Page 95 of A Touch So Wicked

Damian shoved her behind him. “What is this about?”

“Step aside, Lord Clarendon. We have orders to arrest Lady Elissa Fraser and escort her to London.”

Chapter Seventeen

Fear coursed down Damian’s spine. The soldiers were here to take Elissa away. “By whose order?” Damian asked, refusing to step aside.

“By order of the king,” the captain answered.

Elissa grasped Damian’s sleeve. “Damian, what do they mean?”

“Don’t worry, love, I’ll not let them take you.”

“You have no say in the matter, my lord,” the captain said.

“You don’t understand, Captain,” Damian tried to explain. “Lady Elissa is my wife.”

That seemed to surprise the captain but did not sway him from his purpose. “My orders come directly from the king. We will rest here overnight and leave with our prisoner at dawn tomorrow. Unless you guarantee that the lady will not flee, I will be forced to place her under guard.”

“I’ve done nothing!” Elissa cried.

“What are the charges?” Damian asked, struggling to keep the panic from his voice. He sensed Kimbra’s fine hand in this.

“Conspiring to commit treason against the Crown,” the captain replied.

Damian’s heart seized. “The charges are not only false, but ridiculous.”

“’Tis not for me to decide,” the captain replied. “Your hospitality is required for the night, my lord. Please make arrangements to feed and billet my men.”

Damian had no recourse but to step aside and allow the captain and his men to enter the hall. Sir Brody appeared at his side to take charge of the soldiers. Damian ushered Elissa into the hall and the captain followed.

Damian seated Elissa at the table and invited the captain to sit down beside him. “Now, then, Captain…”

“Harding,” the captain said.

“Shall we discuss the king’s order more fully, Captain Harding? There must be some mistake. My wife is not a traitor.”

“The king believes otherwise. My orders are to bring Lady Elissa to London to answer to the charges.”

“If I cannot talk you out of this, then I shall accompany my wife to London and defend her innocence.”

Captain Harding shook his head. “Nay, my lord. You are to remain at Misterly.”

Damian bristled. “By whose order?”

“Once again, by the king’s order.”

“Please excuse me, Captain Harding, I wish to speak to my wife in private. Sir Brody will show you to your chamber and inform you and your men when to return to the hall for the evening meal.”

“Do I have your word that the lady will not leave the keep?” Harding said.

Though it nearly killed Damian to do so, he gave his word.

Taking Elissa’s hand, he led her from the hall. Once they reached the privacy of their bedchamber, he took her into his arms.

“I can’t stop him from taking you away, love, but I won’t abandon you. I will do something about it, you can depend on it.”

“What can you do?” Elissa asked in a quavering voice. “Why has the king done this? He could have ordered me to London long ago. Why now?”