A Widow Plagued (11 page)

Hannah grew very still and very cold. Her lips trembled. What should she do? If she claimed to be Lady Hannah, he would stop. This would save her in the moment. But then, she would soon be turned over to the pig Sir John. If that happened, she would become a broken play thing of that pock-marked swine until she was lucky enough to die from plague or child birth.

If she denied her station, this man would ravage her right here, beside the bloody boar carcass. Large tears pulled in Hannah's eyes, and she turned her head away from David's greedy gaze.

The vacant hopelessness that David glimpsed in Hannah's eyes before she turned her head, broke some place deep within him. He had become as vile as his brothers-preying on the weak and innocent for sport.

Slowly, and carefully, David lifted himself from atop Hannah and turned to tend the fire. Back turned, he grumbled, “My apologies, Lady Hannah. I was thinking just to tease ye a bit. I forget that ladies are a might more sensitive than us blokes.”

Hannah shivered and sat up. “I should think so, ye, ye miscreant.”

David grinned to himself as he added the first log to the fire. Lady Hannah didn't even have the foul words in her vocabulary to be able to truly tell him off.

She was endearing and captivating. Never had he met a Lady like her. She represented civilization, restraint, sophistication, kindness, softness...all the things he'd longed for as a child. His own mother was cool and reserved. She had not taken an active hand in raising any of her six sons.

He had left his own harsh hearth to be trained by the equally merciless Lord Haversham. Capable as he was, Sir David had no interest in leading the hard life of a mercenary. Not that he was afraid of a fight. He was fast, brave, clever, and strong. He'd fought in fifteen skirmishes already in his young life and lived to tell about it.

Yet, it was not the life for which he longed. From a young age, he had believed there must be something more. A life of books, music, farming, and family. Lady Hannah represented just such a life. The way she had cared for him, her assailant, proved she would make for a kind-hearted mother some day. She was a fine lady to boast as a gentleman's wife.
Rough edges be damned
.
He would find a way to make her his, rightfully and legally, or he would die trying.

“Hast thou nothing to say for thyself?” Hannah demanded, interrupting his reverie.

Sir David turned and allowed a ghost of a smile to play across his classically handsome features. Standing, he gave his most courtly bow. “I beg thy lady's forgiveness and humbly plight my troth. I am now and forever more in thy lady's service. I thank thee for staying and seeing to my welfare, rather than running off at the first chance.”

Hannah was taken aback. She could not understand the extreme mood shifts of her captor. What game was he playing at now? She was not experienced with the flirtations and quips of the nobility, but it seemed that this young man most certainly was. Narrowing her eyes, she took stock of his features and shivered. When she was eight years old, the Lord and Lady Polk had deemed to visit the lowly Lord Sanders. She remembered the visit because her father had nearly beggared himself, putting up the best food, wine, and entertainment. This young man, if she were not mistaken, looked the exact image of Lady Polk. If he were not her son, he was a close relation. She was now more certain than ever that she had been abducted by a gentleman.

“How fairs thy mother, Lady Polk?” Hannah hazarded.

Sir David stiffened. “Ye shall find out shortly, I presume.”

It was Hannah's turn to stiffen. “Please, Sir...whoever ye are, I beg ye. Do nay turn me over to Sir John. I cannot abide the thought of suffering such as that. There must be some agreement we can come to amongst ourselves.”

David stifled a grin and suppressed his rising guilt at how easily he could manipulate the young woman. She was barely out of the nursery, of that he was certain. Her womanly figure could not hide the softness of her cheeks and the innocence in her eyes.

He should not manipulate her, but turn her back over to the protective custody of her stepmother. The Lady Sara had a reputation for being a doting care giver to her stepchildren. Yet, she had no real power to protect Hannah against the plotting, scheming masses of men who would use her to promote their own ends..
.
Men like yerself
?
he silently chastised.

At least I would care for her, respect her perso
n
, his alter-ego argued.

Sighing he turned to Lady Hannah and boldly broke the code of chivalry by offering, “Ye could marry me instead.”

Hannah sat up strait and looked at her youthful captor. She had never imagined that she would have the choice to marry a young man. Gentlewomen in her station were wed to men of thirty or forty years, sometimes more.

This young man offered her the opportunity to buck convention and marry someone young and attractive, if not safe and established.

