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

by Rachel McNeely

  Beckett’s face blanched, and he motioned for Wulf to enter his study. “I have a very few minutes.”

  “This won’t take long unless you prove uncooperative.”

  “You are talking in riddles. Speak plain.” Beckett glared and went behind his desk.

  “Give me the address where my wife is being held. Is that plain enough?”

  “I have no idea what you are talking about. Is your wife not with you?”

  Wulf reached across the desk and grabbed Beckett by his cravat, pulling him halfway across the desk. “Start talking or your wife won’t recognize what’s left of you.”

  “Whaaat?” Beckett stuttered.

  “Take a deep breath and start again. Where is she?” Wulf let his eyes glow and Beckett trembled. Wulf smiled. “You don’t want to see me at my worse,” Wulf threw Beckett backwards.

  He grabbed the edge of the desk to get his balance and took big gulps of air. “I didn’t take her. Lord Akers hired some men.”

  “You know where she is.”

  “No, I don’t,” Beckett denied.

  Wulf came around the desk and shoved Beckett against the wall, then twisted Beckett’s cravat tight until the face above it turned a dark red.

  “I want to know where Akers is holding her.”

  Beckett grabbed at Wulf’s hands and Wulf released the pressure slightly. “Akers wouldn’t tell me.” His voice came out raspy. “He said the fewer people who knew— the better.”

  Wulf studied Beckett’s face. “I will find her, and if I discover you knew her whereabouts, you will rue this day.” Wulf released him and stepped back.

  “He won’t let you have her. Akers is crazy.”

  “You’d better hope I find her,” Wulf said as he went out the door.

  Wulf waited by the curb. His townhouse was not that far away. It shouldn't take long for his carriage to return, or he'd walk.

  He wanted to ride to Akers home and storm in to rescue Thea. But, he doubted Akers would be dumb enough to hold her there. Wherever she was she must be terrified. Hot, raw anger flooded his veins when he thought about Thea being held by Akers. He paced back and forth along the walk. Akers would pay. Wulf would locate Thea and send word to the authorities. Finally, his carriage came into view. It hadn't been that long, but he was anxious to start hunting for his wife.

  “Jeffrey.” Wulf was pleased to see his friend riding up just as he got home.

  “I got here as quick as I could. Anything special I can do to help?”

  “Come on in."

  “Did you find any information on where she's been taken?” Jeffrey asked, as they entered Wulf's home.

  “Not yet. But, I will. Did you speak to my mother before you left?”

  “Yes, she wasn’t happy about the two of you disappearing with no explanation.”

  Wulf shrugged. “I didn’t expect she would be.” There was time enough to worry about his mother, his sister’s fiancé and the rest of his family after he had Thea safe at home.

  Wulf turned to Jeffrey. "Can you wait here while I change?"

  Jeffrey nodded and Wulf hurried upstairs. Bailey was already in Wulf’s room filling a tub with hot water.

  “Do you think Beckett took her?” Bailey asked. He went to Wulf’s wardrobe and pulled out fresh clothes.

  “No, Akers did, and when I find him, I'll destroy him,” Wulf growled.

  * * * *

  Dressed for the evening, Wulf went to his mother’s room and looked through the invitations sent to her for upcoming balls. There was one for tonight. Akers will want to be seen to take any suspicion away from him.

  Hurrying down the stairs, Wulf called out to Jeffrey.

  “Here I am. I’ve been instructing your men to stay nearby us wherever we go.”

  “Good. You are going to a ball. The men will go with you.”

  “And this will help us?”

  “I believe Akers may attend. Greet him. Act like nothing has happened. When he leaves, follow. He may lead you to Thea.”

  “Where will you be?” Jeffrey asked.

  “I’ll be searching in my own way.” Wulf knew Jeffrey understood him.

  “Be careful,” Jeffrey warned before turning to leave.

  The wolf would roam tonight. With his keen sense of smell, he might pick up Thea’s scent.

  He loved her and he intended to have her back.

  * * * *

  Light faded from the window, and Thea knew her first day in this nightmare was ending. The burly guard brought her, her first meal since yesterday evening.

