The Boy Next Door (45 page)

“Whatever do you mean, sir?”

Elise’s face was starting to feel flush and her heart sped back up inside her chest.

“What do you suppose a man would give up for the safe return of his wife?”

“What?  You can’t mean…  Oh dear…”  Elise sighed heavily.

Henry’s business interests were far more important to him than any wife.  If he wanted her back at all, she would regret the return for the rest of her life.  But there was nothing much she could do either way.

“I would prefer that you come with me voluntarily, it would be much more pleasant for both of us.  But understand me, you will not be returning home tonight.”

Her first thought was Abigail, and how worried her friend would be.  Not to mention, if she never returned, Abigail would lose the benefits and generosity that Elise granted her.

Elise sighed again, “Perhaps you can help me to the horse?”

The man’s hand appeared in front of her face, and she grasped it tightly as he swung her up behind him.  He prodded the horse to a run, and the three of them disappeared over the rise into a fate unknown.

Chapter Four

The horse jostled Elise worse than any carriage ride she had ever been on.  She was certain that her ample bosom was bouncing and bumping into the broad back in front of her, and several times she had to clutch the man’s tunic to keep from bouncing off all together.  She could feel him chuckle with every grasp but it was either that or get tossed to the unforgiving ground.

The sun was hot on her neck and shoulders and her small bag slapped against her thigh until she was certain she had a permanent bruise mark.

After what seemed like hours, the rider finally pulled the horse to a stop and Elise unclenched her eyes.  They had stopped next to a small stone house that had a vegetable patch to one side, a chicken coop to the other, and a small wooden stable in the back.  It was certainly not as large as Henry’s estate, but it looked decent enough.

The man slid off the horse and raised his arms towards her.  She slid towards him and his large hands spanned her waist easily to lift her to the ground.

She found herself standing in front of one of the largest men she had ever encountered.  His chest seemed as broad as the horse’s and his arms bulged with every motion.  She was face to chest with him, and he stood almost a foot taller than her.  In the shade of his fruit trees, she finally got a look at his face and it nearly took her breath away.  His dark hair was swept back and his green eyes fairly danced as he watched her take him in.  His jawline was strong and square, and speckled with dark stubble.  As a representation of the male species, Henry paled in comparison.

“Would you like to freshen up?  I’m afraid my companion here is not accustomed to carrying delicate cargo such as yourself.”

Her cheeks flushed pink and she nodded mutely.

“I’m Elise,” she offered.

“William,” he smiled.

As she turned towards the house, he dug his nails into his palms to keep himself from tearing that thin cotton dress from the petite curves that had been pressed up against him for the entire ride.

He held the heavy wooden door open and she passed under his arm into the house.  It was one story with what appeared to be three separate areas.  There was a modest kitchen to her left, a sitting area to her right, and directly ahead of her was a door that presumably led to a bedroom.

William left her standing in the middle of the space and returned quickly with a bucket of water.  He poured a little into a basin on the kitchen table and handed her a small cloth for washing.  She dunked the cloth into the cool water and carefully patted her face and chest.  The sun had been brutal and she was going to be upset if it colored her skin.  Her creamy complexion was something she worked hard to maintain, but she did realize it was a privilege to not have to work in the sun.

William’s boots clomped on the wooden floor as he strode from the kitchen to the sitting area.  He dropped into one of the chairs and seemed to be regarding her with a smirk.

“Yes?” she asked, half nervous and half indignant.

“Not sure there’s ever been a woman in my house before,” he chuckled.

“Well, that is certainly not my fault,” she snipped back.

He laughed from deep in his chest, “No, I don’t suppose it is.  But I’m afraid I could get used to the sight.”

She blinked her big blue eyes at him and wrung the cloth out over the basin.

“I certainly hope you don’t mean me.”

“Well now, that’s not up to you or I, is it?  That’s up to my boss and your husband.  But I’m certain I can convince my landowner to allow you to stay with me, so that if your husband sends a raiding party, you won’t be found at the main estate.”

“Who will deliver the message to Henry?” she asked suddenly.

“Ah, I’m not sure.  Probably one of the houseboys.  Why?”

“I was wondering if I could send a private message to my cook.  I know she will fret and I don’t like to make her worry.  You can read the message if you like, I won’t be giving away any secrets.  I would just like to let her know I’m okay.”

“You know how to write?”

“Yes, sir, I do.”

“And read?”

“Yes, sir.”

“Very well then, I will let you send such a message if I can read it first.”

He produced a small piece of paper from his pocket and handed her a fountain pen that lay on the small side table.  She scribbled a quick note to Abigail stating that she was alright and not to worry.

