The Lady of Fairhaven (19 page)

“
I am afraid for her, My Lord,” Alice admitted. “She has not eaten for well on two days now. Weakened from her abduction, and lacking the will to remain healthy, she is unwell and, though she won’t admit it, her injuries still pain her a great deal.”

“
Why didn’t you say anything to me about this before?” Luke asked. “Has she said anything to you about what ails her?”

“
No. She has continued to sleep day and night. She says little and eats nothing.”

“
Do you think she is too weak to travel?” Luke asked. He rubbed his temples to relieve the pain that the stress had pounded into his flesh.

“
Perhaps, but she is not getting any stronger here at Fairhaven. I fear if she stays her any longer, she might…” Alice broke down into muffled sobs. The knight’s arms closed around the maid and allowed her a few minutes to choke back the sobs and compose herself before going to face Gillian.

Luke weighed the risks and decided to get her to his father. Perhaps a change of scenery might help her outlook. It certainly couldn’t hurt to get her away from Oliver and his leman.

On the morning of the departure from Fairhaven, it was decided Gillian should ride in a wagon filled with hay and soft blankets. Hay would provide a soft bed and lessen the bumps and jolts. At first Gillian rested comfortably but after a few hours she squirmed miserably and began edging toward the end of the wagon.

Luke rode in the front of the procession and Simon brought up the rear. Both watching for any sign of trouble. Simon watched Gillian inch her way to the end of the wagon. He pulled his destrier up toward the driver and in a moment or two it stopped. His cry to halt was sent forward, stopping the caravan.

Simon stepped up and offered help to Gillian. She slipped down and stood still for a moment.

“
I am fine now. The wagon bed became too confining. I will walk for a while.”

“
Do you think that is wise, Lady Gillian,” Luke asked. “Your strength has been sapped by the healing of injured flesh. You might tire quickly.” The concern and hurt in his face robbed her of breath for a minute. She looked away, determined not to let her fondness for him grow again.

“
If you believe I will hinder the progress of the group, I shall endure the wagon, Sir. I will abide with your wishes.” Gillian stood motionless waiting for Luke’s decision, her eyes cast down never looking in his direction. Whether he despised her or not mattered little. He was the most capable warrior she had seen, and she trusted his decisions.

“
I care not for the progress of the group except where it concerns getting you to your destination as quickly and as painlessly as possible. If you care to walk, you may do so, or you may ride, if that suits you.”

“
Thank you, I would like that if you have a horse I might ride,” she said. Her eyes met his for the first time in five days. “I promise not to ride away,” she said with a smile. “Given my past, I would think an attempt to escape on my part has no doubt crossed your mind.”

Luke threw his head back and laughed heartily. It lightened his spirits to hear her jest. She was feeling better, good enough to smile.

“
Mayhap Buttercup is feeling neglected,” Luke said. “She is ready to serve your every wish, My Lady.”

As much as she wanted to stay as far away from Luke as possible, having him touch her as he helped her up on Buttercup’s back felt good. But at the same time it broke her heart. She had not wanted to become dependent on him in any way. He obviously cared little for her, and even if he did, she belonged to his father. No manner of wishing would change that fate.

Anne and Gillian rode together in the middle of the procession. It was considered the safest place. Most of the men rode in front, in back, or flanking the two ladies. If any brigands should take the chance of challenging the group, the two women would be well protected. Dog ran in the front with Luke, but kept a watchful eye on his mistress.

Finally, they stopped for a rest and some food. As the group settled down to the noonday meal, Luke sent Dog out to hunt for rabbits or other small game. He returned with portions of the next meal, then set out again until Luke told him enough! Dog appeared to enjoy being commanded to do what he loved best, to hunt.

Toward the end of the day, Gillian begged another form of transportation. This time she requested to walk. She did not let on to the guards that she was in , but her ribs ached and her breathing was labored. Although not the safest way to travel, since there was no quick escape should they come under attack, they were nearing the end of the day and were slowing down as they looked for a good campsite. She would easily be able to keep up with the wagons.

Scouts had been sent forward to find a suitable site and look for any signs of trouble. It appeared as though the path was safe enough and Luke reluctantly agreed. The pain etched in her face could not be denied.

Within the hour, the guards were setting up camp, starting fires, and rolling out sleeping pallets. The evening meal caught by Dog earlier in the day served as the basis for a hearty stew. Two fires were built. One was for cooking and the comfort of the men at night, the other for the protection of the ladies as they slept.

Filthy from the day’s ordeal on the road, Anne and Gillian made their way to the nearby brook. The road had been following it along for some time. Gillian groaned as she bent to scoop up water to wash her face.

“
Let me help you, My Lady,” said Anne.

“
You need not trouble yourself, but thank you. I am fine. I am much improved over yesterday. I fear, however, I will feel this exercise tomorrow.” It was the first time in two days she had really said anything to her maid. “If you would go in the direction of our encampment and get the herbs and dressings from my medicinal apron I would like to have the dressings changed on my back. They may provide some relief from my present condition.” Anne’s look of horror at leaving her mistress alone and unprotected was not missed. “All will be well. I will yell if anyone or anything happens along this way. Moreover, Dog is here to attend me in your absence. I assure you, all will be well.”

Anne ran back to camp. Her apprehension over leaving Gillian alone was misread as trouble and Luke sprang to his feet.

“
What is amiss, Miss Anne? Where is Lady Gillian? Is she well?” Luke’s heart beat as though he had run a great distance.

“
All is well, My Lord. Lady Gillian felt a need to have the dressings changed on her ribs. I did not want to leave her unattended. As you know, she has not been herself of late. I was merely making haste. Forgive me.”

“
Very well,” Luke said and
resettled on a rock near the fire.

