Is this what Karin would look like if she were a well-to-do merchant's daughter? The plainer dress did not diminish her beauty. If possible, it made her even more becoming. Was that not a strange thought? Was it that nothing distracted from her beauty now? Perhaps the myriad of adornments and elaborateness of vesture detracted from her fair face in her finer gowns.
His horse stirred again. Had he been so lost in his musings?
Karin was settled in the carriage with Stepan. A thought that Pavel was not altogether pleased with.
His other friends were maneuvering their horses into place alongside the oversized vehicle.
Pavel followed suit, a little embarrassed once again to be caught so off-guard, as his thoughts were not on what he was doing but on Karin. It was becoming a problem.
* * *
Karin walked through the small village of Hradec Kralove, appreciating the many sights and smells. As she made her way around the market, she stopped often to inspect a merchant's wares or to allow a baker to entice her senses with his breads and treats.
They had arrived at the small village perhaps two hours prior. The young men had tired of the marketplace rather quickly and headed for what she supposed was their real reason for visiting this village — the pub. A manservant was charged with her care, but one armload of purchases later, she sent him to the carriage and rid herself of the nuisance. His presence was only for her safety, but she would much rather take the risk and enjoy the place alone than be shadowed. How would the men react when they learned she had eluded their chaperone?
As the afternoon wore into evening, Karin discovered that there was more to tempt her than sights and smells. But sounds as well. At the edge of the market, there was an open structure. Perhaps at one time a stable. A group of musicians and singers found a new purpose for it. They created music within. The melody they played was impassioned. It had attracted other young ladies to gather and move to the music.
Karin watched the dancing. These ladies were not like the ladies of her acquaintance. No, they were merchants' daughters and other village women. She envied them as these women were not bound by the strict restraints placed upon the ladies of the nobility. Upon her. But no one here knew who she was. There was no one to tell her what to do or how to behave. And she could not deny that the music flowed through her as well.
As she realized there was no one to restrain or chastise her "unladylike behavior", it became impossible to fight the rhythm that beat in time with her very heart. Moments later, one of the young women pulled her into their circle of dancers.
There was such freedom in the movement and the music. As she let loose her inhibitions and danced, the restraint and oppression of propriety slipped away for these moments. She became all the more caught up in the rhythm and the words sung of homeland and happiness. In this moment, in this place, she was just Karin.
* * *
Pavel watched her dance from the shadows. He hadn’t intended to spy on her, but he happened upon the scene as he wandered the market to ensure her safety. Though now that he had found her, he couldn't tear his eyes away. Was this a new side of Karin?
She danced with abandon. It lured him in farther and farther, until he was so close he could touch the dancers, twirling by. As he soon discovered, that was a dangerous place to be. For there were no observers here. Anyone who approached so closely was soon pulled into join the merriment.
A dark-haired, fair-skinned young woman grabbed for Pavel's hands, pulling him into the reverie. Spinning him for some moments, she soon released him into the rabble of moving bodies. It was easy to be caught up in the music. Had Karin been thusly seduced? Yet even as he began to move to the beat, his eyes sought her out.
Moving around the dance floor, he was thrown from partner to partner while the music droned on and the singers continued, untiring. Smiling and breathless, he soon found himself face to face with Karin.
Her wide-eyed expression betrayed her shock. And her cheeks colored. Was she embarrassed? Had he made her somehow censor herself? Did she think her involvement a mistake?
Wrapping an arm around her waist, he took her hand in his. He smiled and stepped back into the throng of dancers before she could object. Her eyes flickered from what appeared to be embarrassment to exhilaration.
While he twirled their bodies, she dipped her head back and laughed. He loved the sound. It too was music to his ears. Pavel was unable to release her and switch partners. And no one seemed to mind their lack of participation. They continued to dance into the night. Just the two of them.
* * *
"I wonder what could take Pavel so long," Stepan spoke up.
The other men apparently had not thought about their friend, who had gone in search of Karin some time ago.
But Stepan’s concern was starting to pierce his drink-fogged brain. Shouldn’t he have been back by now? The others seemed to have forgotten about Pavel’s departure altogether.
"I am sure he decided it would best if he remain with her," Radek commented. "Night has fallen, after all."
This too was something Stepan had not taken note of as his focus had been on his tankard and how full it remained.
"He would have told us had he not been able to find her," Zdenek said, but his speech was quite slurred. He had consumed more than his fair share.
Stepan nodded, returning to his pint.
"Speak of the wolf," Luc called out, a little too loudly.
Stepan’s gaze flew to the door.
Pavel stood just inside the doorway. He walked with long paces to where his friends sat.
"Were you able to locate Karin?" Was that an edge of worry in his own voice? It seemed so. Suitable, since Stepan felt responsible for Karin. Should he feel as guilty they had holed up in the pub and left her with naught but a servant for company? And even so, Stepan was now not so certain he could rely on a servant to remain with her and protect her as one of them would.
"Yes. And I have accompanied her. She has worn herself out in the market, and is waiting at the carriage. I think it best she return to the chateau."
