Free Lost Love by Maryse Dawson Page A

will escape the other way. By the time he has helped thee up, I will be gone. Then I will meet thee in the stables."
    Her getaway bag was still packed, hidden in her clothing trunk. All she had to do was grab it and run to the stables. Whether she could actually accomplish that before Fendrel found her was another thing.
    She watched as Isabel mulled it over before coming to a decision. "I hath a feeling I may regret this, but part of me dost not care. If Justin finds out, then what can he do?"
    "Indeed!" Arabella felt her buttocks clench when she pictured what John would do to her, but Isabel clearly had no such worry. "So thee will do it?"
    "Aye, it is about time I had a little freedom and fun. I shall finish my wine and this delicious food and then put our plan to action."
    Arabella sniggered. It would be marvellous to ruin Fendrel's day. Oh, if only she could be there to see his face when he found her gone! Ten minutes later, Isabel made her move. She tripped awkwardly right in front of Fendrel and grabbed his arm as she fell to the floor. His attention diverted, Arabella slipped out of the hall in a heartbeat.
    She had never moved so fast. She was in her chamber and gone in the blink of an eye, her getaway bag over her shoulder, her boots in her hand. Rushing down to the stables, she hid just inside the doorway and put on her boots, whilst she waited for Isabel. She didn't have to wait long. Isabel arrived, slightly out of breath, her cheeks flushed with excitement. She immediately spotted Arabella and rushed over. "Fendrel has gone looking for thee. We do not hath much time." She marched over to one of the stable hands and, squaring her shoulders, commanded that he make two mares ready for them. He glanced at Arabella and frowned. She stared back at him, her expression masked. Please, God, he do as he was told.
    Isabel prodded him, "Come on, boy. What is the delay? Do I hath to get thy master down here?"
    He gulped and visibly paled. "Nay, milady."
    He called to another lad, and they readied two Palfrey mares for them. Isabel urged them to hurry, whilst Arabella glanced over her shoulder, fully expecting Fendrel or John to come striding in at any moment.
    The boy shot Isabel a worried look as he handed her the reins. She ignored him, and quickly led her horse out into the bailey, with Arabella following immediately behind. Whilst one boy helped them mount, the other called up to the guards to raise the portcullis. Arabella rode through the gates, her heart in her mouth. Freedom! Finally it was hers!
    * * *
    John and Justin left the wounded knight in the capable hands of the castle's physician, Leon. The wound left by the arrow was sizeable, but Leon assured them he would recover fully. He just needed time for his healing potions to work their magic.
    "How dost thou find married life, John?" Justin asked as they walked towards the great hall.
    "It hath its challenges, but on the whole, I am satisfied." He chose his words carefully. He didn't want Justin to know the real reason he married Arabella. It would lead to too many questions and details he didn't want to reveal, about his previous life as Ulric. He carefully changed the subject. "Isabel is as beautiful as ever, my friend."
    "Aye. A man could not want for a more obedient and charming wife."
    "Obedient? Thou hast never had occasion to chastise her then?"
    Justin shook his head vehemently. "Nay, John. She is most compliant." He frowned. "Dost thou hath problems with Arabella then?"
    "Sometimes she can be a little wilful, but she soon learns to comply." He envisioned her pert little bottom over his lap and smiled. Aye, she learned all right. Suddenly, Fendrel appeared, marching towards them down the corridor, his face grim. John's heart sank.
    Fendrel reached them. "Milord, Arabella and the lady Isabel hath ridden out of the castle grounds."
    "Ridden!" Justin exclaimed. "Wherefore? Didst anyone accompany them? One of the guards?" Fendrel shook his head, and Justin