Authors: Leslie Hachtel
As if he could see into her thoughts, he whispered, “I would never betray you.”
“If I do as you bid?” she spat. Savor this victory, she thought, as it will be your last. I will defy you in my mind and in my heart and no threat can stop that. “You have won nothing.”
The inside of her eyelids burned with the tears she held back, but she refused to give him the satisfaction. Terrible heat surged through her veins, fueling her vow to escape him and make the king understand it was
her
betrayal alone and that no one else should bear punishment for her crime.
He turned away and moved behind some trees, returning almost immediately, leading his stallion. “You will ride with me.”
“Do I have a choice, my lord?”
“My name is William and I would have you address me thusly.”
“Is that an order?” She tried to infuse honey into her tone, but felt unconvinced she had succeeded.
“If it must be so, then yes. Do not bait me so. You have no choice, as I prefer you not ride with John. Unless your preference is to walk, but I fear that would delay us much.”
She ignored his jibe and instead only heard his reference to another. “John?”
The knight emerged from the trees on horseback. Dariana was dismayed to see him. She had felt so safe all this time in her forest
and now two had come upon her and she had been completely taken off-guard. She had been overconfident.
William took hold of her arm and mounted his horse. Without releasing her, he lifted her into the saddle in front of him. “You are even lovelier than my memory of you, Dariana,” he whispered against her ear.
“Pray, sir, do not address me by name, for others will suffer if the truth is overheard.”
“Agreed. Matters must be settled with the king before you are proclaimed alive. But the fact remains, you are still very beautiful. I am pleased.”
“Anything to serve you—William.” She spoke his name as if it left a bad taste on her lips.
“You will be happy. You will see. You will be glad I came for you.”
She smiled with a bitterness that spoke of her thoughts, although he could not see it and have warning of her response. “I will be glad when the fires of hell turn cold, William,” she returned sweetly.
The ride toward William’s home was jarring and painful, as she had not been on a horse for some time. There was also the constant reminder of the man himself against her back, his arm pinning her close to his hard chest, as if to make her aware of her captivity.
After a few hours, every bump and rut became a new and excruciating trial; the leather of the saddle was unsympathetic. Her pride, however, stiffened her jaw. She refused to complain.
A castle loomed ahead. She relaxed. Soon, she could dismount and stop this abuse to her backside.
“So, the idea of being mine is no longer abhorrent, my love?”
“You mistake me, my lord. It is the prospect of removing myself from the back of this beast lumbering beneath me that pleases me.”
“This beast is my prized stallion and it seems his nature is infinitely better than yours. Do not, I pray, release your anger in his direction when it is clearly mine.”
“You are correct, my lord. The stallion is innocent of the pain he imparts.” Dariana turned her head as the tears threatened to spill down her cheeks.
“We are within sight of home and you will feel much improved under my sister’s tender ministrations.”
They clattered across the moat and into the outer bailey. William seemed relieved. It was as if he was certain the ride was not a pleasant experience for Dariana and was anxious for it to end. Their coming had been announced and a woman was waiting. Her eyes widened as she noted the rider siting in front of her brother, but she stayed in place as they approached. It must be the sister, Dariana thought.
William slid to the ground, then reached up to assist Dariana. She lifted her head high, to declare her independence, but obviously gave no thought to what the long ride had actually done to the muscles of her legs. As soon as they touched the earth, they buckled beneath her. She grasped for purchase and her hands fastened on William’s chest. His arms went about her waist. He drew her weight against him. It was shocking in its intensity. Her eyes held his and she was certain he felt it, too. She tried to disengage herself.
“Please let me go.”
“Are you quite sure your legs can support your weight?”
“Let me go.”
“As you wish, my lady.” He stepped back. Her legs betrayed her and she fell to the ground. William tried not to smile at her plight and he extended a hand to help her up. “You did say to let you go, my sweet, and I do so seek to please you. Did I do wrong?”
Dariana felt her cheeks flush red. “Does this give you pleasure, my lord?” she inquiredhrough gritted teeth.
