by Anna Edwards
My father goes silent, and his eyes fill with unshed tears. I know he must be reliving a horrible memory, which he wants to keep buried, so he doesn’t have to experience it again.
“She was hidden away in what was little more than a dungeon. No clothes, nothing. The smell is the thing that will haunt me forever: feces, decaying human flesh. Another girl long since passed was left lying there in the darkened room with her.”
“What?” I can’t quite understand the words I’m hearing. They don’t make sense to a brain, which is untuned to such horrors and has been laced with alcohol and drugs.
“It was horrible, Theo. I don’t know how she survived. She’s so thin. We gave her a steak when we got her back here to try and revive her, but as you saw on the floor when you married, she brought it straight back up. Her stomach is not used to it. We’ve had a doctor examine her. She’s been repeatedly violated. She’s not pregnant, thankfully, but…”
My father places his brandy down and slouches forward in his chair. His head’s held in his hands, and he’s shaking it.
“I’m sorry, son. I’m so sorry. I panicked when I saw her that way. All I could think about was what my own daughter will be going through. I needed to make Joanna safe, and this was the only way I could think it would work.”
I slide from my chair and come to sit at my father’s feet. It’s a position my sister and I used to take when we were younger, and we wanted to offer him comfort.
“It’s all right. I understand why. As my wife, Joanna is safe from the Cavendish brothers. You’ve told me they have eyes and ears in the police, so we can’t go to them. Indeed, Nicholas and William are the reason why the police are investigating you for Elsie Bennett’s murder. This was the only way of making sure they can’t take Joanna away again. We’re married, now, and she’s safe.”
My father shakes his head.
“She needs to be your wife in all ways. If you don’t consummate the marriage, they’ll figure out a way of annulling it. I know they will.”
I hold my hand up to my father.
“I can’t think about that yet. After what she’s been through, I’m not going to force her into anything.”
“You need to bear it in mind though, Theo. They have Tamara on their side with all her fancy education and knowledge. She’ll do everything possible to get the girl back for them. William Cavendish has turned her against us. I fear Victoria will never trust us again, either. Nicholas has poisoned her brain, and she doesn’t see what he’s doing is wrong. I’ve lost my daughter and her best friend. I can’t lose Joanna. She’s the only one left to save.”
“I know. I’ll talk to her. Just not tonight.”
My father nods—lines of worry are etched on his face. He’s aged so much in the last few months with the stress of everything. I resolve then and there that from this moment on I’ll no longer sit back and allow him to take the burden of his fight alone. I’ll stand by his side in battle.
“I’m sorry about the drugging. The man who did it shocked me as well. He said it would be the quickest way to get you here, rather than having to take time out to explain it to you. I had to go along with him in the end. I pay him to know what’s best in these situations.”
“I understand.” I’ve never had any reason to distrust my father, and I won’t start now. I’m terrified for the future of our name and the society we operate in, but what I do know is I have a wife now, and it’s time to step up and fulfill my destiny.
Chapter Four
Joanna
A chill in the air wakes me from my sleep. I pull the blanket farther over my shoulders and nestle down into the comfortable mattress. The sheets feel softer than the ones I’m used to, and the bed’s more comfortable, bigger even. Am I dreaming again? It feels so real though. If I had the courage, I would open my eyes and seek the truth, but I’m too scared of what I’ll find. As I start to move, one hand brushes against the other, and I freeze when I feel the ring on my left hand. The memories from yesterday are real…they aren’t a dream. I’m married to Theo Hamilton. I spring up into a sitting position in the bed and stare down at the antique wedding band on my ring finger. I’m married. Fuck! My head spins again. I didn’t die yesterday, but I did fail. Theo didn’t sleep with me. I’ll be in big trouble.
Looking frantically around the room, I search for a place to hide. If I can’t be found, then I can’t be punished. No, he’ll find me. I tried that once before and was beaten so badly my ribs were broken. But he can’t beat me, now, can he? Surely Theo will notice new injuries on my flesh? My head whirls around so fast with all the thoughts running through it. It’s like one of those roller coasters at the theme park where your stomach turns on every peak and fall.
Where is my husband? My brain stalls, rapidly braking to a standstill when the thought sparks alive. He should be here? Has he abandoned me already? I jump out of the bed and reach for a dressing gown that’s been placed over the back of a chair. Quickly wrapping it around my naked form, I search the room for signs he slept here with me, but there’s nothing. Not even discarded dirty laundry from the day before although I can’t remember much about what he was wearing, possibly a pair of jogging bottoms and a t-shirt. He’s left me already. The Viscount is going to be so angry with me. Maybe I didn’t die yesterday, but it’s likely I will today. Sorrow fills me up. I wish I could do something right—I’m forever making mistakes. I feel so tired again and crawling back into the bed, I pull the covers over my face. Hiding in plain sight. It’s the only option I have left until he comes for me.
I must drift off to sleep, at some point, because I’m woken a little while later to a crashing sound in the room. I jump out of bed and drop to my knees on the floor with my head bowed.
“I’m sorry.” Theo comes to stand before me. He offers me his hand, and I stare at it like it’s diseased. “I won’t hurt you. I just want to help you up. You don’t have to kneel for me.”
