Perth looked at Max. “He could’ve been looking for something.” He looked closely at Maggie. “I need to ask, did this man harm you?”
Maggie shook her head warily. “No. My dog took off after him, and I fell following him. Once before, he tried to kill Shep in a fit of rage, and I was afraid I would lose my pup. So, I grabbed the fire poker and ran after them.” She turned to Max. “I tried to stay hidden, but Shep is very protective and would not stay still. He does not let men come near me. Except for you.” She smiled weakly. “He growls when any man comes near me, but he especially hates Slade.”
Max could not ignore a tingle of pride about Maggie and the poker. The two of them used to have fake sword fights. For Maggie, it had been great fun. But he had always wanted her to know how to defend herself, and it was a way to do it without alarming her. And he was not surprised about the dog. “Yes, he clung to you from the moment we found him. You were inseparable. You risked your own life to save him…ultimately both our lives.” He smiled for a moment, unable to disguise the admiration he felt for her generous nature. But then he turned serious. “Please continue. Tell us what happened, Meg.”
“Mr. Slade kicked Shep into the air. I hit him with the poker, and he grabbed me and threw me down the front steps. But Shep cried out. I know he hurt him. That is why I need you to help him.”
Recalling the vertical jumps, Max picked up her hand and turned it over, gently rubbing it with a smile. “Shep is doing fine, but Dr. Perth will examine him.” Max nodded to Perth, who acknowledged the gesture with a quick nod of his own.
“Yes, I had a quick look, but I assure you that I will finish assessing your dog,” he said, a meaningful look in his eyes. “But first, I need to know a bit more about your health. Ye have many injuries and they look recent. How did ye get them?”
Max could no longer contain the emotion in his voice. “Did he…did he accost you…in any other way?”
She squeezed her eyes closed and whispered, “No. My husband did. Fergus demanded my obedience, and when he was not satisfied, he…punished me.” Her voice choked out the last words.
Silence hung over the room for what seemed an eternity.
Maggie swiped at the loose hair hanging down her forehead and looked up at Max. “I am so…sorry about what I did to you, Max. But Uncle Silas betrothed me to Lord Tipton, and he made me leave immediately.” Tears poured from her eyes.
The doctor dabbed an ointment on her wrists and began wrapping them. “Did your husband follow you here?”
Max wanted to know too. His clenched fists itched to grab the man’s neck. The ache in his heart told him that all had not been as he once believed. Was Meg forced away? Guilt washed over him for having doubted her. Still, it would not change the circumstances. She was married, no matter how it had happened. Tipton was her husband, not him.
Shep burrowed closer to Maggie, and she gently pet his head. “I truly do not know.” She fell silent. “I tried to protect myself. I pushed him away, and he fell out the balcony window.” Her admission was so low, it was almost whispered.
“What?” both men responded together.
“Fergus came home that night from drinking and whoring and beat me. It happened whenever he was drunk. I was so upset over… I was upset. He tied a rope to my wrists and tried to bind me to the bedposts, but I fought him this time. I shoved him. The balcony door was open, and he fell backward onto it. I think he may have gone over the side. I did not take the time to look. I opened the door, and Shep and I ran down the servants’ stairs. We ran as far as we could, hiding when we had to, until I got to the house. It was the only place I knew to go. We had been hiding in Father’s paneled room behind the books but occasionally came out to explore. We needed fresh water.” She hiccupped as she took a breath. Closing her eyes, she continued. “There were dried fruits and vegetables and some salted meats left in the pantry we shared. But the water…we needed it, so I came out to get it and a book from my room upstairs. We were going back. That is when we saw him. You know the rest.” She opened her red-rimmed eyes.
“Meg, you are safe here.” Max struggled to keep his voice calm. “With your permission, I would like to have a look inside your parents’ home. I will take two footmen with me. At the very least, I want to make sure this Slade is not lurking within the house or grounds.”
She nodded, her movement faint. “Please be careful. He is the devil himself. Would see his own father rot for a farthing. He has proven to be a very dangerous man.”
