“Jack, have my horse saddled when you go out. Request another for Lady Elizabeth. Wait, never mind; I don’t think she can ride alone in her condition. I’ll take her up with me. She’s very weak,” Micah said as he realized just how heavily she sagged against him. “I must get her to another establishment at once.”
“Which one? I’ll meet you there later.”
“The Globe or the Danebury.”
Jack nodded. “I’ll see you later. I’ll come back here and get my things and pay the shot after I locate those...Brown Coats.” He hurried out the door.
Micah nodded. Jack noticed their coats as well. Both men wore brown coats which looked suspiciously like those they grew used to seeing in Glastonbury. They were not wearing hats, however. “Lady Elizabeth, I must go upstairs and get my bag and cape.”
“Don’t leave me here alone, please, Lord Wincanton. I’ll come with you,” Libby’s eyes widened. She looked to him desperately. She did not want to be left alone. Libby did not want Lord Wincanton out of her sight.
“You must accompany me then, Lady Elizabeth.” Micah took her hand and placed it in the crook of his arm. He led her toward the stairs. After two steps it became apparent to him she was very off balance. He slid his arm about Lady Elizabeth’s slender waist and gripped her hip to support her the rest of the way. Once upstairs and in his room, he sat Lady Elizabeth on the foot of his bed while he retrieved his cape and his small bag. He had yet to unpack, not that he travelled with much on this journey.
“We will rest tonight, and get you a bath and some food, Lady Elizabeth. We shall have to hire a carriage tomorrow. Jack and I were on business up north, so we’re on horseback. Can you ride astride just a short way to another inn?”
“Yes.” Libby tried to stand on her own but could not.
He saw her frustration. “Come with me, Lady Elizabeth,” Micah said soothingly as he gently lifted her to her feet. Again, his arm slid about her waist to help her keep steady. “You’re safe now. I promise. I shan’t allow any harm to come to you.” Micah led her back down the stairs. The old innkeeper witnessed and heard most of what transpired in the public room earlier. Micah merely nodded and said, “Lord Elveston shall return shortly.”
The innkeeper nodded. “Of course, my Lord.”
Micah lifted Lady Elizabeth and helped her into the saddle. Once she was mounted, he pulled her hem down to cover her trim ankles as best he could. He placed his cape over the saddle in front of her to help hide the fact she rode astride. His bag was over his shoulder. He completed his check of the saddle when shouting burst out not far from them.
“There she is! Get her Cobley!”
Micah turned his head to witness four men on foot racing toward them. Two of them were the Brown Coats who entered the White Hart with Lady Elizabeth. The four men, all wearing brown coats, two wearing brown hats, charged toward them. He swiftly placed his foot in the stirrup and swung up behind Lady Elizabeth. His gelding danced momentarily then Micah set him to a brisk trot to clear the yard. His arm remained locked tightly about Lady Elizabeth’s slender waist. “Hold on to my arm, Elizabeth!”
Two more men, also on foot, came at them from the other side of the street as they left the White Hart. After kicking one taller fellow in the face with the heel of his boot, Micah urged his mount into a full gallop. The fast gray cleared the area quickly. Micah decided then it would be best if he and Lady Elizabeth left Andover altogether.
He’d get a message to Elveston somehow. He raced his gelding through the town. Though they left the men running after them far behind, Micah knew they would soon mount up and follow them. He wished he knew Jack was hale and whole, but his priority was to get Lady Elizabeth to safety. On the outskirts of Andover, he stopped at a small coaching inn, and bent to give a gold coin to a sturdy looking stable man.
“What is your name, my good man?”
“James Wicket, my Lord.”
“Mr. Wicket, this is an emergency. I need you to leave a message with the innkeeper at the White Hart immediately for Lord Elveston. Tell him Lord Wincanton left town with the lady for her safety. If the innkeep has not seen Lord Elveston; send a message at once to me at Horethorne Hall in Templecombe, Somersetshire. Now repeat what I just told you.”
The man did as Micah bid.
