The Lady of Fairhaven (25 page)

Gillian dissolved into a series of body wrenching sobs. Phillips touch quieted her for a time, and she drifted back into a deep sleep.

“
Do you think we should move her to my bed?” Phillip asked hopefully.

“
If she remains here, I will be able to minister to her fever, my lord. It is of course, your choice,” Anne said.

“
I am left with few choices, but…” he thought aloud.

Phillip rose early the next day and checked in on Gillian. The worst of her fever had subsided through the early hours of the morning as it had done for the previous few days.

“
Wife, your health has worried us these past days, and I insist that you stay abed today,” Phillip’s voice was filled with an angry frustration.

“
I would gladly my lord if you can say that none of the villeins are working without some affliction that would normally keep them abed. If there is some way I might assist you or your people, I must find it. If some task that only I can attend does not get accomplished, I would be to blame if it were the very thing that needed to be done. And lastly, I am chatelaine of this castle now, am I not? It would not bode well for me to remain hidden, expecting others to accomplish those tasks in my realm of responsibility.”

“
You argue well, wife. However, I would point out that no one shall think ill of you should you recover from your infirmity. It would anger me if I should find you collapsed in some corner because you attempt too much. Please promise me at least, that you shall take your rest this day.”

“
In that sir you have my word.” Gillian promised.

Throughout the day, Gillian again did not see Phillip as he worked his men in the final preparations for battle. And as promised, Gillian did finally take a nap. But only did she retire when she swayed against a doorway when she stood too quickly. Anne had forced the issue with Gillian, and summoned a page that had been commandeered to another task to assist her to her bed.

After several hours, Gillian finally revived from the deep comforting nap and, seeing the sun dipping on the horizon, scolded herself for her laziness. Having ordered the drying of the game meat provided by the hunters the day before, Gillian returned to the kitchen to find the task nearly completed.

It was more gratitude for a well-trained, loyal staff than relief that she had failed to perform her duties that filled her thoughts. The servants had clearly worked hard and long to make up for the shortfall of helping hands. Wanting to help and ease the load of others, Gillian stepped in to assist in the final meat hanging.

It was late afternoon when the alarm bell rang out. The enemy was at the far end of the field. Tents were raised and a force of warriors and knights assembled in the clearing. In truth, it did not look like an attacking army. The contingent was small but lacked the flags affiliating the men with an overlord. Easily the men could belong to Oliver, but without some sign of allegiance, there was no way to determine it. And their actions did not declare their intentions.

“
Oh God!” Gillian said as she looked from her small window at the men facing the castle. If only there was some way she could stop the man before blood was spilled she would go to it, regardless of the consequence to her. The fact of the matter, however, was evident. Oliver would never settle for taking her away and sending her to a convent. No! He wanted everything and he could collect it by killing her and possibly Phillip. Phillip too, realized it was fight or die. If only she had allowed him the properties he had tried to conceal. Those might have placated his greed.

Guiltily, Gillian realized she had never told Phillip of her loyalty and devotion to him. She had never apologized for her wicked uncle’s devious designs. God! Her family was about to hurt, maybe kill innocent people. And she was at the bottom of it all.

Gillian watched her husband’s soldiers prowl the crenellated curtain walls. Hopefully all would be safe this night. Surprisingly, no expected instruments of war were seen.

It was late at night when Phillip entered the bedchamber. Gillian was tucked safely between the linen sheets. Her brow was beaded with perspiration, but her eyes didn’t carry the bluish shadows of illness as they had before. Dog had nestled in a giant ball near the fire. Phillip chuckled at the sight. The dog was so large it seemed impossible for the animal to form such a small figure.

Phillip removed the battle armor, but refused to strip down below his clothing. If an attack should come, Phillip would need to immediately join his men. He also longed to consummate the marriage with Gillian, but in truth, lacked the strength to manage the feat after putting in such difficult days. And from the way Gillian slept, it appeared as though she had again spent too much time working, as well.

The canopy drapes were drawn together, filtering out the candlelight in the room. Phillip gathered Gillian’s shapely body next to his. His arm draped over her ribcage and under her well formed breasts. For a moment his hand caressed the soft swells of flesh before he breathed in her sweet fragrance and fell asleep.

A noise awakened Gillian first. It wasn’t a struggle of men fighting for their lives, nor was it the sound of weapons working to break down the castle’s defenses. The origin of the noise seemed quite indistinct and distant. Even Dog who had his head cocked in earnest attention seemed relatively unconcerned. All seemed as it should be.

Phillip’s arm was curled lovingly around Gillian and her body was molded to his matching curve to curve. His hand gently cupped the heavy flesh of her breast. Gillian’s eyes widened with surprise. It was the first time she had ever truly slept with a man in the privacy of her own bedroom. With Luke, there were others nearby, watching. Surely she could not argue Phillip’s right to touch her in any way he pleased. It was merely surprising, and to her disappointment, less than arousing.

When Luke had touched her, innocent as it was, her skin heated and tingled with excitement. Gillian lamented that her husband’s touch held no such thrilling flame. Was she truly going to spend her life pining for another? She prayed Phillip’s gentle touch would eventually work some physical desire for him.

Gillian’s thoughts turned to fear as a loud distant thump stirred Phillip awake. Across the room dog growled low in his throat in response. Without saying a word, her groom slid from bed and began donning his chain mail and armor. Gillian moved with him and worked to fit and maneuver the heavy pieces on to her husband’s muscular body.

Her thin nightclothes were a distinct contrast to the heavy armor her husband wore. There were so many pieces to assemble like a puzzle. Phillip hurriedly grabbed up each piece in order. His rush frightened Gillian.

“
Something is amiss, wife,” Phillip said. His voice came out as a whisper, lacking any emotion. “I want you and your maid, Anne to go to Alyssa and find a place to hide. Go now.”

