by Vella, Wendy
“It’s true, I feel nothing for any of you.” She shrugged. “But I needed the money, and he supplied it, and that was after I first gave him what he really wanted. You were just a little sport for Lord Raynor, and then when you left, he was determined to have you and revenge for what you did. I’d read the letters Rory sent you, so I had your address. Raynor had you followed everywhere after we arrived until the opportunity came for him to grab you. Unfinished business, he said. Well, it finished him off.” She laughed. “Of course, now I have this, there is no need for me to worry further.”
“I don’t understand?”
“He replaced the madam who ran this place with me. Now he’s gone, and this dirty secret is mine, as no one knows of the double life he lived.”
“Why take us if you have this?”
“I doubt she’s sane,” Rose said. “Don’t argue with her. They will find us soon, and then she will get what she deserves.”
“No one will find you!”
“Oh, they will,” Emily said. “Our family is very resourceful. They can find anyone. I would be extremely worried, were I you. I won’t call you Mrs. Huntington, as that is Essie’s name.”
“Maybe we could call her whore, or harlot?” Rose suggested.
“Trollop?” Emily added.
Maddie watched her mother’s face turn red.
“Shut up!”
“The truth is rarely pleasant,” Maddie said. “I favor trollop.” She’d never stood up to her mother before. The love of her family had given her the strength to do so, even if she was at the woman’s mercy. She would cower to her no more.
“Shut your mouth or I will make you pay, daughter!” Estelle stormed closer.
“You can’t hurt me anymore. I have family now. I don’t want or need anything from you.”
The shock in her mother’s eyes was wonderful.
“They will find us, never fear. And when they do, Max and Rory will make you pay,” Maddie said.
Estelle laughed once again in control. “How will they find you? This place has no connection to Raynor’s brothel in London. Look around you, daughter, you’re in the cellar. Can you not imagine what it’s used for?”
“Hell is about to rain down on you, trollop, and were I not very aware of what a bitch you were, I’d almost feel sorry for you,” Rose said calmly.
If her sisters were showing no fear, then neither would she.
“They won’t find you. This is hidden, and only a select few come by invitation and pay highly for the services of my girls. Of course, some will pay for me only, as I can service their needs better than any woman.”
“You’re a whore, Mother, let’s not wrap it up in anything different. You’d do anything to achieve your own ends. It’s amazing you haven’t contracted some type of disease.”
“She does have those pock marks,” Rose said.
“And her skin seems awfully lined,” Emily added.
Maddie forced out a laugh, which infuriated Estelle.
The hand that shot out was so fast she never saw it coming, but she felt it, the sting of pain accompanying that slap.
“Don’t touch her!” Emily cried.
“It’s all right, Em, I am used to this particular brand of punishment from her. It’s how she subdued her children most of our childhood. You are the epitome of evil. A cold, emotionless woman who never does anything without gain to yourself. I will never understand how you raised three children who could not be more different as day to night than you, but know this, never will you control me again.” Maddie kept her eyes steady on the woman before her. They shared blood but nothing more.
“I gave you food and a bed!”
“Barely, and both were usually supplied by my brothers. I have nothing inside me for you but pity.”
Estelle retreated to the door, clearly unused to this behavior from her daughter. “Don’t try and leave. I have men here who would kill you should I ask it of them. One is even now on his way to the duke’s house with a note for enough money to set me up somewhere far away from this cold, dreary place when I tire of it.”
“We all know how you control your men, don’t we, Estelle.” Maddie’s words followed her out the door. It was then slammed and locked.
“Oh, Maddie, I am so sorry it is your mother doing this,” Emily said.
“No, it’s I who’s so sorry. This would not have happened were it not for me.”
“It’s all right, Maddie, they will find us,” Rose soothed.
“The only blame lays at that woman’s feet,” Emily added. “They will arrive and then she will really know fear.”
“Loath as I am to admit it, your mother is still a beautiful woman. It’s those eyes though, cold and evil,” Rose said. “I’m sorry she raised you but so pleased you are now with us. People love you, Maddie.”
That made her sniff back the tears.
“The carriage trip took a while, so my guess is we are just outside London,” Emily added.
“We shall wriggle a bit and put out backs to each other, then maybe I can loosen your knots, Em,” Rose said.
“How can you both be so calm?” Maddie asked.
“They will find us because of who they are,” Rose said. “They are stronger together, and I have to believe that soon this will be over. I cannot allow there to be any other option.”
“We must be strong together,” Emily said.
“I like having sisters,” Maddie said. “I’m sorry if it has taken me a while to understand that.”
“Considering we were introduced to the woman who raised you, it’s amazing you three Huntingtons are as sane as you are. I think Medusa would suit her better than trollop,” Rose said, making Maddie giggle.
“Now, as it appears we have time, please tell us more details about what happened in Harry’s cabin. I want to be entertained, as it may be a while before we are rescued,” Rose said.
“I can’t believe neither of you is weeping or scared.” Maddie changed the subject.
