Mad About You

by Dayna Quince

  “Yes, Father.”

  “You are to do as you’re told from now on. Actions have consequences. Reparations will be made for the damage you have done to this family.”

  Maddie remained silent. Further talking was useless. She waited for further instruction, keeping her eyes to the floor.

  “Kneel over the ottoman and accept your punishment.”

  Maddie did. She lowered to her knees, leaning over the ottoman until her stomach was flush with the top. She folded her hands under her chin and closed her eyes. She tensed as her skirts were lifted and her rear exposed. She could hear her brother snickering from the window. She swallowed, releasing her breath slowly, trying valiantly to not picture herself in such a pose, humiliated, subjugated. She forced her mind away, thoughts of Jonathan and a lantern lit path filling her head. The daydream lasted only until the first bite of the crop into her flesh. She winced, willing herself to be still and silent as a stone. Crying or any show of emotion only made his temper worse.

  The haze of pain clouded her thoughts. She couldn’t even count the whips, only brace herself for the eternity of seconds before the next strike. It didn’t come. Was it over already?

  “Rupert, come have a turn.”

  Her eyes snapped open, and she looked back in fear. She saw the shadow of her brother move from the window.

  No! She wanted to cry, but she bit her tongue to stop herself. She faced forward again and pressed her brow to her hands. She could taste blood in her mouth.

  The sting of the strike lanced through her like lightning, and before it was finished, there was another. Again and again, he struck her, harder than the last. She could no longer hear or see. She was a rigid lump over the ottoman. The pain was so blinding, she wasn’t sure he had finished except her father was speaking again, congratulating him.

  “Well done, my boy. It is righteous and godly work.”

  “I certainly feels so,” her brother murmured. Footsteps came around her side. Maddie struggled to open her eyes. When she finally managed it, she met her brother’s amused stare.

  “I will make certain that Lord Berett is aware of the immediate and pleasing effects such discipline has on Madeline's demeanor.”

  “He is,” came her father’s reply. “You are dismissed.”

  Madeline knew he was now addressing her. She pushed herself up and carefully lowered her skirts. She stood slowly, focused on remaining conscious until she reached her room. She didn’t look at either of them as she hobbled toward the door and closed it gently behind her. Only then, did she lean against the wall and whimper as quietly as she could.

  She could hear footsteps coming down the hall, and then a gasp.

  “Miss Prescott?”

  It was the housekeeper.

  “I need to get to my room, Mrs. Moss. Can you help me?” Maddie looked up. Mrs. Moss looked like she was at the end of a long tunnel. This wasn’t good.

  Mrs. Moss looked at her father’s door and nodded resolutely. Maddie sighed in relief when an arm came around her and helped her to the back of the house and up the stairs. Once in her room, she crawled onto her bed and settled on her stomach. Her backside felt like it was on fire, and the way her dress clung to her skin, she knew she was bleeding.

  “I’ll need salve, Mrs. Moss. I’m afraid quite a bit of it.”

  “I shall summon Dr. Sweeny.”

  “No. I can tend to myself.”

  Maddie watched Mrs. Moss through heavy lidded eyes. The poor woman was wringing her hands. “Should I send for Anne or Lady Flora?

  Maddie shook her head with effort. Mrs. Moss multiplied in her vision, the edges darkening. She closed her eyes

  “May I… have a look?”

  Maddie heard the muffled words, but she was already falling away from reality. She let the darkness claim her. There was no pain now.

  Mrs. Moss lightly lifted the skirts. Streaks of blood had soaked through the back. The poor girl flinched as the fabric pulled away from the red bleeding welts. Mrs. Moss dropped the skirt and covered her mouth.

  This must be reported to Lord Worthington. Everyone knew Sir William was rather heavy handed with his strange daughter, some even deemed it necessary, but this…it made her stomach turn. She hastened out of the room and downstairs. She was torn. It wasn’t her place to tell a nobleman how to discipline his own, but this… this was horrible. If she were not allowed to summon a doctor, then she would tend to the girl herself.

