Betrayal (21 page)

Hours later she stood in Hever’s inner yard, well back out of the torchlight. She leapt in fright when a gloved hand touched her shoulder.

“There,” he said, pointing to a door beyond the stable.  “I will go first and you follow in a few minutes.”  His hand grazed her cheek as he moved away from her. Elisabeth watched his dark form move past the stable and go in the door. Sweeping the yard with her eyes, Elisabeth at last felt assured there was no one about. As she stepped
off toward the stable and her handsome lord, Elisabeth was startled to hear her name called.  Resentment flooded her as she resisted the call, only relenting when she realized she had been spotted and there was no escaping her duty.

“Elisabeth,” called the all too familiar shrill voice, “Your lady requires you.”

“Yes, Madam, I am coming.” Elisabeth said, glancing regretfully over her shoulder. She paused, wondering if she should tell him she had been called away, but a further shrill call of her name hastened her on her way to her mistress. She did not see Lord Rochford again until several days later, as the Royal party readied itself for its return to London.

“You kept me waiting, naughty girl,” he chided when they were alone.

              “But my lord, I could not, your lady wife called and I had to obey.”

             
“She frightens you, does she not?” he teased.  When Elisabeth nodded he coyly admitted, “Me too. But let us not talk of thistles when a rose blooms so near. And near I would have you, Elisabeth. Yes, very near indeed. But I fear it will have to wait.” Then, raising her hand to his lips, he whispered, “until Greenwich my sweet.”

             
Elisabeth stood breathless, her mind hardly comprehending that so handsome a man should seek her out. Sweat dripped between her breasts, heat coursed between her thighs as she watched him move off down the stairs. She was quickly drawn back to the present with the need to ready her lady’s packing boxes for the trip to Greenwich. The King, and the ladies Anne and Jane, with the royal party, had already departed. George had remained to meet with his father and to see his sister’s household safely on its way.

             
“Until Greenwich,” Elisabeth whispered as she watched his departing form. 

THIRTEEN

MONDAY, AUGUST 26
TH

             
Lydia expelled the breath from her lungs; her shoulders slumped forward as she accepted the inevitable. There would be no further escape. She would have to begin regression hypnotherapy. She smiled weakly at Marjorie as she smoothed the silk of her skirt. “Better show him in, Marge. We’ve kept him waiting long enough.” Lydia stood, forcefully extending her hand in greeting, the assertive action camouflaging her anxiety.

             
“Forgive me for keeping you waiting so long. But one thing led to another and well, you know how it is.” Lydia flashed him a quick smile.  “Please have a seat,” she continued, indicating a chair next to her desk. “So,” she said a little too forcefully, “where do we go from here?”  Nervously, she continued, “I guess there is no running away anymore.”  She slid down into her chair, her red-coated fingernails nervously caressing her bottom lip as she waited for him to speak.

             
Struck by her sudden child-like apprehension, Alan groped for the right words. “Well, I must say I am pleased to finally have you alone for a wee bit,” he teased. “I am pleased that you were able to meet with me at the Market.” he paused. “I believe your night terrors, which now have crept into your waking hours, must be investigated.” He hesitated as he watched her tighten into a stiff pose.  “I believe we should discuss the benefits of hypnosis. Clear the air, so to speak, of any misconceptions.” Alan paused to clear his throat before continuing.

              “As I told you before, hypnosis is not mind-control; it is rather a relaxed state of being in which the conscious mind is busied with restful thoughts and the sub-conscious is freed to use its innate power for whatever purpose you desire. You, means just that, you, not me.  I am solely your guide. Hypnosis is an excellent way to reduce stress and promote relaxation. Thousands of people use self-hypnosis for just those purposes every day. Of course hypnosis has other uses, such as the treatment of phobias, irrational fears like eremrophobia, the fear of being alone, or its cousin agoraphobia, the fear of crowds. A common irrational fear is nyctophobia.”

             
“What’s that?” Lydia interrupted.