"You have given up much of your evening,” Zdenek spoke, rising. His movements rather clumsy. “One of us can volunteer to go and let you stay and enjoy yourself."
Pavel’s brow furrowed.
Stepan followed his hard stare. And he could guess Pavel’s thoughts. They had all consumed a little too much, and none of them could be trusted to see anyone home safely.
"It is all right." Pavel clapped a hand on Zdenek's shoulder. "I am ready to retire myself."
Pavel’s gaze met Stepan’s. Why? Stepping around the table, Pavel came to where Stepan hunched over his drink.
When Pavel neared, he leaned closer to Stepan’s ear and spoke in hushed tones. "Please stop the beer for a while before you mount your horses."
Hanging his head, Stepan nodded. Pavel was right. They had judged poorly this evening.
* * *
Karin sighed as she leaned on Pavel's shoulder in blissful sleep. It was a sweet sound. Gentle, angelic even. They had not been underway for long, but the movement of the carriage had rocked her into pleasant dreams rather quickly.
Pavel's nerves were alert, seeming to tingle all at once with her so close. But he dare not move away, lest he wake her. So, he sat still, enjoying an even greater closeness than he had earlier that evening. The contact, while they danced, had been exciting. This was more peaceful but, because of the heat of their contact, enthralling all the same.
As she rested, he listened to the rhythmic clip-clop of the horse’s hooves and focused on the gentle thumping of her heartbeat against his arm.
A crunching sound echoed through the night.
Crack!
The carriage pitched to the side.
Pavel grabbed Karin and held her tight to his body.
Karin awoke with a start, eyes wide.
"Don't move!" he commanded, wrapping his arms tighter around her as the carriage landed hard, jolting them both.
Pavel kept his body stiff and held on to Karin. He could barely breathe. It was his body that had slammed into the wall and cushioned Karin's.
The car had not stopped moving, and it threatened to roll onto the roof, teetering precariously between roof and side. How much longer could he hold onto her? How much longer could they endure?
Chapter 6
Discovered
Some moments later, the carriage stopped. It ended on its side, propped up, perhaps by one of the wheels.
Pavel sensed the carriage was also at a downward sloping angle. They lay on an incline.
Karin and Pavel's bodies had slid toward the ceiling when it rocked before resting, but they lay on the side wall over the window.
Pavel still held onto her. They lay side by side, facing each other. Was the carriage truly settled? Deciding it was so, Pavel relaxed his hold.
His left arm had already released its firm grip. And he couldn't move it. Pain radiated from that shoulder. It had probably been dislocated. The fact that he was lying on his left side did not make things easier. Biting his lip to keep from crying out, he shifted his attention to Karin, still clinging to him.
"Are you hurt?" He moved his good arm up, his hand moving hair out of her face.
She cringed, her eyes were shut tight.
Was it a reaction to the recent bouncing of the carriage or was she in pain?
"Karin," he said, louder. "Karin, are you all right?"
She opened her eyes. They were clear and without tension. And he knew she was not in pain.
He breathed a sigh of relief.
Karin's eyes moved about the carriage. Did she expect it to start rolling again?
Pavel cupped her dirt-smeared face and spoke in gentle tones. "It is over. We survived. Are you hurt?"
She searched his eyes as she shifted, moving all her limbs. "No."
Pavel could not resist the urge to pull her into a one-armed embrace. "Thank God!"
Karin did not react at first. Had he surprised her? Overstepped? But soon enough, she melted into his arms.
He regretted when he had to pull back. The absence of her body’s warmth pervaded his.
"Are you well?" Her eyes were bright as they searched his.
He didn't want to tell her about his shoulder. But she would become aware of it soon enough. "My shoulder is injured, but it will be fine."
Her eyes slid closed and she let out a breath.
"My lord! My lady!" The coachman came around the outside of the carriage.
"Here!" Pavel called.
With slow movements, he maneuvered to his feet. Then, reaching with his good arm, he helped Karin rise.
The carriage groaned under them.
Karin grasped for Pavel's arms to steady herself.
He grit his teeth against the pain.
She frowned and her gaze flew over his body, focusing on his arm. Did she realize that it was limp?
"Pavel, your arm!"
"It is fine. I promise." Pavel did not want to get distracted. His attention was on their predicament.
The wheel holding up the carriage could give way any second. What might happen then? He was not sure. It depended on the terrain. Would they lay flat? Or would they tumble down a hillside?
"Come to the window and prepare to receive Lady Karin!" Pavel called to the coachman.
"Pavel, you are injured. You should—" she started as he positioned her under the window.
"I will not hear of it." he said, meeting her eyes.
The carriage shifted again as the coachman climbed on top.
But Karin’s gaze was not diverted. She delved into Pavel's eyes, lingering for a moment longer before turning and raising her arms.
As she gripped the coachman’s wrists, he grasped hers and pulled her to safety.
When Karin's weight shifted, there was more groaning underfoot. Pavel moved to the corner in an attempt to counterbalance the change, while the coachman helped Karin off the carriage. The man's footsteps return to the window above and then Pavel saw the coachman's hands.
Pavel reached with his good arm.
"Give me your other hand," the man said.