  In the staff dining room, she found Camden and Anne, Lady Flora’s maid, having a cup of tea.

  “Miss Anne, I must speak with you now.”

  Anne jumped to her feet. “Is Lady Flora unwell?”

  “If you mean drunk, then yes, but she is currently in the drawing room and has not embarrassed herself just yet.”

  “Do not speak of my lady in such a manner,” Anne said with pinched lips.

  “Tis a matter of urgency,” Mrs. Moss urged.

  She gestured to the little hall so they could speak privately.

  Anne followed grudgingly. Mrs. Moss lowered her voice. “I will need your assistance with Miss Prescott. Her father has done her serious injury to her back side.”

  Anne folded her arms. “That is not my concern.”

  “The poor girl is bleeding and unconscious.” Mrs. Moss shook her head in dismay.

  Anne’s lips trembled. “I warned her not to disobey them. Tis her own fault. I cannot help her, or I could be punished as well.”

  Mrs. Moss stared at Anne in horrified silence. “May God have mercy on your soul, Anne. I would not.” She turned away. “Maggie! Where are you?”

  Maddie opened her eyes again, still on her stomach. She was covered now by a sheet and wearing only a shift. Directly in view was a bowl of bloody rags on her nightstand. She closed her eyes and opened them again, but it was still there. She remembered everything until she laid down on her bed and then nothing. Her rear felt blissfully cold now but throbbed with the echoes of her lashing.

  She lifted her head and looked around the room. She was alone, and her door was closed. She looked at the nightstand where two glasses sat. One was water, she was sure, but the other held a brown liquid. She pushed up to her elbows and reached for it. She sniffed it, wrinkling her nose at the overt sweetness. Was it brandy? She sniffed again and took the tiniest of sips. Her tongue touched the liquid and pulled back. She took a bigger sip, the fiery liquid slipping down her throat. Coughing, she set the glass down and reached for the water.

  Her lamp was set low, and her window was open allowing a cool breeze to waft into her room. She wondered how long she had been unconscious. It was still night, but someone had undressed her and tended to her wounds. Her door was open just a crack, and through it, she could see the light from the fire. She slid from the bed, standing slowly as pain lanced down her legs. She hobbled slowly to the door and tried to see into the room without moving it.

  She lurched back when a figure came into view. Maddie caught herself before falling onto her bottom on the bed. She yelped.

  Anne entered, holding her finger to her lips. “You must remain quiet unless you wish to wake Lady Flora.”

  Maddie glared at her, biting her tongue to keep from crying out. She rolled to her stomach and pushed herself to her feet, keeping one hand on the bedpost for balance.

  Anne touched her elbow, but Maddie ripped it away from her, glaring her hatred.

  Anne folded her arms. “I warned you, didn’t I?”

  Maddie clenched her teeth. “I didn’t need your warning. Lady Flora didn’t do this, my father did. This isn’t even the first time. I’ve been punished like this many times.”

  Unbelievably, Anne looked shaken by Maddie’s words.

  “Then why must you disobey him? Why do you act out if you know what will happen?”

  “It doesn’t matter what I do. The bar he set is not reachable. That is why I must get away.”

  “But if you marry Lord Berett, you can?”

  Maddie threw her hea
d back to laugh but stopped herself. Tears pricked her eyes as she covered her mouth and swallowed. “Lord Berett is exactly like my father. I’d be exchanging one monster for another.”

  Anne shook her head. She looked troubled. She was staring at the bowl of bloody clothes.

  “Do they frighten you?” Maddie taunted.

  Anne closed her eyes and shuddered. She looked at Maddie resolutely. “I cannot help you. Not directly, but I can…” She looked toward the room where Lady Flora lay sleeping. “I can keep her at bay as much as I can.”

  “How are you going to do that?” Maddie wasn’t convinced.

  “I can keep her deep in her cups, so much so she’ll be sleeping or on the verge of falling asleep most of the day.”

  “She won’t notice you are deliberately keeping her drunk?”

  “She’ll be too drunk to notice,” Anne said with a small smile.

