Borderland Betrayal (17 page)

“Nay, you do not…you do not understand me. I…” She brought a hand up to her mouth and began to chew on the end of a fingertip. “I see things.”

James scowled and his moment of confusion allowed her to push from his arms. She shifted to sitting and wrapped her arms around her knees, blankets tucked tightly around her. He sat too and regarded her. “What is your meaning, lass?”

“‘Twas no nightmare. I see things, James. I see things that may happen.”

“Ellise, ‘twas just a dream.”

“Nay, ‘twas not. I have seen these things before and often they come to pass. I had a vision telling me to come to Thornewall. I knew Lucy would bear her babes well if I could help her.”

James shook his head.

“I know much, James. I know your father looked like you. I saw it in my vision.  He pushed you to fight when you did not want to. He waits for you.”

He had told no one of that. His pulse thudded with dread. “How could you know such a thing?”

“I see things,” she insisted. “James, you must heed my warning. You shall be harmed.”

“Ellise, this knowledge you have it sounds like…” the word felt bitter on his tongue, “witchcraft.”

“Nay!”

“Why do you tell me this then?” He edged off the bed and snatched at his braies, yanking them on. Doubt filled him. Ellise was a skilled healer and an insightful woman, but witchcraft…? However, he’d seen how that nightmare plagued her. Scraping a hand through his hair, he searched for his shirt and chausses, avoiding eye contact with her. Had he really allowed a witch into Thornewall? Let her tend to the Lady and the future lords? Good God, anything could have happened.

“James, I am no witch. You must know that.”

“But these… these visions. Nay, tell me they are just dreams.” He yanked on his chausses and snatched her arms. “Tell me, Ellise,” he commanded.

“I cannot!” she cried. “They are visions. I have been plagued by them ever since I was a girl. Would that I could tell you that but I can lie no longer. I have longed to tell you but…but I knew what you would think.”

He released her, feeling as if he had been stung. She knew what he would think? He did not know what to think.  How did he even know if his feelings were real? Mayhap she had used witchcraft on him. It would certainly explain the hold she had over him.

“James, pray do not look at me so.”

“I know not what you expect of me.” He snatched his shirt up once more and squeezed it in his fist, his mind reeling.

“This…” her hand shook as she pointed at him, “is why I did not tell you. But I did not expect you to accuse me of witchcraft!”

“What else would you have me believe? There is no other explanation for these powers.”

She sagged where she sat, shoulders dropping. “I cannot explain but you must know I am no witch. I had thought you might understand. Or at least accept that. It appears I was wrong.”

A twinge of guilt made his heart ache. He didn’t want to think of Ellise being a witch, of the dangers she faced, but it had thrown everything into doubt. What was real, what was not. For all he knew, she had cast a spell over them all. He could not let her remain, for how could he—a captain—allow a potentially dangerous woman stay in Thornewall?

“Ellise, you must leave. On the morrow.” His voice came out with more confidence than he expected. He strode around the bed toward the door and paused to face her. “Forgive me, but you must see I cannot let you stay. Go from here and do not return. I will tell no one of your secret.”

Spinning away, he yanked open the door and slammed it shut behind him. He wrenched on his shirt and flinched as a sob reached his ears. Ack, but it took all his willpower not to turn around and take her back into his arms. But damnation, she’d lied. She’d hidden who she was from him and put everyone in danger. Even if she had not already cast spells, who knew what she might do if someone wronged or upset her? They had never had a witch in Thornewall but he heard many tales of those who had made whole villages ill after being slighted.

Not that he believed Ellise would do such a thing…

Hellfire. He stomped down the stairs before he gave in and returned to her. He lost the ability to think in her company. First he needed to clear his head. Pacing quickly across the bailey, he took the steps up to the ramparts and stared out over the village. The entire population relied on him to make the right decisions. Surely sending Ellise away was the best choice for them? A witch in their midst could only bring trouble.

James slammed his palm against the stone wall. If only the thought of never seeing her again did not threaten to crack his heart in two.

