The Duke and the Enchantress

Chapter Four - The Offer

Chapter Four – The Offer 

The guard immediately reached for the bullwhip that he kept coiled on his belt, but Liam stopped him with a lifted hand.  “Hold.”  The guard opened his mouth to protest, then thought better of it, and snapped it closed again.

Liam stepped closer to the woman.  He could not read her eyes in the flicker of the torch, but he could feel the animosity rolling off from her.  “Fine, I don’t need to know your name.  I don’t even need to know your crime.  I have an offer for you.” 

Her hands flexed at her sides.  “What... could you... possibly... offer me?”  She seemed to be having some difficulty speaking, like saying the words took all of her breath. 

“A full pardon.” Liam said.  “You and I walk out of here right now.” 

She narrowed her eyes.  “And what do you want from me?” 

“Your breasts.’ 

That took her by surprise.  Her body jerked as though he had struck her.  She blinked at him and said nothing.   

“Pardon, madam.  Let me be clear.  I need your services as a wet nurse to my daughter.  One year of service, you walk away a free woman.”  Liam felt the need to pace, but he couldn’t safely stretch his legs in the confines of her cell.  Her stony silence was making him nervous.  “You will live in comfort in the castle.  You will be served three meals a day, you will have a private room with a maid, and you will receive a salary as befits a wet-nurse to a Lady.” 

“So, I will trade ...one prison... for another...” she said with a dry, humorless laugh. 

He was unaccountably offended by her response.  He straightened himself and squared his shoulders.  “Well,” Liam refused to beg.  He took a step back.  “If this is the prison you prefer, madam,” He started to turn as if to leave, though he had no intention of leaving the woman there in the cell.  Even if she refused his offer, he wouldn’t leave her in this place.  It was not fit for an animal, leave alone a woman.  He was not a monster, not intentionally anyway. However, he needed her to agree to the position.  His daughter’s life depended on it. 

“Fine,” the woman croaked, and took a staggering step.  “I accept... your offer.” 

He stopped, and nodded, without turning back to her.  “We have an agreement then.  You-” He leveled a finger at the guard who had reached for the bullwhip.  “Carry her.” 

“Your Grace?” The guard's voice waivered with disbelief.

“Is everyone an i***t today?  I said carry the woman!  She is weak, and we are in a hurry.”  Liam was already striding across the cavern, eager to climb the stairs and find the exit, eager to get out into the sunlight and breath clean air.  Eager to get away from the stench of human filth and decay.  He looked down at the floor and saw maggots writhing in the straw, and cursed under his breath. The  guard did not dare protest any further, but lifted the woman and followed after.  He was sweating and breathing hard by the time they topped the stairs. 

In the sunlight, it was even worse.  Now that Liam could see her condition clearly, he couldn’t stand to look on her.  The torn skirt of her shift was soaked with blood and gore, her skin was caked with so much filth he couldn’t discern the color of her skin.  Her collar bones stuck out sharply from her shoulders, her face was sharp, and her eyes were sunken.  The front of the shift was torn almost to the navel.  He swallowed down the bile that rose in his throat.  “Eisen!” 

“Yes, your grace?” 

“Run ahead and tell Mrs. Short to prepare a bath immediately.” Eisen nodded and took off at a run for the main section of the castle.  “Let's go,” he started following after with long, impatient strides. 

“Your... Your grace...” the guard panted heavily, “If I could have a rest...” 

“If you drop her, soldier, you will spend the next six months in her cell.” 

The guard swallowed, and hefted her up higher in his arms.  His muscles were burning.  Carrying a woman like that was harder than it looked, and he wasn’t the strongest of men.  The woman didn’t help at all, but sat limp in his arms like a sack of potatoes.  Her face was turned up to the sun, her eyes closed as though she were in heaven.  She hadn’t seen the light of the sun in a long, long time.