Forced Offer (14 page)

With a sinking heart Belinda heard the heavy slam of the door.

Again!

For a few moments Belinda was unable to move, as rooted to her spot she realized without even trying the door that Irene had locked her in the cellar.

She now began to feel the cold of the stone floor seep through her thin kid slippers and she took a few steps by the light of the candle, which was thin and would soon burn itself out.

She sat on another crate and stared at the flame, in the same hypnotic state she had once done at another time, when her mother had locked her in a cellar.

How could she have been so stupid and trusting? How could she have been so trusting in a similar cellar when even her own mother had not been trustworthy?

She leaned her chin on her hand and tears soon slid over it, streaming incessantly for a while. But her hand soon became cold from sitting still in the cold vault. She put her hands into her thin pelisse to warm them and felt a piece of paper in her right pocket. She took it out and guessed what it was even before she unfolded it. It was a note from Irene.

Through tears, Belinda read the angry words:

You stupid, wicked girl. Now you will feel what it feels to be trapped in a musty cellar all night against your will like my brother was trapped by you and your wicked mother. You ruined my brother's life and now you will pay for it.

Belinda read it through again and then listlessly refolded it and put it back into her pocket.

And she had thought Irene wanted to be her friend! What a gullible fool she was, when it was obvious to anyone one-eyed and half-sensed that Irene harbored nothing but resentment and hatred toward her.

Belinda had never in her life felt more alone than she did now. So many people seemed to hate her. She had never had enemies before and the feeling was unfamiliar.

She continued to stare at the candle flame, unable to look around nor to admit to the horror that would soon start to creep into her. She must not let her fear take hold of her.

She must do something practical.

Perhaps Irene hadn't locked the door, perhaps she just wanted to trick her into thinking she had.

She couldn't believe the girl could be so cruel as to leave her locked in this horrible prison all night long. Why, she would die from the terror this implied. She would not be able to live through such a night.

By the dim light of the candle, Belinda went up the stairs and tried the door and with a desperate, sinking feeling saw that it was locked shut.

She slowly went down the slippery stairs again and sat again on the crate by the candle that was wearing out as the minutes ticked by.

She shut her eyes and prayed. Prayed that Irene only meant to punish her by keeping her locked only for a while, but that she would come down soon and unlock the door.

She must come down soon, she must!

How could she bear it when the candle gave out? The mice that even now she could hear scurrying around the piled furniture would come out and—and crawl over her if there was no candle to ward them off.

This thought filled her suddenly with such a terror that a sick wave of panic went through her whole body, chilling her even more. She yelled out until she was hoarse but only the silence answered back. She was now shivering so much from the cold that her teeth began to chatter.

When she tried to clamp her mouth shut to stop her teeth from chattering she cut her lip and now the rusty taste in her mouth added to her discomfort. A cold dread was seeping through her mind and the cold in the icy and humid chamber seeped into her bones so that her body began to shake uncontrollably.

She hugged her arms over her chest against the cold and fought terror. She felt that she would not be able to bear it when the candle went out.

* * * * *

Irene was awakened by the sound of a carriage on the gravel driveway. With a start she jumped up and glanced at the clock in the mantle. With a sinking heart she realized that she had slept all night!

She had meant only to leave Belinda in the cellar for a couple of hours, to teach her a lesson. But now she had been there all night!

She ran to the window and saw that it was Flora returning from her overnight visit. She ran down the stairs as the older woman entered the hall.

"Flora—I—I must talk to you at once!"

"What is it?" asked Flora. “Why are you up so early? What has happened? Why are you so agitated, Irene?"

"In here," said Irene as she pushed Flora into the library and closed the door.

"I'm afraid to go see her," Irene stammered. I think she—she—oh, I hope she didn't die! I swear I didn't mean to leave her there all night.

"You must believe me, Flora!"

"What in blazes are you babbling about?" asked Flora, taking Irene by the shoulders. "Now calm down. Take a few breaths and start all over again. Who are you talking about?"

"Belinda—I—"

"What about Belinda?"

"She's in the cellar—I—"

"In the 
cellar
?"

"I…didn't mean to leave her there all night. I only meant to teach her a lesson. But I fell asleep. Now I…I'm afraid to go see…I'm afraid she's 
dead
."

