Claimed By A Charmer (The Pith Trilogy) (25 page)

Isabel held the dull knife,
jimmying the lock on the door. After several minutes, the lock clicked, and she
pulled the door open. Peering down the darkened hall, she saw one guard sat on
a chair, seemingly asleep. With the added light from the hall, she could now
see a basin in the chamber. It was a heavy object, she mused. She dumped the
remaining water and held it, slinking along the wall until she reached the man.
His snore startled her, but she clunked him on the head as hard as she could. The
man slumped to the floor, no longer snoring. A giggle escaped her when she
reached the main hallway that lead to the stairs. There were too many guards
blocking her exit. She returned to her chamber.

Romy stood beside the door when
Isabel came back inside. “What are you doing, Isabel?”

She jumped, not knowing Romy was
awake. “I’m trying to escape. I knocked a guard out, now all I have to do is
figure out how to pass the guards in the foyer and courtyard.”

“How are you going to do that?”

“I have no idea. Get Belle, we’ll
go now. I can’t take the chance that Nigel will return.”

Romy didn’t waste a second and
gathered her sleeping babe, falling in line behind Isabel. They prowled along
the walls until they reached the exit then slipped outside the doorway, behind
a large bush. The guards in the foyer were gone; their exit wasn’t noticed by
anyone.

Romy started to say something, but
Isabel put her hand over her mouth, shaking her head. As they made their way
along the bushes to the wall’s gate, she realized they wouldn’t be able to get
through it. A guard was posted, and the gate was closed. She sighed dismayed,
and pulled Romy down beside her. They sat behind the greenery that provided
them a haven until she could figure out how to get past the watch.

There was a scuffle, and they heard
the sounds of men fighting. They slunk down, hoping no one could see them. Isabel
didn’t know why there was a brawl, but it was a good distraction. She looked
around the side of the bush, seeing the gate open, and the guards occupied
elsewhere.

She pulled Romy’s arm, and they ran
to the gate. They kept running until they reached the forest a hundred feet
away. Isabel drew Romy behind a huge tree, and looked back to see if they were
followed. No one appeared to be after them, and she relaxed a moment.

“Are you all right, Romy?”

“I’m well. I need to rest for a
second.” Romy sagged down, placing the baby on her lap. “Who were those men
fighting with the guards?”

“I didn’t look at them, because I
wanted to get away from there.” She watched her comfort the babe who wiggled in
her arms. The girl was rather pretty with light brown hair and dark blue eyes.

“What are we going to do now?” Romy
settled the babe against her breast.

“We must make it to safety then
we’ll go to my husband.”

“Where is that?”

“The Highlands.”

“The Highlands, you m-married a-a
Scot?”

Isabel nodded. “Aye, he’s Laird
Kerr. I know he’ll be along eventually. We can start toward Scotland, and hope
he finds us along the way. We’ll have to take it slow. I know you’re not up to
traveling.” She would give her friend a few minutes rest and then they would
hurry away from the Asylum. Isabel wanted to be as far away from that place,
especially knowing Nigel was likely on his way back.

Douglas was fuming; his wife wasn’t
in the asylum. He held Friar Whickham’s throat, lifting him off the floor. “Where
the hell is she?”

“She was here, I swear. I provided
her comforts. I felt bad that her brother brought her back. She’s here, look
about.”

“Gil, have these men locked up.” Douglas
strode from the friar’s office, and searched the chambers. He found many young
girls, crying, and pleading for help. He continued looking for her, but knew
she wasn’t there. Walking along a hall, he found a basin on the floor. He
picked it up and looked at the dent in the side. Aye, his lass made her own
escape. A smile came to him, he knew where to look. He called several Kerr
warriors, and told them to gather the women into a small hall on the first
floor. Douglas commanded Gil follow him to the forest.

As they walked through the adjacent
forest they called her name. Gil grabbed his arm, stopping him. I hear something,
over there, and he pointed to a thick oak.

“Lady Isabel, are ye there?”

“Isabel, ‘tis Douglas, come out.”

She picked up her skirts and ran to
him, throwing her arms around his neck. Douglas couldn’t find words, his relief
was so great.

“Thank God ye came, I’ve prayed so
hard.”

“Milady. Are you unhurt?” Gil
asked.

“I’m well, truly, Douglas. Romy,
‘tis safe, you can come out now.”

A woman appeared from behind the
tree, she carried a rumpled up covering.

“This is my husband, Laird Douglas
Kerr, and Gil, one of my husband’s men. This is Romy.”

“Romy Lyell, my lord.” She
curtseyed. A sound came from the blanket and sounded like a bairn.

As they walked to the asylum, Romy
stumbled, and Douglas saw Gil take her arm.

“Let me.” He took her baby in his
hands, and held it as though it were sack of wheat.

Isabel laughed. “Gil, you’re not very
charming, but perhaps you’ll do.”