  This didn’t make them allies, Maddie reminded herself. She couldn’t afford to trust Anne.

  “Thank you.” Maddie reached for her robe. “Do you know the time?”

  “It’s a quarter past one.” Anne moved to the door. “I’ll retire now.”

  Maddie nodded her thanks and lowered herself gently to the bed.

  Lady Flora was only one obstacle and a small one at that. It was her father who would do everything he could to thwart her plan. There was no discussing anything now. He would see her married to Berett or no one.

  But that wasn’t going to stop her. He might think he can control her, but all he was doing was fueling her desire to get away from him. Once she married Jonathan, her father and brother would never be able to touch her again.

  Chapter 11

  Jonathan was sweaty and dirty, but he felt more alive than he ever had. Today was the first day of the tournament, and he was determined to claim the title of tournament champion. That meant competing in every game, and though he didn’t have to win every one of them, he had to defeat every opponent in the joust. He was most interested in besting Lord Berett. After their confrontation last evening, something did not sit well with Jonathan. There was a smugness about Lord Berett that Jonathan wanted to shatter.

  He could see his opponent now, watching the games from the stands with a footman holding an umbrella over him. He still looked smug. Jonathan was only too ready to prove that not only would he claim tournament champion, but he would also claim Maddie’s hand.

  The tournament had an early start. Most of the women would not venture from the house just yet. Jonathan was eager to see Maddie. He hoped she would be present, and perhaps, present him with a token at the luncheon gathering. Ladies would favor their chosen knights of the tournament with a token to encourage them. Lady Worthington always made an elaborate showing of bestowing Lord Worthington with a scented scarf to wear inside his armor. It was more for the women to enjoy than the men, but Jonathan was eager to prove Maddie was choosing him over Lord Berett.

  He didn’t know where this primal need was coming from. He felt like a spell had been cast over him, possessing him with the spirit of his ancestors who claimed whatever they wanted with the tip of a sword. He liked it. He had faced two opponents in the sword ring and claimed victory over both, now they were moving on to the ax throw. He was disappointed to find Lord Berett had not participated in the sword event after all, but Jonathan would still face him on the jousting field. His limbs felt loose and his mind carefree as he approached the target area. Accepting a glass of ale, Jonathan drank thirstily. The midday sun was breaking through the clouds in sudden bursts of heat. He accepted a damp cloth and bathed his neck and face. Scanning the cluster of spectators, he hoped to see Maddie, but he did not see a hint of her shining red head. He turned his back to them. He cared little for the attention of the other women.

  He was acutely aware when Lord Berett stepped into the throwing area. The challenge would soon begin. Wiping his hands and dusting them with talc, he stepped up to the line and prepared to throw. The crowd behind him began to quiet as a footman announced the beginning of the game. To save time, all four gentlemen would throw at the same time. There would be four rounds.

  Jonathan focused on the painted target, pushing everything around him out of his mind. A lad held a flag on the side hesitating for a moment and then slicing it down to begin the tournament. Jonathan’s eyes never left the target as he accepted one ax after another, pausing between each throw to breathe. After the third ax, they paused to score the men, and Sir Stanley was the loser of the first round. Lord Davey smirked at Jonathan as the axes were returned to their sides for the second round.

  Again, Jonathan closed off his mind to all but the target. He didn’t breathe this time as his field of vision narrowed until the last ax left his hand. He took a deep breath as the marks were counted. Blinking when Lord Berett waved to the crowd in humble defeat, he stopped first by Davey and then Jonathan.

  “A thrilling defeat. I save my stamina for my one true love, the joust.”

  Jonathan acknowledged the challenge in his eyes and nodded. “I’ll see you on the lists.”

  “Good lad.” Lord Berett smirked and walked away.

  Jonathan clenched his teeth as he prepared to beat Davey.

  “Just the pups now, eh, Rigsby?”

  Jonathan ignored Davey and prepared to throw. He looked at the target, but his focus was lost. He lost to Davey, his last ax landing on the blunt edge and bouncing off the target.

