“It is my job to keep you safe but in order to do that you must do as I say.” He paused for a minute and then continued. “These are not good men you are among and they will take any opportunity to do unspeakable things to you. You must listen to me at all times.”
“I have put you in men's clothing to keep you as inconspicuous as possible. Do not worry. I have not violated you in any way.” She shifted slightly in the saddle, testing her parts. Her nether regions were the one part of her body that was not sore, so she assumed what he said was the truth. He stopped again and it must have been five minutes until he continued. “I know it is difficult to do but you must trust me that I will not harm you and that my intentions are to help you if I can. Beyond that I cannot say much more.”
Lily frowned as she pondered his words. A man who had kidnapped her, tied her up and now carried her from her family and home asked for her trust? He couldn't be serious? Still, she had to credit him in a few places. He had clearly taken measures to keep the other men at bay, for now, and had not touched her himself. For the moment, she would do as he asked.
Another man called for the group to halt and Lily felt fear rise up inside her. When the group was riding, no one was paying any attention to her but she doubted that would be the case when they stopped.
“Hey, Tracker, she awake yet?” A voice called from her left. She still had her eyes closed and had no intention of opening them.
“Not yet,” the man behind her replied.
“Funny, I thought I saw you whispering in her ear. Sure you’re not trying to sweet talk her for yourself?” Lily immediately recognized the voice of the man who had suggested she be knocked out and she felt her skin crawl at the sound of his voice again. Yes, she would stick close to Tracker.
“I was trying to wake her, and no, I am not trying to keep her for myself. We have strict orders, and you would do well to follow them,” Tracker said evenly, but his words did nothing to calm Lily. Orders? From whom? Was this Tracker saving her from these men only to deliver her to someone far worse? Perhaps his offer of help was just a way to keep her quiet and obedient for the trip. She would have to pay careful attention.
Another man piped in “Oh, a little fun never hurt nobody. Why you gotta be so rigid?” Lily kept her eyes closed and her body still but it was difficult. She kept telling herself to breathe evenly.
“Enough. Let’s eat a little grub, then we hit the trail again. We gotta put as many miles between us and her men as possible.” They began to make a quick camp and Tracker lifted her off the horse and set her down in his lap while the other men worked.
“Ain't you gonna set that girl down and help?” The voice that Lily now recognized asked. A hint of his plans, if Tracker did as he suggested, tainted his words. Lily found herself praying that Tracker would say no.
“Not on your life, Slim.” Tracker didn’t raise his voice but the other man did not respond and it seemed to Lily that Tracker had some authority in the group. He was clearly better spoken and she wondered briefly how he ended up with these men. How many were there? Tracker had told her to keep her eyes closed. Should she listen or try to find out more information about the men around her? She did not want one of them to see her awake so she decided to begin gathering information when they resumed the journey to where ever they were going.
As they mounted back up on horses, Tracker again whispered in her ear, “You're doing fine. Watch out for Slim. He's the most dangerous. I am going to loosen your wrists once we get started. Try to flex them so that they don't get too tired.”
Lily was puzzled by his words. She was still groggy and her head ached terribly. Why would he be showing so much concern for her? She had no idea how much time had passed or what direction they were heading. It was dark out and until the sun came up she would have no way of getting answers.
The ride continued and, with every passing mile, Lily felt her head pound harder and her nausea grow. When she felt she could take no more and was about to scream from the strain, the sun began to lighten the sky ever so slightly. It made its way over to the horizon and Lily could see that it was to the south and east of them which would mean that they were heading toward Maine. She almost smiled before she began to wonder if they had just made a direction change to confuse her. She would have to watch the landscape because if it was Maine, there was a chance that she could escape and make her way to her family. It was a landscape that was familiar to her.
This time Tracker called for a halt and the men pulled to a stop. No one spoke and she assumed they must be as tired as she felt.
“Eat this,” Tracker handed her some food that she ate without tasting but she felt her headache and nausea lesson immediately.