"I cannot, sir," Pavel said, offering no further explanation.
The process of getting Pavel out was more strenuous. With great effort and sweat, the two men worked together to guide Pavel's body up.
Once on top, Pavel saw what danger they were truly in. If the remaining wheel beneath gave way, the carriage would fall down the hillside and any within would be lost.
The sounds coming from the wheel became louder. More crackling could be heard.
Pavel shoved the coachman off the carriage while he jumped in Karin’s direction. His only thought was, to move her out of harm’s way.
As he jumped, a loud crack filled his ears and the wheel gave way. The carriage, no longer held up by the pinned wheel, slid.
Pavel watched as it hit large rocks, breaking apart as it rolled to the stream at the bottom of the hill.
Karin was at his side almost immediately after he landed. And she saw. She must have watched in horror as their coach made its descent, being crushed all the way down. Her hands clasped his arms tightly as their eyes followed the destructive path the carriage took. Then, she glanced down at him. What did she need? What could he offer?
Pavel let his head drop to the ground, taking in deep breaths. They had made it out. But not by much. He was so relieved he scarcely noticed her fingernails digging into him.
"Pavel?" came her timid voice. Was she worried he had passed out?
He opened his eyes. "I'm all right," he answered her unspoken question. "Perhaps a little shaken."
"What of your arm? We need to get you to a doctor!"
"No." He shook his head. "I assure you even this coachman can care for it."
She arched a brow and frowned. Was she so doubtful?
The coachman stepped over. " That carriage took quite a beating."
"Karin." Pavel turned to her. "Could you tend to the horses? Make sure they are secured?"
Her brows furrowed. But she did not question his request. Instead she nodded and turned. Had he earned such trust from her?
Pavel watched her go. The coachman should be commended. Not only for his capable rescue of Pavel and Karin. But he also thought to free the horses when the creaking started. Now they stood a few feet away. They would not be walking back to the chateau. As Pavel watched Karin, she took the reins and walked the horses to a nearby tree.
Satisfied that she was sufficiently distracted, he shifted his attention to the coachman.
The man's eyes were on him, awaiting instructions. It seemed he, too, knew what needed to be done. Reaching for Pavel's injured arm, he waited for a signal.
Taking in a deep breath, Pavel nodded and gazed up at the sky.
The man put his feet on Pavel's torso and around his shoulder. Then he grasped the limp arm. Pulling hard, the coachman twisted the arm until Pavel heard a loud pop.
Pavel cried out. But just as quickly as it started, it was over, and the pain lessened.
The coachman got to his feet.
Karin slammed into him from behind. "Get away from him!" she screamed as she punched at him and shoved him away.
She fell on her knees beside Pavel, using her body as a shield.
"Karin," Pavel gasped. "Karin, it is all right!" His hand reached for hers as he started to sit up.
She glared at him, wide eyed. Was she shocked to hear him defend the man who just attacked him?
"He fixed my arm," Pavel tried to explain. "I'm sorry we startled you."
Karin’s eyes fell on his left arm, no longer dangling by his side. She shifted her attention toward the coachman. "I'm sorry…I ..."
"Do not concern yourself, my lady," The coachman brushed off his jacket.
"Tha
nk you," she said, sighing.
How worn she must be. She had been tired before this ordeal, and it must have taken a lot out of her. Perhaps sheer determination was the only thing that had kept her going for the duration. But even that must have been wearing off.
"I think we best get back to the chateau," Pavel said, hoping to turn her attention elsewhere.
Karin nodded. Was she as eager for her bed as he was for his? Or was he more interested in just getting out of this place?
With a little help from Karin, Pavel got to his feet. Then they moved toward the horses. The coachman mounted one. Karin and Pavel climbed onto the other. Then, with slowed steps, they made their way back.
* * *
When Karin awoke, the amount of light seeping into the room indicated that the sun had already crept over the treetops. She was accustomed to rising before dawn, but the events of the evening kept her out later than usual.
And then Karin had been nearly unable to sleep. Her mind filled with thoughts of the day and of Pavel. The more time she spent with him, the harder it was to resist this pull, this attraction. The more she learned about him, the more she liked him.
Karin sat up and swung her legs over the side of the bed. As she rose, her body protested. Her muscles ached from the accident, but she was thankful she suffered no worse than some soreness and bruising. It could have been much, much worse.
Padding across the floor toward the window, she then opened the drapes wide so she could gaze over the trees and mountains in the distance. It was a beautiful day, one which held every promise in the world.
Karin's thoughts shifted to her interactions with Pavel the evening before. How long had Pavel watched her? She had been so caught up in the dancing, she had not noticed. What had he thought?
He must have looked on her with favorable eyes, as he had joined in. The moment his hands connected with hers, it seemed as if she were flying. His touch grounded her and made her soar at the same time.
Sitting on a nearby chair, she relived the moment in her heart. And then, as much as she didn't want to dwell on the other events, she couldn't forget how Pavel saved her life. Or what it had been like for him to hold her so tightly. Had it been his embrace or the danger of the moment that had caused adrenaline to shoot through her?
The Lady Bornekova Page 9
