The Lady of Fairhaven (28 page)

They had pitched their camp near the village just outside Fairhaven. The giant knight departed the camp before nightfall. Gillian looked through nearly closed eyelashes as her other captor kept his eye on her and Alyssa. She tried to ignore Sylvan’s staring but was too frightened to do anything except pretend sleep. She sat quietly next to Alyssa. But when Gillian looked over at him again, she noticed that the knight had edged closer. Gillian’s skin crawled as he approached. There would be nothing to keep him from taking her now that no one was watching. Gagged and tied, Gillian had no way of fighting back.

“
You are quite lovely, Lady Gillian,” he said. His hand caressed the skin under her ear. "You have spirit too. I prize that attribute.” His hand brushed down her shoulder along her upper arm. Bending even closer, the man’s mouth closed in on her neck and he kissed the skin his hand had touched. The chemise was obscenely thin. Every mark and blemish shone through the delicate fabric. As his mouth lifted, it left trails of cool moisture where his lips and tongue had touched.

Gillian tried to push away but found she could only turn slightly. She twisted her head back and forth trying to dislodge the soft suckling kisses the knight imposed on her cheeks but it was to no avail. A strangled cry, muffled from the gag wafted away to be heard by no one.

The Sylvan’s hands drifted from Gillian’s slender neck to her shoulders, and then, as they drifted along her arm, his fingers latched to the soft cloth and tugged it down as well.

You will enjoy this. I promise,” the knight whispered against her skin. But suddenly, he heard a noise rustling in the bushes not far away.

With a curse he jumped away and scrambled for the sword he had laid aside. His hand groped as roughly for the sword as he had over her body. Listening for the source of the noise, the knight stood poised for battle. Hearing naught else, he reached over and covered Gillian with her chemise. Gillian sobbed openly. The gag was still muffling her distress.

The knight did not see Alyssa as he stepped forward into the darkness. Two purposeful strides had placed the large knight’s foot directly over Alyssa’s hand, and as he stepped forward, he inadvertently ground her small fingers into the soil. He realized immediately his carelessness at wanting to return to Gillian’s side to again attempt to ease the lust from his body.

“
God’s Blood,” the man cursed as Alyssa’s scream of pain stabbed through the still night. It was soon followed by another loud scream and then another.

Sylvan paced menacingly back and forth as if the devil himself was on his trail. Gillian watched him tug at his chauses, trying to will what lay beneath it into compliance. Now with the fear of villagers observing any amorous advances, the guard was denied any relief from his carnal urges. He was forced to leave both women alone.

Shifting from side to side, the knight stared intently at Gillian. He was entranced by the moonlight as it bathed her hair and skin.

Gillian watched the man wring his hands in extreme frustration. She knew there was a good chance he would forget about Alyssa and the nearby villagers as an audience and pounce upon her once again.

Shortly the crackling and snapping of bushes, this time just at the edge of the clearing drew Gillian’s attention. She breathed a sigh of relief when the giant stepped from the trees and declared their path was clear.

The full moon provided perfect traveling conditions. Light, bright enough to cast shadows, enabled the horses to safely walk through the underbrush. As the four riders climbed a small hill, in the distance, Fairhaven loomed into the star-studded sky.

Gillian loved Fairhaven. It had long been her home, and she had formed many happy memories within its walls. But now, seeing it’s outline cast against the night sky caused a shudder to slink down her spine. She had no means of escape with her hands and feet bound so tightly. No doubt a fall to the ground from her palfrey would only injure her. She had clearly suffered enough pain to avoid that at all costs. Silently, she prayed someone looking to avenge her and Alyssa’s abduction would rescue them.

The lowered grate of the portcullis blocked entrance to the castle. The custom was that most travelers would wait until daylight to approach a manor such as Fairhaven,. But Gillian knew their arrival was expected, and it came as no surprise when she discovered that the side gate was open.