Tracker unrolled his sleeping roll and then picked her up, cradling her like a baby, and carried her toward the woods. As he walked deeper into the trees, Lily began to struggle.
“Where are you taking me?” Even she could hear the fear strangling her voice.
Tracker smiled, not in a malicious way but one that was clearly amused. “I, ah, thought you might need to relieve yourself.”
“Oh...I...thank you.” She felt a blush creep up her face as she stopped struggling. He set her down next to some bushes.
“Go in there. I'll wait right here for you.” He turned his back on her and she quickly headed for the center of the bushes. Lily contemplated using this opportunity to try and escape but she was bone tired and could barely hold her body up to relieve herself. She couldn't imagine actually escaping from a man who had not suffered a head blow and who was far more used to long periods on horseback. She saw little choice. Lily returned to Tracker and allowed him to lead her back to camp.
“Lie down,” Tracker told her as he motioned toward his roll. She gladly accepted with a nod of her head and immediately closed her eyes, ready to collapse. They bolted open seconds later when she felt a body press against hers.
“What?” Lily cried in a half strangled voice trying to sit up. She heard several men snicker from close by and she clamped her jaw shut.
“Slim, you're on first watch. Chris, you're second,” he directed the men. Then in a quieter voice, “Get some sleep, you'll need it.” Again, she did as she was told and Tracker wrapped her in his arms. This time she did not protest, and considering the men that surrounded her, it actually did make her feel safer. She closed her eyes and fell immediately to sleep.
Lily woke from an exhausted sleep, completely disoriented. She had no idea where she was or how long she had been asleep. Lily wondered why she had woken at all. She was at least warm, and relatively comfortable although she realized that she was asleep on the ground and wrapped in someone's arms.
“I am sorry to wake you but most of the men are asleep and I thought you might like a few minutes to wash up and get yourself...ah...ready.” A voice from behind her whispered softly and the reality of her situation came crashing back to her.
“Can I turn around?” She whispered back hoping to ask a few questions.
“Of course,” Tracker replied.
She shuffled quietly around but stopped when she looked down to see a revolver in his right hand, resting on her stomach.
“It is only for your protection,” he calmly assured her and she continued to turn. She looked into his face and had to admit, it was not unpleasant. He had dark brown hair and his eyes were like liquid pools. He did not look like he smiled very often but his face held no cruelty either. He seemed slim and wiry but memories of the hours he held her on horseback were coming back to her and told her that he must be strong.
“Where am I? Why am I here?” Lily asked the man she knew only as Tracker.
“I don't have time to go into any detail. Stay close to me and don't speak to any of the men. It will only provoke them. Keep your head down and pull your hat as low as you can. These men are dangerous.” Tracker's face hardened with every word and Lily felt herself tensing.
“I believe you.” Lily didn't doubt his words but she doubted
his motives in sharing this with her. “Why am I with these men?”
A slight grimace touched his face. “Right. I believe that your hand is wanted in marriage.”
She stared at him stunned for several moments, unable to fathom what he had just said to her. “What?” Lily asked dumbfounded.
“Someone found your engagement unsatisfactory, to say the least, and has decided to make you his wife instead.” Tracker added quietly.
Lily's eyebrows furrowed. Who would kidnap her for marriage? But even as she thought the words, she knew who it was. “Colonel Kingsley.” She whispered softly as a slow dread began to fill her stomach. She suddenly realized what his kisses the night of the ball meant. He had intended to force her to marry him. Since that attempt had failed, he would try another.
Her fear must have trickled into her voice because Tracker grimaced. “I had to go through with the kidnapping; it was necessary. But I will do everything I can to see you safely back home.” He spoke softly but firmly and Lily wanted to trust him, although she thought it was foolish to do so. Men began stirring nearby them and Tracker rose, pulling her up so that she could get ready for the ride ahead.
