Page 76 of The Sword and the Damsel

“Oh, Victor. That was my favorite too!”

“We’ll take the ruby necklace and the matching earrings and bracelet,” Victor said to the jeweler who smiled so widely it looked like his face might split in half.

As they left the shop, Alais had a prickly feeling on the back of her neck as if she was being watched. She tightened her grip on Victor’s arm. “I saw him too,” he murmured so that only she could hear. “Let’s get you safely in the dress shop, and I’ll deal with him.”

Her stomach was in knots as they stepped into a large fabric and dress shop with a wide array of gowns in various styles and colors on display. Some of the designs were quite innovative and lovely, unlike anything Alais had seen. “Buy whatever pleases your fancy, my love,” Victor said loudly in front of the overjoyed shopkeeper, handing Alais his purse. “I have some business to attend to.” He kissed her on the forehead and was gone. Alais had a moment of panic before she composed herself. She didn’t like to be separated from him, especially knowing he was going into danger. But this was what they’d agreed to. She would be brave and follow the plan.

Gathering herself, she looked at the shopkeeper. “This is a very interesting design over here,” she said, gesturing. “Would it be possible for me to try it on to see how the style suits me?”

Smiling, the shopkeeper said, “Of course, my lady. It may not be exactly your size, but we can tailor anything to your exact specifications, and, of course, we can make it in any fabric you desire. Here. I have a little room back here where you can change.”

Alais followed the shopkeeper back into the depths of the shop to a curtained-off area. The shopkeeper handed her the dress and went away. As she was tightening the ties at the side of the gown, a strong arm grabbed her from behind, and a hand clapped over her mouth. For a moment, she froze in terror.

“Left you all alone and undefended again, has he?” Sir Robert murmured in her ear.

Alais screamed with all her might and bit his hand.

“Stop that,” he hissed, and she felt the sharp bite of a cold blade at her neck. “You’re coming with me.”

Chapter Thirty

Alais’s scream stoppedVictor in his tracks. Of course, Robert would go after Alais the moment Victor left her alone. He should have seen this coming.

Charging back into the shop, sword drawn. “Where is she?” he demanded. The terrified shopkeeper pointed to the back. Running, he yelled, “Robert!”

He arrived in time to see a swinging back door and a carriage moving off at some haste. He couldn’t keep up with a horse for long, but he could try. Running after the carriage, he followed it through the winding streets of Canterbury until it came to a stop in front of the Black Rooster Inn. In the distance, he saw Robert disappearing inside with Alais at knifepoint.

He heard running feet behind him and turned to see Dagobert and his men following. “Robert is in the inn,” Victor yelled to them. Dagobert nodded and sent two of his men off to alert the other groups. “He has Alais. I’m going after him.”

It took Victor’s eye a moment to adjust as he burst through the door. In the dim light of the common room, he saw a dozen men, all of them armed. Upon seeing him with a drawn sword, the serving wench immediately fled to the back, and the barkeep picked up a bludgeon.

Out of sight, there was a scream.Alais. Victor launched himself toward the doorway at the back, determined to get toher. As expected, every man in the room raised his sword. Ordinarily, he would relish the challenge, but he had no time.

The first man came at him. Victor knocked his sword away and went crashing into the second.No time.He sliced the man across the chest, leaving a dripping red line.Have to get to Alais.

Three men closed behind him. He stabbed backward. A grunt told him he hit home.She’s in his clutches.

The iron stench of blood mixed with the scents of sweat and ale that pervaded the inn.

Spinning, he hacked at one man and then the other. They were like so much wood he had to chop through to get to his wife. They fell like trees.

Alais needs me.

He heard a commotion behind him and knew it must be Dagobert and his men.

Two men stood between him and the door. He chopped. He cut. Two more men fell to the floor bleeding. He reached the door at last.

“Alais, I’m coming,” he yelled, plunging through the door headlong into another man. Victor hardly saw him. Rage pulsed through him. Desperation. His hand acted on instinct, taking down the man before him.No time.

He heard a thump and a muffled scream coming from below.

A cellar?

Ripping open the door of the first room he saw, he found nothing. The second, nothing. The third had three armed men and a trap door. One man moved to block Victor while the other two dropped down through the trap door.

Their swords clashed and clashed again. This one had some skill. It would have been fun to find out how much if he weren’t in such a desperate rush. But as he swung and slashed, only a piece of his mind was on the fight. The rest was with Alais. That monster had her. Again. And he’d allowed it. He should neverhave let Alais come along on this dangerous mission. What had he been thinking?

“There’s a door down here. He’s taking me away,” Alais screamed.

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