Page 36 of A Father's Insistence

Chapter Seventeen

Theodore

Imake sure Joanna is safe when I leave her alone, this time. She’s sleeping in our bed with the sheets tangled around her as the early morning sun floods in and illuminates her now flawless skin. I’ve given her the means to protect herself, if necessary, with an illegal hand gun next to her bed. Before leaving, my father gave it to me as a means to protect myself after Elsie’s death. Joanna’s from an upper class family, so I’ve no qualms about her knowing how to use it. It’s the sport of the elite to shoot small discs for fun. She’ll be more used to a shotgun, but the principle is roughly the same. Instinct will kick in should she need it. I know most people would say I’m insane to leave a weapon with a victim of the horrific abuse she’s suffered, but I know she’s free from most of the torment from her bad memories. I don’t fear her hurting herself, even for a moment. Silently creeping from the room, I leave my butler instructions that no one is to leave or enter the house while I’m absent. Nobody at all, no matter who it is. At this point in time, I don’t know who I can and can’t trust any more, but something in the lines of worry crisscrossing his face tells me this gentleman, who’s been with me for most of my life, will protect my wife. He’s aged as much as I have over the last few weeks.

It doesn’t take me long to return to Oakfield Hall. It’s early in the morning, and the streets are still empty. The imposing gothic style manor sends chills down my spine. This place holds so many dark secrets, which those around me seem to be a part of while I’ve been kept in ignorance. Or has it been that I’ve not wanted to hear the truth? No matter what the reason is, I need to know, now. I need to discover what is really happening around me, and what type of pawn I’ve become in a game I fear is about to turn deadly. My sister according to Joanna is the only one who can give me answers. I need to listen to her.

I knock loudly, and a butler appears at the door.

“I’m sorry, sir, but you are no longer welcome here,” he informs me and makes to shut the door. I place my foot across the threshold just in time and curse when the heavy wood slams against it. Damn, English oak! That’s going to hurt for a while.

“I want to see my sister.”

“She doesn’t want to see you. Please move your foot, or the consequences will be upon your own head.”

“Victoria!” I shout through the crack in the door. I can just about see my sister on the stairs behind the butler. Nicholas is standing beside her with his arms wrapped around her. His face is as bruised as mine feels.

“Go away, Theo,” she informs me with a voice I can hear is close to cracking.

“I need to speak with you,” I shout back.

“I’m not leaving Nicholas. You can do whatever you want with that picture of him carrying the painting. We’ll fight you every step of the way.” Her resilience breaks on the last word, and a whimpering sob fills the cavernous hallway.

“Leave,” Nicholas orders with murderous tones.

“I need the truth,” I try one last time. “I need to know what happened the night our father gave you to the Cavendish family.” Victoria’s hand flies to her mouth, and she bends over sobbing, trying to bring air into her lungs. Nicholas rubs her back. “I know Joanna’s father was paid money to give her to the society. I know I’m being lied to, Victoria. I need the truth no matter what it is.” I pause, my vehement pleas for information are leaving me exhausted. “I want to save my wife. I love her.”

Nicholas waves his hand at a butler, and the door opens.

“You’ll listen to her?” He steps toward me as I’m admitted into the hall.

“I just want the truth. No more lies. Joanna is terrified of something. You, I think, but I‘m not certain.” Confusion laces my tone. “All I do know is I want to protect her, and she tells me my sister is the only one who can help me do that.”

“I’m not going with you, Theo,” Victoria repeats. “You say you love Joanna. Well, I love Nicholas. He’s not the monster you think he is. What I have to tell you is going to hurt. It’s going to destroy you.”

“I’m ready.” I take a step closer to my sister and hold my hand out to her. I can tell she’s been crying for hours. Her eyes are red-rimmed, and she looks exhausted as if she hasn’t been sleeping and not only because she’s the mother of a newborn.

With some reluctance, Nicholas lets Victoria go, and taking my hand, she leads me into the lounge where I assaulted her husband earlier.

“Do you need me with you?” Nicholas looks terrified to let her out of his sight.

“I need to do this with Theo on my own. We are at fault for not telling him sooner. I wanted to protect him from the truth, but he’s become embroiled in it anyway. We need to do this as siblings together.”

“I’ll wait outside. Leave the door open.”

She nods at him, and we enter the lounge. She leads me to the sofa, and we sit on it. Her hands feel cold, and I wrap mine around hers to warm them.

“I won’t leave him, Theo. I love him in just the same way as you love Joanna.”

I look at the door where Nicholas stands guard while we converse. He looks tired. His demeanor does not appear to be that of a man who is filled with confidence in regard to his power nor does he seem capable of being the demon I’ve been led to believe he is. His look is that of a man who’s frightened of losing his wife and daughter. The truth finally dawns on me. Nicholas acts exactly the way I do when I’m around Joanna. His eyes always light up when Victoria is with him. He’s protective of her but only because he loves her.

“He loves you, too.” I turn to my sister. “I see it now. Victoria, you have to tell me what happened. I can’t be kept in the dark any longer. When I married Joanna, I was brought into whatever fight it is you’re embroiled in. I’m confused, and I don’t know what the truth is anymore. All I do know is my wife is terrified, and I can’t protect her unless you tell me. Please.”

“It will hurt, Theo.”

“I’m ready. Tell me what happened the night you were brought here.”

She shuts her eyes,

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