  She slid down the pole and reached for the bread. She took a bite. It was tough and dry. Thea managed to sop up some of the soup before the bowl tipped over. She gagged at the taste, but forced herself to swallow. She had to have nourishment.

  In spite of everything, she dozed off and on. She awakened each time she started to slide down the pole. Leaning against the icy pole, she heard racking coughs from the others around her. Her mind remembered the warmth when sitting in front of a burning fire dressed in a warm, woolen nightgown and robe. If she ever got out of this place, no, when she got out of here, she would tell people about the horrible conditions. Humans must never be chained and treated like animals.

  Despair threatened to overcome her. But, she refused to believe this would be her existence for the rest of her life.

  She heard voices in the distance, then doors being opened. Was it her captor? He’d said he would be back. Her eyes searched the darkness. The candlelight came closer.

  Hateful silver eyes glowed in the dim light, and Thea recognized him. She heard a gasp from Madeline and saw her already white face pale even more. The guard unlocked the door, and Akers strode across the room to Thea.

  “Well, well, fancy seeing you here, my dear.” Akers’ sickly, sweet voice made Thea want to retch. No wonder her captor sounded familiar.

  “Release me. My husband will find me and kill you.”

  Akers laughed loud and long. “He will never think to find you here. I have covered my trail very well.”

  Turning to Madeline, Akers gave her a studied glance. He walked closer and raised her chin with the ball on the end of his cane. “Tell her how hopeless it is, my dear. Has your family found you? No. They believed my story of your death and visit your grave frequently.”

  “Madeline, you know Akers too?” Thea asked, stunned.

  Glaring up at Akers’ face, Madeline spit. He slapped her cheek, and her head jerked.

  Akers wiped his face and went back to Thea. “She knows me. She is my long dead wife.”

  A spear of terror hit Thea in the chest, and she couldn’t hold in the gasp. A shudder raked across her body. He was insane. “You pretended she died and put her here?”

  “I was bored with her, and she gave me no heir. Don’t you agree it was a most ingenious plan to solve my problem? Not only did I get rid of her, but I get to visit and see her suffer.” The harsh words gritted through his teeth. “The moral to this story is that you don’t want to bore me, my dear.”

  He glanced at his watch. “I must go. I’m expected at a ball and must put in an appearance.” Akers cupped her face in his cold hand and laughed when Thea tried to pull away. He tightened his fingers. “Never fear, I will return and next time we will have some fun.” His laughter bounced off the stone walls as he left.

  “See,” Madeline snapped. “There is no hope for you or me.” With that said, she slid down the pole and sat on the floor sobbing.

  * * * *

  After putting on a long black cape and hat, Wulf instructed Bailey to have his plain small carriage brought around. Wulf directed him to drive to the edge of town. Fog rolled in off the Thames and cloaked the streets in a ghostly mist. The thick white curtain hid many in its shelter. .

  Bailey stopped and Wulf began his change. His body twisted and cracked with his fur sprouting out on his hands and then proceeding to cover his whole body. When Wulf growled, Bailey opened the door.

  The wolf leapt
to the ground. He put his nose down and sniffed before taking off in a fast run. He ran along the sides and backs of buildings, always aware Bailey followed not far behind.

  When he smelled people, he sank into the dense fog and held still until they passed. Close to the main part of town, he picked up a stronger scent of her. He brushed his paws across the dirt. A gold sparkle caught his eye. He dug deeper and shifted the dirt with his nose. Her wedding ring proved she had come this way. He grasped in it his teeth. Slower now, he moved forward and glanced around.

  “Look!” a voice shouted. “Is that a dog?”

  Wulf, concentrating so hard on the faint smell leading him to Thea, had missed the two men standing nearby.

  “Too damn big to be a dog. I think it’s a wolf,” the other man replied as he pulled a gun from his waist band.

  Before he could raise his firearm, Bailey moved the carriage and yelled. Wulf whirled around to the back of the building and into the dense misty fog.

