Chapter 25

Jacqueline was in 'their parlour'. She had been in Dominic's presence for the whole day, his solution after yesterday's 'issue'. Lord Wilson's running away, the man with the flower, Thomas. It all added up to the reason why she had become Dominic's prisoner for the day.

She had not been allowed to see anyone and Alice had not been allowed to talk to her. Dominic had watched her dress and change, to make sure of it. Then he had taken her to the parlour for the breaking of their fasts.

He had been as impolite as the beginning of their, so called, marriage. He had slapped her again, as soon as they entered the bedroom but she had not cried, not simpered and took her punishment. She had slept on the floor that night and Dominic continued to object, before he fell asleep. His snores gentler then his voice.

The door unlocked and Jacqueline bit her lip, using the small ounce of hope left it was William, or Francis. The door opened and a man leaned against the frame of it.

Jacqueline stared at the man, his long flowing blond hair, his clothes smart and he bowed low."Edmund Smith you scared, my wife," Dominic snapped, the man bowed again and with Dominic's permission entered the parlour.

She observed him, his blue eyes flicked over her and she held her gaze"Madame countess," She was soothed by his voice, masculine yet soothing. She looked up. He did not scare her. Her anger filled husband frightened her more but she held her tongue and took the pleasantries given.

"Yes,"He smiled at her and she outstretched her hand. He kissed it. It felt warm.

"Forgive my intrusion, countess I was just here to say Father William is a credit to your family."

William. Dominic's sneer was still etched in her mind and frowning she focused her gaze onto the man."Thank you"

The room fell into an awkward silence"Your newly engaged Edmund ?"staring at the ring on his finger. Dominic felt pity for the man. No woman was worth the sparkly jewelled ring on his finger.

The man nodded slowly"To whom Monsieur if I may?"Jacqueline asked.

Dominic sharply glanced and Edmund catching his friends glower he quickly interrupted him"Yes his majesty has arranged my marriage to a young woman called Miss Amelia Smith."

He paused and Jacqueline thought how lucky it was she didn't have to change the intials on her surname. Or her surname.

"And has given the wench a stipend for when we wed." His voice sounded even more pleased with that and he signed, content.

Jacqueline fiddled with her fingers. The name strangely familiar to her. Amelia ! William's maid servant ! She blinked back her recognition and nodded slowly."I wish you a happy marriage sir"

Dominic bit his lip and refrained from interrupting with the news. He would hear it anyway, court was a gossip hole. Dominic wouldn't crush the man, he would wait and watch him fall.

He in response raised a glass. Dominic took one and Jacqueline sighed and walked out. She was bored and she knew William was around.

+++

Jacqueline felt free, she was wondering a castle with not a care in the world. Taking a deep breath she decided she wouldn't go outside, Francis had organised a picnic and she had refused his invitation on the grounds of staying with her husband and feeling unwell. Dominic had ordered she do it or her punishments would get much worse.

If he caught her she would of lied. To a king and the shame brought with that she couldn't even think of."My lady."

Jacqueline looked up, a man, that man."Mr Thomas."

The man's crooked smile with his perfectly white teeth scared her. He stepped closer and bowed low."Countess DeFleur. I wish I had the honour of introducing myself, but unfortunately that has already been done."

He spoke slowly, sending shivers down her spine and he again came closer."That picnic is quite a bore don't you think?"

He didn't give her a chance to respond before he was by her side and his lips pressed on her hand. He looked up"Forgive my intrusion but where is your husband? Your chaperone?"

Jacqueline froze, he was the kings personal alchemist, they would talk and he could tell him of her behaviour."I-I"

He chuckled, and pressed his lips once more on her hand."The dog got out without the master." He teased.

Dog? "I have no master!" She cried, yanking her hand out of his reach.

"A husband is a master, a woman is a prize, an object," He whispered."Did your mother teach you anything when she raised you?"

Jacqueline turned away and stormed to the stables. Saddling the horse herself she got on quickly and started to ride. She would avoid Francis' company and that meant all the greens of the castle. The water, the shore. She knew that area would be empty apart from a couple of fishermen, most likely.

It took her several minutes, she avoided the company but she could see them. There was a small crowd towards the edge and she diverted her course. They had bows and arrows in their hands and some were shooting at a target.

Riding along the shore, she felt at peace. She was correct in thinking only fishermen would be at the shore. Children playing whilst their fathers worked and some women assisting the men by taking the dead goods.

