commit his sister succeeded, no one
could know of this place. Isabel denied his advances, and wouldn’t let him bed
her. Nigel hadn’t paid much attention to her when she was a child, but she’d
changed overnight into a beautiful curvy woman with much appeal. If the color
of her auburn hair gave any indication, he knew she would be high-spirited. The
arrangement secured Isabel’s placement and her future. He grinned at the vision
in his mind—the moment she’d be at his mercy.
Usually, when Nigel finished with
the girls at the asylum, he’d leave them to their demise. Not once had he
visited the same girl. He delighted in finding new and imaginative ways to end
their liaisons, much to Freddy’s dismay, whom was left the task of finding a
healer. Nigel had almost run out of methods. This rare beauty reminded him of
his sister. The girl would definitely entertain him. Freddy was aright, she was
beguiling. Perhaps he would keep her for a time. Her eyes widened with fright
when he fisted her hair. It was a familiar look that he enjoyed. She whimpered,
but the gag in her mouth muffled the sound.
He removed his dagger and she
stilled instantly. He undid the ties at her wrists because he wanted her
hostility. Her fear and resistance would spur his desire. The girl’s hands
struck him as she fought against his advances. Nigel threw back his head and
laughed.
His laughter mixed with the cries
of the tormented and drifted out into the moonless night.
Dumfries shire, Scotland
June 1219
“Uncle Stan, Uncle Stan, I have
arrived.” Isabel Calvert shouted her coming the minute she dismounted her
horse. In her haste to pass the Gordon soldiers, who stood in groups near the
keep, she almost knocked a woman down. The woman’s basket and the contents of
her clean wash tumbled to the ground. Isabel mumbled her apology, helping the
woman pick up her garments. Then she ran toward the keep. She entered the hall,
and gazed lovingly at her longtime friend, Candace Kerr who stood near the
hearth in the great room.
She dashed past her uncle and aunt,
who awaited her greeting. Her green eyes flashed with relief when she threw
herself in Candace’s arms, hugging her tightly.
“I’m safe at last,” she said
urgently.
“Isabel Calvert, I have been
awaiting ye a fortnight. What took you so long? I worried that he wouldn’t let
you come.”
“Candace, you would not believe what
I had to go through before my father agreed.”
“Has something happened? You must
tell me all, but presently I suggest you go to Uncle Stan.” Candace shielded
her mouth. “He looks shocked that you would pass him by and not give greetings.
Oh, look, he’s not smiling. You’re in trouble now, Isabel.”
Isabel turned and colored. She
hurried to her uncle’s side, curtseyed, and saw his intense frown. Though he
appeared angry, his eyes showed love. “Uncle, I am here at last.” She smiled
brightly, hoping to appease him.
“So I see, lass. I suspect ‘tis
because Candace is here, and not because you missed us?” He laughed, while
hugging her to his side.
“I do love you and Aunt Mabel, and
wanted to see you, too.”
“Ahhh, so Candace’s coming has
nothing to do with your arrival?” Uncle Stan’s mocking laughter made her wince.
“Ye don’t fool me, lass. ‘Tis good to see you though. Go to your friend. She’s
been pestering me as usual. Ye both,” he raised his voice sternly, “keep out of
trouble, or I’ll whack your bonny bottoms.”
They laughed hearing his bald-faced
threat, because he would never punish either of them so harshly. Isabel grasped
Candace’s arm, and they ran from the great hall to their chamber. They had
formed an immediate friendship when they were given the chamber to share, and
always got into mischief, but Laird Gordon never punished them. He told them
they were free to do as they pleased, free of the restrictions that kept them
to the ladylike pursuits they endured at home.
Once inside the chamber, Isabel
slammed the door closed, and turned to hug Candace again.
“Tell me, your message said it was
imperative that I come. What happened?”
Isabel walked to the window and
opened it, allowing the summer breeze to stream into the room. She undid the
ties of her light-blue bliaut, and fanned herself for relief from the
overbearing heat. She turned and gave Candace a disheartened look.
“I’ve never been so frightened in
all my days. I knew he would do it. He tried to … you know.”
“What? Who? Nigel? What did he do?”
“I was behind the stables
practicing … you know, when Nigel came behind me, and he … touched my …” Isabel
pointed to her bosom, blushing profusely. She lowered her eyes in deep chagrin
at the thought of what he’d done.
Candace’s eyes widened and she
gasped. “He tried to touch you there? What did you do?”
“I backed away, and asked him what
he was doing. He said some rather wretched things, which I shan’t repeat. I
couldn’t believe he said those vile things. It was ghastly, and I was never so
afeared. I didn’t know what to do.”
“You should have stuck your dagger
in his black heart,” Candace said vehemently. “I would have.”
“Nay, I cannot kill him, even if I
wanted to. He is still my brother, and Father would never forgive me had I harmed
him.”
“What do you care of his
forgiveness? Your father has never showed you any consideration. ‘Tis a shame
you can’t ask him for protection. How did you get away from Nigel?”
Isabel walked to a chair that sat
beside the small table between their pallets, where they often played games,
and settled in it. Her legs still shook after riding the long distance. She
felt tired from the journey, but more exhausted from her situation.
“He gripped my arm and tried to
kiss me. I admit his advance frightened me, but I struggled to free myself. He
said he has plans for me. I assume it is to … you know, do that.”
