Chapter 21
Charles hated how impaired he was from her brutal kick to his groin. He briefly wondered if he would ever be able to procreate after this. He felt the ground vibrate as his prey thundered past him on a horse. He heaved a deep breath and tried to steady himself on his feet before stumbling in the direction of the stable. He gingerly put himself on the back of a horse that had been brought out for training. The horse already had bridle and reins however Charles didn't wait for a saddle before flying out of the stable in the direction that Brooklynne had ridden.
Lillian had watched them from the sunroom windows as long as they were in her view. She had seen Brooklynne's attempt with the scissors and knew the situation had turned even more serious. Lillian paced back and forth contemplating their options. She knew she needed to tell Guy. However she also knew he wasn't in any shape to face Charles. Though she didn't think that would stop him in the least. She wondered as she made her way to his chamber if Brooklynne had mentioned her run in with Charles to Guy. She knocked softly and cracked the door open when she heard Guy bid her come in. He was freshly bathed and looked much recovered all ready. Food and a bath had returned color to his face. He bowed formally in her direction. "Lady Colton, I must thank you for your hospitality both for my wife and myself. I apologize that we are meeting under these circumstances. I have hear-…" the look on her face stopped him midsentance. "There was a solider at the door, he didn't ask for entrance he just came in. He seemed to be here casually to make inquires after the horses we raise here at Nunnington Hall. However as soon as Brooklynne walked into the room it was obvious he had run into her before."
Guy didn't wait for her to finish as he bolted past her for the door. "Where is she?" He yelled as he took the stairs skipping as many steps as he could. "He took her out toward the gardens under the pretense of admiring the roses." Lillian followed trying to direct him from behind. As they both tumbled out the back entrance they quickly saw that no one was in view. "Guy check the stable." Guy needed no encouragement as he turned toward the obvious stable and sprinted. "Brooklynne!" He shouted as he ran into the building. A stable boy stood there grooming a mare, mouth gaping at the frantic man shouting. "Have you seen Lady Brooklynne? Or a solider, she may have been with him?" He put his hands on his knees as he struggled to catch his breath. The boy nodded, "the Lady ran in and jumped on her horse, no saddle or nothing, and stormed out. A solider followed her only moments later and jumped on one of our horses and took off as well. Lady Lillian won't be pleased." "Please, which direction… did you see?" Guy asked as he took the horse from the stable boy. "Quickly lad, she is in trouble." The boy nodded and pointed in the direction they had gone. Guy thanked the boy as he mounted and took off.
Charles felt exhilarated as he caught sight of Brooklynne ahead. He loved the chase. He was closing the gap between them easily in spite of Brooklynne's start on him. It wasn't long before the two riders were nearing the edge of the fields that were bordered by a river. The river itself wasn't an issue so much as the sheer drop off before it. It flowed slowly through a ravine. The banks were just far enough apart to prohibit the riders from jumping it, or even jumping their horses safely down into it. Brooklynne veered her mount sharply to the left and followed the ravine praying for a place to cross. Charles chuckled as he followed her, much imagining the feeling of a predator cornering its prey. All at once Brooklynne surprised him by leaping off her horse almost in full run and rolled down the ravine. She landed with a splash into the water. Charles swore as his horse galloped past. He pulled sharply to a stop and jumped off. He swore again. He hadn't planned on getting wet. Brooklynne floundered for a moment before making her way across the river. Her dress, now saturated, slowed her down considerably.
Although her actions caught Charles off guard, he now made quick strokes and was soon right behind her in the water. His arms came around her just as she began to put her feet in shallow water. He lifted her up and pulled her onto the bank. He collapsed and pulled her on top of him. He laid there, working to catch his breath while holding her tightly in his arms. Brooklynne didn't even have the energy to struggle. She heaved air into her lungs. Everything was burning, her lungs, her legs, her arms… Tears began to push through her tightly squeezed eyes. She had tried. She had tried so hard to escape him. She had given it everything she had in her and she had lost. The tears turned to heaving sobs. She was tired both physically and emotionally.