The Marquis' Mystical Witch (BookStrand Publishing Romance) (35 page)

“Back again. I told you to come tomorrow.”

“I decided I can’t wait.” Wulf flashed a bigger wad of money at the man. “Come on, just another short visit.”

The man eyed him and then nodded. “Not long, and when I say go, this time I mean it.”

“Right, no problem. I understand.” Wulf stepped inside, clenching his cane hidden under his full cape.

Thea raised her head. “Wulf,” she whispered.

The key grated against the lock, and the door swung open. Wulf flipped the lock on his cane, turned and pointed the long knife at her captor’s throat. “Unlock her now,” he commanded.

Reluctantly, the guard shuffled toward Thea. Wulf pricked the skin of his throat to encourage him along and the man moved quicker. When they reached Thea, the guard freed her from the pole.

When the locks came off, she fell into Wulf's arms. He held her against his side and kept the knife close to the guard. He started edging toward the opening to the cell.

“No, wait, don’t forget the others. I can’t go without them,” Thea said.

“We’ll send back others to rescue them.”

“At least bring Madeline with us. I have to know she is safe. Please.” Her eyes beseeched him, and Wulf knew he couldn’t refuse her anything. He directed the guard to release Madeline. .

The guard glared, but he started to move toward Madeline.

“Well.” The deep voice caught everyone’s attention.

“He took me unawares.”

“Lord Radford, you have been sticking your nose into my business. Beckett told me of your visit.” Akers stood, feet apart, with a pistol in his hand. “What a pity. Now I have to kill you and Madeline.”

“You wouldn’t dare,” Thea said.

“Oh, I would most surely dare. The papers will say several prisoners’ broke loose, and in the fight, Lord Radford, who was making a clandestine visit, was mortally wounded along with one of the very sick patients.”

He walked toward Thea and Wulf. He held his gun to Wulf’s temple. “Don’t worry, I shan’t kill her, at least not until I get bored. Step away from her!”

Reluctant to let Thea go, Wulf decided for the moment it was best. He watched as Akers dragged her by the arm across the room.

No one moved as he waved the gun around. “Archer,” he motioned to the guard. “Go get your rifle.”

Wulf waited, alert for any chance to use the knife he’d quickly hidden in the folds of his cape. In all the confusion, no one mentioned it. He saw Thea was alert for any chance to help.

“You can’t get away with this. Someone will know and tell,” Thea said.

“My men are loyal,” he answered, not taking his eyes from Wulf.

Thea yanked her arm out of Akers’ grasp, crouched down and pivoted. Akers bent over to snatch her back up when Wulf charged him and sank the knife into Akers’ left side.

“Well, what have we here?” The guard had his rifle leveled at them.

“Shoot him,” Lord Akers groaned from the floor.

Wulf grabbed Akers’ gun from where it had dropped by his foot. Bullets rang out. A stunned look of surprise crossed the guard’s face as he fell. Wulf staggered back and felt blood run down his arm. Jeffrey stepped out of the dark corridor.

“Well, you took your time about getting here,” Wulf said, a pained grin on his face.

“I tried to follow Akers, but he lost me at one point. When I circled around I ran into Bailey.”

“Call a doctor, Jeffrey and the authorities. Gently she removed the gun from Wulf’s tight grasp. “You can let go now. We’re safe, thanks to you.”

Bright sunlight coming in her window woke her. Wulf sat by her bed, holding her hand.

“You shouldn’t be out of bed,” she said eyeing his bandaged arm.

“It’s just a small wound. I had to be here. I don’t want to let you out of my sight.”

Her hand reached out and caressed the scarred side of his face. “You’re so tired. Go and sleep. I’m fine.”

“I slept a little. I’ll bathe and change while you talk to your visitor.”

“I have a visitor?”

“Madeline is anxious to speak with you.”

“Thank you for bringing her here. I do want to see her.”

Wulf went to the door, said something and came back to her bedside. He reached into his pocket and pulled out her ring. “This led me to you.” He kissed the ring and slid it on her finger.

Thea held her hand against her chest and tears welled in her eyes. “Thank you,” she whispered.

Leaning down, he brushed his lips across hers then he walked to their adjoining door. “Yell if you need me.”

She laughed. “I doubt Madeline would do me any harm.”

He agreed and disappeared as someone knocked.

“Come in.”

Madeline stood in the doorway. One of Thea’s wool shawls wrapped around her shoulders. The two women stared across the room at each other. Thea sat up and opened her arms. Madeline hurried to her side. At first, Madeline hesitated, but then she put her arms around Thea and started crying.

“Here, sit beside me.” Thea patted the side of her bed. She held onto Madeline’s thin hand. Madeline was clean and her hair, a soft light brown, flowed in waves around her. She had on a light pink muslin gown and slippers.

“I hope you don’t mind. Your husband told the maid to alter one of your gowns to fit me.”

“You're certainly welcome to anything of mine. You helped me so much. But are you strong enough to be up and about?"

"I didn't really do anything, but yes, the doctor said for me to try walking short distances to regain my strength. Also, I've had several small but nourishing meals. I can feel my body growing stronger."

Madeline smiled, and her whole face lit up. “You and Lord Radford have given me my life back. Lord Akers, I’m sorry to say, survived, but he is in prison. Lord Radford has assured me that he will be brought to trial.” Madeline took a deep breath. “Do you know your husband is arranging for me to meet with my family? I told him I'd like to leave England after I visit with them. I want to keep what happened to me private. I'd like to start a new life in America."

“Are you sure? You might have an easier time here supported by your family.”

“I want a chance to start fresh, and Lord Radford said he has a friend who will understand and help me.”

“How long did I sleep? You must have had some time to think about all these decisions.”

