Journey to Joy Page 2

  The gentleman patted his horse proudly, looking at her with a gleam of interest.

  Joy withered under his scrutiny. Her lip had begun to swell and there were bruises on her body that had started to fade but told of other incidents of painful treatment.

  “This is one of his great great great grandsons.” He puffed out his chest as he scratched his horse's head.

  Joy gaped at the magnificent animal and reached forward to touch him. Her hand snapped back before she could.

  She was filthy and had a job to do.

  “Would you like a tankard of water? It is the only thing I would ingest from here.” She snapped her mouth shut. She shouldn't be so bold.

  “Yes. The day is hot.”

  Joy scurried through the tavern with the empty plate and worked the pump again. Sweat beaded on her forehead from the heat of the afternoon. The muscles in her back burned before the cool water began gushing out. The well was low because along with the cool water, dirt swirled in the bucket.

  Back in the kitchen, she poured the water through a piece of cheesecloth, getting rid of most of the unsightly debris.

  “What yer doin’, little wench?” the innkeeper snarled. “There be customers to be served.”

  She felt his hot, putrid breath on the back of her head. It sent chills down her spine. She kept herself still.

  “Just taking care of the gentleman outside.” There was a slight tremble in her voice. The man scared her and he took pleasure in it.

  “Jus’ see to it that ya dinna neglect the res’ of me guests,” he sneered and tugged on a tangled strand of her hair. He seemed to enjoy that entirely too much.

  Joy averted her eyes as she turned around. “Of course not.”

  Guests? Ha.

  The more she was outside, the less she wanted to return to the smoke-filled tavern. The gentleman was tightening the saddle's girth, making ready to leave, and Joy almost begged him to take her.

  Anywhere would be preferable to here.

  She wasn't sure how much more of this she could take.

  In the month she had been here, she had been subject to the moods of her owner and had been made sport of by his patrons. She had more bruises on her body now than she had ever had in her whole life, and she was constantly waiting for more blows to rain down on her.

  She handed the tankard over to the customer, who drained it in one draught. He wiped his mouth, un-genteel like, with his sleeve.

  “My thanks.” He handed her a silver coin.

  Joy stared at it. “This is too much money.”

  “Make change. And fetch me your owner.” He left no doubt in her mind that he was used to being obeyed immediately.

  “Is there anything amiss?” Her voice trembled.

  “No.” He lowered his head, a smile appearing on the aristocratic lips. “I just want to commend him for his excellent help.”

  Joy hadn't expected that and as she hurried toward the tavern, she turned her head to glance at him over her shoulder. She ran smack into the master who blocked the doorway. She hastily scrambled out of his reach. Just being near him caused her stomach to turn.

  “Yer refresh’d then, sire?” His eyes gleamed greedily as Joy passed him the silver coin.

  The gentleman's steely eyes flashed with heat, then turned as cold as the sun on the shortest day of the year.

  “Indeed. I would like to make a proposal. I wish to purchase this maid. Name your price.”

  Joy stumbled backward a step or two. And here she had thought that perhaps this man was different. She had to learn to read people better.

  “Aye, lo’d. She be a migh’y fine additi’n to dem other girls. Ye ‘ave good taste, sir.” The innkeeper’s face lit up with a lecherous sneer as he licked his lips and brushed a hand over her tangled hair.

  “What?” The customer jerked backward as if struck by the words. “No, you misunderstand. I find myself in need of a companion for my elderly mother.”

  It was like someone dumped a bucket of ice water over her. Goosebumps covered her from head to toe.

  Not again.

  Joy's heart began to race, pumping the blood faster and faster throughout her body. Her breathing became shallow and her muscles became taut as everything inside her screamed for her to run as fast as she could, while the two men were deciding her future.

  “Ow!” Now the innkeeper’s face took on a different gleam. He puffed out his chest and slipped his fingers through his tattered suspenders. Looking at her, he sucked his teeth. “I purchast 'er for a fair price, ya unnerstand. I've grown right fond of 'er.” He grabbed her hair again, forcing her to look at him. “She don’t cost you much, works ‘ard, an’ is a customer fav’rit’.”

