by Alexia Praks
When she returned, he saw that his shirt was too large for her small frame. The sleeves were so long, they covered her hands, and the hem of the shirt went past her knees.
"I'm not going to run away tonight," she announced, straightening herself to her full, unimpressive height of five feet and three inches. She squared her shoulders as she faced him, to evince her lack of fear, and perhaps, she thought, intimidate him just a little.
"Besides, I'm too tired," she continued, "I'm also very hungry, and I don't have my things with me. You may go now."
Alec raised his shapely eyebrows, the corner of his mouth fighting mighty hard not to smile. She was his captive, and yet, she managed to command him as though she were the Lady of the House, and he, no more than her submissive servant.
She had to tilt her head in order to see him properly. God, he was so tall. Perhaps she should have called him Mr. Cook, after Mount Cook, which is the highest mountain in New Zealand. She hid a giggle and looked down so he wouldn't see the mirth dancing in her eyes.
He swiftly shifted toward her, his eyes casting downward to look at the silver elephant pendant resting on her chest. His throat tightened.
She noticed him gazing at her oddly and shivered. Her heart leapt, and she took a step back, preparing to run. He grabbed her wrist, but she jumped and tried to get away.
"I won't hurt you," he said, breaking his gaze from the pendant to her face. He inhaled sharply, feeling a turmoil of emotions erupting through him. He started rolling one sleeve up her forearm to distract himself.
She didn't relax; but stood as still as a rock.
When he was satisfied with that side, he grabbed her other wrist and rolled that sleeve up too. Once finished, he touched her chin so she could look up at him. He moved his face closer to hers and said, "Aye, ma'am, I am goin' now. Don't do anything silly." He smiled, showing his white teeth before releasing her, and locking the door behind him.
Ruby hated that clicking sound.
Stay calm, Ruby, you'll get out soon.
She strolled to the table and ate her dinner of roast lamb and vegetables. It was very delicious. After she finished, she got into bed and tried to sleep.
Sleep, however, was hard to come by. She was restless. The time difference between New Zealand and Britain was twelve hours or so, and she still hadn't gotten used to the jet lag.
She wanted to do something, like, get out of this room. She also wanted to murder that imperious, gorgeous Mr. Cook, the Scottish driver, or whoever he was. What about Brian? Did he know she was missing? She hoped so. But especially hoped he was looking for her. Most importantly, she hoped he hadn't told her mum and sisters because they would be very worried, which was something she preferred to avoid.
She could just imagine it right now. Yes, Amethyst, at two years younger than Ruby, being twenty-four years of age, would surely prove to be the strong one. She would organize everything and take charge. Alexandrite and Rhonalite, non-identical twins, and as opposite as day and night, born three minutes apart, were now at the age of nineteen. They would have to comfort their gentle soul of a mother who would, undoubtedly, cry for days on end. Emerald, the youngest of them all, at only seventeen years of age, would cry along with their mother, being such a tender soul, and baby sister that she was. Her dead father, a kind Kiwi man who first met her mother in Khao-I-Dang camp when he volunteered as a nurse at the hospital there, named all his daughters according to the gemstone of their birth month. He would have been outraged to hear of her kidnapping, like Rhona; but, like Amee, would have, no doubt, taken charge and arranged everything, bless his good soul. He would still have been alive, of course, if not for that damn cancer.
Ruby sighed and turned over. Perhaps, fond thoughts of her family, and their happier times would help her to sleep. Instead, however, the image of Mr. Cook appeared in her mind's eye. His brown, wavy hair that was in obvious need of a cut, his mysterious grey eyes that seemed to pull her into impending doom every time she looked into them, his Roman nose, and sensuous lips that, against her better judgment, she longed to touch with her fingers, his hard cheekbones, and his firm jaw--all made her quiver inside just thinking about them.
When she finally slept, she dreamt of him kissing her.