His voice softened. “Do not concern yourself for me. We must not allow such a man near you. I want to ensure your safety. We are but a property away from your family home.”
“Lord Worsley, there is something I wish to speak with Lady Tipton about. Could I ask you to wait outside? And please ask Lady Worsley if her ladyship would assist me.”
“Certainly.” Max nodded, acknowledging both Perth and Maggie. He wondered what Perth wanted with his mother. Perhaps to change Maggie’s clothing. He hesitated, deliberating on whether to speak further with Perth, but he ultimately left. She was not his.
I wish she was.
Maggie gave him a slight nod, but most amusing was that the dog seemed to smile and nod at the same time. Did dogs smile? He had never observed it before, but Shep seemed to grin. He shook his head. Ridiculous, but it made Max smile. The animal had become central to her life. He was glad she had such a pet, especially one that cared for her in return. He had always wanted a dog of his own, but his father had been of the opinion that dogs were for hunting alone. No pet dogs.
Max contemplated heading to Harlow’s as he left the room. It was not far, but he needed Harlow’s help. Perhaps he knew of Nash Slade. He also needed to check into Tipton. At the very least, the man would be spurned and angry. If he knew where Maggie was, he would be within his rights to take her home. Max could not bring himself to release her into the care of her abuser regardless of any legal ramifications he might face.
* * *
Maggie needed to trust someone. Who better than Max? She wished he would stay, but the doctor had requested he leave. Max had a life that no longer included her.
The moment she had uttered Fergus’s name, she knew she would have to tell more. How much more? Now the doctor wanted to see her with Lady Worsley. He suspected. She just knew it. How could he not?
“Shep, would ye mind if I asked you to get down from the bed? Just for a bit.”
The dog perked his ears up, appearing to measure his options.
Maggie wanted to laugh, but it hurt. Shep recognized the word down, but it was not normally asked of him so politely. Less than a moment later, he jumped to the floor and curled up in the corner, watching.
A quick rap on the door was followed by Lady Worsley’s soft voice. “Dr. Perth, my son sent me up to help.”
“Come in, milady. I need ye to help with an examination.” He hesitated and glanced at Maggie. “That is, if Lady Tipton will oblige.”
“Certainly. Maggie, are you all right with my being here?”
Maggie dipped her head in agreement, and the older woman stepped behind the doctor, allowing him room.
“You know?” She looked directly at Dr. Perth. Her voice was weak.
He studied her for a moment. “I know this is difficult for you, but there are questions. First, if you dinnae mind, I would like to examine you to make sure you are healing properly.”
Maggie felt tears brim. Without a word, Lady Worsley moved next to her and hugged her, softly rubbing her back. “Let it out, my girl. Just let it out.”
Maggie leaned in and cried. Within what seemed like long minutes, she noticed that Dr. Perth was waiting patiently for her to regain her composure.
“Dinnae worry, lass,” Dr. Perth said when she looked up at him. “When you are ready. I know losing a bairn is devastating.” He nodded towards that pitcher of water sitting on a table nearby. “Perhaps a glass of water would help ye before we start.”
She leaned up, dried of
f her face and accepted a glass of water from Lady Worsley. “I am ready to talk about it. I have not allowed myself to mourn until now.” She glanced up at Max’s mother, moved that the woman had offered so much comfort. She suspected there was more that she wanted to share, but for now, what she needed was a mother. And she felt some connection to Lady Worsley, who had been friends with her own mother. Maggie touched the edges of her eyes, refusing to cry again. It only took the thought of her parents to become a watering pot.
“Can you tell us what happened?” Dr. Perth was kind and his voice full of empathy.
“Fergus…got rough with one of his visits.” She turned her face away, embarrassed. Maggie knew not how they would accept her word, especially since she had married in haste. The whole nasty business upset her to relive, even in her thoughts.
“Darling, do you mean he demanded his conjugal rights when you were with child?” The countess drew back, shocked.
