Once the maid was gone, Ruby rushed into the room and shut the door quietly behind her. Despite that she loved books and wished she could leisurely browse through them all, she had to ignore that urge and find a way to escape.
She sprinted to the large window and tried the lock. As she struggled to get it open, she heard him. His voice was loud, but incoherent. She recognized Lizzie's voice as well. Then she heard the woman saying something about her name.
Oh, God, hurry! Why won't this damn window open?
She struggled with the lock, and just when she was about to give up, managed to fling the stubborn window open.
She heard his footsteps rushing along the hallway toward the door as she nervously climbed onto the window and jumped down. She landed with a thud! on the grass, and instantly shot up and raced across the field.
Alec was at the door when he saw her running across the field toward the stream. He dashed to the window, hurdled over it, and chased after her in a full sprint.
"Ruby!" he shouted.
Ruby wasn't listening, or looking back either. All she knew was she had to get away--fast.
Just then, Alec saw Bernard with Storm. They were going toward the stables. "Bernard!"
The man saw his signal and pulled Storm over to Alec.
Alec was impatient. He raced toward them, grabbing the reins from Bernard's hands, before climbing onto the saddle and kicking the horse hard in its side.
In response, Storm started galloping fast toward the stream.
Ruby felt she was far enough away that it was safe to look back. He could not catch her now.
Glancing behind her, instead of seeing him tiring of the chase and allowing her to escape, to her horror, she saw him now pursuing her on horseback.
She nearly died of fear, for the giant man and beast galloping after her looked so much like a Scottish warrior charging into war in medieval times, especially because he seemed so big and forboding.
She kept running until she reached the stream. Her breathing by then was short, hard gasps, and her heart was pumping out of control. She was not a very fit person, for the long exertion managed to cause her heart to launch into a silly rhythm.
Ignoring her difficult breathing, she jumped into the ice-cold water and staggered across with her bare feet, but started shivering from head to toe.
When she reached the other end, she hiked up the small hill and stopped for a moment to catch her breath. A second later, she started running again, but only got about twenty meters when the sound of horse's hooves echoed in her ears.
The man and beast passed her, and about a meter away after that, they intercepted her.
She slowed down and stopped. Her legs were getting tired.
Alec moved his horse toward her.
Ruby staggered backward, swaying just slightly because of her exertion. Her face was flushed red, and her breathing was hard.
"Ruby, you'll only tire yourself, lass," he said as though he were talking to a little girl. She was not his darn daughter, for God's sake.
She stared up at him. He and his steed were still approaching her, and she continued stumbling backward, avoiding capture. Then she turned and darted away.
"Ruby!" he shouted as he nudged Storm. The horse lurched forward and raced after her.
Ruby didn't get very far in her attempt to flee. As Alec was about to pass her, he leaned his upper body down on his right side and spread his arm out while his other hand held onto the reins. Seizing her by the waist, he hauled her up onto his lap. He slowed Storm down, turned the horse around, and rode off in the other direction toward the manor.
Ruby was lost. One second she was running for her life, and the next, she was airborne before finding herself on his lap. The only reasonable thing to do right then was hold onto him and pray she didn't fall because the horse was galloping very fast. If she were to fall, she wouldn't be able to think any further.
Alec slowed the horse to a stop once they reached the courtyard. Bernard came to help Ruby down. "Ya all right, miss?" he asked.
Ruby could only nod as she was lowered to the ground, her body shaking for fear of falling; not to mention the utterly unfamiliar experience of horseback-riding.
Alec jumped down from the saddle, grabbing her roughly, before lifting her up in his arms and carrying her into the manor. Bernard watched everything with his mouth hanging open.
He carried her up the stairs to the second floor as she struggled in his arms.
"Put me down, you beast!"
Alec ignored her and kicked the door to her room open before dumping her on the bed like a sack of potatoes. Standing back, his eyes were glaring at her as though he wanted to murder her.
Ruby swallowed at seeing the raw anger in them. She shifted uneasily and tried to avoid his livid gaze.
