“Ruth, you can’t tell anyone. Promise me.”
Her friend smiled. “I will tell no one.”
“Thank you for understanding.”
“There is someone who will know without you telling them.”
Eleanor’s eyes widened. “Who?”
“Martha. She has known you since your mother’s death. She will recognize changes in you and your behavior, if she doesn’t suspect right now.”
“You’re right. I will tell her, and then no one else.”
“The woman raised you like her own daughter. I think she would feel slighted if you didn’t tell her.”
“I know. I will tell her as soon as I leave here.”
The two women chatted more about Eleanor’s pregnancy and what to expect in the next few months. After two more cups of tea, Eleanor left her friend and headed back to the castle. All the way she repeated, “I’m going to have a baby.” She mentally repeated it over, settling it in her mind. The first thing she did was seek out Martha.
When she found her, she pulled her to a quiet corner in the great hall and relayed the news.
“This is wonderful!” Martha said excitedly and held her in a tight hug.
Eleanor shushed her. “Martha, no one is to know about this until Dominick does.”
“Oh my dear heart, I understand. It’s only right he be the first to know. Well, in this case fourth.”
Eleanor placed her forefinger in front of her lips. “You can’t even tell Zenon. Not yet.”
“Of course I wouldn’t tell Zenon. He is a bigger gossip than most old women in the village.”
Eleanor laughed. “Very true. I have never known Zenon to keep a secret.”
Martha took Eleanor’s hands. “Oh, my lady, this is such happy news. For years I had despaired of ever hearing good news at Godwin Castle.” Tears welled in her eyes. She gave Eleanor’s cheeks a gentle pinch. “Here now my baby is all grown up and having a baby of her own. It’s a miracle.”
Eleanor’s own eyes pooled with tears, for she’d never expected such happiness in her life.
With her apron, Martha brushed them away. “You know what this calls for?” Martha gave her a conspirator’s wink. “My famous blackberry pie.”
“Mmmm, that sounds lovely.”
“Unfortunately we don’t have any blackberries as yet, but I know were to find them and they should be ripe by now. I was hedging on whether to pick some today or tomorrow, but now the decision has been made. I have to get them. We must have a pie to celebrate.
“Yes, but quietly,” Eleanor implored.
“Quietly, yes, oh most definitely.”
“I think I would like to go with you to pick the berries. Until this settles in my mind, I need to keep busy.”
“Are you feeling well enough to go?”
“Martha, I’m fine, please, don’t start worrying now.”
“It has been my job to worry about you for the last ten years. I’m not about to stop now.”
Eleanor hugged her. “I love you, Martha.”
In answer, Martha gave her a tight squeeze and kissed her on the cheek.
Eleanor broke their silent moment. “Why don’t you go get the baskets and I will tell Randolf where we’re headed. Meet me here.”
“I will be back shortly.”
Eleanor went in search of Randolf. Dominick had left his brother behind, to protect the castle should McPhearson try to cause trouble in his absence. She found him in the stables grooming his great black horse. The animal nickered as she approached.
Her brother-in-law looked up. “Eleanor, what a pleasant surprise. What brings you here?”
“I came to tell you that Martha and I are going berry picking.”
“Where exactly would that be?”
“Honestly, Randolf, you are taking your responsibility far too seriously.” She smiled, but he waited for her answer. Exasperated she said, "we are going into the forest on the east side of the castle”
Randolf continued to brush Zeus’ front leg. “You said just you and Martha?”
“Yes.”
“Well then, I will have four guards go with you. They will meet you in the bailey when you’re ready.”
“Four guards!” she exclaimed. “Isn’t that a bit much for berry picking?”
Randolf continued to brush his horse. “It will be four guards, or you will not go at all.”
This struck a cord of indignation in her. “Randolf, please don’t talk to me like I’m a child.”
He gave her his most winning smile. “No, you’re not a child, you’re my brother’s wife, a jewel in his heart, and he has left me here to protect you. And protect you I will.” His smile grew wider. “Besides, how could I let such a beauty roam around in the forest unguarded? It would be unchivalrous.”
Completely disarmed by his charm, she said, “Have you ever considered being one of the King's diplomats? You would be very successful at it.”
“And leave such beauty, even if it does belong to my brother?”
Smiling brightly, she turned to walk away. “You’re hopeless,” she said over her shoulder. “I will meet your guards in the bailey.”
He loved his brother. She'd felt the depth of that love when they thought they'd lost Dominick in the fire. And for that she owed Randolf her respect.
He will make a wonderful uncle. He was still grooming his horse when she looked back. She thought she saw a smile cross his lips. Unnerved slightly, she put away the silly notion that he could read her mind.
Chapter Twenty-Nine
Eleanor and Martha rode with two of the guards while the other two kept a close eye out for McPhearson’s men. The two women were lowered near bushes heavy with wild black berries.
Her basket grew heavier with each handful she picked. In a short time Eleanor’s basket was full and the bush picked nearly bare. These would make a fine pie. If only Dominick were here to taste it. She was very anxious to tell him about her news. Waiting would tax her patience, but she would have to learn to keep her secret.
