“Scott come on, we were just having some fun…” – The man was saying as he finally let go of me and took a step back. Scott never said a word, he simply went after him, hit him with the back of his sword and as the man fell down, he cut off one of his ears. As the man screamed in horror, the accountant woke up, running towards us: “Are we under an attack?” – he was asking still half asleep.
I stood up and ran towards the accountant, shaking.
“We were attacked by our own men. The punishment has been served.” – Scott said, not even looking at us as he passed us and went back to his bed. The accountant ran to the bleeding man as I stood in horror without knowing what to do.
“Well, you shouldn’t have done it.” – The accountant said, taking both of the men towards the fire and serving them with scotch.
“You, child, go back to bed. Nothing will happen, I promise.” – The accountant said with his voice shaken. I looked towards Scott and I saw his eyes lit in the dark. He was sitting there, cleaning his blade, watching everything. That’s when I realized, the accountant was not keeping me safe: he was keeping the cousins safe from Scott.
In the midst of it all, I saw him revert his eyes towards him. I felt my body was shaking, not from fear and not from coldness, but from something completely different I couldn’t pin point what it was. As Scott was looking at me, I couldn’t look away. I didn’t want to. He nodded his head as if he was telling me I was safe now. I lay down in a bid to fall asleep but I couldn’t: my hea
rt was racing with excitement and fear and my head was full of thoughts about Scott. It was almost dawn when I was finally able to drift away.
Chapter 4
As the dawn came upon us, I was awoken by the noise of the crackling fire only to see that the cousins were no longer with us. The accountant was tending the fire, his glasses almost too dim from the smoke to see, while Scott was brewing something above it. I awoke and slowly went towards the fire: my bones were cold.
Scott looked at me and smiled: a smile so warm I didn’t need the fire anymore. His eyes were deep gray and almost wanting. I wasn’t sure if I was only seeing what I wanted to see, but I swear I could see a glimpse of interest and my poor heart was hoping he really was interested in me.
“Good Morning, lady. Please, have a cup of hot stew. I just made it myself this morning.” – Scott spoke very softly as he offered me a cup. I sort of nodded and accepted the cup while staring at him. Our hands touched while he was handing me the cup and I froze: the electricity between us was undeniable. I felt my heart racing again as I stood there, cup in hand and his hand over mine. His touch and the feel of his skin on mine made me feel safe and aroused at the same time, a feeling I wasn’t familiar with up to that point. Scott smiled while handing me over the cup and I knew he had felt it too.
We sat in silence around the fire, braking our fast as the sun was peaking its head through the branches.
“We’ll have to stop at the next village to get reinforcements. It’s too dangerous to travel like this. The English can attack us at any moment and we will not be able to defend ourselves.”
The accountant was sitting across him nodding his head: “The next village is an hour drive from here.”
“We better move. And fast.”
As soon as we finished eating, the accountant and I were back on the carriage while Scott was riding his horse next to us. I never asked what happened to the cousins and I didn’t even want to know. While we were riding in silence, I was looking at him, my savior, and the magnificent horse-rider who simply mesmerized me and for the first time in forever, I was looking forward to my new destiny.
I don’t recall the following events in great detail as I was exhausted and this was the first time I was actually on the road. I know we stopped in a village and Scott recruiter three of the strongest, youngest men capable to fight. We didn’t stay there long and soon enough, we were on our way again.
As the night was falling around us, we saw the castle in front of us. For me, this was the most beautiful sight I had ever seen. The grandeur of the castle made me feel safe and proud at the same time, and it brought me relief as I was sure no one would try to force themselves upon me here. Little did I know I was walking straight into the serpent’s lair.
As we walked in the castle, we were greeted by one man named Henry. Henry was in charge with all issues concerning the kitchen: he supervised the cooks, the maids and the guests. He literally knew everyone there, from a mere stable’s boy to the actual chief.
Once the formalities were done with, the accountant introduced me to Henry who eyed me head to toe without uttering a single word. I saw him nodding, as if in approval and I was hopeful to think he found be suitable for whatever job I could do here.
Scott was nowhere to be seen. It was heartbreaking for me to see he was gone, especially after I was certain we had a connection. Apparently, the youngest lord didn’t think that way.
I was taken to the kitchen at first and introduced to everyone. The women were eyeing me suspiciously and I could safely say not in a friendly manner. I knew I wasn’t accepted there but since there was little to nothing I could do, I decided to stay quiet as I didn’t want to provoke my fate. Henry quickly came behind me and grabbed me from the back:
“Finally a decent bed warmer!” – He barked at the other women, fueling their disdain for me. I tried to remove myself for him but I couldn’t. I felt his hands all over me, travelling from my bosom to my skirt, lifting it up. In a second, I felt his hand between my legs and I froze. No one had ever touched me there and I had no idea what I should do. In front of all those people, Henry bent me over and lifted my skirt. I tried to move but I couldn’t. It was as if the people around me simply didn’t care about my agony and they all stood looking at Henry ready to take me. I heard him untie his breaches and I closed my eyes. That was it, my fate was sealed.
“Take your hands off her Henry.” – I heard a deep and rough voice. It was Scott, speaking ever so gently. No one could notice any anger in his voice, it was a basic command and it had to be obeyed.
“Young master, I’m sorry I never realized…” – Henry was speaking as he was putting his breaches back on and I was finally able to liberate myself from him. As I stood up, I felt my face flushed and without realizing, I felt tears streaming down my face. I was so taken aback by Henry’s behavior that I never noticed I was crying.
“The lady here, Amelia, is our guest. She will be staying in the guest room in the south wing. Tonight, we feast and she will seat on the main table, next to me. Ana, help Amelia clean up and get ready. Oh and Henry, if you ever try to do this again, I will chop off your cock.” – Scott left the kitchen without looking at me. I thought I had disappointed him somehow, maybe by not being able to take care of myself. After all, in the last 24 hours, he had to save me twice.
A young girl, short and chubby, ran to me and took my hand: “Come along now it’s time to wash you.” I nodded as I was taken away from the kitchen.
The same lack of attention was upon me as I can barely recall the events preceding the actual feast. All I know is I was put in a gown like I’ve never had before, made out of a very soft yet warm material. I was surprised by my own look in the mirror, as for the first time I saw myself as a beautiful grown up woman, and not as a mere peasant.
I walked into the great hall by myself. The feeling of embarrassment and confusion took over me as I realized I did not know how to behave. Luckily, a lot of other people were walking in there too, taking their places and talking to each other. The hall was noisy as I saw the dozen maids running around serving beer to the guests who in turn were talking, yelling and laughing. I was simply walking between all the tables, not knowing where to sit.
All of a sudden, a hand grabbed my elbow. I stopped and turned around to see who it was. As my eyes lay on Scott and his smile, I felt better immediately. I felt my knees weaken and a need for fresh air. He could tell by my corset the sudden grasping for air that was making my chest go up and down and his smile deepened: it was as if he was telling me that was the reaction he was hoping for.