Maude's Trials (Widows of Virginia #1)(8)

But her captor showed no change of heart, and once she filled in the bowl with fresh water Claire left. Again, Maude was left with just the muffled sounds of the farm life outside and a slither of light shining from above.

She must have fallen asleep, as the scrunching of boots against the grain woke her up. But instead of Claire‘s thin frame she saw a tall man wading toward her. Her heart skipped a beat.

“Raymond?” she whispered lifting her head.

But he wasn’t quite the right height and the shoulders of the stranger were not as broad as her intended’s. Someone else then. Light fell on his face, which though she hadn’t seen before, looked somewhat familiar.

“Help me, please,” she said a bit louder. “I’ve been kept captive here-“

He smiled at her and said, “I know, I brought you here.”

A shiver ran down Maude’s spine as he knelt down beside her. There was no hope of rescue, she realized as he placed some bread by her bowl.

“Who are you?”

“Oh, how rude of me,” he sneered. “We haven’t been properly introduced. I’m Desmond, and my sister sends her regards. Unfortunately she was too busy dealing with your fiancé tonight to keep you company.”

It all suddenly made sense to Maude. Of course Claire couldn’t have done all this alone. She had help from her brother. A man with eyes just as cold and a smile just as cruel as his sister’s. Once he left, tears streamed down her cheeks. If Claire’s family knew and helped with this devilish plan, she was doomed.

Stop it Maude, she scolded herself. You have others to think of. Is that how you’ve been raised? No. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath.

“Lord, I have faith in you. I trust Your judgement. Please deliver me from this danger. Please give me the strength and courage to get through this.”

The prayers gave her peace, and in time her mind drifted to sleep.





Chapter 7


“Maude!”

A distant voice woke her up. Or was she dreaming still?

“Maude!” someone grabbed her arm and shook her. She opened her eyes.

“Raymond?” She blinked a few times and the handsome, square-jawed face became less blurry. “Why is it so bright?”

She looked up. The sunlight flooded through the open silo roof

“Thank the Lord you are alive.” He helped her stand up and untied her sore wrists. “At first I feared you left despite our conversation. Rael, said she saw you leave. But I knew something was up when Fidelis returned from the station and said no one saw you board the train. Can you walk?”

“Yes-” Maude stumbled just as she tried to take the first step.

Raymond frowned and before she could protest scooped her into his strong arms.

“No need to pretend in front of me, Maude.” He brought her closer to his chest and she wrapped her arms around his neck. “I can see you’ve been through a dreadful ordeal.”

“How did you…”

“It wasn’t easy, I’ll give her that,” he said as he carried Maude to the exit. “But I knew something was up, and I had Fidelis follow her brother when we met.”

He helped her up the narrow ladder and out of the silo. Maude took in the fresh air outside and blinked rapidly adjusting her eyes to the bright morning light. Fields surrounded them on all sides, with several more silos both to her left and right. It must have been really early, since there was no one else in sight. Except Fidelis sitting in the front of a cart at the bottom of the silo.

“You are safe now,” he whispered into her ear. “I’m taking you home.”

As they drove back to his ranch a million questions ran through her mind. Claire, her brother, but even with the two of them working together, there was still something missing.

“You said your sister saw me leave?”

“Yes, why?”

“It’s just that…” She tried to remember the day of her kidnapping. “I spoke with her after you left.”

“Well, maybe it was something you said.”

“I definitely didn’t say I was leaving.” She rubbed her forehead. “She didn’t look pleased about the deal and you going to see Claire, but I told here you were decided to sort things out yourself.”

Raymond frowned. “Hmm. Are you sure you didn’t say something she could have misunderstood?”

Maude thought for a moment. “No, I’m sure. In fact, I told her we should both wait for your return. She sat with me for a moment, but then remembered she had some errands to run.”

“Oh, Rael…” Raymond closed his eyes for a moment and took a deep breath. “I’m so sorry Maude.”

Her stomach tightened as she tried to understand what he was saying.

“I didn’t want to worry you,” he said. “I thought once you two meet she’ll understand what I see in you.”

Was he saying that…

“I thought that it was just the idea of a mail order bride she object too.” He shook his head in dismay. “I know she used to be friends with Claire, but to go this far...”

Maude looked at Raymond, and then turned away. She didn’t know what to say. So many things made sense if Rachael was in on the whole thing. The mysterious note, and the way Claire knew exactly when to come and go.