Читать книгу Captive mistress. English-language novels - Elaine Neksli - Страница 7

By late evening the mood Arabella quite spoiled. Salutis flow of tears, poor woman sitting near the window and gazed into the impenetrable darkness. Only a small lantern hanging on the porch, covered yard. But sometimes it seems that there is no rest for the innocent souls. Everywhere just wandering pain, suffering and loneliness.

The room slowly came Antonia. Hearing the steps of his mother, Arabella quickly brushed eyelashes with tears. Approaching the daughter, the woman handed her a glass of hot milk with honey: For dinner you haven’t even touched your food. At least drink it, the young woman merely shook her head: «Arabella, I’m sure that in the way in your mouth and crumbs are not the same, you’re so pale. Don’t torture yourself, have a drink, – with a trembling hand he took the Cup, the Duke’s daughter from her emptied, feeling the warmth spreads throughout the body. Putting the pot on the table, the French did not dare to look at her mother, feeling the tears burn your eyes.

– What is it, daughter? Are you crying?

– No, mom. With me everything is in order.

– Don’t lie to me. I can see it. Just a few hours ago you came back from Paris and already closed and sad. What is the cause of your bitter sufferings?

The girl could not resist. Sobbing, she clung to the foster mother: it’s very hard, mom.

«Arabella, it comes to love? – the young woman nodded frantically, clutching icy fingers in the palm of his wrinkled mother.

– Listen to what I tell you and remember my words. They will be useful to you in the future: men can never truly love. Their hearts like rocks, in which there is no place of tenderness and passion. All the words flying from their mouths is a false phrase. Never trust men, my daughter, especially monarchs. They are able to enter an innocent girl into a whirlpool of intrigue, and no one even curve will not say a word, not dare. Arabella, at the time, I also loved, but was refused and a complete disappointment in this alluring feeling called love. Then I realized: life is like a feather: released – fly away, will keep – will remain. Therefore it is always necessary for yourself and not becoming a toy in the hands of men.

– Mom – he tried to smile, the French woman: – I’m very tired. You may have to go. Good night.

Antonia wanted to protest, but seeing the convicted daughter’s gaze, silently, left the room.

Mademoiselle de Frase spent the whole night in tears. Her unbearably burned the fire of hopelessness and doubt. She knew that I loved Louis, but how could she be with him? The throne and crown will never pass to a normal commoner, of whatever kind it didn’t happen. Power and position will possess another woman, became the wife of the Queen rulers of France. Then Arabella will become a mere mistress, nothing more. Is this ever dreamed the daughter of the Duke de Frase? And is it the fate most charming lady all over Europe?

Early morning over the estate there was a deafening crackle and roar. Arabella, dressed in the same nightgown, ran out into the yard. The girl’s eyes widened from fear and shame. The body ran shivers, heart pounding in his chest. Before Belle stood six tall men in national dress to the French gendarmes. One of them threw to the feet of the young woman’s Bathrobe. The daughter of the Duke frantically covered his half-naked shoulders and chest.

– Who are you?! Why are you here?!

Is You Mademoiselle Arabella de Frase? – scornfully threw the fat man already middle-aged years.

– Yes, and who are you? How dare you intrude on the territory of a single woman?!

«Madam, we personal the gendarmes of our great monarch!

The young woman smiled sarcastically at him: – what want from me the king

Six of the guards took a step forward: – By order of his Majesty, we must arrest you!

Arabella backed away. The cold wind was choppy obvestil her face and ruffled the Golden, hot like fire, hair. Do this way Louis decided to get rid of unwanted mistress?

– Arrest? But what rights? I’m a free woman, and you have no right to detain me. In such cases, please present the charges. What did I do wrong? – continued to fend off the girl. Of course, she knew that for making a Royal judgment the accusations are not needed. The monarch wanted all sang and nobody even dares to open his mouth contradictory, otherwise they will be deprived not only of language but also of the head.

– We don’t know, ma’am, «Arabella snatched the brooding tall, handsome young man, the head of this case:" We are only following orders of his Majesty the king. Please, no noise, quiet, follow us.

The frightened girl took a step back. Under her feet rustled the grass. Arabella clung to the thick trunk of a tree: – do Not you dare come near me! Do not approach!