Flora paused for a few moments, as if digesting what Irene had disclosed. Then she said calmly,

"Nonsense. Why would she be dead?"

"Will you go with me to see?" There was a tremor in Irene's voice as she pulled at Flora's sleeve.

"Yes," said Flora leaving the library with the girl in her wake. "Let's go there at once. “Now, why you would do such a thing, Irene?"

Irene said nothing as she walked quickly with Flora behind her.

When they reached the cellar, Flora turned the key, as Irene seemed incapable of any physical act.

They found Belinda huddled in the floor. Her body in a fetal position, the collar of her pelisse pulled up and her feet tucked under her. Her hair was drenched in sweat and her face was burning. Her hands were icy cold.

"Is she…is she dead?" Asked Irene.

"No. But she doesn't seem well. I think she has a fever, and no wonder. This place is like an ice slab.

"What possessed you to do such a thing, Irene?" insisted Flora as she peered into Belinda's face.

"Help me get her to her feet," she ordered.

Irene's arms were shaking but she forced them to help Flora pull Belinda up. Together they took her up the stairs.

"Shouldn't we get one of the footmen to help us?" asked Irene.

"Do you want the whole house to find out what you did?"

"No," said Irene after a few moments of hesitation.

"Well, then, help me get her to her room."

With Irene's help, Flora put Belinda to bed. And as she was putting away Belinda's thin pelisse, which was icy cold, a piece of paper fell out of one of the pockets. Flora picked it up and read it quickly.

"That's—is that the note I wrote her?" asked Irene, a tremor in her voice.

"Yes, Irene. It's the note you wrote her."

"Can I have it?"

"No. I'll keep it for now," Flora answered.

Chapter 14

"Well, Dr. Jenner? What is wrong with Lady Berrington?"

"I—I believe it's a fever, madam," said the doctor with trepidation. "But it could also be that she has caught the influenza."

"You are not certain?" came Flora's forceful voice.

"It could be a combination. Mrs. Liston, perhaps you would do better with Dr. Casper," said the old doctor, whose practice was now very limited due to his age. I believe Lady Berrington to be very ill…"

"Nonsense, Dr. Jenner. You will do very well. Lady Berrington merely has a chill. And even if it's true that she has the influenza, it must be a very mild case, else why would she suddenly acquire it, when there is no reason for it?"

"What actions led to Lady Berrington's chill?" the doctor inquired.

"She strolled in the garden for some time without her pelisse, according to my sister-in-law Irene," Flora improvised, and added,

"As you can see, that is not sufficient reason for such a string of maladies as you have disclosed."

"Perhaps you are right," said the old doctor, who was in his old age easily influenced by a stronger character than his.

"What do you advise we do for her comfort?"

"I shall write down the recipe for a powder that you can get from the apothecary, Mrs. Liston and that is to be given to her at once, to start bringing down the fever."

"I shall visit her this afternoon to see how she is getting along."

"A visit so soon will not be necessary, doctor. I shall call you tomorrow, depending on how Lady Berrington is in the morning.

"Now, you will excuse me, I'm sure, since I have much to do?"

"Yes, certainly," said the doctor gathering his medicine case.

"I am certain she will be fine under your care, doctor," said Flora as she saw him to the door. "I shall send someone to get the medicine at once."

"Ah, yes," said the doctor, looking around for the spectacles he had misplaced. "Also, her forehead and neck should be mopped with compresses."

"That too we shall do," Flora assured him. "Anything else?"

"I would get in touch with Lord Berrington as soon as possible, Mrs. Liston."

"I don't think that will be necessary, Dr. Jenner. Lord Berrington is at present in London on very important work. It would be wrong of me to interrupt him when it may not be at all necessary. I am sure that under your care Lady Berrington will soon be well."

"I certainly hope so," said the doctor without much conviction. He cleared his throat, and avoiding Flora's eyes said,

"I shall await your call tomorrow."

"Yes, of course, doctor."

"Well?" Irene asked of Flora. "What did the doctor say? How soon will Belinda be well?"

"He said it is merely a chill and she'll soon come around. Now stop looking so Friday-faced and join me for tea, Irene. You mustn't exaggerate the situation."

She led Irene into the drawing room.

"She will be well then?" Irene was clearly distraught, in contrast to Flora's detachment.

