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followed.
     
     
     

Chapter 5
     
     
    The sky was becoming rather overcast, and he walked swiftly across the manicured lawns towards the picturesque rolling fields beyond. Elizabeth, in her dainty pink shoes and long dress, had difficulty keeping pace and had to run every few steps. It was difficult to maintain her balance, the ground beneath her feet being soft and uneven.
    They were soon out of sight of the house, heading down a small incline. It was difficult for her, and by the time Lord Michael had reached the bottom in his sturdy boots, Elizabeth had barely made it halfway down. He stopped and looked up after her. She was attempting to hold up her dress with her bound hands, but it was fairly pointless. The hem of her skirt was quite covered with dirt and her shoes, once a lovely shade of pink, were already wet and slightly muddy. But she looked lovely to him. She was doing her best, and the handkerchief in her mouth wasn’t helping. Although it would have to stay there a while longer, he thought. He was sure the point had been made, but he wanted to drive it home. At last she reached him, breathing hard, looking quite agitated.
    He pointed across the fields to where the woods started. ‘That’s where we are headed, Elizabeth, to the woodman’s cottage for a brief period of peace and quiet together,’ he explained. ‘It’s a bit muddy between here and there, so watch where you’re stepping. Come along now.’
    He walked off, and once again she fell in behind him. He slowed his pace a little, because there were quite a few ruts in the ground and he didn’t want her spraining an ankle.
    It was a good ten minutes to get across the field, and by the time they reached the trees he felt quite invigorated, the adrenalin pumping through his veins from the brisk exercise. Elizabeth, on the other hand, not used to doing much of anything, was breathing quite heavily.
    As they made their way under the canopy of trees towards the little cabin there was an alarming clap of thunder and the sound of rain splattering down on the treetops, the frightening sound and the prospect of getting wet spurring her on. The ground was firmer now and she found her second wind, and before either of them had fallen victim to a downpour they were safely inside the crude abode.
    The interior was gloomy. There was only one window that allowed any light, and with the darkness of the sky there was little to be let in. However, a fireplace was conveniently stacked and ready for lighting, and while Elizabeth stood, unsure what to do with herself, Lord Michael went about the business of igniting it.
    Within minutes a warm and cosy glow fell over the dingy room, and satisfied with his work, he turned and looked at her. She was shivering slightly, the white of the kerchief showing between her red lips. Her skin was pale, cute tendrils of curly dark hair lay across her brow, and her bright green eyes seemed softer than before. The shrew was dissolving.
    He walked over to her. ‘Open your mouth, Elizabeth,’ he said, and she did so immediately. He removed the kerchief, neatly folded it, and despite it being damp, placed it back in his breast pocket. ‘Handy if we need it again, but we won’t, will we?’ he said, staring into her eyes.
    ‘No, sir,’ she replied quietly, then added, ‘thank you, sir.’
    ‘Good girl.’
    The words sent a gentle wave of warmth through her, and for a moment she felt quite faint.
    ‘Give me your hands, Elizabeth,’ he continued.
    She lifted them and he gently untied her bonds. She looked up at him, rubbing her wrists. ‘Thank you, sir,’ she said, and he smiled.
    The little cabin was sparsely furnished. There was a small cot, a blanket, a table, and a rocking chair. The floor was bare.
    ‘Lay down and rest a minute, Elizabeth,’ he said, pointing to the cot.
    ‘Thank you, sir,’ she said, truly grateful, and he smiled again.
    ‘Good girl,’ he repeated.
    She moved slowly over to the cot and sat, wincing