The Lady of Fairhaven (29 page)

Luke was met at the gate by John who quickly relayed what he knew as they both strode into Phillip’s bedchamber. As they entered, Luke immediately noticed Phillip’s face was pale, and dark circles lined his sunken eyes. Luke blinked away the vision of his once virile and powerful sire as his stomach clenched with an urge to kill the man who struck Phillip down.

At the sound of his son’s footfalls, Phillip opened his eyes, then motioned Luke to his side. His weak hand extended, and Luke clutched it in his own tight grip.

“
I am here father. What would you have me do?” Luke asked.

“
You already know the answer to that, my son,” Phillip said. But now his expression turned grim. “We were set upon in our sleep. They were after Gillian. God help me, Luke, I failed her. I failed Alyssa too. She fell into their hands, as well. I have sent trackers in pursuit, but I have received no news.” Phillip drew a deep breath but drawing little strength from it. Phillip’s eyes clouded with moisture as he said, “Find them Luke and bring them back.”

“
I too failed Gillian, father,” Luke whispered. “She has suffered much at the hands of Oliver and Katherine.”

“
I would kill Oliver for what he has done to her, had I the strength to mete out the punishment,” Phillip said.

“
I have spoken to him, father,” Luke said. “I trust him naught, but I fear he does not possess our ladies. He denies abducting them, and once again pledges to join our forces while we make our search. What think you on this matter?”

“
I know naught. Do you think he attempts to trick us to gain our confidences?” Phillip asked.

“
Mayhap, sire, but I would have him close by where I can watch him,” Luke answered. “He and his men may come along, and welcome too, for the extra eyes they offer in our search. And if need be, he would make my work quick if I should find cause to strike him down.”

“
Be careful, son,” Phillip admonished. “I am not long in this world, and I would not have you leaving it before me.”

Luke held tightly to his father’s hand as he said, “Aye, father. I will be careful.”

“
I want you to go now and retrieve our ladies. Do not wait upon me. It will gladden my heart to know you are searching.”

Alyssa sat against the wall, shivering from the cold and dampness. “Gillian,” she whispered, “I cannot tolerate the darkness, and my stomach protests without sustenance. Do you think they mean to leave us here to die of starvation?” A series of sobs convulsed through Alyssa’s body before Gillian groped her way along the cold stone floor to reach her companion.

“
Hush!” Gillian cooed. Her arms enfolded the other woman and rocked her soothingly. “I doubt they should want you to suffer overmuch. Your life is worth a great reward from the Thornburgh family. No doubt your brothers are riding to see you safely under their protection at home.”

“
And you too, Gillian. You are now part of our family. My brothers will come for you as well,” Alyssa assured. “I do hope they come soon. The darkness and cold sinks into my very bones.”

Alyssa finally slipped into a welcome and much needed rest. Gillian stroked her head as it rested in her lap. Try as she might, her mind defied her body’s need for rest. Suffering guilt over the events of the past few days, her mind scolded and planned for her future if she should ever leave this wretched place.

Clearly marriage would never suit her now. Loving Luke as dearly as she did, and wanting no other, her future would hold little happiness. Anguished tears streamed down her cheeks, just thinking about how Luke must hate her now.

It might be best to enter an abbey to live out her days. Although the thought held little appeal, she refused to force the Thornburgh family into caring for one who had robbed them so cruelly.

Fairhaven could be her sanctuary if she could only raise her own bride price. If freed in time, Katherine might not be able to spend her entire inheritance. Yes, buying solitude might relieve her anguish about entering another loveless marriage. For she was certain her heart could never love again.

She also felt that duty might force the Thornburghs to feign some allegiance to her, but feared that in the end they would resent her.

These dreams of the future were futile. Gillian knew Alyssa was the only prize Katherine would find worth keeping. If Katherine let her live a week she would be surprised. No doubt her captor would kill her for the pleasures the lady would grant, and death would seem most welcome now that her life was reduced to a living hell.