"Of course. Why wouldn't she?"

"I shall write to Richard right away," said Irene as they walked to the drawing room.

"I forbid you to do so," Flora said quickly. "If you drag him back from London I shall be forced to disclose your actions. Is that what you want?"

"But—but she looked awful—she looked like she was dying!"

"Nonsense. Allow me to be the judge over this. You haven't the experience to make any judgments on it. When Lady Berrington's condition improves, then you can write your brother."

"She will be alright then?"

"You are becoming increasingly bothersome and repetitive, Irene," said Flora frowning as she poured the tea.

"Now, I have an engagement this evening, which I don't propose to cancel for such a small thing as Lady Berrington's chill. I hope you will be all right, and not do anything foolish.

"Also, I believe it would be better if you let Lady Berrington rest for tonight without any visiting from you. The doctor said that what she needs most is undisturbed rest. You will promise me that?"

"Alright," Irene acceded reluctantly. "But can I speak with Dr. Jenner after he sees her tonight?"

"Dr. Jenner is not coming back tonight, Irene. He feels Lady Berrington's condition is merely a slight chill and she will be better in the morning."

"But she doesn't look well! That old fool Dr. Jenner doesn't know what he's saying. Maybe you should call Dr. Casper or—"

"I think you have had an exciting day, Irene," exclaimed Flora, "I suggest you turn in early. You are not going to make Belinda well by concerning yourself too much in the matter. You should not have locked her in the cellar, but since you did, I must guide you in this matter."

"Oh, don't look so glum, now," she added as she gazed pensively at Irene. "A night's rest will do wonders for her. You will be surprised by how improved she will be in the morning."

"I am so sorry for it," Irene said, her eyes misting.

"I thought you hated her."

"I guess I didn't after all. You told me so many things about her before I even met her that—"

"Now don't go blaming me for that, young lady," Flora spat out with an ugly twist to her mouth. "I merely told you what had happened."

"But you told me she had plotted it in detail with her mother. Maybe she didn't—maybe it was just her mother who did it."

"Calm down, Irene," said Flora with a dangerous tinge to her voice, "or it will be 
I 
who contacts Richard. And I can assure you I will not leave out any details of your behavior if you insist on making so much of it."

"You wouldn't tell Richard—you wouldn't! He would hate me for the rest of my life!" Irene had stood up, her voice rising hysterically so that Flora stood up too, alarmed.

"Quiet down!" she said to her, taking her by the shoulders.

"It will not do to get heated up like this. I promise you he shall never know about your part in it. But only if you will accede to be guided by me and promise never to fling any more accusations such as those you flung at me just now."

Irene was sobbing openly now, her shoulders shaking.

"I am going to call for your maid, Irene, and I shall ask her to give you a sedative that I shall provide her with. You are overwrought, and I think you should go to bed right away. It will not do to have two invalids in my hands instead of one. In the morning you will view everything in a different light.

"You'll see, by tomorrow you will laugh at yourself for being so silly."

But Irene did not laugh at herself the following morning. Awaking at dawn with a heavy head and eyes drugged still by the powder given to her the night before her first thought was of Belinda and donning her dressing gown quickly she stole down the empty corridor and into Belinda's room in the blue light of dawn.

A heavy taper by the massive bed was out and with shaking fingers Irene lit it. By its light she saw with a wave of horror running through her body that Belinda looked as still as death. There was a sick gray pallor on her face and her hair was wet with perspiration.

The room was stone cold and with a sinking heart Irene saw that the hearth had not been lit the night before, for Bessie had been away for two days, having had permission to visit her mother.

She also saw that only a thin blanket covered Belinda's thin body. With trembling hands Irene tried to light the fire, but to no avail. She then rang for a footman and told him to light the fire at once.

Once the fire was lit, Irene ordered him to the stables to saddle her horse and got into her riding habit with unusual speed considering the groggy state in which her body was still.

Before she had started to dress Irene had called her abigail and just as Irene was fastening her boots the girl walked in, a startled look in her eyes as she saw her mistress in full riding gear.

"Go to Lady Berrington's room," she said to the girl, "and stay with her until I return. Take the covers from my bed and put them on her bed. Tend the fire and try to make her comfortable. She is extremely ill. I am going to Lord Wilbur's house and will be back shortly."

