“Is that why you were so nervous about telling me? Is it because Sarah has moved into your brother’s house?” She bent and pressed a kiss to his lips. “I think it’s the right thing to do. I only would have been upset if you’d tried to move her into our home.” Her smile fled at the thought. “That’s not what you want to do, is it?”
“Of course not. Don’t be ridiculous.” He stood up swooping Madeline into his arms and dropping her into his lap as he sank into the settee. “I want you all to myself,” and he kissed her passionately.
When he finally let her up for air, they were both breathing hard. “That’s all right then.”
“Thank you, Princess. Thank you for not being upset at our offer of protection, and for being my friend. I don’t deserve you.” He hugged her tightly against his chest. “Don’t worry, Maddy. Sarah is in my past. I mean that; however, I do owe her my help.”
“It’s in your nature to help.” At his frown, she added, “I love that about you. Your kindness and how you protect those weaker than yourself is admirable.”
She lay curled up in his arms, her head resting on his shoulder, relief escaping with each breath. He still wanted her. The kiss and the hard erection she felt under her bottom told her all she needed to know.
He pulled back and pressed a chaste kiss to her lips. I have to go now.”
“But you’ve had no sleep. You need rest. We have Lady Pillsbury’s ball tonight. It’s my first ball as your wife.” The wobble in her voice couldn’t hide the fear the event was evoking in her. Everyone would be looking at her, and judging their relationship.
He stood as he laughed. “I’ll be home to escort you, don’t worry.” At her silence, he added, “I promise, Princess. And I never break a promise.”
She didn’t fail to note that he didn’t say where he was off to in such a hurry.
#
Richard didn’t look back as he left the room. He had to leave as fast as possible, even though all he wanted to do was take her to bed and lose himself in her. Christ, he felt like his heart would hammer out of his chest. She hadn’t asked. Thank God. He hadn’t had to lie. She hadn’t even considered that the babe was anyone else’s but Charles’s. Yet, the secret ate at him. He should have told her. Was it lying by omission?
Dear Miss Madeline
It is indeed very hot here, and I would not be male if I had not noticed the beautiful, bright clothing of the native women.
Enclosed please find another gift that I suspect your mother will chastise me for. I asked the Indian lady who cooks my meals to select a sari (that’s the name of the dress the Indian women wear) for you. I suggest you don’t actually wear it or I shall be banned from Hascombe forever, but I know you’d love to feel the cloth and see the colors. As to midriffs, remember it is as hot as hades here, not like our summers. The Indians sensibly dress for the heat, unlike the European ladies who live in India. They seem to swoon from the heat, complain about it constantly, and yet continue to wear the most ridiculous number of undergarments.
More good news! I will be sailing into Portsmouth in two months and plan to stop in to Hascombe on my way through to London. You can prove your skill with the bow. Perhaps we can have a challenge? Whoever hits the bulls-eye first, buys the other a treat from Mrs. Stanner’s bakery in the village.
Your friend,
Richard Craven
The dreaded night was here. The ballroom teemed with the finest of society. The social elite had donned their evening best. The women were dripping with jewels, and their scandalously low cut, yet glamorous gowns, swept the floors. The men were in white tie and tails, with polished shoes and crisply pressed black jackets, and trousers. Status was being displayed in abundance.
Never had Maddy felt such a fraud. She didn’t belong here. Every head had turned upon their entrance, the scandal of their rushed wedding the latest topic of conversation. She’d already heard one matron whisper, “So like a Strathmore to be the center of scandal.” She gripped tightly on to Richard’s arm. Melissa’s lady’s maid had dressed her mahogany hair and the rich blue silk gown she had chosen to wear complemented her dark coloring. Complementing Richard’s golden beauty as she did with her dark beauty, Melissa had told her they made a stunning pair.
“Relax, Maddy. You look gorgeous.” Richard gave a small frown. “I’ll more than likely be a nervous wreck by the ball’s end, fighting to keep myself from burning out the eyes of the men that gaze upon you for too long. That dress reveals a lot more of your beauty than I like.”
“They are looking at the necklace. That is all. It’s divine.” Richard had gifted her a stunning sapphire necklace and earbobs before they had left.