“See, very simple,” she reassured William.

“You promise not to run away?”

“What?  Yes, where in heaven’s name would I go?”

“Very well then, I have to go up to the main house but I should be back before sundown.  I will do my best to pass along your note.”

With a nod, William strode out of the house and shut the door firmly.

Elise sighed and sunk into one of the chairs.  The house was decent enough, fairly clean for a man living alone, and in good repair.  But the more time passed, the more her eyes drifted to the one door leading to the one bedroom that probably contained one bed.

Chapter Five

As the sun disappeared behind the hill, William returned to the house.  Elise was still sitting in her chair pondering the state of her current predicament.

He nodded when he walked in, “Glad you’re still here.  I’d hate to have to chase you down now that it’s getting dark.”

She smiled weakly at the imposing man.

“Shall we find something for dinner?”

“Certainly.  I know how to cook a little bit.”

William laughed, “As do I since I live alone.”

“Did you get the note to the houseboy?”

“I did, but I can’t guarantee he will deliver it.  It’s out of my hands now.  But I think he will be headed to your husband’s estate tomorrow.  It was too late in the day by the time I got there.”

Elise dragged herself from the chair and headed into the kitchen with him.  It was not as well-stocked as hers back home but it seemed to have sufficient food for the two of them.  She heated up several pieces of ham and potatoes in a pan on the stove, and served them up at the table with slices of dark brown bread and two mugs of ale.  She did not typically have ale but it seemed to be the only liquid refreshment to be found.  The meal filled her stomach but she longed for her sliced apples and chunks of cheese.

William took the dishes outside and washed them in a bucket of water and set them on the table to dry for the next day.  She was surprised at how domestic he seemed, especially compared to Henry who probably would not know how to make himself a meal if he was starving.

“I’m domestic because I have to be, not because I want to be,” he mentioned.

She laughed softly, “Duly noted, sir.”

She noticed a pile of branches in the corner of the house, which brought her attention to the small fireplace in the wall near the sitting area.  William followed her gaze and as she refilled their mugs, he lit a small fire.  They settled into the two chairs and stared into the dancing flames quietly.

“So… I’ve never been kidnapped before.  How does this work?”

William barked a sharp laugh, “I’m new to this too, but thank you for the high opinion of me.”

“Oh!  I didn’t mean that.  I just… I wasn’t sure what all is going to happen.”

“Me neither.  I suppose tonight we will get some sleep, and then tomorrow I will go back to the house and wait for a reply from your husband.  Henry?  Right?”

“Yes, Henry.  But I don’t—” she cut herself off mid-sentence.

“You don’t what?”

She looked up at his calm green eyes and sighed deeply.

“I don’t expect him to want me back.”

“Oh?  What makes you think that?”

“I don’t think I please him,” she said softly.

“Do tell…” he laced his thick fingers together and rested them against his chin.

“Well, I do help hostess his parties but he has staff that can handle that.  Not to mention the mistresses waiting in the wings.  He doesn’t much care for my company and stays angry with me most of the time.  Plus we’ve been married three years and I have yet to bear children.”

Her eyes were dark and heavy with embarrassment.

“That’s partly his fault, you know.  It takes two to make a baby.”

She nodded and looked away from his intense gaze.

“Why did you marry him?”

“My parents arranged it before they died.  And after they died, I was in no position to live on my own or find a different husband.”

“I see.  Well, I’m not a supporter of arranged marriages but I understand they are common in certain circles.”

“Yes, I suppose so.”

“I don’t come from those circles.  My parents were farmers and were both killed in a raid.  Eventually I sold off the farm and have been working for this landowner for years.  A few years back, I had earned enough to buy this place and I’ve been developing it ever since.”

“It’s very nice,” she murmured.

“I like the idea of being self-sufficient but I know it’s not possible to do that completely.  I don’t grow grain for bread and I can’t make clothing.  Plus, I have no interest in owning cows or pigs.”

She laughed, “So you still need the market in town then.”

“I think I always will, but I’ve been trying to get less and less from other people.”

She admired his attitude, that he wanted to take care of himself but was realistic about the way life was.

“We need to find you a pond so you can fish too,” she offered.

William laughed, “The landowner has several, and as long as I don’t take too many, he doesn’t mind if I fish in his.”

The mugs were empty and Elise was getting very sleepy.  She tried not to nod off in front of William, but her heavy eyelids were no doubt betraying her.

“Shall we call it a night?”

“That might be a good idea.”

Her eyes darted nervously to the closed door and back to William’s amused grin.