He stopped before her. “See to your comfort behind those rocks yonder, and remember, if you do not return in a short time, I will send one of my men to fetch you.”
She grabbed Ella’s arm and they slipped behind the rocks he had pointed toward.
“You first, m’Lady,” Ella whispered. “I will watch to see no one disturbs you. The cur! Imagine sending one of his men to fetch us.” Milisent wanted to smile for Ella’s anger gave her heart a much needed lift.
The mood did not last long, for he was waiting for them. “‘Twill be more comfortable for you both if you have your own mounts.” His second in command rode up beside him. “However, you will not ride together. Rhys, help the companion to the black and take her to the front of the column. Milisent,” he grinned at her, “will stay next to me on the grey.”
Before she could respond, Ella was fighting with Rhys.
“Ella, do not struggle so,” Milisent shouted. “He may hurt you. Go! I will take care.”
The man beside her looked stunned. “I intend no harm to either of you. And Rhys will not hurt her.”
She wanted to protest for being dragged from her home and forced to
ride through a rainy day was harm aplenty, but he grabbed her around the waist and hoisted her onto the horse. Her words died an instant death. His touch sent a burning along her limbs, as if he was a flint and she a piece of kindling catching the spark to be set ablaze. She tried to drive the idea from her mind. It was terror she felt. At least the warm body of the horse under her offered some comfort. But she needed Ella at her side.
To her dismay, before she had gathered her startled thoughts, Ella was far ahead, the man named Rhys holding the reins of the black. She wanted to protest but one look at her captor’s face said her plea would do naught.
“I am called Alwyn,” the man beside her said. “Now, we must leave this place.” He muttered something to himself and she gritted her teeth as a fine mist announced the kind of weather this day would bring.
The next two days were the same. The smell of damp earth followed them as they traveled through the gloom, often stopping when the rain grew heavy, seeking what little shelter was available beneath the bare branches of a frequent stand of beech or poplar. Fortunately, they stopped to camp early each day.
Milisent sighed with relief when both women were allowed to sleep together in their own tent each night. Somehow, dry clothing was provided each morning. Milisent wondered from where the coarse garments came, but she was too uncomfortable to ask. It appeared the men intended them no harm.
She wanted to ask where he was taking them, but clamped her tongue behind her teeth. Conversation with this Alwyn was not a good idea.
On the third night, she crawled onto the furs shivering. The sound of the wind that night indicated a storm approached and the men milling around their tent trying to seek their own warmth kept her jumping with anxiety throughout the night.
She must have dozed a bit, for Ella startled her when she shook her awake. A gray dawn heralded another wet day.
“We must flee these men,” Ella muttered waiting for her to sit up, the blanket wrapped around her shoulders.
“How? They watch us as if we are worth our weight in gold.”
Ella smiled. “I have a plan. Tonight, when we stop…” She whispered the rest. “Now, when they bring our bread to break our fast,” Ella pointed toward the opening, “we divide it and I’ll wrap a portion in my gown. The same with tonight’s meal. We will have something to eat on our return to Fenton.”
“I have little hunger,” Milisent said. “I fear what is to come.” She tried to rise from the furs but the room swayed dangerously. She swiped her hand over her forehead surprised at how hot she had become. Nay, she could not succumb to a fever until they were home and away from these men.
Once again, one of the soldiers sought entrance and brought a bundle
of food and dry clothing. After they both changed, they divided the cheese and bread and Ella wrapped what remained in the skirt of her gown. Milisent had trouble swallowing but she forced herself to take several bites and washed it down with a sip of ale. If Ella realized her condition there would be no attempted escape and she wanted that above all else.
Once again, she was forced to ride beside Alwyn with Ella in front with Rhys. When they stopped for the nooning, Alwyn glared at her and asked, “Are you sickening?”
She thought to shake her head and realized she had been leaning forward nearly resting her body against the neck of her mount.
She slid from the animal and stumbled to a nearby tree. With thanks, she accepted a mug of ale and a piece of meat. She made a show of nibbling on the offering but what she wanted was nothing more than to sleep.
She watched Alwyn who was deep in conversation with Rhys before he gestured to Ella and then to her. All to soon their group was ordered back to the horses.
They rode for what seemed to her like hours before he ordered a halt. In the distance she thought she saw the dim outline of a cottage, but she wondered if her imagination had conjured up a vision representing comfort. Her gaze blurred and she felt dizzy. She took a deep breath and resolved to ignore the chills racking her body.
He walked to the side of her mount and said something to her. There was a buzzing in her head and his words made no sense. He reached toward her but when she extended her own arms, a black veil descended.
Then there was nothing.
~*~
Alwyn swore and caught Milisent as she tumbled from her mount. He swung her into his arms and glanced at her face. Her eyes were closed and the heating radiating from her body made him swear again. Before he had a chance to take a step, Ella was racing toward him, screaming, “What have you done to m’Lady?”
“Nothing,” Alwyn said. “Why did you not tell me she was sickening?”
“She is ill? How can that be? She said nothing.” Ella looked as guilty as he felt.
“You noticed nothing?”