She reached down to inspect lower branches for more berries when an eerie cold swept over her. Her skin prickled with the chill.
Suddenly her mother’s face appeared. “Eleanor run!” the ghostly figure commanded.
Eleanor’s heart leapt into her throat. The basket of berries fell to the ground, scattering among the leaves.
“Run!” The apparition shouted in her head.
Her heart pounded against her ribs shortening her breath.
“What is the matter, my lady? Did you manage to find sna...”
The arrow whistled by her head and into the guard’s chest. His face turned deathly pale and his eyes widened in surprise. He wheezed his final breath before falling off his horse.
The rattling of metal as the other three guards unsheathed their swords rang like an alarm bell. More arrows whistled by her then hollow thumps as they hit their targets with deadly accuracy. All four solders fell simultaneously.
Finally, Eleanor found her voice. “Marthaaaa! Martha run!”
To her dismay, Martha ran toward her .She watched in horror as an arrow pierced through her beloved servant’s body, dropping her like a stone. “No!”
Hooves drummed on the ground as they drew closer. She saw two men swing out of their hiding place in the trees. Eleanor wanted to run to Martha, but her mother's voice again screamed, “Run!”
Eleanor’s survival instincts took over, and she began running as though the very devil pursued her. Her legs were no match for the horse and rider that pursued her. Soon she was swept up in her assailant’s arm and pulled up in front of him. She fought him with all her strength. The rider effortlessly squeezed her midsection tight enough to cut off her air. She gave up the fight when she thought she would soon black out.
His large body leaned forward, pressing down on hers, setting the horse to a greater speed as it rode through the forest. Two riders pulled up alongside.
McPhearson!
Panic gripp
ed her heart.
Once inside Robert McPhearson’s fortress there would be no escape. The horror of her near rape came flooding back. This time he would have to kill her before she would let him touch her again. Then she thought of the babe that grew in her womb. A new resolve came over her. No matter what, she had to survive. She had to protect her unborn child.
Closing her eyes she saw the image of her mother’s face. Silently, she prayed. Send him to me, Mother. Please let him know where I am.
Dominick and his men had finally found the last of the bandits plaguing the neighboring villagers and farms. Erik and his animals helped root them out of their lair and track them down. It had taken longer than he thought. Dominick experienced homesickness for the first time since his childhood. During his tracking and apprehending of the thieves, Eleanor was never far from his thoughts.
He reined in at a slow-moving stream to refresh himself and his horse.
“I can only imagine what you’re thinking about with that smile on your face,” Erik said as he rode up beside him.
“And you would probably be right,” Dominick dismounted his horse. I haven’t been homesick since my childhood, but now Godwin calls me home. I am glad we are done here. I’m anxious to get back to my wife.” He thought of the two of them standing on the cliffs and watched the waves crash against the shore like mighty giants claiming their victory.
“I’m happy for you, my friend.”
“One day I hope to be celebrating your wedding,” Dominick said as he stroked Zeus’ neck.
“That will never happen.” Erik sounded grim.
Dominick watched sadness shadow Erik’s face before he had time to cover it in a mask of indifference.
“You could not possibly know what Fate has planned for you.”
You’re forgetting about my affliction.”
“You don’t have an affliction.”
“I don’t see it as a gift. A curse more like. It terrifies most folks.”
“Terror to those who are ignorant. Terror to those you can hunt down and bring to justice.” Dominick looked over at his friend. “I have seen women in the King’s palace fight for your affection. I’m sure any one of them would be happy to be your wife.”
“It’s my purse they seek, not me. Seeing me connect with Celeste or my horse, Phantom here, they would faint dead away, for the devil they married.”
“This is in your own mind. As soon as you realize that your abilities are not a gift from the Devil, you can make peace with yourself.”
“Tell this to my father. Alexander is a man with a strong will and even stronger religious convictions. He believes I’m possessed by the devil.”
Abandoned by his father at a young and impressionable age, Erik had been left in the care of an aunt who nurtured him as best she could. Dominick knew Erik never reconciled the rejection. In turn he kept most people at a distance.
Erik had made no judgments about the circumstances of Dominick and Randolf’s births. Dominick considered them outcasts. And the three men bonded and became inseparable friends.
“I haven’t thanked you, Erik for staying at Godwin as long as you have. I’m sure you miss Alastair,”
“There is nothing at Alastair that my aunt can’t take care of. And I will be leaving soon enough. Isabella sent a message that she has an important matter of great importance to her.
“I hope it’s not serious.”
“Serious enough, I’m afraid. I think she wants me to arrange a marriage between herself and Ian.
“Ian? Do you think that’s wise?
“I’ve known Ian all my life. He is like a brother to me, but you and I know his reputation. I’m afraid my sister may suffer a broken heart.”
“Does Ian wish for this marriage?”
“I believe he does. The last time I was home, he looked at her differently, not like when she was younger.
“Isabella has grown up to be quite beautiful, or have you not noticed?”
“Unfortunately, I have, and that is what worries me,” Erik said.
“Ian is one of your closest friends. He wouldn’t do anything to dishonor your sister.”
“I suppose you’re right. I guess I’m being far too protective of her.”