“Very good, Mr. Wicket, sir. Please make haste. It is of the utmost importance.” Micah handed him another gold coin. “And unless it is Lord Elveston asking, you never saw us!”
“Yes, my Lord! You can count on me, sir.”
Micah noted the man held two apples in his large hand. Lady Elizabeth might be hungry. It would be awhile before they reached Salisbury. “Another coin for your apples, Mr. Wicket?” Micah flipped a coin to him.
“Aye, my Lord.” James Wicket handed the apples to Micah.
“Thank you, good day to you, Wicket.”
Micah slipped the apples into the deep pocket in his coat and urged his horse forward once again.
“Where are we going?” Libby asked hoarsely.
“I think we need to try to get to Salisbury tonight. It will be safer for us there. We shall rest tonight. I will hire a carriage tomorrow morning and we will set out for my home in Templecombe. I will send for your brother once we arrive. Is he at Roseland Abbey?”
“Yes, Owen was talking with Charlie in the drawing room when they took me from the garden. What day is this?”
“Wednesday.”
“Wednesday! It was Monday when they took me. They drugged me, with a cloth they put over my mouth. I was cutting flowers for the church. I remember waking up in a carriage several times. They forced me to drink laudanum. I tried to spit it out once and they poured more into my mouth. After this morning they did not give me anymore. They said a Mr. Crow would not approve. Lord Wincanton, do you think they are still following us?”
“Yes, I believe they are trying to catch up to us. But we have made good use of our time. I may take a country lane several miles up for I feel we are too exposed on this main road. Hiring a carriage right now would slow us down too much. We need to lose them first or gain a great amount of distance. They could easily catch up to us in any conveyance right now. Are you comfortable enough?”
“Yes, of course.” Libby leaned heavily against Lord Wincanton’s chest. She felt fortunate to be away from those men. She was very thankful Lord Wincanton and Lord Elveston were in Andover at the White Hart. It was a miracle they were there.
“Is Mr. Crow the man they were going to turn you over to?”
“It’s the only time I heard his name mentioned. Yes, I believe so,” Libby clung to Micah’s arm as her stomach lurched.
“Do you know why they kidnapped you?”
“To hold me for ransom. I don’t know where this Mr. Crow planned to take me, other than to London. They said my brother could get them something they wanted. It was a scroll, or some such thing. They took me because Owen is a prominent member of the Avalon Society. They said if he did not get this scroll from the Society Mr. Crow would sell me as a slave or kill me.”
A Scroll! How many damned people on the outside knew about their find in Glastonbury? And who would be willing to harm or kill a young lady for it? None of the members present at Glastonbury would have talked about anything major that went on there. Davitt? Possible, it seemed from what he and Jack found out, Davitt, or rather, Mr. Jones as he called himself now, was still alive at least two and a half weeks ago in Newcastle, but barely able to walk. Why kidnap Lady Elizabeth? Her brother Owen was not even in Glastonbury with the society when they made their discoveries.
Lady Elizabeth trembled in his arms. “Are you cold, Lady Elizabeth?”
“A little. I must confess, Lord Wincanton, I feel ill.”
“Take my cape lying in front of you and wrap yourself in it. Lean back against me, there, that’s it. I’m certain you are exhausted after your ordeal. Is your stomach bothering you?” She appeared to be paler; perhaps even a little green.
“Yes.�
� Libby nodded.
“Let me know if you need me to stop.”
Libby squirmed suddenly. “I do. I’m so sorry, Lord Wincanton, but I feel very ill.”
Micah climbed down. Gently and carefully he lifted her down. He held her steady while she bent and retched. He pulled her hair back with his free hand. Poor thing, it appeared to be mostly dry heaves. She needed water and some clear broth. He felt quite helpless, he could do naught but hold her and speak to her.
He lifted her back up then swung up behind her. “Lean back against me, Lady Elizabeth. Hold on to my arm again. That’s it. Just try to relax,” Micah spoke soothingly to her.
She did lean against him. “Do you know anything of this scroll they want?” she asked him weakly.
“I know something of it.” Micah said no more about it.
“It must be very important if they would resort to kidnapping someone to get it.”