“And how wouldst thou care for me?” she scoffed, dropping her head to admire the folds within her skirt.

“I would form a liaison with Sir Gavin, establishing him as rightful Lord Sanders and myself as his troop commander. I hold the title of Sir David, son of Lord and Lady Polk. T'would be a wise merger for myself and thy family.”

After a long silence, Sir David continued. “I would be good to thee, Lady Hannah. I have never once raised my hand to a woman. I would make thy happiness my sincerest ambition.”

Hannah looked up at Sir David and considered the ludicrous proposal. Was it possible that they could act on such an impulse and gain stability for themselves and their families in turn?

Yet, how was she to know that he was whom he claimed? How was she to know he meant a word of what he said to her now?

Once married, she became a man's property to do with as he desired. Yet, if he were whom he claimed, and she could remain under Sir Gavin's domain, as he suggested, would she not retain protection therein?

Despite the fact that the man had stolen her, had he not also protected her from the pig laying at his feet?

She would have to think on this before she hazarded a response.

Chapter
6

Betrayal

The first rays of light trickled through the leaf litter across the forest floor, as Sir Gavin set out to find his missing ward. His ire and anxiety mounted. Last night had been restless and miserable. Lying beneath an outcropping, which offered little shelter from the bitter September wind, the men had taken turns keeping watch while the others tried to sleep. Sleep had proved impossible.

The trail had grown cold the evening before, and yet, Gavin pushed forward, in the general direction of Lakeshore Manor. If his instincts were correct, Lady Hannah's captor would be headed that way.

Pausing, Gavin thought he caught a whiff of smoke. Squinting into the far distance, Gavin noted a rock outcrop. It boasted a trickling waterfall and a thin stream of pale smoke puffing from the top of the largest boulder.

Gavin's heart raced. Someone was inside. The dawn had not quite lifted its golden fingers into the slumberous sky when Gavin and his men stealthily mounted the side of the rocky structure. Silently, he motioned for his men to follow behind as he felt the rock face for an inevitable opening. Brushing past the ivy, the three men filed inside.

Step by painstaking step, they moved in silent accord until the narrow passage finally gave way into a small open chamber. Gavin stopped cold at the scene before him. A low-burning fire lighted a small portion of the cavern. There, amid the shadows and embers, lay his precious stepdaughter, draped across the naked expanse of a young man's chest.

In wanton abandon, her mouth slightly agape in peace-filled slumber, she smiled and snuggled into the arm the man wrapped intimately about her waist.

Before he could react, his men came behind him and beheld the scene; their eyes grew large and dark with understanding. “Lady” Hannah had run away as Sara predicted after all. With the aid of a young man, none-the-less.

Pointing his sword in the young man's face, Gavin hazarded a kick to his bruised ribs.

“Ugh,” the man sat up, one arm shielding his head while the other wrapped protectively about Hannah.

“Unhand her ye vile knave!” Gavin growled, offering his arm to Hannah in silent entreaty.

Hannah woke with a start, looking at the man who held her against his chest and the other who offered her fatherly protection.

Her mind raced. If she were to move, Sir David's life was at risk. If she stayed, Sir Gavin would surely draw the wrong conclusion.

Slowly, very slowly, she drew her hand up to Sir David's wrist and loosed it from her person. Cautiously, she stood, allowing David time to do the same. They took a step back, but Gavin closed the distance.

“Lord Sanders, might I present to ye Sir David, son of Lord and Lady Polk.”

Gavin growled and nearly lunged at David, but Hannah held up her hands and stepped before the sword. “This world is full enough of death as is, without us taking one another's lives.”

Gavin ignored Hannah and glared at Sir David. “Art thou who she claims ye to be?”

“Aye, Lord Sanders, I am.”

“And how come thee to be in possession of my stepdaughter?”

Sir David hesitated, prompted only by the tip of Gavin's sword at his throat. “I-I escaped the cage Lady Sanders prepared and returned to capture the Lady Hannah of my own accord.”

“And yer intent, Sir?”

“I-I had hoped to garner an understanding betwixt thee and myself, Lord Sanders...an understanding that my bring favor from the king.”

“Keep talking...”

