“Lady Mortimer,” he drawled.
He knew her name.
Oh, mercy, who was he?
She gripped the table with a shaking hand, barely able to stay upright. Darkness beckoned, but she would not faint.
Now he was approaching the screen.
Drawing on the last of her strength, she met the gaze of the intruder as he came into view. “Who…?” she managed to say, but her vision blurred.
Then there was only blackness.
***
Addy’s eyes fluttered closed. Worry lanced through Garrett, for she was perilously close to the table and would hit her head when she fell.
As her body went limp, he lunged forward to slide his arm around her waist. She slumped against him, her head settling under his bearded chin. The perfumed scent of her tresses filled his nostrils, and longing for her, chased by guilt, rippled through him.
He ignored the unwelcome emotions, slid one arm under her knees, and picked her up. Her cheek now rested against his shoulder. Yards and yards of her gown draped toward the floor, and when he glanced straight down, his gaze fell upon the shadow of her cleavage and the lush swell of her breasts accentuated by the gold embroidery trailing down the bodice.
He didn’t know much about women’s gowns, but one thing he did know: the lavish dress fitted Addy with perfection. The color brought out the creaminess of her skin and made her rosy lips look even more sumptuous. Jealousy flared, for in a few days, she’d belong to Ransford—not because his lordship loved her, but simply because he wanted her.
How Garrett wished that he’d made her his long ago. That hadn’t been possible, though, and dwelling on regret now was a mistake.
He strode for the back door, threw the lock, and pushed the panel open with his shoulder. He stepped around the unconscious guard sprawled on the muck-covered ground. Corwin, clad once again in his own garments, was waiting with the mounts.
“All went as planned?” the boy asked, seated astride the large pony Garrett had bought him months ago.
“It did. And you?”
“I threw the contents of the guard’s purse into a street.” Corwin laughed. “He and his colleague were too busy retrieving coins to pursue me.”
The guards wouldn’t be distracted for long. Garrett maneuvered Addy up onto his destrier and then rose behind her. He pulled her into his arms and used the woolen blanket the lad gave him to shield her head and upper body, so she wouldn’t be recognized on their ride out of the town.
Urgent shouts carried from the market square.
Garrett swiftly turned his horse and, with Corwin following, raced down the alley.
Chapter Four
Addy woke slowly, her body reluctant to rouse. Her head felt thick, muzzy, as though ’twere tightly packed with down. Her eyes still shut, she sighed against the pillow under her cheek, and as her senses gradually sharpened, alarm tingled through her, for she didn’t recognize the smell of the linens on which she lay, or the mustiness lingering in the air.
She opened her eyes to grayed shadows slanted with sunlight. Blinking several times to focus her gaze, she pushed up to sitting, and the blanket covering her fell to her waist. She was still wearing her bridal gown, but this was most certainly not the tailor’s premises, or any other place she knew.
Her heart hammered as memories of the bearded man crowded into her thoughts. She couldn’t recall what had happened after he’d approached the screen, and her anxiety swiftly grew to panic.
Where was she? How had she come to be here, and why had she been brought to this place? She worried for Gwen and Herta and hoped they were all right.
Desperate to find some answers, she glanced about the chamber. The square-shaped room, judging by the arrow slits in the walls, was at the top of a castle tower. ’Twas sparsely furnished and had only one door.
Was the door locked? That would tell her if she was a guest or a hostage.
She rose and crossed the room. As she neared the stout wooden door banded with iron, she heard someone approaching on the other side. Overwhelmed by nerves, she hurried back to the bed. Her legs gave out, and she abruptly sat.
A key rasped in the door lock. So she’d been locked in. Anger flickered within her, for she had no wish to be anyone’s captive. Folding her hands on her lap, pressing her shoulders back, she gathered her courage to face whoever was about to enter.
The man from the tailor’s shop strode in. He looked even taller and wider through the shoulders than she remembered. Once again, she felt that gnawing sense that he was familiar to her. When had she met him before today? Had she really met him before, or was her mind playing tricks on her?
His gaze met hers, and then he shut the panel behind him.
She glared at him.
The corner of his mouth ticked up. “At last, you are awake.”
“At last?” Only a short while ago she’d been in the shop.
He gestured to the light coming in through the arrow slits. “’Tis late afternoon.”
She clasped her hands tighter. How appalling that she’d slept so long, especially when she had no idea how Gwen and Herta were faring.
“My friends. Are they—?”
“Both are well.”
The assurance had come from him too easily; he’d obviously rehearsed his answer to the question he knew she’d ask. “How can I be certain? How do I know you have told me the truth?”
He stroked his beard as though mulling her words. “Regrettably, I have no way of proving to you that they are all right. I was assured, though, that no one would be harmed by the potion in the wine.”
“Assured by whom?”
He shrugged, but didn’t answer.
“Did you taint the drink?”
He almost appeared insulted. “I did not.”
“Who, then?”
“I cannot say.”
Addy’s anger flared. “You cannot say because you do not know? Or you cannot say because you refuse to tell me?”
Judging by the hardening of his expression, he didn’t like being challenged. “The potion was the best way to get you out of St. Agnes without attracting attention.”
