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Heather did not answer, but took a chair, pulled out writing paper from the desk drawer and undid the lid of the inkwell.
Sara said, “Yes, now, write as I tell you. Let’s start with…
“Darling,
Too many are hurt by what we have done. I have shamed my family and friends and must go. It is over between us. Indeed, it never was. Do not try to find me.
Heather”
Sara picked up the letter, aired, folded, and concealed it within her dark cloak. She turned back to Heather and her voice was full with hatred. “Miss Martin, it is now time for you to go to your destiny…where you belong.”
“I am far too weary to journey tonight, my lady,” Heather answered, eyeing her worriedly. It suddenly occurred to her that the seamen on horseback outside had not come with Sara to lay in wait on Godwin. Heather realized that Sara had carefully planned the outcome of this meeting. The seamen weren’t here to murder Godwin. Heather suddenly knew beyond a shadow of doubt that those seamen were here to take her away…somewhere Godwin would not easily find her.
“If you don’t mind, my lady, I shall not leave Cornwall until the morning,” Heather said.
“Fool! Do you think I would leave you to your own devices? Did you really think I could be so gulled? You will never see your lover again, mark me on that, but you will see others, and in a French bordello. You will have many others to keep you pleasured. You are going to a French bordello…just across the channel. Ah, I see you believe me, and when those men there are done with your body, even your precious Godwin will turn his back on you.”
Heather jumped away from her and snarled, “Get out!”
Sara laughed. “My men outside wait only for me to signal them. They are well paid and will be taking you now to the harbor.”
“No one would do such a thing—it is unthinkable!” Heather said as genuine fear clutched at her insides. “Why, this is monstrous.”
“Again, you know nothing about greed. Money equates all things. These men are going to sell you, my dear, to a choice brothel. They will get paid well, and you will be able to use your many talents,” Sara said on a sneer as she moved towards the door and opened it wide.
Heather watched Sara motion to one of the men. Heather started for the hall that led to a back door, but before she could reach it, the seaman had her in hand. She kicked and screamed and begged him to let her go.
“Please, sir, you cannot do this. You cannot mean to abduct me and…no, you don’t realize. I am an Englishwoman, niece to the local vicar—”
“I am sorry for it, but you are coming with us. I always complete a job I am paid to do, and my job is to take you in hand and get you…well, across the channel,” the man said without sympathy.
“Tell her, Colin…tell her where she will end up across the channel,” Sara said in a taunting voice.
“She’ll find out soon enough, darlin’,” Colin answered.
“But…I will get you a larger fee if you don’t do this,” Heather cried.
“Will you? And how would you do that? I’d have to let you go and there is no telling what would happen after that. No, come along now, or do I need to knock you out to keep you quiet? I don’t hold with hitting a woman—goes against the grain, but if you need to be silenced, well then, I see you understand.”
Heather kept quiet. If he knocked her out, she would have no chance at escape. “Just one thing, sir, you must have a heart…?”
“Aye, I did once, but life got in the way,” he said, and pick pulled her along. “Don’t fight me, woman, or it will go badly for you.”
She believed he would knock her out, so she kept quiet for the moment.
Outside, he called, “Bunky, get over here and tie her wrists while I hold her in place.”
A lad, Heather thought no more than eighteen or so, got off his horse and walked over. He looked unhappy and kept his eyes lowered.
The other man shoved some rope at him and said, “Come on, lad, we have to hurry now.”
Heather began screaming as she fought and managed to break free from his hold. She lifted her skirts and ran with every ounce of strength she had. She heard the two seamen closing in at her back. There was nowhere to escape them, but if only she could run far enough, run and stall until Godwin arrived.
“Colin, no!” the lad he had called Bunky called as Colin’s lunge brought her face down onto the ground. She turned her head and looked up at him, and his fist was raised.
Evidently Bunky’s shout stopped him, and he said, “I warned you, sweetheart. I will hurt you to keep you quiet.” He hauled her to her feet.
She was winded as he dragged her back to the horses. She noted that no horse was provided for her. Were they going to drag her along? Would she then be able to escape? Would someone see them?
