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He brushed a stray lock of hair from his lined forehead, glaring at her beneath heavy black brows. ‘Mind your own business, miss. Do as the boss says and you won’t be harmed.’
‘I should think not. Send Mr North to me now, Wills. I want to speak to him.’
‘I’m Seth Wills and you will treat me with some respect, miss. I will pass your message on to Mr North but the rest is up to him.’ Seth went to the table and took a box of matches from his coat pocket. ‘I’ll leave you a light. But you’d best be quiet. If you scream and make a fuss, I won’t answer for my temper.’
‘You have to let me go. My family will notify the police if I don’t return home.’
‘That ain’t my concern, miss.’ Seth backed out of the room, slammed the door and Nancy heard the key grind in the lock.
She was sore all over from being thrown from the chaise, although no bones seemed to have been broken. Her head ached and she realised that she was trembling from head to foot. She managed to reach a chair and she slumped down on the seat. The room she had been left in was not one she recognised, but she could tell they were on the second floor, and she had heard Gervase give orders to take her to the east wing. She knew from her time spent with Sylvia this was a little-used part of the mansion and in need of some redecoration. There was a bed in one corner and the furniture looked as though oddments had been thrown together rather than discarded. The Persian carpet was faded and threadbare in parts and a patchwork coverlet on the bed looked as though it had seen better days.
When her head cleared a little, she stood up and went to the window, hoping perhaps she could signal to one of the gardeners or a servant who was loyal to the family and not to Gervase North. The storm was still raging, and flashes of lightning illuminated the grounds. She realised that her room had been chosen well and there was little chance of anyone seeing her. Tall trees behind a high stone wall were an effective barrier, and there was no chance of escaping through the narrow window.
The candle sputtered in the draught and almost went out. The thought of being left alone in the dark was frightening enough without being kept a prisoner by a madman. She was now convinced that Gervase must be a lunatic to think he could kidnap her and get away with it. She searched the room for more candles and found several stubs in candlesticks on the mantelshelf and an oil lamp that seemed to have a little oil left in the font. She had no intention of remaining locked up, but it would be a long night in almost complete darkness should the first candle be extinguished. She rattled the door knob even though she had heard the key turn in the lock, and she knew it was pointless. However, it gave her a sense of at least attempting to escape. She hammered on the wooden panels with her fist and called for help, but again she knew it was useless. The servants’ hall was too far away for anyone to hear her cries, and she doubted if anyone would come. Whether it was fear or loyalty to their new master she had no idea, but Gervase seemed determined to keep her prisoner. She sat on a chair at the small tea table, which, she could tell by the ingrained sticky finger marks and scratches, must once have been part of the nursery furniture. Perhaps Gervase would send someone with food or even something to drink. The candle burned down to a stub and she was glad she had lit another to take its place. She was cold, tired and angry, but eventually she was too tired to wait any longer. She took off her boots and climbed into bed, pulling the quilt up to her chin.
Nancy awakened to daylight streaming through the window and a hint of pale spring sunlight filtered through the small panes. She sat up and stretched, wondering what Gervase had planned. She was not afraid but she was furious with him for placing her in such an invidious position, and she really did think that he was quite insane, as Patsy had suggested. The sound of approaching footsteps made her pull on her boots and she rose to her feet, ready to make a dash for freedom should the opportunity arise.
To her surprise it was the parlour maid, Ivy Lugg, who stepped into the room, but any chance of pushing past her was foiled by the presence of Seth Wills, who stood outside in the corridor. Ivy laid a tray of tea and toast on the table and backed away.
‘I’m sorry, miss,’ she said in a low voice. ‘The master’s orders.’
Nancy caught her by the apron as she was about to leave the room. ‘I thought you had left when the house was closed down.’
‘The master needed servants and I had to have work, miss. My ma and pa are poorly and I’m the only breadwinner in the family.’
‘I’m so sorry, Ivy.’ Nancy moved closer. ‘I need to get away from here. Can you help me?’
Ivy’s brown eyes opened wide with fear and she glanced over her shoulder. ‘I can’t. I’m sorry.’
‘What’s going on there?’ Seth demanded. ‘Come out, girl. Leave Miss Sunday alone.’
Ivy backed out of the room. ‘Sorry, miss.’
‘I want to see Mr North,’ Nancy said loudly. ‘Tell him, please.’
But the door had closed and she was alone again. She was tempted to toss the tray out of the window, but hunger and thirst overcame her principles and she filled a cup with strong tea, adding a dash of milk. She drank thirstily and ate the buttered toast, even though it was cold and not particularly tasty. However, the food and drink made her feel stronger but she could do nothing other than wait.
Eventually, after about half an hour – although Nancy had no way of telling the time – the door opened and Gervase strolled into the room, smiling broadly.
‘Good morning, Nancy. I hope you slept well.’
She glanced over his shoulder bracing herself to push past him, but once again his bodyguard was standing outside the door.
‘Are you completely mad, Gervase?’
‘Not at all, my dear. I am quite sane, as you will discover when we are married.’
Nancy’s legs gave way beneath her and she sank down on the nearest chair. ‘What are you talking about? You are the last man on earth I would marry.’
‘Think it over, Nancy. You have spent the night in my home without a chaperone. Your reputation will be ruined, and the only way to redeem yourself is to marry me.’
‘You really are crazy. Why would I do that? I would rather be thought of as a scarlet woman than be tied to you for life.’
‘Then you will have to stay here, in this room, until you change your mind.’ Gervase turned away and walked to the door.
‘Wait a minute.’ Nancy took a deep breath. ‘Why, Gervase? Why would you want to marry a woman who detests the sight of you?’
He turned slowly to face her. ‘You must think I’m a fool, Nancy Sunday. Or should I say Nancy Greystone?’