Alec wanted to throttle her. He wanted to shout at her, and tell her how silly she was. She could've gotten hurt, for God's sake. Didn't she realize he was protecting her from danger? He knew she was naive and totally ignorant of this place. Damn it, she didn't even know where they were.
He shouldn't have blamed her for her silly attempt at escape, he rationalized. His imprisonment of her was for no apparent reason, at least none that was logical to her. He shouldn't have blamed Lizzie either because the woman didn't know any better. Lizzie probably thought Ruby was his lover and locked herself in the room just to get his attention. When he chose to ignore her, she got bored and decided to run free like a little fox around the backyard and get some fresh air.
Damn it!
Ruby waited for him to vent his rage on her. She was sure he would hit her with his mighty fist, and then she'd probably die in this godforsaken place--located...? She had no idea where--and she wouldn't be able to return home to her family and friends, to tell them about all the beautiful sights she got to see.
She held her breath.
Nothing happened.
Glancing up, she saw him turning on his heels as he left the room. She sat there, wondering why he didn't hit her for bothering him. Then she straightened up and stared at the door. She didn't hear the click. Or was she in such deep thought, she didn't hear him lock it?
Curious and excited, she shot up and rushed over. Cautiously touching the door handle, she turned and let it go.
The door opened.
She could only stand there and stare in surprise. Surely, he didn't forget to lock the door?
She stepped out, and timidly looked around. Then, seeing the coast was clear, she ran toward the grand stairs. She was just taking one step down when she saw him at the bottom of the stairwell. In his hand, he held another shirt.
Alec knew he should never have left her alone in that room unlocked for one minute. Oh yes, he should have locked the door all right. Damn him for not locking the darn door, for if he hadn't forgotten, he wouldn't be standing there now, gazing up at her, perched at the top of the stairs, looking down at him with her damn shirt all wet and sticking to her body like a second skin. He knew she had on nothing underneath except for her panties.
Shit!
He raced up the stairs, and grabbed her wrist, roughly dragging her back to her room. There, he slammed the door shut and thrust the shirt at her.
"Go wash and change," he snapped, irritated that she didn't seem to notice how much she was affecting him.
Ruby took one look at his angry face and shrank back. She never liked making people angry. She was always the peacemaker and eventually apologized even when she wasn't the one in the wrong. Even though this man kidnapped her and imprisoned her, in God knows where, for no apparent reason, she still felt bad that she made him angry.
She bowed her head and said, "I'm sorry." Taking the shirt, she turned on her heels and slowly made her way back.
Sorry for what? Alec shouted internally. For letting him see her damn hot body and making him fantasize about what he wanted to do to her?
He couldn't possibly stay there until she came back out, could he? He knew she would be wearing nothing underne
ath that shirt; not even her panties because they would be wet after her dip in the stream.
Hell!
He left the room.
Ruby came out a few minutes later with his new shirt on and found him gone. She went to try the door. It was locked. Oh well, what was she hoping for?
*
SIX
Ruby couldn't sleep that night. The wind howled outside her window like an angry she-wolf after her cubs were killed before her own eyes. The rain kept slashing and banging against the windows. She was scared, and couldn't sleep a wink. She was also very cold, for the only clothing she had on was her captor's shirt, and the single layered duvet didn't help much either.
Shivering and hugging herself, she felt like a drowned kitten all night. It was near morning when the storm finally stopped and she got a bit warmer that she was able to sleep.
At about eight o'clock, Alec, himself, brought in the breakfast tray. He seemed unaffected by the nasty storm, and didn't even glance her way as she wearily got out of bed.
"Your breakfast," was all he said before he left.
He was probably still angry with her. She supposed he was being nice to her since her arrival. He hadn't poisoned her yet, or hit her either, which she thought that most kidnappers would have done by now.
Why, oh why did he kidnap her and imprison her here? He said he would give her back her belongings and let her go when the time comes. But when would that be?
She dragged herself to the table near the window, sat down on the comfy antique chair, and picked up the toast. The sun's warm rays that morning after the horrible storm felt very nice indeed. She moved closer to the window so she could get as much sun as possible. Then she started to enjoy her breakfast.