  She whimpered and pressed her lips together tightly. Hadn't he just hit her because she spilled the drink?

  A thought entered her mind, bringing hope. If she were sold, she might be able to get away. She could easily manage to slip into the surrounding fields, whether the man was riding a fast thoroughbred or not.

  “Of course she is.”

  The customer took out a leather purse and weighed it. He seemed to consider his burden. He threw it toward the innkeeper, who snatched it out of the air with surprising agility.

  He would. There were few things he loved in life, and money was at the top of his list. Her owner's eyes glinted greedily. He scratched his scruffy face and let his gaze roam over her leisurely.

  “Aye. ‘Tis a nice chunk of change fer sure, me lo'd. But it got me thinkin'... ‘Tis naught ‘alf of what she’s worth.” He licked his lips and drew her against him, holding her tight.

  A rancid stench enveloped her and she gagged silently.

  The customer scoffed. “Surely, you jest. See this animal here?” He pointed toward the stallion, nibbling on a leaf. “I could purchase him twice over for the price you suggest and he has the purest breeding of any of my horses. He is a masterpiece. Take your money. Give me the maid and let's be done with this. The day is getting on. I have a ways to travel.”

  Joy's legs wobbled and gravity threatened to pitch her forward if she hadn't been held in place by a meaty arm. She had just been compared to an animal and found wanting. A sob burned in her throat and she bit her lip hard, as her heart, the little that was intact, broke into a million pieces. She forced whatever strength she didn't have to keep upright.

  No matter what anybody may think about her, she would stand tall. She may not be worth as much as a thoroughbred horse, but she was not going to show any more weakness.

  Slowly, she managed to lift her chin up, to meet her new owner's gaze.

  “Besides, it's a sin to own another person and to treat them like an animal.” The gentleman's eyes narrowed dangerously. “I know a few very influential people who could make your life miserable.”

  Joy was propelled harshly toward him and stumbled against his horse. Throwing his head as if disgusted at her touch, he skidded away. His owner put a hand on his neck to steady him.

  “Take 'er. She's yer trouble now.” The innkeeper grinned evilly and tossed the heavy purse into the air and caught it again expertly. “Pleasure doin' business with ya, sir.” A sneer appeared on his face as he turned back toward the tavern.

  “Do you have any belongings you wish to take?” The voice that cut through the fog was not unkind anymore.

  Joy stared at her new master. She squared her shoulders, one thought pressing her forward.

  “No.” The less she carried, the quicker her getaway.

  “Then we best leave.” Climbing onto his horse, he tightened the reins just enough to keep the stallion from bolting down the road. The horse pricked his sculptured ears. “Do you know how to ride?”

  The muscles in her shoulders became as hard as rocks.

  “Yes.”

  She stared at the hand he held out to her, and shook her head once. If she mounted behind him, she wouldn't get away as easily. This way, she could let him get ahead and she'd simply slip into the surrounding brush and vanish.

  “We have a considerable distance to cover. It would be advantageous for you to ride. You would only slow us down. I plan on arriving home today. Please.”

  Something in his voice made her raise her eyes. His face, scar and all, was kind. Gone was the arrogance, the hardness with which he had dealt with the innkeeper.

  “Oye, ya takin' 'er or not?” The innkeeper leaned leisurely against the door frame, counting his money. “I'm in the mind ta charge ya fer takin' up space. Ya changed yer mind already, me lo'd? May 'ave me a riot in there. Them clients be mighty fond of 'er.”

  The lecherous sneer caused a violent tremble to crawl up her body and Joy grabbed the offered hand. Placing her foot into the empty stirrup, she easily swung her leg over the back of the sleek horse, and settled behind her new master. More fabric ripped but she didn't bother to give it another thought.