“My fears are for what our husbands and family are going through. Wolf and Cam will be like men possessed when they realize something has happened to us. I hate what they are feeling,” Emily said. “But we have been through worse, and this too will pass. They will ensure that happens; we must just wait for them to find us. Now answer Rose’s question, Maddie.”
“I— We made love,” she whispered. “And while you may think less of me for that, it was the most wonderful thing I have ever experienced. I love him so much that I have a pain inside me I doubt will ever go away.”
“We don’t think less of you,” Rose said. “Making love with the man you feel strongly for is a wonderful thing.”
“Agreed,” Emily added. “And it’s also likely the pain, in part, is from the three cream cakes you ate.”
They laughed then, the sound loud enough to reach those outside and to show they were not afraid.
“He will not leave, Maddie. Harry loves you, I am sure of it,” Rose said gently. “Have faith, sister.”
“I will try.” And she would, but right at that moment, Maddie doubted she’d ever see Harry again.
Chapter 35
Harry returned to the duke’s house two hours later, after searching wherever he could and coming up with nothing. He had seen no sign of anyone, and the desperation inside him was now clawing at his throat.
Why could he not find his family when he was supposedly connected to them? Why could he not find Maddie?
“Harry!” James saw him as he entered the house. Everyone was gathered there in the entrance.
“Where have you been? I’ve looked everywhere for someone, anyone!” Harry exploded. “Have you found them?”
“We were out looking also,” James said calmly… too calmly, in Harry’s opinion.
“I didn’t see you.”
“If you are accusing us of something, just come out and say it!” Wolf roared at Harry. He looked drawn, his face pale.
“Christ.” Harry rubbed a hand over his
face. “I’m sorry. Have you any news on them?”
“As they are not here with us and my heart feels like it’s been ripped from my chest, then no,” Wolf gritted out.
“How is it you know they are missing?” Eden asked him.
“I called by earlier, and Dorrie told me. I have been out looking ever since.”
Harry noticed Cam fared little better. The man who was always smiling and ready to tease any of his family was nowhere in sight. His face was drawn, eyes desperate.
“God’s blood, I can’t stand this. The thought of Rose hurting and me unable to reach her is sending me slowly mad.”
“We will find her, brother.” Alice gripped Wolf’s hands. “You must believe that.”
“It’s torture,” Cam rasped. “Em gets scared easily, even though she tries not to let anyone see it. I vowed to always be there when she needs me. I have failed her.”
“No, brother.” Eden wrapped her arms around Cam. “You could never fail her, and this was beyond your control.”
“We will find them.” Dev gripped the shoulders of the two men. “I promise they will be unharmed until we do.”
“Why are you here, Harry? I went to ask for your help and found your ship gone.” Nicholas said.
“I decided to stay in London.”
“Why?” Dev asked him.
“I was not ready to leave.” Harry didn’t know what to add to that, so he didn’t.
“And I’ll ask again. Why?”
“Isn’t the fact I’m here enough? Haven’t you been at me since I arrived to acknowledge you all as my blood? My family, my people?”
“Yes, all of that is true,” Dev said steadily in the face of Harry’s clear agitation. “But I feel there is more.”
“God’s blood.” The air whistled from his lungs. “I love her, all right! Maddie. I want a life with her and the girls.”
“Do you now?” Rory’s eyes narrowed as he moved closer to Harry. “We’ll just see about that when she is back with us.”
“We certainly will,” Max added, looking the same.
“I will marry her if she’ll have me,” Harry growled. “And neither of you will stop that from happening.”
“There will be time for that.” Nicholas nudged Harry back and away from the Huntington brothers.
“A note has arrived, your Grace.” The butler handed it to James, which put a halt to the conversation.
Tearing it open, James read the words out loud.
“Come to the village of Dumpledon alone at dawn tomorrow, Duke. There is a church. Walk down the path to the rear, then through the graveyard. If you wish to see your women again, bring the sum stated and jewelry. If you do not do as I say, they will never be seen again.”
“Get the money,” Cam snarled. “Whatever it takes.”
“Dumpledon is about an hour’s ride from here,” Dev said. “They must be held somewhere nearby.”
A knock behind them had Buttles running to answer it.
“I wish to speak with the Duke of Raven at once.”
“That’s Mr. Spriggot’s voice,” Max said, moving to open the door wider.
“Mr. Huntington, I have something I would like to discuss with the duke,” Mr. Spriggot said, stepping inside as James appeared. With him was the large figure of Mr. Brown.
“A dire situation has arisen, Mr. Spriggot. If you can shed any light on it, we would be extremely grateful. Speak freely in front of all of us, please.”
The investigator frowned, his eyes going around those gathered in the front entrance.
“If you’ll excuse me for asking, your Grace, but could you elaborate on the dire situation?”
“Mrs. Rose Sinclair, Mrs. Emily Sinclair, and Mrs. Madeline Caron have been kidnapped. We have just received a ransom note,” James said.
Harry hated standing here doing nothing while Maddie was out there somewhere in danger. He also knew that there was little point in running about with no direction, even if the delay chafed at him.
“If you will allow me, I will explain why Mr. Brown and I have called.”
“Go ahead,” James said.
The two men were now faced with a wall of Sinclairs and Ravens.
