Hope In The Darkness

Chapter 28

I gazed blankly at the fast passing trees while the carriage swayed back and forth due to the uneven terrain.

"Did you even hear a single thing I had said during this journey?"

Paige asked, her arms crossed tightly over her chest as I shifted my gaze towards her.

"Indeed I have. However, I got bored after you began to repeat yourself for the last four hours." I said as a swift thump hit the side of the carriage.

"I believe that was the signal. Now if you two would stop acting like children. Perhaps we will make it through this checkpoint."

Aunt Rose interjected as Paige began to open her lips to shout at me.

As the large carriage gradually came to a complete stop I began to hear voices outside.

"Remember you are Isabella Shadwell." I heard Paige whisper towards me as she fixed her posture to look more like a royal escort.

"What is the meaning of this!" I spat loudly as the voices hushed.

In the next moment the door opened to Jackson dressed in a royal driving coat.

"I am deeply sorry Lady Shadwell, we had to stop due to the king placing more checkpoints." Jackson replied.

"You are a handsome soldier, oh and a top ranked one at that." I said as Jackson helped me out of the carriage with my eyes fixed on one of guards.

"I am sorry for this inconvenience, Lady Shadwell." The tall guard stated as he kissed my gloved hand.

"Tell me handsome, why have there been so many checkpoints leading in this direction?"

I asked, making sure I breathed deeply so my breast would stick out of my bodice more.

"There is a dangerous criminal on the loose, she is very powerful." The soldier answered, causing me to lift an eyebrow.

"How dangerous can one girl be?" I asked with a devious grin across my face.

"Everything is in order!" The guard that could not take his eyes off my swollen breast yelled to the other guards inspecting the carriage.

"Perhaps once my distant cousin kicks the bucket I hope to see you once again on my journey back to the palace."

I whispered seductively into the man's ear before taking Jackson's hand as he helped me into the large carriage.  

My raced in my chest as slowly took off from the check point as I overheard some of the guards speaking to one another.

"I thought Lady Shadwell was ill in bed at the royal palace."

As I heard the soft whispers of the men outside the carriage I gripped the journey tighter in my hands.

"Stop that carriage!"

I heard one of the guards shout, however thankfully we had gained enough distance from the checkpoint that Jackson and Ralph could take off into the forest nearby.

Once we were deep into the cold forest I felt as the horses slowed to a trot as I tried to keep myself calm.

"You were amazing." I heard Paige say as I unclenched the journey in my hands.

As Aunt Rose nodded her head in approval of my newly found acting skills I felt the carriage come to a stop causing me to hit my head on the back of the seat.

"You girls alright back there?" I heard Jackson yell as the carriage sifted as they got off.

"Next time please warn us before you decide to come to a screeching stop!" I spat as Jackson offered to help me out of the carriage.