June Francis

by Convenient Wife Rebel Lady

  Chapter Eight

  What was happening? It sounded as if someone was breaking down the door. A familiar fury gripped Jack and he started up, reliving the moment when his master’s men had dragged him out of the dark hovel into the blazing sunlight and forced him to his knees. It was not the first time he had been whipped, but now the lash was knotted and contained sharp pieces of metal.

  ‘What’s that noise?’

  Jack started awake, realising he must have dozed off. He swore beneath his breath and berated himself for failing to stay alert.

  ‘Jack!’

  ‘Aye, I heard it,’ he said, recognising Anna’s voice.

  Shrugging the blanket from his shoulders, he reached for his sword and stood up. For a moment the room seemed to whirl about him and he gripped the bedpost until everything steadied. He wondered if the dizziness was a result of the opiate. He looked at Anna and could see her face clearly in the pale light coming through the window. Her eyes looked puffy and he wondered if she had been crying. There was a sudden sinking feeling in the pit of his stomach. Had he failed her? Had their host managed to break in?

  ‘That brute didn’t get in here, did he?’ he asked hoarsely.

  ‘No! But look at the door!’

  Jack did so, and he noticed that although the back of the chair was still rammed under the door handle, it had shifted. There was a slight gap between the door and the jamb. He tiptoed over to the door and stood listening a moment but could hear no sound of breathing outside. He guessed that if their host had attempted to enter the chamber, then he had left as soon as he heard them talking. Even so, Jack removed the chair and trod on a key as he did so. He picked it up before going outside and glancing up and down the passage.

  There was no one in sight, but that was not to say that someone was not concealing themselves in one of the nearby bedchambers. He stood a moment, pondering what to do. He was in a mood for a fight, but guessed such a confrontation with their host would bring the servants running. Anna’s safety must be his priority. He returned to the bedchamber and locked the door behind him.

  ‘I’m of a mind to leave immediately,’ he said in a low voice. ‘I’ve paid for a horse, so we’ll have the finest one in his stables.’ He smoothed down his tousled dark hair and looked in her direction. ‘From Lampaul’s conversation, it would not surprise me if he provides information about shipping to those involved in piracy along this coast. Let’s hope we can leave the house without meeting anyone on the way.’

  Anna nodded. ‘If you consider that the wisest course, then I will do what you say.’

  He thought her voice sounded lacklustre and wondered if she had been crying because she regretted his having made the decision to travel to Vitré in her company. He felt sick inside thinking that she surely found him lacking in the attributes needed in the best of protectors. His plan had gone wrong from the outset. ‘I’m sorry about what’s happened,’ he said stiffly. ‘You’ll have to ride pillion, but the sooner we’re on the road to Dinan, the better I will like it.’

  Anna nodded and climbed out of bed. ‘I need to don the attire I removed last evening.’

  ‘Of course.’ Jack immediately turned away, so as to give her some privacy.

  Anna gazed at his back and wondered why the thought of his loving Monique should so upset her. It was not as if she, herself, was in love with him. Yet it hurt to think that he must have believed she was this Monique when he had kissed her so passionately. She must try to forget these moments. Whatever Jack’s relationship was with this woman, it had naught to do with why he was helping her and she must try to put her out of her mind. She fastened her cloak and whispered to Jack that she was ready.

  ‘You must stay close to me, Anna. I don’t want aught to harm you.’ He hoped she was not thinking that he had already almost failed her and perhaps would do so again. He picked up their saddlebags and slung them over his shoulder. Then he unlocked the door and, with sword in hand, crept out into the passage.

  Anna had every intention of sticking close to him. She wanted to get out of the house safely and continue their journey. Now she was aware of Monique’s existence, the sooner their ways parted the better it would be for both of them. She followed him out into the dimly lit passage and was surprised when he headed in a different direction from that which they had used coming from the hall. She trod softly, almost on his heels, praying that their host or any of his servants were not lying in wait for them. Someone knew they were awake, but hopefully they would not suspect they would leave before daylight.

  Jack stopped in front of a door and carefully lifted the latch and drew the bolt. The door swung open silently on to a narrow staircase. A question hovered on Anna’s lips, but she kept silent, remembering Jack accusing her of for ever asking questions when they were on the ship.

  Jack started down the stairway, glad that his eyes were now accustomed to the darkness. It would be terrible if Anna should slip, but at least he was there to break her fall if she did. His sharp ears caught the sound of her fingernails scraping the wall and he knew that she was following him closely. At least she trusted him so far and no doubt presumed that he knew of this back stairway from a previous visit to the house.

  They came out into the yard and neither spoke as they made their way to the outbuildings that loomed dark against the sky. Jack glanced up at the half-moon, reflecting off the stable roof, and was torn between cursing and blessing its light. Certainly they would be able to see their way, but it also meant that if their host or his servants heard them escaping and decided to follow them, they would have no trouble doing so.

