Thank you for all the kind reviews! Sorry its taken so long to post chapter two, I wrote the end of chapter one with another idea in mind then switched when I realized I could follow a story lines from two rather popular episodes from season one instead.
Now back to the story, enjoy!
Sir Seeley Booth rode like the wind into the town his mind sick with worry for the missing Princess. As he drew closer to the building where the lectures were held he noticed a crowd that had gathered there murmuring to each other, but no royal guards. A small figure caught his eye and he bellowed:
"Boy!"
The startled lad jumped and spun on his heel to face Booth.
"What word of the Princess?" he demanded.
The boy wrung his hat in his hands, "She's...there's been...not to far from here..." he stumbled over his words.
The knight glared at him, "Spit it out boy!" Booth practically growled.
"There's been a murder and she's at the house with the bodies!"
"What?"
Panic spread through Booth's body, "Is she alright? Why weren't you on your way to tell me?"
The small lad's eyes were huge, "I was on my way Sir, promise, it's just I was gathering details for you."
"Well you can start with the detail of where exactly the lady is."
"Come with me Sir," the boy gestured as he took off into the crowd.
Mounting his horse again Booth shuffled through the crowd, jostling his way past annoyed looking people. The boy wove in and out of streets, through the market place and a series of lane ways to a shadier section of town.
"I'll hold your horse Sir, she's in there."
Sure enough Booth could see men from the royal guard around the corner. He thrust his reins into the small hands and made his way to the doorway of a run down house. The royal guards on duty nodded to him as he went through the door then stopped dead. The overwhelming stench of blood and dead bodies washed over him along with a wave of nausea. Gagging he pulled his handkerchief from his pocket and put it over his nose and mouth.
"Princess?" came his muffled call.
"Back here," the reply came from behind a curtain in the back room.
Whipping back the curtain he was nearly sick again at the sight of two corpses in the room. It was then his eyes fell on her and he had to do a double take.
The Princess Temperance was bent over the female corpse examining the marks on the victim's neck. Gone was her fine gown, instead she was dressed in a maid's frock, covered in a thick apron, her lovely hair tied up under a kerchief. Beside her crouched her assistant Zach, beside him the doctor who gave the lectures and not to far away, a handkerchief tied around her nose and mouth, was the Lady Angela. Sir Booth, as a devote Catholic, crossed himself.
Zach, Temperance and the doctor were engaged in a conversation about the female body while Angela was sketching the room as well as the body of a man whose throat had been slit.
Sir Booth's gaze jumped from the corpses to the aristocrats examining them.
"What the hell are the lot of you doing?"
The knight's yell startled the four whose gazes flew to him. Temperance narrowed her eyes at Booth;
"We're investigating a murder, can't you tell?" her reply was matter of fact.
This produced a baffled expression on Booth's face, "You're investigating a murder?"
She nodded and raised an eyebrow at him before turning back to the body.
Her gesture of nonchalance seemed to break his spell. Booth marched over to her, grabbed her elbow and hauled her to her feet.
"What are you-" she began but he cut her off.
"You," he emphasized the word while glaring at her, "Are the crown Princess of this country, supposedly well respected, supposed to be a high class lady and I find you here squatting in filth and playing with dead bodies? You have no place here Princess! I am stopping this right now before you launch the biggest scandal since...since...I don't care since when! Zach! Get her things, we're leaving! You better come too Lady Angela!"
The lady in question stood gaping at him along with Zach and the doctor.
"We are going no where Sir Booth! Just who do you think you are coming down here and telling me, the crown Princess, what to do?"
She had drawn herself up to her full height, hands on hips, staring him down.
"I'm saving your royal reputation!" he matched her glare, "There are already rumors that you do not follow the church, that you discuss heretic matters and maybe even dabble in the occult. What do you think people will say when they find out you've been playing with dead bodies? You're lucky they haven't condemned you yet! You won't have to marry if the people denounce you from your title and position!"
Anyone could see the fury burning in her eyes, "Whose royal reputation are you saving Sir Booth? Mine or your Prince's? I present myself as a reputable, respected member of the royal family and nothing less. Those rumors, well people may say what they wish but they cannot be proven. It is well known that I am educated but I would never publicly voice my opinions of the church, nor would I let my subjects know I am playing with corpses! As far as anyone outside this room is concerned I am overseeing the investigation of this vicious murder. What I want my people to see is that I care about them, that I care to bring justice to this couple who were killed. Do people not value that Sir Booth? Do you not value law, order and justice for all? So no, I will not go anywhere until I have finished with this grisly scene and I will continue this investigation in the castle till the guilty party is in the tower!"
