Maude's Trials (Widows of Virginia 1) Read online

  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…

  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.

  “I’m so sorry Maude.” Raymond must have thought she was upset due to her silence. “This is not the welcome I wanted for you. If I get my hands on that woman!”

  She grabbed his shoulder and looked Raymond straight in the eyes. Maude shook her head slowly.

  “I pray that God delivers her soul.” She had more pity than hatred on her. “It’s important that the truth is out now.”

  “I doubt she’ll ever change.” Raymond sounded so sure.

  The sadness in his voice reminded her why they were in this situation to start with.

  “What about your ranch? When she came to see me, she was adamant…” She clenched her fingers on the side of the cart.

  “Not much I can do about it.” He tried to shrug it off, and put on a fake smile, but she could read him like an open book. He cared a lot. “A deal is a deal. I’ll have to honor the contract. She can have my home, but she’ll never have my heart.”

  He turned to Maude and smiled. She must have looked horrified, as he quickly added.

  “Don’t worry, Maude. None of this is your fault. We can start a new home together.”

  She nodded, too tired to argue. Especially since she’d have to think really hard to argue against her own wishes.

  Chapter 8

  “Good mornin’, Mrs. Lafayette!” Sarah, the maid and cook, knocked on the door and peeked inside. “I’ve brought your breakfast.”

  “Come in, please.” It felt so strange to be waited on. Maude lifted herself in bed ashamed for sleeping through the morning again. “Thank you, Sarah. I was planning to join Raymond downstairs.”

  “No, no, no. Mr. Garrett was adamant that you get plenty o’ rest. One day ain’t enough for a lady to regain her strength.”

  Maude laughed. “I’m fine. Really.”

  Sarah, gave her a stern look, but it quickly turned into a smile as she placed the tray with the food by the bed. The maid bowed her head and left the room wishing her a good day.

  By noon Maude was dressed and eager to join back with the living. She sent word to Raymond that she would join him for lunch eager to know if there had been any progress in fighting against Claire’s claim on the ranch.

  What would he do, if he lost his property? Raymond’s impending fate never left her mind.

  She said a quick prayer before leaving her room. Maude was anxious; she realized she had not been to the large dining room since her meal with Raymond. She stopped by a large painting in the hallway. Will he have to lose all this too?

  “There you are. I was just coming to see you.” Raymond almost ran into her.

  “I guess I beat you to it.” They shared a hearty laugh.

  “How are you today? I can see you look brighter than you did yesterday.”

  “I’m fine. Thank you for rescuing me.” She kept smiling.

  “It’s nothing.” He ushered her into the dining room.

  “Maude, let me introduce you to my best friend, Mr. Byron Clinton.”

  “Hello. It’s an honor to final meet you, Maude Lafayette.” Byron extended his hand towards her.

  “It’s my pleasure too. Thank you.”

  “Please have a seat.” Raymond pulled up a chair for her.

  “Byron has been helping me come up with a solution to our predicament. I thought you might want to know too.”

  Maude bowed her head.

  “Any good news?”

  “Not much, but I do get to stay on the ranch a little longer while we try to come up with a solution.”

  Maude held back her questions, unsure it was her place to intervene.

  “But there is no cause for alarm.” Byron tried to lessen the tension. “We have established the value of the debt, and with a bit of luck between the two of us, we should be able to come up with the sum.”

  “Thank you so much, Byron.” Raymond smiled at both his guests. “I knew I could count on your help.”

  So good news after all. She exhaled relieved. If only she could help too. “That’s marvelous.”

  “Let’s do away with sad stories for now. Lunch is about to be served.” Raymond motioned to the maid standing in the doorway.

  “Is Rachael not joining us?” Maude glanced at the empty seat.

  “She sent her apologies. She left early today to visit some relatives.”

  His blushed as he made the excuse, Maude did not prod any further, she just nodded and kept quiet.

  Fidelis came into the room, just as the meal was being laid to the table. He whispered something to Raymond, and then handed him a letter.

  Raymond glanced around with a nervous smile and hastily tore the envelope open.

  “This can’t be.” He was furious. He stood up abruptly knocking a plate with his elbow.”

  “Calm down, Raymond.” Maude got up too. “Please, what’s wrong?”

  Byron wrenched the letter out of Raymond’s clenched fist and ushered his friend back into the seat. Raymond buried his head in his hands.

  “It’s an eviction notice.” Byron looked at the letter confused. “It says that the debt cannot be paid off. Raymond will either have to get married or lose everything.”

  Blood drained from Maude’s face. “How much time was he given?”

  “Two days.”

  Chapter 9

  Dear God, why do you let all this happen? Raymond has been a good man, a man of faith, fair to his workers and a perfect gentleman to her. Why? Why did he have to lose everything to someone like Claire?

  Maude almost lost hope. She stood at the window watching the sunrise, hoping with it comes something new. It had been a week since both her and Raymond, as well as the staff who refused to stay back and work for the Ashtons, moved to Byron’s house.

  “I see that your soul is tortured by something, my child.” An old and gentle voice spoke to her. Byron’s Mother, Esther, tapped her shoulder.

  “I don’t know what to do, mother Esther. Maybe I should have gone back to Virginia. It feels like the longer I stay the more troubles arise. With me gone, at least Raymond would have the freedom to decide. One less problem on his shoulders.” Maude wiped her tears. “I miss my children.”

  It would be just like any other day I came home empty handed. They will be sad, but they will forgive me soon enough.


  “I understand how you feel my dear. But don’t make any rash decisions.” Esther made her sit down. “Tell me what happened? Byron only mentioned briefly the situation. Maybe we can come up with an idea together.”

  Thinking of everything that had happened brought tears to Maude’s eyes. But Esther was a kind and gentle woman. She whole heartedly took in Maude after their eviction. But a week had gone by, and nothing had changed. Maude had not seen much of Raymond, but she knew he was deep in the sea of desperation.

  Somehow she trusted Esther. While the woman looked nothing like her Ma, there was something in her tone of voice that made Maude feel safe to confide in Esther.

  “Don’t worry my child; I don’t think your battle is over yet. Maybe there is something we can do.”

  “I thought we’d run out of options. What could we do if the menfolk found no solution?” Maude could not think of anything new.

  “There’s something about the contract that bothers me. My husband was party to it too and with such a controversial matter, he would have mentioned something to me back then. The children were so young...” She paused lost in her memories.

  “But Claire has the only copy,” Maude said. “She’s not letting it out of her sight and Raymond searched everywhere for his father’s copy, to no avail.”

  She didn’t want to add that she suspected Rachael might have had something to do with the disappearance of the papers.

  “Ah, but as I said, there were three copies. I should have my husband’s one still somewhere in the attic.” Esther smiled bringing hope into Maude’s sad day.

  “You really think so? Oh, mother Esther, maybe we can find something in there!”

  “Come with me. I’ll need some help digging through the boxes. Not ever throwing out any paperwork means, there is a lot of it.” She laughed and with a crack of her elderly knees got up. “Let’s see what we can find.”

  They searched box after box, pile after pile, but while Esther kept all her husband’s documents, she did not keep them in order. But Maude would not give up until every page had been turned. She pushed aside an old portrait in a rusty golden frame and pulled out a dusty briefcase.