In the Fairhaven tower, Katherine pulled her chemise from her shoulders exposing her breasts. In a practiced move she slipped against him. Nate growled approvingly. Soft flesh caressing hard muscle lulled her into a lusty stupor. Her legs parted as Luke’s heavy manhood bobbled against her flat stomach. Every inch of his flesh was anxiously awaiting the pleasure her sweet charms promised.

Taking a fist full of hair roughly into his hands, Nate held her head immobile while he plundered the honey depths of her mouth. Tongues tangled in a swirl of taste and battles of love play. In a bold move, his lips closed around hers and sucked her tongue inside his own hot, moist mouth.

Katherine surrendered any will she possessed to eagerly lead their lovemaking, allowing Nate’s erotic advances to demand, then retreat. Demand, then retreat. Ultimately, his efforts thrust them both into spikes of ecstasy and delight. Wild pleasure consumed their bodies and before they could withdraw, each swelled and prepared for another savory feast. With such tasty morsels to sample they had no desire to leave the rumpled sheets of the bedchamber.

Hardly hungry for food, each meal was taken in the privacy of Katherine’s bedchamber near the window, where the two paraded naked and bathed in sunlight, often in front of one and all. Every motion their naked bodies made attracted the other like moths to the flame. Exhausted by the constant physical demands, the two collapsed on the bed early each night, drifting into a deep sleep.

For two full days, Gillian and Alyssa and their condition in the dungeon, were locked out of Katherine’s thoughts. Only water was delivered and the two prisoners sank further into the despair enveloping them.

Katherine bolted up from under the sheets in horror. “I have forgotten myself,” she screamed. I have left those two little chits in their cells without provisions for food.” As soon as the horrified words bubbled out of her mouth, she lay back in the bed and laughed.

“
What have you done?” Nate bellowed. “The lord’s daughter is worth a fortune to us. If she is found to be in poor health, you may expect a fight rather than the generous reward we continue to hope for. How could you forget to make the simplest of accommodations for them? Men gave their lives for this plan.”

“
I was lost in my admiration for you, my love,” Katherine purred. “You have simply proved to much for me. Her silken arms wrapped seductively around Nate’s shoulders and into the hair at the nape of his neck. “Besides, a couple of days without food will not harm them.”

In a fit of angry exasperation, Nate bounded up from the bed and began pulling on his chausses.

“
Where do you go at this hour?” Katherine asked.

“
I must go inquire after the ladies,” Nate said. His pale eyes bore into Katherine’s vivid blue. “If no one brought food,” he said, “the two ladies might be ill from lack of nourishment.”

As soon as his chausses had been pulled up and tied, Nate clutched for his shirt and pulled it on over his head. As the cloth passed over his head, he strode out of the room and down the stairs.

In moments, Nate’s lantern cast light on the two forms cowering in the corner of the cell. Clinging to one another, both women gasped at the blinding light cast from the dim lantern. Having spent every waking minute in the total blackness of their cell, the unaccustomed light overloaded their senses. As if controlled like puppets on a string, two arms swept up to cover light sensitive eyes.

Nate’s release of held breath expressed the relief he felt to see both women still conscious. Should anything have happened to either one, a battle would rage between their family and him. He wasn’t equipped to wage such a fight.

As soon as Nate had ordered fresh water and food to be delivered and the chamber pot emptied, Katherine swept into the room. Her scarlet silk gown stood in direct contrast to the drab dark interior of the dungeon and the chemise clad women within. Katherine stood outside the cell door and examined the plain clothes and weak condition of Alyssa and Gillian.

“
I see you are doing well,” Katherine said. Her lip curled in an evil sneer. “I believe, Lady Alyssa, that you shall accompany me to the tower. I have need of some female society. Truly, your family would take offense if they found you in the basement of our well appointed manor without proper accommodations.” Katherine motioned for Nate to unlock the cell.