Dominick smiled. “I’m sure you are.” As he bent down and took a drink from the stream, a chill ran down his spine, prickling his skin like a cold breath of air. As if he’d been shot from a catapult. He stood. His hackles rose. Squinting, he searched the forest for her.
Erik read Dominick’s actions and pulled his sword in readiness. “What is it?”
Dominick held up his hand to silence him. The ghostly voice whispered to him through the rustling of the leaves. Isolde. Finally, the apparition appeared across the stream. She has been taken.
Fear cut into his chest like a knife. Isolde floated to him and placed her hand on his over his heart. The cold brought him to his knees.
In the distance he heard Erik call out to him, but he couldn’t respond, captured in Isolde’s world.
His spirit traveled over the trees, over meadows and cottages. He looked down as the earth raced beneath him. Finally, he saw three men on horseback. The middle rider held Eleanor. She’d been taken captive, and they were racing north to Aurora Castle.
You must save her and your unborn child.
His spirit raced back to the stream.
Erik pulled on his arm, helping him up. “Dominick, what is it?” his friend asked in alarm.
He had difficulty breathing. “Eleanor, she has been taken.”
He mounted his horse without another word as Erik shouted to his men. Then he too mounted and followed Dominick at breakneck speed.
They were at least two days from Godwin. The distance tormented him. He only hoped Randolf would realize Eleanor had been abducted and go after her himself. Suddenly, he changed his direction and headed north. Knowing the soldier Randolf was he knew Randolf would go after her. Dominick and his men would meet him there.
He no longer felt the presence of Isolde and prayed that she had gone back to watch over her daughter and keep her safe.
Murderous rage and fear consumed him. Aries’ hooves pounding the ground drummed in his ears. Isolde’s haunting words echoed in his head. Then her final words solidified his fear. Unborn child. A darkness fell over him like he had never felt before. With each beat of his heart, he vowed that McPhearson would die.
They rode hard for hours. Eleanor’s head ached from the constant movement. Muscles cramped in her legs and back from being bent over a horse. The sky was growing crimson with the oncoming night. Deeper into the woods she saw a campfire. Eleanor was relieved they weren’t going to ride through the night, Randolf would catch up.
Eleanor became disheartened when she saw twenty or more men sitting around campfires. They rose as the riders entered the camp. The men were not the scruffy vagabonds she expected. They looked like soldiers.
All twenty were large and imposing. Eleanor realized there wouldn’t be a chance to escape with so many men around her. Dressed in clothes the same colors as the forest, each carried a broadsword and a dagger in his belt.
The man holding her dismounted with her in tow. Even when they were on the ground, her kidnapper didn’t release her. With his arm around her waist, her body was pressed against his. She tried to struggle, but his rough hand came up, encircling her throat, applying instructional pressure.
“You will not give us any trouble, understand?”
Eleanor felt discouraged when she had to concede. “Good, because it would be a waste to have to break such a beautiful neck.”
Quickly, she turned around. Her captor stood like a stone wall. Though not as tall as Dominick, his size was foreboding. Muscles balled in his thick arms, and his chest looked as hard as any breastplate.
Looking up into his face she saw eyes the color of a stormy gray sea. His golden shoulder length hair was tied at the nap of his neck.
He was not what she expected. She expected her kid
napper to be as loathsome as Robert McPhearson himself.
“Who are you?” She could barely keep the tremor of fear from her voice.
The man made a courtly bow. “I’m Liam McPhearson, my lady. Brother to the dreaded Robert McPhearson, I’m sorry to say. And I’m at your service.”
Eleanor’s heart lurched as he stepped forward. Involuntarily she took a step back. She looked around her. They were surrounded by forest, and the night was too dark to escape.
“You don’t strike me as an addle-brained chit, but I will humor you.” Hands behind his back, he paced in front of her like a teacher in front of his student. “The King continues to push the borders of our land. We intend to push them back. And in doing so we are going to take Godwin.” Eleanor’s mouth opened to ask another question, but Liam stopped her. “How, you ask? By holding you hostage until Dominick the Immortal forfeits Godwin and all its lands to us.”
Anger fed her courage, and she crossed her arms over her chest. “You don’t really want a war with my husband.”
Her heart beat rapidly but she refused to let him see her fear. “I don’t expect a war with your husband as long as we hold you.”
Acting braver than she felt, she said, “Dominick will never give up Godwin, and he will never let you keep me.
“You give your husband too much credit.”
“And I say you don’t give him enough. He will find a way to get me back and then there will be nothing left of your precious Aurora.
“Believe what you may, my lady.” He reached out to stroke her cheek. “But all men have a weakness and I think you just may be the Immortal’s.”
Eleanor jerked her head away as her anger flared. “Your ignorance will cost you your life.”
Liam’s mouth pulled into a grin. He leaned slightly forward. “Let’s just hope your life doesn’t come between us.” He moved off toward the campfire.
Eleanor was struck with the reality of Liam’s words. With all her heart she’d hoped her mother had in some way warned Dominick and sent him to her.
She sat with her back against a nearby tree, and looked around for any possibility of escape. But every time she looked up, someone was watching her.
Immortal Love Page 22