  He handed Anna his sword and placed their saddlebags on the ground, indicating that she should keep watch, before gently lifting the latch and easing open the stable door. More than one horse whinnied as Jack entered the building, causing him to hesitate a moment whilst his eyes grew accustomed to the gloom. He had not liked leaving Anna alone outside, but it was necessary that he should have warning if someone should come. He made his way over to the nearest stall and soothed the horse there with soft words and gentle hands as he checked it over. Having made the decision that the animal seemed in fine fettle, he chose that one. It was not the first time he had visited this stable, so he had little trouble finding the horse’s tackle. He also discovered a pillion seat on a bench alongside several saddles.

  Concerned about Anna, he hastened to saddle up the horse. His actions were obviously disturbing the other horses because they whinnied and moved restlessly in their stalls. He was glad to lead the horse outside and even more relieved that she was still there.

  The yard was not cobbled, so the horse’s hooves made little noise on the ground. ‘The gates?’ whispered Anna.

  ‘They were only bolted, but we’ll not mount until we’re outside,’ Jack answered in a low voice.

  He attached their saddlebags to the horse. Then they walked either side of the animal as they headed towards the gates. As he drew one of the bolts, the noise it made sounded loud on the night air and caused them both to look over their shoulders towards the house, but there was no one in sight. Once the gates were open, he placed his sword in its scabbard and helped Anna up into the pillion seat. He climbed into the saddle and she slipped a hand beneath his cloak and gripped the back of his belt.

  Anna’s heart was beating heavily; she was concerned that at any moment there might be a sudden shout of alarm. But all was quiet except for the screech of an owl that caused them both to start. Soon, they had left the gates behind and were riding towards the road that would take them to Dinan, a little more than a league’s distance away. Fearing her voice might carry on the still air, she refrained from talking unnecessarily. Besides, she had much on her mind.

  Despite her decision not to think about the unknown woman in Jack’s life, she could not help but do so. Monique! It sounded French, but was it possibly Arabic? Maybe she had been abducted and Jack had rescued her from one of these harems he had spoken about to Anna? Perhaps she had take
n ill and he’d had to leave her at one of the religious houses in Europe until she recovered. Was that possible? She could not imagine Jack leaving someone he loved alone and in need. But no doubt wherever she was, it was obvious to Anna that he intended finding her. She told herself that Jack deserved some happiness after his sufferings; if being united with this Monique would make him happy, then she must pray that he would find her, however sorry, she, herself, might be at being parted from him.

  She squared her shoulders, determinedly reminding herself that she had experienced a loving relationship with Giles. The past provided her with happy memories, even though Giles had always adhered to the church’s ruling for married couples. He had been strict about making love only on the days ordained by the church for husband and wife to beget children. When those days came round, more often than not their couplings were swiftly over. Days of abstinence had meant a swift kiss and a cuddle and then Giles would turn his back on her in order to resist temptation.

  She had found it extremely frustrating, having realised early in her marriage that she was a sensual woman. Alas, when it came to the marriage bed, Giles had been unbelievably stubborn and resisted her wiles. On occasions, she had dreamed of a mystery man who swept her away on a tide of passion. She would wake afterwards, feeling pleasantly lethargic and filled with guilt.

  Memories of Jack’s caresses and kisses flooded her mind and she forced them away.

  By the time they reached Dinan, the sun had risen and the gates were open, enabling them to pass through into the city. ‘We’ll give the horse a rest and stretch our legs,’ said Jack. His head had cleared, although it still ached slightly. He prayed that Raoul would be there at the end of their journey because otherwise he visualised trouble ahead in fulfilling his vow for vengeance. Anna’s safety was paramount. He felt a need to prove to her that she really could rely on him. ‘We’ll need to buy food and drink and then we’ll be on our way again.’

  He dismounted and helped Anna to the ground. She clung to his hand a moment and found comfort in its strength, then reluctantly withdrew it and walked by his side as they made their way along the half-empty rues of tall, half-timbered buildings. Jack purchased a flask of cider and some galettes from a bakery. As Anna ate her pancake stuffed with ham and cheese, she noticed a church ahead of them and her eyes lit up. Turning to Jack, she asked him could they spare a few moments to go inside.

  ‘You can go on your own,’ he said. ‘I attended mass at St Sauveur’s with my father years ago. It is a fine building and you must look out for the Byzantine influence in the ornamental decoration inside.’ He offered the flask to her.

  Anna took a drink of the cider and handed it back to him. ‘Couldn’t you come inside and point them out to me?’ she asked reasonably. ‘It would be so much more interesting if you could tell me about the architecture.’

  He hesitated. ‘I must take the horse to drink. Just look out for winged lions, sirens and a humped camel, bred for riding and racing. I have seen such beasts in Arabia.’

  Her interest was immediately aroused. ‘Did you race?’ she asked.

