In His Cold Embrace

Chapter 11

I woke up on the cold ground, laying on my cheek facing the fireplace. The woods weren't set ablaze and I shivered, feeling more acutely the coldness of the floor.

I sat up and ignored the pains I felt in my back and arms, even an arse ache.

I winced and rested heavily against the door, I leaned my head to the side and surveyed the mess I'd made of the room last night during my tantrum.

There was a knock on the door.

"Lady Simmons?" It was the voice of a maidservant.

"Yes," I croaked with much difficulty.

"The bathing room has been prepared for you, my lady."

I stood up, groaning as my muscles protested in pain."Thank you."

"My lady, are you well?" The maidservant asked softly.

"Please, ask Mildred to come by and assist me."

"As you wish, my lady."

I sat on the bed and cradled my head in my hands as lst night's events replayed in my mind. I was horror-stricken at my behaviour, not really understanding it all.

"What in th devil is wrong with me?" I whispered to myself.

There was a knock on the door."Child, I ran  as quickly as my old bones would let me."

I let out a sigh and opned the door for Mildred. Her face sagged with dread as she took in my full appearance.

"It's terrible,Mildred." I sobbed as she closed the door."So very terrible."

She held me in her arms and I inhaled her homely smell that I'd grown accustomed to from a wee child.

"Come now,Rosy."

I shook my head and held her tighter as a tear rolled down my cheek." I behaved rather rashly last night but Ryder had no right to do that."

"He left the castle this morning in quite a foul mood."

I straightened abruptly, dread settling in my stomach."Where has he gone?"

Mildred looked down at her hands." To duel."

I stood up quickly, regarding her with red rimmed eyes."You lie to me?"

She sighed and reached up to pat my cheek."My child, I wish-"

"No," I said quietly as the room started to spin.

Mildred pulled me down to sit beside her and she hugged me again."Hush child, he'll be back soon."

"No," I said with conviction."You don't understand, Mildred. He's left to die."

I wrung my hands in my lap and stood again, I paced the room feeling agitated.

"Duel where?" I questioned her. Then answered my question myself."He could be anywhere."

Rosemarie, what did you say to him?"

I felt choked up with anguish and fear, as if a bond between Ryder and I was about to be wrenched apart between us both.

"I told him that I want to plunge a dagger in his heart just to see if he'd bleed black blood or none at all."

The words hung between us and I could not bring myself to look up at Mildred. I felt compelled ot continue.

"I told him that I would have taken my life had it not been for the babe within me."

"Good Lord," Mildred said and brought her hands to her face." How could you?"

I shook my head and swiped angrily at my wet cheeks."He had no right to treat me like that!"