Restrained, page 11
Damn. He’d tried to help Matthew, and he’d made things worse for him instead. Robert started to struggle against his bonds again. He had to get the will and get Matthew out of Dixon’s reach at once.
Chapter 11
***
MATTHEW LOST TRACK OF TIME as he ran through the trees. He had a stitch in his side, and his breath was coming in pants. Fencing hadn’t prepared him for this kind of panicked sprinting. He’d slipped on the damp leaves more than once and was sure his legs were scraped from the falls and the surprising number of sharp things poking at him from the underbrush, but he didn’t really feel any of it. All he could think about was running towards what he hoped was help.
If he kept to the path, he ought to find Hensley House, and if he didn’t, eventually he would find the road and could follow it into town. There would be help at the inn perhaps, or some passerby, although what kind of passersby there would be at night he didn’t know. But he couldn’t spare much of a thought for that. He couldn’t spare much of a thought for anything but forcing his legs to move and trying to keep the sweat dripping down his face from running into his eyes.
The steady movement of his legs was becoming nothing more than a blur when he broke through the trees and tripped over a low wall, landing in a patch of freshly turned earth. It took a second for him to realize he’d stopped running and had reached someplace. He was trying to catch his breath enough to think about getting up when he felt a hand on his shoulder. His first reaction was to flinch away, but he controlled it as he had at Lord Dixon’s. The hand stayed still then gently squeezed his arm.
“Hold steady, lad. What’s wrong?”
Matthew looked up. The man seemed kind enough. Not like the servants at Dixon’s. He made no further move towards Matthew but kept watching at him with a gentle look of concern as he removed his overcoat.
“It’s all right, lad. I’m the gardener from Hensley House. Tell me what’s wrong.”
Hensley House. He’d made it. Sir Lionel Westin lived there. Uncle Neddy’s friend. He’d help. He had to. “Lord Dixon’s house, down the way. He’s holding Sir Robert Farnsdale there. It’s all my fault.”
The man didn’t bother with foolish questions. “Can you walk? Then come on.” He threw his coat over Matthew’s shoulders and started for the house.
Matthew was shaking by the time he followed the gardener through the garden door into Hensley House. He wondered what the gardener must think of him running naked and filthy through the woods. But he was helping. He hadn’t called him mad or turned him away or even asked anything not relevant. Matthew would get Sir Robert out of this mess, and that was worth sacrificing what little dignity he had left.
The room the man brought him to was small and neat, with muddy boots by the door and a large soft bed that looked inviting. “There are clean clothes in the chest over there. I think mine will fit better than Lionel’s, but you’ll still have to make do. Take whatever seems to fit you. I’m going to go look for Lionel. When you’ve found something to wear, take these stairs here, and you’ll be in his room. That’s where I’ll bring him when I’ve found him. All right?”
Matthew nodded. “Thank you.”
“Thank you for coming to us. It will all be fine. Can I tell him who you are?”
Matthew swallowed and tried to force out the words. “Lord Dixon has me for his concubine. He’s having a party now to break me in. My name is Matthew Greensleigh.”
The gardener didn’t seem surprised by any of it. “And I’m Jim. I won’t be long.” He patted Matthew’s shoulder and left the room.
As soon as he was alone, Matthew went to the chest and poked around. The gardener had said to find something clean, but as he knew he was far from clean himself, he took a set of grubby work clothes and tugged them on. He went to the stairs, which ended in a door that led directly into a bedroom.
The bedroom clearly belonged to Sir Lionel. It had the dark, heavy furniture of a man’s domain and the rich fabrics of someone with wealth. Matthew spotted a pitcher of water and some glasses on the nightstand and helped himself, hoping Sir Lionel would understand. He was on his second glass when the master of the house arrived.
Sir Lionel didn’t bother with pleasantries, although his voice was kind when he asked, “Jim says he found you out on the lawn?”
“Yes, sir.” Matthew had the immediate feeling that this was a man who would help him.
