Read Lady Merry's Dashing Champion for Free Online

words she'd heard caused her to struggle against the rope that bound her upper body and hands. Traitor's Gate? They were taking her to the Tower. Why? What had she done that she would be taken to a prison for high lords of the realm, a prison that many did not leave with their heads still atop their necks?
    A hand rested on her shoulder, squeezing slightly, in what felt like an attempt to reassure her but had no such effect. Close to her ear Chiffinch's harsh voice whispered: "Silence, girl, or you will rue it, soon and forever."
    Meriel shuddered and ceased her struggle, though her mind was screaming questions. Not that she had much hope of answers.
    The boat bumped hard and the oars were shipped. She heard water lapping against what must be the water stairs and sensed by the violent rocking of the boat someone stepping over her to the landing.
    "You know the work you must do by nightfall," Chiffinch said, and Meriel heard what sounded like the footfalls of two other men. "Take her gown from her."
    Meriel kicked out with her feet and hit something, but was firmly held and stripped to her undershift. Oh, Lord of Blessed Name, they are going to rape me and throw my body in the river!
    "Sweet lugs on this 'un, Master," said the coarse voice attached to two groping hands.
    "I have other plans for the wench, Jack. Have a care you don't end in the river your own self," Chiffinch said, in his threatening tone. "Now cease your struggle, m'girl, and walk. Have you never been taught to obey your betters?"
    "You whoreson pissabed!" She spat the worst oath that she'd ever heard into the cloth gagging her. Though the sounds made no sense, even silent defiance gave her new courage.
    Meriel heard the boat push away while a firm hand thrust her ahead and she stumbled up the slimy stairs, scraping her shins. She could see nothing, but she could hear everything. A rusty gate rasped open, the cawing of the ravens that had lived in the Tower grounds forever; it was said they would stay as long as there was an England. And that distant roar of animals was probably from the hungry lions and tigers in cages at the king's menagerie. She had heard that the king's elephant swam in the Thames on a long lead, a grand sight she'd longed to view. All these things that she had heard in traveler's tales and hoped to see for herself, she was now walking amongst, unable to see. And glad of it. She shivered, for the thought of ravenous lions did not hold the excitement for her that it once had. Catching her toe on a cobble, she nearly fell.
    "Hear me well, girl," Chiffinch's voice said near her ear. "If you vow to be silent, I will remove the bag from your head and the bindings. I wager I can trust your vow. If I cannot, you're a dead woman."
    Meriel took a deep breath and nodded. She would promise the devil his dinner to be able to see where she was being taken, and perhaps a means of escape.
    Her eyes were uncovered, and Chiffmch pulled out the gag. Her mouth was too dry to spit at him, though she was able to loose one word: "Villain!" Before she delved further into her store of vile words learned from the many seamen who'd visited her master the Admiral, she struggled to pull away her arm, which he held all the tighter, though his sober face broke into a grin. The bastard enjoyed the struggle.
    Meriel had never been so furious. Chiffinch must be high in the king's favor, if he thought he could kidnap any woman he fancied. And him twice or better her years. She rounded on him, though chilled in her shift. "You foul goat! Do you think that you can abduct me from Sir Edward and use me as you will? Are you so poor for women that you must drag unwilling maids to the Tower!" Her voice gathered sarcasm with every breath. "Or are you up to some magic, pretending that I'm the real countess to give your failing cock new life!"
    Chiffinch was no longer smiling. "You are here on His Majesty's business, so say more of insult to the king's chief servant at your peril."