A/N – Thanks for the reviews! So happy you guys are enjoying the story.

Chapter 19 – Protection

Anthony grinned at Elizabeth. "I will so enjoy taking your virginity."

"How do you know I'm a virgin?" she asked trying not to let him see her fear.

"Because I can practically smell your innocence." He leered at her.

Liz glared. The thought of him even touching her makes her want to bathe.

"Now, now, don't get your bloomers all in a bunch. I can't promise to be gentle, but you will grow to like it eventually."

The coach came to a stop and he roughly shoved her out of it making her fall to the ground in a heap and cry out as her ankle twisted.

"Get up!"

"I can't walk, you old prat!"

Anthony started to drag her, making her scream out in pain, and John ran out of the house.

"What the hell?" he yelled as he ran closer.

"She's fine. She's probably lying," Anthony said.

John crouched in front of Elizabeth who was crying. "Are you alright?"

Liz gazed into John's big brown eyes. "I'm afraid I've twisted my ankle."

"Put your arms around my neck."

When a slight smiled edged onto his face, she slowly complied. John picked her up and carried her inside, placing her on a sofa before propping up her foot. Slowly, he eased off her shoe as Liz grimaced.

"Sorry," he said gently inspecting her ankle. "It's swollen. You will have to rest it. I think we have some Epsom salt we can soak it in."

He started to leave. "Please don't leave me. That man is threatening to take me to his bed."

John rolled his eyes. "If he tries, I will strangle him with my bare hands," he said convincingly. "Don't worry, your virtue is safe."

"Why are you helping me?"

He shrugged. "My father is not a nice man. I am stuck here but you don't deserve that same fate."

"And you do?"

Elizabeth could see the sadness in his eyes.

"Yes, milady, I do." He got up and promptly left the room and went into the kitchen where Anthony is sitting at the table.

"How's the patient?"

"She's fine and you are to go nowhere near her."

"She's mine, John, you need to—"

John grabbed a knife and held it against his father's throat. "I will slit you from navel to neck if you lay one hand on her. Am I clear?"

Anthony was livid. "Yes."

John backed away and grabbed the Epsom salt and a pail. Going outside, he fetched some water leaving Anthony to think about what he was going to do to get Elizabeth.

Defiantly, he strode into the living room. "I see you have bewitched my son, but I can tell you right now that you will be mine by tomorrow night" he spat before turning and walking away.

Elizabeth tried not to cry but she could hold back no longer. She had no idea how she was going to get out of this quandary and get back to her beloved. Hopefully, her father is okay.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

John carried the pail into the kitchen and then went to retrieve Elizabeth. He found her crying and is immediately concerned. "Did he do something while I was gone?"

His niceness just made Elizabeth cry even more. John pulled her against him and let her cry it out. "I'm so sorry," He whispered over and over. "Please, don't cry."

All cried out, she finally lifted her head and told him what Anthony said.

"Then I will sneak you out of here before daybreak."

"You would do that?"

"Yes. Can you ride a horse?"

"Yes."

"Good because a carriage will just slow us down."

"Where will you take me?"

"I have a friend in Chester. He will know what to do."

Elizabeth nodded. "Okay."

He picked her up and took her into the kitchen and let her soak her foot. When they were finished, he suggested that they sleep.

"Where shall I sleep?" she asked nervously.

"In my bed."

Liz tensed which made him smirk. She had to admit, he has a great smile. She is most appreciative of his kindness and hopes to be reunited with Jason soon.

"Don't worry. There is a sofa in the room too. I will sleep on it."

He carried her to his bed and sat her down. Leaving for a moment, he returned a few minutes later with a sleeping gown for her to wear. "It's my sister's."

"Um, I'll need some help," she said as she blushed. There is no way she can get out of her dress on her own.

John couldn't help himself and grinned because she looks mortified. He reached behind her and undid the rope binding her. "There," he said moving backward. "I'll give you some time."

Liz was slightly amused that he knew how to do that so quickly. She slipped out of the dress and laid it on the chair before donning the sleeping gown and getting under the covers.

John soon came back into the room and settled onto the sofa. "Goodnight, milady."

"Good night," Liz said closing her eyes.

None of them slept very well and morning crept up on them quickly.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Jason arrived in the town square. A dozen or so very tired and possibly still drunk, men stood before him.

"I need you to help me retrieve the woman that I love. She has been taken by Anthony Zachary."

There was a groan throughout the crowd.

"You will be handsomely compensated for your bravery. Now, who is in?"

Everyone stood their ground and one by one they all said, "I'm in".

They didn't mind seeking revenge against Anthony. Each had their own grievances against the tyrant.

Jason breathed a sigh of relief. "Good. If you should find Anthony, take him alive if possible. He's mine."

They nodded.

"Let's be off then," Jason said climbing onto his horse. The other men did the same and they galloped towards Anthony's house.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

John woke up Elizabeth. They must escape undetected. His father will not like being slighted. "Come on, milady, we must go," he said shaking her gently.

She woke up startled and it took a minute for her to get her bearings.

He threw her dress at her. "We must hurry."

She stood and when she took a step forward, a small groan escaped her lips. Her ankle is still a bit tender. "Turn around."

John did so and Liz got into her dress and then helped cinch her in before holding her hand and leading her downstairs. They hurried to the barn where John had already prepared the horses, and he helped her climb onto the saddle. Once she was secure, they took off.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Upon waking, Monica was directed to Jeffrey's room.

"Oh my God, are you alright?" she asked hurrying to his side.

"I'm fine, my Queen. I have a headache and a big knot, but I'll live."

"Where is Elizabeth?"

Sadness overtook Jeffrey. "I'm afraid a very bad man took her. It was the same one who absconded with her the first time."

Monica gasped. "I'm so sorry, Jeffrey."

"No, it is I who is sorry. If I hadn't lost my temper, she would probably be safe. I was the one who insisted on traveling at nightfall."

"We all make mistakes. You mustn't be so hard on yourself. I am beyond worried about Jason, but if anyone is going to find her, it will be him. He loves her."

Jeffrey nodded. "That he does. I was rash with my temper, but I know he is a good man. Elizabeth usually listens and she has been so defiant. I should have handled it in other ways."

"I am in no position to judge. Every family goes through strife here and there. Jason and AJ used to drive me to drink. I can't tell you how many times they were punished in their youth. The count is too high."

Jeffery slightly smiled. While he appreciates her kindness, he will own up to what he did as soon as his daughter is hopefully found.

IiIiIiIiIiIiIiIiIi

Anthony awoke to gunfire. Scrambling to get up, he almost fell as he made his way to the corner of his room and fetched his gun, and rushed down the steps. When he got to the bottom, a butt of a gun was pressed into his temple.

"Don't move," Jason said sneering.

Anthony dropped the gun. "Why all the ill will?" A grin edged onto his face.

"You took something that didn't belong to you."

Anthony shrugged. "You'll have to give me more than that. I take a lot of things."

"It's not a thing, it's a woman."

Anthony let out a drawn sigh. "Ah."

"Where is she?"

"I don't know. The last time I saw her she was with my son John who stole her from me."

Jason felt the bile rise in his stomach. Johnny strode toward them. "Tie him up somewhere."

Johnny nodded and grabbed Anthony and dragged him away.

Jason ran upstairs and went room by room. He stepped into John's room and had turned to leave when something caught his eye. Walking over to the nightstand, he realizes the object is a necklace that Elizabeth had been wearing. It is a locket that holds a lock of her mother's hair inside. She had been here and slept in this bed. He prayed it was alone. If this John person had hurt her, Jason will rip him apart with his bare hands.