Runaway
By: Talena Hutching
Thorne Hanson stared out of her bedroom window, out at the rain pouring over the grounds of the plantation. This had been the worst night of her life. The events of the past few hours raced through her head:
" What could he want? " Thorne mumbled to herself as she descended the staircase.
It was eleven o' clock at night. She had been getting ready for bed, with the aid of her maid, Maria, when a footman knocked on her bedroom door to inform her that her father wanted her in his study immediately.
As she stepped off of the final step, she wondered at what he could want this time. It was never anything good, particularly when he called for her after they have retired. Usually, he would beat her -- or try to -- for something that had angered him that day, mainly for things that she had not known had happened. Taking a deep breath, she crossed the Hall to her father's study. She took another deep breath, let it out slowly, and knocked on the door.
" Enter! " she heard her father call from inside.
Thorne turned the handle and, cautiously, pushed the heavy door open. Her father was sitting in his chair, behind his big oak desk, reading some kind of paperwork. When she made no movement to go farther than a couple of feet from the doorway, he looked up and frowned at her.
" Well, don't just stand there, girl! Sit down. And close that door! " he growled.
She hurriedly did as she was told. When she was seated, her father gave a short nod and went back to the paper in his hands. He didn't make a sound, just read whatever it was in his hands while Thorne became more and more uneasy. After what seemed like hours, but was really a few minutes, a voice from behind her broke the silence.
" Come now, Andrew. It is not fair to torture the girl like this. "
Thorne flinched slightly at the barely concealed sarcasm. Turning in her seat, she searched the shadows for the owner of the unfamiliar voice. Finally, her eyes settled on the dark figure in the corner. Before she could find a name to match the voice, the stranger spoke again, the sarcasm replace with seriousness. " Tell the girl why you have summoned her from her bed, Andrew. "
Andrew sighed, setting his paper aside. " It seems that I -- Look at me when I talk to you! "
Thorne jumped at his sudden shout, spinning in her chair so fast she nearly overturned it. When she was sure she wouldn't fall over, she raised her eyes to her father's. " I'm sorry, Fa -- "
Andrew continued as if she hadn't spoken. " Now. It seems that I have run out of funds, so I -- "
" But, what happened to the loan you borrowed just last week? " she cried.
" So I, " he growled. " need a way to gain money. And fast. Wallace here has graciously offered to have me as co-owner of his... establishment in exchange of a little something... "
His cruel grin aimed over her head made her turn to look at the stranger , not a stranger... She knew who he was. Wallace Halls, one of the most notorious men in all of England. And the establishment her father spoke of must be his " gentleman's club ", Plaisir Hall. Knowing enough French to understand the name's meaning, Thorne knew exactly what kind of " establishment " Wallace Halls owned. Wondering what all of this had to do with her, she tilted her head in confusion, turning again to face her father.
" Father, what does this have to do with me? I'm sure you could have given him whatever it is he wants without telling me all about it. "
The cruel laugh that came from behind her sent a chill down her spine and gave her goose flesh. " I don't think the girl understands, Andrew! "
Her father laughed along with his friend, obviously enjoying his daughter's unease. He crossed his arms on the desk and leaned forward, his eyes glittering in his enjoyment. " You know what kind of place Plaisir Hall is, right, girl? "
She flinched mentally as he continued to refuse using her given name, but, unable to hold back her blush, nodded slowly.
His evil grin grew slightly. " So, you also know that there are a lot of... women who work there, yes? "
Another nod.
Wallace spoke next, picking up where Andrew left off. " Well, you see, the girls under my employment are not as... pretty... as you are, my dear. "
Her breathing almost stopped. She felt a movement behind her, knew he was moving to stand behind her chair. " Your dear father was nice enough to strike a bargain with me to help me fix that problem. "
Thorne found it increasingly harder to breath. She prayed that she was wrong; prayed that her father did not hate her enough to do what she feared that he did. " W-what was the bargain? "
Another dark chuckle from behind her. " I think she finally understands us, Andy. Do you want to tell her? "
Her father shook his head. " The pleasure is all yours, mon ami. "
Thorne blinked, not accustomed to hearing her father speak any kind of French. Her attention was captured once again by the man behind her, his voice sounding close to her left ear. " You see, my dear, your father has agreed to sell you to me to work in my fine establishment in exchange for co-ownership. "
She couldn't stop herself from bolting to her feet and screaming, " You did what? "
Her father's face darkened. He stood and was around the desk in less time then it took for her to blink. " Don't you ever raise your voice to me again! "
He raised his right hand and backhanded her, sending her to the floor. She heard Wallace's cruel laugh one more time before everything went black.
