was taken from him here on earth. And… Chill once more shooting head to toe, she held herself tighter. Deliver Vitalis here so sooner he may escape William and his evil.
A more violent shudder causing the blanket to rustle and the boat to sway, she wished it possible to remove her mud-weighted gown whose moisture had crept up her skirt to her waist. Had she other garments, she would cast off these, but though she would be warmer and more comfortable wrapped only in the blanket’s coarse weave, she dared not bare herself—even if Vitalis ventured here alone.
“Suffer,” she rasped. “You live whilst others die. This is naught compared to that.” And yet, racked again by another chill that made her curl her bare toes, she nearly pleaded with the Lord to release her from this suffering.
Returning to prayer, she beseeched protection over her family—from mother and father to brothers and their families, from cousins to aunts and uncles. Then she entreated the Lord to grant grace to others, including Saxons who counted her their enemy. Next there was Mercia, formerly known as the Abbess of Lillefarne, who had lovingly ministered to her charges and those in need—especially Saxons brutalized by the harrying—but who was, in truth, no holy woman. Now that she was in the power of Bishop Odo who had paid her ransom and that of Nicola’s cousin, the woman was in great danger, especially were it learned she was kin to the departed King Harold from whom William seized this country.
“Lord, let Maël who looked upon Mercia as he no longer looks upon a desirable woman, aid her. Does he not…”
Pained by convulsing that was as much chill as fear, she whimpered. “If he does not, she will be locked away the remainder of what will be a short life, else forced to wed a Norman to ensure no child of her body lays claim to England.”
Discomfort dulling her senses as if shutters were closing on her mind, Nicola was almost relieved. Though she would be more prepared awake and alert should anyone come, she had little to lose were she discovered by one other than Vitalis. It being so dark she had nowhere to run and as exhausted and incapacitated as she was by cold, resistance would prove futile.
Oui, some restoration found in sleep. If she remained unmolested when the sun rose, better she could protect herself and determine the way forward. Perhaps even learn how to singlehandedly row a boat.
That was the plan when she closed her eyes, but a sound different from the whirring and chirruping of night insects and the whisper of animals and reptiles sliding in and out of water caused all that was stiffened by cold to stiffen with alarm.
Be Vitalis, she silently pleaded as she eased the dagger from its sheath. The noise that did not belong here was of footsteps, and not of four legs but two. They were heavily weighted, and when she ceased breathing, she heard another pull in and exhale air. The breaths were long and deep as of one who carries excess weight and lacks the strength and stamina to continue onward. Then she caught slight wheezing at the end of one breath, followed by a grunt of discomfort.
Do not stop, she silently pleaded. Do not see what I could not for all the tall grass and muddy water. Do not find what I found only because I knew where to look.
But he stopped, then what sounded relief emptied his lungs and something thumped to the ground and rustled the grass.
When the footsteps resumed, they drew nearer, then halted abruptly.
She did not think she had made a sound, but she quaked again, causing the boat to shift. Though she assured herself the vessel would not come to notice, of a sudden the man moved again with greater speed.
He will not see the boat, she silently chanted. He will not—
Anticipate the worst! Hawisa’s command reached across the months.
She obeyed, and when the boat lurched violently as weight landed in it, she was on her back. The dagger in one hand, she reached the other to fling off the blanket, but the covering was immovable as if staked down upon her.
Though fairly certain she was had, her assailant’s boots atop the blanket on both sides rendering her incapable of freeing herself, she yanked at the upper edge and kicked at the lower portion that permitted greater movement. But to no avail.
When steel turned around the wrist of