She huffed, the sound rife with indignation.
“If I had thought you would come willingly, milady—”
“Go with a man I do not know? Never.”
“As I thought.”
Fear crawled through her, for this criminal had not acted alone. Even more disconcerting, he spoke like a cultured nobleman, not a commoner. Was he one of her sire’s peers? Mayhap she’d met and spoken to him at a feast. She must find out as much as she could from him, so that once she was freed, all of those involved would be caught and punished. “For what reason did you abduct me? What do you want?”
Silence stretched as his gaze wandered down the front of her bodice to her folded hands. ’Twas a very deliberate stare; almost possessive. Goose bumps skittered over her skin, for only one man had ever gazed upon her that way before. Years ago, she’d been thrilled to know Garrett had desired her so passionately. This man, however, was being far too bold. If he thought she’d ever be his, in any way, he was dead wrong.
She crossed her arms, curtailing his ogling. His lips twitched, as though he fought not to grin, before his gaze slid back up to meet hers.
Misgiving churned inside her, but she must keep him talking; he hadn’t answered her questions.
“What reason did you have for kidnapping me?” she said again. “What—?”
“I did what was necessary.”
“Necessary?”
He nodded once, as though his answer was complete and final.
“Necessary in what way?” she pressed. “And for whom? You? The man or men who hired you?”
He shook his head, his dark locks gleaming in the sunlight. “’Tis all I will tell you for now.”
Annoyance sparked, for he was toying with her, feeding her only the tiniest morsels of information. She wouldn’t give up, though; she’d wait and ask the same questions another time,
until she found out what she wanted to know. “So be it,” she said. “Yet, if I am your captive, I at least should know what to call you.” Besides ‘arrogant bastard.’
His brows rose.
“You must have a given name.”
Warning touched his gaze, and a heady tingle coursed through her. Was he afraid she’d figure out who he was?
The silence lagged.
“Well?” she insisted.
His eyes narrowed, and then, of all things, he chuckled: a genuine, admiring laugh that sent shivers dancing over her skin.
Her face warmed. “You find this situation amusing?”
“Nay, milady, I find you amusing.”
Mother Mary!
“You are in great peril, but you do not caution your tongue.”
She refused to cower, despite the awful quivering of her stomach. “I only ask what is fair. You know my name. Therefore, I have a right to know yours.”
“Do you?”
Mayhap this fool would respond to threats rather than questions. Forcing a cold smile, she said, “Did you know I am to be wed days from now, to one of the most powerful, renowned men in all of England? Once my betrothed realizes I am missing, he will be searching for me. So will my father.”
Her captor’s expression had shadowed with wariness.
“My betrothed will not rest until he finds the man who dared to jeopardize the wellbeing of his lady.”
Her abductor almost seemed to be holding back a smile, but she hadn’t spoken in jest. He was a damned idiot if he didn’t heed her warning. “You would be wise to release me.”
“You will remain here.”
“If you release me—”
“I will not.” His tone warned there was no point trying to change his mind.
Impatience and anger prompted her to rise to her feet. Head held high, she stood in a stream of sunshine swirling with dust motes. “I have warned you. You might think you have bested my betrothed and my father in whatever plot you have contrived, but they will find me and free me. You will lose all.”
“We shall see.”
“Indeed we will.”
Their gazes clashed. As she stared into his brown eyes, she sensed there was so much more to this man than he would ever let her understand. And yet, God help her, she’d swear she’d seen such expressive eyes before….
He moved toward her, his leather boots creaking in the quiet of the chamber.
She longed to step back, but there was nowhere to go; the bed was right behind her.
Do not show weakness, her conscience screamed. Show him you will not be defeated.
He closed in on her. Her palms dampened with sweat, and she curled her fingers into fists.
An earthy, outdoorsy scent surrounded him: a blend of verdant forests, sun-drenched stone, and windswept fields. To her shame, she liked the scent. It reminded her, oddly, of the seashore long ago.
His hand rose to tuck a loose strand of hair behind her ear. Her eyelids fluttered on an unexpected swell of longing and confusion. A battle warred within her: a sense that she knew his touch. The only man who’d ever touched her, though, was Garrett, and he’d died while fighting for the king.
She tilted her head, trying to dislodge her captor’s fingers, but his hand moved to her nape and held her firm.
“Stop,” she whispered. She hated feeling trapped. Hated that her life, for now, belonged to this man.
His smoldering stare bored into her. “Am I hurting you?”
“Nay, I….”
“What?” he coaxed, a huskiness in his voice. “Tell me.”
Addy swallowed hard. What should she say? She didn’t dare tell him that for some strange reason, he reminded her of her true love.
***
God’s blood, she was exquisite. Sunlight gilded her in gold and gave her hair the shimmer of silk, her eyes the gleam of precious gems.
Never had he expected his feelings for her to still be so strong, but the defiance and iron resolve she’d displayed while they’d talked had stirred his admiration, along with bittersweet recollections of long ago.
His heart ached for the love they’d once shared. He had loved her. He’d known many women, but his feelings for them had never come close to the way he’d felt for her.