Twenty minutes later, she heard the door being unlocked and Mrs. McKenzie came in. Ruby turned to see Mrs. McKenzie holding some books in her arms. At her heels was a dog.
Ruby cried out in delight, her exhaustion from the sleepless night instantly forgotten. She had never owned a dog before, and certainly didn't know much about them. This one looked so cute with white fur, sharp, pointy ears, and coal-black eyes. The dog was also wearing a tartan bandana around his neck.
She rushed to the dog and stroked his head lovingly. "Hello, boy, what's your name?"
"'Is name is Westies, lassie," Mrs. McKenzie said as she walked around to the bedside table and put the books there.
"Westies. Hello, Westies," Ruby said.
"Some books fer ya."
Ruby glanced at Mrs. McKenzie in surprise. "Why thank you, Mrs. McKenzie. Thank you so much. Now I won't get bored."
"Aye, lassie; now ya finished wif ya breakfast?"
"Yes, thank you, Mrs. McKenzie, that was very nice."
Mrs. McKenzie smiled with glee at the polite gratitude Ruby bestowed upon her. None of those high society women Master Alec brought home before ever bothered to thank her for any meal. She glided over to pick up the tray, nodding at Ruby as though the girl were royalty who readily appreciated a lovely meal, and strolled to the door. She turned and looked sharply at the dog. "Come on, boy, out wif ya."
Westies looked at Mrs. McKenzie with his glistening black eyes. Then he turned, barked, jumped, and ran around the room and Ruby with his little, short legs.
Ruby laughed. She picked up the wound-up devil and asked, "Can he stay with me? Please, I'm very bored."
Mrs. McKenzie sighed. "All right, lassie, ya watch 'im though. 'E's a naughty one, that terrier," she said as she closed the door.
Ruby heard the click and felt a tightness within her chest. She tried to ignore the claustrophobia of being imprisoned by picking Westies up and playing with him. Throughout the rest of the day, the dog amused her; and the books of British history kept her from becoming bored to death. From time-to-time, she kept a close eye on the door, anxiously awaiting the return of her captor.
By evening, that bloody captor of hers still hadn't shown his goddamn handsome face. That night, she still couldn't sleep properly because of the blasted storm. Luckily, this time, she had Westies sleeping beside her. His warm, breathing, little body soothed her, alleviating her fear of the noises outside. The windows worried her; and she feared any moment they'd crack from the relentless, nasty, howling wind.
By lunchtime, she finished two books, and now, as Westies lay asleep on her lap, she picked up the third. She just read through the second page when she heard the door being unlocked. She didn't even look up as Mrs. McKenzie came in.
"Enjoyin' yer books?" the woman asked.
Ruby glanced up and nodded.
The housekeeper smiled. Master Alec was right. Books kept her occupied and quiet, just as he predicted, and made her less likely to stir up trouble. She wondered if Master Alec, himself, knew that he was harboring deep feelings for the girl, what with the way he treated her, so nice and gentle as that. She never saw him treating his other lady guests so intimately tender before. He was always very aloof since his divorce, and finding out about his ex-wife's affair with another man.
"Come, lassie, yer lunch is gittin' cold," Mrs. McKenzie said.
"Oh, yes, thank you," Ruby replied.
"'Ow was yer sleep last night?"
"Horrible, that blasted storm," Ruby commented absentmindedly, looking out the window at the aftermath. The grass was still wet, and some branches of the trees were broken, which dangled awkwardly in the air like broken arms, and the grey sky... her spirit dropped immediately.
"Aye, lassie, very common up 'ere. Was the window all right? Very noisy? The ones in this room are most 'orrible. Very thin an' weak. Any moment, they could break when the storms git that bad. This room faces the north, where most of our storms come from."
Ruby snapped her head up. "Very thin, did you say?"
"Aye, lassie, very thin. These windows, it wouldn't surprise me if they all break one o' these days."
Ruby grinned, her eyes gleaming as a plan sprouted in her head.
"Ah, ya haven't changed sheets fer a week now," Mrs. McKenzie said, looking at the bed. "I'll bring in new sheets when I come back ta git the trays."
