Chapter 13 #2
“I promised you that you would never come to harm under my protection. Not from anyone, but especially from me.”
“But I—”
I interrupted her. “You did nothing wrong. Your act of kindness caught me off guard. The flowers are as lovely as you are. I thank you for the gesture.” I lifted her hand to my mouth and kissed the soft skin.
“Do not fear me, my wife. I swear to you, nothing shall hurt you under this roof. Ever. I will not allow it.”
An agonized sound escaped her mouth. Without a thought, I drew her close, encasing her in my embrace. “Show me your pain,” I urged her. “Allow me to comfort you.”
She began to sob, the sound muffled as she hid her face into my chest. I lifted her off her feet and sat in the great chair with her on my lap, allowing her to cry.
I stroked her back, making small noises in my throat as I held her close.
At one point, Edward walked in, stopping short at the tableau in front of him.
I shook my head in warning, and with a bow, he stepped out, drawing the door closed once again.
I knew he would ensure we were not disturbed.
Aside from her, I had never held a woman this way before.
Offering the shelter of my arms for something other than pleasure.
Madeleine was a warm weight on my lap, still far too thin, but she fit against me well.
The soft scent of lilacs I had come to associate with her was stronger with her so close, the smell alluring and warm.
Finally, her cries stopped. I slipped a square of linen into her fist, soothing my hand over her hair one last time. She sighed, blew her nose in a dainty fashion that made me smile, and wiped her eyes.
Silence hung between us.
“Are you well now, Maddie?”
She lifted her head, surprise on her face at the shortened version of her name. “My lord?” she whispered.
“I heard your servants call you that name. I like it, and it suits you.”
“My—my mother called me Maddie when I was a little girl.”
“Then Maddie it shall be. And I should like for you to call me Alexander. I am, after all, your husband.” I touched her cheek. “And this is your home. If you wish to put vases of flowers in every room, then do so.”
She didn’t say anything for a moment, her gaze flitting around the room. I felt her desire to say something, and I drew a finger down her pale cheek. “Speak.”
“You will not punish me if I make you angry?”
“No. You need to stop living in the shadows of the past. No harm will come to you here. On my honor, I swear it.”
I gathered her hands, holding them tight. “You can trust me, my wife. I promise your life will be different from now on. Let go of your fear and worry.”
She blinked. “I will try.”
“I am your husband. You can discuss anything with me. I wish only to help you adjust and find your happiness.”
She simply nodded, her eyes wide in her face.
“How often did you make your father angry?” I asked.
“He was angry at me all the time. He punished me every fortnight or so.”
“Your father,” I spat, “is a monster. A fucking bastard.”
At her shocked gaze, I smiled. “I apologize for my rudeness. I realize your tender ears are not used to such vulgarities.”
She swallowed. “I have heard that and much worse, my, ah, Alexander.”
The simple joy of hearing her say my name made me smile. “I imagine you have.”
Her voice became a whisper. “There are times I uttered those words myself.”
I had to laugh at her confession. “They were well deserved.”
She offered me a smile. It was timid and tremulous, but it was there. It changed her expression, and I could see the beautiful woman under the mask she’d worn for so long.
I decided I wanted to see more of that woman. I felt as if we had turned a corner, and if I allowed her to walk away, her doubts would creep back in and she would become fearful again.
“It is a lovely day. Why don’t I ask Cook to pack a lunch, and we will walk to the woods and have a picnic. I can show you more of the estate.” Teasingly, I lifted my knee, making her bounce. “Would you enjoy a stroll with me, Maddie mine?”
Her eyes widened at my term of endearment, but she looked pleased.
“Yes.”
“Then allow me an hour. You prepare yourself, and I will instruct the kitchen to fill a basket with all varieties of delicious morsels.”
She slid from my lap. “Thank you.”
I kissed her hand. “Thank you, Maddie.”
She departed, leaving a trail of her soft scent behind.
What, I wondered, had just begun?
Something wonderful, I hoped.
I strode to the door and called for Mrs. Dougall. I instructed her to have the kitchen prepare a feast and to procure a soft blanket on which Maddie could sit outside.
When she departed, I rode the short distance to the steward’s house I had granted Edward, hoping I would find him at home. Thankfully, he was there to greet me as I rapped at his door.
“Is something amiss?” he asked, concern lacing his voice. “Is Lady Wheaton well?”
“She is,” I reassured him. “However, I need your expertise again.”
