Chapter Nineteen
At the banquet Elizabeth was seated next to Mr. Hamilton. "Call me Charles," he said as he leaned close. She may have had to work like the scullery maid, but she had been taught the manners of a duchess, and this impressed their guest. He spent much more time talking to her than her father, and even though he was very complimentary and mannerly she felt very uncomfortable sitting next to him. With her corset being so tight she had to sit very straight and ate very little which also seemed to impress him. During the final course, which was a very light, sweet dessert, Charles leaned to her father. She could just barely hear him say, "She'll do just fine. She should birth me a fine son." She pretended not to hear, and sat like a true lady, but a panic went through her entire body. Charles handed her a glass of wine, which he had carefully passed his hand over. She did not see the powder that fell from the secret compartment in the ring with the star insignia, as he handed her the drink. "Someday you will make someone a very fine wife, my dear."
Within a very short time Elizabeth started to feel a little light-headed and numbness went through her body. She knew what was going on around her, but was unable to react. It was all like a dream.
"Are you alright, Elizabeth?" her father asked. "Here, let me help you into the sitting room." Charles followed as they helped her into the next room. There waiting was a Friar she had never seen before. Charles put his hand around her and even though the pain it caused when it touched her bruise was severe she was unable to do or say anything. The friar stood before them and said something that sounded to her like words running into each other. Then her father shook her and ordered her to say 'yes', to which she weakly did. Mr. Hamilton kissed her, pushing his tongue deep into her mouth. She wanted to fight and run away, but could do nothing. The friar and her father left the room and Charles lead her to the daybed, pulling up her skirts as he lay her down upon it. His hand went up between her legs, "You're still a virgin, and I am twice blessed tonight!"
Elizabeth fought to say "no", but when she whispered it she felt the pain of the back of his hand on her cheek. "You'll never say no to me again." As he entered her body, she felt a pain that made the cane feel like a small switch. During this assault she blacked out only to wake in a room she had never seen before.
A basin of water had been left for Charles to clean up in afterwards. He ripped away her shift as proof of a virginal penetration as he consummated their marriage. He walked back into the banquet room and displayed his blood-marked trophy and hoisted a large glass of wine in the air, "To a fine son." The room contained about eight men, their wives having exited for the night. They all laughed and patted the guest of honour on his back and they all wore the same ring with the star insignia.
Charles took a similar ring from his waist pocket and presented it to Mr. Quinn. "No one has done as well as you to please me, William. You are certainly a most worthy member of our group. The powers of our unity will be beyond your imagination." He hoisted his glass to the air again, "But for now I best get my bride home. Kindly tell the stable hands to ready my carriage."
Mr. Quinn sent one of the servants to wake Mr. Lockwood to ready the team and carriage. He got dressed, not waking his son, for he was sure that this hurried exit was not good. He knew how Alexander felt about Lizzie but he had known from the start Mr. Quinn would not allow them to be united and tried to warn his son. He tried to keep his composure when he held the team in front of the house and saw the carriage man carry Elizabeth out to the carriage. He saw blood splattered on her skirts and a bruise covering her cheek. "Poor child, she has gone from bad to evil," he thought to himself. He had decided he could not tell his son the truth, as his fury would only cost him his life.
In the morning he woke Alexander to tell him that Elizabeth had left in the night with Mr. Hamilton. Alex was devastated with the news. "She didn't leave willingly," he was certain.
"The money got the best of her son."
"Not Lizzie, money means nothing to her."
"She got a taste, son. She married him last night."
Alexander ran away from his father and stayed the day at their spot by the creek, hoping that every sound he heard was her coming to be with him.
Nine years passed without any word of Elizabeth. Someone heard Mr. Hamilton had taken his bride to Spain to his summer home. Alexander consumed himself with his work, doing many reckless things that worried his father. Several times he had broken horses, which others could not and he worked hard at being the best blacksmith in the area. Someday he would go to the colonies and find a wife, but for now he could not leave as she might come back.
Mr. Lockwood died one day when a horse they were working with kicked him hard in the back. "What a fool I was to have my back to him," he said lying in his bed. "Alex, I must tell you."
"Quiet father, rest."
` "No, you must know, she did not leave willingly. But his powers are strong and he will kill you in a second if you go in his way."
As his father died Alex cried, not only for him, but also for his love ... his lamb.