HELD CAPTIVE BY A ROGUE

Chapter Three

Kathryn laid on her bed sobbing. Why is Lord Chatsworth doing this to me? I don't understand, she thought, dejectedly. Why does he want to marry me? What choice do I have? If I don't marry him, father will go to debtor's prison. What happened to all our money? Kathryn's mind was spinning. I need time to think this out and to find another solution and the only place I can do that is at home, at Grey Manor in Glastonbury with Mary. She'll know what to do. She's always helped me all my life whenever I've needed her, even though she's just the housekeeper, she's more of a mother to me. Kathryn sat up. Father will never allow me to go back to Grey Manor, not now. The Earl has too much power over him. "Oh, what am I to do?" She whispered aloud. Suddenly Kathryn climbed off the bed. I'll go tonight, before he gets home! With a determination, she ran to her coffer and pulled out her favorite green riding habit that was worn from use. She quickly donned it and threw her cloak over her shoulders, pulling the hood up over her head. She gathered a few items she would need for the trip home in case she would have to stay in an inn overnight, and left a note on her pillow explaining her whereabouts. With bag in hand, she made her way quietly downstairs. She entered the stables and tried to decide which horse her father would be least angry she took. Stopping in front of a haggard looking chestnut color mare, that had seen better days, she decided to take her. Sliding the bridle over her head, she led her out of her stall and placed an old saddle across her back. Once secured, she tied off her small bag onto it. Stepping one foot into the stirrup, she swung her other leg over the saddle and sat astride. She chuckled to herself when she thought of what people would say if they saw her riding in this manner and not in the acceptable side-saddle. Slowly she made her way out of the stable and weaved her way through the back streets so not to be discovered until she reached the outskirts of London.

There was only one road that she could take in order to reach Glastonbury and it was very narrow and desolate. Kathryn guided the old mare the best she could in the dark knowing it was several miles to the nearest inn. She tried not to think of how scared she was because all the night creatures were scampering through the brush by the side of the road. Minutes seemed like hours as they trudged along. An owl hooted and practically made Kathryn jump out of her skin, so she decided to try and think of more pleasant times when she was a child to keep her mind off her predicament. So caught up in past memories Kathryn never heard the riders come up alongside her.

One of the two men grabbed her reins and pulled her mount to a halt while the other held a pistol pointed toward her.

"What have we here, Tommy?" The highwayman that was holding her reins said, before he continued on, "it's a la-dy! What's ya doing riding out here all alone like?" He said, yanking the hood off her head. "And a mighty pretty one at that!"

Kathryn sat frozen to her seat, waiting for an opportunity to escape.

"Doesn't talk much either, I like that in me women," he said, trying to figure out what to do with her.

"Billy, just get her money and any jewelry and let's go before someone comes," the one named Tommy said.

"Don't rush me, I'm a thinking I want a little more than just money and jewelry with this one!"

"Well, have your way with her then and let's go!" Tommy said, starting to get nervous at their delay. He knew the look in his partner's eye and knew it was going to be awhile before they leave.

"I don't want to take her here in the road ya fool! I wanna take me time with her!" Billy cackled and smacked his lips into a vicious grin.

Kathryn closed her eyes and thought of the humiliation she felt as they discussed her so degradingly.

***

Charlie was surprised when Christopher came home from the ball and demanded that they leave for Dartmoor at once. "But its late sir, wouldn't it be better to leave at dawn?" He replied, worrying about the road they would have to take at night.