Chapter 18
ALEXANDER
Afew days later, I sat across from my wife, breaking our fast. She wore a pretty morning gown in a pale blue, gathered under her breasts, the material flowing over the small mound of her belly.
I loved touching it, cupping my hand over the growing swell, anxious to feel its movement, although Maddie had informed me it would be a while before that occurred.
She looked further along than she was, due to her small stature, and I could only imagine how appealing she would be as she blossomed.
Her hair was up, tendrils escaping around her ears and neck, the small ringlets bright in the morning sun.
I loved her curls, and when I heard her and Lydia bemoaning the fact that they could never get them to behave, I informed them I liked it when they escaped. I found them charming and beguiling.
Much like my wife.
She was eating slowly, methodically—the way she liked to do. Enjoying every morsel. I knew she’d been denied so much for so long, and I enjoyed watching her savor her food.
I simply liked watching her, if the truth be told.
She looked up, coloring slightly at my stare.
“Sir?” she asked, impertinent and demanding. “Might I ask what you are so boldly looking at?”
I smiled as I set down my cup. “You, my wife. I am boldly looking at you and enjoying your beauty. You are glowing this morning.” I refilled my cup, the aroma of the strong coffee I liked so much rich in my nose. “Perhaps you have had a good morning so far? I know I have enjoyed it immensely.”
Her eyes rounded, knowing I was referring to our earlier lovemaking.
I had woken this morning to her mouth around me, pleasuring me in ways I had never fathomed she would.
She had licked and sucked my length, taking me to the back of her throat before I had reluctantly cried surrender, wanting to be inside her cunny when I reached my crisis.
After, she had ridden me, finding her pleasure quickly, then again moments later as I spent inside her. She collapsed on my chest, exhausted and slipping back into sleep for a short time. I had held her, content to let her rest, pondering how quickly she had become paramount in my life.
She blinked, her cheeks darkening. “How imprudent you are,” she admonished with a smile playing on her lips.
“Only for you, my sweet.”
“I would think so,” she replied cheekily with a toss of her head, causing her curls to bounce.
“Would you enjoy a picnic today, Maddie mine?” I asked. “It is supposed to be fine all afternoon.”
“Do you have time?” she asked eagerly.
“I can make time for you. Perhaps by the brook again. I’ll have a footman take a comfortable chair down under the shade of the trees.” I winked at her. “Perhaps I can persuade you to swim with me today.”
She looked away, the color extending down her neck and to her ears.
I had tried to convince her to shed her clothing and join me in the cool water of the brook once.
She had looked scandalized, refusing my invitation, but I had a feeling she was curious.
Perhaps today was the day I could coax her.
I could show her how pleasurable the water could be.
“How brazen you are today,” she murmured primly, taking a small sip of her tea—but she did not refuse my idea.
Just then, Edward strode in, looking anxious. He glanced toward Maddie, offering her a quick bow. “My lady. Forgive the interruption.”
“We were planning our day,” I said firmly. “We can speak shortly.” Whatever it was could wait. A roof needing repair or a dispatch could be handled quickly so I could be with my wife.
But Maddie was ever the lady and frowned my way before looking to Edward.
“What is it?” she asked. “You look upset.”
“There is a situation,” he replied. “A serious one.”
“Pray, then do tell,” I insisted.
He glanced toward Maddie, then leaned close, lowering his voice.
“Her father is at the gate, demanding an audience. He has others with him.”
Maddie gasped in shock, and I rose, standing behind her, placing my hands on her shoulders in comfort.
“The devil he does,” I swore. “What does he want?”
“Should we discuss this in private, my lord?”
“No,” Maddie protested. “I need to know.”
I nodded at him to speak.
Edward drew in a long breath. “He says you spirited his daughter away in the dead of the night and dishonored her and his name. That you stole her. He is demanding satisfaction.”
“He put her up as an offering,” I snarled. “As if she were a piece of furniture. I stole nothing. There were witnesses.”
Maddie spoke, her voice quavering. “The servants heard him. They knew how I was treated.”
Edward smiled sadly. “The word of a peer will take precedence over that of an underling.”
“What about my word?” she demanded.
“He will say you have been turned against him,” I murmured. “From what Edward found out, he has dismissed his remaining servants, so we cannot question them.”
“Lydia?” she whispered, referring to her lady’s maid.
He shook his head. “Not even Liddy’s word would be taken as truth.”
