My Captive Duchess (The Reeves of Reeves Hall #1)

Chapter 18

Jane

T he day passes slowly. I write a letter to Mr Oakley, as instructed, then resume my vigil by Chloe’s side. The thought of being a captive here holds no fear for me in comparison with the dread that my daughter may never wake. What use is freedom if my heart is broken?

I sit and watch Chloe’s sleeping face, wondering if I shall ever see her mischievous smile again. Over and over, I berate myself. Why had I not held on to her hand when she had gotten out of the carriage? The road to Penhale is not a busy one, but it is a road nonetheless, with horses and carriages travelling at great speed. If only I could be allowed to venture back in time so that I could change the tragic course of events. A time travelling machine! Now that would be a marvellous and worthy scientific invention—far better than a contraption that allows people to talk to me through a wall.

“Jane,” Broek’s voice says, coming through the infernal wall and nearly making me jump out of my skin.

“Broek,” I gripe. “Must you always give me such a fright?”

“You shall have to accustom yourself to it, Duchess. It is the way we communicate with each other here.”

“It is unnatural to speak to someone without seeing them in the flesh,” I retort.

“It will become natural to you in due course,” he responds equably. “Now, Duchess, I have not disturbed your peace merely to converse. I wish you to know I am leaving on business for a few days and that you may walk freely around the house. Should you wish to go outside for some air, inform Wolkan—Horis will show you how to call him on the communicator. But Duchess…” He pauses and his voice when he resumes is such that I can be in no doubt that his face is wearing a dark scowl. “Do not even think of trying to walk out of the confines of Reeves Hall or try to send a message to anyone outside. You will not be allowed to do so.”

“You cannot keep me here forever,” I point out reasonably.

I hear his weary sigh. “I am not in the business of dealing in forevers,” he says eventually. “Let us just say, for the foreseeable future, you are to remain here as my guest.”

“As your prisoner,” I correct.

“Have it your way, Duchess. Now, I must go.” And then he is gone. That is another thing I dislike about conversations through a machine in the wall. There is no courteous bow of farewell, merely a sudden and deafening silence.

I spend the day in the medical bay, leaving only to take my luncheon and dinner when Krilea comes in to sit with Chloe in my stead. I hear the hustle and bustle of a lively household on my occasional forays out to the retiring room. It is clear that several persons live in this house, more so than I had originally thought.

I question Horis about this the next time he comes in. “Yes,” he agrees, “there are many of us here. In addition to my brothers and sister, thirty-six loyal servants accompanied us to England.” I take note of this new information, adding it to what I have learned already. The Reeves siblings, for an unspecified reason, have been banished from their country, and with them on their exodus came a large group of loyal servants. I can only surmise that their family must have been an important one back on Uvon, or whatever is the name of their far-off, mysterious country. This is a worryingly large number of people whose interest lies in stopping me from leaving Reeves Hall. Do all of them want me to stay captive? Or is it just Broek? It seems I shall have my work cut out to make my escape, when Chloe is well enough for me to attempt it. When, not if. She must get well. And we must leave. Those are the two incontrovertible imperatives.

“The west wing of the house is for the sole use of myself, my brothers and my sister, and now you, Your Grace,” Horis continues. “The east part of the house, where we are now, has separate quarters for family retainers. Wolkan, whom you have met, resides here with his wife and children, others too. Several of them have married since coming to England, and with their growing families, require more living space than can be found in the house. That is one reason why Broek was keen to acquire Penhale Manor.”

I nod, beginning to make more sense of this great puzzle, though there are still very significant gaps. “And you were all banished from Uvon,” I say casually. “What crimes did you commit to be so punished?”

He looks taken aback at my perspicacity. “I see I shall have to watch my words,” he says ruefully. “However,” he adds with finality, “I believe Broek should be the one to explain.” He stands to leave but casts a last glance at Chloe before doing so. “She is doing as well as I could have hoped at this stage,” he tells me. “We need to be patient, but I do believe she will recover.” With one final smile, he exits the room.

Later that evening, he returns to take over the vigil from me, instructing me to retire to bed for the night. “I will stay with her, then Krilea,” he promises. Reluctantly, I give Chloe a kiss goodnight, then go up to my bedchamber where Betsy attends to me. I settle into bed, sinking my body into the softest of sheets. There can be no doubting that I am being well treated here at Reeves Hall.

I reflect back on dinner with Horis, Liora and Simor—for I have learned their true names. It had been a quiet yet pleasant affair. I had felt Broek’s absence keenly, despite his usual silence at mealtimes. The man’s presence is powerful. He has the rare ability to both comfort and rile me at the same time. To their credit, his siblings made an effort to include me in their discourse. There is an easy affection between them, and to me they showed great courtesy.

I sigh as I pull the covers over me. Everything seems to have gone topsy-turvy. This is no ordinary captivity I am experiencing. I am more an honoured guest than a prisoner. The truth remains, however, that I am not permitted to set foot outside the grounds of Reeves Hall. And my Chloe lies immobile in a white, windowless room while her body is attached to strange contraptions. Please Lord, let her wake . Wanting absolute darkness so I can lose myself in the numbness of sleep, I instruct, “Lights out.” Soon, the room falls dark, and I tumble into a deep slumber.

Next day, I am quietly reading a book by Chloe’s side when my prayer is finally answered. “Ma,” she croaks. I nearly drop the book in my haste to go to her. I stand and lean towards her, so that I am in the line of her vision, stroking very gently the hair back from her face.

“Sugar plum,” I say, calling her by an affectionate name her father used for her and that I have taken to use too since Giles’s passing.

Her eyes blink, trying to take in the strange surroundings and then fixing on the only familiar thing—me. “It hurts,” she moans softly.

“I know, my darling,” I say soothingly. “You fell and hurt your head, but we shall give you something soon to help take that pain away.”

I press the button on the wall and speak into it, summoning Horis, the way he showed me. He is not long to arrive. With a kindly smile, he examines Chloe, speaking to her in reassuring tones. Once he is done, he turns to me and states, “It is good news, Your Grace. My examination reveals there is no lasting damage, and your daughter should make a complete recovery.”

I take a deep breath of relief and let it out, though I cannot yet rest easy. “She is in pain,” I say.

“Yes, her head is still sore. Now that I have ascertained her brain function is sound, I may give her a draught for the pain. It will send her to sleep again though, so please do not be concerned if she falls unconscious again.”

I nod my understanding, then kiss Chloe’s cheek. “Sugar plum, Horis is going to give you something to help take the hurt away. Rest, my love, and you shall soon feel better. Shall I sing you a lullaby or read you a story?”

“Story,” she murmurs weakly.

“Very well,” I say, then begin to recount Puss in Boots. By the time I am finished, she is asleep once more.