Tentatively, I reach out and taking his hand, he helps me to my feet.
“Did you sleep all right?” he asks, and I just stare at him blankly. This is far too normal. He should be beating me or forcing himself on me.
“Joanna? Is everything all right?”
“You didn’t come to bed.” I say, looking at the rumpled sheets where I’ve been lying, alone.
He points at a different door to the main one in the room. “This is an interconnecting room. I slept in there. I wanted to be near you should you need me, but I think you probably need space, for now.”
“N-No,” I stammer. “You should sleep with me. We are husband and wife. We need to make children.”
He laughs at me, and I can’t help but feel a little hurt.
“I’m sorry,” he apologizes and guides me back to sit on the bed. “I went to speak to my father last night. He told me about your treatment at the hands of the Cavendish brothers. I’m not the sort of husband who would force himself upon you. You need to heal both in body and mind, first.”
“But…” I start to interrupt him, and he places his finger over my lips to silence me. I don’t flinch at his touch.
“No. We’re going to return to London, in a few days. I don’t want to leave the estate alone for long. We’ll look into finding a psychiatrist and arranging further medical checks for you when we’re there. Then, we can discuss the fact we’re married. In the meantime, we’ll focus on your healing.”
I can’t answer him. Medical examinations and talking to someone about what I’ve been through fills me with a terror so great I’m lost for words.
“I’ve got to head out for a couple of hours. Stay here and rest. Have a nice long bath. Camilla will feed you whatever you want. Don’t have anything too rich. I think your stomach is still a little delicate. My father is downstairs if you are worried about anything.”
Bile rises in my throat at the mention of his father. Keeping down food, at the moment, isn’t going to happen. I just nod. Maybe the time alone will give me a chance to get everything str
aight in my head? Does Theo truly have no idea what’s happening right beneath his nose? I’d like to believe he’s foolish rather than compliant with his father’s deviances. He’s been nothing but kind to me, so far, and to have that illusion shattered would be the final straw to my sanity.
“Do you want me to run a bath for you before I go?” Theo asks as he picks up a set of keys from the dressing table. Is he going to lock me in the room? My eyes flash to the keys and back up to him. “For my car,” he reassures and turns his head toward the bathroom.
“Please. A bath would be good,” I tell him and slide from the bed. Following behind him as he walks confidently into the bathroom and turns the taps on, I can’t help but notice the way his backside fills out the jeans he’s wearing. It doesn’t mean I want him sexually. It just means I like the look of him. I can look—it’s normal. I can be normal.
“Joanna.” I startle when he appears in front of me. “I put some bubble-bath in. Are you sure you’ll be all right? I’ll send Camilla up to check on you in ten minutes.” He looks worried. He must be thinking I might drown myself in the bathtub. Little does he know, over the last year, I’ve had opportunities to kill myself, but I’ve not had the courage to carry it out. There’s something buried deep down inside of me that’s still fighting for life.
“I’ll be fine. I’ve not had a bath in a year. Just a shower. I’ll enjoy relaxing.”
“All right. I’ll be back as soon as I can. I’ll fetch you some clothes as well.” Theo leaves me alone in the bathroom, and the only noise is the gushing of the water from the tap. Padding across the marbled floor, I find a toothbrush and toothpaste laid out for me. I squeeze a little bit of the paste on the brush and clean my teeth. There is also mouthwash sitting on a shelf, and I gargle with that. For the first time in a year, I’ve had access to a decent toothbrush and paste, and my mouth feels clean and fresh. I stare at the girl in the mirror in front of me. She looks so very different to the one I remember staring back at me before. She looks older, a lot older, with dark shadows under her eyes, skin that’s sallow and pale, and a wild mop of frizzy hair on her head. I was an innocent girl the last time I looked in a mirror. I’m a woman now, and a victim. I stand staring until the mirror steams up, and I can no longer see my reflection. Turning around, I catch the bath just before it overflows. I turn the taps off and place a foot towel ready beside the bath, so I don’t slip when I get out. I lower my dressing gown to the floor and step into the almost scalding water. Sinking down into the bubbles, I shut my eyes and enjoy this moment of peace and normality. Who knew a bath could provide so much tranquility in a place of such chaos?
“I see you are already acting as lady of the manor.” The rough voice of the Viscount sounds from the doorway, and I sit bolt upright. I try desperately to reach for a towel. One part of my brain is telling me I need to get out of the bath and kneel before him, but the other is telling me I’m naked, and he’ll see everything. I’m conflicted. I preferred it when I didn’t question my training. I choose instead to twist in the bath and kneel for him. Thankfully the bubbles cover my breasts. The Viscount laughs. “I guess I’ll accept that.”
I don’t say anything back to him. You don’t speak unless questioned.
“What happened last night? Did my son take you?”
Not the question I wanted him to ask. I can’t lie to him. He’ll know. He always knows.
“No, sir. I slept alone. He was in the adjoining room.”
The Viscount tuts.
“That’s not what I wanted to hear. You were supposed to make him want you, using whatever means necessary.”
