“I think it a bad notion, lass,” he said.
She tilted her head, studied him. “Is that worry in your eyes, Duncan? For me?” Her smile was small and brief. “I’m grateful for the thought, but believe me when I tell you I can take care of myself.”
He lowered his head. “Stay, then, if you’re certain,” he told her, speaking lower now. “But keep out of sight, Arianna. You might be judged guilty by association, does anythin’ come of this.”
She nodded, but when he turned to go, she clutched his arm. He faced her again, and she stared straight into his eyes. “So might you, Duncan. You should be well aware of that. Well aware of the risk involved.”
“The only risk I’m concerned about is the risk to Raven,” he told her. And meant it. “But I’m aware of it, aye. And willin’ to face it. I’ll have no regrets, no matter the outcome.”
“You truly do love her, don’t you?” Arianna whispered.
“Aye, with everythin’ in me,” he told her. Then he looked at her face, at the force of the emotions in her eyes, and added, “As much as you do, I’ll wager.”
“You must love her a great deal, then,” she said softly.
Nodding, Duncan clasped Arianna’s shoulder briefly, a gesture of friendship he thought long overdue. They’d reached an understanding between them, he thought. He and Arianna had one thing in common. They were both utterly devoted to Raven and determined to protect her at any cost. ‘Twas a powerful bond they shared, and he thought they’d both finally realized that.
“Take care, lass,” he told her. “You an’ I have much to talk about when this is over. I’d like you alive an’ well for the conversation.”
She nodded, reaching out to briefly squeeze his hand in a gesture that told him she understood, and felt as he did. Their eyes met in silent communion, and then he turned and strode away.
Chapter 10
I felt soiled by Elias Stanton’s very touch, could still taste his vile mouth on my lips, and feel his hands. . .
Aunt Eleanor lay asleep, perfectly peaceful and safe. She would not remain so . . . not if I stayed here with her any longer. Stanton, if he lived, would spread his accusations against me, and my aunt would be at risk. Christians did not treat witches kindly, nor did they show mercy to anyone associated with them. I would have to leave her. And soon, I feared. Duncan had been right. If only I had heeded his warnings.
Without disturbing my aunt, I slipped back outside, a woven washcloth in my fist. I only wanted to cleanse myself of the stain of Elias’s hands, rinse my mouth, scrub away the essence of his touch. But I was too frantic to carry water and fill the tub, much less wait for it to warm over the fire. No, I needed to wash now. At once. Every moment I waited made my stomach heave.
I hurried to the woods, to a stream there that emptied into the sea, and there I stripped off every stitch and plunged myself into the icy water. I drank in great mouthfuls of it, and spat it out again, over and over. I scrubbed at my arms, at my breasts, at my face. Everywhere he’d touched me. I scoured myself, but to no avail. Even then I didn’t feel clean, so I scrubbed some more.
“Raven.”
At the sound of my name whispered so hoarsely, I snatched my dagger from the rock at my side and whirled, raising it up, ready to gut the bastard if he came at me again.
But ‘twas Duncan standing there on the bank, staring at me with eyes as wounded as dying stars. I parted my lips but could not speak. But I didn’t need to speak. He knew me so well, knew at a glance my devastation, my shame, though he did not—could not—know their cause. He came to me, walked into the swirling, icy stream fully clothed, and gently gathered me into his arms.
“‘Tis all right,” he whispered, holding me close, turning and carrying me to the shore. “I’m here with you now, my bonny lass, and ‘tis all right.” His lips touched my hair as he held me like a frightened child in his arms. “What’s happened to you, love? What’s happened?”
“N-nothing....”
He lowered me to the soft, grassy bank, snatching up the cloth to begin rubbing me dry. So gentle, his touch. So careful as he pressed the water from my hair and wiped it away from my body. “You’re freezin’,” he whispered, and quickly picked up my dress. And then he stiffened, his hands tightened around my dress as he stared at it. I reached out, snatched it away, but ‘twas too late. He’d seen the rips and tears down the front.
Slowly he looked at me again, his eyes more thorough this time.
“You’re bruised,” he whispered.