The brown policeman, dressed in a suede tunic and the same material of the knickers, and took the young woman by the hand: – Calm yourself, lady Arabella. Nobody will hurt you. We’ll just take You to where it should be.

– I’m not going to waste time on accusations not relating to me! – blurted out of the blue-eyed beauty.

Lady! Don’t test our patience! Come on! – gendarmes put at the hands of captive iron chains.

– Let me go! You have no right! I will complain to the justice! Release!

– Mademoiselle de FRASE, shut up! And humbly follow the crew! «the men who brought the slave to the carriage. No sooner had the girl knew it, her eyes flew black patch. Arabella felt someone’s strong hands forced her on something hard and uncomfortable. The gendarmes, tying their prisoner’s eyes started to wrists. Hard fast hands of a young woman with a rope, the guards dropped on the face of Arabella’s heavy, black bag. Being blind, mute and bound, the French stopped struggling. The soldiers, armed with swords, sat down to one side, like a helpless, weak woman could resist six trained, strong men. The carriage has silently moved from a place. The girl tried to act calm, but it is poorly managed. Shackled to the blood scratched wrists from the ropes, sucking on the tender skin, swollen fingers and palm, the bandage rubbed his eyes, under a heavy bag breathing was difficult.

Arabella froze, the thin robe that barely kept the heat on the fragile body in a freezing carriage. The young woman softly groaned. Due to the dense matter surrounding the lips, she couldn’t say anything. The policeman gently removed the bag from the head of his prisoner, watching the mass of tangled hair hides his skinny shoulders: – if you are going to sit back, this uncouth, rough fabric touches you’re the pretty, innocent face. Quite the one bandage that covers your eyes, the crew stopped abruptly. The daughter of the Duke felt a sudden chill seize the body: for the shoulders, then falls to a small girl’s chest, sliding over flawless, flat stomach, wraps around the waist and thigh tickles. Arabella flinched. She could not forget the sensitive, stimulating touch of the king in their first night, could not forget his daring movements. And even frost, sliding on the leather reminded the girl about it.

The head of the hull almost kicked Arabella out of the carriage, and tying her even tighter eyes took on the sharp stones that pierce into the suede fabric of the shoes. The young woman tried to understand where she is, but the constant aftershocks kept her focus: Where am I? Where are you taking me? – frightened girl asked.

– Calm down, will soon find out.

The young woman felt under my feet, something began to stir:

– Come, – she heard the order, who could not bear objections, – the policeman took the prisoner by the arm, helped her down the old stairs. Arabella slipped, grabbed the same Chapter: «be Careful, my lady, steps are slippery.

The girl, shuddering with fear, clung to the body of the soldier: – what is your name?

– Albert de Germont, the head of the Royal corps of gendarmes.

You’re a kind man. Thank you for Your concern, but… I’m afraid to die in captivity, by the swords of the king’s men.

– Fear not, lady, because our fears don’t always matter. We are afraid or not, if some event should happen and so it happens, fear will not stop him.

– Sir, why are we stopping? «came the impatient voice of another policeman.

«Not so fast, Nick. Death not in a hurry – sadly, but with a smile replied the commander-in-chief.

Arabella did not see the face Alberda, when he spoke those awful words, but she distinctly heard his voice, filled with strange regret, despair, coldness and indifference. The first time the French felt on his neck the icy breath of the terrible, impending death.

Someone pushed the girl forward, so much so that she fell with loose steps to the barn. The policeman yanked untied the captive’s eyes. Mademoiselle de Frase frantically looked around. The young woman was in the basement, looking like a prison for recalcitrant prisoners. In all the corners hung with cobwebs, through the bars were not penetrated by a single ray of light and in the shade on top of a terrible machine for waterboarding. The victim before torture were not given food for several days and then lowered to the bottom of the building so that as much as possible bulging belly (although, after the fast it was hard to do) and started to pour water in the mouth. Unfortunate either choked or liquid filled inside, the stomach could not withstand and exploded. Arabella, barely holding himself in nausea, turned away from the car and stared at the leaving silhouettes of the gendarmes.

The time dragged terribly slowly and painfully. The girl then walked around the dungeon, then sat in the hayloft, peering into the blackness of the night. Whatever it was, but fatigue quickly overcame the young woman and she huddled in a corner, dozed off.

