Page 53 of Hooked

After being escorted back to my room, I spend much of the night reprimanding myself for wasting time. I could no longer afford to wait and hope that Huckley wouldn’t let his guard down. I had to get ready to go at the first possible moment. I spent the morning going through the jewelry the captain had given me, trying to decide what I could take with me to sell or trade. I wished I had my old clothing since blending in as a commoner would be so much easier. But all my clothing from my old life had disappeared the night I’d arrived. It had likely become fuel for a fire, so I didn’t harbor any hope of getting it back.

Perhaps a maid might be willing to give me something…but I had nothing to trade, and no way to know who was loyal to the captain and who might be sympathetic to my cause. And even if they were willing and able to help me, the retribution they would face was an unacceptable sacrifice. I was on my own.

I’d simply have to deal with the clothing situation once I was gone. Get away first. Then worry about the rest. I’d steal something if it came to that.

After I’d taken my midday meal, I explored the house more. Now that I’d been out of my room at night once, would the guards be less vigilant if I left the house again? It was certainly worth finding out. And I needed more practice navigating the house in the dark. A middle-of-the-night escape seemed like my best and most likely option. If I could manage to leave my room without the guards noticing…perhaps I could slip into the parlor and break a window to climb through. Hope rose up at that thought, but I tried to push it down. I could not allow my hope to make me reckless.

I would leave my room tonight, prepared for both options. A simple stroll around the house to practice navigating in the dark, or a desperate bid for freedom.

But once I was free of the house, where would I go?

I spent the next hour being trailed by a guard as I strolled around the grounds, trying to memorize the path to the stables, the drive that led to the road, possible routes through the trees. There was no escaping behind the house. As I’d seen very well the night before, there was nothing but a large yard and then a sheer drop to the ocean below.

By the time it was the hour to dress for dinner, my plan was fixed firmly in my mind. I knew which dress and cloak I would wear. I knew which jewels I would steal. I was about to become a criminal, but that was better than being dead.

Helen was waiting for me, an emerald-green gown in hand. “The captain has returned and is anxious for you to join him for dinner.” I did my best not to shrink at the news. I had hoped he would not return until after dinner, or perhaps even be delayed. Of course I did not have that kind of fortune. So I allowed her to lace me into the gown, and did not allow my eyes to stray to the vanity, where the perfume bottle sat like an omen and the hairbrush looked too much like a weapon.

Once I’d been primped and puffed, I traversed the stairs with equal parts trepidation and confidence. The trepidation stemmed from all I’d seen and heard that confirmed my suspicions—Huckley had killed his other wives. The confidence was born of sheer stubbornness and a will to live.

Captain Huckley was waiting for me at the bottom of the stairs, tucking his pocket watch away. Seeing him there, scrutinizing my every move, almost made me stumble. I tightened my grip on the banister and focused my eyes on the stairs before me.

“Good evening, Lady Wendolyn,” he said as I traversed the final step.

“Good evening, Captain,” I managed to say without choking.

“Have you found yourself more resigned to your current situation? Can I count on your loyalty?”

I gathered all the anger and courage about me, looked him in the eye and told the greatest lie I’d ever spoken. “Yes, Captain.”

The grin that spread over his face was more disconcerting than any expression I’d seen on his face yet. “Good girl.” He tilted my chin up with one finger and pressed another kiss to my mouth before sweeping a hand toward the dining room. “Our supper awaits.”

I forced my feet to walk along beside him. I was disgusted by the lingering feeling of his lips on mine but also grateful that it had only been a peck on the mouth instead of anything more.

Tonight. I would do my best to leave tonight. One more dinner with this man, and a few hours of restless nervousness and then I could leave, disappear into the night.

Hopefully.

At the table, I allowed him to push my chair under me. He circled the table to take up his seat across from me, and just as a footman was draping a napkin across my lap, one of the guards opened the door. He hurried in and bent to whisper in Captain Huckley’s ear.

The captain dropped his utensils and turned to the soldier, incensed. “Take care of him,” he spat.

This time, the soldier’s words were just loud enough for me to overhear. “He’s got a magistrate with him, sir.”

Huckley pushed to his feet, steel glinting in his eye. “Stall them. For as long as possible. You!” He shouted to the footman standing against the wall. “Stand outside the door and make certain that no one enters.”

The soldier and footman both bowed and then scurried away, closing the door behind them.

Captain Huckley went to a cabinet in the corner of the room, which I had assumed held dishes. Instead he threw the doors open and pulled out a sword.

My mind finally caught up with the situation. Captain Huckley ready to do battle. A magistrate here in the house.

I burst from my chair and ran for the door, taking hold of the knob. But it wouldn’t turn. Locked. I pounded on it instead, screaming, “I’m in here! I’m—“

Huckley’s massive hand clamped over my mouth, dragging me away from the door. “Did you really think it would be that easy?” he snarled in my ear before hauling me away from my escape. He flung me back toward the table. I stumbled and landed in a heap.

I tried to push myself up, but Huckley was now hovering over me, the sword pointed at my chest, fire in his eyes. “I thought you were resigned, my dear.”

There was no point pretending anymore. I let all my animosity run rampant across my face as I shouted, “I will NEVER be resigned!”