“I was checking on the new plantings to make certain no night critters were going to eat them. It happened to be the perfect spot for watching when your curtains were drawn, but that was pure coincidence.”
“Of course it was,” Sir Lionel said with a small grin. “But back to Robert. You said they tied him in the study?”
“That’s what Murdoc said, in case they needed to use the dungeon.”
Sir Lionel nodded and looked at Jim.
“I know where it is,” Jim said.
Sir Lionel nodded again. “All right, then it seems we’re ready, unless you can think of anything else?” He turned to Matthew.
Matthew wracked his brain but couldn’t think of anything useful. “There are about thirty men there, and I think they were all gathered together getting ready for...” He realized he couldn’t lie to them if they were planning to help Robert. “Getting ready to watch me perform.”
Jim nodded. “Right, if they haven’t noticed Matthew missing, they’ll still be there. Actually, if they’ve noticed him missing, Murdoc and Dixon will try to keep them there and hope they can find him. They’ll try to pass it off as part of the show, to give him harsher punishments. If you can keep the group in the main parlor, there shouldn’t be any trouble getting Sir Robert out. I assume that’s where they are? The room with the stage?”
Matthew nodded.
“It’s far enough away from the study to work.”
“They said he was tied up,” Matthew said, hoping he wasn’t out of turn.
“Then I’ll bring a knife.”
“Get what you need together, and I’ll have Garrett get the cart ready for us.” Sir Lionel looked at Matthew. “You can wait in here or in Jim’s room, wherever you’d be more comfortable.”
Matthew shook his head. “I’m coming with you. I know where he is. I know who’s there. I can help.”
Sir Lionel glanced at Jim, who shrugged. “All right. But get some boots. Jim’s will probably fit you better than mine.” Sir Lionel hurried out the door, and Jim led Matthew back down the stairs to his room.
{--*--}
Sir Lionel detailed his plan as they drove the short distance to Lord Dixon’s. “I’ll say I’ve had a report of smugglers in the area, and I’m obliged to check it out. I’m acting as magistrate while the proper one is visiting his mother, so no one will question it. Jim, you should be driving so you have an excuse to be there but not follow me in. Matthew, hide in the back here. I’ll try to keep the front door unlocked, if not, find any way in you can. When I have Dixon showing me something, you go for Robert. Get him out and back to the house however you can manage it. I’ll manage getting myself back. Don’t worry about that.”
“Right.” Jim took the reins from Sir Lionel and guided the cart up the walk.
Sir Lionel turned to Matthew. “I told Mrs. Barton, my housekeeper, to expect you and Robert, that your carriage had a problem. I was vague, so make up whatever you need to to get him inside.”
“Thank you,” Matthew whispered.
As Jim guided the cart up the drive to Beckwood Hall, Matthew flattened himself in the back of the cart and stayed still. If anything happened to either of these men because of him... But he had to get Sir Robert out. He felt Sir Lionel climb down from the cart. A few moments later, Matthew heard Sir Lionel knock on the door then the creak of the chain as he tried the bell. It seemed like a long wait, which Matthew realized was a good thing if there was no servant on the front door, but eventually he could hear Murdoc’s voice.
“Sir Lionel, I wasn’t aware that you were attending his lordship’s little entertainment.”
Matthew could scarcely believe the difference in the man’s attitude when faced with someone who was not a concubine.
“I’m afraid I’m not. I need to see Lord Dixon at once.”
“As you can see, he’s entertaining.”
“I’m afraid it can’t wait. I’ve received a report of smuggling in the area, so I’ll have to check on Lord Dixon and his whereabouts, as well as on your guests.”
Murdoc made a sound as though he was preparing to protest, but Sir Lionel didn’t give him the chance.
“I know it’s an inconvenience, but Mr. Perkins is supposed to be returning tomorrow, and I had hoped to get this taken care of before he returns. I would hate for him to think that I wasn’t taking my responsibilities as acting magistrate in his absence seriously. And if he has to come here tomorrow and investigate, when the trail has gone cold, well, he’ll think I’ve been shirking my duty in his absence.”
