#2

Chapter 2

 

 

“King James has gone too far!” Lord Garth Lancaster picked up the nearest vase and threw it towards the nearest wall. “He makes all these decisions without even thinking about how it’s going to affect other people!”

Garth crushed the message in his hand and threw it into the fireplace. He grabbed the cup of ale and downed the rest of it. He looked at the scared looking maid and smirked at her.

“Will there be anything else, my lord?” she asked as she slowly inched towards the door.

“Come here.” He spat at her. “What’s your name again?”

“Cl . . . Claire.” She whispered as she approached him cautiously.

Garth grinned maliciously and pulled her against his chest. Claire gasped in shock and tried to pull away from him.

“Please, my lord. You’re drunk.” Claire pleaded.

“Good, then I won’t remember this, and neither will you.” Garth whispered into her ear before kissing her neck lightly. “Mmm, you taste like roses and freshly baked bread. I’ll see you in my room later, understood?”

Claire nodded her head quickly as he released her.

“Send my brother to me.” he ordered as he walked over to center table and poured himself more ale.

Garth started at the ashes of the message in the fireplace. King James used his knights and lords for his own personal gain. Garth had hoped to be of some usage other than being a lord of one of the border estates. He knew that his position and estate was perfect for King James since the King wanted to fight with other countries for power and often used the estate as a refuge or pilgrimage. Yet, Garth hoped that he could be of more service. He was the one who suggested the marriage to a Scottish woman in one of the clans, and now he had to tell his younger brother that he was about to do the job that Garth wanted.

Garth looked up from the fireplace as his brother entered the room. Logan closed the book and placed it behind his back as he walked towards the middle of the room. Garth gave him a slight glare before taking a deep breath and calming down. Logan was his brother by blood, but that did not mean that he had to like him too.

“The King has requested something of you.” Garth stated simply.

“I will do anything for my King, of course.” Logan lied.

“He wants you to marry and gain allies for him.” Garth took another drink from his cup.

“Who will I be marrying?” Logan stared at his brother, knowing he was not going to like the news.

“Her name is Lady Rylie Reid.” Garth’s face broke into a smirk. “She’s from the Reid Clan in Scotland.”

Logan dropped his book in shock and quickly picked it back up.

“A Scottish girl?” Logan frowned.

“If you do not wish to marry her, I’ll tell the King that you do not accept his decision.” Garth’s face showed pure evilness. “I’m sure the King will understand.”

“No.” Logan straightened his back. “I will marry her.”

Logan turned on his heel and walked out the room, slamming his door on the way out. Garth released a hellish laugh as he downed the rest of his ale, threw the cup on the ground, pulled his shirt out of his breeches and walked into the hall. He made his way quickly up to his chambers and closed the door gently. He smiled as her turned to see Claire standing by window.

“Why are you still dressed?” Garth smirked again and walked over to her, ignoring her shaking and crying.

***

Logan walked into the kitchen and pulled out the loaf of bread from the pantry. He pulled out a piece of meat and began to eat. He walked out of the kitchen and headed for the stables, munching on the meat as he walked.

“Phillip, saddle my horse.” Logan ordered as he walked into the stables.

“Yes, my lord.” Phillip bowed quickly and walked over to the dark brown mustang.

Logan climbed on top on the horse, kicked it hard and rode out of the stables. He led the horse over the hill of his estate, towards Delamere Forest. He sped through the forest until he got to the Walton Estates. He slowed the horse down and slowly trotted to the river separating the estate to the forest. He climbed off the horse and stared down at the moon’s reflection in the water.

“When a knight stares at the water so diligently, and does not even hear the sound of someone approaching, that knight has something on his mind.” A seductive voice whispered from the trees.

Logan smiled to himself and turned around slowly as the yellow blonde hair of the slender woman in the forest glowed as she stepped into the moonlight. She slowly pulled the rest of her hooded cloak off her head and smiled up at Logan. Her icy blue eyes glistened happily.

Logan pulled her towards him and kissed her aggressively and hungrily. She kissed back with more experience than a virtuous woman could possess. Logan pulled away from her and began to untie the strings of her dress.

“Oh . . . Victoria.” He breathed into her ear.

“Wait, my love.” She whispered as she grabbed his hand. “I cannot stay long. My brother is at the castle.”

“Then I’ll be quick.” Logan reassured her as he untied the remaining strings.

