Meeting Him

"No! No! Release me! I beg you----" Celestine's piercing scream of terror was abruptly muffled as the bugger of ger two attackers clamped a grimy hand across her mouth. She struggled frantically as they dragged her accros the road into a gap in the hawthorn hedge,

"Hold still, you minx!" Ordered the second rogue, his eyes glittering cruelly in the gathering darkness. "Now, lets see what pretty trinkets you have to offer me."

Celestine's heart pounded with the fear as she felt his rough hands wrench aside her cloak and finger the soft skin of her unadorned throat. She winced with the pain as he seized her wrists, bruising them in feverish search for valuable rings and bracelets.

"Nothing!" he spat, flinging her hands down in disgust. "I'll be dashed uf I can find so much silver pin on the girl."

Celestine sent up a prayer of thanks that all Verney family plate and jewelry was at this very moment being cleaned, ready for the arrival tomorrow of her brother Charles at his bride three months

She squirmed violently as the big rogue whirled her round to face him. Although she could not see his expression in the gloom if the March night, nevertheless, she could sense his fury and frustration.

Frightened though she was, Celestine remained a girl of great courage and spirit. Tossing back her golden curls, she said boldly: "Release me this instant, you scoundrel! As you see I have no money or jewels on my person. And I assure you, when my father The Earl of Waverley, comes to hear about this----"

"Hold you tongue!" shouted the ruffian, gripping her tightly by the shoulders.

He went on, his voice laced with malice, "I'm not partial to having my time wasted. As you have no jewels to offer me, my pretty lady, I've a mind to steal something far more valuable instead!

He pulled Celestine toward him, plunging his calloused handa inside her cloak. Already, she could feel his got, sour breath on her face. Frantic, she tried to jerk away, but he retained a firm grip on her dress, ripping the flimsy muslin bodice as he fling her roughly to the ground.

The other rouge laughed coarsely. " Go on.

Give the ***** what she deserves. Then I'll have my turn!"

The man knelt over her, his breath coming in short, rapid pants as he clawed rhe top of her skirt

Celestine gathered up all her courage and strength. Wildly lashing out with her walking boot, she kicked him harrd on the shin while screaming at the top of ger voice, "Help! Help!"

Her desperate cry died away in the still evening air. There was no one, it seemed, in this deserted country lane to hear or care about the plight of the Lady Celestine Verney.

Throughly maddened by Celestine's kick, the man muttered grimly to his comoanion, "Hold ger down. I've a mind to tame this wild cat...and at the same time teach her a lesson she'll never forget."

Celestine opened her mouth to scream again, but a hand was pressed roughly across her lips. Tears of despair stung her eyes as she was pinned to the ground and hands began to tear at her dress. She was trapped! There was no escape now from a fate worse tahn death.

But, as if by miracle, came to welcome sound of a horse, galloping fast toward them. Cursing, the two blackguards released Celestine and rushed into the middle of the road.

Looking up, hardly able to believe her eyes, Celestine saw the silhouette of a large man on horseback thundering down on the two ruffians. The man wasted no time. With a blood curding cry, he drew his sword stick and smashed it into the face of one of the rouges.

A high-pitched screech of pain followed as the blood from his broken nose steamed down the man's chin. Celestine's resuer paid him no further heef. Jerking hus bridle, he maid his horse rear and kicked the other rouge hard in the chest. Winded, the scoundrel reeled bask gasping for breath.

The mysterious stranger raised his sword stick again, but Celestine's attackers were in no mind to wait for more punishment. Muttering a stream of vicious oaths, they divided through the gap in the hedge and stumbled off across the fields, to disappear fast into the night.

Celestine scrambled to her feet, holding her cloak tightly around her to hide her torn dress. She felt shaken, but unafraid in the presence if ger gallant rescuer.

He laid gentel hand on her shoulder. "I heard you cry out. Are you hurt?" His deep, cultured voice scounded strangely muffled.

Celestine shook her golden straight hair. "I am unhurt. But if you had not arrived when you did pened. How can I ever thank you?"

"You should not venture out after dark by yourself," he admonish her gravely.

"I know," replied Celestine, bitting her lip. "I had taken some nourishing brawn to one if the farmer's wives... She had just been delivered if her sixth child. I fear I mistook the time."

Let's continue the story in Next Chapter!

Thank you for reading!

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