Maude's Trials (Widows of Virginia #1)(7)

She grabbed the dress in her hands and hitched it up so as not to trip and rushed after him into the house. As she departed she mouthed a barely audible “I’m sorry” to Fidelis, who was left standing with her bags.





Chapter 6


The sharp, unbearable headache woke her up. Where am I? The memories of the day seemed hazy and her whole body felt as if it were on fire. Her back and limbs ached and her skin itched as if a myriad of tiny needles prickled body.

Her eyes popped open, still she couldn’t see anything. Maude turned her head left and right, despite the pain in her stiff neck, looking for even a sliver of light. She blinked a few times and focused on the faint starlight above. With her senses coming back Maude tried to feel her way around, but her hands were tied.

What happened to me?! Her heart raced and cold sweat dripped down her neck. She strained her mind for memories.

Angry Raymond, paperwork, him storming off to the neighbor’s land, her pacing in the garden as she waited for Raymond’s return… And then… She wasn’t sure. Maybe she heard someone before… just before things went dark. Maude took a deep inhale. That scent… and the prickly feeling… Grain! But how did she get into the silo? Who would have...

Maude didn’t need to finish that thought – Claire – she must have made good on her word. Maude panicked. She didn’t recall any silos on Raymond’s land. Where was she?

“Oh, dear Lord have mercy on my soul.” She whispered under her breath and then shouted. “Help!”

But only echo replied. Still, she screamed until her throat went dry.

As hours passed and no one came to her rescue Maude ran out of tears. Am I to perish here? She watched the sliver of light above brighten, but her hoped dimmed. She had lost her voice, no one would hear her cries for help.

Throughout the day she heard muffled sounds of the busy farm life coming from outside. But no one came to collect the grain. No one came to check on her. Finally late into the evening she heard the sound of a door creak. Her head was dizzy from lack of food or water, but she managed to turn towards the sound.

“Help…” she whimpered.

“You brought this on yourself.” Maude immediately recognized Claire’s voice. “You can’t say I didn’t warn you.”

Tears filled Maude’s eyes. “Why are you so cruel?” She couldn’t understand how the woman could talk about kidnapping and keeping Maude against her will in such barbaric conditions so lightly. As if she had just slapped a misbehaving child on the wrist.

“Please let me go. I will leave,” Maude pleaded. “I truly will, and I won’t even go back for my things… I won’t say a word…”

She punctuated her sentences with sobs.

Claire just laughed as she came closer, the grains scrunching under her shoes. “Oh, I’ll let you go. But not until I make sure you won’t interfere with my plans again. In the meantime, here.”

Maude squinted to see what Claire held in her hands. A bowl? The woman placed the large ceramic dish and some water splashed out.

“Will you untie me at least?” Maude sniffed. “Please?”

“So you can escape? Absolutely not.” Claire rose back up.

“How am I-“

Claire laughed again. “I’m sure someone like you can figure a way to drink that. And if you behave I’ll bring you some food in the morning.”

Does she think me some stray dog? Maude’s cheeks burnt at the thought of lapping up the water from the bowl just a few steps away from her. She wanted to protest, to shout for help. But she had lost her strength, and by the time Maude gathered her thoughts Claire was already gone.

How I wish I had not answered that ad in the first place. Dear Lord, what have I done? What will happen to my children? The tears streamed down her cheeks anew. Would someone find her in this prison? Would Raymond even look? She felt so selfish thinking she could start a new, better life in the West. Maude shivered. At that point she wasn’t even sure Claire would make good on her word and let her go eventually.

But at least she did return with breakfast the next day, meager as it was.

“You shouldn’t have told him about the contract. I thought my instructions were clear.”

“I’m sorry. I was leaving, I swear, when he found out.” Maude tried her best to convince Claire to let her go. “He wouldn’t let me once he found out, even though I told him he should marry you.”

Claire shrugged. “Too late now. I wanted both him and the ranch. But since he’s not willing to budge, the ranch will have to do. And it’s all your fault,” she narrowed her eyes and scrunched her nose. “He’s sooo adamant he will marry you and no other.” Claire rolled her eyes. “I tried to tell him you left, but he’s so stubborn. His loss, I say. I have plenty of suitors you know. All vowing for my hand, and that Raymond, that fool, turns me down! How dare he.”

She riled herself up and finished with a huff. Almost as if she had no one else to talk to.

Maude chewed on the piece of bread Claire handed her earlier. Raymond’s devotion moved her, but it was foolish of him to anger someone so stubborn, so used to getting her way, so willing to cross the line…

Claire rattled some more, but a lot of the words went in one ear and out the other. Tired and in pain Maude struggled to focus on the mad woman’s self-absorbed musings. Maybe if I don’t anger her, she will show mercy sooner…