  Damn, he lost the scent and now the report would go out of a wolf sighted in town and bring out every hunter eager to claim his hide. Five buildings up, Bailey stopped, got down and opened the door for Wulf. Wulf growled and glanced back. Nothing and no one to be seen.

  “It's too dangerous, my lord. Get in.”

  Continuing to growl, Wulf jumped inside and Bailey shut the door. The painful process of changing left him spent and his frustration over his failure tasted bitter. So close. Where in this area could she be?

  Wulf dressed and leaned back in his seat. He pulled back the curtains. Tall, old buildings flanked the sides of the road. Wulf reviewed in his mind the places located within a mile radius. He ordered Bailey to retrace the area where the men spotted him.

  They drove by the building before it hit him. Wulf pounded his blackthorn cane on the ceiling of the carriage. Bailey slowed and stopped.

  Opening the door, Bailey peered inside. “What is it, Lord Radford?”

  “Bedlam. There have been rumors for years of people being held in Bedlam. Thrown away and forgotten souls. What better place to hide someone?”

  Bailey gazed back at the St. Mary’s of Bethlehem Hospital, better known as Bedlam. “I have heard those rumors.”

  Wulf stepped out and straightened his cravat. “Do I look presentable enough?”

  “In this light, yes, but surely you do not intend to go in there alone.”

  “I must see if I am right. Wait here for me.” Wulf stepped to the side door and knocked.

  A rough looking man opened the door a crack. "What do want?" he asked in a gruff tone and glanced at Wulf suspiciously.

  "I've heard you have some women residing here that a man might visit. Have any new ones I might see?"

  “Yes, sir, we got a new one. I know you rich gentlemen like a little fun though I can’t let you do much more then touch tonight. This one is being saved for a special gentleman.”

  The guard opened the door wider when he saw the money in Wulf's hand. "Guess it can't hurt to let you see her." He motioned Wulf inside. "Follow me."

  Wulf almost gagged at the smell. He had to resist the temptation to knock the guard out and steal his keys, but he didn't know how may others might be nearby. He had to be patient and not make a mistake.

  The guard stopped in front of a cell with a number of people locked inside. He unlocked the metal gate. “That’s her in the middle of the room. Take my light to get a better look.”

  Wulf saw the woman staring at him. He kept the light low. His heart pounded with hope. It looked like Thea. He didn’t want her to arouse the guard’s suspicion regarding his identity. He pulled his cap lower.

  The woman shuddered as Wulf came near. He reached out his hand to touch her breast. She tried to pull back but there was no place to go.

  “Thea, don’t say anything. It’s me, Wulf,” he whispered. “Act afraid.”

  “Is it really you?” Thea stared hard at him. He raised his head so she could see his face.

  “Keep trying to move away from me. Let the guard think you’re resisting,” he whispered as he let his hand roam her body.

  Thea threw back her head. “Unhand me!” she cried out and let tears flow down her cheeks. “I don’t belong here. Help me, help me.”

  He moved closer, touching his body against hers. He whispered in her ear, “Be ready for anything. I intend to free you of this hellhole.”

  He smiled at the guard. “You’re right. She’s a special one. How much do you want to let me have her to myself for a few hours?”

  “I can't. That crazy man would kill me.” The guard backed up. “Come on out now. After he is through with her, then maybe I can arrange it.”

  “When will he visit her?”

  “Always in the night. He don’t never come in the light of day.”

  Wulf ran his hand over Thea again. “Sorry, I’ve got to make him believe…”

  She mimicked moving away from him and whispered, “I understand, but you need to get Madeline out also and maybe Jem and Tom. I won’t go without them.”

  Wulf glanced around the room as he continued to caress her body. “Who?”

  “The man,” she motioned with her head, “to the left is Jem. He and Tom have hacking coughs. They need medical attention. I think the other man is dead. He hasn’t moved the last few hours.” She yelled again, “Please don’t touch me, please stop.” She flinched away from him, and he laughed.

  “Come on,” the guard said gruffly. “Ya can’t stay all night. Bring me lots of money tomorrow and maybe I’ll arrange that private room.”

  Nodding, Wulf backed away from Thea. She watched him go. He knew she wanted out now, but he had to give Bailey a message first. Nothing must go wrong. Soon she would be free.

