McNeely, Rachel - The Marquis' Mystical Witch (BookStrand Publishing Romance)

by Rachel McNeely

  The revulsion caused her stomach to try and heave. She must not vomit. She’d choke. Thea breathed hard through her nose, struggling for her breath. Panicking, she tried kicking but the man had a strong hold on her.

  “Be still or I’ll knock your head in,” his harsh, guttural tones sounded in her ear.

  She went motionless and tried to breathe more air in. He worked fast, tying a rag around her face to hold the handkerchief tight. She wrenched herself from his grip, and he flung her down, sitting on her. Pulling both arms tight behind her, he secured her wrists. His weight made it more difficult to breathe and darkness swept her away.

  When she regained consciousness, Thea’s head spun. Nausea went over her in spells and her ribs ached with every bounce as her captors ran through the shrubbery and back to the darkness of the woods. Traveling quickly by foot, taking turns carrying her, they went a good distance.

  At last they stopped. “Here you are, governor. Delivered as ordered.”

  Thea tried to see the other man. He was tall, wrapped in a dark cape, a muffler hid the bottom of his face, and the brim of his hat, pulled low hid the rest.

  Money changed hands. “Go away from here. People see you spending money and they’ll be suspicious.”

  “Right, governor.”

  “Throw her in the carriage.”

  There was something familiar about the voice. Her head ached and her hands and legs were tied tight. What was happening and where was her sister?

  “She’s a fine piece. We could have some fun.”

  The man in the cape laughed, and it sent chills down Thea’s spine. “Later, I’ll have plenty of time later. She’ll beg me to pleasure her.”

  The big burly man tossed her inside on the floor of the carriage. The man in black stepped inside and sat. He knocked on the coach's roof, and they began to move forward.

  Thea tried to move but her bonds held tight. She hurt all over from the rough handling she’d received and landing on this hard floor hadn’t helped.

  The man leaned down, running his cold hand across her gown from her breast to her legs. “Be still or I’ll take you now.” He laughed when she froze.

  Her mind ran in circles. What was happening? Who was this man and what did he want with her? She continued to struggle to get enough air. Although trembling with fear, she had no intention of giving in. Wulf would rescue her. She had to believe in him or go crazy.

  There was nothing but darkness outside the window. When would they miss her? Wulf, please find me. She concentrated on repeating his name again and again in her mind. He alone had the ability to follow her trail, but he would be in danger if he changed into his wolf form. Part of her wanted him to follow and the other part feared for his life if he did.

  * * * *

  Wulf, Jeffrey and Hawley had gone outside to discreetly check for Elvie. Wulf chose not to upset their guests, at least not yet. Bailey and several footmen checked the interior of the house.

  Jeffrey heard the moan. Elvie lay under a large bush, securely tied with a cloth covering her mouth.

  Leaning down, Jeffrey began to untie the gag. “Are you hurt?”

  Elvie coughed and took several deep breaths. “I think I’m all right.”

  Jeffrey continued to work on the tight bindings on her wrist and ankles. Wulf motioned to Hawley to join them.

  Unease slipped along Wulf’s nerve endings. He stared off in the distance. Nothing moved and yet his senses told him something wasn’t right.

  “Can you tell us who did this?” Wulf asked Elvie.

  She shook her head. “I never saw him clearly. He grabbed me and pushed me down on the ground so fast. I’m sorry.”

  Wulf patted her arm. “How did he grab you?”

  “There was a man, I thought a guest, standing by the edge of the patio, near the French window. He seemed to be looking for something. I asked if he needed help.”

  “And of course he did,” Wulf commented.

  “He didn't turn to face me. He kept looking. He said he'd lost his favorite snuff box on the veranda. His clothes gave the appearance he was one of the guests. I stepped out to help him search, and when I got close, he immediately grabbed me and hauled me into the bushes.”

  A stab of fear went through Wulf. He stood and sniffed the air. Thea. Without a word, he ran into the house and met Bailey rushing down the stairs.

