Lost Love by Maryse Dawson Read Free Book Online Page B

snorted. "If thee deserves it, I will do it! Thou knowest full well I detest tripe and yet thee had asked for it especially. Thou art despicable!"
    Suddenly, he moved onto his side and propping his head on his hand stared down at her. "It is not I that is despicable."
    Arabella rolled her eyes. "Thou art referring to the past, I presume?"
    "Aye. Before handing out insults, it would suit thee well to look into thine own behavior first." He stood up and held out his hand. "Come. We will return to the castle before thou catches an ague. Despite our differences, I would not see thee unwell, and the sooner thou art out of those wet clothes, the better."
    She stared up at him sullenly. "Thee go back. I will dry off in the sun."
    "Arabella, do as I bid."
    His tone was stern, and Arabella found herself obeying him for fear of receiving another spanking. Her posterior was still tender from the morning's session, and she would rather not receive another so soon. That didn't stop her from showing her disapproval by scowling all the way home, though.
    * * *
    With a fresh change of clothing, Arabella set about exploring the castle again. If she couldn't escape in the day, then she was going to give it a go at night. Fendrel would surely be asleep, and the only people awake would be the castle guards. If she dressed in dark clothing and kept to the shadows away from the firelights, she had every hope of her plan working this time. She still had no coin; however, she did have two gold rings that she had found on the dais. She knew not whose they were, only that they were now in her keeping. She felt guilty that she had taken someone's possessions, but her needs were great.
    She walked along the parapets and glanced down to the ground below. She was very high up, and so far, she had found nothing to give her any ideas. She leaned over and looked at the towers. Apart from narrow apertures, there was nothing to aid her escape.
    The only way out of the castle was by the front gates. Guarded gates. So that was no good for her. She peered down at the ground again. If she could find a rope or somehow make a rope from drapes or sheets, then she could climb down. Couldn't she? She nibbled on her bottom lip. It was so high up. What if she should fall? She heard footsteps behind her and turned to find Fendrel walking past, supposedly on guard duty. More than likely still following her. He nodded and walked on.
    She scowled and turned her back. Seeing Fendrel made her more determined that her mission wouldn't fail. With a firm set to her jaw she went off in search of some rope.
     

Chapter Four
     
    Arabella lay in bed and tried not to fall asleep; for tonight was the night she was going to escape. She'd been in bed an hour, and the castle was finally quieting down. She would wait another hour, before making her attempt, to make certain everyone was asleep apart from the guards. Her eyelids drooped, and she quickly flicked them open again. Staying awake was easier said than done. Her eyes felt so heavy. She'd never been one for staying up late, and she could feel her whole body yearning for sleep. Perhaps just a few minutes wouldn't matter. What seemed like only seconds later, she awoke to find the castle in complete silence. Blearily, she rubbed her eyes and stretched. How long had she been asleep? She glanced at the window aperture, and was relieved to see it was still dark. For one horrible moment she thought she'd slept right through until morning!
    Slipping from the bed fully clothed, she drew on her small boots, grabbed her bag, and throwing a cape over her shoulders, quietly left the chamber. Stealthily, she moved through the corridors, her only light coming from intermittent torches on the walls. She had her route planned down to the last detail. Yesterday, she'd found a strong coil of rope in the stables and had concealed it in one corner. She would have to find that first, before making her way to the parapets.
    She skirted the bailey, and