“Plans? Oh, Sweet Mary. Did you
kick him—you know where?”
“Nay, he held me firmly. His mouth
touched my neck, and he said he would devise to have father send me to an
asylum. He said that I would be his, and that he would put his … Oh drat, I
can’t believe I’m repeating it. It was so disgusting. I nearly fainted then and
there.” Isabel hadn’t realized a tear slipped down her cheek, until Candace
gently wiped it away.
“Eww! That is quite vulgar. You
should have gotten ill, and thrown up on him. That would make him think twice
about it. What does he mean by an asylum?”
“I’m not certain. I thought asylums
were safe places where the church would protect you, a sanctuary. I heard
Father Matthew speak of a girl from the village who was sent to one. He assured
her parents that she would be well cared for. Still, I shan’t want to go
there—”
Candace shook her head. “You can’t
return to that fiend.”
“Nay, Nigel has father’s support in
all his endeavors. He would likely gain his approval to use me that way. I must
remain here until Father betroths me. It’s the only thing I can think of to
avoid him.” Isabel envisioned her younger brother Nathaniel’s face, his smile,
always reassuring and loving. At least she had one relative who cared for her. She
wanted to shield him from their older brother, but knew she would have to
confide in Nathaniel if she returned home, and Nigel continued his foulness.
“Oh, Isabel, how horrid for ye. Nigel’s
wicked to want to hurt ye. I should tell my father. He would send men to—”
“Pray, don’t do that, Candace. I
won’t endanger Nathaniel or our people. I shall stay here and Father will
likely forget about me. He sometimes does that—forgets me.”
Candace frowned. “He very well
might. Still, I would like to see you married and safe. But you are too young
to take a husband. Surely your father won’t marry you off yet. He shan’t let
you remain here for two years.”
“I’m six and ten, not so young to marry.
Others have married at such an age. Aye, my father wouldn’t let me remain here
for more than a year. If he calls me home, I shall think of a delay. I’ll tell
him I have the scourge, or that I’ve had visions. He’s superstitious and wouldn’t
want my return.”
“I wish my brother, Douglas, were
here. He would know what to do. He’s a fierce warrior who would scare Nigel’s
soul to hell. Father boasts of his prowess.”
“You haven’t seen Douglas in years,
Candace. You know not whether he’s kindly. Mayhap he is as wicked as Nigel.”
“Nay, he is not. Mother told me how
honorable he is. She said that he was the most valiant man she ever met,
besides my father that is.” Candace laughed, and stood beside her.
“You have such blind faith in a
brother that you don’t even know. I would not be so trustworthy.”
Candace’s brow wrinkled. “You would
not understand. I suppose I’ve been taught to trust him. You trust Nathaniel,
don’t ye?”
“Aye, but I have known him since
the day he was born. You haven’t seen your brother, in what, ten years?” Isabel
argued.
“Aye, a very long time. Still, I
hear stories about his accomplishments, and Father says one day he shall return
to our clan.”
“You may be disappointed when he
does return. I would not be so expectant of this wondrous brother you have set
him to be.”
“Father says he is training to
better protect us when he becomes laird.”
“Just because he’s training to be
laird doesn’t mean that he will be sweet natured or forbearing.” Isabel decided
to drop the subject for now and moved away from her friend.
Candace clapped her hands together.
“Oh, I forgot to tell ye my news. Father gave his consent for me to choose my
own husband. I’m so relieved, because I had thought he might betroth me to
Irving Dunmore to end our clan’s feud. The Dunmore clan is our enemy, but
Father assured me that he never planned to do that.”
“You’re fortunate to have a father
who cares.”
“‘Tis a good thing ye know how to
use a dagger well, Isabel. You may need to use them to protect yourself against
Nigel. I shall like ye to teach me your skill.”
Isabel searched her eyes for
sincerity. “If you really would like to learn … but I don’t want anyone to know
about it.”
“I want to learn. Why do ye keep it
secret? Uncle Stan wouldn’t mind. He’d be proud of—”
“I know he won’t mind, but I really
don’t wish anyone to know. It isn’t something a woman does, Candace, throwing
daggers like a man. ‘Tis very unladylike. Men would scoff at my attempt, or
laugh their arses off.”
“That may be so. We can have
Russell take us to the wood and practice there. Uncle Stan won’t know, or
anyone else for that matter.”
Isabel laughed for the first time
in weeks. “Uncle Stan would find out. Do ye honestly believe he doesn’t have us
watched? After our last visit, he swore that he would never leave us unattended
again. Mayhap you’re aright, if Russell takes us, we can go.”
“I’m so pleased you’re here,
Isabel.”
“Me, too, Candace. I haven’t felt
safe for such a long time. I had to keep my chamber door locked even during the
day.” She hugged Candace again.
“You’re safe here, and we shall
have a nice long visit.”
Isabel nodded. The tension eased
from her shoulders, and she released a sigh of relief.
“Call a bath for me, and once I’m
clean, we’ll go and see Aunt Mabel and Uncle Stan.” Her friend left her alone,
and Isabel removed her clothes, trying not to think of Nigel. For now, she
didn’t have to worry about his attacks, or look over her shoulder every waking
moment. But how much longer could she avoid him?