“Indeed. I think I’m beginning to understand how important it truly is right now.”
Libby fought the nausea. She did not want to slow them down. She wanted them to get away from those men. Finally, her eyelids grew heavy. She yawned. “It will be dark soon.”
“Yes. That country road is just up ahead about two miles. I think we’ll take that and find some shelter for the night. We won’t make Salisbury, I’m sorry to say. It looks like a storm is brewing in that direction. The sky is dark with clouds toward Salisbury. I can already smell the rain. I’ll not risk having you take a chill. You are ill enough already.”
“As long as you are with me, I do not care where we go, Lord Wincanton,” she said groggily. “Thank you for helping me.”
“You are welcome, Lady Elizabeth.”
Her eyes widened when her stomach twisted and lurched again. “Lord Wincanton, I must stop again. I – I’m so sorry.”
“Do not concern yourself, Lady Elizabeth.” Micah helped her down again. She was much weaker now. He supported her so she could walk. Again, she retched with very little coming up. He doubted her captors fed her anything since she was taken on Monday. He helped her back into the saddle after five or so minutes.
“Lean back, Lady Elizabeth.”
She did.
He put one arm across her belly. “Let’s see if that might ease your stomach some.”
She nodded weakly. The warmth of his arm across her belly did help. Soon her eyes closed.
His arm tight around the sleeping Lady Elizabeth, Micah realized that her reputation was utterly ruined if the men took her from Roseland on Monday. They were about to spend the night together unchaperoned. It would be up to him to salvage her reputation. He would have to offer for her. He reached to touch the pocket holding the white feather given him by Archangel Michael. Was this his destiny? Was Lady Elizabeth Darrington the answer to his prayer? Micah was aware of his attraction to Lady Elizabeth for the last several years. He only recently decided to act upon his feelings and visit her in Devon specifically to find out if she was attracted to him. Was their meeting in Andover coincidence? Or Divine intervention?
Twenty minutes later, just as it began to rain, Micah led his horse through the trees toward a small cottage in the midst of a thick wood. The cottage stood a good way off the country lane and was hidden by a thick copse of trees that shielded it from the road. He and Jack spotted it three weeks ago when taking a shortcut to Shevington Chase in West Amesbury to see their friend Lyon Ravenscroft, the Earl of Amesbury, before going North. It was apparent to them when they passed the cottage in daylight the place was deserted. He hoped it still remained uninhabited.
Micah could try to make it to West Amesbury before the storm truly unleashed. Shevington Chase was but ten miles up the road, however, he already knew Lyon to be in London. He called on him in London two days ago. Micah and Jack didn’t stay as they were informed Lyon had taken ill. Micah did not know if Lyon’s mother and sister were still in residence at Shevington Chase or in London with him.
The rain began to pelt down harder. He reasoned the less people who knew about Lady Elizabeth’s kidnapping the better. It would be best if he took her to the abandoned cottage. He felt certain her brother would appreciate the discreetness and any attempt to protect her reputation. Poor Lady Elizabeth needed to lie down. They stopped yet another time so she could empty what little contents remained in her stomach.
The cottage appeared to be a woodcutter’s cottage, and looked to be still deserted. No light came from within. Leaves and twigs covered the steps. Micah carried his pale charge inside, and gently laid her upon the bed, with a whispered promise he would return after putting his horse in a lean-to off the side of the small, run-down building.
He hastily tended the horse, knowing Lady Elizabeth would be anxious and need his assistance.
Happy to find a few candles set on the rough wooden table, Micah lit one. There was a bed, a chair, and a table in the tiny one room cottage. There was a fireplace which they could not use for fear of being found by the chimney smoke. He saw no firewood in any case.
“The cottage appears to be deserted, there’s not much here.” Micah told Lady Elizabeth as he rummaged around. “There is no food except the apples I purchased from Mr. Wicket in Andover.” Micah removed the apples from his pocket and set them on the table. “Would you like one? We’ll eat a good meal tomorrow morning in Salisbury, I promise you, Lady Elizabeth. I am sorry we hadn’t an opportunity to get you some food this afternoon. I so wish I could procure a meal for you.”
