An Independent Woman

by Anna Jacobs

  “I can get out on my own.” She shook off his hand, head held high, and she looked so pretty he blinked in amazement, because he’d never thought that of her as pretty before.

  They went in the back way and she swept through the kitchens with a nod to Cook and a smile for Ruby, who both looked surprised to see her. She didn’t need to be told where to go, but just to be on the safe side, Hudd followed her.

  When Serena reached the sitting room door, the reality of what she was doing hit her so hard she stopped for a moment, feeling as if prison walls were closing round her. She’d hoped never to come back here, never to be in his power again, but if she didn’t carry this through, didn’t succeed, she’d never feel safe again, either for herself or for the two men she loved. Fleming had to be stopped, exposed for the villain he was.

  She took a long, slow breath and felt her face settling into its old mask, hoped it would stay like that, was terrified of betraying her feelings or the real reason she was here.

  Hudd pushed open the door. “Allow me, Miss Fleming. It’s your daughter, sir.”

  Ernest looked up, but didn’t stand. “You’ll need to remove your coat and hat.”

  “I want to see my brother before I do anything.” As he smiled at her, he looked so cool and confident that a pang of the old fear shot through her belly.

  “Help my daughter off with her coat, Hudd.”

  She did it herself before he could touch her.

  “And the hat.”

  She removed it, noticing the way Hudd was studying her body and wishing she was wearing her old bulky clothes, which had made her feel protected. That was silly she knew, but you couldn’t help how you felt.

  “Now come and sit down, Serena.”

  “When I’ve seen my brother.”

  Another jerk of his employer’s head had Hudd force-marching her to the fireplace and pushing her down in a chair.

  “You are not in a position to dictate what happens, Serena, and I’d be obliged if you would remember that from now on.”

  What she remembered most was the old feeling of helplessness and she had to cling to the belief that Marcus wouldn’t let her down, that he would get both her and her brother out of here.

  “Now that you’re back, you will forget that silly nonsense of your mother’s. I am your father and I intend to remain so. And you will not be going back to that man, who only married you for your money.”

  “And you don’t want my money?”

  “Of course I do. But I’ve earned it. I gave you a home, brought you up—and in the lap of luxury too.” He leaned forward. “Let’s put it this way, in case you’re in any doubt of the consequences of rebellion against my wishes: if you care at all about Graye, if you want to see him remain—unhurt—you will stay with me and do exactly as I tell you from now on.”

  A sick feeling settled in Serena’s stomach as she looked at him and knew he meant it. She’d been right to come. He’d have her Marcus killed without a second thought, but she would prevent that if she had to give up her freedom to do so.

  “I see you’re beginning to remember the power I wield in this town.” He smiled. “And I see you do care for him. How very foolish of you! It’ll make it easier to persuade you to heed me.”

  She didn’t speak and he didn’t seem to need any reply from her.

  “You’ll find that Frank is in a very confused state, doesn’t even acknowledge his own name.

  Once we let him wake, I’ll trust you to persuade him to co-operate with me from now on. If not, he’ll find himself locked away and kept docile by drugs until he does come to his senses.”

  “And if I don’t co-operate?”

  Fleming rolled his eyes at the ceiling. “Why do I need to keep repeating this? If you don’t co-operate, your husband will meet with an accident. But I’m sure that when you’ve had time to reflect you’ll see the sense of doing what I require—and so will Frank.”

  Fleming had an exalted air to him today, she thought in surprise, a certain wild look to his eyes that she’d never seen before. What had happened to make him like this? Had the power he wielded gone to his head? How could he possibly think he would continue to get away with this?

  She bent her head and said nothing, feeling something inside her gather together in a tight, protective knot.

  “I’ll take you up to see your brother now, just to show you what awaits you if you disobey me.” He stood up. “Come, Serena.”

  She followed him upstairs, keeping her face expressionless until she saw Frank lying bound and drugged in bed. Then she couldn’t hide her fear from Fleming, just as he couldn’t hide from her the pleasure he was taking in this.

