Infuriating Attractions (on hold)

Evasion

Sorry about the wait for this chapter, I had to split it in two parts and it shouldn't be a long wait for the next one :)

Elizabeth blinked a few times before forming her features into an expression of utter incredulity. 

"Are you a simpleton?" she cried throwing her hands dramatically into the air and drawing the curious gazes of a few of the men to where they stood in the dark. 

"Hush!" 

"I will not hush!" Elizabeth hissed at her mistress "You will get us both killed with your foolish ideas!" 

Annabelle gazed around the camp quickly to ensure the bandits had returned to their respective activities and were paying them no more attention. 

"I could not negotiate your release Elizabeth" she whispered urgently "So you will be killed anyway unless you stop being such a stubborn mule and escape with me" 

Her maid looked surprised at this new tone from her mistress but paled visibly. It was true, she had been secretly counting on Annabelle to broker her release and had not realised how much her hopes rested on the idea until now. She schooled her appearance into one of skeptical determination. 

"Do you even have a plan for this miraculous escape?" 

"Well-" 

"Excuse me ladies" both of them whirled around to see the young blond man Elizabeth had assisted with the stew standing before them expectantly. Annabelle clutched desperately to her friend's arm, praying to God and every saint she could think of that he had not heard their conversation. She relaxed slightly when he seemed to be merely confused by her rigid posture and did not seem to raising any kind of alarm. 

"My apologies if I startled you I did not mean-my name is Michael and I have been asked to show you to your tent" 

Annabelle could only nod dumbly, the fear of discovery still hammering in her chest. As she followed the man to one of the smaller tents, Elizabeth in tow, she realised that she did not fear for her own safety but for her friend's. Black needed her alive in order to collect his precious ransom but had essentially signed Elizabeth's death warrant. 

Two men that looked as though they would rather be anywhere else, stood guard at the entrance of the tent and gave them both surly looks. 

"Er this is John and Robert, they are here to ensure no harm befalls you" Michael explained apologetically. Elizabeth rolled her eyes, the two men were just as much here to protect them as she was merely here for a nice visit and he knew it. 

"Many thanks" Annabelle smiled as the young man lifted the tent flap for both of them. There was no harm in being polite to him, he seemed sympathetic to their plight and perhaps could be persuaded to aid them somewhat.

The tent was one of the smallest in the camp yet still cosy, two pallet beds covered with furs looked surprisingly comfortable and a good night's sleep seemed to beckon. Annabelle noticed Elizabeth stowing something in the folds of her skirts as soon as Michael left them. 

"What do you have there?" she asked, distracted by her maid's grim expression. Elizabeth pulled her skirts to the side and revealed a dagger, gleaming in the candlelight. 

"Where did you get that?" Annabelle gasped raising a hand to her mouth and glancing towards the tent's entrance.

"The boy let me skin a rabbit for him, he did not notice I kept his knife" 

"And what did you plan to do with it?" Annabelle asked incredulously, her wide-eyed innocence making itself known. 

"I would have slit his throat if he had overheard us and attempted to alert the others" Elizabeth murmured turning away from her and sitting on her pallet bed. 

"What?" she fought down the horror that welled up within her in response to her maid's words. She was as desperate to escape this place as anyone, but the thought of killing a man was one she had never before considered. The reality of this situation hit her hard as she realised that lives here were at stake and this was no game. 

Would she be able to kill a man to ensure her own safety? Her stomach churned at the thought. 

***

My dear Duke, 

As you may or may not have realised your daughter Annabelle is missing. If you have not I do not blame you it is easy to forget such things as daughters, however if you have, you are most likely searching frantically for her.

I your humble servant must tell you two things: firstly, that she has come to no harm and secondly that you are wasting your time. Do not attempt to torture the deliverer of this message for her whereabouts, he is foremost a simpleton and if he does not return to me in due time I will murder your daughter.

Do not fret. As much as I have a real fondness for pretty young girls, I do not have a fondness for their shrill voices and slightly annoying ways and wish to rid myself of Annabelle as soon as possible.

For five thousand gold coins two days from now you may have your precious angel back. If you do not meet these terms I am sure I can find some way to amuse myself with your daughter until she bores me and then I will kill her.

The choice is entirely up to you,

 I humbly await your reply,

Thomas Black

***

Thomas gave a self-satisfied smirk as he completed the final flourish on his signature.

Soon he would have everything he ever wanted. His estate would finally be returned to him and hopefully Henry would leave him well enough alone to run it. His cousin seemed to be quite lenient, the King could hardly be bothered punishing Thomas and would rather ignore him.

Annabelle was the key to his happiness and he had her right where he wanted her.