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Chains would leave such marks. Or thick ropes.
There was a knock at the door, and Jane cowered into a corner of the bed. “Don’t let them find me. I won’t go back. I’ll never go back to the Yellow House.”
“No one’s forcing you to go anywhere,” Alice said firmly.
She opened the door only wide enough to slip through.
Nick and Lear stood outside with everything she’d asked for. “She’s very frightened right now, especially of men. I don’t think you should enter the room.”
Nick nodded. “I’m sorry to foist her on you.”
“Her name’s Jane,” said Alice. “And I must go back and wash her wounds.”
Nick’s jaw tightened. “Wounds?”
“Her wrists and ankles. I think she’s been chained.”
Nick and Lear exchanged a tense look.
Alice hoisted the heavy pot of boiling water, and Nick held the door while she entered the room. “It’s only me with some hot water,” she called to Jane. “I’ll make you some chamomile tea.”
She went back for the linens.
“Will you be all right?” Nick asked, his eyes heavy with concern.
Captain Lear turned away, pretending a sudden interest in the wall.
“I’ll be fine.”
He touched her cheek. “Alice, I know you have questions.”
His touch made her long to curl up in his arms.
She wanted to twine her arms around him and kiss him. She wanted to be back in his arms in the gallery, feeling him solid and strong beneath her.
“Thank you,” Nick whispered. He smoothed her hair away from her cheek. “I promise I’ll explain everything tomorrow. Lear and I must go out now.”
Where did he have to go so late at night? And why were he and Lear both so very grim?
“I’ll have March leave a tray with some food outside the door.” He turned to leave.
Alice wanted to shout at him, beg him to stay, but Jane was frightened of men, and Alice was scared of needing Nick too much.
“Bring us Jane’s cloak,” Lear said.
“Why?” Alice asked, perplexed.
“I’ll tell you later,” Nick said impatiently. “We have to go now.”
Alice went back inside the room and gathered Jane’s torn cloak and handed it to Nick.
Lear touched the brim of his hat. “My lady. I hope to speak with you again under less troubling circumstances.”
She nodded and reentered the room.
Thankfully, a fire had already been laid in the grate and all she had to do was light it.
With great care she washed Jane’s wrists and patted them dry with a clean towel.