             
“Nyctophobia is a common childhood fear, fear of the dark. These are but just a few examples of phobias hypnosis has been known to cure. The study of phobias is fascinating in its self.  There is chrematophobia, which is the fear of money, and thalassophobia, and that is one we need to check. Are you afraid of the ocean?”

             
“Why? What does that have to do with hypnosis?”

             
“To induce the hypnotic state we use scenes, restful visualization. If, for instance, you are afraid of the sea and I direct you to imagine you are on a sunny beach, for you that visualization would be stressful and upsetting and your conscious mind would not allow you to become comfortable and relaxed. Therefore, a true hypnotic state could not be achieved. So, Lydia, we must find out how you feel about the ocean and beaches.”

             
“No problem there. I love sandy beaches, in fact Dan and I spend every summer moment we can at New River Beach. But I am not sure I understand what my liking the ocean and hypnosis have to do with one another.”

“Perhaps a demonstration rather than an explanation would be better. Ask your secretary to hold your calls for fifteen minutes and I will show you.” Alan smiled as he settled back in his chair. He knew her inquisitive mind would be challenged by the opportunity of a brief demonstration.

Lydia did as he asked. Cradling the telephone receiver, Lydia asked, “Now what?”

“Now we play with our imagination. Settle yourself in your chair. Arms at your side. That’s right. Now, uncross your legs. Keep both of your feet flat on the floor. First, we are going to relax your body. Close your eyes, Lydia. Now with your mind’s eye. . . Keep your eyes closed, Lydia! With your mind’s eye see New River Beach. Feel the warmth of the hot, summer sun on your face. See the curve of the beach; hear the gentle lap of the waves on the sandy shore. Halfway down the beach you see a blanket. You are tired and you want to lie down. Feel the heat of the sand between your toes as you cross to the blanket. As you lay down you hear the lonely cry of solitary seagull.  You are all alone and safe in this wondrous place.  Lying on the blanket you feel the heat of the sun warm your body.  Overhead the gull flies lazy circles in the cloudless blue sky. As you lay on this soft blanket become aware that your feet are warm and glowing. The sun’s glow warms your toes and relaxes them. You feel the sun’s glow move up to your feet and ankles, relaxing them totally. Now the sun’s glow mo
ves up your legs relaxing your calves, knees, and thighs.  Your legs feel heavy, warm, and relaxed. The heat of the sun’s glow moves to your stomach and in its relaxing incandescence you feel your stomach and solar plexus release its tightness. The solar plexus is the seat of our emotions; when we are upset it contracts causing pain and discomfort. Feel it now relax and expand as the healing light of the sun enters it. Now the sun’s glow moves higher yet, into the heart area and you feel your breath become slower.  The sun’s warming glow now enters your neck and shoulder areas. Feel the heat pour through your tight muscles, relaxing them completely. Feel your body sink into the blanket as the heat flows down your arms to your hands and fingers. Now, Lydia, just lay there feeling this complete state of relaxation.  Take a few moments to enjoy the pure pleasure of total relaxation. And when you are ready to open your eyes, this feeling of well being will remain with you throughout the day. I will be quiet now while you luxuriate in your relaxed, peaceful state.” Alan watched her closely.

             
Slowly, as if resistant to awakening, Lydia’s eyes opened. “Wow!” was all she said.

             
Stokes smiled. “So, how do you feel?”

             
“Great! No, better! Fantastic! Better than a good night’s sleep. I feel so good.”

             
“You sound surprised. What were you expecting?”

“I don’t know. But I had no idea I’d feel this good. Will it last? The dream won’t come tonight, will it?” Lydia asked innocently as her hand swept her hair from her eyes.

              “I didn’t give you any post-hypnotic suggestions. This was merely a demonstration, remember?” He smiled as he playfully fended off her questions with his hands.

“Well, when do we do it again? Is there any time limit or schedule to follow? I mean, I feel great. I can’t remember the last time I felt this good. I feel like I am glowing.”

“Your smile certainly is!” He savored the contended look of her smile.  “No, there is no schedule, but I do think we should talk to Dan before continuing.”