“I am so happy to be free of those men, I don’t care that there is no food. I don’t know what I would have done if you hadn’t been there at the White Hart, Lord Wincanton. Again, I must thank you. I appreciate your help more than you know,” Libby said truthfully. She struggled to sit up then winced as if the movement pained her somehow.
“Are you in pain, Lady Elizabeth?” Micah rushed to her.
“My stays…they’re digging in to me. Apparently, they’ve been on this whole time. It is quite uncomfortable.”
“Can you get them off by yourself, or do you need help?”
Libby tried to reach her arms around to her back to unfasten her gown. She groaned in frustration. Her arms felt so heavy and useless. “Even on a good day, Lord Wincanton, I would have trouble getting them off myself. I’m afraid my arms do not seem to be cooperating today. I’m sorry. Do you mind helping me?”
“Call me by my given name, Lady Elizabeth. It’s Micah. I would prefer it.”
“Yes. I suppose under the circumstances, we do not need to stand on formality.” She smiled wanly. “Please, call me, Libby. It’s what my family and friends call me.”
“Very well, Libby.” Micah moved to sit behind her on the bed. He quickly unfastened her gown. “I will have to ease your gown down, I think, to get your stays off. Do you suppose you can push your gown off the rest of the way by yourself if I ease it off your shoulders?”
She nodded.
Micah felt awkward and uncomfortable disrobing a beautiful young woman whom he was very attracted to, but could not think of bedding; at least not tonight. He supposed in the very near future, on the occasion of their wedding night, he would be privileged to do so.
Despite his good intentions, his body betrayed him at the sight of the soft creamy skin of her nape, upper back and shoulders that was exposed when he pushed her hair away so he could open the back of her gown. He lowered the thin, light blue fabric over her shoulders. Once she stood and dropped her gown the rest of the way off, he could unfasten her corset. The faint scent of lilacs drifted to his nostrils. He could not deny his attraction to Libby. She was lovely, with her dark sable hair and sapphire eyes. Her heart-shaped face, high cheekbones, and her pale and translucent skin all contributed to her exquisite loveliness. Tall, lithe and slender, Libby reminded him of a wood nymph, or perhaps the Goddess Diana; the huntress.
“Let me help you to your feet, Libby.”
Libby struggled to find enough strength to stand. Micah intervened and lifted her to h
er feet. His palm remained at the small of her back to keep her upright.
“I’ll keep hold of you, but I will turn my head, Libby. Let your gown pool to the floor. I’ll help you step out of it when you’ve pushed it down. I’ve an extra shirt in my bag. I’ll get it out for you. You can put it on over your chemise after we get those stays off, and the shirt will no doubt be more comfortable for you to sleep in than your gown. Call out for me if you need my assistance.” He turned his head. He heard the swish of material as it pooled around her on the floor.
“My gown is off, Micah.”
Micah turned. The sight of sweet Libby clad only in her stays, chemise and petticoats affected him. He could not let her know how much. She trusted him. He did not want to frighten her, or make her feel uncomfortable. He prayed he could trust himself. Lord, but the sight of her slender, shapely form affected him. He felt the need to touch her beautiful skin and explore her body. He could not. He would not!
He helped her step out of the gown. He leaned over to drape it carefully over the chair while keeping his hand firmly on her arm. He moved to stand behind her. “Libby, I’m going to unlace your stays and help you get out of them. I promise you, I won’t look anywhere else.” Liar! He couldn’t keep his eyes off the creamy skin of her shoulders and back. As he unfastened the corset, he couldn’t help but notice the gentle swell of her buttocks beneath her petticoats and chemise.
Libby nodded. “Very well, Micah.” Her cheeks flamed with embarrassment. She felt more than a little humiliated. Micah had to care for her as if she were a child. Libby thought Micah to be very handsome man, one she found herself attracted to. A man whose touch did strange and wondrous things to her. She tingled every time his fingers or hand came into contact with her skin. Even the feel of his fingers through the fabric of her stays and chemise made her flutter inside.
Lords of Honor Page 3
