[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]
.There is, however, a thing I would caution you about.Without proper escort 'twould not be advisable to wander anydistance.I plead caution in traveling beyond the immediate areaof the manor.For your own safety, madam, I urge this. I have heard tales of miscreants roaming this North country, butI have yet to face any more villainous than those who attempt towarn me of them. Erienne dismissed the occurrence that haddriven her and Christopher from the tumbledown stable.After all,it was not certain whether those men had been highwaymen. 'Tis my wish, madam, that you never meet the ones who preyupon the countryside. Erienne looked pointedly at him. Have you met them, milord? 'Twas not the Scots who torched Saxton Hall, I assure you.Since my life may depend upon my caution, I have learned to bewary of many. Beneath the blank stare of the mask, she lowered her gaze andspoke in a low voice. I am curious to know why the manor wasburned.If it was deliberate, can you tell me the reason? Madam, there is not much I know about the ones responsible,but I do know that their instinct for survival is great.Like a packof wolves, they strike out at anything that threatens them. Did you threaten their existence? My very presence is a threat to them. Her brow puckered slightly. Then surely they'll try again. He nodded in cold agreement. Aye, but they'll not catch meunaware. You seem quite certain of that. Madam, of all people, you should be the one to realize that Ileave as little as possible to chance. The next several days dragged by as if they were weighted withheavy chains, and Erienne found no ease for her fear of LordSaxton.When he walked the dark halls of the manor with thathalting gait, her attention froze as she waited and listened.Yet asthreatening as that sound was to her serenity, she had learned tobe leery of the silence even more.For one so obviously hampered, Lord Saxton seemed able to move about at timeswithout the slightest whisper of movement, like a ghost or ashadow in the night.And it was indeed at night when hertrembling disquiet burgeoned, for she would suddenly find him inthe room, that blank, expressionless mask turned toward her withnot even a slight glimmer visible behind its gruesome half smile.Though the door to her bedchamber had a stout and sturdy lock,she had not found the courage to test it or his command, lest herblatant refusal of his entry arouse his wrath and bring someterrible dark vengeance down upon her.Thus, in whatever stateof dishabille she happened to be, whether bereft of clothes,meagerly garbed, or thankfully robed, she had no choice but toaccept his company.She quickly learned that having Tessie inattendance was no deterrent either, for with a slight gesture of hisgloved hand he would dismiss the girl, and in quick obedience themaid would abandon her mistress to whatever fate the masterintended.While he was in the room, Erienne was tormented byuncertainty.He had given his word only to the limit of hisrestraint.If he were pressed beyond that, she could find herselfreluctantly easing his desires.In her mind was formed a hauntingvision of herself cowering and quivering with hysterical pleastumbling from her trembling lips.The vision frightened her, forshe realized it could very well become a reality if he tried to takeher.When the moment came when she found him gone, no longerstanding in the shadows, no longer sitting in his chair, a feeling ofgreat relief swept over her.She had survived another night; shewould see another day.Yet, like a thief in the back of her mind,there was a thought that robbed her of peace.It was the sureknowledge that at some time, one day, one night, one moment thedebt would be called due, and she would be required to pay infull.A week had not yet aged to maturity when Aggie came to fetchthe morning tray, bringing with her a summons from Lord Saxtonbidding the mistress to join him in the great chamber.Erienne accepted the directive with a low, inarticulate murmur ofacknowledgment, but inwardly she quaked.She was certain heintended to bring up the matter of their relationship, to ridiculeher for not being the loving wife she had promised to be, and shewas horrified at the prospect of the confrontation.While Tessie helped her into her dressing gown and brushed herhair, Erienne strived to control her quaking.She fervently hopedthat something would divert her husband's attention so she mightavoid the session with him, but the idea was only a wish and hadno basis in fact.The moment swiftly came for her to face herhusband.Pausing a moment at the entry to the great chamber, she drew adeep breath and tried to collect herself
[ Pobierz całość w formacie PDF ]