Viking's Desire: Sexy-Romance Novel: A Viking Love Story (11 page)

Chapter 26

Lillian was so excited, she could hardly stand still for the maid to help her dress.  Her father should be arriving today and hopefully she wouldn’t be in this beast’s lair too much longer.  She still had not been able to figure out how in the world she would be able to get a message to Eriik to tell him how she felt.  She could not, would not live the rest of her life without him.  She fervently hoped he had not gone on with his life without her and it was already too late.  One step at a time.  She had to get out of this mess first.

As usual, she descended the steps with grandeur and held her hand out to Lord Montfort as a great lady to her gentleman.  It was always so hard for her to smile as his cold, damp hand clamped over hers, but she did so with aplomb. 

“My lord, I’ve been meaning to ask you about your friend Ulric.”
  “Yes, my dear,” he replied politely as if they were already a married couple. 

“He is in possession of my father’s signet ring, and I would very much like to have it back.  Would you be so kind?”

“Of course.  Your father gave it to me only to convince you of our sincerity when rescuing you.”

“Very smart
my lord.  Even though I was being held prisoner, I wouldn’t have run off with just anyone,” she smiled a sweet, provocative smile.

She would rather have told him what he could do with his sincerity and what she would like to do to Ulric, but decided
that would be lunacy at this time.

“I’ll have it for you by the party.”

“Thank you, my lord.”

She was jumpy all day, waiting for her father.  It felt as if she was waiting for judgment day.  It actually was in a way.  She couldn’t imagine her father condemning her to a life with this monster.  She knew he had done so before but that was with her mother’s persuasiveness.  Now it was her turn.

When she heard of her father’s arrival, she couldn’t simply wait, she ran outside and as her father opened the carriage door, she ran into his arms and for the first time since Ulric slapped her in the face, she felt safe and secure.  Unfortunately too soon, she felt an unwelcome presence as Lord Montfort wiggled his way in between them, shaking her father’s hand and placing his arm around her waist possessively.  Her father’s beaming face gave away his satisfaction with the present situation and Lillian’s heart sank. 
He doesn’t know how I feel about the lord or Eriik.  He thinks Lord Montfort bravely rescued me.  I’ll convince him otherwise, I have to!

The day was spent pleasantly enough but she could never get rid of Montfort long enough to get a private word with her father.  Finally she decided something radical must be done.  As her father and Montfort were talking, she
suddenly burst into tears.  Both men looked concerned and her father ran to her, “Lillian, sweet pea, what in the world?”

“Oh father, it’s just that we haven’t talked about dear mother…”

“Yes, I guess I’ve been trying to avoid…” His eyes filled with tears.

Montfort looked exceedingly uncomfortable and excused himself so they could speak privately about their loss.

As soon as he left the room and closed the door, Lillian wiped her eyes and exploded with rage at having been literally kidnapped by Montfort’s thugs, going on to explain everything that had happened since she first met Ulric in the tunnel from being slapped to the embarrassing evening of Montfort’s appearance in her chamber naked.  She pleaded with her father to save her, to take her home.  She then explained that she was in love with Eriik, that he had shown her nothing but kindness and love in return.  She didn’t know how she could be with him again, but that was her desire.  Lillian reminded him of his promise to her long ago, a marriage of love, not convenience or politics.  Frederick was appalled at what had happened to her because of Lord Montfort and agreed to take her home immediately.  He believed all along that she had been rescued from a horrible fate and that Montfort was a hero.  He certainly would never leave her to marry someone she despised, especially since that someone had kidnapped her with villains who had mistreated her and brought her here against her will.  They would leave at first light and he would help her find Eriik again somehow.  Lillian was ecstatic and was hopeful for the first time since her first meeting with Ulric in the tunnel below Eriik’s home.

“Father, don’t say a word and don’t let on.  We’ll just get up early tomorrow and leave.  No one can be the wiser.”

Lillian could barely sleep that night as every nerve in her body was on edge, waiting for the sun to wake the world, knowing she would be gone and on her way home.  Her father had come through and saved her, just as she had hoped.  She was going to be free.  After they left this place, she would start planning how to reach Eriik.  Now she just had to get through this endless night. 

Just before the sun peaked over the horizon, Lillian was dressed and ready to go.  She sneaked ever so quietly down the staircase and went to the stable as she and her father had
planned.  He should have already been there with his driver, hitching up the horses.  Surely he wouldn’t be late on this very important day.  She waited and waited and was starting to really be concerned when she heard him calling her name.  The relief was overwhelming.  As she turned and ran to the door, the sight she beheld was more frightening than anything she had gone through the past several months.  Her father was there, but so was Lord Montfort, and a man with a knife to her father’s throat.  Montfort had the most sadistic smile on his face.  Her father looked truly scared. 

