She folded it neatly.
Then he continued removing each of her undergarments. Anna stood there, her face burning in shame as he gave each one to the woman. He removed her shoes and stockings and she now stood bare, trying to cover her private parts as best she could, humiliation seeping through her.
“Leave,” Matron commanded.
The man scurried from the room and Matron removed Anna’s gag. Her raw mouth hurt from being stretched for so many hours. She tried to lick her lips and had no moisture to do so. Tears streamed down her face.
“You learn quickly,” Matron said, approval in her voice. “Most of the rebellious ones don’t.”
She longed to ask what that meant but held her tongue.
“Do you know where you are?”
Anna shook her head.
“Gollingham Asylum. A madhouse for the insane.”
Her jaw fell.
“Careful,” Matron warned.
She closed her mouth.
“You did something,” the older woman said. “Something that angered a man. Your father. Your husband. Your brother. Whoever was in charge of you. The madhouse used to be for those who were mad. Things changed,” Matron said, matter-of-factly. “When a man thinks his female is no longer controllable, that’s when we get them.”
Fear spread through Anna and she began trembling. Matron went and picked up a gray bundle.
“Put this on.”
Quickly, she unfolded the drab fabric and slipped it over her head. It was shapeless, short-sleeved, and hung to just below her knees. At least she didn’t feel quite so vulnerable now with something covering her.
“Do you have any questions?”
Afraid to speak, she shook her head vigorously.
“You may ask.”
“How long will I stay here?” she managed to get out.
Matron shrugged. “As long as you stay. Some women are retrieved after a few years.”
“Years?” she squeaked.
Matron’s gaze pierced Anna. “And some never leave.”
Panic filled her. Something told her she would never find her way from this place. She turned in circles, wide-eyed, not knowing where to run. She rushed to the door and flung it open. The man who had escorted her inside waited. She slammed the door on him and spun around.
“Do as you’re told when you’re told,” Matron advised. “It makes it go easier.”
“What am I to do?” she cried.
“Whatever I say,” An evil smile spread across the woman’s face. “Sit here.” Matron pointed to a chair.
Anna made herself walk toward it and lowered herself into it. Her thoughts swirled, making no sense. She knew she had to escape. The how and when would take time but she knew she would never survive in such a place.
Matron warned, “Don’t move,” and left the room.
It must be a test. She didn’t know if there was a way she could be watched, so Anna at perfectly still.
And waited.
The minutes passed. Then what must have been an hour. Then two. Finally, the door opened and Matron appeared with a slender man wearing fastidious clothes. Matron’s eyebrows raised slightly, seeing Anna in the same position, and she nodded in approval.
The man came forward. “Good afternoon, Miss Browning. I am Dr. Cheshire.”
Her eyes cut to Matron, who nodded permission to speak.
“Good afternoon, Dr. Cheshire. I must say I am not certain why I am here.”
He frowned deeply. “You are here because of your odd behavior, Miss Browning. Your father stated you have been erratic. Unpredictable. Volatile at times. You are here so we can help manage your mercurial moods and inconsistent behavior.”
“I have been none of those things,” she said. “May I speak candidly, Doctor?”
He nodded.
“My father wished me to wed a man more than four times my age. I was opposed to the idea. Bringing me here is his way of punishing me.”
“What of running away?” Cheshire challenged.
Anna took a deep breath. “I was leaving with my fiancé to be married. The man I wished to marry. One I grew up with and have known—and loved—for many years.”
The physician shook his head and turned to Matron. “She is delusional, just as Lord Shelton said.” He glanced back at Anna. “There was no fiancé. No other man you loved. And as for your claim that your father was marrying you off to someone? Ridiculous.”
She shot to her feet. “No. I am telling you the truth, Dr. Cheshire. I don’t know what Father told you, but it was all lies.”
He looked back at his companion. She shrugged.
“Please,” Anna begged. “I do not belong here.”
Cheshire shook his head. “I am afraid, Miss Browning, you are exactly the person who should be contained in an asylum.”
“All because I disagreed with my father? Because I didn’t want to be chained to