"Yes, Miss," said the girl as they both left the room. "Shall I call Mrs. Liston?"

"No!" Irene said. "Under 
no 
conditions are you to call Mrs. Liston. Just do as I said and don’t leave the room. I won't be long."

"Miss Irene!" said Lord Wilbur's astonished butler as he opened the door to Irene's loud banging.

"I must see Lord Wilbur at once!"

"Lord Wilbur is still in bed, Miss Irene."

"Then wake him up at once! This is a matter of great urgency!"

"Yes, of course. Right away, Miss. Please, come this way—"

"Jason," said Irene in a loud voice, "Never mind about me. Go get Lord Wilbur—
now
, or you shall force me to go wake him myself!"

"Yes, of course, right away!" said the butler, horrified at her words as he proceeded briskly up the stairs.

In less than a minute Lord Wilbur himself, clad in a dressing gown of dark broadcloth came running down the stairs, taking the steps two at a time.

"Irene! What is it, what has happened?"

"Willie!" Irene gasped out, "Lady Berrington is extremely ill."

"Ill! Was there an accident?"

"No—you must come right away, for she could die if someone doesn't do something—" with these words Irene started to sob uncontrollably in large gulps, while the tears streamed down her face.

"How did you get here?"

"My horse—"

"You don't look fit to ride that way," said Lord Wilbur.

"I'll be alright—please!"

"Jason," said Lord Wilbur to his butler, who stood by the side, eyes wide. "Tell Jimmy to saddle my horse at once!"

"Yes, my lord," said the butler, moving quickly to execute Lord Wilbur's order.

"Come, Irene," said Lord Wilbur, "Sit here. I shall just be a couple of minutes while I dress."

He took the distraught girl by the arm and sat her on a Sheraton chair. He then ran up the stairs and was back in no time, fully dressed. They then walked out the front door and around the house to the stables.

"What is wrong with Lady Berrington?" asked Lord Wilbur, holding Irene's shaking hands

"She has a fever—Dr. Jenner—"

"Dr. Jenner! Dr. Jenner was called? Never mind, we'll sort this out later.

"Jason," he said, turning to his butler, who had followed them out the house. "Get a message to Dr. Casper right away. Tell him we need him at Lord Berrington's house at once."

"Yes, my lord. Right away," said the butler walking quickly away.

"Don't talk now, Irene," said Lord Wilbur. "You'll need your strength for riding. You can tell me everything when we get there."

But although Irene did not speak on the ride to Winterhill, silent tears continued to stream down her face.

And when they finally neared the house, Irene said in an almost inaudible voice,

"I don't want her to die, Willie, I don't. You must believe me."

Lord Wilbur shook his head slightly but said nothing.

They were met by stable boys that took their horses and Lord Wilbur helped Irene up the stairs and into the house.

The house was still silent as they went quickly up the stairs, down a corridor and into Belinda's room.

Lord Wilbur walked in first, Irene falling back as they neared the door, as if afraid to face what awaited behind the door.

Lord Wilbur, with a glance at Irene's maid, who stood by the bed with a folded cloth in her hand, went to the bed, sat on the edge and peered closely at Belinda. He then put his cool hand to her hot forehead.

"Lady Berrington?"

But Belinda did not answer him, apparently unconscious.

"She is very ill," he said, a shiver of fear running through him. He gazed sadly at Belinda's ashen face. He then took one of her hands in his own. But it was limp within his. He patted it and turned to Irene, who hovered fearfully by the door.

"Has Richard been notified?"

"No-"

"No?" asked Lord Wilbur in astonishment. "And why not?"

"Flora didn't feel it was necessary. She said it was just a chill."

"Just a chill!" Lord Wilbur turned to the abigail. "Get me Leeks at once!"

"Yes, your lordship," said the girl, startled, "right away."

When the girl had left the room Lord Wilbur turned to Irene.

"Come here, Irene. Sit with her while I talk to Leeks. I am certain Dr. Casper is just about to get here."

"Yes," said Irene in a trance-like voice.

Once Lord Wilbur had arranged for a messenger to ride to London at once Lord Wilbur came back into the room.

"Come outside, dear," he told Irene. "I hear a carriage, which must be the doctor's. She'll soon be in Dr. Casper's capable hands."