“When you asked me to look into Lord Raynor’s activities, I did so. Most was as it should be, except of course the house your sister was found in. That was hidden from his family, but it’s my understanding had been running for some time.”
“What has this to do with my wife!”
“Cam, calm down and let the man speak,” James said.
Mr. Spriggot did not look overly upset by Cam’s outburst, perhaps because he’d had dealings with him before. Harry thought about grabbing the man by his collars and shaking the story out of him.
He wanted Maddie back, and he wanted her now!
“It was when I visited the staff at the first brothel that I came across Madam Fabron. She was not a happy woman, and upon further questioning, I found out why. Lord Raynor had another establishment where she was the madam. It seems he returned from France with a woman, and he set her up as the new madam and dismissed Madam Fabron after promising her that would never happen.”
“A woman scorned, Mr. Spriggot?” Eden asked.
“Indeed, your Grace. She sang like a canary, if you’ll pardon my analogy.”
Eden waved his words aside.
“But what use is this information to us?” Wolf demanded.
“I believe the woman called herself Mademoiselle Estelle Huntington.”
“Dear God!” The words came from Rory.
“I’ll kill her this time,” Max snarled.
“Who is she?” Harry demanded.
“Our mother, and a coldhearted bitch!” Rory said.
“Considering what you have just told me and the arrest of Lord Raynor, I wonder if it is possible that Mademoiselle Huntington had the three women kidnapped for monetary gain? Of course I could be incorrect—”
“You’re not,” Max said. “She’s more than capable and has no love for her children. She’d do this if she had the means and the end result is a monetary gain for her.”
“Where is the other brothel?” Harry demanded.
“I believe it is situated near the village of Dumpledon, sir. To gain entry, you must say the words, ‘Graze on my lips; and if those hills be dry / Stray lower, where the pleasant fountains lie.’”
“You are not actually telling me that to gain entrance to a brothel we must quote Shakespeare?” Dev looked disgusted.
“I am simply passing on what Madam Fabron said, my lord.”
“Stop talking, let’s go!” Wolf roared.
They grabbed every weapon they had and were soon mounted up. They rode out as one, grim-faced and determined to do what it took to get Maddie, Rose, and Emily back.
“It hurts, this love.” Cam rode beside Harry. “Be ready for that, cousin.”
“I have no wish to back away. Maddie is vital to me now, as are Fleur and Daisy.”
“When I have my wife back, I shall have plenty to say on that matter and your previous reluctance. I want the details as to what changed your mind, Harry. However, we will do so in a quiet place where a Huntington brother will not overhear and want to pummel you.”
They rode in silence, a cloud of anxiety hanging over them. Mr. Brown had accompanied them, and as Dev had said, the more eyes and fists the better.
“The property cannot be seen from the road, but Madam Fabron told me there are two large oak trees that appear to be… ah, well, in a suggestive pose. This was to Lord Raynor an omen that he should buy the property,” Mr. Brown said.
When finally they came upon the trees, Harry had to agree that they did appear to be in a suggestive pose.
“I’ll have something to say about that too when I have my wife back,” Cam said.
They walked in after tethering their horses. Warwick was to listen, and those with sight to see if their women were near.
The drive wasn’t long, the trees thick. Lord Rayn
or had chosen well; no one would look here if they did not know the house existed. Dark stone walls were thick with ivy, and the foundations no doubt sunken into the ground for many years. Harry doubted the original inhabitants planned for it to become a brothel.
“They are here,” Dev said. “I see their colors. All three are well and look like they are in some part of the house that is below what we can see.”
Harry checked, as he knew Wolf did also. Maddie’s color was strong, as were the others.
“Max, Rory, Harry, and Mr. Brown, take the rear. Try and gain entry, as we do not want your mother to see you if she is inside. We will get in through the front door using the words Mr. Brown gave us.”
Harry ran around to the rear and found a door. Pistol in hand, he opened it and slipped inside, finding himself in a hallway. Moving along the wall with the others on his heels, Harry checked rooms for people using his vision, but so far they had come across no one.
Reaching another door, Harry changed his vision, and found Maddie was no longer below him. Opening it, he found stairs.
Lamplight lit the way, and with each step his tension climbed. She was close now; he could feel her. Saw her colors and knew soon she’d be in his arms. Someone would pay, but right now he just wanted to see Maddie.
At the bottom, they found more doors with small barred windows set in them. Grabbing a lamp, he raised it to look in the first and found a bed but no occupants. The second was the same. It was the third that held what he was looking for. The three women slept, all leaning on each other, as yet unaware who stood outside their cell.
“Maddie,” he called through the bars, and she jerked awake.
“Harry?”
“Quiet now.”
“Cam?”
“Wolf?”
“They are here, but upstairs keeping everyone busy. For now we must get you out. Stay silent, you are safe now.”
“If you’ll allow me.” Mr. Brown stepped forward and began to pick the lock.
“A handy sort of fellow,” Rory said.
When the door opened, Harry ran inside and dropped to his knees before her. “Christ, Maddie, are you all right?”
“Yes… but I don’t understand why you are here, Harry? Your ship—”