  She was leaving this stench-filled tavern behind one way or another. The horse pranced underneath, reminding her of the rides she had taken in the past. The sudden jolt of speed caused her to lose her balance and her arms flailed in the air.

  Her lips parted as she sucked in a deep lungful, imagining herself plunging underneath the pounding feet. She refused to put her arms around the man who had purchased her.

  “You may want to hold on.”

  “This is not my first ride” She gritted her teeth together and bit out the words.

  “Suit yourself.” He didn't seem to care one way or another.

  The road was uneven and the stallion tripped over the ruts and divots. Her seat slipped, throwing her dangerously out of balance. Reluctantly, she clutched the jacket of the rider in front of her. She could feel the power in his stride. It didn't take long until she began to enjoy the ride and relaxed.

  ANDREW LLOYD-FOXX FOCUSED on keeping his tense stallion from bolting down the uneven ground. The exchange at the inn had caused him to nearly lose his temper. Anger still churned in his gut, making his muscles as tight as a bowstring, ready to let loose the arrow. Perhaps it would strike the innkeeper between his greasy brow. That would be worth it.

  His horse was taking advantage of his unease. The stallion wouldn't hesitate to dump both his riders unceremoniously onto the road. As Andrew forced his body to relax, he slowed his breathing down to a more normal level, released the tautness in his belly, and let his corded shoulder muscles loosen up.

  He had to get over his fury that this woman had been kept as an animal. He had a problem with men keeping slaves in general. When he had stumbled into the kitchen and had witnessed the near-beating of the slight woman behind him in the saddle, he had come close to exploding.

  That anger still remained with him until he consciously released it.

  The horse slowed down all by himself.

  The stallion threw his head repeatedly as he pranced along the road, anticipating for Andrew to allow his emotions to surface again.

  He cleared his throat to break the ice. “I regret the words I used when completing the purchase. I meant no disrespect. I had every reason to believe that the man would try to get more money out of me. I don't like to be extorted. Besides, if he had asked for more, I would have been forced to leave you.”

  They had reached the main road, which was much smoother. He slowed the stallion down to a walk and the tiny woman behind him let go.

  “You compared me to your horse.” Anger and hurt came to the surface with the whispered statement.

  Andrew cleared his throat, regretting what he had said. “I did what was necessary. I wasn't going to leave that place without you. I don't like injustice.”

  She snorted sarcastically. “How do you live, then? There is injustice everywhere!”

  Andrew took a deep breath and sent his horse back into a ground-covering canter. His unexpected traveling companion exhaled sharply and held on tightly.

  He marveled at his horse's speed, which never failed to take his breath away.

  When he slowed the stallion back to a walk, Andrew patted his neck. “Good boy.”

  The woman behind him – he hadn't even had the decency to ask for her name – shifted uncomfortably and released her grip. How could he have compared her to a horse?

  Andrew could hear his mother scolding him even now. It caused a frown to form on his face.

  “What do you want with me?” Her question took him by surprise, as did the lack of emotion behind it.

  “Uh... What do you mean?”

  “I don't think you purchased me as a companion to your mother. What do you really want with me?”

  He stretched his neck at the insinuation, his gut clenching tightly. The horse sensed his tension and tossed his head in anticipation.

  “I have no use for you. You are free to go. Slavery is a vile practice and I don't have any intention of holding you against your wishes.”

  He heard a gasp behind him. As the last word left his mouth, he realized how bad it sounded.

  “What?”

  He cleared his throat and stretched his jaw, searching for better words to convey what he wished to tell her. “I have no need of you.”

  “Stop the horse.”

  “Excuse me?”

  JOY HAD BEEN BIDING her time, waiting for the right moment. Feeling the tension inside mount to a breaking point, she had picked her spot. Swinging her leg over the back of the horse, she jumped down. Regrettably she was not ten years old anymore and, as she landed, she lost her balance. Her rear end ended up in a very warm, mushy mound of animal manure.