There was a creaking door. Harsh light illuminated the dark basement. Arabella terrified opened his eyes. At the door, in the shadows, stood a man, which goes on the wood, swaying the cane. French, barely breathing from fear, pressed her back to the dirty wall. The old man approached her, quietly, barely moving his feet.

«Who Are You? What do You need? – asked fearfully provincial.

– Don’t be afraid, "came the unknown voice. It sounded like from far away, from the impenetrable darkness.

– Why are You here? I am the innocent.

– Don’t worry. I’m not going to hurt you. I am an ordinary person, trying to show the right path those who have strayed from the true path and goes where the one light burning, surrounded by a sinister, impenetrable forest, but skips the road at the end of which light, joy, happiness, and the hot flames who burned the troubles. Remember, a small candle, which had lit one hand to put out easier than the fire burning thanks to a few touches. Therefore, look for a mutual, happy love, let it not even be sprinkled with gold, and with rural, poor hay. But unrequited passion, even made of diamonds and purple, will not bring peace, enjoyment and tranquility, but only to empty the soul, break the heart and, like an arrow, vague thoughts fill with memories of the past.

Arabella, scarcely breathing, listened to these precious, wise speech. The old man looked like a simple poor man, but he spoke true words of the philosopher.

– What do You mean? I am clean before God, "slowly drawled the girl.

Is now you clean and pure, but will take a little time, and you will be dressed in gold and diamonds. Proudly will wear silk and gold brocade, on his head – a crown of precious stones, silver tiaras, and delicate, like the petals of a flower ripe pomegranate, veils. On the neck of your hundreds of expensive pendants will hang at the hands of the machined ring and the bracelets jingle. But… your hands dirty in the red blood… With fingers dripping red liquid, which eclipsed the radiance of luxury. And pride… It will stifle the voice of conscience and justice.

– I’ll never shed the blood of innocent people. Nothing can drown out my conscience, proudly threw the young woman. Her voice sounded sad, but undisguised arrogance.

The old man with a sad half-smile whispered: «Look around. What do you see? It will happen to your soul.

The girl stared. Around her, on the floor, on the walls, on the hay lay jewelry, gold, silver, precious stones, gold coins. But Arabella, looking closely, saw in all this drops of fresh, red blood. She shone like autumn leaves in the afternoon sun, sparkled like stars in the night sky. Suddenly there was a deafening rumble, so strong that everything around trembled. The Duke’s daughter, saw a fire-breathing dragon that rises out of the ground. Because of the fear that breeds in the entire body, the girl couldn’t move. She had to consider only the old man who went into the shade, then filled all Hellfire…

Arabella de Frase squealing woke up. The old guy, the gold, the words, the dragon – it’s only a nightmare, a horrible dream. Young beauty with horror looked around. She was still in that dirty, damp dungeon. The Frenchwoman sighed. The girl didn’t know how much time you’ve been here, because the camera was always dominated by impenetrable darkness.

Again there was a deafening, obnoxious creak of the door and to jail someone silently entered. But it was not a dream but a harsh reality. In the shadows stood silent policeman, holding a copper bowl and a water bottle. Arabella stood up. She was no longer afraid that guards might kill her for disobedience. The worst thing is to stay in this chamber for a long time.

– How much time I will still be here? It is a prison ever end?

I’m just a guard and I know nothing. Only sir Albert de Germond can let You go. In the meantime, You just have to wait! "the man nodded.

– What to expect?

Or release or penalty, – with these words the policeman put a bowl of soup and slice of bread on a fresh haystack.

The day passed, the second… The guards wore Arabella food, basins for washing, but the girl couldn’t stand this confinement. No one except a few guards came to her. Unfortunately, those were silent, and only occasionally cast a glance at the Frenchwoman, like a criminal.

Early one morning in the prison he heard a commanding voice, and on the threshold appeared a young, gallant man, an aristocrat, dressed in the latest elegant French fashion. Everything in it seemed so harmonious and even a little corny, but this threatening sword, resting on the belt… Arabella shuddered from the silver Shine of a sharp blade.

– Miss Arabella, politely handed it to the stranger, removing his hat and bowing low.

«Who are You? – roughly threw the girl, turning away from the newcomer.

