Page 37 of Her Dark Seduction
“My wife is with child?”
I drew in a sharp breath. Amid Harwyn’s sobbing my husband laughed. He took my chin in his hand and forced my head up.
“Is it true? Woman?”
“Aye,” I whispered.
“Then she has performed her duty, Sawford. Has she been examined?”
“Aye, my lord.”
I did not know why Sawford lied but hoped I could turn it to my advantage. I pleaded with my eyes, hoping news of a child might instill some compassion in my husband’s heart.
“I will need a maidservant, husband, to care for me. Harwyn tended to my mother throughout her confinement.”
Mortlock nodded his assent and my body sighed with relief.
“I will find a replacement among the wenches in the castle.”
“No!” I cried.
“Sawford, deal with my wife,” Mortlock said. “Wyatt, the axe.”
Wyatt handed me to Sawford who circled his arm around my waist, pulling me against him.
“Do not struggle or ’twill be the worse for you,” he hissed in my ear. “You may still share your maid’s fate.”
I wanted to close my eyes but could not. Instead I watched, a morbid little corner of my soul transfixed, as they dragged Harwyn toward a thick, wooden block. Wyatt approached her brandishing an axe, its iron head catching in the sunlight where the blade had been honed. Its sharp, cutting edge curled into a sadistic smile to match the leer on my husband’s lips.
They pushed Harwyn to her knees and held her head against the block while she wailed and struggled.
“Harwyn, be brave!” I cried, “Heaven awaits—” I was cut short as Sawford’s hand clamped over my mouth.
“Be quiet, madam. Heed my warning.”
My poor maid’s body began to shake as terror overcame her. When the first blow fell, I shuddered, almost feeling the iron on my own neck. A strangled cry told me the blade had not struck cleanly, and I prayed the next blow would be fatal and deliver her a swift death. The second caught her across the shoulders, and her arms twitched against the force of it. Sawford’s hand muffled my screams and tears blurred my vision. Wyatt raised the axe once more and this time he struck cleanly. Harwyn’s head fell to the ground and rolled toward my husband’s feet.
“Wyatt, see to it that the servant joins the other traitor. Sawford, my wife is in need of her rest. Make sure she does not place herself or my child in danger.”
My gown felt too tight, constricting my chest. Sawford loosened his hold, and I stumbled, my legs unable to support my weight. My heartbeat rushed inside my head before the ground gave way under me. The last thing I saw before the door closed between the world and my consciousness was a pair of dark blue eyes looking into my own. I fought my body’s instincts to shut down and looked at him with loathing.
“You will burn in hell for this,” I choked.
“Aye, I will,” he said quietly, and swept me into his arms before blackness engulfed me.