“I’m so sorry, sir. I tried, but he wanted to speak with you, and I fell asleep. He didn’t return last night. This morning, I tried again, but he went out. I’ll try as soon as he comes back. I’ll plead with him.” I’m babbling now. Terrified of the punishment, which follows swiftly when my head is grabbed and thrust under the water. I’m held in place as the water fills my nose and constricts my breathing. I try thrashing and pushing back, but I can’t free myself. I’m pulled up just as the last of the air in my lungs leaves me. Coughing and spluttering, I try to bring more precious oxygen into my body as quickly as I can.
“I didn’t ask you a question.”
My head is thrust back under the water, but this time I don’t have enough air in my lungs to prevent the dizziness from coming on immediately. When I’m yanked out again, I’m gasping and desperate to breathe.
“You failed me. That means punishment.” The Viscount has one hand wrapped tightly around my hair. His other hand goes to his trousers, and he removes his dick from its confines. I’m pulled closer to him, and he pushes himself into my mouth.
“Take it all.” He bucks his hips, and there’s nothing for me to do but allow him to violate my mouth. “You will do this to my son later. You will allow him to stretch that tight little pussy of yours and fill it full of his cum. You will make a baby boy, and I will mold him in my likeness. I’ll make him the greatest heir to the Oakfield Society there’s ever been. I’m next in line to becoming the leader of the society, and with William and Nicholas gone, I will get it all.” He’s thrusting wildly into my mouth—my cheeks hurt, and he’s hitting the back of my throat as I gag around him. I can’t help being thankful that I’ve not eaten anything yet. All I wanted was a relaxing bath, but instead, I’m back being terrorized and abused, again. Nothing will change. Ever! I’m to be a human sex toy for eternity. Maybe I should have drowned myself in the water when I had the chance? No! The part inside of me that still clings on to life screams repeatedly in my head, we are stronger than this…we will survive. The Viscount buries himself at the back of my throat and with a foul grunt, releases his semen. I work hard to swallow it all when what I really want to do is spit. I did that once and was left unconscious for a few days from the beating that followed.
Withdrawing from my mouth, the Viscount lets go of my hair, and I collapse down into the now cool water as he puts himself away. He then pulls the plug, and as the water starts to drain, he stomps over to the bathroom door.
“I’ve laid out clothes on the bed for you. Get dressed and get downstairs. You’ll be ready to greet your husband when he arrives back. Every time you fail in your task, you’d better be prepared for punishment. You’re a whore to my needs…nothing more, nothing less. Don’t get illusions of being anything else.”
Chapter Five
Theodore
I offer Joanna my arm, but she hesitates before taking it. I’d hoped her new found freedom would have helped her find some inner strength and confidence, however, over the last few days she seems to have withdrawn even deeper into her shell. She refuses to sleep alone. She wraps her body around mine, and I’ve had to tell her more than once our relationship is not sexual. It’s as though she’s had the need for such things ingrained in her and can’t cope without them. We’ve spent very little time together while I’ve been busy preparing for our return to London as husband and wife. I made sure a message was sent directly to the Cavendish brothers, informing them I’m back in town, but I haven’t mentioned Joanna or even the fact that I’m now married. I didn’t hear anything back from them, of course, only a request from Victoria to meet up soon. Although given she’s not allowed to visit my home, and I’ll be dead before Joanna goes back to Oakfield Hall, I doubt that will happen until after the Cavendish brothers have met their just desserts.
I’ve spent many hours watching Joanna, wondering what goes through her head. She’s panicky, especially when other people like Camilla and my father are in the room. I guess she’s not used to being with people after a year hidden away. But she does seem relaxed when she’s around me, which I’m pleased about. I’m glad I can make her feel safe.
“Where is your house again?” Joanna asks as the car pulls away from our temporary home. My father has to stay behind in his sanctuary. He’s still a wanted man, at the moment, and returning with us would lead to his arrest. I wish he didn’t have to sta
y here and could join us. I feel the weight of responsibility on my shoulders, having to run the estate and look after Joanna. But I know I’m ready for it, and even though it would be good to have him around should I need his advice, I’m certain it’s only temporary. He’ll be home as soon as we can deal with the Cavendish brothers. I’d been in favor of reporting them to the police, but as my father explained, they have spies everywhere, and it would only lead to more trouble for us than them. Furthermore, Joanna is reluctant to report her ordeal.
I rest back in my chair before I answer her question.
“Just on the outskirts of London. Surrey way.”
“How old is it?”
Joanna is wearing a pair of skinny jeans and a t-shirt today. It’s hot outside, the middle of July, and the weather is really heating up. The air conditioning is on in the car, and she’s shivering. She’s gained a little weight over the last few days, but she’s still skin and bones. Reaching over, I hand her cardigan to her, and she smiles at me in thanks.
“It’s late sixteen hundred. Nothing too fancy in the grand scheme of things, but it’s home. I love the windows. They are massive. The Hamilton family has always been proud, so there was no bricking them up to avoid the window tax like a lot of our contemporaries did in the seventeenth century,” I inform her.
“I remember my father telling me about that. We had a couple of the windows blocked up at my childhood home. I always found it strange until he explained.”