The day was endless. The sun rose in the east and to the south of them and continued to travel overhead, indicating to Lily they were heading northeast. She had missed the first part of the journey and did not know their original direction but to her estimation, they were heading to Maine. They rode, stopping only briefly to water the horses and eat a few bites or pack food and then continue on. They saw no one and passed through no towns and Lily began to wonder how she was going to get out of this mess. The men around her spoke very little. It meant she could learn nothing about them or where they were heading. It also meant that they also already knew the path they were taking and would likely continue to avoid civilization. As the hours passed she grew more apprehensive. Tracker’s promise of help seemed unlikely at best and as he rode behind her, saying nothing, she thought that she should try to come up with another plan. But as she wracked her brain, she could think of little that would help her out of this situation. She was never left alone, had no weapons and little idea where she was. Lily sighed to herself, but she felt Tracker behind her chuckle.
She wanted to turn and vent her frustration on the man she considered her jailer but couldn't. “Relax,” he whispered in her ear.
“You talkin' to that girl again?” Slim's voice cut through her like a knife and she shrank back.
“Hey, Slim, she sure does look like a boy in that git up, don't she?” another voice called. “I saw her in that dress though and she didn't look like no boy. No way. She looked damn good.”
“Shut up, Curly,” a third voice called. “You heard the boss.”
“Yeah, Curly. He don't want her touched. That is why he sent his lap dog to watch her.” Lily heard Slim's voice coming from her right, and glanced briefly to catch a glimpse of the man. He was staring directly at her, leering in a way that made her blood run cold. He was a thin and wiry man with gray hair pulled into a ponytail. His eyes were hard and when he smiled, Lily could see that he was missing several teeth.
Tracker said nothing, but pushed his horse slightly ahead of the group and whispered in her ear. “Don't look at them. Keep your head down.”
Lily did as she was told, fear filling her insides until she could feel every nerve tingling. With sick dread, she saw the full extent of her situation. There were maybe five or six other men besides Tracker. Although one seemed willing to follow orders, at least two were not all that interested in delivering her to the Colonel. Could Tracker hold them off? Even if he did, what was to be said about the man who awaited her at the end of this journey? What could be said about Kingsley who had first attacked her, then had her kidnapped and kept company with men like these? Reaching her mystery destination seemed no safer than traveling with these men.
Her musings were interrupted as the group came to a halt. Lily could see Slim and who she thought was Curly talking at the back of the group.
“Rings, take her.” Tracker turned to a man on her left and Lily felt wild panic growing inside her. At least with Tracker, she was safe from immediate attack.
“Rings will keep you safe. I need to talk to the other men.” Tracker stopped and lifted her easily from the horse, standing her on her feet. Rings reached down and just as effortlessly picked her up, settling her on the horse in front of him. She felt like a sack of feed.
“Slim and Curly…” Tracker words came out in clipped tones. “Double back and see if we are being followed.”
“Are you kidding me? How far we gotta go?” Curly shot back indignantly. “I'm sick of this saddle. I want a rest.”
“You'll go until you can't go any more or until you find sign of someone,” Tracker returned evenly.
“Isn't this supposed to be your job?” Slim spoke more deliberately and although she didn't lift her head, she could feel his eyes burning into her.
“I have been ordered to stay with the girl at all times. You know that. You have to keep lookout this time.” Tracker shrugged.
“Just trying to keep me away from that girly, aren't you? Come on, Curly. Let’s git goin' so we can git back.” From beneath the brim of her hat, she saw Slim turn and ride his horse back the way they had come. Curly followed.
Tracker turned back to rest of the men. “Anyone else who doesn't want to follow orders?” They grumbled but said little else.
Tracker turned his horse and headed in the opposite direction of Slim and Curly, tossing his bedroll on the ground. “Make camp here. I'll be back in a little while.” He rode off without another word.
Rings dismounted from the horse, then pulled her down, handing her some hardtack. “Eat this then go to bed. And don't try nothin funny.”
