Chapter 19
MADELEINE
Ipaced the floor of Alexander’s bedchamber, fretful and terrified. I knew I should be in my own chamber, but this room smelled of him. I inhaled, long, greedy breaths, desperate to calm the swelling panic.
A duel. My father wanted a duel with my husband.
He intended to do him harm. I knew this as strongly as I knew my husband would refuse to ignore the challenge. His honor was very important to him.
I needed him to be alive more than I needed the memory of an honorable man.
Suddenly, the room began closing in on me. It was too hot, too confining. My clothing was too tight, my hair bothersome. My hands felt caged in the light gloves I wore.
I yanked off the gloves, discarding them, then I pulled at the pins in my hair, casting them to the floor, uncaring.
My hair fell down my back, the length heavy but feeling better not wrapped around my head.
I wished I could easily reach the tapes on the back of my dress and rid myself of the fabric that stifled me.
I needed air.
I needed Alexander.
How would I survive without him?
“Maddie mine.” His smooth voice interrupted my panicked thoughts. I looked up, seeing him approaching me. He held out his hands. “Please stop tearing at your gown, my love. Let me help you.”
“I cannot breathe.”
He reached me, pulling me into his arms. He ran his hands up and down my back in soothing passes, and I felt his nimble fingers untie my tapes. The air felt good on my skin as he helped me undress, peeling away the layers until I was only in my chemise.
He rested his hands on my shoulders, his gaze tender and his voice low and comforting. “Breathe, Maddie mine. I am here, and all is well.”
I shook my head, my anxiety choking my reply. “It is not. He is here.”
“He is close but not here. Never here. He will never be near you again. He will have his moment, then be dispatched tomorrow, and you will never see him again. I swear it to you.”
“I cannot go on without you, Alexander. I am not strong enough.”
“Maddie mine, look at me.”
I lifted my gaze and met his dark, warm eyes. “You are the strongest woman I know. If I died right now, you would carry on for the sake of our babe. You would find a life.”
“No,” I sobbed.
“Yes,” he insisted gently. “After how you persevered all those years, I know this.” He paused. “You would do it, because I would ask you to.”
“Alexander,” I pleaded. “No.”
“But you will not have to, my love. I promise you.”
He pulled me into his arms, cradling me and whispering reassurances.
He bent and lifted me, carrying me to the bed where our most intimate of moments occurred.
Where our love was consummated and blossomed.
It held our secrets and our story. He lay down, still holding me, whispering stories of our future.
How our family would start and grow. How the years would slowly pass for us.
How we would forge our life together for years to come.
I let his words wash over me. Clung to them in desperate belief.
I needed to believe him now more than ever.
ALEXANDER
“No, my lord. No matter what occurs, Madeleine’s father cannot get access to those funds.”
I sat back, satisfied, but still frustrated. My little wife was beside herself with worry, which wasn’t good for her or the babe. I was furious at Barnett and the fact that he had instilled terror into her again. He needed to be gone and his memory erased. Forever.
“Confounding,” I muttered. “Why would he be doing this?”
“If I might speak plainly?”
I waved my hand. “Of course, Higgins. I trust you.”
Higgins had been one of my solicitors in London.
When his wife fell ill and required country living, he had moved to the village but maintained his standing within the legal community.
He traveled to London when needed, his wife happy to be left behind.
He was honest and shrewd, dealing with my businesses with a swift hand and a great eye to detail.
“I know of Lord Barnett. Many do since he owned the estate beside your father’s. It was once lovely before he allowed it to fall into decay.”
“He acquired the piece of land between the two estates from my father in the same fashion I obtained it back.”
He pursed his lips.
“Speak.”
“They were once friendly neighbors. Lord Barnett won it in a game from your father after your mother passed, then when your father changed his mind later, refused to allow him to purchase it back. It had become overrun, unused, much like his estate. They had a large falling-out over it and became bitter rivals.”
“Until I won it in the same game in which he demanded I take Maddie.”
“His reputation at one time was of a decent man. After his wife passed, he became known as angry and bitter. Harsh with servants. Unwelcoming to visitors. There were rumors of cruelty. Drinking. Excessive gambling. He was banned from his gentlemen’s club over dishonoring his debts. He fell out of favor with many.”
I barked a laugh. “He still had enough pull that he could draw them out for a card game.”
He cleared his throat. “Many opportunists. Those who wished only to win, my lord. Not for the sake of friendship.”
