A Lady for the Forsaken Earl: A Historical Regency Romance Book

by Bridget Barton

  “I contacted him and explained your situation. I believe that this letter contains news of his imminent arrival in London.”

  Madelene ran to him, taking the letter with eager hands.

  “You would do all this for me? Why?”

  Hugh looked down, choosing his words carefully. Just speak the truth and let her take it as she wishes.

  “I wish to see you happy, Maddy. I will leave you to read the letter.”

  Hugh left her, only stopping when she called out to him. He didn’t turn around, but he turned his head to the side.

  “Hugh? Thank you.”

  Hugh nodded and turned the doorknob, leaving the room. Her thank you meant more to him than she would ever know. And if she chooses to go with her father, leaving me, at least she will be happy. Hugh would hold onto that to see him through the dark days.

  *****

  Madelene walked to the door and leaned on it, her hair falling forward. What can I do to help you? I cannot bear to see you this way. When she had called him back, she had wanted to run into his arms and hold him, but he didn’t belong to her.

  “He will never belong to me.”

  She pushed away from the door and focused her attention on the letter. It had been too long since she had received word from her father, and she was anxious to find out how he was faring. Madelene unfolded the letter, tracing her father’s beautiful handwriting.

  “How I would envy his writing as a young girl, always trying to achieve his graceful loops and effortless flow.”

  She returned to her seat and laid the letter before her, lovingly holding it flat so that she might better read it.

  Pacific Ocean

  The Marguerite

  03 August 1813

  My Dearest Madelene,

  No words can describe the guilt I feel for having left you in England. If I knew how treacherous my brother and his wife were going to be, I would have kept you with me and fought off Lord Allandale myself! Can you ever forgive me?

  I am indebted to Lord Scarborough for doing something that I, your father, could not do. That man has proven his weight in gold – I am not in the least furious for the part he had to play in my brother’s folly. For if he had not been involved, no matter how damning it may have seemed in the beginning, he would not have saved my precious daughter from that serpent Viscount.

  I am eager to see that you are well; therefore, I will be arriving in England in a fortnight’s time.

  I ask that you give the second letter to Lord Scarborough.

  Your Loving Father,

  Sir Cardross Huntington

  Madelene rubbed her fingers, trying to find the second letter. The letters came apart, and she was tempted to read it, but she stopped herself.

  “No, there is no honour in being nosey. I will give this to Hugh.”

  A thought suddenly occurred to her. Her father had said that he would arrive in England in a fortnight’s time, and the letter was dated August the third.

  “What is the date today?”

  Her mind went blank as she tried to remember. Why can I not remember? Perhaps I am too excited. Madelene went running in search of Hugh, running into him as she rounded a corner.

  “Oof!” she exclaimed.

  Hugh did not seem moved at all as he steadied her. The man was a steel wall!

  “Are you alright, Maddy?

  She laughed. “I am now. I apologise for running into you like that! I was just desperate to find you.”

  “Desperate?” he said, his voice disbelieving. “To find me? Why?”

  “Well, firstly, what is the date today?”

  “August the fifteenth.”

  Madelene gave a shout of joy. “My father arrives in just two days! Can you believe it?”

  She could see that Hugh tried to smile, but his expression looked pained. I thought that he would be happy. Madelene moved onto her second reason, handing him the letter.

  “This is for you – Father said to give it to you.”

  Hugh took the note. “Thank you.”

  “Well, yes, uh – I should get back to the library – James’ lessons will not write themselves!”

  The corners of his lips lifted, and so did her heart.

  “No, I suppose they will not. Uh, Maddy?”

  He sounded so unsure of himself. Madelene longed to reach out and lay a hand on his arm.

  “Yes, Hugh?”

  Hugh cleared his throat. “Well, I just wanted to say that I, well you ...” He sighed. “I will not be joining you and James for dinner. I’m afraid that I have other matters to attend to.”

  Madelene’s gaze fell. “Yes, of course. I understand. I must be getting back to the library.”

  She turned away, and as she walked back to the library, she could have sworn that she heard the words ‘I love you’, but they were so faint that Madelene believed it to be wishful thinking. Hugh would never say those words to me and mean it. She was better off returning with her father or going to America as she had initially planned.

