by Abby Ayles
“Come here!” he demanded.
“What is your wish?” she asked, still maintaining the distance.
“Why are you so far? I said come here,” he repeated his demand. Still, Frederica refused to step closer.
"I was just going to bed, sir. Tell me what you wish and I will see it done," she said as her hands began to tremble worse.
“I need money. Give me some,” he demanded.
“How much do you need?” she asked as she walked the perimeter of the room, keeping a close eye on her husband’s location. She did not want him too close.
“What do you have?” he grunted as he stepped toward her and fumbled over his own feet, tumbling head first into the bed and then to the floor. He groaned as his full weight hit the floor beneath him, curses issuing from his lips almost immediately.
Frederica jumped at the sound as her heart began to race. She reached for her purse and pulled out what money she had there. She tossed it on the bed near where he’d fallen. “There,” she stated. “Take what you want.”
Francois pulled himself to his knees as he grasped at the loose bills on the bed, eagerly trying to stuff them into his pockets. It was the perfect time to escape the room and Frederica, driven by fear, attempted to do so.
He was quick despite his inebriated state. No sooner had she rounded the bed toward the door than his hands reached out and grabbed hold of her skirt, pulling her to the floor beside him. Frederica tried to scramble away, but the more she struggled the harder he held her.
Panic filled her heart as his voice growled in her ear obscenities that his mouth had spoken earlier, as he demanded she give him more. It wasn't enough. It was never enough. She could have given him all she had and still, he would have demanded more from her.
Frederica clawed at the air in desperation. She wanted to be free of him, of his vice-like hold and his foul breath that reeked of alcohol and vomit. She wanted to get away.
“Let go,” she cried as she tried to pry herself free. “Let go,” she repeated more urgently as his hands continued to hold her fast. Over and over she cried out and fought against the hands that held her, but safety always seemed too far away.
"Help," she cried but no one answered. She called again, and still, no one came. Then she reached up, her hand gripping the air and then suddenly she was free.
Frederica sat up in her bed. The room was dark around her and the air cool. She was breathing hard as her eyes attempted to adjust, and it took her a moment to realize where she was.
She was no longer in Dordogne. She was no longer under her husband's thumb. She was safe at Alston.
The night was still and the morning was far from its arrival. Frederica climbed from beneath her sheets and walked toward the window to look out. A clear half-moon dotted the sky with its light as Frederica held herself. She was still trembling.
She could not return to her bed despite her efforts. Sleep would elude her yet another night. She sat in the chair in the corner of her room and watched the window until the sun came up. Finally, when it seemed a suitable hour, she called for her lady’s maid to help her dress. It was time to start the day.
Frederica was tired as she got to work. The household needed her, and she needed it to keep her mind occupied. The nightmares came once in a while, and when they did, sleep was not to be found and the memories were ever before her.
“Would you see that the bedrooms get fresh sheets today?” she asked one of the maids. “Also, could you have the guest rooms cleaned?”
“Yes, my lady. Are we expecting guests?” the maid questioned.
“Possibly,” Frederica replied. “However, that will be confirmed in due course. Just have the rooms prepared,” she instructed.
Elaine and Aaron were still in Everdale, and despite them having their own accommodation in town, Frederica hoped to have them spend a few days with her at Alston. It had been years since the brother and sister had spent any time in the house of their youths. It would be a welcome change to have them all under one roof once more.
“Lady Chaput,” Mr. Foggerty called as he approached her. “Lord Carmichael and Lady Elaine and a guest are here to see you.”
The smile spread across Frederica’s lips immediately. She had not expected to see them, yet just as she was preparing to invite them to visit, there they were. She walked quickly to meet them, while Mr. Foggerty attempted to keep up.
“Lord Carmichael,” Frederica said animatedly as she found her friends standing in the hall awaiting her arrival. Aaron was dressed in a fine burgundy suit that looked impeccable on him. Elaine was dressed in a lighter shade of the same color.
“Lady Chaput," Aaron replied with a smile as he stepped forward and took her hand in his and bowed to it. Elaine was less formal in her greeting as she spread her arms wide to embrace her.
“Frederica,” she said sweetly as they held each other.
"It's lovely to see you, Elaine. I was only speaking of you a moment ago when Mr. Foggerty came to inform me you were here,” Frederica laughed.
"How fortuitous it seems," Elaine replied as they released each other. "Great minds were thinking alike," she mused.
“So it would seem,” Frederica answered. She was so glad to see her friends that she was almost oblivious to their company. Almost, but not quite. She turned her gaze to the gentleman who stood just to her right.
“Lady Chaput, may I present my close friend, Liam Somerset, Marquess of Marcombe. Liam, allow me to introduce our oldest friend, Lady Frederica Chaput.”