– Oh, Milady, you see, a courtesy You have not learned. Well, to do re-education of the rebellious maidens I’m not going. Therefore the answer to Your question: my name is Mr. Mocenigo, I am the chief Advisor and close friend of his Majesty the king of France Louis XIII. Great monarch gave the order to visit You before his arrival.

– To visit or to kill? – laughed the daughter of the Duke.

– Kill? I was just wondering, what have You done that are on death row?

– I and itself do not know, for what sins I now have to suffer. I didn’t do anything to lose his life. Kindly tell me when I can get out of here?

– When the king comes. Only the Lord has the right to release You, because on his initiative You languishing here.

– You know he’s gonna kill me…, – resignedly nodded the girl. Sir, said nothing, silently left the basement.

By evening, the young woman heard noises behind the wall. Leaning against the icy stone, she managed to overhear the conversation of two guards:

– Now comes the Louis. He was very angry, seeing his captive like this. Get her a new dress and a tub for bathing. Let them get cleaned up, "ordered the commander of the corps.

The girl sat on the floor. The mind didn’t want to see Louis but heart… After that fateful night, enough time has passed, but the wound is still bleeding.

Dressed in clean linen gown, a young woman nervously walked around the dungeon, nibbling, and so the cracked lip. Arabella with trepidation expecting that the camera will go silent executioners and blow her head off. The Duke’s daughter, heard distinct footsteps behind the door, Louis.

– Is she there?

– Yes, Your Majesty.

«Come with me, Albert.

The girl squared her dress and lightly combed hair. Anyway, the charming beauty wanted to look irresistible to monarch of France. The door, as if by magic, easily opened, and the camera proudly walked the son of Mary de Medici, whose face was carefully covered wide-brimmed hat.

– How dare you?! Who dared to put her in the hands of these terrible chains?! – suddenly furious cried the king.

– I’m sorry, sire, I now immediately withdraw, "the woman exclaimed quietly when her wrists snapped a little lock, and rough iron crashed down on the floor. Arabella rubbed his swollen wrist, removed the ginger, the stray lock of hair from the face, and when they were alone with the Lord, dared to speak proudly, not bothering to bow: – What happens sir? Your people attacked my house, tied me up, put on the face of the bag and threw it into the carriage. Then they brought in some kind of basement and who knows how long I languished in this barn. Please tell me why You were ordered to take me to this village?

Louis heartily laughed. But the young woman only grinned arrogantly. First time in her life she felt a real, unusual sympathy, even more, to a man of such high birth. Louis was a handsome, attractive man still quite young years. Slender body, brown eyes, curly, dark hair… The girl was crazy and scary that this handsome man had once possessed her, and she was in his bed. The French now saw before him a completely different person. Not authoritative, heartless king and a gentleman, capable of tender touches and gentle, kind words. This might be a strange feeling, such a timid, touching, sweet and bore the name of «Love».

Arabella smiled at his own thoughts and looked directly in Louis ' eyes that it was unlawful for any woman. But it did not offend the king, on the contrary, he came still closer to his captive, and quiet, smooth whispered, "You are an amazing girl, Arabella, just think that my men brought You in some backwater village. Actually You are in Paris, in the basement of my house. I was ordered to take You through the shortest path, so that Your brilliant mind did not understand, Mademoiselle.

– I’m in Paris? Oh, I think I understand. This here must be my death penalty?

– I’m not going to kill You, my lady. I love You…

– Love?.. weakly stammered the Duke’s daughter. The Bishop leaned over his slave, so close that their lips almost touched each other. The girl was afraid of this intimacy, but what could she do, if there is a fire of passion blazed in the soul stronger? The frail body went limp in the strong arms of a young man, Arabella had felt on his thin waist his stimulating touch.

– No need…, " said the pale lips of Arabella, trying to turn away from Louis broke out his face: – do Not need to do what then we both will regret…

– Oh, my beloved flower, why fight fate, if she wished to unite our hearts and give us blissful love? Beautiful…unique…my…

Young beauty closed her eyes and quietly mumbled: «Oh Almighty Lord, I have committed the sin, but he’s so sweet.» The Frenchwoman did not notice, as it appeared in the strong arms of the Lord. The man, slightly raising the girl, put her in the barn and was exciting to untie the laces on the corset. A hot shiver ran through the body of Arabella, and his head was spinning. Clasping his trembling hands to the neck of Louis, the young woman felt like drowning in a whirlpool of passion.