  “Well?” he asked at last as the silence dragged on.

  “I’ll do as you say.”

  “You will address me as Father.”

  “Sorry—Father.”

  Fleming nodded and moved towards the door.

  Only as she was turning to follow him did she see Frank open his eyes and wink at her. That put heart into her as nothing had since she entered this house. Her brother wasn’t drugged! How had he managed that? But he was tied up.

  Ernest led the way back down the stairs. “As soon as the shops open again, we’ll buy you some more flattering clothes. This time you’ll do credit to me. You won’t be marrying anyone, though, because I need you here to run my house. Eventually we’ll find a wife for Frank so that the family name can be carried on, but they’ll live here with us.”

  When they got to the sitting room Fleming sat down and carried on talking, explaining his plans for her in great detail. He seemed to be enjoying himself.

  She nodded, said yes and no in the way she’d always done, but avoided meeting his eyes so that he wouldn’t see the anger simmering inside her. She kept wondering how long it would take Marcus to get here and how Frank had avoided being drugged, but she didn’t let herself glance at the clock as that might make Fleming suspicious.

  The minutes ticked by very slowly.

  She was afraid, more deeply afraid than ever before in her life.

  Redway listened in horror as Justin told him what had happened. “The man’s run mad.”

  “I think he ran mad years ago but he’s not hiding it as well now. Perhaps he’s grown to feel he’s invulnerable. The war has certainly given him a lot of opportunities to get his own way.”

  “I’ll have to consult Marley about how best to do this,” Justin said.

  “There isn’t time.”

  “Then we’ll have to make time. I could be held to be a biased witness, because I’m Serena’s lawyer. We must have someone present who is above suspicion.”

  “Won’t I do?” Den asked. “I’m a doctor, Mrs Graye’s doctor, actually.”

  “You’re a friend of Graye’s as well. Look, I’ll get my hat and coat on then we’ll go and see Marley.”

  As they went out of the front door, Marcus stopped. “This is all taking longer than I’d expected. Look, Redway, you and Vic go and fetch Marley. Vic, make sure no one hurts Redway.

  Den and I will go to Fleming’s house to keep watch from outside. I don’t want him hurting my wife. If he tries to do that, I’ll get her out of there, whatever it takes.”

  “He won’t hurt her, I’m sure of that. Everyone thinks she’s his daughter.”

  “Won’t he? I’m not so certain. Especially if he feels threatened.”

  With a shrug, Justin strode off through the streets, accompanied by Vic, not even noticing the occasional person who called “Merry Christmas”. But when they got to Marley’s house, they found that his old friend was out of town, spending Christmas with his daughter in Bury.

  The only other magistrate in Tinsley was Crandall, who had more than once acted for Fleming.

  Worried sick, Justin hesitated, wondering what to do. Then he turned back towards the town centre, explaining the situation to Vic as they walked. He’d have to bring Crandall into it, but that worried him. He’d never got on with the fellow, who was f
amous for fussing about details and missing the point.

  Marcus slipped through the gate at the rear of Fleming’s house, looking round for somewhere to hide. He left Den outside to watch his back as his moved forward to the corner of what had been the stables and now housed a shiny new car. No safe vantage point here. He risked being seen if any of the servants came outside. Taking a chance, he ran across the garden to crouch behind some bushes.

  After a minute or two Den joined him there. “What now?”

  “I don’t know. That room on the very left is the dining-room, so it’s probably our best way of getting in. Between it and the servants’ area is the family’s sitting room. Fleming’s in there with Serena, so I daren’t get too close. I wonder if the French windows to the dining-room are locked?”

  “Too risky, old fellow, with servants around.”

  “I’ve got to take the chance. I’m worried about Serena. Look how stiffly she’s sitting. I’ve a feeling something’s gone wrong, so if necessary I’ll go in openly and bring her out of there, then we’ll think of some other way to trap Fleming later. Stay there and I’ll have a reccy.” On that word, he ran across to the French window, tried it and found it open, so slipped inside.