She shook her head and moved close enough to put her hand on Milisent’s cheek. “Oh, m’Lady, why didn’t you say?”
Milisent’s head lolled about like a tree branch swaying in the wind.
“Rhys,” Alwyn shouted toward the cabin as he strode forward, Ella ran beside him. The cottage door opened and Alwyn ducked, making his way through the portal, the burden in his arms muttering incoherently.
“I can care for her.” Ella slid past him to the cot, which occupied a good portion of one wall. She spun around. “We’ll need cold water and I
want a fire built in the fire pit. Those embers do not give off enough heat.”
Alwyn laid Milisent on the cot. He opened the door and shouted for additional men to attend him. He watched as wood was brought, the embers stirred. Soon a blaze lit the cottage. When he was satisfied he had things under control, he stepped out of the cottage.
He didn’t want to look at the two women, shame tugging at him. With the wet and cold, he rationalized, it was no wonder she had developed a fever, yet the weather was not his fault. But he had failed to provide and the idea he had been less prepared than needs be angered him. Neither woman should have had to endure the rain without better protection than what he had provided.
Around the camp, sentries took their places, small fires flared in several spots around the cottage and he offered thanks they were miles from Chelse’s holdings. He swore again. With all the delays they were still two days’ travel from his own forest. With a glance toward a darkening sky, he turned back to the cottage. Time to check on the women.
He had barely settled before the fire pit when a strong gust of wind rattled the window of the structure. Smoke swirled through the room from the smoke hole in the roof and both he and Ella coughed. He was about to apologize when the wind blew the door open.
“Could you send someone to gather the herbs I require? I will have need of meat for a broth, oh and water.” Her voice startled him but he stomped to the door to give the order. Water arrived in one o
f the wooden buckets beside the cottage and he commanded the man to wait.
“Tell him what herbs you need. Perhaps we can obtain some in the nearby village.” He waited for Ella to list her wants, then sent the man on his way with some coins to ease his purchases.
While they waited Alwyn paced. He paused long enough to stare into the fire pit and remember how she looked when he entered her chamber in the castle. What a beauty she was. And what a surprise. Those clear blue eyes aroused something in his soul. The thought of her slender form pressed against him gave birth to a warmth he did not expect. The idea brought another thought slamming into his mind. What would she be like if she willingly warmed his bed?
He stifled a gasp. What was he thinking? Nay, she was not for him. He never intended to have her as his own, even for a short time. Again guilt crawled through him for he had not intended either woman to be harmed.
“I did not want her to sicken,” he spoke the words aloud.
“Nay, of course not. But I do not know if she will recover.” Ella glared at him before she dipped a cloth into the water and began to bathe Milisent. “I would ask you to leave so I may tend her properly.”
Alwyn nodded. He took two steps toward the door when a voice stopped him cold. “I will not. Do not insist.”
He spun toward the cot and looked at Ella. “You spoke?”
Ella shook her head. “Nay, ‘twas not me. M’lady is out of her head. Hush now Milisent.”
“I have no intention of wedding any man.”
Alwyn stepped to the cot and stared at the pale face and closed eyes.
“Nay, I will not. He is cruel.” Her hushed voice carried a note of disrespect. She stirred, as if her thoughts were a torment.
“She speaks of marriage?”
Ella nodded, but before she could respond further, Milisent tried to sit up. “You can not make me. Starve me if you choose.”
Then, “I will not wed. Never.”
“Who tried to starve her?”
“Go back to London,” Milisent muttered. “Ella, he can not make me, can he?” Her voice was low and Alwyn leaned forward to hear her words. “I would rather be dead.”
“Who tried to force her? Surely not Chelse?”
“Aye, ‘twas Chelse. He picked out a husband for her. She does not want to wed the man he chose.” Ella turned back to her task. “You must leave us. She is too warm. I must bathe all of her but I can not remove her garments with you in this cottage. If you care for her health you will go.”
Alwyn nodded and left.
Outside he paused by the cottage door. Could she suffer a devotion for her keeper? That she might desire Chelse, mayhap even want to stay with him, had never occurred to him. Surely she knew what a monster her lover was. He gritted his teeth. Was she so enamored with Gilbert Mortimore, Baron Chelse she would choose a life of sacrifice rather than share her life with another man? The thought sliced through him like the thrust of a blade. She could have no knowledge of the blood that stained Chelse’s soul, or she would not feel an affection for him.
On the fourth day of Milisent’s fever, he trudged to the cottage. A sliver of moonlight, barely visible beneath a cloudy sky, offered only enough light to ease his path. He slipped into the room, swallowing hard against the fear of what he would find.
His experience with fever was nonexistent. It would have helped to be able to seek the assistance of Avrel. His brother was the healer in the family and had only recently helped heal his sister’s husband. But the family was miles away and if they had knowledge of what he attempted they would denounce his actions.
Just over a year ago, he and his brothers swore allegiance to Edward. He could hear his sister condemning him if she knew of his plans. Sighing, he imagined Rhianna saying he risked much and could harm them all. He grimaced. Aye, she would be furious and she would blame him for the situation forced on the women he had taken from Chelse’s castle.