After dismounting, the knights lifted their lightweight captives to the ground. Several pages rushed to attend the horses and the knights lead the ladies into the manor.

While in the privacy of the building, Gillian squirmed as the familiar hand once again drifted over her shoulders and back. She wrenched her shoulders away but when the knight grabbed the rope, it dug deep into her tender skin. A gasp worked its way from her throat, but even it failed.

The frustrated soldier yanked Gillian by her rope up the steps into the great hall. The gags were removed from the women’s mouths and the ropes tying their arms to their waists were removed. Only their hands remained tied.

Gillian glanced around but saw only unfamiliar faces. What had happened to her staff of servants? A cry of dismay was lost in the cloth.

As they rounded a corner, a familiar face did present itself. “Good evening to you Nate,” Katherine purred as she rubbed against the knight’s armored chest. But while her hand traced a line up his chest and neck, Katherine’s gaze, never left Gillian’s.

Nate wrapped Katherine into a tight embrace. His lust was nearly bursting, and he needed someone to ease the stiffness. His mouth captured hers in a hungry kiss.

As though handling a pesky toddler, Katherine pushed her lover away and promised more with a wink and a peck on his cheek. He responded mindlessly to the overture by jerking her slightly closer.

“
I want you to take this whore to the dungeon and whip her.” Katherine commanded. Sylvan’s body solidified as if he were made of stone. “When you’re finished, come back to me. I have been hungry for your return.” She looked at Nate with seductive allure.

“
Nay Katherine,” the man said firmly. “I will not harm the woman. I have given my word of honor that she shall not be harmed at my hand.”

“
Why do you think she was brought here to me? She has grievously injured me, and I intend to exact the punishment, pound for pound,” Katherine hissed. “Now do as I say before I am angered by you.”

“
I gave my word,” he repeated. His voice carried an obvious concern, but his face told even more.

But Katherine obviously did not share the same concern. Her temper rose and cheeks colored as she demanded satisfaction. “I care naught for your word, whether it be honorable or not. Do as I ask.”

But the knight’s code of honor was not easily dismissed. “I have told you I will not. If you wish it done find someone else, or do it yourself.”

“
I shall do that very thing. I want them brought to the dungeon now!” Katherine croaked loudly. Her voice came out harshly with a crackling waver to her tone.

The knight’s grim mouth displayed his disapproval, but Katherine was determined to have her way, on this matter at least. A servant grudgingly led Gillian and Alyssa down the steps to the underground cells once used for detaining and holding prisoners collected after battles.

The cavern smelled of mold and mildew. The dank, dark odor almost gagged the sensitive noses of the high, born women. Without prisoners soiling the cages, the room smelled only of unchecked moisture. But Gillian and Alyssa were still forced to cover their nose with the cloth that had once been stuffed into their mouths to shield it from the unpleasant odors.

The servant opened one cell door and pushed Alyssa inside. Her exhausted legs gave way under her like a wave cresting on the beach. She cowered in the corner hoping that if she didn’t see the man approach her it wouldn’t be happening. His hands took advantage of her impaired state. Alyssa gasped with horror as the man explored her curves.

“
Piers!” Nate barked. “Leave off! She has a difficult task in front of her. You do not need to add to her burden.”

“
Leave him alone,” Katherine scolded from behind. “I care not what he does to the stupid chit.”

“
You might care if you must battle her kin when they find she has been ravished.” Nate argued.

“
I shall not have to battle kin, my darling,” Katherine whispered into his ear.

“
No, but I shall, and I care naught for defending against that which should not be. Take care not to create a problem where none need be, madam.” Nate was firm in his request.

Piers finally pinned Alyssa to the hard-packed earthen floor as he wrenched the bonds holding her hands and feet.

“
I shall do as I please,” Katherine snapped. But only a moment later she changed her expression and turned to Piers and said, “Leave her, Piers. It is not my wish to give back damaged goods to the Thornburghs.” Katherine looked to Nate and smiled her affection. Then she looked over at Gillian and a new and different measure of satisfaction formed on her face.

