Fire and Ice

Chapter 21



Sir Richard could not believe his luck when he heard the commotion outside and realised that the men were leaving en masse, taking the dog with them. He had not quite grasped what was happening but waited to see if they came back. Time went on and the servants were busy with their household tasks. Gingerly, he tried standing and stretching his legs. He was surprised when he felt weak and then remembered that they had hardly fed him since his incarceration so he would need food if he was to make an escape. He paced the room for a short while, peering occasionally around the partition wall to see how many servants were around. He saw the remnants of the mens’ last meal still adorning the table and moved over to see what he could scavenge, smiling when he saw there was quite a bit left, including half a loaf and some cheese. A cloth bag thrown down carelessly at the side of Ragn’s chair proved to be just right to take what food was left and would keep him from hunger for a few days. He took a swig of wine from one of the wooden goblets but dared not take anything as heavy as liquid with him.

The house quietened and he took the opportunity to look out of the back door in the enclosure. The stallion had been stabled since the men left and de Gant thought he would make a faster getaway on horseback, putting as much space between him and them as he could before they found he was missing. Sliding around the stable door de Gant fitted the bit into the horse’s mouth and fastened the reins. He was looking around for a saddle when he heard a noise and decided that it was now or never so he leapt onto the horse’s back and kicked him into action. Rider and horse burst through the stable door and almost trampled the stable lad, before disappearing into the distance. He had ridden bare-back before and had the reins to hold onto and took the fence at the bottom of the enclosure with a huge leap, congratulating himself when he stayed seated.

He laughed when he thought of the uproar he was leaving behind in the stable yard and wondered what Ragn would say when he found his prize horse missing.



***



Giselle stood in line waiting to make her confession to Father Matthew. She was still restricted to wander only within the convent’s walls and grounds but had steadily gained some trust from the other sisters. She completed her tasks satisfactorily and made no argument at whatever she was told to do. Mother Superior was impressed by the turnaround in her behaviour and watched her now as Giselle held her rosary and seemed to be waiting patiently with her head bowed in pious prayer.

In reality, Giselle was hoping to speak with Luke once this confession business was over. What on earth could she confess while she was stuck in here day after day, month after month with no hope of escape? She relied on her quick wits to make something up as she posed for the sake of the other nuns whilst standing in line. She could see Luke out of the corner of her eye and he seemed to be mesmerised by her, she just hoped no one would notice that gleam in his eye and they could meet in the cloister after confession. Eventually, it was her turn in the confessional and she duly received her penance for unholy thoughts when she was cleaning the kitchen. It had not been a lie as she hated domestic work but had to do it in order to eat. When she left the confessional she noticed Luke had gone and she made her way to the cloister where she strolled for a while so as not to attract any attention and then slipped into the shadows where they had first met.

“How are you, Father Luke?” she enquired, her lips deliberately curled at the corners to make her face more winsome.

“I’m very well, but don’t call me Father yet. I’m still a novice.”

“Do you really want to join the priesthood and give up everything you could have with me?”

“I don’t know what I could have with you, my lady. I grew up in a strict household and my mother insisted I went into the priesthood, so here I am.”

Giselle knew he was as innocent as he declared himself to be because she had tried to entice him to her cell but there was always an excuse.

“Why don’t you let me show you?” she said and reached for his hand. He let her warm hand take his and she put it to her face. She knew the effect this was having on him as he closed his eyes and breathed deeply. What on earth would he be like when her plan came together? She moved his hand and kissed the tip of each finger letting her tongue touch each and every one.

“My lady, I cannot continue to let you do this. I forget everything when I am with you. My body has a mind of its own and I don’t know what to do. I can only think it must be unholy.”

Giselle was careful not to decry his faith but whispered, “Woman was made for man, Luke. We were made for each other, and you training for the priesthood is wrong in so many ways. You were made for love, my love!” she declared vehemently.

He could stand it no longer and pulled her into his embrace, kissing her passionately, first on the lips and then he moved her cap aside and tasted her neck.