  “Father will be here in two days! That is surely something to look forward to!”

  Madelene made a mental note to reveal nothing of her heartbreak to her father. She would have to have Maria promise to do the same – Madelene did not need her father involving himself in such a delicate matter. It was better that she remove herself from Hugh’s life.

  *****

  Two days later, Hugh sat beside Madelene in his carriage. Her father was currently lodging in a townhouse, and he had promised to take her there.

  “I am excited to see Father again! It has been two years since I last looked upon his dear face. Hugh, I cannot thank you enough for arranging all this. I am in your debt.”

  “Nonsense,” he said. “You have been invaluable to Scarborough House – this is the least that I can do.”

  Madelene’s gaze fell for just a moment, but her smile came right back, somewhat dimmer than before.

  “You are a kind, employer.”

  They were silent for the rest of the ride, giving Hugh time to think about what was to take place once they reached the townhouse. The letter that Sir Huntington had written to him was full of evidence concerning the Silver Wolf, who Hugh was eager to catch. Lord Allandale was a crafty fellow, and once he found out that Madelene would not be his wife, he would do all that he could to capture her once more. Hugh could not have that, but neither could he force Madelene to marry him, no matter how much he wanted to. He snuck a glance at her as she stared out of the window. She seemed to grow lovelier every day, and once she was introduced to the ton, she would have an endless supply of suitors. That is if she chooses to. Hugh could more so see Madelene commanding a ship rather than fretting over her state of dress or receiving calling suitors. His Maddy was not a woman to be governed by social niceties, and he wouldn’t have it any other way. But she is not my Maddy, is she?

  “The carriage is stopping, are we here?”

  Madelene stuck her head out of the window, squealing when she saw a figure run towards them.

  “Father!”

  Before Hugh had the chance to help her down the carriage, Madelene had flung the door open, leapt over the carriage steps, stumbling slightly. She quickly righted herself and jumped into her father’s arms, attracting the interested gazes of some onlookers milling about. Hugh climbed down, with the intention of greeting Sir Huntington, and then leaving them to their reunion. He would return later to take Madelene home. Only, Scarborough House is not her home, is it? Madelene might verily decide to remain with her father, and he would not blame her. Sir Huntington gently put his daughter to his side and came forward to clasp Hugh’s hand in his own, drawing him close for a hug. Hugh was caught off guard. He was unaccustomed to such displays of affection between men, having never received anything more than a handshake from his father. Sir Huntington did not seem to mind his hug not being reciprocated, as he drew back with a smile, still holding his hand.

  “My good man! How can I ever repay you for a
ll that you have done?”

  “There is no need to repay me, Sir Huntington. A lesser man would have done the same.”

  “He lies, Father,” Madelene cut in. “Lord Scarborough is a wonderfully generous man. He has looked after Maria, Giles, and me in such a manner that we have never felt want or need. I doubt that there is a man to rival him.”

  Hugh looked at Madelene, his eyes intense with longing. Her high praise did him little good when it was her heart that he wanted. Why won’t you love me? He watched her smile falter before she looked away. Two lines appeared between her brows.

  “If my daughter has said it, then it must be so!” Sir Huntington said. “Come in, come in. There is much to talk about.”

  “I’m afraid that I must decline, Sir. I have business in town that I must see to. I will return before evening.”

  Hugh took his leave and climbed into his carriage. As it pulled away, he looked out of his window and met the eyes of the woman he loved. There was sadness in her eyes that mirrored his own. But it is not for me.

  *****

  Sir Cardross Huntington regarded his daughter carefully. He would gladly have taken her with him, but his heart told him that she was running away.

  “To America, Daughter? Are you sure?”

  Madelene nodded. “Yes, Father. I had planned to go there some time ago, but of course, there were obstacles. I wish to see Graham – it has been many years since I have seen my brother. And America seems like a wonderful land to begin a new life.”

  “A new life? What is wrong with the one you have now?”

  Madelene sighed and looked down. Cardross instinctively knew that whatever plagued his daughter’s mind and heart seemed to lie with Lord Scarborough. What had happened?