  “She’s gone, isn’t she?”

  “Yes,” Bailey said.

  Wulf continued to Thea’s room. Darkness greeted him, and a strong breeze came through the open window. He went to the opening and peered out, seeing nothing. His foot crunched on the broken glass. This was how they got her. He’d been duped. Elvie was a decoy to draw them away. Damn, Wulf berated himself. He met Jeffrey on the way to the stables.

  “What can I do to help?” Jeffrey asked.

  “Keep this quiet. Tell the guests my wife was not feeling well and I am with her. See that everyone gets settled for the night. And tell Bailey to meet me with the carriage on the main road. I may need it.”

  “Will do.” Jeffrey turned on his heel and went back to the house.

  Wulf saddled his stallion and galloped across the flat lawn toward the towering trees lining the edge of the forest. Whoever kidnapped Thea would probably take this direction. He leaned low to find any clues they might have left behind.

  He spotted a few low branches broken, but darkness hid any other evidence.

  Stopping at the creek, he patted Batair’s mane while the horse drank. He knew what was needed. As the wolf, he could see and smell with much more intensity.

  Wulf scanned the area around him. This part of the creek ran right beside the road to the village. He directed Batair to an area where ruts had been made from wagons and other types of conveyances. He slid off and brushed his hands across the dirt tracks. The ground appeared to be recently disturbed.

  Bailey came around the bend driving Wulf's carriage. Wulf motioned to him. “Tie Batair’s reins to the back while I change. Hurry. There isn’t a second to waste.” Minutes were rushing by and someone had Thea.

  Hidden by the side curtains, Wulf took off his clothes and folded them into a small packet. His body began the metamorphosis, bones moving, reshaping, and hair sprouting. Wulf was breathing hard by the finish.

  Bailey opened the door, and Wulf sprang out. He put his nose to the ground and raced along the road toward London.

  * * * *

  The ride was hard and fast, stopping only once to change horses. Sunlight heated the coach's interior during the day, and Thea was glad as the light began to fade and the air around her cooled. Soon afterwards, the wheels rolled over the first cobblestoned street.

  The heated interior had caused Thea’s nausea to increase. Smelling the odors of spoiled food and cook fires through the open window made her fear she would be sick.

  She was almost certain they were traveling through the outskirts of London. She tried again to get a look at her captor, but he kept the hat pulled low on and the muffler high to keep his identity hidden. Right now his head was turned away as he looked out the window.

  How would Wulf ever find her? Twisting her hands, trying again to loosen her bonds, she felt her ring. Carefully she worked it loose. The carriage was old, and near the corner, she’d spotted a small hole. But how to reach it? She managed to twist around slightly. Stretching her fingers as far as she could, she felt for the hole. Feeling the edge she slipped the ring through it.

  The man pulled his hat lower and his muffler further up to cover more of his face before turning in her direction. His gaze swept over her and a chuckle broke the silence.

  “I heard your movements. Getting restless? Don't worry. You’re going to like your new residence. I plan on being a frequent visitor but tonight I have to leave you. Never fear, I will be back.” The voice came out muffled by the cloth.

  The carriage slowed to a stop. He took a rag from his pocket and tied it over her eyes, then instructed his driver to carry her inside.
She sensed he followed close behind.

  The damp cold settled on her skin. “Here she is. Put her in one of the less crowded rooms. Don’t touch her. She belongs to me. I’ll be back in a few days. Otherwise, treat her like the rest.”

  Someone laid her down on a damp floor. Rough fingers untied her feet and pulled her up.

  “Walk.” Big hands pushed her along. She heard metal doors clanging shut. Horrible noises came from all around her—screams, moans, hysterical crackles of laughter.

  Was she in a prison? Fear tried to overpower her but she wouldn’t give in. She had to believe Wulf would find her. All she needed was to stay strong.

  Hands pushed her against a hard steel pole. A cold metal collar was fastened around her neck. She tried to struggle, but someone slapped her.