Frederica turned her full attention to the man who had stepped toward her. The Marquess was tall and lean, with a crown of dark golden curls on top of his head and a triangular jawline that was free of beard. His nose was straight and his eyes were dark brown. He took her hand and bowed low over it as she curtseyed.
“Lady Chaput. It is a pleasure,” he said with a polite smile.
“Your Lordship, the feeling is mutual. Any friend of Lord Carmichael is a friend of mine,” she commented. “I have known them both all of my life, and if they like you enough to call you friend, it is assured that I will do the same.”
Lord Marcombe smiled. “I have no dispute with you there, my lady. Lord Carmichael and Lady Elaine have impeccable taste in the character of their friends, and I can see they have not faltered in having you as one of them.”
Frederica felt her cheeks warm at his compliment. “Thank you, Your Lordship. I appreciate the sentiment.”
“I just speak my mind, my lady,” he answered.
“Now that we are all acquainted,” Aaron interrupted. “May I enquire of your brother and sister-in-law, the Duke and Duchess of Everdale?”
“You may,” Frederica replied. “However, why don’t we relocate our conversation to someplace more comfortable. The parlor perhaps?"
“That sounds lovely,” Elaine replied.
“I will have some tea brought. Are you hungry?” Frederica enquired as she turned to lead them.
“No, we had a late morning meal before we came to visit you. Tea would be lovely however,” Aaron replied from beside her.
“He can never get enough of tea,” Elaine commented.
“What? I enjoy a soothing libation from time to time,” Aaron replied.
“I believe your sister was more accustomed to your other form of libation,” Frederica teased.
Lord Marcombe chuckled. “You do know His Lordship well,” he agreed. Frederica turned to him with a smile.
“Quite,” she answered. “I have seen him from a boy to a man and have learned all his tricks in the process.”
“She is like another sister,” Aaron elaborated as he turned to his friend.
“I see. It is a wonder we have never met before,” Lord Marcombe stated.
“I have been away from this country for many years,” Frederica explained.
“Yes, but now that she has returned, you will see much more of her,” Elaine interjected. “We thoroughly intend to take advantage of every moment s
he has.”
“I look forward to it,” Lord Marcombe replied.
"As do I," Frederica answered as their eyes met and she felt a flutter of something unfamiliar in her stomach.
They remained deep in conversation as they continued on their way to the parlor, the unpleasantness of the previous night all but forgotten.
Chapter 4
The house smelled, but Liam did his best not to react to it. There was no telling how long it had been since it was last cleaned. The Hollingsworths' situation was dire and his help was needed, which was why he was there.
The house, if it could be called so, was nothing but a two-room shack with a straw-covered floor and a single table at the center. Mr. Hollingworth's bed lay beside it.
"How are you, my friend?" Liam asked gently as he handed the basket of food to one of the man's daughters. He was loath to place it on the table, where maggots crawled and the remnants of their last meal were turning green and black before him.
He sat on the bed beside the ailing man. The daughter disappeared behind a door a moment later.
“Your Lordship,” Mr. Hollingsworth said between rasping coughs. “How did you know?”
“I have my spies,” Liam smiled. “Mrs. Buttersmith told me you had fallen ill, and I know your daughters are also unwell,” he elaborated. “I thought you might be in need of some help, and I see that I am right.”
One of the girls coughed behind him. She was thin and pale, and her hair was stringy and matted to her head in some places from resting upon it for so long. She would have been a pretty girl if things were different, her hair done and her clothes clean and new.
It pained Liam to see people in such conditions. He did not believe God made man to live under such circumstances, and it was the responsibility of those more privileged to help those in need.
It had been many years since Liam had begun visiting Wipperton, and at every visit, he sought to help those in need. Everdale was a land of great beauty, but there was also great want. The Duke’s absence had seen many of the people of the town fall into dire straits as their landlords took advantage of them and sought to take the very food from their mouths. He hoped the Duke’s return would see a change to it all, but he was only one man and change took time.
“How long has it been?” Mr. Hollingsworth asked as he smiled weakly at him.
“Two years, I believe,” Liam answered. “When I was last in Everdale you were visiting your brother in London.”
The man nodded gently. “Yes, he was unwell at the time. He died a few months later, and his daughter came to live with us,” he informed. “Mary is here somewhere. I will introduce you.”
Liam nodded. “Do not trouble yourself. I am sure she is, but you need to rest.”
“No,” Mr. Hollingsworth replied. “It is what’s proper,” he insisted.
“We have been friends too long for propriety, and you are all unwell,” Liam replied. “If you will allow me, I would have my physician come to check on your health.”
“You do too much. The food is enough,” Mr. Hollingsworth insisted.