She spoke with passion and conviction. Booth stood there his mouth gaping like a fish on land while she continued.
"Further more, if you insist on dragging me out now you'll cause more of a scene then if I sneak out of here dressed as nothing more than a village maid. Do you not think that I thought this through first? Barging in here and trying to take over is not making you look very intelligent Sir Booth."
From her corner Angela covered her mouth to prevent laughter escaping. The knight now looked from the Princess to the other members of the room, then back at Temperance. He was clearly speechless.
Temperance took hold of the moment, "Now Sir Booth, you can either help us or you may go back to the castle and deny your involvement in my scandal. It's your choice."
A range of emotions crossed Booth's face as he tried to decide what to say. Mostly he just scowled at the Princess who gave him a saucy smirk and turned back to her work.
The knight mumbled some very horrid curses, most unbecoming of a man of his status, before finally saying, "Fine," in a huff.
"Fine what?" Temperance said from her spot on the floor.
"I"ll help you," it was a begrudging answer, "But only to save your reputation."
Though in his head he was most worried about his own.
A triumphant and slightly smug smile graced her face, "Good, we'll need you."
"Need me?"
"Yes, we'll need someone like you, an authority figure to help us catch who did this."
"And what exactly happened here?"
"From what we know the bodies have been here for nearly a day, the female was strangled," she gestured to the distinctive marks on the neck, "The male, his throat slit."
"It reeks of a crime of passion," the doctor added, "I think the female knew her murderer, the male, probably not. I feel the female probably had a relationship with the person who killed her."
"Which is purely conjecture," added Temperance, "I would prefer to stick with facts."
"Do we know who these people are?" Booth asked.
"Based on what information our royal guards got out of the neighbours, they're husband and wife, Eliza and James Cooper," Angela supplied.
"And what did they do?"
"Ironically James was an apprentice to a cooper, or barrel maker. Eliza took in mending and washing for others."
Zach piped up, "The couple next door heard them arguing night before last, but no one found them until this morning because they were back here."
Booth nodded, "Did anyone see another person going in or out of here that night?"
Zach shook his head, "No, no one saw a thing."
"And what exactly does looking at the bodies tell us about the murders then? We already know how both of them died," Booth tried.
"The marks on her neck could be matched to what strangled her," Temperance pointed to red indented lines on the woman, "They're pretty distinctive markings. Angela tell him what you think."
"Well I've had a look around the place and theres not a lot here that could match those lines. I'm thinking, based on a few of the patterns that its a belt. If we find out who she associated with maybe we can find the owners. When we get back to the castle I'll work on matching the markings with belts available for examination."
"I'll need her body transported back to the university. She has several other injuries that the good doctor here thinks are defensive wounds. Sir Booth, will you let the guards know we'll need a cart please?" Temperance asked.
The knight crossed himself again, "Are you mad? We bury the dead in the church yard, we don't keep them for study!"
"You're being superstitious, we'll bury them both eventually, for now we need them for our investigation or are you afraid they'll haunt you if we don't put them in holy ground?"
"Surely their spirits..." he trailed off as she rolled her eyes at him, clearly she didn't care about superstitions or religious ceremonies.
"Perhaps Zach can secure us a cart, Sir Booth, maybe you should start poking around, asking questions, you seem good at that," Angela suggested as she sauntered over to him.
He liked that idea a lot better than dealing with the dead bodies.
"Alright, but you," he pointed his finger at the princess, "stay with the royal guards, don't go anywhere without telling me."
"I'll be fine Sir Booth," she shot at him as he walked back outside.
At the door two of the senior royal guards were posted. Booth approached the blonde guard.
"What is your name soldier?"
"James Kenton sir, how may I help you?"
"Listen here Kenton, I'm going to poke around, see what I can find out about what happened in there. Your job is to never leave the princess alone," Booth stood directly in front of the man, "You keep your eyes on her at all times, do you understand?"
Kenton nodded, "Yes Sir, I will guard the princess with my life."
"Good, that's what I like to hear."
With that Booth went off leaving Kenton with his duty.
That evening the group came together in the Princess' chambers to discuss the grisly crime.
Angela's sketches were spread out on a table as the group milled around it. Temperance, now dressed in a splendid royal blue gown, led the discussion about the murders.
"There were no wounds on the man that would suggest he fought back, I think he died first."