  “Ya try anything else and ya’ll be sorry.” After the collar was fastened, more metal went around her waist fastening her arms to her sides. The rags were removed from her eyes and mouth.

  A large, burly man chuckled. “Welcome to Bedlam.” He had huge forearms, dirty hair and few teeth. He leered at her, before going out and slamming the door shut. The metal grate of the key turning in the lock made her knees start to buckle.

  Staring at her through the bars, he pointed to the other figures shackled as she was. “Meet your friends. You’ll be spending the rest of your life with them.” Laughing, he walked away.

  Thea swallowed, and the metal collar rubbed against her throat. Across from her was another woman. Her head hung down, long hair hiding her face. Several of the other prisoners had slid down and sat on the dirty floor. The only light came from a small window high up on one wall. This place was worst then her most terrible nightmare.

  “Hello, please talk to me.” She directed her voice to the woman in front of her. No response. Thea’s voice had come out thin and reedy. She tried again. “Please speak to me.”

  Slowly, the woman moved and her hair fell back as her head lifted. She was thin, with gaunt empty eyes set back deeply in her eye sockets. She stared silently at Thea.

  “Can you talk? Please tell me about this place.”

  The woman opened her mouth but no sound came out. She tried again and the words came out weak and whispery. “I don’t know anything.”

  “How did you get here? How long have you been here?”

  “Don’t know. I’ve lost track of time.” Suddenly her vacant eyes burned with fire. “My husband put me here, in Bedlam. He pays them to keep me.”

  “No! Can’t anyone help you? Do you have any family?”

  Her head slumped back down, the silence more oppressive than before. In the distance, Thea heard screams and hysterical laughter.

  I must think. I have to find a way to get a message to Wulf. No one will think to find me in such a place.

  She had vague memories about Bedlam. She had overheard two women talking once about visiting. They were laughing about the spectacle they saw, as though it was fine entertainment. One of the women had whispered that men sometimes got rid of an unwanted wife by paying to have her confined to Bedlam.

  Could Wulf be so cruel as to get rid of her this way? No, no, she refused to let her mind go in that direction. Do not doubt him, she whispered to herself.

  She must find out more about the routine of this place from the woman. “Please try to talk with me. Tell me what happens during the day.” The woman didn’t move. “I know it must be difficult but please help me and maybe I can help you,” Thea pleaded.

  Her head came up, the eyes half shut. “No one can help us. We are the forgotten people.”

  “No, someone will come for me and I’ll take you with me.” Thea stared directly at her, silently willing her to help.

  “They feed us three times a day, but not much. The guards like to torment you at first. Later it gets less.”

  “Torment you. What does that mean?”

  “They are evil men.” She shuddered. “On visiting day, they poke at you and force your head up so visitors can see your face. My husband and his mistress came one day and laughed as the guard hurt me.” She shuddered again. “It’s better to give up. They don’t get as much pleasure when there is no response. Now leave me alone.” She glared at Thea. “Don’t try to fill my head with impossible dreams.”

  This time her whole body slumped and slid to the floor. Thea shivered. She wondered how to get word to Wulf. Fear crouched all around, waiting to enter her mind.

  Keys rattled. Thea watched as a stooped old man came into the cell rolling a wooden cart loaded with bowls and pieces of bread. He placed a bowl containing thin liquid and one piece of hard bread to the right of each prisoner’s pole.

  He leered at Thea and snickered. “We got a live one, a jolly good looking one too.” He ran his thin bony hand from her breast down across her stomach.

  From outside the cell, the tall burly guard glared at the other man. “Stop that! The boss said to leave her alone till he gets here. Then we gets our turn.”

  Thea swallowed the bile that rose in her throat. She didn’t dare let them see how much their words and touch terrified her. Their words sent a chill to through her body.

  The old man walked close to her. His rancid breath blew in her face. “You wait, pretty one. We’ll have a good time soon.”

  When the door clanged shut and she heard their footsteps in the distance, she let herself cry out. She must get out of here. Her time was running out. The darkness and the putrid smell of decay and unwashed bodies swelled over her.