  Den followed, but hesitated outside, waiting to see if the way was clear. He shivered as rain began to fall again, not as heavy this time, but steady and very cold.

  Marcus crept across to the inner door of the dining room, listening carefully and trying not to make a noise. But when he had nearly reached it, a man stood up from behind a big armchair and smiled at him. “I saw you cross the garden from upstairs, Mr Graye. Come to see Mr Fleming, have you? Let me show you through to the sitting room.”

  Marcus stood still, then admitted to himself that he’d messed this up. If love didn’t make you blind, it certainly made you careless of your own safety. He hoped Den would get out of the garden before they discovered him as well, and wondered what Fleming would do about this. If he showed any sign of getting violent, Marcus would inform him that several other people knew he’d come here and why—and they knew that he was unarmed as well.

  “This way, sir.”

  As Marcus walked through the door, something hit him over the head from behind and he fell, pain shooting through him. He tried to roll out of the way of another blow, but was too slow to avoid the next one, which knocked him senseless.

  Hudd smiled to see the snooty fellow brought low then ran to get the fancy cord that held back the curtains in the dining-room, locking the French windows as he did so in case there was anyone else out there, though he hadn’t seen anyone. Graye was groaning so Hudd quickly bound his hands, and as his prisoner began to regain consciousness, hauled him to his feet and marched him out into the hall.

  Opening the door of the sitting-room he thrust his captive forward. “Look what I found, sir.”

  With a cry of dismay, Serena jumped to her feet.

  Fleming grabbed her shoulder and pushed her back down on the chair. “If you know what’s good for you—and for him—you’ll stay there and make no attempt to help him! The slightest attempt to help him and we’ll shoot him dead before your eyes. I have a gun in my pocket.” He patted it and she could see the shape. She knew he would do what he threatened, so stayed where she was.

  None of them saw Ruby, who had been just about to enter the hallway and had therefore seen what was going on. She clapped one hand to her mouth to keep back a cry and after a moment’s hesitation, ran for the back stairs.

  Serena closed her eyes, knowing Fleming was watching her as much as Marcus. When she opened them, she gave her husband a long, level look which offered no clue as to her feelings.

  She waited, motionless.

  “Bring him forward,” Fleming ordered. “I’m pleased you’re doing your job so well, Hudd, very pleased. You won’t find me ungrateful. Now do me the favour of staying here while I talk to Mr Graye. We wouldn’t want him to get too excited, would we?” He looked Marcus up and down scornfully. “Strange way to come calling. You should have used the front door. It’d have looked better. As it is, you’ve played into my hands.”

  He looked at Serena again and it was to her he spoke. “I’ve sent for Crandall who’s on duty as magistrate, and you’ll tell him you want Graye prevented from coming near you, that you made a mistake in marrying him, that the marriage was never consummated and you’re so afraid of him offering you violence that you’ve sought refuge with me here.”

  Serena looked at him without saying a word.

  “She’ll not do it,” Marcus said. “The mistake was ours in letting her come to see you, but I’m here to take her away again.”

  “Oh, she won’t be leaving. She’s eager to stay and look after her brother, aren’t you, my dear?

  And as I said, she now wants the marriage annulled because she’s afraid of you. That is what you want, isn’t it, Serena?”

  “Yes, Father.”

  Marcus stared at her in alarm. Her voice and whole demeanour were different. She didn’t even look like the same woman, so subdued and colourless did she seem. “I don’t believe that. Serena darling, you can stop pretending now and I’ll take you home. Tell Fleming he’s wrong about our marriage.”

  She bowed her head and stared down at her lap. Marcus’s safety depended on her compliance with what her father dictated, because Fleming would be happy to use the gun. She longed to run to her husband and feel his arms around her, but didn’t dare. Fleming laughed out loud as Marcus called her name again, but she kept herself very still, summoning up the old ways that had served her before in this unhappy house.