She knew she had to be careful. She was an unchaperoned woman and although she was at court. Thieves and murders did not know that. Now relaxed she enjoyed the scene before her and continued to ride.

Francis' castle was perched towards the sea. Perfect for the view and also protection in case anyone dared to hurt the king. He could also travel easily and the area was close to the town but not close enough to hear the bawdy actions of those below him.

Her eyes closed she knew exactly where she was going and she rode with ease. A cart crashed with her and she blinked twice, a wave of pain shooting into her.

She had been pushed off her horse and the cart was at the other side of the lane. Abandoned Jacqueline got up to return to her horse. She needed to move now! She was too close to the shore, the water and she could not swim.

She clutched onto her horse but her shoe, not being the correct attire, got stuck as she tried to mount onto the horse."No no," She bit her gloved hand in frustration, forlorn that she hadn't changed into riding clothes.

She felt a knife tug into her back and she gasped."Don't speak and I won't hurt you!" He ordered. She recognised his voice from somewhere but kept her head down and nodded.

He held onto her waist, although she was on leaning on her horse she could not move. This hard body pressed against hers and she took deep breaths as the mans knife pressed further into her skin.

The man began rummaging through her bag and she waited as he, most likely, robbed her. His gloved hand continued to go through her bag, Jacqueline thought he was most likely a highway man who looked for court members to steal from.

Jacqueline held her breath and stood rigid as the man's body fell limp to the ground, as he did the knife cut the back of her dress. Creating a long clean wipe against her person. Turning around Jacqueline tried to decently cover the rip the man had made in her dress and looked for who had helped her.

A woman and a man stood at the other side of the huge gardens and they ran quickly to her side. The lady pulled off the mask on the man's face and it was... Mr Thomas!

"I should of guessed." The lady looked at her companion and he shrugged buttoning up his shirt.

The lady bent her head and her companion nodded, bringing out his sword, he threw it to the woman who he forced Thomas up."Get dressed. She snapped. The blood from his wound began to drip on the ground but he sat upright. The arrow in his thigh stuck out and was surrounded by his blood.

Thomas fumbled, he grabbed his shirt and followed the sliver metal as it prodded into his chest."You are tired aren't you Mr Thomas? Maybe an early night?" The man held him as Anna spoke and Thomas struggled under his grip.

"Yes, your grace." The bastard mumbled and the woman broke skin blood trickling down. The man released him at Anna's command.

"Good. Let's go." She shoved the dagger further."Move now!"

Thomas and the woman departed and the man assessed Jacqueline. He offered no explanation of his relationship to the woman but offered him his arm."Shall I escort you to your room, my lady?"

Jacqueline shook her head and he still offered her his arm."Maybe we will walk then?"

The man suggested she changed into better clothing and she nodded in agreement. Once fully clothed he escorted her outside and they sat underneath a canopy.

The wind gently blew and a servant offered them two goblets of wine. Taking it the man gave one to Jacqueline."I'm sorry." Jacqueline said to him, looking at the blood on his pristine white shirt. He was clearly in the middle of something. His cheeks pink, eyes glassy and shirt unbuttoned properly. His breeches dangled, they were not as a servant had dressed him but himself.

Jacqueline snapped out of her trance and took the wine, drinking it she looked at the ground."It was not your fault."

She huffed."Yes it was. I deserved it, a punishment for my sins." She remembered her father's words. She would be punished in death and life. This was life: Dominic, Thomas. Men in general had come to punish her till she was on her death bed.

He glared a her but softened his gaze to one of pity."No one deserves, that even Anne would agree."

"Anne? The lady you were with? Your wife?"

The man chuckled and asked for some lunch from a servant who poured another glass of wine and scurried off."You are very inquisitive, my lady. But correct on two out of three, to answer your third question she is my mistress."

"Mistress..." Jacqueline said startled.

"I know you disapprove I can hear it in your voice, my lady."

"Jacqueline."

"Peter then, but when the ninnies ask Marquis of Peters burg." He looked to the skies." I know, how hard it must of been for my parents. Name the babe after my inheritance, I think."

She smiled and sipped more of her drink."When the ninnies ask me, Countess DeFleur."

He laughed and toasted to her."Anne will be furious, most likely deny me a side in her bed if I do not invite you to lunch with us."

"My husband will be..." She trailed off. Peter interrupted her.

"He will be grateful we saved his wife and none the wiser, come Jacqueline to lunch with us."