  The woman raised her head and spoke in a raspy voice. “You handled that well, but they’ll be back. They like it when we fight them. The more you resist the more they come to you.” She took a breath. “My name is Madeline. The old man to the left of you is Tom and the one further behind is Jem. The others have never said anything. The cold and rotten food will get them soon.”

  “Why did you decide to talk?”

  “You need to know— there is no hope.” She shook her head when Thea opened her mouth to say something. “The longer you fight them, it just gives them more pleasure.”

  “Do the visitors come through here? Maybe someone will see me and tell my family.”

  "No. The only visitors allowed down here are the ones that put you here or sometimes a rich man who enjoys seeing the suffering.”

  Thea’s mind screamed with the horror. It seemed to become worse by the moment. How could anyone rescue her if they couldn’t find her? The fear stalked around her in the silence, waiting to curl up inside of her and take control. She knew in that way lie the madness. She forced herself to think of her home and husband and of Elvie. She told herself again and again that she would be rescued.

  She had nothing on her to barter. Hopefully her ring would lead someone to her. It was a slim chance. The ring was probably already buried deep in dirt or rubbish.

  “How do we manage to eat?” she asked Madeline.

  “Watch the others. They slide down to the floor and reach out carefully to grasp the bread and use it to sop up the soup. It’s hardly worth the trouble. I'm not sure why any of us bother. Death would be a pleasant relief.”

  Thea shivered. She didn’t want to sit on the dirty floor but she had no choice. She had to eat or die. She was not giving up.

  The guard returned and unlocked her from the cold hard bars. Hope spread through her only to be dashed away when he jerked her along the narrow dark passageway to a small exam room. A heavyset man in a dirty white coat proceeded to listen to her heart and check her teeth.

  She cried and pleaded with him, telling him she had been brought here by force. His blue eyes appeared almost as vacant as Madeline’s.

  “They all say the same. You are here because you need to be here. Take her back and let her go without meals tomorrow,” he ordered the guard. “She could lose some weight.” His cruel smile put expression in his eyes and gave him a demonic look.

  No one was willing to help. They showed no genuine emotion or caring for the poor people locked in this
horrid place. There mustn't be any workers here with a touch of humanity left.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Wulf moved quick and low. He hid behind bushes and any other large objects as he followed his wife’s scent. When the scent ran out, he got into the carriage and changed while Bailey waited outside. He wasn’t sure how he was going to find Thea, but he suspected from the roads the coach was taking that it was headed for London. He had a good idea who was behind the kidnapping and her uncle would be the easiest to frighten.

  The only stops they made were to change horses. Wulf barely dozed. Restlessness clawed at him. He had to find her and soon. When they finally entered the outskirts of London, the streets were clogged with carts, various coaches and other riders.

  “Where do we go first?” Bailey asked.

  “I pay a visit to Lord Beckett. You will drop me off and return to the townhouse to see if there are any messages for me. If there are, come right back. Otherwise, just send the coach back for me.”

  Time was racing by. Wulf did not intend for his wife to spend another night wherever she was being held. He would find her. Failure was not an option. His heart raced, and he fought the urge of the wolf to come out. For now, he had to be the man.

  Wulf raised the door knocker and banged it on Beckett’s townhouse door.

  The butler frowned at him. “May I help you?” he said in a frosty tone.

  “I want to see Lord Beckett. Tell him Lord Radford is here.”

  “Is he expecting you?”

  “Damn it, man,” Wulf snarled. “Get a move on before I forget I’m a gentleman. Tell your employer I’m here to see him.”

  The butler started to close the door, but Wulf’s foot wedged in the crack and he shoved the door open, slamming it against the wall.

  “What is going on here?” a familiar voice spoke out.

  “Why I was trying to make a pleasant call on my wife’s uncle when your man got belligerent.” Wulf moved toward Beckett.

  “I am too busy for callers today.”

  Wulf stepped closer and glared down at Beckett. “I’m sure you’re not too busy to see me.”