Gillian turned to obey but it was too late.

The ornate wood
paneling had separated and a section lay open like a gaping wound in the wall. Gillian now realized the invasion had taken place, and the secret entrance had insured its concealment to everyone in the manor. The rich dark wood carved with its many intricate patterns, while beautiful for it artful design alone, confused the eye. Even a suspicious observer would be hard pressed to locate the elusive crack.

Phillip was only half armored when the first intruder rushed into the room from the spot behind the couple. Phillip snatched a spear leaning against the wall and thrust it toward the intruder. The combined force of the man rushing Phillip and the movement of the spear made it possible to pierce the man’s armor at the chest. The man fell to the floor, trying desperately to pull out the spear. As the man lay struggling, Phillip pulled out his sword and stood ready to defend his home and family to the death.

“
Go downstairs Gillian,” Phillip barked coarsely. “Do as I say!”

Gillian made her move toward the door but another knight, this one built like the trunk of a mighty oak, burst into the room from the opening. His meaty fist clutched at her chemise, but she moved out of reach.

“
Certainly you would let my lady pass. Your attack is against me. Let my wife pass to safety,” Phillip requested.

“
I might not care under certain circumstances, Sir Thornburgh. On this night, however, the Lady Gillian is my target, not you, and I should have her at all costs.”

In response, a shiver of fear plunged down Gillian’s spine sending ripples throughout every muscle. She froze in place. Phillip motioned for her to ease her way behind him. Men continued to flood into the bedchamber through the secret door.

Five men in full battle dress pushed into the roomy bedchamber. As the last man stepped through the portal, Gillian gasped. Phillip was hopelessly outnumbered.

Phillip pushed her farther behind him. The determined set of his jaw silently announced his determination to save Gillian at all costs.

“
Nay!” Gillian demanded. “If your argument is with me, take me. I would have my husband safe.” These were dangerous words to a man of honor. No doubt Phillip cringed with the thought that he would be unable to protect his own.

“
Stay behind me, Lady Thornburgh . You are under my protection and I shall not let them have you,” Phillip said.

The intruder moved fluidly toward the couple and waved his sword back and forth ready to land the first blow. Dog aware of her master’s fear, growled and stood in front of Gillian at the ready.

Phillip stayed the blow of the big knight. With each new swing, Phillip defended himself and threw his share of blows, throwing the knight off guard. In one lunge, her husband pierced the weak spot of the knight’s armor and drew blood. The man cried out in pain and backed away momentarily only to become enraged and thrust his broadsword with renewed vengeance. But the man’s furry proved a weakness. He swung his sword so hard that when Phillip stepped back it pulled the man nearly around. Phillip simply stepped forward, grabbed the man by the shoulders and ran his sword across his neck, just above the chain mail. With both jugulars cut, blood spurt from the man’s neck as Phillip pushed him back toward the other knights. They could do nothing but stare back at their mortally wounded comrade. Within seconds the man fell to the floor, unconscious from the lack of blood to his brain.

Only being partially protected by armor, Phillip had weak spots in his defenses. With so many attackers to join the fray, he certainly would fall to one of them out of sheer exhaustion if nothing else. Gillian could only hope that castle soldiers would hear the commotion and search out its source.

Because of the tight quarters and Phillip’s constant maneuvering, the knights were only able to attack one at a time. If Phillip were very skilled, he could in fact wound them early enough and stay fresh enough to continue fighting.

When one of the knights stepped around Phillip and tried to grab Gillian, Dog attacked with lethal fury. But he had little defense against a man in full body armor. Left with few points to attack, it was sheer weight and terror of piercing teeth that gave the animal any advantage.

The knight threw the dog across the room, slamming him into the stonewall. Only a small yelp came from the dog. Even angrier, the animal instantly leaped forward and toppled the knight with the force of his body blow. It was the man’s turn to scream in pain as Dog bit into the only unprotected spot on his body. Sharp piercing teeth shredded the flesh of the man’s cheek, nose, and chin. His helmet flew from his head and spun in wild abandon as Dog pawed and bit into the writhing man. At last the man lay unconscious and bleeding on the bedchamber floor. His face nearly torn off.

Dog stood panting, waiting for the next attacker to make a move. Startled by the dog’s victory and exhausted from the battle and loss of blood, the first knight stepped back and motioned for another to take his place. Willingly, another stepped forward with his sword raised.

Phillip was lucky and struck a fatal blow up under his opponent’s chain mail into the vital organs of the abdomen. The man screamed and Gillian too made a small gasp, but covered her mouth. She dared not distract Phillip’s concentration again. It could mean his death.

The odds were evening out and Gillian believed that perhaps the battle could be won, when a disturbance at the door drew Phillip’s attention away from the approaching knight. Alyssa had been abducted from her bedchamber by force. During the fierce struggle and the distraction of Dog’s battle, no one had missed one of the warriors as he slipped from the room.

The knight held her tight against his chest with his armored arm pressing over her shoulder and down to her waist. Her mouth was bleeding and an angry bruise discolored her cheek. Her nightgown had been yanked apart and a red handprint marred the creamy flesh. Her bare feet stumbled as she was thrown down to the cold stone floor.

Breaking concentration, Phillip yelled with fury and raised his sword to smite the knight facing him in battle. Blinded with the overpowering rage of seeing his daughter thus, Phillip never saw the fatal thrust move under the edge of his armor and up into his gut. His agonized groan paralyzed both Gillian and Alyssa as they watched their defender fall.

Gillian screamed and rushed to Phillip’s side. “Noooo!” she cried. “Dear Lord, no. Phillip, do not leave me. I need you,” Gillian sobbed.

“
I’m sorry I have failed you,” Phillip whispered.