I chuckled. “Myself included.”
He bowed his head. “Extenuating circumstances.”
I blew out a long breath. “I can attest to his desperation. I saw the poor state of his estate. I have seen with my own eyes the marks he left on his daughter. She has told me stories of his temper.” I clutched the glass in my hand tightly, recalling some of her words.
“He put her up for offer to satisfy a gambling debt, wanting me to ruin her.”
“She is fortunate that it was you, my lord. Another less noble man would have done exactly that and left her badly off.”
I turned in my chair, staring out the window. I could not even begin to think of my Maddie used and cast aside in that fashion. Her beauty diminished and faded, and her gentle spirit crushed. Simply the thought made me ill. It also filled me with rage. Fury at an unknown I could not fight.
I turned back to Higgins. “My affairs are in order?”
“Completely, my lord,” he assured me.
I looked to Edward, who had joined us. “And you will follow my wishes?”
“To the letter, my lord. Your wife and child will never want for a thing.” He shook his head. “Not that this is necessary.”
“No,” I agreed. “But I feel at ease knowing all is well.”
“It is,” Higgins repeated. “Is there anything else, my lord?”
“No. Thank you for your speedy arrival.”
He bowed. “My time is yours, my lord.”
He departed and Edward sat.
“Any news?”
“Leigh was asking about Lady Wheaton. Your life. The villagers refused to talk about you or her. The tavern owner and his wife felt as if he were trying to find out how loyal they are to you.” He smirked.
“He wasn’t pleased to see how deeply it ran.
The villagers are aware of how good you are to them.
To your tenants. The prosperity you bring to their village. Much more than other estates here.”
“The village has always been good to me,” I replied.
“They adore her ladyship.”
I felt a grin pull on my lips. “As do I.”
He returned my smile. “I am aware. She has brought your smile back, my friend. She fills this house with sunshine.” He paused as he took a sip of brandy. “Your heart as well, if I might be so bold.”
I sat back, observing him. “And what of Lydia?” I asked. “Or, should I say, Liddy?”
He remained calm, although his cheeks flushed. “What of her? She is very good to Lady Wheaton. They are close.”
“As you appeared to be with her, Edward. You looked ready to murder Barnett for his accusations.”
“He is a bastard,” he spat. “The world would be better off without his kind.”
“I agree, but you are changing the subject.”
“Leave it be, my lord.”
“You are enamored with her?”
He looked away. “It is complicated.”
“Only if you choose for it to be. Neither of you is titled, and even if you were, it is your choice.”
“She feels she is my inferior.”
“How do you feel?”
“I am unsure at this moment. I did not expect to feel anything for the young lady. Especially, ah, tender feelings.”
“I see.”
“She is kind and gentle. Loving. Her life has been one of difficulty and loneliness.”
“And you wish to change that?”
He scrubbed his hand on his face. “I do not know.”
A knock at the door ended our conversation. Edward rose and opened the door, revealing Geraldine. She looked worried, clutching a small bundle of linen in her hands. I rose to my feet.
“Is her ladyship well? Is something amiss?”
“She is fine, my lord. Sleeping finally. Lydia is watching over her.”
“Good. Is there another concern?”
She hesitated, and I indicated that she come inside. “Please sit. Be at ease.”
She sat in the chair Edward had vacated. He withdrew, leaving us alone.
“What have you there?” I asked.
“May I tell you some history, my lord? It has to do with Lady Wheaton.”
“Of course,” I replied, intrigued. “You have known her all her life.”
“Yes.”
I nodded for her to continue.
“I was her mother’s lady’s maid. I had been with her most of her life.
I was with her when she escaped Paris. When Lady Wheaton was born, she wasn’t a usual mother.
She wanted to be very involved in her babe’s care the way her mother had been.
I assisted her in caring for Lady Wheaton as she refused a nursemaid.
I became one of sorts.” She paused, her eyes becoming misty.
I rose and fetched her a glass of Madeira.
She thanked me, took a sip, and placed the glass on the desk.
“When my mistress died, I became her ladyship’s nurse for all intents and purposes for a short time. Lord Barnett had never bothered much with her. He had been disappointed she was not a boy, but he had tolerated her. At least until her mother died. She—Lady Wheaton—was very young.”
“Ten and four, I believe?”
“Yes.” She paused to take another sip. “He informed me I would be in charge of her upbringing and making sure she was prepared to be presented when she was ready.”