"I concur with the Princess," Zach added, "The female attempted to fight back, the male, I believe, was surprised, possibly from behind."
"From his position in the room its possible that the killer came up behind him, strangled him while Eliza watched, then killed her," said Temperance.
"Sir Booth, did you find anything else out?" asked Angela.
He held up a paper scrawled with notes, "I had to dig for this, go and talk with the other women in the marketplace but I found out that Eliza was not being faithful to her husband. Turns out a friend of Eliza's saw her in a tavern with another man. She saw Eliza leave the tavern with this man the night of the murder."
"Could she identify him?" replied Temperance.
"I asked her that, she said she couldn't."
"What about anyone else in the tavern?"
"I haven't been to the tavern yet, I intend to go tonight and ask some more questions."
The Princess' hand shot in the air, "I'm going with you!" she proclaimed.
"You will not!"
Crossing her arms over her chest she planted herself in front of him, "Yes I will. I order you to take me with you."
Booth put his hands on his hips and stared her down, "I'm not taking you, its to dangerous. What if someone recognizes you?"
"No one recognized me in that house today, I wore a good disguise."
"And what if it gets violent? I will not put you in danger."
"I am skilled at sword fighting, if you give me a sword or dagger I can defend myself."
He scoffed at her, "I will not give you a weapon! I'm your weapon!"
She pounced on his words, "If you're my weapon then that means I'm coming with you," she smiled triumphantly.
They had drawn closer together as they fought, barely a foot stood between them. The rest of the group watched in awe.
Glaring at her he shook his head, "I don't think so."
"But you need me."
"Need you for what?"
"I measured the male victim's height, I know his killer is taller. You don't know the height of the man you're looking for."
"Bones, I could do that without you."
"Don't call me Bones!" she inched closer to Booth in anger, "Besides, if you don't take me I'll sneak out and follow you."
"Then I'll tell your father what you're up to."
That put an end to her arguing. She glared furiously at him before stomping her foot and marching away. Booth grinned as he watched her go back and brace her arms on the table. Then he remembered the speech she had given him about justice and an internal battle broke out within him. It would be company if she came with him, she could probably speak to the women easier than he could. But if something happened to her he would surely lose his head.
She sulked by the table with Angela as he struggled with his dilemma. She wanted to go so badly, but how could he let her?
Realizing that he wanted to make her happy he swore under his breath and approached her.
"Princess?"
"What?" her reply was cold.
"If you do exactly as I say you may come with me tonight."
She spun around and beamed at him, "Really?"
"Yes, it's your investigation but you must disguise yourself well. No one can recognize you."
"Of course," she gestured to Angela, "Come, you must help me get ready."
"I'll go and choose the guards coming with us, I'll come get you in half an hour," he said as she scurried out of the room.
The night was dark as they dismounted their horses not far from the tavern. They would walk the filthy streets lit by the occasional torch from there.
"How does my costume look?" whispered Temperance as she adjusted the bodice of the kitchen maid's gown.
Booth avoided looking at the white fabric at the neckline of her dress which scooped dangerously low to show off certain parts. The tight bodice was not helping the situation and he forced himself to look into her blue eyes. Her face was partially concealed by the dark riding cloak she wore which she pulled tighter around her body against the night breeze.
"You look ordinary," he replied, though he knew her beauty was far from ordinary.
"So do you," she answered.
"Remember, when we get there you're name is Anne and mine is Thomas. Some of your guards," he indicated to the few he had chosen who followed behind, "Will also be in the tavern should we find our killer. If anything else happens you are to go with them and get out of there immediately, do you understand?"
"I understand," she said solemnly then looked up, "Do I get a dagger?" she eyed the sword at his side.
"No," came his curt reply.
"Why not? Most women carry a small knife for protection, if I don't have one how will I defend myself?"
"You won't need to defend yourself, I'm here."
She raised an eyebrow at him, "And should something happen and I need to get to the guards and I don't have a dagger, then what?"
"You are very persistent Bones," he rolled his eyes at her then reached down to his boot. He produced a short knife from inside and handed it to her, "Be careful with that."
Smiling smugly she tucked it into the pocket of her skirt, "Of course I will."
"And remember, try not to sound to smart, like a squint," she narrowed her eyes at him but he continued, "It will give you away. Actually, don't talk much at all if you can help it."
Opening her mouth to reply he shushed her as a group of jovial men passed them coming out of the tavern. He said a silent prayer as he held the door for her. The royal guards hung back a few paces before following them inside. The pair did not notice that a specific guard Booth had chosen hung back out the front of the establishment instead of going inside.
