Bathing in Blood

Bathing in Blood - Part 4

When Anna finally returned to the carriage, Elizabeth was watching her intently. She immediately noticed her companion's loose hair and swollen lips and could easily guess what had happened.

"Quite the little seductress, aren't you Anna?" she teased, smiling cheekily at her friend.

"It was necessary to get him close enough to me to cast the spell," she replied, leaning back in her seat. "But I thought it would do no harm either way."

Elizabeth nodded, and then knocked on the roof of the carriage. The driver whipped up the reins of the horses and they were off again down the cobblestone path.

"Is our little guest still sound asleep?"

"Of course." Elizabeth gestured to the curled up form beside her, covered in a cloak. "It was a shame we had to slip her a sleeping draught, but the child was being less than cooperative."

"Do not trouble yourself with the girl. We will bring her to the castle and she will wake in due time. When that happens, we can begin."

"Yes, so we can. I am quite looking forward to it... we haven't had a guest this pretty in a long while. It should be quite enjoyable for us."

The coach rattled on. The streets were quiet and empty, not a soul was seen as the sun dipped lower on the horizon. It way best that way; they didn't want anyone to visit the blacksmith and find him fast asleep. They would try to wake him, and in not being able to they would call the doctor and the priest, who would certainly find something quite wrong with him. Then there would be an enquiry, an investigation... they would find his niece missing and immediately suspect the Countess Elizabeth. Of course they couldn't do anything to her, but it was much easier to have it all hushed up.

When the coach pulled into the stable of the large castle, both women stepped out. Anna gestured to two of the page boys. "Come and carry this girl up to the castle."

Their eyes both widened in surprise. They were both used to strange goings on in the castle, but none so obvious as this. In fact, it was the first time Anna and Elizabeth had ever outright kidnapped someone. Usually they sent someone else to do it, and it normally required no more effort than a little persuasion. But Elizabeth had been impatient that day; she needed the girl in order to... relax.

Anna glared at the gawking boys. "Take the girl up to the castle and put her in the dungeon."

"But... Madame...?"

"Do not question me! Or would you wish that Elizabeth and I reported your disobedience to Count Ferenc? That would be a pretty punishment. Or if you'd prefer it, we can deal with you two ourselves." Anna's words carried the promise of a terrible fate. The two pages knew of Lady Darvulia's punishments, and how much she and Elizabeth enjoyed them.

"No Madame, no!"

"Right, so take the wretched girl down to the dungeon like I've said! And have the jailer put her in a cell when you get there."

The two youths, now properly terrified, ran to pick up the sleeping girl. Together they carried her off to the entrance of the castle as fast as they possibly could.

"I never could stand those incompetent serving boys. Maybe I should dismiss them."

Anna shook her head. "Your husband hired those two, and he said not to dismiss any servants without his permission."

"Ah yes, I remember now. He's so thoughtful, isn't he? Always making sure that I make the right decision."

Anna nodded without saying a word. She wouldn't have called it thoughtful, exactly. Controlling was a better word. And although Ferenc did have some affection for his young wife, he did seem to treat her like a child that needed to be disciplined rather than a lady he could hold in high regards. It saddened Anna that Elizabeth would never be properly loved.

"You are quiet, Anna. Is something the matter?"

"No, Elizabeth. I am simply... eager. For our night's activities."

Elizabeth smiled. No one could suspect that she was anything other than a normal countess – vain, true, but that was common. She appeared sweet and dainty, mannered and docile. Every friend of her husband's who came to visit would leave in jealousy at such a devoted wife. But Anna knew her true nature, and it was something that attracted her to the young noblewoman even more.

"Let us go inside the castle. You'll catch cold if we stand out here any longer, for the sun has been down awhile."

"Quite right Anna. You do take such good care of me."

Anna bowed her head modestly at the compliment. "It is my pleasure, Elizabeth."

Another day, another chapter deeper into the mystery of Elizabeth and Anna. No telling yet of poor Natalia's fate... any guesses as to what might happen?