“If only you would but allow my true feelings, perhaps your anger at me would lessen. You have bewitched me and I find I can think of nothing else.”
Dariana rose and steadied herself; the woman stepped forward, smiling. “I am Leah, William’s sister.”
William leaned into his sister and loudly whispered in her ear, “Is she not glorious?”
Dariana refused to acknowledge the compliment.
Leah turned her full attention to Dariana. “You must be tired and obviously sore from your ride. Come, lean on me and we shall get you settled. Did he feed you?” Leah didn’t wait for a response. “Of course he would not think of that. Men!” Then she faced her brother. “Did you consider how long a time has passed
since she has been on a horse? Did you think to stop and rest?” She included both John and her brother in the last verbal assault. “You have behaved disgracefully and without consideration.”
William dropped his gaze to the ground and hurried away to occupy himself with other tasks.
“Don’t worry.” Leah turned her attention back to Dariana. “He’ll get over it. Too soon, I fear. But men are so thoughtless at times, do you not agree?”
Dariana smiled. “Yes, I do. It’s good to meet you. I am—”
“I know, dear,” Leah interrupted. “One look at you and I knew. And if you are to harbor any resentment, I am the one to blame. It was I who told William of your identity.”
“How could you know?”
“Your beauty for one. Once I laid eyes upon you, there was no doubt in my mind. And the strange circumstances. Noblewomen do not live in the king’s forest. Unless they might be hiding? A strange choice for one. You must have feared the alternatives greatly. By the way, I do thank you for caring for him. I love my brother and the thought of any injury to him is unbearable. It was his description of you and bits and pieces of gossip combined. All thought you had perished a year ago. I am thrilled the tales of your death were just that.”
“I suppose there is no need to try and deceive you, but I have indeed lost much because of your cleverness. Perhaps you could help me return to the safety of the forest. We would all be so much safer. Have pity.”
“Do not blame us overmuch. We mean to bring you naught but comfort and love. William is a good man, an honorable man. He will devote himself to your happiness, I promise you.”
“Honorable? Is it honor to take me against my will, risk all who have aided me?”
“Is that a question of honor? No. This is a question of love. There are no laws to bind love or rules to control it. William is honorable. He intends to marry you, I know. Then he will convince the king of your innocence. This love William bears you brings with it many complications, but his heart has blinded him. There are worse reasons to bring you here.”
“Do you not understand? I am not innocent. I am a rebel. Please, save the lives of others who will bear my guilt. Help me go back.”
“I cannot. You must trust William.”
The two women had reached the arched doorway into the main room of the castle. It was a welcoming place, the walls covered in brilliant tapestries and ancient portraits. Leah helped Dariana to a soft chair near the hearth.
“Rest here while I have a bath prepared for you. I shall send Hildy to you after you have freshened yourself. She is very bad-tempered I fear, but she is peerless in her ability to soothe the aches and pains. Ignore her complaints and she will see you are comforted. I would like to be your friend, Dariana, as well as your sister. I pray you will grow to trust me.”
Dariana saw before her a woman whose sweet nature enhanced her physical beauty. There was such gentleness of spirit in Leah that one could not help but be drawn in by it.
“I already do. You have been so kind and I fear I am the one who has been ill-tempered.”
“You have suffered much and I hope all will do naught but improve for you now.”
C
HAPTER
5
L
eah left the
hall and Dariana saw her chance. She ran to the door and pressed herself against the stone wall. No one was in the courtyard. She raced across to the stables, forgetting the pain and stiffness in her limbs. Again, she was alone. She assessed the horses and led a pretty sorrel out of the stall. She found a headstall and slipped it over the horse’s head. Grabbing a handful of mane, she jumped astride the horse’s back. The horse leaped forward. Pressing her lips together against the pain, she kicked the horse’s sides, encouraging it into a gallop.
Dariana had to find a place to hide. William would come after her. She must get word to Tamara. It would not be easy. Her thoughts were cut of by the sound of approaching hooves. By the saints! Why could he not leave her alone?