He nodded, waiting for my instructions.
“I wish to know everything there is to know about Barnett. Dig deeper than before. His past, now. Finances, holdings, consorts.” I paused. “His dead wife.”
“I shall begin immediately.”
“Use great discretion. I do not wish for him to catch wind of this.”
“Of course.” He regarded me. “What will you do with this information?”
I smiled without warmth. “Ruin him. Completely. He will pay for the transgressions against my wife.”
He looked pleased. “Consider it done.”
I pulled down my sleeves and adjusted my collar, wanting, for some reason, to look nice for my wife.
“I am taking Maddie for a picnic,” I announced.
Edward startled. “A picnic? Alexander, I have never known you to have a picnic.”
“You have never known me to have a wife either.”
His countenance changed. He almost beamed at me.
“Enjoy yourself, my lord.”
“I plan to.”
Maddie had changed into a linen dress, the soft yellow of the gown complementing her dark hair and lovely eyes. She wore a bonnet perched on her head at an angle that covered her face unless she lifted it to me. I frowned at it, and she paused.
“My lord?”
I tutted, and she smiled hesitantly.
“Alexander,” she corrected herself. “Is something amiss? My gown displeases you?”
“Your gown pleases me very much, but that hat hides your face. I like to gaze on your loveliness. It brings me pleasure.”
She blinked, appearing shocked at my words.
“It is to protect my skin,” she explained.
“If we sit in shade, then you will remove it for me?”
“Yes.”
I crooked my arm. “Let us be off, then. I am suddenly anxious to venture into the dimness of the forest.”
Her pleasant laugh was an ample reward.
So was the feeling of her arm crossed with mine. I liked how it felt. How she felt.
We strolled toward the forest, the perfect destination already in my mind. A small brook was nestled not far into the trees, surrounded by flat boulders and grasses. I had spent many an hour there as a child and after returning here later in life. It was one of my favorite places on the estate.
The basket I carried was heavy, and I hoped the cook had included items Maddie liked. I was still concerned with how thin she was and how little she seemed to eat. I wanted to tempt her appetite, make her comfortable enough to express her desires and wishes.
To my satisfaction, Maddie removed her hat quickly, staring around in obvious fascination and delight. She reached out to touch the leaves on the bushes and trees, stopping once to bend at a flowering shrub, remarking on its loveliness.
“You have such beauty here,” she breathed out.
“It is yours now too, Maddie.”
She glanced up at me, her eyes wide and filled with emotion.
“It is still a dream.”
“A good one?” I questioned.
“Yes,” she replied with an emphatic nod. “Very good.”
We came to the brook, and her glee could not be contained. “Alexander!” she gasped, running ahead like a child. “How wonderful!”
I felt a warmth to my chest as I watched her. Such a simple thing. A spot to sit and enjoy the early summer warmth. The sound of water rushing over stones was nice, but to her, it seemed more so.
I felt the swell of sadness, knowing something as easy as a picnic or time spent enjoying a simple pleasure such as this had no doubt been denied to her. I was determined to give her as many of these small gestures of happiness as I could offer.
I set down the basket, spreading out the blanket close to a spot I liked the best. The flat boulders could be leaned against or sat upon, the shade was welcome, and the water was easily seen. All of which I knew would please Maddie.
I strode toward her, wrapping my arm around her waist and drawing her back to my torso. It pleased me greatly when she didn’t startle, but instead laid her hand on my forearm, patting it in a fond gesture.
“Such a treasure,” she murmured.
Unable to resist, I bent and pressed a gentle kiss to her neck, smiling at her shiver. “It is,” I murmured, not even looking at the brook, but instead at her. “A king’s ransom.”
For a moment, I stood behind her, feeling as if I were seeing the vista with different eyes. The way the branches bent in the breeze. How the water skipped and danced over the rocks. The feel of the wind on my face and the sound of the birds chirping happily in the trees.
It felt like a gift. And the gift was because of her.
“Come, Maddie mine. Let us see what the cook has sent us.”
Maddie exclaimed in happiness over the array of foods the basket contained.
Small pork pies and cold chicken and beef.
Cheese and bread. Jam puffs and biscuits.
Fresh fruit. A container of lemonade—something I knew Maddie enjoyed.
I spread out the food, offering her a plate I filled with her favorites.
She accepted it, spreading the linen napkin over her lap and waiting until I filled my plate before starting to eat.
She picked delicately, observing her plate with almost confusion on her face.