< previous page page_227 next page >

Page 227
Joanna was no frail flower, and her arm had been strengthened over the years by the chastisement of erring servants. Braybrook staggered back, blood spurting from his nose under the mask. Joanna brought her foot down with explosive force on that of her captor. He let out a howl that drew the attention of everyone on the boat. Unfortunately, his voice drowned Joanna's when his hand fell away from her mouth and she shrieked for Brian.
Good and bad are often intermingled. Although the dog did not hear his mistress, the cry fixed the attention of Braybrook's hirelings just long enough for Geoffrey's man to hook the vessels together. As the large boat tipped down toward the smaller craft, Geoffrey sprang aboard with the younger boatman just behind him. He'had time to disable one of the men still seated at the oars, but the other three turned almost simultaneously toward him, drawing their weapons. The boatman made a swipe at one with the oar he carried. It was an awkward weapon, however, and the swordsman avoided it easily, thrusting dangerously in riposte. Geoffrey parried a stroke by one of the others and slashed at the third with the backstroke. Aside from the brief clash of metal on metal, no one made a sound. Braybrook's men were too surprised, Geoffrey too choked with rage and fear.
Inside the cabin the tables had turned. Fury and energy notwithstanding, three men were more than a match for one girl. Joanna was again a prisoner, far more firmly and cautiously held than before. Unable to strike her across the face because of his man's gagging hand, Braybrook seized her tunic and tore downward. The cloth was well woven, but Braybrook's strength was increased by fury and the seams gave way at the shoulder and sleeve, baring Joanna nearly to the waist and leaving red wheals on her white skin where the pressure had been greatest. If Braybrook had assumed that pain and shame would cow Joanna, he was wrong. Twisting and struggling even more violently, she managed at last to fasten her teeth in the hand that gagged her. With an oath, the man let go.
"Brian!" Joanna shrieked, "Brian! Come!"

 
< previous page page_227 next page >