“But I won’t be quick.” She smiled, her eyes dancing of deceit that Logan could not recognize from his own lustful blindness. “Tell me, what’s on your mind?”

“You won’t like it.” Logan frowned and dropped his hands from her dress, pulling away from her entirely. “The King has ordered me to marry an Irish girl.”

“No!” Victoria hissed as she clenched her fists. “You are to be married to me!”

Logan stared at her in shock, never having seen this side of her before. She almost looked disgusting to him.

“Victoria . . .” Logan shook his head slowly. “I have asked your father, three times, for your hand, and he has refused me every time.”

“But I love you, and only you!” she pleaded.

“I’m sorry, but this is how it has to be.” Logan straightened his back and stepped away from you. “You may re-tie your dress, my lady, for our secret relationship ends tonight.”

“Logan . . . I thought you loved me.” she looked away quickly and sniffed.

Logan grabbed her shoulders and turned her to face him. Tears were flowing from her eyes as she wiped them away quickly.

“I do love you.” He insisted. “With all my heart, but if your father refuses to let me marry you, and the King demands that I marry this Scottish brute, I have no choice.”

“I will always love you, Logan.” She kissed him hard on his lips. “I will fix this. I shall talk to my father. But for now, you must leave! I hear someone coming!”

Logan nodded his head, having heard the rustle in the forest, climbed on his horse and rode away. Victoria waited for him to leave before whistling softly for the man to come out of the forest.

“Do you really love him?” the man asked.

“Lord Cassidy, are you here to investigate my love life? Or are you here to make love to me?” Victoria released her hold on her dress and allowed it to drop to the floor, revealing the perfect body of a woman that every man she knew dreamed of.

***

Logan handed the reins of his horse to Phillip and walked up to the castle for a cup of ale. Victoria had been his love since he was seventeen and she sixteen. Now, after four years, there was no hope of ever being with her again. He had tried three times that she knew about to ask her father, Lord Walton, for her hand in marriage, and he had tried again, on two separate occasions that she did not know about. Yet, her father refused to allow the marriage and gave no reason for his decision.

Logan stepped into the kitchen and poured himself a drink. He downed in quickly and smiled to himself.

“Your ability to sneak up on someone is beginning to falter, my dear, Georgiana.” Logan placed the cup on the table and turned to face his sister.

Georgiana smiled sheepishly as she looked down at her feet.

“And why is my baby sister awake at this ungodly hour?” he walked over to her and wrapped an arm around her as he led her into the main hall.

“I had the nightmare again . . .” she whispered.

Logan’s eyes turned dark with a mixture of anger and sorrow. He knew exactly what nightmare his sister kept having because he had it to, which was his reason for hardly sleeping. Every time he closed his eyes, he saw the woman hanging from the rope in the hall. Her eyes were open and dark, revealing cold death that had taken over her soul. Suicide was never type of death he had thought his mother would’ve taken, yet, after hearing of the death of their father in one of the crusades, she had driven herself to insanity before finally taking her life to join her husband.

Georgiana was the first one to find her, and the ear-splitting scream that the little girl had released almost drove the two brothers to the ends of the earth. It was then decided, that even though they hated being brothers, they had to stick together and be friendly for their little sister. She had gone through enough pain and sorrow in her life and she wasn’t even thirteen.

“Georgiana,” he began again. “I know you have nightmares, but every time you wake up, you must think of something happy and fall back to sleep, because you need your sleep.”

“But you don’t sleep.” She pointed out.

Logan smiled, scooped her into his arms and ascended the steps to her chambers in the west wing. He kicked open the door and placed her in the bed gently.

“I will stay here with you while you sleep tonight.” Logan pulled a chair next to her bed and sat down.

“Logan . . .” she looked up at him, trying to decide what mood her was in, but as usually, Logan’s face was expressionless. “Is it true that you are to be married?”

“Yes.” He nodded his head as he remembered his death sentence.

“Is she really a Scottish woman?” Georgiana smiled at him happily.

“That is what the King said.” Logan stared at her, forcing a smile.

“I wonder if she’s going to be nice.” Georgiana sighed and closed her eyes.

“We’ll see in a few days.” Logan watched as her breathing slowed down.

He quietly stood up and walked out of the room, closing the door softly behind him. As he turned, he came face to face with Claire, sneaking out of Garth’s room.