  Outside, Wulf took deep breaths of fresh air and leaned against the wall of the dingy old building. He hated for Thea to have to stay another minute in that awful place. However, this was not the time to do anything rash. “Bailey, find Jeffrey and bring him here.”

  As soon as the carriage left, Wulf knocked on the door again. The same guard peeked out the door.

  “Back again. I told you to come tomorrow.”

  “I decided I can’t wait.” Wulf flashed a bigger wad of money at the man. “Come on, just another short visit.”

  The man eyed him and then nodded. “Not long, and when I say go, this time I mean it.”

  “Right, no problem. I understand.” Wulf stepped inside, clenching his cane hidden under his full cape.

  Thea raised her head. “Wulf,” she whispered.

  The key grated against the lock, and the door swung open. Wulf flipped the lock on his cane, turned and pointed the long knife at her captor’s throat. “Unlock her now,” he commanded.

  Reluctantly, the guard shuffled toward Thea. Wulf pricked the skin of his throat to encourage him along and the man moved quicker. When they reached Thea, the guard freed her from the pole.

  When the locks came off, she fell into Wulf's arms. He held her against his side and kept the knife close to the guard. He started edging toward the opening to the cell.

  “No, wait, don’t forget the others. I can’t go without them,” Thea said.

  “We’ll send back others to rescue them.”

  “At least bring Madeline with us. I have to know she is safe. Please.” Her eyes beseeched him, and Wulf knew he couldn’t refuse her anything. He directed the guard to release Madeline. .

  The guard glared, but he started to move toward Madeline.

  “Well.” The deep voice caught everyone’s attention.

  “He took me unawares.”

  “Lord Radford, you have been sticking your nose into my business. Beckett told me of your visit.” Akers stood, feet apart, with a pistol in his hand. “What a pity. Now I have to kill you and Madeline.”

  “You wouldn’t dare,” Thea said.

  “Oh, I would most surely dare. The papers will say several prisoners’ broke loose, and in the fight, Lord Radford, who was making a clandestine
visit, was mortally wounded along with one of the very sick patients.”

  He walked toward Thea and Wulf. He held his gun to Wulf’s temple. “Don’t worry, I shan’t kill her, at least not until I get bored. Step away from her!”

  Reluctant to let Thea go, Wulf decided for the moment it was best. He watched as Akers dragged her by the arm across the room.

  No one moved as he waved the gun around. “Archer,” he motioned to the guard. “Go get your rifle.”

  Wulf waited, alert for any chance to use the knife he’d quickly hidden in the folds of his cape. In all the confusion, no one mentioned it. He saw Thea was alert for any chance to help.

  “You can’t get away with this. Someone will know and tell,” Thea said.

  “My men are loyal,” he answered, not taking his eyes from Wulf.

  Thea yanked her arm out of Akers’ grasp, crouched down and pivoted. Akers bent over to snatch her back up when Wulf charged him and sank the knife into Akers’ left side.

  “Well, what have we here?” The guard had his rifle leveled at them.

  “Shoot him,” Lord Akers groaned from the floor.

  Wulf grabbed Akers’ gun from where it had dropped by his foot. Bullets rang out. A stunned look of surprise crossed the guard’s face as he fell. Wulf staggered back and felt blood run down his arm. Jeffrey stepped out of the dark corridor.

  “Well, you took your time about getting here,” Wulf said, a pained grin on his face.

  “I tried to follow Akers, but he lost me at one point. When I circled around I ran into Bailey.”

  “Call a doctor, Jeffrey and the authorities. Gently she removed the gun from Wulf’s tight grasp. “You can let go now. We’re safe, thanks to you.”

  Chapter Twenty

  Bright sunlight coming in her window woke her. Wulf sat by her bed, holding her hand.

  “You shouldn’t be out of bed,” she said eyeing his bandaged arm.

  “It’s just a small wound. I had to be here. I don’t want to let you out of my sight.”

  Her hand reached out and caressed the scarred side of his face. “You’re so tired. Go and sleep. I’m fine.”