They walked through the doorway,
and Isabel was waylaid by Douglas, when he pulled her aside. She was wrapped in
his arms before she could utter a word. He kissed her longingly, and when he
pulled back, he grinned.

“I knew you would be along. Nigel
carried me off when Rachel and I went riding.”

“I know, love. Are you unharmed? Tell
me true, did he harm ye?” Douglas searched her for injuries, but couldn’t tell
if she’d been hurt.

“Nay, I’m well.” She hugged him,
smiling broadly.

“Come, we must be away from here. I
need to get you home.”

“Nigel will return here. I think
you should await him and—”

“I don’t want you here another
minute, Nigel will be taken care of, trust me.” Douglas’ face darkened with
that vow.

“I do trust you, Douglas, but I
want to …”

“Then come, let us ride out, lads.”
He pulled her arm gently to persuade her to follow, but she stopped short.

“Wait, we can’t leave the girls here.
I must take Romy with me and the others.” Isabel smiled at her friend. “I
promised, Douglas.”

“Bring her along then. Men, to the
horses.”

“I can’t leave the others, they
must come too.”

Douglas stopped and searched her
eyes. “Isabel, do you have any idea what condition they’re in? Traveling would
be too difficult for them.”

“We can’t leave them, they were
mistreated. They have no home, Douglas.”

Douglas grimaced. “Nay, I can’t
bring them right now. I must think of your safety first. There is no way I’m
traveling with nine pregnant women and a babe. Mayhap—”

“Then I will sit right here until
you agree, I mean it.” She flopped down on a bench, looking at her feet.

Well, it had worked once, and mayhap
she thought it would work again. He marched out the doorway and saw her look in
disbelief that he would leave her. Douglas whistled for his men. They mounted
their steeds, waiting for his direction. He then returned, and took Isabel’s
hand. She tried to pull it free, but there was no releasing herself from his
grip.

“I’m not leaving without them.”

“Aye, ye are, be reasonable lass,
they cannot come with us.” He pulled her to his horse, set her upon it, and
then swung behind her.

“Gil, let us go.”

She noticed that Gil looked at Romy
for a moment before moving off to his horse. Douglas gave the command to head
out, and tried to adjust her on his lap. She wouldn’t let him touch her, and
kept removing his hand from her waist. She actually slapped his hand.

He laughed at her attempt. “I can’t
bring them with us. You must understand.” She wouldn’t answer. “I’ll have your
understanding now, wife.”

“Nay, you won’t. How could you
leave them? They’re helpless, like I was. I won’t speak to ye, you have
destroyed my faith in you, Douglas.”

He sighed. “I’ll remedy it later,”
he replied dryly.

Douglas realized that she wouldn’t
get over her upset so easily when they were halfway home. His only concern was
getting her home safely, and then he would take care of Irving and see to his
clan’s security. Mayhap when all was rectified, he could return for them and he
was about to tell her so, but she turned and peered into the forest.

The wind was biting cold and after
dismounting, he walked up behind her and put his arms around her waist. She
shrugged her shoulder and walked away. Aye, she was stubborn, and he became
annoyed by her brisk demeanor. When she settled on the plaid he set up for her,
she turned her back and wouldn’t speak with him. He sighed, but understood why
she was angry. He dismissed her behavior and settled down to sleep. An hour
later, he awoke to the sound of a bird flapping its wings above him. He peered
into the darkened tree branches above and saw the creature looking at him. Then
he glanced at his wife who was sound asleep. Her face appeared angelic; at least
she couldn’t be angry with him in her sleep. He edged closer and took her in
his arms. He missed her body. As he caressed her arms, he kissed her face. She
sighed, opening her eyes.

“What do ye think you’re doing?”

“This.” Douglas ravished her mouth.

Her gasp quieted when he covered
her lips with his. He kissed her until her resistance faded. When she lay
compliantly against him, he nibbled her neck and kept up his loving attack until
she trembled. She gave into the desire and in return she caressed him back. It
had been a long while since they were together; he had to hurry, lest he meet
the end before she did. He fumbled at removing her gown.

“I missed you, cat-eyes. Are you
ready for me?”

Isabel didn’t answer. Instead, she
pulled him to her.

Douglas took it as an aye and
reveled at the feeling of her warmth body. His body shook; his muscles reacted
to the pressure of his resistance. She panted at his invasion and cried at the
pleasure raging through her. Holding his arms, she wrapped her legs around him.
His thrusts were forceful. His body was on the course of exploding and couldn’t
be stopped. Thankfully, her body reached its climatic race as she whimpered
into the night. He covered her mouth with kisses then burst forth with his own
climatic end. His growl replaced her whimpers, and he continued to move within
her until he could move no further. His face remained hidden in the crook of
her neck and he felt her warm breath on his shoulder. When he finally had the
strength to lift his head, he saw tears in her eyes.