“Claire?” Logan stared in disbelief.

Claire bit her lip hard to prevent her from crying.

“Oh no.” Logan whispered as realization hit him. “I’m terribly sorry, dear.”

Claire pulled away from him quickly as he reached out for her. Logan understood her reluctance completely.

“If you wish to leave our service and work for someone else, I will understand.” He said sympathetically.

“Thank you, my lord.” She curtsied slightly and hurried down the stairs, disappearing forever from the Lancaster Estates.

Logan clenched his fists and stormed into his room, slamming his door hard and punching the wall. He couldn’t understand his brothers refusal to settle down, or his thirst for a different woman in his bed every night. He could not approve of the disgusting way his brother lived his life.

He sighed and walked over to the balcony. He stared out at the sunrise and final began to wonder about this Scottish woman. The rumors that were spread throughout England was that all the Scottish woman looked like the Scottish men. They were big and bulky, with loud voices and barbarous drinking habits. Well, if this Scottish woman was anything like the rumors, he would fulfill his duty to the king, but he will not stay with her. He would perform the marriage consummation and then return to England to take care of his sister. Yes, that is all this would be, a marriage.

***

Garth woke up to a throbbing headache and his head hanging from the edge of the bed. Claire had been one of the more flexible girls he’d been with. He sat up slowly and rubbed his head gently. A soft knock on the door made his headache three times worse.

“Yes?” he snapped.

“It’s me.” Georgiana said meekly.

Garth jumped up suddenly and pulled on his breeches. He threw on his shirt and walked over to the water basin, throwing some cold water onto his face.

“Come in!” he called out.

Georgiana walked into the room slowly, wearing a dark blue dress that made her blue eyes sparkle more.

“You look beautiful this morning, Georgi.” Garth mentioned as he began to run his fingers through his hair quickly. “What’s the occasion?”

 “Logan’s wife to be is arriving in two hours. They sent a messenger ahead.” She informed him.

“Ah,” Garth smirked. “We finally meet this Irish girl. She’s arrived sooner than I had thought or hoped.”

“I’m going to wake Logan, so he’ll be prepared to meet her.” she turned to leave.

“No!” Garth snapped. “Let our brother sleep. I’ll meet her and entertain her until he’s ready. It’s not like they’re getting married today.”

“Will it be alright if I go greet her at the steps?” Georgiana asked pleadingly.

“Of course, go on.” Garth gave her a brief nod before turning to ring the servant’s bell.

Georgiana smiled and ran out the room happily. She walked down to the hall and headed for the kitchen.

“Hi, Miss Facet!” she said so loud that the cook jumped.

“My lady, you will give me heart ache one day.” The stout and short cook said, smiling all the while.

“I’m sorry.” Georgiana sat down on one of the counters. “Did you hear that she’s coming in less than two hours?”

“Aye, Phillip just told me.” the cook began adding more spices to the pot over the fire. “Are you excited to meet your new sister in law?”

“I’m excited and nervous at the same time. What if she doesn’t like me, or doesn’t approve of me?” Georgiana grabbed a potato and began to peel it.

“Then she’s a fool.” The cook gave her a smirk. “Everyone loves you, and I’m sure she will too. Have no fear about that. Now, go meet Phillip for your morning ride. He’s waiting for you.”

Georgiana nodded, grabbed an apple, ran out the kitchen door and headed for the stables. Phillip waved to her and handed her the reins to her horse.

“Remember, do not go past the border in the forest.” Phillip patted her horse gently.

“I won’t.” Georgiana promised as she gave the apple to her horse.

She climbed onto the saddle and nudged the horse into a slow trot. She waved at the knights and servants as they bustled about, preparing for the Scottish bride. She kicked the horse lightly, encouraging it to go faster as she entered the forest. The closed her eyes as the wintery air coated her cheeks. She didn’t even notice that her horse was now running at a racing speed. She opened her eyes slowly and gasped as she watched the forest border pass her by. Georgiana panicked and pulled on the reins of the horse hard, making the horse go faster than before. She looked forward and realized that it was about to go into the river. She screamed at the top of her lungs as the horse suddenly stopped at the river bank, the sudden standstill forced her to fly off the horse’s saddle and land in deep end of the river. She pulled herself to the surface and tried to stay afloat, but with no swimming experience, and the strong pull of the current, she sunk to the bottom, realizing that this was the end of her life.