“Come with me,” she said urgently, pulling at his hand.

Just then the Mother Superior came outside with Father Matthew and started to walk around the cloister, deep in conversation.

“I have to go, my lady. If they see us here they will keep us apart and I’ll never see you again.” His words were desperate so she let him go, knowing that it was only a matter of time before he was hers.

Two weeks later her chance came. She had had a fever which had kept her to her cell but she had almost recovered. One of the other nuns came in to bring her a herbal concoction which when heated seemed to give some relief to her symptoms. She tried to look tired and weary, sniffing and coughing to give the nun the impression she was still unwell.

“Father Matthew has a malady today too and is sending someone else to take confession and give communion. Shall I ask him to visit you here? You are obviously still too ill to join us in the chapel.”

Giselle looked down trying not to show the gleam in her eye at the news. “Yes,” she coughed slightly, “I’m still too tired to get up.”

The other nun nodded briefly and left the cell, closing the door behind her. Giselle got out of bed and paced the floor making plans on how to get Luke into her room. She hoped he would be worried about her if she did not attend chapel and would ask where she was. She hoped he would be given permission to visit her. She got back into bed, chilled by the stone floor.

By the time she heard sandaled feet shuffling down the corridor she was in a state of panic in case it was some other monk coming to see her, but she need not have worried. The door opened slowly, too slowly she thought, but Luke was there standing in front of her. He pulled his cowl back and his hair tumbled freely to his shoulders. She realised that she actually had feelings for this man when her heart quickened.

She rose from the bed and took off her cap which had been hiding her hair. It had grown back richer and thicker than before and he caught his breath when she moved towards him. Slowly, she began to stroke his hair, his face and kissed him gently on the lips. He was trembling before her and she liked the feeling of power she had over him.

“Come, Luke. Sit down on the bed and I’ll secure the door.” She led him to the bed and pushed his trembling body down gently to sit on the edge. There were no locks on the doors of the cells but a stout chair could be wedged under the iron ring which would prevent it from being turned and would give them some warning of trouble.

Giselle had planned this in her mind since she had last seen him and now put her scheming into action. Her eyes shone as she approached him, watching him gulp and his eyes widen as she let her habit fall to the floor. She could hear his breath from three feet away. She moved closer and he swallowed harder, nothing was hidden from his gaze.

“My lady, you’re beautiful,” he gasped. “I’ve never seen a female body before and yours is magnificent. I had no idea.”

“You’re too handsome, to let your manhood go to waste, my sweet. I want you to know a woman before you give your life to the priesthood. Come, let me help you undress.”

Luke stood like a statue whilst Giselle disrobed him and pushed him onto the bed. He closed his eyes when she started to touch his body and Giselle knew she had him under her spell. She put his hands on her body and they moved of their own accord, burning a fiery trail as they went. Their kisses were deep and passionate and only instinct told Luke what to do next. His first attempt at lovemaking ended prematurely but Giselle had expected that and she lay panting beneath him, playing her game and her man.

“Oh, my love,” he breathed, “I had no idea such joy existed. You have bewitched me.”

She smiled into his eyes. “You haven’t even begun to learn yet, Luke. Stay with me and I will teach you everything you need to know.”

“We must marry, my lady. I love you more than I could have imagined. I will tell Father Matthew that I’ve changed my mind about the priesthood.”

“Yes, we will marry, Luke. But first we have to leave this place. They won’t let me go unless Ulfric says so. I wish Richard was here.”

“Then we must run away together, Giselle. I’ll take you back to your homeland and we’ll live in peace together there.”

Giselle smiled again, “You are the dearest of men. Yes, we’ll devise a plan but you must not tell Father Matthew anything yet. Wait until everything is set fair.”

“Anything for you, Giselle, anything; now, teach me some more of what I must learn before I have to leave you again.”

Giselle grinned wickedly, “Are you sure you have the stamina, Luke? I can be very hard to please.”

“Show me,” he whispered, already drowning in a sea of desire.