His family had no knowledge of the need for revenge that burned his soul. They did not know Essylt well, or that she had carried a child—both dead now by Chelse’s own hand. Nay, he needed to punish Chelse, but he could not endanger his or his brothers’ pledges to Edward. Nothing should come of his actions involving this woman, only that Chelse would suffer.
He was certain she was important. All anyone had to do was look at her. She was a beauty. Any man would want to keep her, but then why had Chelse tried to marry her off to another? That news unsettled him. It made no sense for Chelse visited his northern estate often and lately stayed there for at least a month at a time. Why would he want a husband for her? Mayhap to make certain she could not escape his hand, even though she belonged to another? Still, it puzzled him.
He knew his plan was a good one, but only if she recovered. If she died...
He did not want to think on the guilt he would feel if another woman died because of him. Not did he want to think about the impact to his soul.
“She is better,” Ella said as he entered the cottage. “Her fever has broken but she will need nourishment to rebuild her strength.”
He nodded and hurried away. The thought of Milisent well enough to travel lifted his spirits and he found himself smiling for the first time in days.
~ * ~
When Milisent stirred from her sleep, she discovered she ached all over. The last thing she remembered was riding beside Alwyn. Funny she did not know his surname, nor why she was in his company. She worked her way into a sitting position and stared at the room. Nothing looked familiar. “Where am I? What am I doing here?”
Ella hurried to her side. “Do you not remember?”
“Nay.” She shook her head aware of a stiffness for which she had no explanation. “What happened?”
“Do you remember being kidnapped?”
“Aye, it is coming back. I saw a cottage. At least I thought I saw one. Is this that place?”
Ella nodded her head. “You took ill. I think more because of exhaustion than a fever.”
“How long?” she asked.
“This is the fourth day. We will travel again in a day or two. He says we are only a two days’ travel from his home.” She turned away and gazed around the room, as if to make certain no one else had entered. She lowered her voice. “I think we must wait to plan our escape until we reach our destination. Then we can take our leave. You need time to rest, regain your strength.”
Milisent lay back against the furs. “Aye. Also I have a need to relieve myself and then have something to drink for I have great thirst. But for now, I think I must rest.” Her eyes drifted shut as someone banged on the cottage door.
~ * ~
Two days passed before Alwyn led the group away from the cottage with thanks to the couple whose home he had used. He sent several of his men off to his house to explain his delay and tell Sybil to prepare a room for the women. Although Milisent was still a bit pale, she had recovered enough so that journeying to his forest would not cause more harm. Ella had assured him it would not, but he kept both women close as they traveled.
It was a trial. More and more her appearance of innocence played against his nerves. Nay, she could not be as shy and reserved as she seemed. Not if she had lain with Chelse for several years.
Her face turned a delighted shade of pink whenever he spoke to her and she rushed away from him as soon as she dismounted the horse. Nor could he force the thought of her womanly form from his mind when he took his rest each night. She haunted his dreams even as he reminded himself she was not for him, could never be, given she had occupied Chelse’s bed.
THREE
He sighed with relief on the second day of travel when his house came into view. It stood nestled on a mound of earth, the forest dark and foreboding to the east. It was a large house, well built, two stories of limestone with mullioned windows to let in lots of light. To the west was the kitchen area, also two stories, with much smaller windows.
The manor house was new, built only a few years before. Still it needed a curtai
n wall for protection but King Edward had yet to grant the license to build it.
He reined his horse inside the courtyard and sighed as he dismounted then turned to aid Milisent to the ground. “There are lodgings on the first floor where you and your companion can stay.” He indicated the stone stairway to the left. “The entrance to the kitchen is there; the stairs in front of us lead to the hall. In time you will acquaint yourself with the house.”
“How long do you intend to hold me here. And what of your lady wife?” she asked.
“I do not have a lady wife. Sybil resides with me and will see to your needs. You need not labor while you are here, although a few simple tasks would not be remiss.”
Milisent glared at him and all he could do was offer a hesitant smile. He did not want her to think she was a servant, nor did he want her to think she could laze around like a pampered lady.
When Rhys set Ella from her mount, Alwyn instructed Rhys to show the women the first floor lodgings.
“I am for a skin of ale and a rest.” He left the women with Rhys. He started toward the stairs to the hall, weary to the point of exhaustion, as much from fighting a desire for Milisent as the tiring travel. He had yet to deal with Sybil who would no doubt resent having two women added to the household. He frowned thinking on her possessive nature of late. Nay, he would not let her interfere with his plans, no matter how displeased she might be. This was his home. She had no say.
Above, in the mullioned windows she stood outlined against the panes watching his return from the second floor. Sighing he climbed the stone steps. The sooner he greeted her, the faster he could hear Owain’s reports on the condition of the forest and any poacher trespassing in the forest. Then he wanted a chance to relax and enjoy a tankard of ale.
“You have returned much later than you told me, m’Lord. And who have you brought with you?” Sybil met him at the entrance to the hall.
She leaned close, inviting a caress. He stepped back, considering this woman who spent the nights in his bed and for the first time, her beauty did not arouse him. Aye, she was most pleasing to the eye, but he had never given thought to her size.
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