“Yes, of course. I’ll have to get you to hypnotize him after the next hospital board meeting or maybe before, so he won’t get so upset,” Lydia teased, as the telephone rang.

“Hello. This is Lydia speaking. How may I help you?  Oh darling, where are you? Oh, St. Joe’s.  Alan is here and we’ve… I’ll tell you about it later. Yes, sure, later, bye.” Then turning to Alan, she continued, “Dan has been called to St. Joseph’s Health Center; one of his patients has taken a turn for the worse”

“Too bad, I had hoped to see him today. Well, can’t be helped,” Alan said. Looking at his wristwatch he continued, “I had better be going. I have a staff meeting in an hour. Call me after you have spoken to Dan and we will set up a time to get together.”

“Sure,” Lydia said as she walked him to the clinic’s large waiting room.

***

Later, over a plate of Tuscan Chicken with garlic and capers, Lydia excitedly recounted her hypnotic experience to Dan. The restaurant was quiet, candlelit, and romantic. Dan’s eyes beamed with pleasure as Lydia detailed the visualization for him.

“I only wish I had known Alan was there this afternoon, especially after arguing with James Fowler regarding the need to take his medicine the same time every day. A hopeless task, I might add. After that encounter I could have used a little relaxation therapy myself.  So what’s next? When will the sessions begin?”

“There are no firm plans about a start date.  I truly enjoyed the relaxation session today, but I’m not ready to start regression.  Suppose I do and …”

“It’s okay, Lydia. I know that the idea of regression frightens you. But I must say I am pleased that you had a successful session this afternoon. That should go a long way toward allaying your fears of hypnosis.”

“It does,” Lydia admitted.  “I can’t remember when I felt so relaxed. Maybe I never have been.”  Lydia became silent staring steadily into the flickering candle flame on the table between them, lost in her thoughts.

Dan grew uncomfortable in the silence. Realizing she wasn’t going to resume talking, he did. “You know, I was only half-kidding earlier about relaxation therapy for myself. I sure could have used some of that myself today, and with the Quarterly Medical Staff meeting next Thursday.  That report I’ve been working on with Dr. Michaels is to be presented.” Dan’s face twisted into a painful grimace as he thought of speaking before the hundreds of Doctors in Region 2.

              “Isn’t Michaels doing the presentation?”

             
“No.”

             
“Well, wasn’t that the agreement; that you’d do the research and he’d do the presentation?”

             
“Yes, but he is away next week; couldn’t be helped, family emergency or something.”

             
“Oh,” was all Lydia said as she aimlessly stirred her tea. Her mind drawn to the afternoon’s restful visualization, she yearned to regain that elusive feel of the soft wool blanket stretched across the luminous sands of her sun-drenched consciousness.

             
Dan looked at her, baffled by the faraway look in her eyes. He hesitated, not wanting to break the spell that held her so enthralled.  From the back of the restaurant he could see the waitress approaching the table. He tried desperately to catch her eye and wave her off; at last he succeeded. The young girl replied with a lusty wink as she veered toward another table.

             
Dan continued to watch Lydia in the candlelight, her face smooth, with brows relaxed and momentarily he envied her. Mentally he scolded himself. His voice hardly a whisper as his mouth formed the word, more a thought than an utterance, “beautiful”.

             
Lydia raised her eyes from the candle’s flame to look directly into Dan’s caramel brown eyes. Her heart swelled with love. His satyric smile brought a virginal blush to her cheeks

Her blush inflamed Dan with desire. It was as if he were seeing her for the first time. Hungrily his eyes devoured every detail of her face, the tilt of her chin, the cleft of her parted ruby lips with the flash of her white teeth behind.  He smiled as her left hand causally reached for the blonde tendril at her ear, her fingers grazing her lips as she self-consciously lowered her gaze to her wineglass.  God, how he loved her; he yearned to take her take her then and there, to sweep aside the elegant china and crystal, claiming her here and now, his now and forever. Though his loins burned with lust, he feared to shatter the moment, resolving to savor her beauty only with his eyes.