“Just as I thought, trying to run away.  Not the blushing bride after all.”

“What in God’s name do you think you’re doing?  Tell him to put that knife away.  You can’t be serious about hurting my father.”

“Oh I’m dead serious. 
Put him under the staircase in chains.  If he gives you any trouble, slit his throat.”

Lillian started to cry
.

“Real tears this time, my dear?”

“You damn horses ass, you bastard!”

“I’m afraid names will get you nowhere, now get your pretty ass in the house before I decide to do away with both of you.”

He caressed her cheek with his unusually long fingernails and nodded to one of the other men who grabbed her none too gently and started back toward the main house, “Take her to my chamber.”

Lillian was practically thrown on the bed and the door was bolted.  She started to weep uncontrollably but stopped abruptly and dried her eyes.  This would get her no
where.  She had to be ready when Montfort got there.  She looked around for a weapon, anything.  There were some liquor decanters.  She could hit him over the head, but that would just bring about his wrath when he came to and he might do more than just terrorize her father.  The decanters made her think about getting drunk in Eriik’s chamber.  If only Eriik were here.  She would love to see Montfort in Eriik’s solid, capable hands.  She couldn’t think of one single thing she could do, so she waited in abject fear.  She had no control over the situation and he would do what he wanted.  She didn’t have to wait long.  The door opened and he had the most hateful look on his face, she panicked.  Had he killed her father?  Surely not, “Is my father alright?”

“If alright means sitting in a damp, d
ark cellar in chains, a guard with orders to kill for any misdeed alright, then yes, of course.”  He grinned.

“Tell me what you want, then let my father go.”

“You know what I want, what I will get, but I don’t think I will let your father go anytime soon.  He has to walk the bride down the aisle after all, yes?”

“You are insane.”

“Now, now.  You are speaking of your intended.  However, now, since you’ve been such a bitch, we don’t have much time to prepare for the wedding. We can’t drag this out since I have to keep my eyes, not to mention a guard on you every minute of the day.  If you have any ideas of escaping, please know that your father’s slow and painful death will be on your head.  I suggest you behave yourself and help with the arrangements or I’ll have to get Ulric to give you away.  Oh, speaking of Ulric, here is your ring.  He really didn’t want to part with it, but I’m always prepared to please my beloved.  Before I go I’m afraid I have distressing news of the engagement party.  It’s been cancelled!” He threw her father’s ring at her and walked out of the room laughing.

Chapter 27

As the Drakkar sank into the soft earth of the shore, all the men were on guard.  They needed the ship readily accessible for a quick escape, so they didn’t utilize the small boats for landing.  They knew the way to the Devorn bastion but did not know the route to Montfort’s.  The Viking raiders couldn’t exactly stop by a friendly castle on the way to ask for directions.  Oliver had supplied them with directions
he thought  he remembered, but he didn’t know of Montfort’s exact location.  Eriik knew they did not have enough time to be running around in circles in the English countryside.  He knew of a monastery to the north and perhaps they could gain some information there. 

“We’ll make camp here until the sun rises, then to the north.”

“Aye brother, to the north.”

Before the sun rose, the Norsemen were ready and off doing double time.  They all knew the importance of this journey.  This was not a raid, it was a rescue mission, and they would not leave without Lady Lillian.  Eriik knew his men.  They were warriors and would fight any army to achieve this for him.  As they made their way to the monastery, they heard what sound
ed like chanting and decided all the priests were inside for their morning prayers.  This would make it easier to round them all up.  On Eriik’s count, they burst into the main great room as if hell itself had just opened up and all the demons had escaped.  The priests were terrified.  Eriik and his men had made a shocking entrance.  Having their complete attention, Eriik told the priests that they came, not to take treasure or do anyone harm, but for information.  One brave soul stood up and came forward, “What information do you seek?”

“We need
to find the way to Lord Montfort’s fortress.”

“To kill and ravage?”

“No, to retrieve what was taken from me and return home in peace.  I tell the truth in your Jesus’ name.”

The priest looked surprised that Eriik knew of Jesus, cocked his head, then slowly told them the way
, as much as he could remember.  He knew Lord Montfort all too well.

“Thank you father.”

“Go with God.”

They made good time but
were still many miles from their destination, so they made camp for the night and planned to start out again next light.  Eriik couldn’t get the image of Lillian in Montfort’s grasp out of his mind.  If he ever got her back into his arms, he would never let her go.  Thinking of her always brought his cock to attention.  It sprang up strong and demanding, insisting on finding her warm and slick.  Oh how he wanted to snuggle up, glide into her, and make sweet love to her again and again.  He swore to himself that would happen very soon, if she would have him. 