“It’s not the bloody necklace they’re looking at,” he muttered under his breath.
A faint smile touched her lips. He sounded very possessive. A welcome shiver ran down her spine.
“Madeline, how lovely you look this evening,” Melissa was suddenly at her side.
“Quite a crush this evening,” her husband Anthony added as he joined her.
Melissa slipped her arm through Maddy’s. “There are a lot of women I’d like you to meet.” At Maddy’s panicked look she added, “Don’t worry. We shall start with Lady Horsham. Once they see her approval, the rest will follow.”
Once the ladies had moved off through the crowd, the men walked toward the card room. “Madeline seems to have accepted your explanation of the fire. She still looks at you with the same love-sick eyes.”
Anthony’s observation eased the knot in his stomach. “She’s been a tad quiet tonight. You were correct, she didn’t ask who the father was, but I still feel like a lying piece of turd…”
“Let us ensure it stays that way. Keep her away from Sarah. I don’t trust her not to accidentally let something slip.”
“I’d like to ensure we catch Timothy quickly. Then I can walk away from Sarah with a clear conscience.”
“Amen to that, brother. Speaking of which,” Anthony hesitated before saying, “Following on from our meeting this afternoon, Sarah’s groom is now ensconced at Hascombe, and Rufus has sent men to Newmarket looking for any sign of anyone who’s suddenly come into money. Timothy could have paid someone to do his dirty work.”
Just then an immediate hush came over the ballroom and all eyes turned toward the stairs. Rufus was suddenly at their side. “Stephen vehemently tried to dissuade her, but she would not listen.”
Richard drew in a deep breath. Sarah. Sarah had arrived on the arm of Stephen Milton, Lord Worthington. Stephen had been left at the house to ensure Sarah’s safety. What the hell was she doing here? She was dressed in grey with a black armband. Not only was she not in black, it was utterly scandalous to be seen at a ball before her husband had even been buried.
It was a mistake of gigantic proportions. The crowd drew in a collective breath, and in an unequivocal cut, emphatically turned their backs on her.
“Can you talk some sense into her and get her out of here.” Rufus’s plea worked. Richard knew he had to do something. She’d ruin everything.
He made his way quickly up the stairs taking them two at a time.
Sarah burst into tears. “I’m so sorry. I needed to see you. I’m so scared...”
With Stephen on one side of her, Richard took her arm and the two men led her from the ballroom.
Immediately, all eyes turned to focus on Madeline. Fans fluttered as women began gossiping, and as their pointed stares pierced her, their sharp glances speared her.
She tried to smile through the pain in her chest. Anger, hot as the fires of hell, quickly followed.
How could he?
Anthony was immediately at her side. “Richard did the right thing. You’ll realize that when you calm down. My dance, I believe.”
#
It had been over two hours since Richard had deserted her and Madeline’s face ached from having to smile as if her whole world had not been blown apart. Melissa, Rheda, and their husbands hovered around her like an armed guard. She’d finally escaped from everyone by saying she was slipping into the retiring room. Instead, she made her way into the garden, the cool night air dowsing the intensity of her shame.
“Damn him. Damn Charles Chesterton.”
“I hardly think it’s my brother’s fault for falling off his horse. It’s that slut of a wife you should be blaming.”
Maddy spun round at the sound of Timothy Chesterton’s sleazy voice. The man oozed slime and her skin crawled at the thought of him.
He moved closer, crowding her up against the bricked wall of the rose garden. She shouldn’t have wandered so far from the house. She looked anxiously around her, but she could see no way past him.
“And to think Craven ran after her like a whipped puppy when he already has this delight…” His gaze, followed by his finger, tracked over her bosom, “…waiting for him at home.”
She battered his finger away. “Don’t touch me.”
“I thought you’d prefer a man who found your abundant charms enticing for a change and a man who prefers you to Sarah.” Before she knew what he was about, he had used his large body to pin her against the wall, and his hand was at her throat squeezing the breath out of her. “Don’t move or scream or I’ll snap this slender neck. Richard would probably thank me for it.”