~***~

Ellise sank to the floor as her knees gave out from underneath her and pressed the balls of her hands to her eyes as she expelled another sob. What had she expected? That he would throw aside all he’d been taught and embrace her for who she was?

Aye, aye she had. It seemed that even love was not enough for James. She should have trusted her instincts and remained a stranger to the Captain. Fear of witches was widespread. Why did she imagine James to be any different? But she was no witch. Why did he not see that? He knew her. Almost better than anyone. And this night she was prepared to tell all. To beg for his help reclaiming her son. She had been sure that he was ready to accept everything about her, even her wretched past.

It seemed she was wrong.

She dabbed her eyes with her sleeve and sucked in a long breath. There was nothing to be done now. If she had to crawl on hands and knees and beg for Edmund to take her as his, then she would. As long as she had her son back, then nothing mattered. Her one hope of happiness was gone. James' inability to see her for who she was had made sure of that. Damn the man.

Mio Dios
, if only she did not still love him.

She sat there until dawn greeted her, crying sporadically, short painful bursts before attempting to pull herself together. What hurt the most was that she still respected him. She understood his decision. Captain James put the people of Thornewall first, always. How had she expected that he would behave differently for her? If he thought she might be dangerous, he would believe he had a duty to protect Thornewall from her.

And he could well have had her locked up and tried as a witch. Her stomach twisted as she considered the likely outcome of a witch trial. With her knowledge of herbs, she would surely be found to be one. She laughed, a weak spluttering laugh. People were so fickle. Happy to have your aid when they were in need but as soon as the word witch was uttered, you were the very devil himself.

Clambering to her feet, she straightened her skirts and went to look for Edmund. She took a moment on the stairs to gather herself as tears crawled up her throat again, tingling in her eyes. She had no choice; if she wanted Arias, she would have to submit to the Earl. She still did not have quite enough coin and she could wait no longer. Edmund wanted her and so she would go with him.

As she blinked in the sunlight at the bottom of the stairs, she glanced around, relieved not to see James. She dare not risk seeing the accusation in his eyes again. The disappointment.

The betrayal.

A flicker of robes caught her eye and she spotted Edmund leaving the hall for the chapel. Skirts in hand, she scurried over to his side.

He released a slow grin as he saw her. “Lady Ellise, to what do I owe this pleasure?”

“A word, if you will, my lord.”

“Indeed.” He motioned to the small alleyway that ran between the walls of the keep to the chapel.

Ellise followed, ignoring the niggling sensation that she was making the biggest mistake of her life. But it could be no bigger than the one she’d already made when her son was born. She should have given up the fight years ago and just accepted Edmund as her husband. As vile and as violent as he was, would it have mattered if she had Arias? She laughed inwardly. She’d always been taught to hope, to fight for better. And look where that had got her. Heartbroken, lonely, and penniless.

Edmund sat on one of the pews and motioned for her to sit next to him. She swung her gaze around. There was no priest to be seen. No one sat in the empty benches. She was alone with Edmund and who knew what he would do to her? But she would be his before long and then he would have every right to her, so what did it matter?

She licked her lips as she sat and he eyed her. “When...when you said you would still take me for your wife, did you speak the truth?”

His grin widened. “I did.”

Ellise stared at her hands as she twined them in her skirts. “And if I agree to marry you, I will be able to claim my son back?”

“You will be seen as his stepmother. He has been my son all these years.”

She didn’t argue with him. All the fight deserted her. No doubt no one would question how the boy came into the Earl of Wighthurst’s hands. Mayhap they thought her a whore and her son a bastard. Either way, Wighthurst blood ran in his veins and that was enough to ensure the earldom had an heir.

“But you will not keep him from me?”

“Nay, I will not keep him from you.”

“Then...” She kept her gaze lowered, her chest tight as she forced the words out, “I will consent to being your wife.”

She saw him nod out of the corner of her eye but she could not bring herself to meet him face on, to see the smug satisfaction in his expression.

“Good. You could have saved yourself much pain had you simply agreed to my terms all those years ago. But ‘tis no matter.” He snatched one of her hands and squeezed tightly, making her wince. “I will be sure to make up for the time lost.”