My hands flew to cover my breasts where I could feel the soreness Elias’s cruel hands had left behind. But ‘twas too late to hide the marks from Duncan’s eyes.
“Stanton did this,” he muttered.
I lifted my chin, swallowed hard. “It doesn’t matter.”
But Duncan’s face reddened, his jaw clenched with anger. “Oh, it matters, lass. I’ll kill him for this.”
“No, please–”
He touched his fingers to my lips, silencing me. Then he quickly divested himself of his shirt, and then his coat, dressing me in both with such exquisite care I nearly wept.
“You mustn’t take revenge on him, Duncan. ‘Twould spell your ruin.”
“Aye, an’ what do I care about my ruin? Raven, darlin’, I care only for you.” Pushing my hair back away from my eyes, he stroked my cheek with the backs of his fingers. “Did he...?”
“No.” I saw the doubt in Duncan’s eyes, held them with mine so he could see that I was being honest with him. “He would have, Duncan, though I fought. But a limb fell from the tree where he...where he...” I stopped, drew a shuddering breath, began again. “It might have killed him. I hope it did.”
“If it didna kill the bastard, I’ll do it myself.”
“Please, Duncan, I’ve had all the violence I can bear.”
“I’m sorry,” he whispered. Then he gently pulled me close, cradling me in his arms, rocking me against his warm chest. I felt utterly surrounded by him, his strength, his love. “I’m so sorry, Raven. I should have been with you, should have protected you—”
“No, Duncan, do not for one moment believe any of this is your fault.”
“I love you,” he whispered, and he kissed me very softly, his lips on mine instantly erasing the memory of those other, cruel ones.
When he lifted his head away, I touched his face. “And I love you, Duncan Wallace. With all that I am, I love you.”
He blinked, searching my face in wonder. “Do you know how long I’ve waited to hear you say those words?”
I bit my lip, realizing what I’d done. But it was too late to take the declaration back now. And it was true, more true, perhaps, than any words I’d ever spoken.
“We have to leave here,” he said softly. “Tonight, Raven. There’s nay time to wait. I want to take you away, to somewhere safe from fools like Elias and this other bastard who’s on his way here even now.”
I sat up a bit, frowning. “Who?”
“A witch-hunter,” he said, his voice grim. “I’d no idea until this morn, my love, but Elias wrote to some murderin’ cur in England, and the man could arrive at any time. We must make haste.”
I felt a shiver of utter dread creep up my spine.
“No, my lass, dinna be afraid,” he told me, clasping my hand in his. “No one will ever harm you again, Raven. I vow it on my very life.”
And those words made me shiver all the more.
* * * *
Duncan stayed at my side as I packed a few belongings, and held my hand while I delivered my sad news to sweet Aunt Eleanor.
“You’ll come back,” she kept saying. And the hope in her eyes was so desperate that I couldn’t divest her of it. “You will come back once you’ve taken care of this...this...”
“Business matter. ‘Tis all to do with some property my father owned,” I told her. “Very complicated and boring, but I must return to England to clear it up. And yes, of course I will come back.”
She blinked
back her tears. “I won’t worry for your safety, at least. Not with Duncan going along to care for you.” She hugged me gently, kissed my face.
“I promise to protect her as if she were my own,” Duncan assured her.
I battled my tears, refusing to shed a single one in front of her.
“Don’t be any longer than you have to, child. I’ll be waiting for your return.”
“I know you will, Aunt Eleanor.” I squeezed her hands one last time. “I do love you, you know.”
“Well, of course you do. Off with you, now. No sense waiting—my, but ‘tis already near dark.”
I knew it was. Duncan and I had deliberately waited for the night to fall. Like a dark blanket that would enfold and protect us. I finished with my goodbyes, and we stepped out into the night. It had always been our place, the place where we lived, where we loved. Night had been good to Duncan and me.
“I’m worried about Arianna,” I whispered.
“Aye, I am, as well. The moment I get you safely away from Sanctuary, Raven, I’ll return, an’ I’ll find her. I promise you that.”
We were walking silently, hand in hand along the Coast Road. My belongings, what few of them I thought I would need, were in my pack, and Duncan carried it slung over his sturdy shoulder.