*
FIVE
Alec rode his thoroughbred, Storm, over the wide meadow that stretched far across the Hasting Estate. He loved the way the cool Highland air whooshed past his face as his stallion galloped across the verdant field. He also loved the smell of the outdoors: the fresh grass, the wild flowers, and the pine trees. They made him feel at home, and offered a sense of peace. This place was so much a part of him.
He remembered his captive when they were back at the village. He was in the store, buying her a bottle of water, and when he returned, he saw her closing her eyes, spreading her arms out, and offering her fair face to the sun. She looked as though she were at peace. The expression of tranquility on her face tugged deeply in his heart, which he found quite annoying.
Since two weeks ago in the airplane, when he first helped that slip of a girl, his childhood friend who still couldn't recognize him. Unconscious from her dehydration and fever, after being confined in the narrow lane of economy class, as soon as he carried her to the first class seat beside him, he was affected by her. He shouldn't have been really, since he knew many women who were far more beautiful and sophisticated, and had dated about a dozen of them as well. But none, however, could affect him the way she did. Not even his ex-wife, Amy, who oozed class and was strikingly attractive with her pale blond hair and emerald green eyes. He liked women, dated women, and slept with women. There was nothing more to it than that. He never cared too much about any of them, except for his sister, Susan. But this one, somehow, made him feel responsible. She made him want her. God damn it! He wanted to touch her.
In the photo, she looked out of place--a place where he, Susan, and Brian belonged. And when he first saw her, he was drawn to her like a magnet.
Darn it! This wasn't supposed to happen. He never imagined that his life could turn upside-down so unexpectedly. He realized also that he didn't do the stupid kidnapping thing just to help his sister either. It was in the spur of the moment, and he never even planned it. He was always the type to plan and do things a certain way--logically and methodically. He had always commanded his own actions, knowing exactly what he was doing, and where he was going. But not this time--not where this young woman was concerned. He knew he was doomed to wanting her since he first saw her on the plane. Then, when Susan showed him her picture, he couldn't help but feel a sense of longing and desire rush through him.
His mind switched to thoughts of his sister. He wondered how she was getting on now with Brian, and sincerely hoped everything was going all right.
"Back from yer ride?" McKenzie asked.
"Hmm." Alec dismounted from the saddle and handed Bernard, the stableman, the reins. Bernard led the horse away into the stables.
"Has your wife given food to her yet?"
"Aye. Are ya goin' ta see 'er?"
"Nay, the less I see of her, the better," Alec said as he strolled across the small distance to the manor.
Alec went into the drawing room, picked up his BlackBerry on the oak table, and started dialing his sister's number. The phone started ringing.
Mrs. McKenzie appeared at the door and said, "Sir?"
Alec turned to look at her, a questioning frown on his face.
"'Tis yer girl. She's been wantin' ta see ya."
Alec nodded, and she left. He turned his attention back to the phone when he heard his sister's voice.
"Alec?"
"Aye," he responded. "How are you, Sue?"
"I'm good, and it's going well. Oh, Alec, this is marvelous. He's in our apartment with me now at the Kensington Garden. He's a bit down though. He told me he got a message from the motel manager in Edinburgh that the girl left, and he shouldn't wait for her, that she changed her mind. I don't know how I could've do
ne this without you, Alec. Thank you so much. Oh, he's coming now. Brian, it's Alec."
Alec heard Brian say hi, and told Susan to say hi back for him.
"Alec, I have to go now. We're going out to lunch," Susan said excitedly.
"All right then, have fun," Alec replied and hung up. He threw the BlackBerry on the table, left the drawing room, and went up the stairs.
At Ruby's door, he unlocked it and stepped inside. He took two steps and immediately halted.
He halted not because he physically couldn't move, but because of the sight he beheld before him. It took his breath away.
She was fast asleep on the Georgian sofa. He couldn't help staring at her. She looked like an angel sleeping there so peacefully with the afternoon sunlight beaming over her.
He moved toward her and stood beside the sofa, studying her.