Her fingers clawed at his hand but he simply squeezed tighter and soon black spots danced before her eyes. Her hands dropped to her sides in defeat. She smelt the brandy on his breath. He was foxed. She’d never be able to reason with him. She prayed that if she stayed still, he’d grow bored with tormenting her and leave.
“That’s more like it.” His other hand clamped on her breast and squeezed it. “Who would have thought the traitorous neighbor’s daughter would turn into such a beauty. I’ve lusted after you for years, but I didn’t think I’d have any chance of having you for I’d never lower myself to marry a Strathmore.” His hands began to roam over her body. “Imagine my surprise when Rufus proved your father’s innocence and gained an earldom. But by then, you only had eyes for Craven. But I
will
have what I desire...”
To her horror his mouth took hers. He tried to force entry into her mouth, and when she refused, he simply choked her until she obeyed. He tasted of everything in this world that was disgusting. Tears welled in her eyes as his hand left her breast and snaked down her body and began lifting her skirts.
This couldn’t be happening
…
Then, through her pain and humiliation, she heard a voice. It was a male voice, young, but strong and very, very welcome.
“I’d release the lady before I call all and sundry to witness you behaving like an animal. I believe the lady finds your attentions odiously distasteful.”
Timothy did not release her. He merely looked over his shoulder at the shadowed male. “I have no idea who you are, but the lady and I are having a private liaison. Are we not?” The hand squeezing her neck warned her exactly about what she was supposed to say. She remained silent even as the hand choked the life out of her.
The man moved toward them into the moonlight. She marveled at his age; he looked very young to be confronting a much larger Timothy Chesterton.
“Please,” she managed to squeak. “Please get some help.”
“Shut up,” and Timothy covered her mouth with a clammy hand.
The young, darkly serious looking man turned to her and she pleaded with her eyes. He stood looking at her for what seemed eons. Timothy got impatient. “I don’t require an audience. Bugger off.”
The young man didn’t leave. When he finally spoke, the words were cold and hard, in direct contrast to his face, which was angelic in the pale glow of the moon. “I wonder what her brother would do to the man who raped his sister.”
“Don’t be ridiculous. Can’t you see the lady is eager for the sport?”
“So eager, it appears you are choking her to death. Stand aside before I put a bullet through you.” Her eyes widened at the pistol her savior was holding in his hand. “I could kill you right here, and the lady would provide the reason why, especially when they see the bruising on her neck.”
Calm and rational, his tone left little doubt he was serious. Timothy quickly dropped his hands from her body and stepped away. Fury radiated from him like a raging fire.
“I won’t forget this,” he hissed.
“Neither will I and I suspect the lady’s nightmares will be full of you.” The young man stepped closer showing a maturity that belied his age. He couldn’t be much older than her. “If I see you near Mrs. Craven once more, or she informs me you’ve bothered her again—I will kill you.”
Silence followed the quietly uttered words. Words that were spoken with such dark menace that even Maddy shivered.
Timothy snarled, and with a penetrating glare at her, staggered drunkenly off into the darkened night. The sound of the pistol being un-cocked brought her to her senses.
She rubbed her throat and croaked out, “I don’t know how to thank you.”
He looked at her in such a way she briefly wondered if she were still in trouble. But then a smile broke over his face and Maddy almost gasped. He was stunningly beautiful. His dark curling locks framed eyes of pale blue, and as his lashes were so long, she wondered if he had to comb them to keep them untangled. His high cheekbones emphasized a straight aristocratic nose, which hooked over full lips any woman would beg to taste.
“I couldn’t possibly let a Strathmore be abused.”
Maddy started. “I’m sorry, but I do not know you. You are known to my brother then?”
He merely nodded before bowing. “I’m Mr. Christopher Hindsworth and at your service, madam.”
“The pleasure is mine, I can assure you. I don’t know what I would have done...” She hugged her body and let out a choked sob as the reality of what could have happened to her sank in.
The next instance she was wrapped in strong comforting arms. “Hush. Don’t cry. Don’t let him win. Men like Chesterton are cowards, picking on those who cannot defend themselves.”
“It’s not just Chesterton. The evening, my first outing as Richard’s wife, has been a total disaster,” she sobbed through her tears, not really conscious of what she was saying.