“Poor Aunt Eleanor,” I said softly. “She was heartbroken when we told her that I must leave.”
“Aye, no doubt, but she seemed to take the news in stride, all the same,” Duncan said.
“Oh, she tried to put on a brave face for my benefit,” I told him. “But I saw through it. It broke her heart to say goodbye to me. I know it did, Duncan, for it broke mine, as well.” I caught my lip in my teeth and swallowed back a sob. “I’ll likely never see that dear woman again. ‘Tis almost like losing my mother anew!” The hurt bubbled high in my chest, and tears spilled over.
Duncan pulled me close to his side, his arm strong and protective around my shoulders. “Nay, lass, you shall see her again. I’ll see to it. We’ll settle someplace safe, Raven, and the moment we do, I’ll come back for her. Bring her to us.”
I stared up at him in wonder. “You would do that for me?”
“Aye, lass. I’d do anythin’ for you, and you ought to know it by now.”
“I do know it,” I whispered.
“Good.” He drew my hand to his lips and kissed it.
‘Twas fully dark now, but the light of a full moon made it nearly as bright outside as it might be at midday. We’d hoped to skirt the village unnoticed by waiting until the hour grew late enough. A frightening prospect, indeed. But I felt safe with Duncan at my side. Safe and loved, and yet sad beyond words. Someday I would lose him, just as I’d lost everyone dear to me. It would always be this way, I imagined. Goodbyes. So many goodbyes.
I didn’t think I wanted to live to see the day I would have to say goodbye to him. I didn’t think I could bear it.
Running footsteps made my thoughts grind to a halt, and I reached for my dagger, spinning around and lifting it up. But then in the moonlight I saw Arianna’s face, reddened and damp with perspiration. Wide-eyed and breathless, she came toward us. And I knew something was terribly wrong, but even then I couldn’t restrain my joy at seeing her.
I flung my arms around her, felt the pounding of her heart and the rapid, deep breaths she drew. Her skin was hot and damp. “I’ve been worried out of my mind!” I cried. “Thank goodness you’re all right.”
“Not for long, I fear,” she said, hugging me back before straightening away and eyeing first me, then Duncan as she fought to catch her breath.
“Something is wrong, then?” Duncan asked her. And she nodded.
Of course something was wrong, I thought. Ah, but what surprise was that? Nothing had been right today. Not today. Perhaps not ever again.
“Thank the fates I managed to catch up with you.” Bending, hands braced on her knees, Arianna dragged in gulps of the bracing sea breeze that wafted up from the cliffs at our side. And slowly her breathing returned to normal.
“What is it, Arianna?” I asked.
“The townspeople. Stanton–”
“They found him, then? Alive?” Duncan’s voice was grim, and I knew that in spite of his goodness, his generous soul, he truly wished the man dead.
“Yes, alive, and spewing venom. But delirious enough so no one paid much notice at first. But he finally recovered sufficiently to convince them he wasn’t suffering delusions. He said you attacked him, Raven. Said you used witchery to smash him with that limb and then left him to die.”
I only stood still and silent, already knowing the answer to my next question. “And they believed him.”
“They went out to the cabin in search of you. I raced ahead to warn you, Raven, but you’d already gone.”
“Aunt Eleanor?”
She shook her head rapidly. They’ve left her alone. I think they will continue to, Raven. You’re the newcomer, the stranger here. She is one of their own.”
“Thank goodness.”
“I have no doubt they’re on your heels even now,” Arianna rushed on. “I cut through the forest to reach you first. Come, we must hurry.”
Nodding, I grasped Duncan’s hand all the harder and sent a longing glance down to the sea far below, where jagged rocks peered from beneath the surface only to vanish again with the waves. “What I wouldn’t give for a boat. They have to know this road is the only way we can leave Sanctuary.”
“Aye, they know it,” Duncan said grimly. “But if they try to harm you, Raven, they’ll have to go through me to do it.”
“Duncan, no. You mustn’t do anything to put yourself at risk. I—”
“Hold!”
I caught my breath, and whirled to see a mass of villagers streaming toward us and spreading like some oily pool to block our path. And when I spun the other way, I saw more of them. They carried torches. They shouted and accused. The very air around me snapped with the vibrations of their hatred, and their menace.