“Fergus never left me alone. It was my first child, and I was four months gone. I could feel her.” Her voice cracked with pain. Unconsciously, she rubbed her empty belly.
“He did this often?” Dr. Perth’s voice thundered, but he moderated it quickly.
“Yes. I tried to make myself scarce, but he would come to my room in the night smelling of the bottle. The last time…” She went silent for a moment. “He hit me when I asked that he leave me and the babe. I had named her Lilly, if only to myself, because I thought her a girl, and she needed to be someone. She was someone to me.” Maggie’s voice was strained and pathetic, and she quickly became overcome, no longer able to control her sobs.
“Caw canny, lass. You cannae blame yourself.” The doctor tried to console her but was unable.
Maggie found his words soothing, but she needed to speak of it…for Lilly. “Fergus was not sorry. He always threatened that if I spoke of the beatings, it would not go well for me, but I no longer care.” She hiccupped but continued, “My husband sneered at me and said it was just a girl and that we would try again soon to have a boy.” The last words came out in a rush and a sob. But the words were out, and she was not sorry she spoke. “My poor baby girl was so tiny, barely forming when he killed...her. I shall always blame him for her death.” Her words were raspy and faint.
Shep stood up from the corner and came to a small open space near her pillow. He put his paws on the side of the bed, whimpering softly. Maggie could not reach him, but Lady Worsley acknowledged him, stepping forward and touching his back gently, stopping him from leaping onto the bed.
“Ye’ve been very brave, Lady Tipton.” Dr. Perth took a moment before proceeding. “Your wee bairn–did ye bury her?”
She gave a slight nod. Lady Worsley caught his attention and moved to Maggie’s side. Maggie caught the nonverbal exchange of sadness between them.
“Maggie, my sweet girl, when did you lose Lilly?” Lady Worsley rubbed her forehead and her face gently with a warm, wet cloth.
“Maybe three weeks past. I have only been away for a week.”
“I need to make sure you are healing correctly, or you could get the fever. Do you feel sick?” He was all concern, showing compassion she had never had with her husband. She tried not to doze but sleep beckoned.
“Sleep. Ye will be more relaxed, and my exam will be easier.” Dr. Perth patted her arm.
It was hard to fight the overwhelming fatigue, but she was determined to stay alert. She indicated agreement, and he pulled back the covers to begin the exam.
Turning to Lady Worsley, he asked for hot water and clean cloths. She immediately rang for Gertie.
Gertie returned quickly with the towels and water requested, and Dr. Perth used them to examine her. When he finished, he washed his hands while the women repaired the bed clothing.
“You are fine. ’Tis a miracle you dinnae have the fever or ague, considering the way they forced you to live. There are no signs of hemorrhages or redness.” He patted her hands. “You are a lucky lass.”
“I suppose, if by lucky you mean I am alive—then, yes.”
“Aye.” He turned and began giving directions to Lady Worsley and Gertie. Maggie and Shep could not live in her parents’ house. But she needed to find her father’s papers, which she hoped would provide her with enough money to go where Fergus would never find her. Slade had already had discovered her. He would be back. She did not feel lucky.
After Meg had tearfully told Dr. Perth about the abuse she endured and the crushing loss of her baby, the countess sat with her to comfort her until Max returned.
Chapter 4
Max drummed his fingers on his desk while he waited for Perth to come downstairs. His journey needed to get underway, and the sun had barely risen. The crisp weather would be great for traveling. He appreciated Perth’s willingness to be here so early in the day. There was much to discuss.
Two days before, he had found out that Meg—Maggie—had lost a child in the most hideous of ways. Tipton had beaten her. The knowledge had come as a shock to him; he could not comprehend any man being able to beat a woman, much less his precious Meg. Following Dr. Perth’s exam, Maggie immediately withdrew and had only eaten broth or the barest of food brought to her. It was as if she was finally allowing herself to mourn the child. Dr. Perth had come twice a day, concerned, but he seemed to think she was pulling through the worst of it.