Madeline smiled again, a tentative curling of her lips, as though she had almost forgotten how. “I've had plenty of time to think about what I would do if ever I was freed.”

Thea shuddered. “I still feel the cold and fear, the hollowness in my stomach. I want to curl up in my bed and stay forever.”

With a fierce expression on her face, Madeline leaned closer to Thea. “Don’t let this change you. You are brave, and you must go on and have a happy life. I refuse to lose this second chance.”

“Perhaps after all you are the bravest.” Thea patted her hand.

"No. You are. I can never thank you enough. Even in all the confusion, you didn't let them leave me behind or the others. I will never forget.” Madeline kissed her on the cheek, rose and walked to the door. "I'll be staying at my parent's home until I leave for America. I'll write and let you know about my adventures." With a wave, she slipped out the door.

Curled up on her bed, Thea’s thoughts went to Madeline’s imprisonment in Bedlam. She thought about her own future. Madeline would have lived her life out at Bedlam if her husband had his way.

A husband had tremendous control over his wife. The thought frightened Thea even more than before. She’d realized women were vulnerable when married to the wrong man, but in her wildest dreams, she had not conceived how little control a wife had.

Her father had been a sweet, loving husband, and she expected to find the same type of man. Now, she had seen that a husband could beat his wife, send her away or make a slave of her. People would frown. Seldom did they intervene.

Wulf cared for her, she reminded herself. He let nothing deter him from rescuing her. He must love her. She remembered her grandmother’s words, not to let doubt cause her defeat.

Still her head spun with confusing thoughts. Her cold hands clutched her shawl tight as the connecting door opened.

* * * *

Wulf saw the worry in her eyes. “What’s wrong?” He knelt beside her bed.

“Nothing.”

He studied her face trying to understand. “We can return to the country or stay in town for a few days. Mother and Jane arrived this morning."

“Is Elvie with them?”

“No. I asked her to stay at the estate. Now that Akers is behind bars, I believe you'll both be safe.”

“I would prefer to go home,” Thea said.

Sudden warmth flooded his chest when she called his estate home. “I have some business to conclude first. I must make arrangements for the two men we released and for Madeline.” He held up his hand, seeing Thea’s expression. “The men are going to be fine thanks to you. We will plan on leaving for home early tomorrow.”

“Thank you.”

“I'm sure my mother will have many questions for you. Would you prefer I ask her to not question you about the past few days?” Wulf brought her hand to his mouth and brushed his lips over her soft skin.

Thea pulled back and sat up. “I will dress and go downstairs." She put her hands to her face and whispered, “I don't want to talk with anyone about it, except maybe Elvie.”

Pulling her hands down, Wulf stared directly into her eyes. “I will take care of everything.”

She stood abruptly. “I am not a weak, pitiful woman. I can take care of myself.”

“No one is saying you are weak.”

She raised her hands and pounded on his chest. “I have no rights. You can do anything you want with me. I am nothing more than another object you own.”

Wulf grabbed her hands and pulled her tight against him. He cupped her head and nestled her against his shoulder as sobs shook her body. When the crying subsided, he loosened his grip and handed her his handkerchief.

“Have I ever treated you with such disrespect?”

Her eyes downcast, she shook her head. "No."

He tipped her chin up and kissed her brow. “I will never treat you or any woman in such a way.” He went to his door. “Come downstairs when you're ready. I’ll try not to be gone too long.”

* * * *

Thea stared after him. What was wrong with her? Her hysterical behavior appalled her. She'd go downstairs and greet her mother-in-law and Jane. As Madeline said, she must not allow the recent events to turn her into a coward. Wulf had looked tired. He'd apparently sat by her bed for hours. She was ashamed of the things she said.

Her maid knocked and entered. “Would you like to bathe and dress, my lady?”

“Yes, thank you. I’m anxious to start the day and have my breakfast. I’m starving.”

The maid smiled and said, "Then we'll hurry."

“Yes, I have no more time to waste.”

* * * *

Wulf went first to his solicitor’s office and reviewed the true will written by Thea's father. Armed with all the information he needed, he continued on his way to visit the Becketts. His meeting with Thea’s aunt and uncle promised to be very interesting and rewarding.

A cool mist blew across Wulf’s face as he stepped out in front of the Beckett's town house. After several knocks, the door opened. This time the butler did not question his visit. He motioned him inside and led him to a small dining room at the back of the house. Lord Beckett and his wife had almost finished breakfast.

Beckett stood. “Lord Radford, welcome. We heard of your daring rescue, of not only our niece but several other poor souls.”

Curling his lip in distain at Beckett's fake greeting, Wulf nodded to Lady Beckett and sat where she indicated. She directed their butler to get him coffee.

“I am not here for a social call.”

She looked down her nose at him with her icy blue eyes. “Whatever your reasons, we will behave as civilized people.”

Wulf’s laugh rang out, loud and sharp. “Civilized people do not rob innocent young women, especially not their own relatives.

Fiery red color flashed across Lady Beckett’s face. “Those ungrateful girls—”

Wulf raised his hand. “Don’t say any more. I might forget I’m a gentleman and can not hit a lady. Of course you aren’t a lady.”

Fear reflected in her eyes, and she clasped her hand to her throat. “You would not dare.”

He let the threat hang in the air for a second. “I know you were trying to rob my wife and her sister of their inheritance.” He heard Beckett’s gasp. “I have the original will in my possession.”

Beckett cleared his throat. “Well, what do you plan to do about it?” He sneered. “If you persist in giving me any trouble, I'll see that rumors start concerning the mother's family. I've always suspected they were witches.” He glared at Wulf, his face mottled with red spots. “Go back to your country house and we will forget about your nasty insinuations. After all I can blame my solicitor. I’ll say he withheld the real will so he could blackmail me later.”