Trapped. Trapped here on these cliffs with no chance of escape.
“Stand aside,” Duncan called, even as he gently moved me behind him. “I know what Elias has told you, but I’m here to bear witness that ‘tis nothin’ more than a pack of lies spun by a man sick with desire for a woman he can never possess.”
“‘Tis as Elias said,” one man called to the others in a coarse voice. “She’s bewitched even the preacher!”
They closed ranks around us. There was no way out.
“‘Tis untrue!” Duncan shouted back. “I tell you, as a man of God, in the name of God, this woman is innocent.”
“Blasphemer!” someone cried. “He’s in league with her.” And they surged forward like one living mass of evil, pressing ever closer on us from all sides. Duncan clung to me, shielded me with his own body, but I was torn from his sheltering arms by cruel hands. Hands that brought back memories I’d hoped never to have to relive.
‘Twas as if the veil of time had melted away, and I was back in that poor English village. ‘Twas as if I could feel the icy wind and the snow razing my cheeks, even though it was merely a crisp autumn night here.
“Get your hands off her!” Duncan roared.
But they held me all the same. And others held him, though they had a time of doing it.
Where was Arianna? I did not see her. She’d vanished.
The crowd stilled as Elias Stanton himself came forward, leaning heavily upon a staff and wearing a white cloth tied about his head. This wench tried to murder me,” he cried. “Moreover, she’s guilty of fornication! With our own minister! A man of God, tempted to sin by a witch!”
“End this curse! Free the preacher of her spells,” someone called.
“Pitch her from the cliffs!”
“Nay!” Duncan tugged at the men who held him. Fought them, just as he’d fought them before, at the hanging. And ‘twas just as useless. “I’ll nay stand by and see you do murder! Nay, dammit!”
“Duncan Wallace,” Elias intoned,
“do you confess to the crime of fornication, and to the even darker sin of communing with a witch?”
“I dinna confess anythin’ to you, Elias! For ‘twould be like confessin’ to the devil himself!” Duncan shouted. But he stilled his struggling, standing straight and tall while lesser men clasped his arms. He faced Elias Stanton squarely. I’d never seen the like of him as he was that night. Standing with his back to the sea, the wind whipping his dark hair into chaos as the waves broke and crashed below, his eyes flashing.
“What of you, Elias?” he asked softly, and the men around us went silent at the power in his quiet voice. “Do you confess?”
“I’ve nothing to confess to, young man!”
“Nay? What of tryin’ to force your attentions upon an innocent woman and then plottin’ her murder to cover your own sins?”
Elias lowered his head and shook it slowly. “These men know me, Duncan. They’ve known me for years, and can vouch for my character. No, they’ll not believe a come-lately preacher nor a witch over one of their own.” And lifting his head, he faced Duncan again. “Confess, Duncan. ‘Tis the only way to save yourself.”
“I’d confess gladly, if my doin’ so would save her.”
“Alas, her fate is already sealed, my friend. But for you, there remains some dim hope of salvation. Confess, son, beg forgiveness of God on your knees and—”
“Burn in hell, Stanton.”
“Duncan, no....” I whispered the words, but it was too late. He’d damned himself already. Because of me.
Elias shook his head sadly and turned toward me. And his eyes were cold there in the darkness, beneath the light of a full moon. Cold and menacing. I had to save Duncan. Somehow, he must not be dragged into the depths of this mess I’d brought upon myself.
“Please, Elias,” I whispered. “Duncan is innocent! He knows nothing of me or my ways! ‘Twas all me. I bewitched him, just as you said. He doesn’t even know what he’s doing tonight. Spare him, for the love of God, spare him!”
Stanton looked upon me with utter hatred in his eyes. The men holding me were even now binding my hands behind me, and I saw they were about to do the same to Duncan. I searched the crowd for Arianna, praying to the Great Goddess that they hadn’t put their hands on her as well, and sighed in blessed relief when I still didn’t see her there. She must have slipped away. Please, I thought, please let her have slipped way.
Eternal Love: The Immortal Witch Series Page 15