“And yet I would do more,” Liam answered. “How did this happen?”
Mr. Hollingsworth’s cough filled the house, and a groan from the other room alerted Liam to its occupants’ condition. He wondered how many of them were behind the door.
“A year ago, the girls became ill. They worked in London in a factory, but it damaged their lungs. They came home hoping the fresh air would help, but it hasn’t.”
“All of them?” Liam interrupted.
Mr. Hollingsworth was barely able to nod his response, but the small motion was enough to answer Liam’s question.
“They hoped to be back in London by now, and back to work, but they only seem to be getting worse. They were unable to find any trade to suit them, and with the extra mouths, I had to do more to support us. Then a few months ago I was injured while working in my field. The wound got infected and refused to heal. I couldn't afford the physician's fee and did my best to treat it myself."
Liam’s gaze fell at the all too familiar tale. The provider of the house falling ill meant devastation to those in his care. Mr. Hollingsworth was another example of this.
“My condition worsened after that,” Mr. Hollingsworth continued. “I just can’t seem to get myself together.”
“I will have my physician visit you tomorrow,” Liam insisted. “I do not want to hear of protests. You need his help. Let me worry about his fee.”
“You are too kind. Just like your mother,” Mr. Hollingsworth commented.
“If she were here, you would not be in such a state,” Liam answered.
“She was far less busy than you, Your Lordship, she had more time to dedicate and her home was still in this part of the country. You are far away in Marcombe now.”
Liam nodded. “Still, I should have stayed in better contact with you.”
"Do not blame yourself, Your Lordship. You have always looked after the people of this village, even when it was no longer your home."
Liam had been a child when his mother lived in Wipperton. They had the nicest house in the parish at the time, and it was she who had first taught him what it was to care for the less fortunate. His father was abroad, as he often was, and his mother hated living in the manor alone, so she returned to her ancestral home. Liam had maintained the house even after her passing.
“My mother loved it here,” he commented as he held Mr. Hollingsworth’s hand. “She was particularly fond of you.”
The old man smiled. “I remember her as a girl. She was always so lovely to everyone. There wasn’t a person in town who didn’t love her.”
“Mother did leave an impression,” Liam commented as he got to his feet. “I have to go, Mr. Hollingsworth, but I will return tomorrow with the physician.”
The man nodded silently. “Tomorrow,” he said as he closed his eyes and began to drift off. Liam watched him until he was asleep before leaving the house.
“Your Lordship,” the girl called after him as he walked from the house. She smiled at him. “Will you be coming back?”
“Yes. Tomorrow I will bring the physician,” he informed.
“You will help us?” she questioned. “We would be most grateful to you,” she continued and Liam got the distinct feeling that there was more to her gratitude than simply words. He bristled.
“There is no need for gratitude. It is my pleasure to help your father,” he answered.
“But my father is unable to repay your kindness,” she continued as she stepped nervously toward him. “I know that help often requires compensation.”
“Not mine,” Liam said clearly. “Neither do I require nor do I desire anything from you. Good day.”
He turned from the house, and the feeling that filled him was one that he found unpleasant. There were some who would have taken advantage of the family’s situation, who would have used their need in order to exploit them for their own desires and purposes. Liam was no such man. He cared.
“Aaron? Elaine?” Liam called as he returned to his friends’ rented house. Mrs. Teed, the housekeeper, removed his coat and draped it over her arm.
“His Lordship and the Lady are both still out,” she informed. “Would you like to dine without them this evening?”
“No,” Liam answered. “I can wait.” He checked the clock. It was still relatively early in the evening. They were probably still in town visiting their former music tutor and would return soon.
Liam found that the thought of their tutor, the one who had been the instructor to them and Lady Chaput, brought fond memories of the lady to his mind.
Frederica Chaput was a charming woman, with one of the most pleasant smiles he had ever seen. She was an incredible hostess. Liam could not remember being better looked after in the house of another, and it was not even her own. What more would she do for them if it were?
He chuckled as he remembered the lively conversation had that day, and how Lady Chaput cha
llenged as much as she was challenged in their discourse. She gave Aaron plenty to answer for as he gave her, and Liam could clearly see the fraternal affection he spoke of between them. However, it was her interaction with Elaine that most endeared her.
Liam had known Elaine for many years. She was not a woman easily given to friendship. She liked being alone and her independence was something she pursued with great earnest. She was somewhat unconventional, and others sometimes found that independence difficult to contend with. Her friend seemed completely unaffected by this.
Lady Chaput seemed pleasant in every attribute, and a worthy friend. He wondered what her husband was like to deserve such a wife. Would he get the opportunity to meet the man he had heard so little of? He had not been mentioned once in their conversation, though Liam was aware that the lady was married.