Free Claimed By A Charmer (The Pith Trilogy) by Kara Griffin Page B

Mayhap I should come along,” Cedric said.
    “Nay, you must to see to the keep’s
protection while we’re away. He’ll not let you come.”
    “I’ll come along then. I never
figured Douglas would fall for a hellion,” Colin said. “He always claimed that
he’d have a sweet lass who would obey his every command.”
    “Londontown. Did ye forget your
promise to Julianna? You’re visiting your English relatives, Colin. I’m sure
you don’t want her going without you,” Brendan reminded him.
    “I have to go to England, I
forgot.” Colin frowned. “You’ll tell me about it when I return?”
    “Aye, give King Henry my regards,”
Brendan said sarcastically, and the men laughed at his barb.
    Brendan hated England and the king.
But King Henry was Colin’s relative through marriage, and he put up with the
fact that his brother was related to him. Colin’s wife, Julianna, was King
Henry’s cousin and held great feeling for him. Colin had been forced to accept
their relationship, and wasn’t too happy about it either.
    Brendan thought it odd that Douglas
had retired early. At first, he’d thought Douglas was escaping their jests, but
his cousin had yawned most of the day, and seemed overly tired. He thought
Douglas might be ill, and wanted to ask, but he wouldn’t be so receptive of his
concern. Nay, his cousin would harp at him for even asking. Still, it did seem
odd and he suspected something afoul. Douglas was never tired or sleepy, and
could go days without taking much of a rest. Many a time, they had ridden
through the night on sentry duty.
    Dismissing his unusual thoughts,
Brendan finished his ale, and listened to the soldier’s conversations. He
returned his thoughts to Douglas’ task and knew there were sparks between
Douglas and Isabel when they met, and he found it amusing that his cousin was
done for. Aye, the journey would be fun-filled and he’d be sure to tease
Douglas every chance he got.

Chapter Nine
     
     
    Dawn didn’t give off enough light
to see by, and the dimness fueled her dismay. Isabel wouldn’t escape her
situation. This day, she’d be taken to the asylum. She closed the satchel which
held her most prized possessions: a few exquisite garments given to her by
Candace, two books from Uncle Stan, and her most valued: numerous daggers and a
shortened sword. She readjusted the clothing to cover the shiny objects. Isabel
was well-versed in the craft of weapons, and missed her daily exercise. She’d
grown restless at the inactivity, but she wasn’t about to leave without some
protection and refused to consider leaving them behind.
    When at last she opened the door,
her father waited. “Hurry up, girl.”
    She snatched the satchel from the
floor before he pulled her from the chamber. He dragged her along to the doors
of his keep. She held onto the stairway wall, but he yanked her arm. Isabel
tried to resist, but he was determined to remove her. Once outside, he released
her, and she watched him saunter to the stables. Closing her eyes, she
swallowed her panic. Fairview Asylum was known to be a place of terror. She was
able to delay her father’s decision by a fortnight, but no longer.
    Isabel looked into her opened
satchel when a gleaming flicker crossed her eye. Her garments shifted position,
and she studied the dagger. She would rather die than be sent to the asylum,
and she considered her options. Did she have the courage? Sighing, she decided
she would do what was needed. But before she could reach for a dagger, her
father grasped her arm, pulling her to the horses. Seated atop, her bag was
plucked from her, and her chance to end it wafted away—surely as she was now on
her way to the asylum.
    The entire journey to the asylum,
she was made to ride behind her father and his men. He wouldn’t allow her to
speak and whenever she tried to plead with him, he held up his hand as if to
strike her. Her bottom hurt after riding for long hours, and Isabel grew
alarmed when the asylum