The priest was confused. "I don't understand...?"
He immediately ceased protesting when the blade returned to Elyse's throat.
"Finish the ceremony, but... with one small change. I will take Lord Barrington's place."
Elyse heard her grandmother's stunned response, along with that of others who had gathered.
"Do it, now!"
"I cannot." The priest stuttered. "What you ask is sacrilege."
"Listen to me, priest," Zach warned. "I don't give a damn for your rules. She's coming with me, and neither you nor anyone else can prevent it. If you're so concerned with honor, consider hers once I take her from here."
"It would be a sin in the eyes of the church, a bride abducted and forced..." The priest was incredulous, but prevented from making further protest.
Zach waved the sword at the priest. "Do it, now!" he repeated. "Or she will die."
The priest's hands trembled. "This is madness!" he whispered brokenly. "May God have mercy on your soul for what you do."
"No!" Jerrold told the priest. "You will not do this!" He lunged forward, then abruptly halted, his eyes fastened on the blade pressed against Elyse's throat.
"If you do this," Jerrold threatened, "there is no place on Earth where you will be safe!" he choked out. "I will hunt you down and see you hanged for this!"
Undaunted, Zach told the priest, "Continue."
Within seconds it was done, the priest ending the marriage rites begun such a short time before.
Elyse had whispered a faint 'yes', the blade held against her neck. Her captor had given his assent, and the final words were spoken. She thought that she recognized his voice. Was it possible?
This couldn't be happening! It wasn't real, she thought.
Zach motioned with the blade. "Everyone, stand away! And don't be foolish enough to attempt to follow."
She was pulled back and tripped on the hem of her gown. She expected to feel the blade press more painfully against her neck. Instead, his arm tightened around her, preventing the fall.
Hope flickered as she was pulled through the darkened hallway that led from the altar, that her captor might release her as the sound of someone running came from behind them. It was Andrew Maitland.
"Good God, man! Whoever you are, let her go! Then leave and be done with this!"
Her assailant raised his head briefly and tossed a folded note at his feet. Then Elyse was picked up and thrown over her captor's shoulder as a half-dozen others rushed after them.
She couldn't see anything in the darkened hallway. She wanted to scream, but it was impossible with his shoulder pressed against her ribs. Then he suddenly stopped and grabbed her by the arm, pulling her behind him.
She stumbled on the flagstones underfoot and almost fell, only to be hauled back to her feet as she was pulled through an archway, a door creaking shut behind them.
She struggled, she fought, she clawed at those hands that seemed to be everywhere, then half-fell down a short flight of wooden steps, gasping as her knee was bruised on the bottom step. Then she was dragged around a corner and flattened against a wall, stones in the wall poking painfully into her back as she was pinned by the muscular body clothed in a priest's robes.
A warm hand smothered any sound she might have made. She was hopelessly trapped by a deranged maniac who seemed to be taking great pleasure in the close contact of their bodies.
Voices came from the passage, then just as quickly passed by. Elyse slumped back against the wall as the voices receded.
Gathering her strength, Elyse turned and thrust a hand against her captor's chest, momentarily freeing herself. With one hand, Elyse slashed at his shadowed face, her nails removing a fair amount of skin. Her wrist was immediately seized by a strong hand.
There would be only one chance as she took a deep breath. The scream died in her throat as his other hand closed over her mouth.
His hand came away from her mouth as he struggled to capture her wrists.
She could vaguely make out the shapes of barrels and boxes in the small chamber. It was a storeroom at the back of the church.