The Pig's Head was a typical lower class tavern as was evident as the knight and princess entered. The smell of ale and body oder hit them along with the noise of constant chatter and drunken men. The place was crowded and Booth's arm snuck around Bones' waist drawing her closer to him. She did not object as he guided her towards the bar to two empty stools.
"What will it be?" the bartender, an ugly balding man shouted at them.
"Two beers," Booth ordered for them.
Temperance pushed the hood of her riding cloak back hesitantly. Angela had braided her hair and she had put on a common bonnet in hopes that no one would recognize her. Her fingers felt grimy and she quickly rubbed her cheeks adding to the dirt she had previously smudged on them.
The barkeep returned and dropped two pewter mugs, that looked less than clean, in front of them.
"Thank you my good man," Booth said and placed some coins on the bar.
Despite the busy bar the older man lingered, "Haven't seen you around before," he turned to Temperance, "And I think I would remember a pretty face like yours."
She lowered her gaze and sipped her beer to conceal herself. Booth took a long drawl of his before answering; "We're new to the area, just wed and come to earn our keep in the city. My wife has a cousin close by who said we could stay, might you know an Eliza Cooper?"
"Aw, Eliza, yes she's been here a few times. Used to help the barmaids out every now and then to earn some coin."
Booth made a show of looking around, "Is she here tonight?"
"No, haven't seen her in a night or so."
The barkeep was distracted by several men demanding drinks. He made to move away with Temperance called,
"Perhaps you've seen her man," she called in a very cockney accent, Booth was impressed.
The bartender froze then turned back to them, "She's married?"
"A year or so now, I remember getting the letter. James, that's what he's called. He's smaller than my man," she smiled at Booth, "But dark, with thick hair and beard."
"I've not seen him around here," the bartender lowered his voice, "Perhaps you're mistaken about what this James looks like."
Booth leaned closer to the bartender, despite the smell, "What are you implying about Eliza?" he to lowered his voice.
"That she's not wed to the fellow your wife is saying she is. I'm sure your wife would never display the behavior I've seen of her cousin, beg your pardon," he cocked his head at Temperance.
The bartender made to get away then but Booth leaned and grabbed his arm. This time the knight's voice was menacing, "What behavior is this? Might you tell me so I may help her husband to correct this wrong doing?"
The barkeep leaned in close and tilted his head away from the princess, "She's been here and acting loose with a light haired man. It was not the first man she played the whore with either."
"Is this man here tonight so that I may impart justice on her husband's behalf?"
The bartender looked around, "No, I don't see him but if you choose to deal with this man you will take your business outside of my establishment sir, or I will call the guards."
"When was the last time they were here?"
"A night or so ago, they left together too."
"What might he look like?"
"As I said, light hair, finer clothes then what most wear around here, he's about your height. That's all I can tell you, I don't want any more of this."
"One more question, does he wear a belt?" Booth remembered this important piece of evidence.
This made the barkeep stop and think for a moment, "Why, yes I think he did. A fine leather too with a silver buckle."
Reaching into his pouch Booth produced two silver coins which he placed in front of the bartender, "You've been a great help to me and my family. We'll leave you be now."
The coins were snatched up and the bartender scurried away leaving Temperance and Booth to whisper to each other over their beers.
"So Eliza was cuckolding her husband, perhaps her new lover found out about James and killed them both," Temperance suggested.
"That is a possibility, especially if James came home while Eliza was with her lover."
"A fine silver belt buckle suggests the killer was wealthy, he may also be in disguise here."
"We should go talk to more people, if Eliza came here often then someone knows something else."
Booth took the two mugs and led Bones across the room to a large table. He found them two spots and sat down. Many of the men were watching Temperance and Booth shot them dirty looks as he placed his arm around her shoulder. He quickly struck up a conversation with the man beside him but apparently this gentleman had not paid attention to Eliza.
The barmaid approached and Booth quickly drained his cup and waved it at her.
"Aw, thank you my good lady," he grinned charmingly at her as she filled his cup. The wench blushed and Brennan looked away.
"Might you be able to answer a question for me my dear," Booth stopped her before she left, "I'm looking for a gentleman who was with a woman named Eliza."
She raised an eyebrow at him, "I've not seen Eliza in a day or so, nor the man she was with."
"Well she's my cousin and she said that her man wore a fine belt with a silver buckle. Do you know where he got that? I fancy one for myself."
