Day 5 of Stolen Identity and time to see how Emily is coping with life in Barrow Haven Asylum. I hope you’re enjoying reading the story as much as I am enjoying sharing it. If you’ve missed any part, the links to all the previous days are at the bottom of this post.

Stolen Identity Part 5

The scent of roses along with the sweet chirping of finches and sparrows helped to soothe my aching heart but my mind refused to settle. I searched for a way out, scanning every inch of the garden and the high walls that surrounded it, locking me into its cage. “How could she do this to me? I trusted her. We were friends.” My boots kicked at the gravel pathway as I argued with myself.

“Time to return, Lady Clara. An hour in the garden is all you get unless Dr Marsh gives instructions otherwise.” Annie stood with her arms folded, staring at me. I hadn’t heard her arrive.

“Please don’t call me that.”

“And what should I call you then?” She asked, brows raised.

“My name is Emily. This has all been a terrible mistake. Clara tricked me. Can’t you tell I’m not her? Surely you of all people can hear it?”

“There’ll be none of that nonsense with me. You think because you have money I can be bought. Not so easy girl. I do my job that’s all.”

She grabbed my arm and dragged me along the pathway. “I’m no fool. I know all about you and your kind trying to buy people. My brother Sam lives in Clayton Bridge and he’s told me all about you Brunsworths. There’ll be no looking down your nose in Barrow Haven and if you even think of trying…”

She stopped and sneered at me. Every hair on my body stood to attention as I stiffened in her grasp.

“I see you understand.” She laughed. “You just behave yourself and do as you’re told. If you make my life difficult, I promise you, I’ll make you wish you’d never been born. Treatments here can be…” She licked her lips and leaned in, “less than pleasant.”

The remainder of the journey back to my room was silent. Annie left me but not without a final warning. “I’ll be back for you later, Lady Clara. You’re allowed to sit in the common room if you want but be careful who you speak to. I hear everything that happens in the west wing.”

***

Two days passed. Breakfast at nine followed by an eleven-o clock session with Dr Marsh. He was pleasant by all accounts but no matter how much I begged or pleaded with him to believe me; it was no use. To him and everyone else in Barrow Haven, I was Clara.

I worried I’d forget myself, forget Emily, and start to believe the lies forced upon me. To ensure it didn’t happen I forced myself into seclusion. My bedroom and the pen and paper Annie had given me on the second day became my comfort. She’d told me I could write letters to my parents and I’d clung to the pen like a lifeline until she landed her blow. “All letters are read Lady Clara, so be mindful what you put in them…or not.” She’d smiled, her lips spreading, straight not upwards, what I’d come to recognise as a threat. “Dr Darcy is looking for new subjects and you are just his type.” I’d no idea who Dr Darcy was, nor anyone else for that matter.

I marked the days on one of the sheets of paper. An X for each one I survived. My countdown to freedom. A month, thirty days. Mother and the boys would survive without me for that long, wouldn’t they?

***

Everything changed on day five. Annie shoved open the door to my room. “You’ve a visitor. He’s waiting in the rose garden.”

I jumped off the bed. A visitor. Who could it be? Had mother discovered what happened? Had she sent father to get me? No, it couldn’t be him. Perhaps Thomas the baker? He and mother were good friends. Every man I knew took a spot in my mind as I scrambled towards the garden. I stopped dead in my tracks as I took in the frame of the man who stood by the wooden bench. Tall, straight and dressed like wealth, top hat and all.

I cleared my throat. He turned and I gasped. “You!”

“Hello, Emily. Come sit, we have much to discuss.”

He didn’t seem phased. This was the man who’d ruined my life. “This is all your fault. Where’s Clara? Why have you done this?” I couldn’t get the words out quick enough.

“I understand you have questions, Emily, but as I said, we have much to discuss. Take a seat and I’ll explain everything. I urge you not to make a fuss. Your nurse is watching and if you want to know how your family is—”

“I do. Tell me is mother okay? Is she worried? Is she—”

“Sit.”

I did as he asked anxious to hear news of mother and the boys.

“I am Lord Jonathan Brunsworth, Lady Clara’s uncle. Your stay here at Barrow Haven is temporary Emily, and if you do as you’re told you will be rewarded for your service. Clara is in somewhat of a predicament and she asked for my help.”

I nodded as he spoke and much as I wanted to scratch out his eyes, I needed to make sure mother was okay first.

“You are to pretend to be her for a month and in return, your family will be cared for. Do you understand?”

I nodded.

“For heaven’s sake, can’t you speak?”

“Yes.”

“Good, now here’s what’s going to happen. You will tell Dr Marsh the wedding caused you a great deal of turmoil and you wondered if peasants had to endure such cruelty. You weren’t ready to wed a stranger and you fabricated this nonsense as a means of escape.”

His stern voice and drilling stare caused me to squirm, but I agreed with him.

“Very good. I will return next week to check on your progress.”

He stood.

“But what of my family, you said…”

He turned. “Your family is safe, for now. Keep up your end of the bargain and they will remain so.”

“But I can’t stay here. I need to get home. Mother—”

He lunged at me wrapping his fingers around my forearms and squeezing the skin. “You will do as I say.” He squeezed tighter, my skin pulling under the pressure as his head leaned in towards my face. “Do anything to spoil my plans and I’ll make sure you never see your family again.” He let go and shoved me.

I sat, motionless. He meant what he said, I could tell by the glare in his eyes. Jonathan was not someone to trifle with and he certainly wasn’t going to help me get out of this place.

“I’ll be back next week. Do exactly as I’ve asked, Emily.”

#

Oh my, Jonathan is a nasty sort isn’t he? What is he planning for Emily? Tune in tomorrow to see what happens next. If you’ve missed any part of the story, the links are below.

Stolen Identity Part 1
Stolen Identity Part 2
Stolen Identity Part3
Stolen Identity Part 4

Until next time,

Keep reading and writing,

Amanda