Authors: Kathryn Le Veque
Bose's features softened
somewhat, knowing Stephan was speaking from the very depths of his heart. He
loved Summer, too, as much as a brother could love a sister and the fact that
he would be assisting in her abduction outweighed the legal and moral rights of
the betrothal his father had created.
As Bose struggled to relay his
tremendous relief and gratitude of Stephan's support, his future brother-in-law
slapped him on the shoulder in a display of comfort.
"Come along, Sir Bose,"
he said with forced levity. "My sister is moldering away in a dank nasty
cell and I doubt she shall stay confined much longer before she begins climbing
the walls."
Bose allowed Stephan to direct
him down the corridor. Pleased that he was calmer, better able to deal with an
undoubtedly hysterical lady, his sense of humor made a weak return. "You
realize, of course, I am prepared to risk everything for your stubborn, willful
sister."
Stephan cocked an eyebrow.
"That is your misfortune. I tried to warn you off at the onset of your
interest, but you would not be dissuaded. Some of us must learn our lessons the
hard way."
That remark brought a slight
smile from Bose as they descended a flight of slippery, moss-covered stairs.
"I suppose I shall have to take my chances," he replied. "What
will you tell your father when he realizes I have spirited your sister
away?"
Several du Bonne guards lingered
ahead, partially obscured in the weak torchlight. Stephan's voice was hardly a
whisper as they closed the distance. "Tell him that I assisted you and
convince him it was in Summer's best interest. He shall listen to me; he always
does."
"You may come and live with
Summer and I should he throw you arse-first from his keep."
Stephan fought off a smile.
"Ah, a delightful situation; supporting your wife's penniless brother and
his chatty wife."
This time, Bose held back a
threatening smile. "I can see that this abduction plan is coming to lead
in ugly directions. Mayhap I should reconsider my scheme."
"Too late. The time to act
is now if you truly wish to take her."
The subject abruptly sobered as
Stephan's words rang true. Bracing himself for the battle that was yet to come
against six du Bonne guards, Bose's humor fled in light of the approaching
situation. Even if Stephan calmly ordered the release of his sister, it was
quite possible that the guards would refuse to obey based on the fact that
their orders had come from Baron Lulworth himself.
Obviously, Bose was prepared to
do whatever necessary to obtain Summer's release and with the support of the
three du Bonne brothers, he sincerely hoped his goal would be bloodlessly
achieved if at all possible. If not, then he was properly remorseful that there
were those foolish enough to oppose his wants.
The matter of gaining permission
to enter Summer's cell was an uncomplicated task, as Bose suspected it would
be. As the ancient iron door creaked open, his senses were assaulted by the
smell of mold and rot, urine and feces. Anger and disgust twisted stomach to
imagine Summer lingering within the bowels of such an unholy place, but he
shrugged off the surge of emotion, knowing that she would be free of the appalling
conditions soon enough. As he entered the cell, his gaze fell on three figures
near the far wall, huddled on the ground and speaking in hushed, fearful tones.
The sharp stab of relief and
recognition was quickly joined by feelings of immense appreciation as he
realized that Ian, unwilling to allow his sister to touch the stanky floor, had
seated his armored body upon the dank stone and pulled the miserable woman onto
his lap. Lance, kneeling beside his brother and sister, seemed quite content to
pet Summer's blond head as if she were a wayward dog.
Lost to their quiet conversation,
the noisy cell door jolted them from their dialogue and even as Bose focused on
the huddled group, Summer's golden eyes were riveted to him and, with a small
cry, she bolted to her feet. Racing the length of the vault, she propelled
herself into his arms.
Bose held her tightly enough to
break her, breathing in her rose scent with the greatest of pleasure.
"Did they harm you,
love?" he demanded into her hair. "Are you well?"
She nodded faintly, trapped by
his massive hands and arms. "T-They did n-n-not harm me," she gasped.
"B-But my f-father has b-b-broken our b-betrothal and..."
The return of her sharp stammer
was indicative of her fear and emotion. Bose shushed her quietly, kissing her
silent so that she would not upset herself further. "I know, love, I know.
Stephan has told me everything."
Her eyes were as wide as the
heavens as she met with his calm onyx gaze. "He has already drawn up a
c-c-contract with B-Breck Kerry. Oh, B-Bose, what will we do?"
Bose maintained an even
expression as he absorbed her words, his composure weakening as her stammered
meaning sank deep. "Did he tell you that he has already drawn up a legal
contract?"
She nodded fearfully. "He
said I c-c-cannot marry a murderer."
Bose continued to stare at her a
moment before closing his eyes tightly, briefly, as his composure slipped yet
another notch. He had been quite calm until Summer had made mention of the
written betrothal agreement; now, however, he could feel his control draining
away yet again as the gist of the situation became clearer. If what Summer said
was true, then Breck possessed a legal foothold.
He gathered her into a fierce
embrace once more, fighting to clear his swirling thoughts. "Not to worry,
love. We shall leave Chaldon this day and be legally married. Contract or no,
Breck cannot dissolve our union once the church joins us in matrimony. After we
are married, there is nothing he or your father can do."
"Leave Chaldon?" she
gazed up at him, puzzled and agitated. "B-But I am a prisoner. How can I
leave if...?"
He kissed her again, realizing
his lips were quivering with the force of his emotion as he slanted over her
delicious mouth once, twice. Only when she was properly silenced did he speak.
"Trust me, love. Trust that
I will do what is best for the both of us."
Summer could only bob her head in
agreement, fearful and sickened with the turn of events. Of course she trusted
him; she had always trusted him. Now, when it mattered most, she possessed the
utmost faith in his abilities to see them clear of a most distressing
situation.
