Page 72 of Finding Hope
Another set of hands picked her up and lifted her from the box and placed her in what felt to be a cart.Good God, they were carting her off like a sack of laundry!
She began to squeal before the second voice scolded her. “There’s no one about here, miss. You might as well save your breath.”
There were no sounds other than the roll of the wheels beneath the cart, and she feared he was right. Shifting her attention to her surroundings, she did not think they were within the house any longer, although perhaps they could be in the cellars, or even a dungeon. Certainly Davenmere was old enough and large enough to have such a thing. It was much cooler and smelt of damp earthiness, and she could well believe she was in a cave.
The cart stopped for a moment and a heavy door creaked open with a rush of air.
Where was he taking her? The farther away from the house she was, the longer it would take for someone to find her.
Surely Rotham must realize by now that she was missing. He would not think she would leave for a walk at such a time as this, would he? How long would it be until anyone realized?
Hope heard the sound of running water, but was certain they had not returned upwards to the level of the ground. Was this some kind of cave beneath the surface?
She had heard of such things, but had never seen one. Would Rotham even think to look there?
Spray wet her sack as they seemed to pass beneath a fall of water. Her spirits sank further and further as she seemed to be hidden beyond being found.
A wave of sickness caused bile to rise in her throat, and she would have retched had she had anything to eat that day.
Knowing who the malefactor was only deepened the comprehension that she and Rotham might never be together. Hope had to escape from there!
The cart stopped again, followed by the sound of a key being forced into a lock and turned before the man struggled to heaveopen a door. She was gently raised from the cart and placed upon the damp, chilled earth, a sensation most unwelcome and stark in her wet gown.
“I will be back to visit you later. There’s a lantern and a blanket and some water.”
He touched her again, and she flinched. “I am only removing the sack from your head, miss.”
Hope sat still and allowed him to do that. It was only a small relief when she looked around and saw her small prison. She pulled the gag from her mouth as he began to leave her.
“Please don’t do this!” she begged.
She debated whether she could push past him and escape, but he was probably a foot taller than she and several stones heavier. Without knowing where she was, or which way to go, it would be nearly impossible to evade him.
“How long will she leave me here?” Hope asked, needing some small crumb to hang on to.
“That I cannot say, miss. I promise I will come and see how you go on if it is to be very long.”
With that she had to be grateful, because he closed and locked the door. How long would the lantern last?
Rotham would inflict dire retribution on his mother for this, she knew. She only prayed she herself did not die of cold first. There was little doubt in Hope’s mind that the Duchess would kill to have her way. Hope gave in to the fear and began to sob with wretchedness.
Max was in agony.He knew that the Duchess was responsible for Hope’s disappearance, yet he still threw open every door and window and began yelling for Westwood.
He ran and knocked on the door of his friend’s apartments, but there was no answer. They must have already gone downstairs. Furiously, he pulled on the bell-rope. He wanted the entire house turned upside down, and he did not care who knew what the Duchess had done.
When, at last, a maid came into the hall, he practically shouted, “Go and fetch Lord Augustus, Lord Westwood, and any other of the gentlemen you can find. Tell them it is urgent!”
The Dowager Lady Westwood stepped into the hall from her chamber. “Is something amiss, Rotham? Forgive me, but I could not help but overhear.”
“Hope is missing. I was supposed to meet her here a few minutes ago to go to visit the Duke. I know she would not have left of her own accord.”
Concern crossed her features. “I think the girls are still in their apartments. I will see if they know anything.”
Gilford arrived in a hurry, looking distressed. “My lord?”
“Who were the footmen to be on duty at this hour?”
Gilford looked around and realized they were missing. “Why, John and Thomas, sir. I made sure they had arrived at their posts. Where could they have gone?”