“
Hold this one while I teach her a lesson she shall not soon forget,” Katherine demanded. Her color flushed red hot at the prospect of physically injuring the woman who had caused her so many problems.

Looking at Gillian, she said, “You may not know, but you have caused me a great deal of dissatisfaction as of late. Sir Oliver has discarded me because of you. And believe me, you shall suffer much more than me for that decision.” Katherine then waved Nate over to Gillian..

The giant held Gillian by the rope still digging into her bloody neck. Katherine took a willow branch she had brought with her and raised it above her head. Her hand fell down hard with the stick.

Exhaustion and fear prevented any of the control Gillian fought to maintain. Her gag was no longer there to muffle her cries. But it did not matter. The dungeon was too far removed for anyone to hear her screams of anguish. Katherine’s face distorted with perverse pleasure as the second stroke dug into the woman’s back. Finally, a third, then a fourth struck. Nate’s hand intercepted the next.

“
She has had enough, Lady Katherine,” Nate growled. “Look for yourself.”

Gillian shook uncontrollably from the pain and her cries had dwindled to weak muffled whimpers. The giant released her and she collapsed in her cell.

“
Perhaps you’re right,” the lady said. “I should not like to deprive myself of the pleasure I will get from watching her suffer. Thank you Nate.” She spun and made her way to the entrance. “Leave them here with water and a chamber pot. Nothing else!” Her skirts swirled making a whooshing sound as she swept out up the stairs.

It was early morn when Luke’s contingent of men approached the tent encampment of Oliver Blakeley outside Longmore. According to the messenger who had bypassed the group just two nights past, no one had moved. And as Luke was anxious to be on the trail to retrieve two captive family members, he was glad for his good fortune.

It seemed strange that Oliver would remain ensconced at the castle if he had committed the abduction. Regardless, Luke had every intention of extracting the whereabouts about Gillian and Alyssa as soon as possible.

The rumbling hooves of warhorses through the makeshift tent village sent some of its warrior inhabitants scrambling for their fill scabbards. During the past few docile days sitting at the exterior gate, the men had become lax in their vigilance. Now face to face with danger, everyone seemed unprepared to meet the challenge.

The body of men formed a circle around the small encampment while Luke rode boldly to the center, stopping outside Oliver’s tent. Every man, to the last, sat tall with his broadsword drawn and at the ready. Surprised at the commotion so early in the morn, Oliver separated the tent flaps and stood boldly in front of the armed intruder.

Oliver greeted with reserved pleasure. “Good day, sir. What goes on inside Longmore? I have been awaiting word from my niece and have received nary a missive of any sort from within.”

Unable to hide his outrage, Luke slid from Storm’s back and took a menacing step ahead. He stood but three feet from the man who had ended his father’s life and stolen two ladies near to his heart. At the moment Luke longed to wring the life from this hateful man.

“
What manner of question do you pose sir? Of course you must know of the evil events just two nights past. Lady Gillian and my sister Alyssa have been carried away from within these very walls.” Luke spoke more evenly than he had expected he could manage. As he spoke and waited for a response, he watched Oliver’s eyebrows, lips, and cheeks, for any sign of betrayal.

Oliver finally spoke, his forehead already beginning to dampen. “I know naught sir. I have sent word to my niece upon my arrival to Longmore and still await admittance. Oliver’s color now blanched to white and his mouth formed a thin tight line.

“
I would search your tents to see if you, in fact, do tell the truth.” Luke said. And as he spoke he took one more step forward.

“
Nay! The man exclaimed. “It shall not be. You must first tell me what mischief has befallen those of the castle.”

After relaying the story of the abduction, Oliver allowed Luke to conduct a search for Gillian. But Luke was no longer able to remain away from his father any longer. He mounted his steed and rode the short distance to the castle.