Page 35 of My Highland Fling
Her mother stalked from the room.She spoke with the guard visible outside the door.“Keep the door locked unless the maids are taking meals to Gabrielle.Guard her well.If she escapes, you’d better run too because the punishment will be severe.”
Chapter 17
No Chance of Escape
Gabrielle’srecoverywasslow,and it took a day for the aches and pains and the throb in her head to subside.A bruise formed on her face where her mother had whacked her, and she bore numerous others on her limbs and torso.Gabrielle slept a lot, and during her waking hours, she observed, she listened, she plotted.
An escape from this marriage.
She was of age and an adult.Surely they couldn’t force her to marry this man, Adrik Popov?What if she refused?Gabrielle pressed her face into her pillow.A maid sat in the corner, her needles clacking as she industriously knitted.The woman never spoke to her, but she chatted with the guard when he made his hourly check to ensure Gabrielle’s presence.Mostly, she pretended to sleep since they were chattier this way, and she’d learned a few things.
The wedding would occur in the palace chapel with only the Herbert family and Adrik Popov’s connections present.No formal celebrations or announcements.As far as Konstavia residents were aware, Gabrielle would disappear.Her parents would inform anyone who made persistent queries their daughter had quietly wed the man she loved.Tired of the negative publicity and the nosy interest, she was withdrawing from public life.
The guards and servants had heard of Adrik Popov and their opinions varied.Some assumed him to be the mafia head in Russia, while others pooh-poohed the exaggeration.It was true he’d married more than once and suffered extraordinary bad luck with wives.Some whispered he’d murdered them.Others thought they’d killed themselves.Gabrielle wasn’t clear what to make of this.
A dart of pain in her belly had her sliding her hand down to cupher abdomen.Cramps.From experience, she knew it was best to take painkillers now before the twinges became worse.Her monthly trial.She grimaced into her pillow.How would her soon-to-be husband react to his bride having her period?
Gabrielle pushed herself off her bed and shuffled toward the en suite.She rifled through the medicine cabinet, popped two painkillers, and followed them with a glass of water.
Her bedroom door flew open, and her parents strode in with Harold.Harold carried a camera.
Her father scowled at her.“You look disgusting.Why haven’t you showered and applied makeup to cover that bruise?You,” he barked at the servant.“Make her presentable enough for Harold to take photos.One hour.”Her father turned to her mother.“Pick an outfit for her that will photograph well.You have one hour to perform a miracle because we can’t afford to lose our fish.”
Her father dismissed Gabrielle with one of his disdainful glances that had scared her as a child and still sent chills down her spine.That look saidfollow my instructions or face the repercussions.
“I’ll choose an outfit.Something to show off your chest but to hide your backside and chunky thighs.You!Put her in the shower and wash her hair.We’ll blow dry it and leave it loose.I believe Adrik prefers long hair.We need to package her in the way Adrik favors.”
“Yes, your majesty.”The servant jumped into action and grasped Gabrielle’s arms.“Let’s go.”
Gabrielle didn’t bother arguing.A waste of breath.No, she’d wait and watch and seize the first decent opportunity to escape.Her mind kept straying to Ramsay and her last sight of him lying on the bedroom floor of the cottage.Had he been dead?She didn’t know, and they weren’t letting her watch television or use her devices.Then there was Tilly.Hopefully, her parents weren’t aware of Tilly’s location because Gabrielle couldn’t live with her conscience if something happened to her.
Perhaps her parents were right, and she was selfish, only thinking of herself.She’d been born into a life of service.It was her responsibility to serve her country.Yeah, right.That was complete bullshit.Her parents wanted their luxurious lifestyle, which, for some unknown reason, had come to a standstill.She didn’t understand their problems, didn’t care.That they expected Gabrielle to fix their troubles for them aggravated her big time.
The servant practically ripped off Gabrielle’s robe and nightie and thrust her into the shower in the en suite.
“Hurry,” the woman spat.“I don’t want a beating because you played precious.”
“They punish you?”
“Either that or withhold wages.Why do you think the staff turnover is so high?”
Gabrielle had wondered but hadn’t come to conclusions.The threat of physical blows or forfeiting their wages would incentivize servants.The servant’s fear communicated itself to Gabrielle, and she hastened to follow instructions.She hated knowing others might suffer for her transgressions.Already, she’d unknowingly dragged Ramsay and Tilly into this mess.
Gabrielle pushed aside her aches to wash and condition her long hair and rapidly cleanse herself with a citrus body gel.Five minutes later, she was out of the shower and drying herself.
“I’ll get your lingerie.”The servant showed no sympathy.Her chilly expression spoke of disinterest.“Start your makeup and do a good job.I can’t afford to lose this position or my wages.”
Gabrielle didn’t reply but set to work.She covered the multi-colored bruise on one side of her face with concealer, then applied foundation.When the servant returned, her face appeared more normal, and she received a grudging nod of approval.
“Not bad,” the servant said.
Gabrielle didn’t even know her name.“What’s your name?”
“Don’t even think about getting buddy-buddy with me and asking me to help you escape,” the woman snarled in a fierce undertone.“No way in hell I’d help you.No way.Your father has threatened to kill anyone who dares.”
“Kill?”
“Bah!Hurry.I don’t want to land on the wrong side of the queen, either.”