When she finally awoke, she was in her bed. She didn't open her eyes, just lay there. Her head was pounding. At first, she couldn't remember what had happened to her; then it all came rushing back at once, making her head . She moaned, turning onto her stomach and burying her face in the pillow.
" You're awake! "
Thorne bolted upright on the bed, looking around to see who had spoken. She spotted her maid at the foot of her bed, hands clasped in front of her and a smile lighting her face. Thorne relaxed, leaning back against the pillows. " Maria, you scared me! "
Maria giggled softly. " I am sorry, Mademoiselle. You were asleep for so long, I feared you would never wake. "
Thorne smiled at her and rubbed a hand over her eyes. " What time is it, Maria? "
The maid looked behind her to the clock on the mantle. " Half past midnight, Mademoiselle. "
Thorne frowned, counting in her head. She'd went down to see her father at eleven, and was sure the " meeting " had only been half an hour before she'd passed out on the floor. " But, Maria, you said I've been asleep for a long time. It's only been an hour. "
The maid was already shaking her head. " Non, Mademoiselle. It's been much longer then an hour. "
" How long? "
" Closer to twenty-five -- "
" Twenty-five! " Thorne was sitting up straight again. " I've slept the entire day? "
Maria's smile faded some. " Your pe're told me not to wake you. I couldn't imagine why -- "
Thorne had turned her head to look out the window, causing the faint light from the fireplace to light the right side of her face. Maria's outraged growl made her turn back to stare at her." Maria? What's wrong? "
Maria was staring at her right cheek. Thorne raised her fingers and pressed them against her cheek, flinching as pain shot through her head.
" No wonder! " Maria was saying. " That bruise is bigger than your hand! Ce bâtard! J'espère qu'il pourrit dans l'enfer pour toutes les choses qu'il vous fait -- "
" Maria, I can't understand you when you speak French. "
The maid stopped, blushing and smiling sheepishly. " I am sorry. You do not want to know the things I just said. "
Thorne laughed softly, then sighed and lay back, resting her head against the headboard. " He didn't beat me this time. No... This time he did something far worse... "
Maria has always been her best friend, ever since her and her parents started work at Rosewood Manor five years before. Thorne knew she could tell her anything without Maria telling her father. " Do you know of a place called Plaisir Hall? Or what kind of place it is? "
" Oui, Madmoiselle. Why do you ask? "
Thorne felt her eyes fill with tears. " Oh, Maria, I just can't believe it! He sold me to Wallace Halls last night! "
She felt her bed dip as Maria collapsed on it. Looking at her, seeing Maria's face frozen in shock and her eyes filled with tears, was almost more then she could take. She started crying, the tears falling freely.
" Bâtard! Why would he do such a thing to his only daughter? "
Thorne sniffed, bringing her tears under control. She rose from her bed and drew on her wrapper, beginning to pace. " Because he needs money. And because he hates me too much to bear me living under his roof! "
Maria gasped. " He said that? "
" Only the first part. " She glared at the wall as she turned from it to pace back the other way. " He didn't have to say the rest! "
When she turned again, she almost walked into Maria, who was standing directly behind her. Thorne hadn't heard her move. " How did you do that without me hearing you? "
" Nevermind that, Madmoiselle. " Maria took her hand, guiding her back to the bed. " We must get you out of this! "
" How, Maria? There is no way that I can think of! "
The maid tought for a moment. Her eyes lit up before her face did. " I know! Bobby knows a man who knows a man who works for a man who may be able to help! "
Bobby was the footman who came to her door the night before. Thorne knew that Bobby was Maria's sweetheart, and didn't want to do anything that might get him in trouble. She said as much to Maria.
The girl laughed. " Lord Hanson will never know. Besides, Bobby won't even know! "
Now this sounds interesting... , Thorne thought. She tilted her head to the side. " Okay, then. Who is this man who may be able to help me? "
When Maria said his name, Thorne bolted off the bed. " William Frost?! "
" Shh! You'll wake the whole household! " Maria hissed. " It's not like you're asking him to marry you. Just to get you far enough away that Lord Hanson and Mister Halls will never find you... "
Thorne sighed and nodded. She felt a headache coming on. She knew that she should go back to bed soon, but her and Maria stayed up most of what was left of the night. They had plans to make...