“I myself am a knight by blood and title and a mercenary by trade. I am a skilled fighter. Yet, I have no love for the life I lead. Having seen the opportunity afforded my most vile and reprehensible brother, I thought myself much better suited. Despite my lack of education and experience, I would have made a much better Lord than my slothful, gluttonous brother.

“I found myself unwilling to return to my father in disgrace, cast out upon the world with nothing but an honor-less knighthood to make my way. At first, I thought to capture the Lady Hannah and return her to my father, to ensure I earned my way back into his good graces.

“My father, however, is a powerful man. He did not earn this power through kindness and empathy. He, would, no doubt, turn Lady Hannah over to my vile brother, thus ensuring the title of Lord Sanders stayed within our family.

“I do not wish this for Lady Hannah. I dared to wish something better for all of us. I propose, therefore, that I make a truce with thee, Lord Sanders, by acknowledging thy right to the land and title and by marrying the Lady Hannah myself. This would thus cement the connection of our two families, please the king in offering a plethora of heirs for the surrounding region, and offer me a place to call home.

“I would willingly pledge my loyalty to thee and serve as thy troop commander, should thou find me worthy to do so.”

Gavin's face turned red, and his voice erupted in loud, echoing bellows about the chamber. “Ye steal my daughter from her family estate, debauch her in God knows what villainous manner, than propose I make a truce with thee!”

Gavin lifted the sword and swiftly brought the hilt down on top of Sir David's head. “She'll marry thee in Hell first!” David crumpled to the ground.

Hannah screamed in fear and vexation, kneeling down to rest Sir David's head in her lap. “Ye've killed him, ye've murdered him!” she screeched crumpling over David's limp body in wrenching sobs.

Gavin pulled up short. “Of course, I have nay killed the wee usurper. I'm not as daft as all that, ye wicked imp. Have ye gone and lost yer mind, child? How can ye throw yerself on the first eligible man to come yer way? Ye have nay way of knowing he is whom he says or that he'll make good on his promises to ye.”

Lady Hannah looked her dirty, tear streaked face up to Gavin and he could see for the first time how truly young she was. This was the first time she had ever felt the warmth of a man; the attraction and affection had overwhelmed her. He must be more sensitive to her feelings.

“Come, now, lass, and let me take ye home to yer mother.”

“I'll not leave him here to be harmed, my lord. Please, I beg of ye!”

Sir David groaned and turned his head from the harsh light streaming through the ceiling of the cave. Smiling and hiccuping, Lady Hannah patted his face.

Gavin rolled his eyes and placed his hands on his hips. “We'll get him home and see that he is the man he claims to be. If he is Sir David Polk, ye can marry the fool and let him live to regret his allegiance to me forthwith.”

“I am not so certain I am ready to marry the man,” Hannah hedged.

“Ach, but ye were ready to bed him? I saw ye cuddled up to his bare chest as if ye were a prize trollop. Ye'll marry the man if he is at all eligible, I promise ye that, young lady.”

Hannah's eyes filled with fat tears anew. “Thou art a cruel and unforgiving man, My Lord. We shall see what my stepmother says about this!”

“Nay, we shan't. I am the Lord of the manor and tis my orders that will be obeyed! Do ye understand me?”

Hannah hung her head and wept bitterly. Gavin drew her to her feet, and Thomas did the same with Sir David. Marching the two young people from the cave, they began the long trek home.

~

Sir John Polk sat wallowing in a puddle of ale and self pity at The Hog's Head tavern. He would make Sir Gavin pay for this latest humiliation. Sir Gavin had stolen a life of ease from beneath his grasp and Sir John was not the kind of man to take such an assault mildly.

Scratching a puss-filled sore at the opening of his tunic, Sir John sneered and narrowed his beady eyes. He might have lost his bid at the title, but the world was a most dangerous and uncertain place. Anything could happen to the new Lord Sanders, in much the same way he had insured that it happened to the old Lord Sanders. Then, he could marry the widow or her daughter and cement his holdings as Lord Sanders once and for all.

~

Lord Sanders was filthy, hungry, tired, and cranky by the time he arrived back at the keep. He was very grateful that James had impressed upon him the importance of trussing the hog and bringing it back to feed the troops. Food was scarce, and the boar would go a long way to filling their empty stomaches.