Anne hurried back to Gillian. After Anne applied the bandages, Gillian begged to be left alone. And while Anne begged her not to trouble those who would insure her safety with a self-imposed solitude, she was unsuccessful in her quest. Gillian had much to contemplate with her new life stretching before her. Later, after Anne’s form disappeared into the blur of the camp, Gillian’s eyes filled with tears and the soft sobs broke free in endless succession.

Luke, still leaning against the rock, had never truly relaxed while the ladies were away from camp. He felt some comfort as he heard the light footsteps approach. As he turned and only saw Anne, he once again
panicked.

“
Where is your mistress?” he asked. The furrowed skin on his forehead declared his concern.

“
Rest easy, Sir Luke,” Anne said. “My mistress said she needed some time to reflect. She is where I left her by the stream, and Dog is with her.”

“
It matters not to me. I will fetch her,” Luke said as he left the yellow firelight of the camp to disappear into the dark forest.

He heard her sobs well before he saw her. As he approached, Dog’s giant head lifted from her lap to inspect the intruder. Seeing Luke, he rested his head back in its original position.

“
Gillian,” Luke said.

Gillian gasped and Dog first yelped then growled.

“
Set your dog to ease, Miss Blakeley. I do not wish to become his dinner.”

“
Easy Dog!” she said and patted him on the head gently. Her attention turned to Luke. “You know well enough that Dog has developed a fondness for you.” Her hand continued stroking the large head.

“
It would not bode well for even me if I were to harm his mistress,” Luke said with a smile. It was a comfort to know that Dog would protect her fiercely. “Why do you remain in the dark, unprotected?”

“
Please forgive me. I am fine.” She sniffed back a belated sob.

“
That is quite easy to see. Please Gillian let me help. You are so very special to me. I can’t bear seeing you like this.”

At his admission Gillian cried in earnest. Luke knelt down and held her gently, pulling her into his arms. Suddenly, her hands moved around his neck, and, although she gasped with the sudden twinge of pain, she buried her head in the soft flesh under his chin.

“
Gill what troubles you? Tell me. Let me help you,” Luke begged.

“
Nay, I cannot. I have been too open. The burden is mine alone. I shan’t share it,” Gillian cried. She pulled away with a wince of pain and turned away. Her head now buried in her hands.

Luke rose and walked to some trees. Leaning his full weight against the small sapling, he clenched his fist and hit hard against the trunk, sending leaves fluttering to the ground. “Please do not exclude me from your affliction,” he said. He came around and pulled her up and to him. “Gill! I can’t bear to see you suffer.”

Gillian looked into his eyes and saw the pain and concern. “What am I to do?” Gillian whispered. “How can I marry your father when I love you?”

“
Gill, heaven help us both. You are pledged to my father, but if there was any way to keep you myself, I would.” Luke’s hand brushed the hair from her forehead. He dared not kiss her. “I thought you have hated me because of how I acted toward you in the woods.”

“
Nay. What broke my heart was the thought of you touching Katherine and the pain I had inflicted upon you. I was so wrong to declare my feelings for you. And later I loathed the possibility that I would have to live through it again when some day you find your mate. Mayhap in time we should not care as much as we do today, but I cannot believe I shall ever stop loving you. I want you to know that I will try to be a good wife to your father.”

Luke’s mouth did the unthinkable. He reached up and pressed his lips to hers. Her moan of need drove him to stay pressed to her. He plunged his tongue inside her warm mouth and hers responded with a desperation that nearly broke his heart. This would be the last time he could enjoy her welcoming lips.

Gillian was the first to push away. In a sigh she said, “We had best be going back to camp. Although I am glad I know what it is that I should miss, I cannot dishonor your father. If someone should come to look for us, it would bode ill if we were found in each other’s arms. Please leave me alone while I compose myself.”

“
I fear I cannot leave you alone.”

Gillian nodded her understanding, then struggled to let go of his hands. Luke walked her back to the bright campfire in camp. She ate a small portion of food. Not enough, but better than nothing. Her emotions were still unsettled.

The next day was very much like the first. Perhaps the added circulation from exertion had helped, but Gillian was healing fast in spite of the strain to her muscles and the long days. She didn’t have a chance to share but a few words with Luke as they traveled. He was ever on the watch for any sign of trouble. The group was traveling slowly. The wagons made the trip twice as long.

The third morning Gillian arose with the familiar stiffness from the jostling and exercise the day before. Not envisioning herself as an invalid, she chose to ride Buttercup. The horse responded to the lightest touch and had so easy a gait Gillian didn’t feel her sore muscles.

At mid day the entourage closed ranks slightly. Nothing was said, but Gillian guessed Luke had seen some signs of other travelers on the road and was not willing to take any chances with the fortune he protected. Dog continued to amble along with Luke at the front of the group. The animal was always looking for an adventure of one kind or another. Anne rode Ginger, a lovely chestnut mare that was as gentle as a newborn. Perfectly suited to Anne’s fear of horses, the mare complied with her every wish.

A rider had been sent ahead to herald their arrival to her new husband’s castle. Luke believed his father might be able to meet them along the road if his schedule allowed it. After all, their arrival date was not certain and circumstances might arise that could prevent him from leaving.

The forest was particularly dense in this part of the country. Gillian noticed how lush and green it looked. Shade from giant trees provided relief from the mid-day sun. It was at a curve in the road where Dog noticed something moving along the hillside. He barked and sped into the darkened shadows. From the other side mounted men sprang from a low spot near the stream.

Within moments a painful scream pierced the air from the spot where Dog had just entered. It was a man’s cry. All heads turned toward the horrific sound. As attention focused on the disturbance, a rush of activity from the opposite side of the road startled the guards. In an instant men surged out from the cover of the forest underbrush.