“Ahhh, lass, you do me in. Don’t weep,
love. I didn’t mean to hurt ye.”

“You hurt me deeply, Douglas.” She
sobbed.

“Where, let me see the damage?”

“You can’t, ‘tis in my heart.”

“Oh.” He cringed. “Get some sleep,
we’ll ride out early.”

She sat up, slipping her gown over
her head. She didn’t bother tying the clasps and fell asleep a moment later. Douglas
shifted to hold her. He had no idea how to mend her broken heart. He mumbled to
her in the dark. “I’ll get you to love me again, I promise.”

His promise wouldn’t come easy. Douglas
realized that as they rode into the bailey a few days later. His mother greeted
them with a worried smile, until she spotted Isabel.

“Thank God Almighty, you’re home
and safe. I was so worried.”

“I’m well, Mother.” Isabel walked
into the keep.

Douglas watched her walk away then
glanced at his mother. “She’s angry with me.”

“Surely she’s grateful you rescued
her. She looks well and unharmed.”

“Aye, she’s grateful all right, but
I wouldn’t bring the rest of the lassies. It was too dangerous to travel with
them, and it would have taken much longer. I needed to return quickly.”

“Ahhh, she wanted ye to bring the
lassies. What lassies?”

“The lassies held at the asylum. I
would have gladly saved them, Mother, but they were all carrying and burdened. I
couldn’t travel with all those pregnant women.” Douglas cursed. “And now she’s
angry because I left them behind.”

“Oh, Douglas, there was no way to
give aid? You know how she is; Isabel would have saved them all if she could.”

“If there was a way, I couldn’t
figure it out then. I must go and talk to Cedric.” Douglas couldn’t help
feeling forlorn as he strode away.

Douglas went to the garrison and
saw Gil talking to Cedric.

“Gil, get the men ready. We’ll ride
out in the morn. Cedric, see to the keep while we’re gone. None are to enter or
leave whilst I’m away.”

“Where we going, Laird?” Gil asked.

Douglas didn’t answer, but gave
them a harrowing look. Gil and Cedric looked at each other then said
simultaneously, “To the Dunmore.”

“I’ll finish this once and for all.
I won’t spend another day without seeing to Irving.”

Cedric and Gil nodded and watched
him walk away.

Douglas had many things on his
mind. He needed to reason with Isabel and he needed to talk to his mother about
Irving. He also wanted to see Rachel and ask more questions about the
sorceress. As he walked toward the hall, he saw Candace running past him. She
ran through the gates.

“Wait, Candace.” But she ignored
him and started running faster.

Damn, she could run fast. He
following her through the trees and caught up to her some minutes later when
they neared the loch. He didn’t say anything, just held her.

She pulled away. “You didn’t save
Wills. He’s dead, dead, I tell ye. I feel it in my heart. I will never forgive
you, Douglas.”

He pulled her into his embrace
again. “Shhh, I know you’re hurting, Candace. I’m going to get Wills, he will
be well. I promise.”

“How can you make such a promise?” She
sniffled.

He had no idea if Wills was well or
not. Irving didn’t know that he was on his way to confront him, but he’d make
him aware of it tomorrow. Irving still believed he was unaware of his plan;
surely that kept Wills alive.

“I don’t believe ye.” She pulled
away from him and ran to the loch.

He ran after her, but before he
could reach her, she threw herself into the water. Her body sank like a crag. Douglas
shouted her name then dove in head first. He felt around the darkened depths
for her and began to panic. He swam farther down, holding his breath, and
finally felt the material of her woolen plaid. He pulled her from the water,
shoving her onto the bank. Candace rolled over and spit out a good deal of
water, gasping for air.

“Why didn’t you let me die? I don’t
want to live without Wills. Can’t you understand that?”

“Don’t do anything so foolish again,
Candace,” he shouted. Her body racked with sobs and he lifted her. He carried
her to the keep, and she remained silent along the way, her cries diminished.

Isabel’s eyes widened when she saw
him carrying her into the great hall. “What happened?”

“She needs you.”

She followed Douglas to Candace’s
chamber, and he told her what happened. He kissed Candace’s cheek and whispered
his promise to rescue Wills. Douglas moved to the window and waited while
Isabel tended his sister.

Isabel pulled Candace to a sitting
position and asked Douglas to have basin brought. He did so and returned to the
window.

“Candace, please don’t cry. I can’t
bear to see you so unhappy.”

But his sister didn’t say anything,
only sat on the side of her bed with her head held low. The basin was brought
in, set behind a screen, and filled with steaming water. Isabel helped her
undress and assisted her in the tub. Still, Candace didn’t say anything. Isabel
went through the motions of washing her and when she finished, she helped to
clothe her and placed her in bed.

“Candace, don’t worry, Douglas will
bring Wills back. You must have faith in him.”

Candace turned her head, closing
her eyes.