  “You see,” Fleming said. “My daughter is a sensible woman, not one of your modern independent types. She knows how to obey.”

  As the doorbell rang, Marcus struggled to get free of Hudd and found himself pushed against the wall, with his head twisted so that he couldn’t breathe properly.

  As the doorbell sounded again and there was no sound of Ruby going to answer it, Fleming went out and himself opened the front door. “Thank heavens you’re here, Crandall. We’ve had to restrain an intruder.” He gestured towards the sitting room, where Marcus was still struggling with Hudd.

  Crandall marched into the room, his voice booming out. “Stop this at once, man! What the hell do you think you’re doing?”

  The grip on his head and neck loosened suddenly and Marcus could breathe again, but he knew they’d tricked him nicely. He seemed able to do nothing right today. And why was Serena not even looking at him? Surely she hadn’t really caved in to Fleming’s threats?

  While this was happening Justin had also rung the doorbell. When no one answered it and he heard shouting from inside, he tried the front door and found it unlocked. Crandall’s wife had said he was coming here and Justin could only pray that the magistrate had already arrived. “You stay here, Vic. No good all of us putting ourselves in his clutches.”

  He closed his umbrella and pushed the door open. There was a great deal of noise coming from the room at the rear, so he moved quietly forward to see what was going on. What he saw made him march inside the room where Hudd was holding his client in what was clearly a painful position.

  “Let go of him!” Justin shouted and only then did the people in the room seem to notice him.

  Hudd didn’t remove his hands from Marcus’s neck. “I daren’t, sir. He’s too dangerous.”

  Justin smashed his umbrella down to break Hudd’s hold. That move made the man curse, but he let go of Marcus’s neck at least. “My client couldn’t breathe, Crandall. Wouldn’t you struggle for breath?”

  Marcus was wheezing and gasping, unable to loosen his collar because his hands were still bound behind him.

  “Who let you into my house, Redway?” Fleming demanded. “Get out at once.”

  “The door was open. I knocked and called out, and when I saw my client being so violently restrained, I felt I’d better come in.” He felt for his pocket knife and before anyone could stop him, pulled it out
and cut the cord binding Marcus’s hands behind him.

  With a groan Marcus brought his hands forward and said in a voice that rasped still from the pressure on his throat. “Hudd hit me on the head then tied me up. When he started trying to strangle me, of course I struggled against him.”

  Crandall stared at him as if he’d suddenly grown horns. “That’s not what it looked like to me.”

  Fleming said smoothly, “He’s lying, of course. I’m delighted you’re here, Crandall. I’m sorry to call you out, today of all days, but I want Graye forbidden to come near my poor daughter, who’s had to flee from his violent behaviour.”

  Marcus looked at Serena, expecting her to deny this, but she sent him a quick glance, shook her head slightly and bowed her head again. He could only guess that some threat was being held over her head, perhaps a threat to her brother. Why else would she be doing as Fleming ordered?

  “Don’t do this, love,” he begged, speaking to her only. “Think of yourself. We’ll find another way to help Aubrey.”

  She didn’t answer and Fleming moved quickly to her side, one hand on her shoulder, fingers digging in cruelly.

  “I think you’d better leave, Mr Graye,” Crandall said. “And I wouldn’t advise you to come here again or I’ll be forced to lock you up for the sake of this young woman’s safety.”

  At that moment a voice said from the doorway, “You’re doing too much locking people up, Father.”

  Aubrey came into the room, having taken a minute or two to straighten his clothes and give the terrified Ruby time to leave the house. She’d sworn she’d not return, whatever anyone said, and that she was leaving Tinsley on the first train she could catch, but he’d persuaded her to go to the Weaver’s Arms and wait there.

  He was surprised to see so many people, but wasn’t surprised by the anger on his father’s face, anger that was quickly banished.