Besides, he had drawn pleasure in forcing the beaten and exhausted Sir David to carry an end of the pig the entire three-hour hike back to the keep. While Thomas and James took turns on the other half, Gavin kept a keen eye on Hannah. She would never again escape his protection, if he had anything to say about it.

As much as he loathed the idea of linking his family with that of the Polks, this young man might just be the answer to his prayers. Hannah was not yet ready to marry in earnest, but that would not stop him from having the banns read and marrying them in the eyes of the church.

Later, once the man proves himself worthy and responsible, he can take on the burden of being a true husband. If not, well, then, Hannah can be married in name only and David can be sent on a myriad of tasks all over the kingdom...

Lady Sara came running, her golden hair flowing in soft waves about her, as they entered the bailey. Gavin smiled at his good fortune.

Hugging and clucking over Hannah as a mother hen, Sara gathered her ward into her arms and ushered her upstairs for a much needed bath.

Not much was said between the two young women as Sara washed Hannah's hair and applied witch hazel to her many scrapes and scratches.

“They'll not scar,” she ventured as she towel-dried Hannah's shaking limbs.
But what of her spirit
?
Sara wondered.
Has that been damage
d
?

She longed to talk to her husband and find out about the miscreant she'd seen hauled in by Gavin's men. She dared not leave Hannah alone, however, until she was safely tucked into her large bed and sound asleep.

Elizabeth woke and began loudly demanding her feeding the moment Hannah's head hit the pillow, however. Sighing, Sara scooped up the little bundle and slipped into the rocking chair beside the fireplace. She'd have to wait just a bit longer to assuage her concerns.

Not twenty minutes later, Millie came bustling in, bubbling over with information. “Well, isn't this a ripe twist to fate, don't ye think, My Lady?”

“Whatever dost thou mean, Millicent?” Sara demanded.

“Why the young rake stealing off with our Hannah, only to convince her and the Lord Sanders that he should be the one to marry our darling Hannah, what else, of course?”

Lady Sara grew still and cold as a statue. “Explain thyself, Millie.”

Taking a deep breath, Millie obliged. “It seems that the vagabond that absconded with our dear Hannah is not, in truth, a vagabond at all, but the right and true youngest son of Lord Polk. His name is Sir David, and he is truly, blissfully in love with our sweet Hannah. He has plighted his troth and convinced Lord Sanders to agree to the union.”

“Lord Sanders has agreed to this, this farce? He has promised my precious child to her abuser?” Lady Sara whispered vehemently.

“Oh, now, please don't take it like that,” Millie coaxed. “He is, after all, a young and dashing young man. He is right this very minute drawing up a contract with Lord Sanders, promising his loyalty. Can ye not see-”

But Sara had heard enough. Placing the now sleeping Elizabeth firmly in Millie's arms she ordered, “do not leave this chamber and my daughters or I'll have ye whipped, do ye understand me Millicent Ann of Sanders?”

Millie's face paled. Never, had Sara talked thus to her. She was struck dumb with the pain of the threat. Nonetheless, she nodded.

Marching down the stairs to the hall's long table, Sara's vision turned red with rage.
How dare he sell my daughter like a superfluous piece of baggage
!
After all we have been through to help him attain this keep for his own, this is the thanks my precious child receives?

Gavin did not need to turn around to know what wrath stood behind him. He fully expected that Lady Sara would take exception to his plan without taking the time to listen to him first. Drawing a deep breath, he looked over his shoulder at his wife; one eyebrow raised in silent warning.

“Might I speak with ye a moment, in private, My Lord,” Sara offered between clenched teeth.

“Just as soon as we finish the necessary signatures, I will be happy to oblige yer slightest whim, My Dear,” Gavin murmured in a deceivingly soft voice. Despite his better judgement, he had thrown down the gauntlet.

After two days of tracking down Sara's exhausting, spoiled daughter, Gavin was finished being yanked about by a woman's wiles.

“How dare thee!” Sara breathed, aghast. “My concerns are of utmost importance; I assure thee.”

“As yer concerns would surely feel that way to thee at all times of each day, I will not argue yer sincerity. If thou wilt await me in the solar, I will attend thee presently.”

Turning, Gavin lifted his quill and began to sign the document. Stepping forward with unleashed rage, Sara grabbed the parchment from the table and tore it in two.

Absolute silence ensued. Not a man servant so much as sniffled, awaiting Lord Sander's response.