“I, ah, need a minute alone.” She did as Tracker had instructed her and didn't make eye contact.
“Go behind that bush. You got one minute and I'm comin' after ya,” Rings’ voice graveled out.
Lily did as she was instructed, wondering if there was any chance she could escape. She hadn't been behind the bush thirty seconds debating whether or not to run when she heard Rings moving toward her. “You're too quiet, girl. Whatcha doin'?”
“I'm almost done,” Lily called back. Rings was clearly keeping a close watch on her and she doubted she would get very far. She would have to wait for a better opportunity.
Lily came back around the bush and sat down to eat her hardtack and lay down. Her stomach grumbled. She had barely eaten anything, but she ignored it. These men weren't going to give her anymore food and she didn't want to draw any more attention to herself. Besides, she was exhausted and she lay down on the bedroll. Without Tracker there, however, to give her information or to make her feel safer, she found she could not sleep. The men lay down and seemed to fall asleep around her except for Rings, who sat up leaned against a nearby tree.
Finally, he spoke. “Go to sleep, girl. You're gonna need it.”
“Somehow, it's hard to relax.” She replied, the sarcasm evident in her voice.
She heard him chuckle. “You'll have to learn to curb that tongue when you're married.”
Lily didn't reply and as the minutes ticked by she felt herself relaxing and until she finally fell into an uneasy sleep. She woke often, clearly unable to relax into a deeper sleep and her dreams were vivid and frightening. She knew she was asleep but it felt so real. She was in a field seemingly alone but somehow she knew people were lurking out of sight. She started in one direction, only to see the grass moving in an odd way. Frightened, she turned in another direction and saw a shadow approaching her. Lily felt her body tensing. She spun around again when suddenly Eric was next to her. He put his arms around her and whispered in her ear. “Don't worry, I'm here. I'll keep you safe.” She felt the tension from her body melt.
“Eric.” The name sighed from her lips and she fell more deeply asleep.
Lily woke early. The sun was not yet over the horizon and sh
e wondered for a few moments where she was. Reality came quicker every day as did her dream of the night before. She turned quickly. Had she been rescued? Tracker lay behind, roused by her movements. “Sorry, it's only me.” He gave her a small half smile. “Who's Eric?”
Lily scowled. She couldn't help it. She was angry with herself for seeming to give everything away and disappointed that her dream was not a reality. “My fiancé.” She answered simply.
“Ah, yes, Eric Sampson. I guess it hadn't occurred to me because I assumed your marriage had been arranged.” One of Tracker’s eyebrows arched in a silly expression which made him look like a normal person and not a kidnapper.
“It was. Although the circumstances are a bit... complicated.” She shrugged and shook her head.
“Really? I wish I had time to hear the story.” He responded and lightly patted her hand once.
Lily hesitated, wanting to ask him some questions but unsure of how to proceed. He beat her to it.
“I'm sorry to leave you last night. It was necessary,” he whispered.
“Why?” she whispered back.
“It is dangerous for both of us if you know too much. I will tell you that we are not that far from Portsmouth and that we are headed into Maine. I will try to slow our progress to allow your brother and fiancé time to catch up to us.”
“They're following us?” She felt hope rising in her chest. She wanted more than anything to be back with her family and back with Eric.
“Yes, I believe they are. You may have to faint today, to slow us down. Can you do it?” Lily nodded and tried to keep from smiling. “Just fall into me when we take a midday break.”
Tracker let her have a few minutes to herself then gave her some more hardtack and some berries he had picked on the trail. She thought to herself that it wouldn't be hard to faint. She had hardly eaten anything and she had a nagging headache that hunger and a lack of water fed, in addition to a lump on the side of her head. As she approached Tracker's horse she groaned to herself. Two days in the saddle had made her sorer than she could have imagined and the thought of climbing back onto a horse made her insides tighten. She would give anything to be back home.
Lily in Bloom Page 9