Max had planned to leave two days before, but he needed to know Meg was in a better place before he left. A missive had come from Harlow in response to one he had sent when he had found Meg. Harlow replied that he had been away on business but wanted to meet with him as soon as possible.
He needed to see Perth first. I must know what he knows before I will leave for Harlow’s. While he had suspected once upon a time that Meg’s leaving had not been her decision, hearing it from her that she had been forced away tore anew at his heart. Lady Maggie Tipton had endured abuse and God only knew what other horrors at the hands of her husband. Max had not imagined himself involved in Maggie’s life when he had returned four days past, but he would do whatever he could do to help her. Graham, his valet, had packed his satchel and ensured that his horse, Willow, would be ready for travel.
The echo of the door closing upstairs reached him. He stood up, reproaching himself for the way he felt but anxious all the same.
Easy. You are getting ahead of yourself, Max, old boy.
Damn! This was gripping his heart and soul and confusing him again. He needed to be away soon.
Perth knocked on the already ajar door to the library and walked into the room. Max shook Perth’s hand.
“How is she doing?” He tried to keep his anxiety from his voice.
“Very good. The lass is getting better. Her body is healing faster since she has nourishment. Aye.”
“I am leaving for Harlow’s. I want to enlist his help in this Nash Slade business. My household will keep her safe while I am away for a few days. I would appreciate you keeping a check on her as often as you can.”
“I will be glad to watch her. Truthfully, I am utterly amazed at her spirit and her health. She suffered some abrasions from falling during the storm, but there is evidence of deeper injuries that have healed. Losing a wee bairn…” He reached for the brandy decanter at the edge of Max’s desk.
“She was always a determined woman. We were to be betrothed formally before she disappeared and ended up married to Tipton.”
“Aye. I understand your devotion to her, but dinnae get yourself hurt again. She belongs to another. We can get her healthy, but he can demand her home, and he wouldnae likely understand another man keeping her hidden. Be careful. Dinnae give him reason to hurt her.”
“You are wise, Perth. You have always given sound counsel. I will be careful—with my heart, and hers. It is why I am leaving for Harlow’s today. I need some space. And I want to find out about Slade, whoever he is. The whole thing seems odd. What was he searching for in her father’s home? And why is the property boarded? Viscount Winters is a hard man.
What is their real connection? There are many questions. It was an unlucky thing that her parents died when they did. And together, which was even worse. Meg has undoubtedly suffered.”
“Aye. ’Tis true enough. An orphan in a day, as they say.” The man took another draw of brandy. “’Tis good brandy. I probably should not imbibe any at all. The room upstairs is on the warm side with a roaring fire always going.” The man wiped a bit of sweat from his brow as emphasis.
“Ha! Mother sometimes gets overzealous in her care. She used to sweat any illness from me. I will give orders to let it cool a bit…not too cool, but enough that you do not feel the need to peel off your waistcoat.” He slapped his friend lightly on his back.
“She will be fine, my friend. I know you will do what is best for you and Lady Tipton.”
At the mention of Tipton, Max felt himself sober. “I appreciate your assist here, Perth. I will leave now. I have already asked Cabot to have a room made up for you. It is ridiculous for you to be riding back and forth this often in this weather. I insist.”
“Thank you. I will head for my home and be back to take you up on that.”
“It would be good to have you here while I am out. I will feel better. Keep a close eye on her and thank you for your bearing with Shep. That dog has been her only constant. I would not separate them.”
“Aye, I am glad you brought the dog up. The lass was right. Shep had been injured. He has two broken ribs. The most I could do was bandage it. It will mend. He will be good as new in a few weeks.” The doctor took the last sip of his brandy and set his glass on the corner of the desk. “You have strong feelings for the lass.”
Max gazed into his glass. “Yes. I tried not to allow it, but devil take it! I need space.”
“Aye.” Perth paused. “Did I hear that ye are ready to go? Shall we leave together?”
The Earl She Left Behind (The Noble Hearts Series; Common Elements #1) Page 3
