Элайн Нексли: Captive mistress. English-language novels

The head of the hull almost kicked Arabella out of the carriage, and tying her even tighter eyes took on the sharp stones that pierce into the suede fabric of the shoes. The young woman tried to understand where she is, but the constant aftershocks kept her focus: Where am I? Where are you taking me? – frightened girl asked.

– Calm down, will soon find out.

The young woman felt under my feet, something began to stir:

– Come, – she heard the order, who could not bear objections, – the policeman took the prisoner by the arm, helped her down the old stairs. Arabella slipped, grabbed the same Chapter: «be Careful, my lady, steps are slippery.

The girl, shuddering with fear, clung to the body of the soldier: – what is your name?

– Albert de Germont, the head of the Royal corps of gendarmes.

You’re a kind man. Thank you for Your concern, but… I’m afraid to die in captivity, by the swords of the king’s men.

– Fear not, lady, because our fears don’t always matter. We are afraid or not, if some event should happen and so it happens, fear will not stop him.

– Sir, why are we stopping? «came the impatient voice of another policeman.

«Not so fast, Nick. Death not in a hurry – sadly, but with a smile replied the commander-in-chief.

Arabella did not see the face Alberda, when he spoke those awful words, but she distinctly heard his voice, filled with strange regret, despair, coldness and indifference. The first time the French felt on his neck the icy breath of the terrible, impending death.

Someone pushed the girl forward, so much so that she fell with loose steps to the barn. The policeman yanked untied the captive’s eyes. Mademoiselle de Frase frantically looked around. The young woman was in the basement, looking like a prison for recalcitrant prisoners. In all the corners hung with cobwebs, through the bars were not penetrated by a single ray of light and in the shade on top of a terrible machine for waterboarding. The victim before torture were not given food for several days and then lowered to the bottom of the building so that as much as possible bulging belly (although, after the fast it was hard to do) and started to pour water in the mouth. Unfortunate either choked or liquid filled inside, the stomach could not withstand and exploded. Arabella, barely holding himself in nausea, turned away from the car and stared at the leaving silhouettes of the gendarmes.

The time dragged terribly slowly and painfully. The girl then walked around the dungeon, then sat in the hayloft, peering into the blackness of the night. Whatever it was, but fatigue quickly overcame the young woman and she huddled in a corner, dozed off.

There was a creaking door. Harsh light illuminated the dark basement. Arabella terrified opened his eyes. At the door, in the shadows, stood a man, which goes on the wood, swaying the cane. French, barely breathing from fear, pressed her back to the dirty wall. The old man approached her, quietly, barely moving his feet.

«Who Are You? What do You need? – asked fearfully provincial.

– Don’t be afraid, "came the unknown voice. It sounded like from far away, from the impenetrable darkness.

– Why are You here? I am the innocent.

– Don’t worry. I’m not going to hurt you. I am an ordinary person, trying to show the right path those who have strayed from the true path and goes where the one light burning, surrounded by a sinister, impenetrable forest, but skips the road at the end of which light, joy, happiness, and the hot flames who burned the troubles. Remember, a small candle, which had lit one hand to put out easier than the fire burning thanks to a few touches. Therefore, look for a mutual, happy love, let it not even be sprinkled with gold, and with rural, poor hay. But unrequited passion, even made of diamonds and purple, will not bring peace, enjoyment and tranquility, but only to empty the soul, break the heart and, like an arrow, vague thoughts fill with memories of the past.

Arabella, scarcely breathing, listened to these precious, wise speech. The old man looked like a simple poor man, but he spoke true words of the philosopher.

– What do You mean? I am clean before God, "slowly drawled the girl.

Is now you clean and pure, but will take a little time, and you will be dressed in gold and diamonds. Proudly will wear silk and gold brocade, on his head – a crown of precious stones, silver tiaras, and delicate, like the petals of a flower ripe pomegranate, veils. On the neck of your hundreds of expensive pendants will hang at the hands of the machined ring and the bracelets jingle. But… your hands dirty in the red blood… With fingers dripping red liquid, which eclipsed the radiance of luxury. And pride… It will stifle the voice of conscience and justice.

– I’ll never shed the blood of innocent people. Nothing can drown out my conscience, proudly threw the young woman. Her voice sounded sad, but undisguised arrogance.

The old man with a sad half-smile whispered: «Look around. What do you see? It will happen to your soul.

The girl stared. Around her, on the floor, on the walls, on the hay lay jewelry, gold, silver, precious stones, gold coins. But Arabella, looking closely, saw in all this drops of fresh, red blood. She shone like autumn leaves in the afternoon sun, sparkled like stars in the night sky. Suddenly there was a deafening rumble, so strong that everything around trembled. The Duke’s daughter, saw a fire-breathing dragon that rises out of the ground. Because of the fear that breeds in the entire body, the girl couldn’t move. She had to consider only the old man who went into the shade, then filled all Hellfire…

Arabella de Frase squealing woke up. The old guy, the gold, the words, the dragon – it’s only a nightmare, a horrible dream. Young beauty with horror looked around. She was still in that dirty, damp dungeon. The Frenchwoman sighed. The girl didn’t know how much time you’ve been here, because the camera was always dominated by impenetrable darkness.

Again there was a deafening, obnoxious creak of the door and to jail someone silently entered. But it was not a dream but a harsh reality. In the shadows stood silent policeman, holding a copper bowl and a water bottle. Arabella stood up. She was no longer afraid that guards might kill her for disobedience. The worst thing is to stay in this chamber for a long time.

– How much time I will still be here? It is a prison ever end?

I’m just a guard and I know nothing. Only sir Albert de Germond can let You go. In the meantime, You just have to wait! "the man nodded.

– What to expect?

Or release or penalty, – with these words the policeman put a bowl of soup and slice of bread on a fresh haystack.

The day passed, the second… The guards wore Arabella food, basins for washing, but the girl couldn’t stand this confinement. No one except a few guards came to her. Unfortunately, those were silent, and only occasionally cast a glance at the Frenchwoman, like a criminal.

Early one morning in the prison he heard a commanding voice, and on the threshold appeared a young, gallant man, an aristocrat, dressed in the latest elegant French fashion. Everything in it seemed so harmonious and even a little corny, but this threatening sword, resting on the belt… Arabella shuddered from the silver Shine of a sharp blade.

– Miss Arabella, politely handed it to the stranger, removing his hat and bowing low.

«Who are You? – roughly threw the girl, turning away from the newcomer.

– Oh, Milady, you see, a courtesy You have not learned. Well, to do re-education of the rebellious maidens I’m not going. Therefore the answer to Your question: my name is Mr. Mocenigo, I am the chief Advisor and close friend of his Majesty the king of France Louis XIII. Great monarch gave the order to visit You before his arrival.