Noting that she was calming
somewhat with his soothing logic, Bose cast her an encouraging wink and swung
her possessively into his arms. Turning to face the collection of grim
brothers, his black eyes sought Stephan.
"She will not spend another
moment within these moldering walls," his voice was like thunder.
"Stephan, do what you must to evacuate us from this cell. Summer and I
have an appointment with a priest and considering what she has told me of
Breck's written contract, we surely cannot delay another minute."
Stephan eyed the dark knight a
moment before his gaze moved to Summer. Reaching out, he clasped her hand
tenderly.
"I am well aware of the time
frame, Bose," his voice was soft with emotion. Looking to his equally
emotional sister, it was difficult to fight off the lump forming within his
throat.
God's Blood, life had been so
unkind to her, cursing her with an embarrassing imperfection and a careless,
emotionless father. But he could see, within Bose's arms, that Summer had finally
found the happiness and joy she had been denied and Stephan realized he would
do everything within his power to assure their ultimate unity.
He forced a weak smile. "It
may be some time before I see you again," his tone was tight with
sentiment. "If I am to help Bose whisk you from Chaldon, then you will
promise me something."
Tears clouded Summer's eyes as
the reality of the situation came to settle; Stephan was fully prepared to
assist Bose in liberating her from the vault, going against his father's directive
in the process. But more than the fact that Stephan was willing to disobey his
foolish sire, the reality that he was prepared to face the consequences for the
sake of his sister's happiness gripped her deeply. When she sobbed softly,
Stephan kissed her hand swiftly and released it.
"Answer me. Will you promise
me one thing?"
She nodded, unable to speak for
the tightness in her throat. Stephan's weak smile broadened. "Then hear me
well; you will not name my nephew Kermit."
Laughter abruptly bubbled forth,
spilling over along with the tears. Wiping at her eyes, Summer looked to Bose
suspiciously before refocusing her attention on her brother. "Did Bose put
you up to this?"
"He did not. I must protect
my future nephew as I see necessary, even from his mother's lack of good taste.
Any lad named Kermit is bound to suffer a life of humiliation and
embarrassment."
Summer's smile faded as she fixed
upon bright green eyes. "Then I would know his pain well."
Stephan's smile faded as well, a
measure of remorse joining his other powerful emotions. "No more,
sweetheart. Bose will see to it."
Summer looked to Bose again,
feeling the warmth from his black eyes fill her very soul. She touched his
cheek lovingly, turning once again to her brother.
"I suppose I always knew
father kept me sequestered because he was ashamed of me, not because he loved
me. And the fact that my birth killed our mother did nothing to ease his
resentment toward me.” When Stephan's features softened with regret and
compassion, Summer merely smiled. "I entertained the thought that my three
brothers kept me shielded because they were embarrassed of me as well, but I
knew better. Thank you, Stephan. Thank you for appointing yourself my mother
and father and for loving me in spite of my imperfection. Thank you for
protecting me because you adored me, not because you were ashamed of your
defective b-baby sister."
Lance could not hold back the
weak sobs that overcame him. Ian put a comforting hand to his younger, far more
emotional brother, echoing the younger man's sentiment yet too reserved to
allow such an exhibition of feeling. They had all known Edward's reasoning
behind Summer's isolation, each man hoping silently that the sweet young girl
never came to know the truth.
Stephan, his eyes full of
glistening tears, moved forward and kissed his sister tenderly on the forehead.
"Given the chance, I would
do it all again," he whispered. "Be happy, sweetheart. For the first
time in your life, truly be happy."
Summer dashed away her rolling
tears, smiling with appreciation, adoration, at her beloved eldest brother. As
the heady moment deepened, Stephan was aware that there was little liberty for
such emotion. Time was of the essence and there was a tremendous goal yet to be
accomplished; clearing his throat of the emotional lump, he turned to his weepy
brothers.
"As you have managed to
deduce, Bose is taking Summer from Chaldon before Breck Kerry can sink his
claws into her," motioning to the closed cell door, his composure made a
rapid return. "I am going to attempt to gain her release by non-violent
methods. If my orders are rejected, however, we must be prepared to disable the
six sentries guarding the door. Lance, your responsibility will be Summer's
safety should it come to a battle. I suspect Bose, for pure size and strength
alone, will serve us better in a fight and you will be left to protect our
sister."
As Bose set Summer gently to the
ground, Ian and Lance nodded grimly; as usual, they would obey Stephan's orders
without question. Loyal to their eldest brother far more than their moronic
father, there was little question that they, too, were willing to face the
potential consequences.
"What would you have me do,
Stephan?" Ian asked quietly.
"Stand with Bose. I shall
capture the senior sentry's attention and attempt to reason with him. If the
man resists, then prepare to quash any refusal to Summer's removal.
Understood?"
As Ian nodded obediently, Bose
removed a dagger from a fold in his armor and placed in within his left
gauntlet. "Once we are free, my men must be notified of my actions, for I
suspect the baron's grace will be extremely limited to those under my command.
They must be instructed to fold camp immediately and return to Ravendark."
"We shall see to it,
Bose," it was the first time Lance had addressed his future brother-in-law
by his Christian name. "We shall cover their retreat if we have to."
Bose looked to the youngest, most
volatile du Bonne brother. His black eyes glittered with warmth. "I would
trust their back to none other, Lance. Thank you."
Lance, feeling the genuine
camaraderie between himself and a man he both feared and respected, lowered his
gaze in a purely baffled gesture; only yesterday he was loudly insulting both
Bose and his men and now he found himself preparing to defend them to the
death.
Stephan wasted no time. Fixing
the sergeant in the eye, his features were grim. "I am taking my sister
from this place," he said firmly. "She will be released to my custody
and I shall inform my father of my actions. Your men may disburse themselves to
their regular duties."