The wench's eyes lit up, "Oh that belt," she leaned down, her bosom nearly in Booth's face and whispered in his ear, "He's a guard you see, don't like anyone knowing that, but I've seen him in that uniform before. That belt is for the royal guard only, though few people notice when he's slumming it down here."
Again Booth pulled a silver coin from his pouch. He tucked it into the barmaid's hand, "Thanks lovely, I appreciate that."
She giggled as she walked away and Temperance rounded on Booth, "Well that was shameless of you."
"I do what I have to do."
She rolled her eyes and grabbed her beer, draining the contents. Her eyes wandered over the bar to a group of men in the corner, "She said guards, well I've seen those men before, they've worked in the castle. Perhaps I'll go talk with them."
Booth pulled her close so he could talk in her ear, "What if they recognize you?"
"I doubt it if no one else has yet, besides, they're probably half drunk. You go over there," she gestured to a spot not far from the men she had indicated, "And mingle, I'll talk with them."
"I don't like this Anne," he stressed her fake name.
"I'll stay close Thomas," she answered, already on her feet.
Temperance sauntered over towards the bar but made it obvious that she was looking at the guards who in turn grinned at her. Two of them began to follow her as Booth watched while half talking to another man not far away.
"Might I buy you a drink," asked one younger guard as he took a stool next to where Temperance stood.
"Ale please," she replied, "And I thank you kindly."
The other guard stood behind her, "I've not seen you around here before," came his comment.
"Nor have I," she turned to get a better look at him, "You don't look like you're from here," she playfully fingered the fabric on his sleeve, "That is fine fabric sir."
The first guard's hand snaked around her wrist, "Want to know a secret my pretty lady?"
She tilted her head towards him, "And what's that?"
"We're guards from the castle, so no, we're not from here," he stage whispered.
She giggled, "Really? My cousin said she'd met some of you fine gentlemen before."
"Who is your cousin?" asked the second guard.
"A pretty girl named Eliza. She has red hair and eyes the same colour as mine."
A look passed between the two men which Temperance did not miss, "Do you know her?"
"A friend of ours does," the first guard slid an ale towards Temperance who thanked him.
"I've seen Eliza before," a new voice entered the mix. A tall, light haired man who Temperance knew well had joined them.
The group was distracted by the sounds of a fight breaking out. Voices rose and a crowd descended around the action.
"Come, it's late Anne. I'll take you to your cousin's house," James Kenton's hand took her arm.
Alarm bells sounded in Temperance's head and she tried to conceal her concern as she looked for Booth. Something must have happened for him to send Kenton for her. She gave a quick apology to the other guards as she was led away by Kenton.
"What happened?" she hissed at him.
"Keep quiet," he answered as he led her to a back door and into the alley.
"Where are you taking me? Where is Sir Booth?"
Kenton was practically dragging her towards a doorway to another building. He didn't answer her.
She wrenched her arm from his hand but his grip was tight, "I demand that you tell me what's going on or I will not go any further!"
Without warning he shoved her roughly into the stone wall, "Shut up and get into this house," he growled as he took a knife from his side and placed it at her throat. Kenton's other hand groped in her pocket and threw her small dagger on the ground.
It hit her then, the puzzle pieces falling into place, "It was you! You're the guard," her eyes flew to his belt, "You killed them!"
"I said shut up!" the knife was cold on her neck, "Get in the house or I will slit your throat here and now."
He spun her around and pulled her arms behind her back making her wince in pain. Keeping the knife at her throat he forced her into a dark room. Once inside she felt the rope being tied around her wrist and then he pushed her to the floor.
Kenton pulled the curtains of the one small window then lit a tiny candle on the opposite side of the room. As his back was turned Temperance quickly rolled, got to her feet and made for the door. The guard was quicker and tackled her back down.
"Help!"
Her cry was cut short as his hand clamped down over her mouth. She bit down hard and he swore loudly. She made to yell again when he landed on top of her knocking the air from her lungs. It was then that he shoved a filthy ball of rags in her mouth effectively shutting her up.
Kenton stood up and brushed the dirt from his clothes, "Bitch," he muttered as he sucked the blood from his bitten hand, "Some princess you are."
She gave him an angry look from the floor and tried to mumble through her gag.