The horse caught up to her. The rider was not William, but his man, John. “Stop, my lady,” he ordered. He kicked his horse so it jumped ahead and cut her of. Dariana’s mount reared and she grasped for purchase to keep from falling.
Resigned, Dariana dropped her head. John pulled her onto his saddle.
“My lady, this will not do. No one knows you fled. I will keep your secret, provided you do not try to run again. My lord would be very unhappy. I will see you back to the hall before it is discovered you are gone.”
“Do you not understand? I have to go.” Dariana swiped a stray tear from her cheek.
“No. You are the one who is unclear. You only need to trust Lord William. Now promise me.”
Dariana knew she was without an ally here. She had no choice but to acquiesce.
John grabbed the mare’s reins and then kicked his own mount forward. They galloped back to the castle, dismounted, and John escorted her to the main hall. Then he was gone.
It seemed but mere moments later when a young maid appeared.”I am Erin and I will help you to your room, my lady. Your bath awaits.” The girl was young, perhaps fourteen summers, but she seemed genuinely pleased to serve. Dariana felt immediately that this was one place where the servants were well treated and happy in their work and it spoke much about the lord here. Perhaps it would not be so terrible to remain.
By now her legs felt like water and she had trouble standing. Erin helped her up the stairs into a lovely room dominated by a huge bed with a thick cover in a pretty shade of deep blue. There was a chest and a table and chairs in the corner. The window would usher in the afternoon sun. The walls were hung with more tapestries, these depicting Greek characters from mythology. It was truly lovely.
She was helped out of her garments and into the bath. The water had been delicately scented with rose petals and cinnamon. With a sigh of pleasure, Dariana sank into the soothing heat up to her chin. She inhaled deeply. When she closed her eyes she could almost hear the singing of the birds in the forest. It suddenly hit her—almost like a physical blow—that her life in the forest was no more and her discovery was fraught with much danger for the ones she loved. Tears coursed down her cheeks, unchecked.
“My lady?” Erin said, concerned.
Dariana opened her eyes and saw the fear in the young woman’s expression. “It’s all right. Naught is amiss that can be helped for now. I miss my home, is all.”
Erin breathed out her relief. “Aye, my lady. I well understand. I came here not so many years past and I was in an awful state for weeks. It was terrible without my family but I got used to it. Oh, forgive me. I do tend to go on.”
Dariana lost herself in the caress of the bath and the confusion of her thoughts. She was unclear as to what she should do from now on. It was fruitless to try and run away. Where could she go and find sanctuary? Besides, she had given her word to John. There was much to be considered. Not the least of which was how much she wanted to stay with William, even though he had taken her against her will. She surprised herself with this realization. After all, how dare he? But she knew. She was a woman in a world where the will of men prevailed. However, that certainly did not mean she should lay back and accept whatever men doled out. She had resisted before and could again, even knowing in the depths of her heart that her pride and willful nature could wreak havoc, not just for herself, but for others.
What of the convent? The nuns would not turn her away. It could not be too far and she could hide. Then no one could prove her existence and William and the others would be safe.
No. In her heart, Dariana was certain William would not give up so easily. He would continue to pursue her and it would only make matters worse. William had become her tormentor, her captor. Why did he have to be so handsome? She so wanted to hate him. Why did she find it so difficult?
She was still absorbed in tormenting questions when she stepped from the tub. She jumped back, noticing an old woman standing nearby. Out of modesty, Dariana covered herself with a towel.
The woman did not apologize for startling her but, in fact, chastised her for her action.
“There’ll be none of that. I’ve seen many unclothed in my life and one’s the same as another, but I’ll need to look at you if I’m to heal you properly.” The old woman’s imperious tone demanded respect and obedience.
“You must be Hildy,” Dariana said, determined to win over this crusty old woman.
“Turn around and let me have a good look at the parts that give you discomfort. Yes, I’m Hildy, but being nice to me won’t lessen the pain if it’s necessary to heal you.”