Alyssa, however, did not respond as Katherine had expected. Her days and nights in the dungeon had robbed her of some of senses. Even now, Alyssa was experiencing an allusion she had dreamed of that night. She shifted as if expecting the rats that infested the dungeon to swarm over her. She swatted at the non-existent rodents and stopped only when Gillian calmed her flailing hands with her own steady ones. Only the calming grasp by Gillian finally settled the wayward motions.

Now aware of her whereabouts, Alyssa cried out, “What of Lady Gillian?” Her hand grasped onto Gillian. Unwilling to leave her friend alone in the dark, she hung on to her arms.

“
We will find a place for Lady Gillian. You can be certain of that,” Katherine assured the frightened woman without promising anything.

Gillian knew she would be remaining alone in the dark. It frightened her, but she felt obligated to encourage Alyssa. She might have been the cause of the destruction of the family, but she could certainly influence the welfare of Phillip’s youngest child.

“
I will be well, Alyssa,” Gillian promised. “Your father would wish you to be away from this place and cared for. Do not fear for me.”

With these simple words of assurance, Alyssa stood slowly. She had tried her legs out only several times a day since her imprisonment. Her body wobbled with her unsteady legs locked into place.

Nate reached forward and secured the woman at the waist as he helped her out of the horrible place. Gillian sat still watching the trio retreat, plunging her world back into the complete darkness she feared above all else.

Luke and Oliver headed the group of horsemen as they rode swiftly away from Longmore. Riding together only served to compare and contrast each man. Oliver’s face was edged with guilt, while Luke’s pain and concern was etched deep into his every expression. In most respects, the two were more similar than either would care to share.

Both powerfully built, their visage showed an imposing and deadly display to any man who would defy their will. A short supply of patience rushed the two, forcing their entourage into a rapid pace. Each man was determined to retrieve the ladies who had been so vilely placed in harm’s way.

Only the insistence of trusted knights halted their progress for meals and an encampment for the night. Glad for the imposed rest but impatient, Luke still champed at the bit to travel all night to recover his love. And even the exhaustion of the hard ride along the trail could not defeat the anxiety he held at the expense of his sleep.

The two men had split their forces into two groups. Five trackers set off after the trail. Twenty others set off for Fairhaven. Almost immediately, both Luke and Oliver believed the abduction to be the work of Katherine.

Possessing no dwelling of her own, she would secure the place most easily conquered. Their guess was that she had been acting as chatelaine for more than a week and it would be easy to dupe any of the villeins into thinking she was going to continue on in that role.

Luke’s only thought was to ride to Fairhaven and hope to free Gillian and Alyssa. There was little time to lose.

The next morning Luke started out just after first light with a tired band of men following close on his heels. His pace outdistanced them on some occasions and he was forced to quell his dark emotions as well as his pace. He didn’t have to be reminded that it was best to have fresh men and mounts if a battle was forthcoming.

The dark dungeon swallowed up Gillian’s spirits. Alone and afraid, she could only pray, Alyssa was being treated well. Alone with her thoughts, memories of her past with Luke drifted into her mind like sunshine into a dark corner.

The freshness of his body pressed against hers wafted into her consciousness. Everything about the man was well loved and appreciated. When his arms closed around her waist like the strongest span of steel, she smiled. Every ounce of fear melted away when he held her tightly in his arms. His fingers caressed her cheek and his mouth brushed lightly against hers.

She begged to keep his lips pressed to hers, but they moved away so quickly. Unexpectedly, Luke’s fingers scratched at her breast. Gillian’s eyes snapped open and the dark flooded in once again. The scratching nails of a rat clawed into the fine material of the chemise down her chest and into her lap.

Terror colored the tone of the loud mindless scream that tore loose from her throat. One scream after another was released into the darkness of her cell. Her hands rubbed and slapped furiously at the large rodent, now long gone. Had the beast been all over her mouth and neck as she had dreamed? The thought almost made bile rise in her throat.