She nodded absently, hearing the lascivious tone to the statement. Her stomach curdled.

“But first I must make my stand clear.” He used his other hand to force her face to his, fingers digging into her chin. “I will have complete obedience. You have a wicked tongue, Ellise, and I will have none of it. I will not have my son witness a woman disrespecting her husband. Disrespect me and I will see you punished accordingly. And...”

Ellise tried to twist her face away but his grip was too strong. She swallowed and forced herself to breathe slowly. If would be worth it, she told herself. It would be.

“...you will not see Captain James again. I have seen the way you look at him, the way he looks at you. Should you ever consider running into his arms, I will make sure you both regret it. Do not underestimate my power, little darling. I can ensure the Captain will meet with an unfortunate accident, should you change your mind about our nuptials.”

Fear blocked her throat as the vision she’d had that night swamped her. Was this what it meant? She had seen James, impaled on a sword. It had been hazy but her visions often came true. She glanced into Edmund’s steely eyes. She did not doubt his threat. To keep James safe, she would have to stay away from him. It was doubtful he would ever want anything to do with her anyway, but she vowed to ensure his safety by never bowing to the weakness in her James created.

“Do you understand me, Ellise?” Edmund pressed.

She nodded vigorously. “I understand.” She sounded husky and weak but she felt it.

Powerless, hopeless. Her life stretched out in front of her, never-ending days of enduring whatever Edmund wanted of her. She’d fought so long against it and for what? For him to threaten the man she loved most in life. Still, at least he had made it easier to submit to him. With the thought of James coming to harm in the back of her mind, it was as if all the fire inside had been well and truly extinguished.

Ellise did not even fight as he brought his mouth to hers, a forceful kiss that probably drew blood when his teeth bit into her bottom lip. She closed her eyes and took what he gave her, even as tears stung her eyelids.

CHAPTER TEN

James yawned and tried to focus on what Dominic was saying but his mind kept drifting. He stole a look out of the solar window and scanned the courtyard for any sign of Ellise. He’d deliberately skipped the morning meal but Lucy said she had not seen her yet.

“My brother will be staying for several more days,” Dominic continued as James forced his attention back to the Lord. “And Isabel is on hand to help with the babes. Of course, Winnie is fussing over them too. These boys will be spoiled and pampered if I am not careful.”

Normally James would laugh at Dominic’s words but he couldn’t bring himself to. He felt empty, drained. Life had been sucked from him. It was all Ellise’s doing.

“I am sure you will teach them well,” he muttered half-heartedly to appease Dominic.

“Lucy wants to give Ellise a few day's holiday. The lass does work too hard. Reminds me of someone.”

James nodded vaguely.

“Mayhap you can find a way to keep her from working.” Dominic grinned.

“I have little idea what you mean.”

“Do you not? And here I thought we were to see a marriage before long. Lucy seemed sure of it and she is seldom wrong. Even when she is, she isn’t.” Dominic shook his head, grin still in place.

“Well, she is wrong this time.” Coldness drenched him. The thought of never touching her again or hearing her laughter near crippled him. Where he normally felt so strong and capable, he felt weak and confused. He’d have to ensure she went on her way shortly, and he was not sure he could face it.

“A shame. I will always be thankful to Ellise. Lucy said that without her herbs and aid…” The Lord’s expression grew grim. “We know well that twins are not born easily. We could have lost them both were it not for Ellise. I know not the details but Lucy is convinced we would not have been so blessed had she not come to us.”

James sucked in a slow breath and mulled over his words. The anger had left him, leaving him hollow, but he still did not know what to do. These visions of Ellise’s were not normal and he had little clue as to what else she might be capable of. He smirked to himself as he recalled his notion that mayhap she had cast some kind of love spell over him. If that had been the case, then why had she fought him when she had first come to Thornewall?

Because she was scared. Because she knew what he would think. Damn it all, she had finally admitted the truth to him and he had jumped to conclusions. Did he really believe Ellise was capable of evil?