Since he first set eyes on her, he couldn't seem to stop looking at her. She was so unique. Her oval face was flawless and smooth, her perfectly arched black eyebrows rested above her slightly slanted eyes; her nose was straight, and those generous, full lips of hers--lips any model or celebrity would envy and strive for in vain, using Botox and surgery to achieve such perfection.
Instinctively, he wanted to touch her lips. He was just about to act on his irresistible urge when she opened her eyes--dark brown orbs that looked at him without any recognition.
Ruby focused her eyes so that she could see him better, for she had no contact lenses in. Her darned glasses were with her other belongings, and he hadn't yet given those back to her.
"What's your name?" she asked, sitting up. "And I want my glasses, if you don't mind."
Alec hid a grin. No wonder she narrowed her eyes at him. It was because she couldn't see properly. Good, then she wouldn't think about running away. He was sure she'd probably get lost on the way and trip over things because she couldn't see properly.
"Alec, and nay, you will not be getting your glasses back until the time comes," he said, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jeans to avoid his stupid urge of wanting to touch her lips.
"Beast," she hissed at him, standing up so quickly that the room started spinning before her. She closed her eyes and breathed deeply and slowly. She had to remember not to do that again. As well as staying calm.
Alec couldn't help noticing her skin--which was fair, and smooth from where he could see because the collar of the shirt dropped down over her right shoulder. He could almost see her breasts, and his mind started reeling with imagination.
Shit!
God, he hadn't been with a woman for three months; and now, this mere slip of a woman was turning him on. He better stop it this instant.
"Is that what you wanted to see me about?" he asked, glancing away.
"Of course. That, and I want you to release me from this room this instant."
Alec hid his smile. There she goes again, another order.
"I can't do that. You'd run away, and I don't want you to get lost."
"I won't get lost, you brute, I'm a grown woman," she blurted out. How old does he think I am? He acts like I'm a three-year-old child!
"Aye, a grown woman who doesn't know her way around," he said, walking to the door.
He was dismissing her, she realized. Oh no! Not just yet. She wanted him to release her, and intended to make sure he did just that.
"I'm sure I can find my way around. Besides, it's illegal to imprison someone without obtaining prior consent. I'm sure it's the same here in, er, Britain."
He continued walking to the door. Panicked when he would not listen to her logical reasoning, she shouted, "Mr. Alec Cook, if you don't let me out this instant, I will do something--something--I warn you."
Mr. Alec Cook? Where in God's name did she get that from?
"Well, we'll see what you can do, my dear," he said as he closed the door behind him before turning the key and locking it.
"Oh, that man!" she mumbled. But what can I do being stuck in here? She tried the knob anyway, just in case he hadn't locked it properly.
It was locked tightly.
Darn the man! She kicked the door with her bare foot.
What should I do?
She sat down on the bed and groaned--that's just what she did.
I hate him! I hate him! I hate him! I hope he burns in hell when he dies.
There was nothing to do except lie there and think. Think, Ruby, think what you could do to get out of here. If only I could persuade him.
She sat up.
That's right. If only she could persuade him to let her leave this room. If she were to ask--no--assure him that she wouldn't run away, perhaps he'd let her out of the wretched room.
Excited now, she smiled. She planned to wait for him to come and look in on her before she'd ask him.
She waited and waited and waited, but at the end of that day, he still didn't turn up. He jilted her, she realized in irritation.
"Will--will Alec look in on me?" she asked Mrs. McKenzie, when she came in to retrieve the silver tray after her dinner.
Mrs. McKenzie couldn't hide her grin. So! The little lass misses her lover. Poor wee thing. She must have been striving very hard to get Alec's undivided attention. Apparently, it didn't seem to work, however, since Alec hardly paid her any mind at all. And this door-locking business, she could only assume was for the lass's own good. After that first night when she heard her screaming; and later leaving the room in a state of mess; and the way Alec held her, as if to prevent her from getting hurt, the old woman knew right then the lass was suicidal. That was the reason why Alec was locking her in, to save her from harming herself. Consequently, she immediately informed her staff to take particular care with Alec's girlfriend.
