Page 47 of Hooked

“By me, naturally. I love you.” He ran his fingers down the side of my neck. “And I will care for you.” He leaned forward, placing a kiss to my forehead.

I should have been disgusted, repulsed, but I was in too much shock. He had played me false. Played us all false. I was to live in his home starting immediately. No chance to ease into anything. No hope of a benevolent mother who would champion me.

I shoved down my panic and pulled up my indignation. “Sir James objected to the impropriety of such a situation, and you declared that you would not insult me in such a way. And yet, you clearly meant to bring me here.”

His expression darkened. Gone was the feigned adoration, replaced by a dangerous tilt of his head. “As I said before, if this situation is unsuitable, we can be married on the morrow. Saints, we could marry this very hour if my accommodations are so unsatisfactory. But I do not wish to be a brute. I am trying to have a care for your feelings, your innocence.”

I wanted to spit in his face, but his threat kept me silent. All I could do was turn away and refuse to answer at all.

He helped me from the carriage and then wrapped my hand around his elbow, trapping it there with his other hand as he led me inside, into the cage where I would be kept the rest of my days.

He gestured to the grand staircase and pointed out the chandeliers. He introduced me to each servant we passed. “This is Lady Wendolyn, but she will soon be the lady of the house,” he said to the butler.

“Your new mistress has arrived and she must receive your loyalty” was his edict to the housekeeper.

A manservant with impeccable posture and cold eyes met us at the top of the stairs.

“My darling,” Huckley said to me. “This is my valet, Smeed. My most trusted servant. You can look to him for any help you might need, and he always knows where to find me.”

Smeed bowed, proper and deferential, but with no warmth. He and Huckley suited each other, but he made me even more uncomfortable than I’d already been. Still, I did my best to bow my head in acknowledgment. Acting the part of a lady was not easy for me. I’d been beating the nobility out of myself for so long that trying to bring it back was a struggle. But I had to do it. If any of these servants were going to give me an ounce of respect, I would have to act the part.

Eventually, the captain led me up to a bedchamber where a small maid was standing outside the door. “This is Helen,” he said, gesturing toward the maid who kept her eyes on the floor. “She will be looking after you. It has been a long day and I’m certain our journey has tired you, so I will say good night. I hope you sleep well.” He stepped close, too close, and set his lips to my forehead. My insides crawled in disgust. “And tomorrow, we shall begin to plan our future together.” He stepped back, lifting my hand to lay one more kiss upon it before turning to go.

Tomorrow.

Tomorrow I would still be here.

And the day after, and the day after that.

How was a person supposed to survive when they were utterly devoid of hope? It did not feel possible.

“Miss?” came the quiet voice of the servant.

I turned and she gestured toward the room where I was to stay for the next two weeks. I went inside, noting with indifference the fine furnishing and the quality of the fabrics that draped the bed. “What was your name again?” I asked the servant girl, my voice rough.

She bobbed a curtsey. “Helen, miss.”

“And does your master treat you well, Helen?”

She raised her eyes to meet mine, her eyes confused. “Well, miss?”

“Is he kind?”

She blinked. “I don’t understand.”

I closed my eyes and sighed. “Never mind.” Her utter bewilderment was answer enough.

That night I lay in the finest bed, swathed in the softest nightdress I had ever worn. I was to sleep in comfort and luxury. But I’d never been so uncomfortable, never felt so downcast. If only I could go to sleep and never awake.

***

I never thought new gowns could crush my spirits. I learned otherwise the next morning when Helen opened my wardrobe to reveal a plethora of new gowns that Captain Huckley had purchased for me. Evidence that he had invested a good deal of money in my keeping after he’d found me at Sutton Manor. How had he managed to have so many dresses prepared in only a few days?

“Which would you like to wear?” the timid maid asked.

“I don’t care. You choose.”

She helped me into my stays and then chose a deep-green gown, lacing up the back and tying the ribbons that decorated the sleeves. Then she gestured to the chair that sat in front of a dressing table. It was strange indeed to be the one having my hair dressed by another. I quite hated it.