Fearing she would do herself further damage, he spoke soothingly to her.“Have no fear, lass.I’ll not harm you.”
Either her fear had consumed her or she didn’t understand him, because she continued to try to scrabble her way across the leaf-strewn ground, the dried foliage crunching as her hands clawed desperately at the soil.
Hastily, he wrapped his large hand around one arm, attempting to keep her still.She continued to struggle, in spite of her obvious pain, but her movements were limited and had little effect on his strong grip.Unsure of how to reassure her of his intentions, he grabbed at her other arm, trying to get her attention.
“Calm down, lass.I wish to help.You’ll do yourself an injury.”
She fell limp in his arms, not relaxing under his assurances, but seeming to tire of her exertions.The fear remained visibly etched on her face, but Jake took the opportunity to tuck an arm under her legs and the other under her neck so he could pull her into him.Jake thought she would scream, her mouth worked as if she meant to, but no sound came out.
He hauled her into his embrace, noting the blood that marred the side of her gown.Lord, she had suffered a thorough beating.His clenched his jaw, trying to control his anger lest the lass see it.Not that she could be much more afraid.
He held her for a few moments as her open eye clung to his face, awaiting whatever terror she expected him to release upon her.He attempted a reassuring smile but it had little effect.Ack, not surprising.Jake was not known for smiling.
The panic in her face subsided, though it still lingered behind her pale blue eyes.He continued to murmur reassurances to her, hoping the message would eventually seep into her fear stricken mind.
Exhaustion claimed her swiftly, her arms going limp, her eyelid growing heavy.She fought it, trying to keep her gaze fixed on him, a warning glint visible.His mouth twitched.Ack, she was a stubborn one.If she lived long enough, he suspected she would be a handful.
Clicking to his mount, he clambered to his feet, the auburn-haired maiden hanging lifelessly in his arms.The white destrier padded faithfully over and he tugged on the reins, gently pulling the steed to the ground so he could mount him easily with his delicate burden.
Jake directed the steed towards Thornewall, whistling to the hound, all the while praying the woman did not die in his arms.If he could keep her alive long enough, he could send for his brother’s physician once they reached Thornewall Castle.She could well have internal injuries and he could not risk aggravating them, so he forced himself to keep to a gentle trot, the dog nipping at his heels.At least they were but a few miles from his brother’s keep.As her soft body brushed against his chest, he clenched his jaw and willed the beautiful damsel to live.
***
They travelled rapidly across the rugged Northumbrian countryside, but the beauty of the jutting rocks and hills swathed with purple heather was lost on Isabel.Darkness and pain encompassed the whole of her world.She wished to block out her surroundings, to sink deeper into nothingness, but a tiny part of her mind insisted on fighting.She could feel her body jostling but she couldn’t comprehend the reason behind it.
Her side stabbed in pain with each inhalation and it seemed as if every part of her throbbed.However, the worst pain was in her ears.She was aware of a rushing sound - as if stood next to a huge waterfall - and it produced the most agonising ache.
It took all Isabel’s willpower to prise one lid open.Fear drummed in her heart as she focused hazily on the large man that towered above her, his gaze intent on the horizon.
She became conscious of his arms wrapped carefully around her, holding her onto his lap, and Isabel recalled his face swimming in front of her, as she had lain prone on the forest floor.He had spoken to her, of what she knew not, for she had been unable to hear him through the rushing in her ears.At some point the realisation had pierced her terror - he was trying to help her.
Isabel latched her gaze onto the large man, the sight of him calling up the strength to work through the pain.From her vantage, she could not see his eyes, but the strong set of his jaw stood out, lending him a powerful but handsome appearance.He had a prominent nose and sun-kissed skin.Her open eye traced the cut of his chestnut brown hair, just long enough to brush at the collar of his hauberk.It was ruffled, as if he had just whipped off his helm, and if she were well enough, she suspected she would have fought the urge to run her fingers through it.
His eyes flicked down to hers, a look of concern etched into them.Did he expect her to die?The warmth of his eyes belied his strong appearance, the colour not far from the brown of his hair, and they served to steel her determination.
She would yet live.
In defiance to the men who had hurt her and in defiance to those who would try to harm her should they ever find her, she would yet live.
***
They approached Thornewall from the flat moorland, the great keep casting them in shade as it loomed from the hills.It was hard to think of his brother as one of the most powerful men in Northumbria.Thornewall Castle was a reflection of that power, with a great stone wall, four round towers and an imposing gatehouse.The drawbridge was down and Jake uttered his thanks, not wishing to waste one moment getting the injured woman to aid.
Working his way through the cottages that clung to the mound, he turned his head from the attention the pair garnered.Looks of pity and curiosity crossed every face when they saw the unfamiliar, battered woman.Peasants emerged from their huts at the sound of hooves, crowding the path leading up to the castle.
The maiden’s good eye had remained focused on him since she had awoken, but currently her gaze darted about, warily taking in the inquisitive stares.She burrowed against him as much as her injuries allowed, mayhap trying to shield herself from the villagers prying, and Jake’s chest panged.He drew his mantle around her as best as he could, attempting to hide the evidence of her beating, but it was difficult to hide the marking on her face, and he didn’t doubt gossip would run rampant about the mysterious noble lady in the arms of their master’s brother.
As his horse thudded across the wooden bridge that spanned the dry moat, the Captain of the Gate shouted down to him from the ramparts.
“Greetings, my lord.The lord awaits you inside.”
Jake nodded his thanks.“James, there are outlaws afoot in Coxleigh wood.Send out a party and see if you can’t hunt them down.They number at five.A rough bunch.You’ll not mistake them.”
“Aye, my lord.”He eyed the woman as they reached the portcullis.“I’ll lead them personally.”
Jake nodded again.If anyone could track them down, James could.He gritted his teeth.If only he could go off and hunt them down himself…but he could not bring himself to leave the maiden.
Passing through the second gatehouse and past the guardroom, he could see his brother, Dominic, awaiting him on the short set of stairs that led through to the Great Hall.Dominic waved a greeting to him, a wide smile on his face.