  Heat exploded and made her cheeks burn. The man on the horse turned and his face twisted not with mirth but with concern. Her humiliation would have been easier to handle if he had laughed at her.

  Joy lowered her head and hid it in her arms. Tears fell rapidly, mixing with dirt, shame, and scum. She sat in the warm pile of manure, flies buzzing angrily around her.

  This was her life. How very appropriate.

  Her new owner dismounted and squatted in front of her.

  “I mean you no harm.”

  His kind voice gave her the courage to look up. Warm, gray eyes focused solely on her face. He held her gaze for longer than was comfortable, making her cheeks burn some more. Suddenly even more conscious of her dilapidated state, Joy tucked the remainder of her tattered skirt around her legs and shifted away. The ground beneath her squished and she couldn't quite hold in the groan.

  “Here. Take a drink.”

  She stared at the silver flask he offered and shook her head. No way, no how.

  “Go on. It's a hot day. I'm sure you're thirsty.”

  The way he spoke with a slight reference to British aristocracy, each word enunciated precisely, caused a shiver to travel up her spine and across her shoulders. When he shook the flask at her again, she gingerly took it with her fingertips and inclined it to allow the water to flow into her throat.

  “Thank you.”

  “Do you have a home to go to?”

  She shook her head and stared over his shoulder at the handsome horse.

  The thought of home caused her eyes to burn. Her parents had sent her away, after all, expecting her to make something out of herself. She couldn't return to them is such a state of utter disgrace.

  “I.. What you see is the culmination of my worldly possessions,” she finally said softly.

  Her new master gave a swift nod and lowered himself onto the grass she had missed by inches. He roughed his hand over his face.

  “Then I propose this. You come with me, rest, and regain your strength. Then you are free to go wherever you want. I will not hold you back.”

  Joy snorted sarcastically. “You don't need to pretend. I will work for you, to pay you back the purchase price.”

  He shook his head. “I have enough other servants who are well compensated for their service.”

  Ouch. Another put-down. “Of course you do.”

  Her benefactor grimaced and rose. “I meant to say that if you would like to stay to work for me, you'll be compensated as all the rest of my staff. You don't owe me anything.” He offered his hand. “It is time to go. As I said, we are a long way from home.”

  Instinctively, Joy drew away, leaving his hand hanging in the air. Clearing his throat, he finally let it fall to his side.

  “I cannot possibly mount your horse. I'm sitting in manure. I reek.” Her nose wrinkled in disgust.

  To her surprise, his lips twitched into a bright smile as he gave an exaggerated whiff.

  “I have to admit, you do have an interesting odor about you. I doubt it would bother my horse, though. But perhaps you would feel better if we purchased you something to wear in the next village we pass through.”

  Joy gaped. “Neither you nor I have any money, sir.”

  “Oh!” Grinning sheepishly, he patted his jacket and slipped his hand inside. He pulled out a small purse, jingling it. “I forgot about this.”

  “I can't possibly ask more-”

  “Stop.” His voice and face were tight. He mounted his horse and held his hand out to her. The steely gray stare commanded her to rise. “Get on!”

  3

  AFTER A SHORT WHILE, Andrew purchased fresh berries from a farm that was located just outside a small town. The farmer's wife seemed chatty enough, so he inquired as to where to purchase a dress. Her eyes slipped to his traveling companion. It hit him then that he still hadn't asked after her name.

  “The tailor's house is at the end of the village, the yellow one. His shingle is over the door.”

  “Perhaps he has some ready-made dresses for purchase,” he said hopefully.

  “He may. Lately, he's been making them faster, with the help of one of them newfangled sewing machines.” The woman clicked her tongue to the roof of her mouth, showing her skepticism. “Not sure if the dress will be any good.”

  Andrew nodded his thanks and remounted his stallion. Not much later, he pulled into the shade of a large willow tree beside a small brook. He turned around toward the girl.

  “Wait here while I go into town to find the tailor.”

  His horse would need some rest from carrying two riders for an extended amount of time. She seemed only too happy to jump off.