Ruby nodded. Mrs. McKenzie strolled to the door and said, "Tell me if ya need more books," as she looked at the stack piled on the round table beside Ruby. With a nod, she closed the door, and locked it.
Ruby glanced at the door and then at the bed. A perfect plan was forming in her head.
She placed the sleeping Westies on the seat beside her and strolled to the bed, pulling the duvet away.
Bed sheets!
She smiled and knew what to do. But first, she needed to eat. She didn't want to run away on an empty stomach now, did she?
Sitting down, she began to have her lunch. She ate slowly, savoring every taste in her mouth, taking her time. Then, half an hour later, it was not Mrs. McKenzie who came to get the empty tray, but Lizzie, who looked withdrawn and not as friendly as before.
Ruby noticed that and wondered why, but she didn't have time to ponder it. She made up her mind to run away and was sure she would not see Lizzie again.
"Ya finished all yer food, so ya musta been 'ungry," Lizzie commented.
"Yes, I was," Ruby replied, surprised she could understand Lizzie's accent more clearly. "Er, Lizzie, can you bring me new bed sheets please? I want to change these. They are getting a bit smelly now. Oh, and don't worry about changing them, I'll do that myself."
"Bed sheets?" Lizzie queried uncertainly. After that awful event a few days ago, Mrs. McKenzie promptly lectured her about locking the lass in because she was suicidal. Now Lizzie had become more careful whenever the lass asked for anything after that.
"Yes, Mrs. McKenzie promised to bring me some, but it seems she must have forgotten." She smiled sweetly at the maid.
"Aye, then," Lizzie said with some relief because she did hear the lass mentioning Mrs. McKenzie. That meant it was safe then.
She picked up the tray and turned to the door.
"Lizzie, is Alec here?"
Lizzie knew Maste
r Alec hadn't seen her for three whole days. The young, somewhat suicidal beauty must have been missing her lover.
Lizzie gave a little laugh and said, "Nay, lassie, 'e's gone fer the day. I dunna know when 'e'll be back."
Excellent! Ruby secretly smiled.
"Master Alec is a very nice man, lassie, joost don't try too hard. 'E'll notice ya soon enough. Joost give 'im time."
Ruby frowned What was the maid talking about?
"Er, Lizzie, there's one more thing I would ask you to do," Ruby added as the maid was about to leave.
"Aye, lassie?"
"Lizzie, I was wondering if you could give me some clothing. I mean something suitable to, er--" She paused there. She couldn't possibly tell Lizzie of her plan to escape, could she? But what should she tell her so that she could find her suitable pants, shirt, and boots? She couldn't possibly run in this damn shirt and no pants.
Lizzie laughed. "I understand, lassie. I 'ave a 'usband, ya know. Don't ye worry, joost leave it ta me."
Ruby smiled. "Really? Thank you, Lizzie."
"Right then, I'll be back as soon as I can."
"Okay," Ruby said as Lizzie shut the door.
Ruby was excited as she rehearsed her plan once again in her head. Now, all she needed to do was to break the blasted thin window, tie all the sheets together, and climb down the building. She'd run far away from this place and find someone who could help her get back to London. Then she'd go to Brian's hotel, the one he owned, the one he took her for dinner that evening and where he met that blond bombshell. What was her name? Susan? Or something like that.
Oh, how she missed him.
Twenty minutes later, Lizzie returned. She opened the door and said, "More sheets an' clothin' fer ya."
Ruby rushed to get the sheets and clothing. She threw the sheets onto the bed and held up the folded fabric. Her eyes almost popped out of their sockets as she stared at the thin nightdress.
"This? Are you sure?"
"Aye, lassie, 'tis perfect."
"But it's a nightdress! And besides that, it looks too big for me," Ruby said with a frown.
"Now, I can fix it fer ya," Lizzie reassured her, taking the thin garment from Ruby.
"No, don't you worry about that. Listen, I was thinking of something more like pants and a shirt and boots."
Lizzie stared at Ruby with raised eyebrows. "Oh, I see. Ya wanna play rough. Ya joost wait an' I'll see what I can do, all right?"