She trembled in his hold, and his jaw tightened as self-loathing washed through him. How vile that he was bound by his loyalty to Ransford to harm her. Hurting her was the last thing he wanted to do. Hell, he still had a sense of honor, no matter how tainted his soul might be.
A better man would have released his grip on her by now. But, he couldn’t bring himself to do so. ’Twas a simple matter, to uncurl his fingers from her tresses and let his arm fall back to his side, but he didn’t want to stop touching the softness of her hair, or being close enough to catch her enticing fragrance.
A breath shivered from her, a sound that reminded him of the sighs she’d made when they’d kissed. He tried to resist, but his gaze dropped to her mouth, her full lips slightly parted. Even now he remembered the glorious taste of her. Kissing her had made his soul come alive with pleasure, made him feel as if, for once, he belonged. ’Twould be very easy to lean in and claim her mouth in a kiss once more….
Her posture stiffened. She’d clearly fight him off if he attempted a kiss.
Admiration for her stirred again, along with a renewed surge of self-condemnation. He had no right to think of kissing her. In no way was he worthy of one so lovely, so unsullied—when he’d been corrupted and forced to become a man at a far younger age than most.
As he’d told Ransford, with her, he was wisest to hide behind the armor of anonymity.
“Why did you…gaze upon me like that?” she asked, her voice unsteady.
His teeth ground together as he pulled his hand from her hair. “Like what?” Anger at his weakness for her roughened his tone.
“Your stare was very…familiar.”
He laughed, forcing menace into the sound. If the threat was convincing, he could frighten her as Ransford had ordered—and she’d be too unnerved to pursue her questions.
“You stared at my lips. Why?”
Unsettle her. Distract her. Keep her from figuring out the truth. “Mayhap I was pondering other ways to make you use that pretty mouth,” he growled, “and not for talking.”
Fury flashed in her eyes. Her face reddened. “You had best not be referring to kissing, or…or something lewd.”
“If I was?”
She glowered, while quivering like a tiny wren facing a windstorm. “You will never make me—”
“Never?” he taunted.
Her lips pressed together. At last, she was going to cease her questions.
“Have you and I ever met before?”
Ah, hellfire. He hadn’t managed to stop her at all.
I am the man who loved you, a little voice inside him answered. The one who wishes he’d never let you go. Forcing down the words, he remained silent, his gaze locked with hers.
“Aye or nay,” she said firmly.
A chivalrous man would tell her the truth. Yet, he could also reply in a manner that wasn’t a lie. “I do not owe you answers.”
Triumph glinted in her eyes. “So we have met before, then.”
He scowled. “I did not say that.”
“If we had never met before, you would have said ‘nay.’”
An urgent cry for caution whipped up inside him. He didn’t want her knowing who he really was; didn’t want to battle the deep shame he’d experience when shock and recognition etched her features.
Stepping away, he turned his back on her and strode for the door.
“Who are you? Tell me!”
Without answering, he quit the chamber and locked the door behind him.
***
Addy sank down onto the bed. Frustration burned within her, but she forced herself to calm. She would achieve naught by staying flustered.
She must try to remember where she’d met her captor before. He clear
ly wasn’t eager for her to recall, though, which made the mystery even more perplexing.
Did he not want her to know because, despite his privileged upbringing, he’d chosen a less-than-respectable profession? He could be a mercenary, a trained warrior who’d once fought for his king, but whose services now could be bought by whoever offered him the most coin.
If he was a mercenary, she was likely being held for ransom…or to settle a grievance against her father. After his rash outbursts condemning the king, her sire did have enemies.
Tears pricked her eyes. Oh, Father, how I wish you hadn’t been so foolish.
Whatever plan had been initiated, however, would not succeed if she escaped. That must be her priority, for she would never allow herself to be used against her sire.
Addy hurried to the door and put her ear to the rough-textured panel. The diminishing tap of footfalls told her that her captor was descending stone stairs that led to and from the chamber. She waited, listening for any other sounds that would indicate guards were posted outside the door, but heard naught but silence.
That meant no one would stop her if she picked the lock.
She hurried about the chamber, searching for an object she could use. Her captor—damn him—had left her very little. A hairpin would have worked perfectly, but she hadn’t worn any in her braid. Her gown whipped at her ankles as she ran to the bed and lifted the straw mattress, hoping to find a loose nail in the wooden frame, but there were none.
After muttering an unladylike curse—one she’d learned from Garrett—she walked around the chamber again. She was not going to admit defeat. If she couldn’t pick the lock, then she must consider other options.
Her gaze shifted to the earthenware jug and washbowl sitting on the table flanked by two high-backed chairs. Smiling, Addy picked up the jug, for her captor would come into the chamber again. If she hid behind the door, she could surprise him.
She’d have to get close to him—perilously close—but a swift blow to the head with the jug would render him senseless.
Addy poured the water into the washbowl, while fighting an intense pang of dread. She’d never hit anyone before. Well-bred ladies did not do such things, and the thought of causing physical harm to another person made her feel distinctly nauseous.
Love Conquers All: Historical Romance Boxed Set Page 4