  “England has not been good to me, Father. Yes, some good things have happened, I am not denying that, but I would rather reside in America. I am sure that I will be happier there.”

  Cardross left his seat and came to kneel before his daughter. He lifted her chin and searched her eyes.

  “Has this need to leave for America got to do with a certain gentleman?”

  Quick tears came to her eyes as she pulled her chin from her father’s grasp.

  “I would rather not speak of it, Father. It is far too painful. Just say that you will take me, please?”

  Her pleading tore him apart, and he drew her closer, laying her head on his shoulder. His daughter was heartbroken. He could hear it in her voice and see it in her eyes. Cardross had seen something pass between the Earl and his daughter, and from his letter, Cardross had believed that the Earl may have a tendre for his daughter.

  He had arrived on English soil intending to look further into this, and now he had his answer. Cardross would not deny his daughter her request to leave for America, but neither could he bear to see her leave England in such a state. He needed to send word to the Earl and have this issue resolved.

  “Very well, Madelene. We will go to America.”

  She pulled away from his shoulder, her face streaked with tears.

  “Thank you, Father. You do not know how much this means to me. When Lord Scarborough comes, please request all my belongings to be sent to this address? I do not wish to go back.”

  She laid her head on his shoulder once more, and he stroked her hair.

  “Yes, I will do so.”

  Cardross needed to have the letter written by the time the Earl returned. He was due to leave in three days time. That should give them ample time to address whatever it is that has occurred between them.

  *****

  She was going to leave him. Hugh reread the letter, but the conclusion was the same.

  “I have always known that she would leave; what does it matter now?”

  Perhaps it was the clues that Sir Huntington had given him concerning Madelene’s state. Hugh was a master at reading between the lines, and this letter was full of meaningful words that were not written, but implied. Could Madelene love him?

  “But I thought that she would be happy once she saw her father. This letter proves otherwise.”

  If there were a chance that Madelene loved him, then he would take it, and make the best of it. However, Hugh could not get his hopes up. He had nothing but this letter to go on – Madelene could still reject him.

  “I am willing to take that risk.”

  Hugh would rather go there and declare his love than live his life not knowing if he stood a chance with her. It was dark already; he couldn’t possibly go now, although every fibre in his being wanted to.

  “Tomorrow is another day. Sir Huntington did say he would only be leaving in three days time.”

  But he only needed a few minutes to see if he indeed had a future with Madelene.

  Madelene sat curled up with a book in one hand and a cup of tea in the other. Her father had thoughtfully brought her a few books to read, some that she had never read before. The doorbell sounded, and Nell, the maid that had come with the townhouse, went running to the door. Madelene did not bother to put down her book. She figured that the caller would request an audience with her father, and with him presently attending to matters elsewhere, they would soon leave. It was only when she felt herself being watched that she cared to look up. Her book dropped, but she managed to deposit her teacup on the small table beside her shakily.

  “Hugh! I was not expecting you! Have you brought my things? I’m sure that Maria would have done so herself.”

  Hugh walked into the drawing room and shut the door behind him, locking it.

  “Why are you locking the door?”

  Hugh didn’t answer but chose a seat close to her. He sat back, looking very so at home.

  “Hugh! What has gotten into you? You are acting quite strange.”

  “So, I hear that you are leaving for America soon.”

  Madelene narrowed her eyes. She had not told him that, but what did it matter?

  “Yes, I will be leaving in two days. Have you brought my belongings with you?”

  Hugh flapped his hand. “Never mind your belongings. What I wish to know is why?”

  “Why what?”

  “Why are you leaving for America?”

  Why did he have to get into this now? Madelene had no wish to discuss her plans with him.

  “That is none of your business, Lord Scarborough.”

  Hugh shifted in his seat and sat forward, his arms resting on his thighs.

  “See, I do not believe that. You are running away.”

  “I do not know where you received such a notion, Lord Scarborough. But if you do not wish to bring my belongings, I will fetch them myself.”

  Hugh laughed. “Yes, I do see you doing that very thing. But it will make you feel no better.”

  Madelene’s irritation reared its head and was ready to strike at the man that seemed to want to cause her more pain.