Chapter 28

For some reason Lillian had escaped Montfor
t the first night and thanked God for it.  The next morning, Millicent, the head of Montfort’s household, came in bright and enthusiastic, ready to begin the wedding plans.  Lillian decided she had best be accommodating, lest something awful happen to her father if it got back to the beast, as she now thought of Montfort.  So she picked out colors and kinds of cake and a seamstress came in to measure her for her wedding dress and incessantly talked about how much hard work it would take to make this dress so quickly and how many women it would take to work on it.  Seeming to forget her place, she curtsied and apologized and Lillian told her not to give it another thought.  Flowers and food and on and on until Lillian imagined there couldn’t be one single thing left to decide, when the guest list was brought up.  That took the remainder of the day.  By the time this farce of a wedding was planned, Lillian was exhausted and ready to find the bed and fall to sleep, but was alarmed when Lord Montfort made an appearance.  He closed the door and approached her much as he did the other night, reaching for her cheek with his fingertips.  She tried to conceal the revulsion she felt as he stroked her neck and shoulders. 

“My lord, I thought I made myself perfectly clear about the bedroom before marriage.”

“That was before you tried to run away and I now know it was all a lot of horse dung, wouldn’t you say?”

She didn’t know if it was the thought of him touching her flesh or what, but she actually felt nauseated. 

“My lord, I’m sorry but I don’t feel well.”

“Don’t try to pull that one on me.”

He put his hands on her face tight enough to be uncomfortable, leaned in, placing his lips on hers, and she proceeded to throw up in his mouth.

He pulled back, slapped her soundly across the face, coughed and sputtered, then ran from the room.

I’ll have to remember that.
She laughed.

Throwing up made her feel better but she still felt strange, and decided the best thing would be to try to get some sleep and hope the beast did not come back.  Her wish came true.

To her immense pleasure, a maid came in and escorted her back to her chamber.  Apparently the lord had not enjoyed her vomit in his mouth.  Lillian laughed again.  She would be thoroughly enjoying herself if not for the precarious predicament she was in.

The next morning when she awoke, she felt nauseated again and was perplexed, the loathsome lord was nowhere to be seen.  She called for the maid, got up
, dressed, and waited downstairs for Montfort.

“I would like to see my father please.”

“You’ll see him when he walks you down the aisle and not before, if you behave yourself, that is.  If you don’t…”

He jerked her head to one side and looked at his handiwork from the previous night, “You best go back upstairs and apply some powder to your face.  We wouldn’t want anyone to think my betrothed is clumsy, now would we?”

“You are the lowest of…”

“I wouldn’t finish that if I were you and wanted my father to have something to eat this day.”  He grinned cruelly as he pointed upstairs.

Lillian flew back to the bed chamber, not because of his orders, but because she had to retch again.  This was not like her at all.  She never got sick.  She supposed it was because of the circumstances.  Her maid, Alicia, a sweet girl who in the short time Lillian had been there had shown her great kindness, tended to her. 

“Are you alright, Miss?”

“Yes I’m fine.  I’m sorry.”

“No need to be sorry, Miss.  I’m just worried about you.”

As Lillian tried to be on her way downstairs, she faltered and felt quite dizzy, “Well perhaps I’m not as fine as I proclaimed.  Perhaps I’ll lie down a bit instead.”

Alicia had a funny look on her face as she put a cool cloth on Lillian’s face
upstairs, “Mum, I don’t want to pry, but have you had your time of the month?”

“Don’t be silly.  You think I’m…
no.  That’s preposterous.  Of course I have.  It was…”

“Sorry, it’s just you have all the symptoms. I’m sorry to have been out of line.”

“Not at all.  Thank you for your concern Alicia.  I appreciate your help.”

After Alicia left the room, Lillian tried to think when her time of the month
had come.  With all that was happening, she hadn’t noticed, but since Alicia mentioned it, she just realized it had
not
come this month.  Could it be?  No, it was absurd.  Or was it?  She had been feeling nauseated, but she put that squarely at the feet of Lord Montfort, after all he could make her queasy just looking at him.  Even so, her bouts of dizziness weren’t like her either.  She put her hands on her belly and wondered if it was possible a little Eriik could be sheltered there.  Was she happy if it were so?  What a hellish predicament she was in if it was true.  What would she do? If she were destined to marry the beast, would she pawn Eriik’s child off as his?  That would be unthinkable.  If she ran away, her father’s fate would be sealed.  She prayed with all her strength for God to help her.  It looked as if He might be the only one who could.