Her Noble Lords Read Online Free

intention to mete out discipline, however undeserved.
    I release my legs and lift my hands over his bowed head. My attempt to stand unaided comes to naught as I slump to the planks below my feet. Piers crouches beside me.
    “Here, wrap yourself in this, countess.” He covers me in a warm fur cloak which I recognise as one of Lady Eleanor’s finest.
    “Keep still and cause us no trouble and you will not be harmed.” Ralf has taken up position on one of the cross benches, a sturdy oar in his hands. Another man, a soldier by the look of him, is seated alongside, ready to lend his efforts too. I surmise the third man now with us was left to attend the boat while the St. Johns scaled the walls of Wellesworth keep to seize Sir Ralf’s reluctant bride from her bed.
    He has gone to a great deal of trouble, though much good it will do him. As soon as the gag is removed I will acquaint him with his error. Meanwhile, the prudent course seems to be to lie still and attract no more attention than I must.
    The moat is not unduly wide, it takes no more than half a minute or so for the three men to pull us to the other side where more men await. There are horses too, uncannily silent in the predawn darkness. The boat is hauled onto the bank and Piers St. John springs over the bow to help secure it. Ralf bends to help me to my feet.
    “You will remain bound, madam, but the gag will be removed once we are away from this place. Come, I will assist you.” He doesn’t wait for my response. Instead he takes a firm grip on my elbow and ushers me toward the front of the small boat. He hands me over to his brother, who lifts me over the side and settles me on dry land. My legs immediately crumple again.
    “Steady, lass.” Piers catches me and cradles me in his arms, just as his brother did up in Lady Eleanor’s chamber. With just a couple of strides he has reached one of the horses, a massive dark grey beast, and tosses me up onto the saddle. He follows me up onto the animal straightaway, one solid arm securing me against his front as he uses the other hand to steer the mount away from the castle. Seconds later we plunge into the dense woodland surrounding Wellesworth.
    I bounce painfully against the horn of the saddle, unable to secure a more comfortable position with my hands bound and the gag prevents me from pleading for assistance.
    Piers slows his horse a little and leans forward to speak to me. “Turn around and sit astride, my lady. Tuck your feet under your cloak. I will not let you fall.” Despite my helplessness he seems to be aware of my plight and not insensitive to it. He would no doubt be considerably less concerned with my comfort were he to realise he is pampering a mere servant. Nevertheless, I accept his advice. Things will change soon enough, as soon as the truth is revealed.
    After perhaps twenty minutes or so hard riding, our little group slows to a walk. I look around me to see that it has taken seven men to abduct me, including Ralf and Piers. The two brothers are riding alongside each other at the head of the troop.
    “Any sign of pursuit?” Piers asks Ralf.
    “None. I think we can remove the gag now. Keep her wrists bound though.”
    Piers tugs the silk scarf from around my face and I spit out the fabric which has been in my mouth. My tongue feels dry and I long for a drink of cool water. Wordlessly Ralf produces a small leather pouch from his saddle and hands it to me.
    “Here, take a few sips. It will feel better.”
    Grateful, I clutch the pouch between my bound hands and do as he tells me, then I offer the pouch back.
    This is it. Now I am able to tell them what I have needed to say all along. I am not Lady Eleanor Marwood. I open my mouth to do so and the words freeze on my lips.
    As soon as they know, what will happen next? I am of no value or importance to them. Certainly, they will have no reason to take me to their camp, nor to deliver the spanking they mentioned, which is surely a good thing. And