"Not sure, lassie, Master Alec dunna say anythin'."
"I'm sorry? I didn't understand you," Ruby said, frowning.
"Lassie, 'tis 'ard understandin' ya, too," the housekeeper said. She patted Ruby's arm before taking the tray away, and locking the door when she left.
Ruby went to the bed and sat down.
The darn man! I hope he burns two times in hell when he dies.
She didn't know when she fell asleep, but the next time she opened her eyes, it was morning. The sun was beautiful, and she wished she could go outside and breathe in the fresh country air.
Arising, she rushed to the window and scanned the outside. She beheld a glorious view of green hills rolling over more green hills. At the far left from where she stood, she could see the woods stretching all the way to her right side until they disappeared from sight. There was also a stream running across the land. It was a serenely beautiful vista.
The door opened, and Ruby turned to see Lizzie bringing in her breakfast tray.
"G'mornin', lassie," Lizzie said cheerfully.
"Good morning to you, too. It's so beautiful outside, I wish I could go out and breathe the fresh air. It seems so stuffy in here," she groaned, looking out longingly.
"Why don't ya go?"
Ruby's ears pricked up as she blinked and glanced at the maid.
Did I hear her right? Or was it just my imagination? After all, she could hardly understand the woman, or anyone else, for that matter, in this damn place except that blasted, too-handsome-for-his-own-good Mr. Cook who neglected to look in on her yesterday.
She reached for a piece of the toast and took a bite, her mind whirring with plans. She finished her toast and took a sip of the tea. It was nice, and she drank the rest of it, draining the teacup empty. That pleased Lizzie mightily because it was her own concoction. There would be none of those no-good commercial teas for Alec and his lady guest.
"Ye full, lassie?" Lizzie asked gleefully.
Ruby nodded, and Lizzie tidied up.
As Lizzie moved toward the door, Ruby followed.
So far, so good. No sudden alarm yet.
Lizzie moved out the door, and Ruby did the same.
Outside her room, she scanned down the corridor and gasped. Good Lord, the place was hu
ge and very elegant. Just like in a castle.
Lizzie turned to look at her.
Ruby held her breath as the woman watched her. "Ya afraid o' gittin' lost?"
Ruby sighed with relief and nodded.
"Ya follow me then," Lizzie said.
Ruby's heart soared with happiness. She gratefully followed the woman.
They came down the grand stairs to the first floor. Ruby noticed the corridor was elegantly decorated with antique furniture, urns and priceless treasures. There were also lots of portraits--portraits of people wearing historic costumes dating from medieval times, and the Renaissance, to the Regency and Victorian periods, and so on until today. Some of the men looked a lot like Alec, which was stupid, of course.
Finally, they came to the ground floor landing.
Looking around, Ruby found the corridor decorated in much the same way as the first. It was also beautifully refurbished with antique furniture and other priceless urns and objects. She smiled when she saw at the center of the grand foyer a large vase with a coral peony arrangement, her favorite flower. She gently touched the beautiful, rich pink petals.
"Ya like the flowers, lassie?" Lizzie asked, feeling rather proud indeed, for that was her very own arrangement.
Even though Ruby could hardly understand the maid, she nodded.
"Where d'ya fancy goin'?" Lizzie asked.
Ruby tried to figure out what the woman said. She got the word "goin'" at the end. Oh, right, where would she like to go? Ruby grinned and said, "Er, books, is there, er, um--"
"Aye, the library." Lizzie strolled toward the end of the corridor, and Ruby quickly followed her.
The woman stopped and flung one of the doors open.
Ruby widened her eyes when she saw the library, as the sight took her breath away. It was very large, and stacked with books she could never have imagined any house could contain. The room was even bigger than the ground-floor medical library, which she often frequented during her university years back in Dunedin.
"Thank you... um...?"
"Lizzie, lassie," the woman replied before she left.