“Quite. Quite. I’ll find Lord Dixon for you.” From Murdoc’s change in tone, Matthew got the impression that the normal magistrate would not be as sanguine about the nature of Lord Dixon’s house party as Sir Lionel seemed to be.
Matthew shifted on the floor of the cart until he could see the light from the open door broken by Sir Lionel’s shadow. He was waiting in the doorway for Lord Dixon. The time seemed to stretch on, but Matthew knew it couldn’t really have been very long before he heard Lord Dixon’s voice.
“Westin, I wasn’t expecting you tonight.”
“I’m afraid it’s not a social call.” Matthew could see Sir Lionel’s shadow as he pushed the door closed.
Jim waited a few breaths then hopped down. “Stay here, lad. I won’t be long.”
Matthew crawled out of the cart. “I’m coming with you.”
“Now, lad...”
Matthew knew Sir Lionel might be able to keep Lord Dixon and the guests, and hopefully Murdoc, under control with his ruse, but there were still other servants roaming the halls, and they were looking for him, not Jim and probably not even Sir Robert escaping. “I’m coming,” Matthew hissed. “Either with you or following you, but I am coming.” If it came to it, he’d let himself be retaken so Jim could get Robert out, but he didn’t tell the man that.
Jim seemed to know that was what he meant, but he nodded and led the way to the front door. Jim pushed, and it opened a hair. Sir Lionel had managed to leave it unlocked. Jim peered around the edge of the door then opened it enough to slip through. Matthew followed, pulling the door closed behind him. Jim looked around then motioned for Matthew to follow him down the hallway to the left. Matthew recognized it as the one he had been taken down the first day he’d been in the house.
They didn’t encounter anyone until they were at the last crossing before the study, where the hallway from the main rooms met the one they were in. Jim glanced quickly down it then pushed Matthew back. Jim led him down the hallway until they were able to hide in the last bend.
“It’s Balford,” he whispered.
Matthew knew the stable master was looking for him. “Can we go past?”
Jim shook his head. “The study is the first door on the other side of the crossing. If he didn’t see us as we slipped past, he’d notice us trying to open the door. I’m assuming it’s locked. I could get it open, but it would take a minute or two and I don’t think we’d go unnoticed for that long. We’ll have to try the windows.”
“I’ve been in the study. The windows are locked from the inside. We’d have to break one to get in.”
“I know.”
Matthew swallowed. “Balford will hear us and come.” It was his fault that Sir Robert was in this mess. And now was his chance to get him out of it. He pulled his borrowed shirt over his head. “Give me a minute to distract him then get Sir Robert out.”
“I’m sure there’s something we can use outside, maybe pry them open instead of breaking them.”
Matthew shook his head. “No, if he catches me, he’ll be distracted.” Matthew started pulling off his borrowed trousers. “Go free Sir Robert. I’ll be all right.”
Jim started to protest then patted his arm. “I’ll come for you. Don’t worry.”
“Get Robert out first.” He waited until Jim nodded, and although he wasn’t certain the gardener would listen to him, he knew it was the best he could do. He waited until Balford had turned the corner then slipped into the hallway. He scrambled for the opposite end of the long hallway from Balford. When he was far enough down it that Jim would be able to sneak by Balford if Balford took the bait, Matthew bumped into a table, softly, just enough to make a sound but not enough to be obvious. He froze as if he were hoping no one had heard him. He felt rather than saw Balford turn. He knew it had worked when he heard heavy footsteps in the hall. He crouched behind the table as if he were trying to hide. When Balford was standing over him, he risked a look up through his hair.
Balford was standing over him, leering down at him. “What have we here? And how did you get so dirty, hmm? Trying to find a way out through the garden?”
Matthew wasn’t sure how to answer, so he pressed himself back against the wall, hoping he looked small and frightened.