"I suppose you want to know why I did it," he spoke, "Well I didn't know Eliza was married and her man walked in on us. He would have killed me if I hadn't him first. Then I did her in for lying to me and playing the whore. It would have all been fine if you and your bloody friends hadn't decided to investigate what happened. Tonight made it only a matter of time till I was found out. Since you found me out first I'll do you in and that will be it. Your death will out rank my murders and Eliza and James will be forgotten."
Kenton grabbed his dagger from the floor as Temperance eyed it, "I'll make it look like you were taken by a drunk, then killed. Since you're slumming it people will think that the drunk didn't know who you were, that you brought this whole thing upon yourself. Your guards, or rather that stupid knight of yours will have failed you."
Fear filled her eyes as she realized he could kill her. She backed herself up until she hit the wall.
A few minutes earlier at the tavern a drunk had been shoved towards Booth along with another angry man. A fight broke out directly in front of him putting the knight squarely in the middle. He dodged a blow as his eyes scanned the bar for the princess. He couldn't see her. This momentary glance cost him a black eye as the drunk's fist came in contact with his face.
Wasting no time Booth took the man by the shoulders and threw him to the ground. The furious drunk's opponent growled at the knight and launched himself forward. His weight knocked Booth off his feet and the two struggled on the floor for a minute. The knight cried out in pain as the other man kneed him hard in the ribs. Booth rolled and used his own fists to end the fight.
A crowd had surrounded them and helped to pull the downed knight to his feet.
"Anne!" Booth bellowed as he wiped blood from his lip but he could not see her through the crowd.
Pushing his way through Booth searched frantically for Bones. He had already tipped off the other royal guards who had also been distracted when she went missing. Booth came to the entrance and stuck his head outside.
"Who are we missing? Did someone sneak the Princess out for safety?" he demanded of the others.
They all looked around, stunned and confused. Finally one piped up, "Sir, Kenton is missing."
James Kenton's face flashed in Booth's mind. Tall, light hair, royal guard, belt...
"Oh holy God," Booth's mouth dropped open, "Kenton, he came here, he came to this bar, didn't he?" his voice rose as he berated the others.
Another man nodded and Booth's worst fears were confirmed, "Spread out, search every area! He can't have taken her far! When you find them you have permission to attack Kenton, he is who we're looking for!"
The other men grabbed their weapons running off in search of the Princess. Sir Wendell appeared beside Booth.
"You don't look good," he commented taking in the knight's black eye and how he held his side.
"I'm fine," Booth drew his sword but the weight of the metal made him groan, "You," he gave the weapon to Wendell, "Will come with me. Give me that bow," he pointed at a bow and arrows outside the tavern.
His friend quickly gave Booth what he asked for.
"Did anyone see where Kenton may have gone?" Booth asked.
"No, but there is a back door from the tavern, I suggest we start there."
"Good, let's go then."
The knights elbowed their way through the tavern, Wendell leading the way to take the strain off Booth. With a bang the younger knight kicked open the back door and stuck his sword out into the alley.
It was dark and besides one man passed out there seemed to be no one about. Booth nudged the man with his foot.
"You sir, wake up!" he commanded.
The drunk groaned but did not open his eyes. Booth began to kneel down then winced in pain. Wendell took over, bending down and shaking the man.
"Wake up I say!"
"Wah do ya want?" slurred the drunk.
"I'm looking for a woman and man who may have come this way not to long ago."
"I seen nothing."
"Was there anyone else out here with you?"
"Oy, over here," they all turned as another older man emerged from a pile of trash, "I was out here. Yeah, some man dragged some pretty lady out here, they went that way," he pointed down the dark alley.
Booth flipped him a coin and headed down the way the man had shown.
Temperance tried in vain to cry out over the rag stuffed in her mouth as Kenton came towards her. She thrashed from side to side as he grabbed her skirt. Raising the knife he slashed, but not at her throat. The fabric tore as he shredded some of it. Then his hand shot out and she leaned as far backwards as she could. He grabbed the bodice of her dress and yanked, loosening the strings at the front.
"The more you struggle the more it looks real darling. I won't do more than tear your clothes though I would like to," he leered at her.
She kicked out and caught him in the shin. He bellowed in pain then came back at her, pushing her roughly into the corner.
"I've had it with you," his voice was low and menacing, "About time I took care of you," his blade glinted in the candle light...
From further down the alley Booth caught the cry of rage on the wind. Limping slightly he took off in that direction praying that Temperance was fighting back, that she was still alive.
Like it? Love it? Hate it? Let me know!
Can you tell which first season episodes inspired me with this chapter? I promise, more to come soon, I'm on a roll now.