  ‘Aye, I did for my owner, the Lady Lydia.’

  ‘So the time you spent in captivity was not all cruelty and loneliness?’ she said, forgetting her vow not to pry into his affairs.

  Jack expected another question from her and tensed. ‘Don’t, Anna,’ he said harshly, and led the horse away.

  Anna could have bitten off her tongue. Why did she always have to ask one question too many? She would know better next time, if there was a next time. No doubt if they found Raoul in Vitré, then Jack would not linger long in the town but go in search of Monique. It would be wiser if she concealed her concern about what had happened to make Jack the physically and emotionally scarred man he was now.

  She went inside the church and discovered that it was all that Jack had said, and more. Looking at the humped beasts that she presumed were camels, she decided that he must have spent some time learning to stay mounted and race such a strange-looking creature. Had he won his race? Perhaps he had not done so and that was why he did not wish to speak about it. And yet she could not imagine him allowing himself to be beaten.

  Jack was vexed with himself. He could have told Anna about the camel racing, without revealing the secret he carried or aught of his plans, so why this reluctance still to speak of an experience that had done so much to raise his morale? Even as he asked himself that question, Jack knew the answer. He could not allow her beyond the barrier he had erected. If he were to do that, then it might weaken his resolve even further than it was already. He had made a vow and he had to keep it because he owed it to Monique and Philippe. Jack could only hope that their search for Raoul would be successful and his friend would accept Anna as his half-sister. He was a decent man, friendly, good natured and prepared to extend a helping hand to those in difficulties. If he offered Anna hospitality and ensured that she was safely escorted to the Hercules or another suitable ship if she wished to return to England, then Jack would feel he had succeeded in his role as her protector.

  There was no sign of Anna when he returned to the church. He waited impatiently. This was another place with memories that would draw him back into a world where he had been happy and he was itching to get away.

  Suddenly, Anna was there in front of him. ‘I hope I haven’t kept you waiting,’ she said, smiling serenely.

  ‘Scarcely at all,’ he answered with a stiff politeness.

  ‘It was so interesting.’

  He nodded. ‘Let’s not waste any more time. We must be on our way.’

  Her smile faded. ‘I’m sorry if I’ve displeased you.’

  He relented as he helped her into the pillion seat. ‘It is not that you’ve displeased me. Only my father and I had a happy time here but within weeks he was dead.’

  Anna was moved. ‘I remember hearing Owain and Kate talking about his murder. I was so sorry, Jack. I remember your father being a kind man.’

  He nodded and his eyes were moist. ‘I saw him die. Three men came out of nowhere. It happened near a canal in Bruges one evening. As soon as they struck I knew that robbery was not their aim, but that they wanted Father and me dead. They went for him first. I tried to defend him when he fell to the ground, but I was only a youth with a staff and dagger. They were big strong men and one broke my arm. If it had not been for Mackillin arriving on the scene, they would have killed me, too.’ His voice quivered. ‘I have never forgotten that as he lay dying my father’s last thoughts were of me and my sister, not himself. He made Mackillin promise to escort me home to safety and this he did. Since then I have tried to follow in their footsteps but there are times when I have failed.’

  Anna gazed into his sombre face and, reaching out, touched his cheek. ‘But you have succeeded, too. No wonder you are the man you are, Jack Milburn. I will continue to pray for your safety.’

  Her words touched him and he held her hand against his face and found comfort in her caress. He felt proud that she should believe him a man such as Mackillin and his father. Then he remembered how he had failed to protect Monique and Philippe and how close he had come last night to failing Anna and his spirits drooped. He released her hand and climbed into the saddle and turned the horse’s head towards the city gates. Her concern for him was suddenly a burden that he would be rid off. If de Briand should kill him then she would weep and there had been enough sadness in her life. He should not have come with her, but it was too late now to turn back and send her home.

  She sighed. ‘How long will it take us to reach Vitré?’

  ‘By my reckoning, the town is a little more than ten leagues’ distance,’ replied Jack.

  ‘Do you think we’ll arrive there before nightfall?’

  ‘It’s still morning, so, unless the horse goes lame or a bridge is down or we fall in amongst thieves, I don’t see why not.’

  ‘You think it’s likely that thieves will be lying in wait for the likes of us?’

  He shrugg
ed. ‘It’s a risk all travellers take, but the road to Rennes is a good one and well frequented, so we should be safe enough.’

  ‘Tell me about Rennes,’ she asked, thinking the town a safe topic for conversation to pass the time.

  ‘It was founded when the Emperor Julius Caesar conquered this area before Christ’s birth. It’s situated at the configuration of two rivers, the Ille and the Vilaine. No doubt it was for that reason the Roman chose to make Rennes his regional capital. The rivers meant that communications were excellent for getting to the coast and the hinterland.’

  ‘The Romans made Chester one of their bases in the north when they conquered England. I believe it was called Deva in those days. Have you ever visited Chester?’