Balford tangled his fingers in Matthew’s hair. “So you thought you could make a run for it, hmm? I’ll remember that. When I’ve got you in the stables, I’ll have to come up with some restraints for you. That should be easy enough. There’s a set of stocks there, and I can always lock you in a stall or chain you to the door.” He kept tangling his fingers in Matthew’s hair, pulling on it whenever he thought Matthew was looking away. “Now your mouth is free, does that mean I can use it, I wonder? Four days is such a long time to wait.” He ran one dirty finger along Matthew’s bottom lip. “But I don’t want to spoil his lordship’s game. No, I heard about you using your hands. Quite the show. I think that will be enough for now. Go on. I know you know what to do.”
Matthew closed his eyes and tried to think fast. He would certainly do whatever Balford wanted to buy Jim time to get Sir Robert out, but if he complied too quickly, Balford would know something was wrong, and if he dragged it out, it would give Jim and Sir Robert more time. He stayed frozen until he felt Balford pull on his hair then reluctantly went up on his knees in front of the man.
Balford poked him with one filthy boot. “Come on. You know what to do.”
Matthew made his hand shake as he unbuttoned Balford’s breeches and released his cock. He ran his fingers along the length, trying to keep the man distracted from anything in the room beyond. Balford tugged on his hair as he ran his hands up and down the man’s length, trying to apply the right amount of pressure, trying to keep his mind focused only on him. He heard a sound from the study like a drawer crashing to the floor and redoubled his efforts, managing to gasp out, “So thick,” as he wrapped his hand around Balford’s cock.
“Want that in you, eh?” Balford panted.
Matthew could hear movement in the room and tried to cover it. “So thick, it would stretch me too far.”
“They’ll loosen you up at the party,” Balford panted. “Then I get that nice little arse, all red and hot for me.” That seemed to be his undoing, and he came, spraying his load across Matthew’s face and chest.
Matthew could still hear movement in the study. What was taking them so long? He tried to distract Balford from it. “And all this in me? How will I...?” Matthew trailed off in surprise.
One moment Balford was standing over him, the next he was crumpled on the floor. Matthew looked up to find Sir Robert standing there with a fireplace poker in his hand, staring at him with the most unreadable expression on his face.
“Good work distracting him,” Jim said and dropped the borrowed clothes he’d retrieved in front Matthew. “Put those on quick. I’ll look in the front hall.”
Matthew grabbed up the clothes and got to his feet, pulling on the trousers as he did. Sir Robert put the poker down on the floor and helped Matthew sort out the clothing as quickly as possible, doing up the buttons on the trousers while Matthew got the shirt over his head then helping him sort out the sleeves. Sir Robert left him to finish righting his clothes and followed Jim to the end of the hallway.
Matthew trailed after them, taking a quick inventory of Sir Robert as they walked. If any harm came to Robert because of him... But Sir Robert seemed all right. His clothing was rumpled, and there was a tear in his sleeve, but nothing that wouldn’t have been done in a normal sort of fight. He seemed to limp a bit and favor one leg, but if he had been tied up, that could have caused it. It seemed to be improving as he walked. It was so much easier to focus on worrying about Sir Robert’s well-being. If he kept all his attention on getting Sir Robert safely out of Lord Dixon’s and into Sir Lionel’s house, he wouldn’t have to dwell on the look Sir Robert had given him when he’d seen him on his knees before the stable master. He’d looked so shocked, so frankly disgusted by what he saw, Matthew knew there was no way the man could look at him and not remember Balford’s spend smeared across his chest. There was no chance for anything between them now, not that there had ever been, but he had hoped maybe a friendship. Robert had seemed ready to suggest they meet to practice with foils. It would have been something, more than he had now.
Jim glanced over his shoulder and saw they were both there. He nodded in the direction they had come then started down the hallway without waiting for them. Matthew and Sir Robert followed him silently, pausing whenever Jim did to look down side hallways or listen for footsteps. They didn’t encounter anyone else as they reached the front door.
Once outside, Jim pointed towards the woods. “Start back on foot. Murdoc’ll notice if I’m not here with the cart. I don’t know how long Lionel will be able to keep them busy, but he’ll give you as long as he can.”
Sir Robert nodded. “My horse is in the stables. From the White Hart.”
