They cut south to the River Ure. Once across the wooden bridge that spanned the waters, there was nothing between them and Knaresborough. Remington saw this as her only opportunity to stall, to talk sense into the man as he slowed his destrier to a halt.
“Derek, I feel ill,” she gasped, although it was a lie. “Can I please rest for a moment? Please?”
His helm looked at her a moment before she saw it dip in approval. Gently, he lowered her to the ground and she ran for Jasmine. Hysterical, her sister fell into her arms and the two clutched each other tightly. Skye was not to be left out, wriggling from her captor and throwing herself against her sisters. They were terrified.
Remington turned angry eyes to Derek. “I told you we did not want to leave. Why do you not listen? What will it take for you to believe me?”
He flipped up his visor, his soft blue eyes and blond lashes focused on her. “Remington, he’s the enemy, for God’s sake. What sort of magic has he performed on you to make you loyal to him?”
If he only knew! “Derek, I demand you return us to Mt. Holyoak. Return us now and I promise Gaston will go easy on you.”
“Hmpf. I think not,” he said firmly. “You are an ungrateful little chick. Come now, mount up.”
Jasmine suddenly went into a screaming fit of hysterics and collapsed on the ground. Remington and Skye went down on their knees beside her, trying to revive her.
“See what you have done?” Remington accused hotly. “Derek Botmore, you are a lout and an idiot!”
Derek sighed and dismounted heavily. This rescue was not going at all well. His former captives were most unappreciative of his efforts.
“Remington, come here,” he motioned with his finger.
Thinking mayhap he was willing to see reason, Remington left her sister’s side. “What is it?”
“You do not understand, love,” he said carefully. “I am saving you.”
“From what?” she demanded. “I told you that we are not in any danger. Sir Gaston has been entirely accommodating. Derek, Mt. Holyoak is our home and we wish to return.”
He looked at her a moment before shaking his head in disbelief. “You are ill, love. You are not thinking clearly.”
“Do not turn this around on me,” she said angrily. “I know exactly what I am saying. ’Tis you who are not thinking clearly. I never exactly asked for your help.”
He put his hands on his hips. “Listen to me, Remi. With Guy locked away, you do not have to stay at Mt. Holyoak any longer,” his hands grasped her arms suddenly, firmly. “Come to Knaresborough with me, love. I shall take good care of you.”
She saw his ploy, his open invitation and she was infuriated. Roughly, she yanked away from him. “I do not want you. Take me home. Now.”
His face hardened. “Do not make me force you, Remington. I am doing you a favor. What is the matter with you?”
She took a step back from him, shaking with anger. “Take me home or I shall walk every step of the way. I mean it, Derek!”
He did not answer and she turned away from him, moving back to her crumpled sister.
“I must do what I feel is best for you, Remington,” he said loudly. “You must trust me.”
“You are not my husband,” she snapped back. “You have no say in my life or the lives of my family members.”
He slapped his thigh, maddened. “You are unreasonable!”
“And you are out of line, sir,” she said hotly.
“Remi, what’s going on?” Skye’s voice was shaking.
Remington turned back to Jasmine. “He thinks he is saving us from Gaston.”
“Saving us?” Skye repeated. “From what?”
Remington fixed her sister with a pointed look. “Exactly my question, sweetheart.”
Jasmine suddenly moaned and twitched, clutching at her stomach. “Oh, God. I am going to be sick.”