  Davey clapped him on the back. “Better luck next time.”

  Jonathan gave him a passable smile.

  There would be an hour intermission before the joust began. Even now, the crowd had doubled in size. The entire village came to see the joust. Peddlers sold their wares behind the grandstand, and merchants set up tents. In a short time, the area would be filled with excited revelers. But all Jonathan could think about was besting Lord Berett. There was nothing amusing or irreverent about this tournament for him now. It wasn’t a lark anymore. He was going to battle.

  * * *

  Hours earlier…

  Maddie had managed to wash and dress herself, but it had been slow and painful. When she woke this morning, someone had left a fresh pitcher of water and towels as well as a tin of salve. She’d applied it tenderly without crying out, and now she sat on her less afflicted hip on her bed trying to read. She was starving, but she was not eager to see Lady Flora and hoped the woman would somehow forget about Maddie’s presence.

  There was a knock on her door, and then Anne poked her head in.

  “I’ve brought breakfast.”

  “I didn’t think you were allowed to do that.” Maddie gingerly adjusted herself so she could hold the tray on her lap.

  “Here, let me help.” Anne moved the small nightstand and set the tray over it in front of Maddie.

  “Thank you,” Maddie said gratefully as she moved to her hip again.

  “This may not please you, but I told Lady Flora of your injuries, and she has agreed that it would be best if you spent the day recovering here.”

  Maddie gritted her teeth in anger, but there really wasn’t much she could do. It hurt just to walk. She wasn’t going to be able to sit in the parlor with the others.

  “Lady Flora recognizes that there is a measure of tension between you and has elected to join the others downstairs so that you may recuperate and reflect on your actions in solitude.”

  Maddie froze, and then looked up at Anne.

  Anne gave her a speaking glance.

  “Yes, solitude and reflection. So very thoughtful of Lady Flora to consider my needs,” Maddie said.

  “Very good. I will bring you a midday meal around noon, shall I?”

  “Yes, thank you.”

  Anne turned and opened the door. Lady Flora squeaked as she spun away. Anne closed the door, and Maddie could hear Anne reciting their conversation word for word as if Lady Flora hadn’t been listening the entire time. Maddie smiled and dipped her spoon into her oatmeal. Reflection and solitude were exactly what
she needed, but she would not be staying in this room to do it.

  Finishing her breakfast, she hobbled into Lady Flora’s room and tested the door. It was unlocked! She excitedly did a little jig, and then almost toppled over from the searing pain from the welts. She braced one hand on the door as the pain eased and then she hobbled back to her room. Perhaps she wouldn’t be escaping the room so easily. Lady Flora hadn’t felt the need to watch her because she knew that Maddie was as good as hogtied by her wounds.

  Maddie climbed onto her knees on her bed and pressed her forehead into it. She felt like crying, like cursing until her face was blue. She was free today, except she wasn’t. Lady Flora would go about her day with the other guests, enjoying the tournament, which meant Maddie could not. Even if she could leave the room, she would have to avoid any place where others might see her. But she wanted to see the tournament so badly, and Jonathan wouldn’t know why she was missing.

  She had to get out of here.

  She got herself up to look at the clock. It was almost time for the first games of the tournament to begin. If she waited a little longer, she could make her way outside and wait for Jonathan where others wouldn’t see. She could even watch the joust from afar. But for now, she was stuck.

  * * *

  Maddie crept into the stable. She could hear cheering, and the stable was all but abandoned. She wasn’t sure what she was doing. More than likely, Jonathan would have his horse fetched for him and not even come into the stable, but this was as close to the events as she could get without discovery. She slowly passed the stall, horses nickering in response, hoping for some pats and treats. Maddie didn’t know which horse belonged to Jonathan, probably something she should have figured out beforehand, but she wasn’t going into the stall anyhow. She was going to climb into the loft and wait. From there, she could see down and not be seen from below.

  Her legs protested as she climbed, but with some deep breathing and single-mindedness, she made it into the loft and leaned on one hip while she waited.