Even with the situation, I noticed the way he referred to Lydia. As if he were familiar. But that was a subject for another time.
Maddie stood suddenly, turning to me. I loathed seeing the fear back in her eyes, the expression of worry on her face.
“Will he take me?” she asked, her voice trembling, her body beginning to shake. “Alexander, will he take me from you?”
I gathered her in my arms, holding her close. “No. You are my wife, and you will remain with me. I shan’t allow him near you,” I stated firmly. “I will deal with him.”
“He will try,” she said, sobbing. “He is violent and vindictive. He hates me—he has always hated me, and I have never known why. He doesn’t want me to be happy.”
I held her closer, meeting Edward’s gaze over her head. He regarded her with sympathy and understanding.
“Why?” she cried. “Why after all these months?”
“I asked him the same question,” Edward informed us. “He said it took him time to trace you here.”
“Damn his lies. He knew,” I cursed. “There is something else to this.” I pressed a kiss to my trembling wife’s head. “I believe you are right. He knows you are happy, and he seeks to destroy that happiness.”
“Alexander,” she whimpered. “Help me.”
I bent and scooped her into my arms, and her head fell to my chest. “You are going upstairs, my love, and resting as I rid our home of this infestation of vermin. This stress is not good for you or my unborn child,” I murmured as I carried her up the stairs.
I laid her on the bed, brushing away the tears falling. “Do you trust me, wife?”
“Yes.”
“Then know I will handle this. Your father will not come near you, and you will not leave this estate with him. Ever.”
She nodded.
Lydia stood at the foot of the bed. “Should I accompany you, my lord? I can attest to the truth, even if they will not hear it.”
“Yes. That is a good idea. Fetch Mrs. Dougall and have her sit with my wife.”
I turned to Maddie. “I shall return shortly, and our pleasant day will continue.”
More tears fell down her cheeks. She had become white and fearful-looking again. I was furious and ready to draw arms against the man at the gate. Strike him down where he stood for causing her anguish once again. I strove to calm myself, knowing I needed to keep a cool head and banish him.
I bent and kissed Maddie. “I will be back.”
“Promise me.” She gripped my waistcoat. “Do not let him near you either. He is like a snake and will strike when you least expect it. I could not bear it,” she sobbed.
That was when I understood her greatest worry. Not her father taking her away, but me being hurt or killed.
I cupped her face. “Ah, Maddie mine. My love. No one on this estate shall be hurt. He is the one who should be fearful of my wrath for being here. Causing you pain. Trust me and know all will be well.”
I waited until she nodded hesitantly.
I passed Mrs. Dougall in the hall. “Watch over her.”
“Mr. Dougall is downstairs too, sir. None will get past him.”
“Very good.”
Downstairs, Edward was waiting, silently handing me my pistol. I tested the weight in my hand, pleased with the balance of the grip.
Edward’s gun was already in his hand. I saw him touch his side, and I knew a knife was at the ready. We were prepared for the worst and hoped for the best. Not that I expected anything good to come from this encounter.
We mounted our horses and trotted to the gate. I refused to hurry and composed my features into what I hoped to be a look of annoyance and boredom. I allowed no concern or worry to leach into my countenance.
As we drew close, I narrowed my eyes, seeing Barnett pacing. He was even thinner than the last time I saw him, his clothing showing wear and neglect. He required a good meal, a proper haircut and shave, and no doubt a valet. As well as the funds to pay for it all.
None of which I would offer to him.
With him were three men. One I recognized as a gentleman who had been at the card game, Baron Fine. One was his old butler. The third was familiar, but I could not place him. Something about his hawklike nose and cold gaze struck me as memorable, but how, I wasn’t certain.
We dismounted, strolling toward the small group.
Two of my grooms stood in front of the gates refusing them entry.
I called out, telling them to open the gates, and Barnett stormed through, bellowing, red-faced, and furious.
Edward held up his hand, stopping his progress, and I stood my ground, placing my hands behind my back and glaring at him.
“What is the meaning of this unwelcome interruption? Tell me. Now,” I demanded.
“You leave me at the gate? Like a beggar coming to ask for a crust of bread?” Barnett shouted. “Nowhere in polite society would this be acceptable!”
He froze as Edward cocked his gun, his arm straight, his grip firm. “Nothing about this damned situation is polite. Answer his lordship’s question.”