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.
“I’m sure your husband was only doing what had to be done. Lady Wrentham must have been out of her mind with grief to attend this evening.”
The shock obviously loosened her tongue, as she’d never normally tell a stranger anything. “His first thoughts are always for Sarah. I’m not in his heart. I’m simply his wife.”
Christopher hugged her tighter. “I’m not sure what’s worse, unrequited love, or losing the love of your life when you’ve been so happy together.”
Maddy pulled back to look at his face. It was only then she noted the sadness in his eyes. “You have lost the woman you loved?”
His eyes glazed over and became cold. “My love was suddenly taken from me.”
Maddy’s sobs subsided. At least Richard still walked this earth. She’d rather have him alive; the world was a brighter place with him in it. “She died?” He merely kept looking at her and she noted he took a very large swallow. Her heart opened to this young man. “I’m so very sorry.”
“Thank you.” He eyed her and said, “They say that the pain does lessen in time. But they’re wrong-it doesn’t.”
“I’m not so sure my pain will ever end either. I’m tied to a man who loves another.”
Christopher stepped away and offered her his arm. They began to walk back toward the ballroom. “What will you do, Mrs. Craven? Having experienced true love, I don’t know if I could stand watching someone pine to be with another.”
She gave a fake laugh. “As I see it, I have two options. One, to hope I can attain Richard’s love, or two, face the inevitable and give him up and move to the country and like many of our class, to live separate lives.”
“That doesn’t seem very fair on you. What about children and family? Don’t you long for those?”
At the mention of children, all she could see was herself big and round with Richard’s child. The longing almost choked her. “As a second son, my husband doesn’t need an heir.”
“But what about you? What do you need?”
Tears welled once more. “I’d love to have a child. Children, actually.”
“Then perhaps it would be fairer for Richard to divorce you, so you could remarry while you’re still young. You’re very beautiful. Finding another husband would not prove difficult, I believe.”
“I’d never remarry.” Maddy couldn’t imagine sharing her body with any other man. Only Richard had touched her heart. There would be no pleasure without him, and if not, she’d rather abstain.
They continued in silence until the stairs to the terrace and the lights of the ballroom could be seen.
He stopped and turned to her. “If you ever need a friend, someone who understands your pain and is a good listener, feel free to contact me.” And he pressed his card into her hand. “My advice is this. Your heart is free. Have the courage to follow it. You never know what rewards will come from it. Your husband might just give you your dreams.” With those words he was gone, back into the night as silently as he’d come.
Maddy sought out Anthony and asked to be escorted home. She’d used her shawl and covered as much of the bruising as she could. In the dim light of the shadowed ballroom, no one had noticed the marks on her neck…
When Maddy got home she was pleased Richard wasn’t there. Once she’d changed into her nightgown and her maid had left, she crossed to her writing desk and pulled out Madam du Barry’s book. She well knew that sex did not equate to love; rakes were a testament to that. But she did know that desire, and want, needed to be cultivated if she was to get Richard’s attention away from Sarah long enough to win his heart.
#
Richard arrived home in the early hours of the morning, furious at how the night had eventuated. Sarah’s behavior was beyond the pale and it took many hours to calm her down and talk some sense into her. She had to remain low key until Timothy had been proven guilty. Turning up to a ball with Charles not yet even in his grave had been nothing less than a disaster.
Worse, Sarah had propositioned him. He’d thought she’d understood his position on his marriage and that their affair had ended anyway when she’d married Charles. When her tears hadn’t worked their desired effect on him and he still refused her, she’d tried seduction.
He’d needed the patience of a saint.
Maddy was asleep when he entered her bedchamber. There would be recriminations when she awoke. He’d left her on their first night as a couple, in front of the vast majority of the ton, to chase after the woman all the ton would now assume was his paramour-Sarah. If Sarah did bear his child, no one in society would believe he’d not been unfaithful.
He tugged his cravat from around his neck. He didn’t care what they thought as long as Maddy believed in his fidelity. He’d been disappointed, but not surprised, to see she had chosen not to sleep in his be
d. She had every right to be angry and he hoped he could make it up to her.
As he approached her bed he could feel his heart swell. When he looked down upon her luscious form, she stole his breath away. Lying among the covers, her sheer silk nightgown had slipped off her shoulder and half of one perfect breast was exposed, the slight veins visible on her milky skin. Her arm was flung out on the empty side of the bed and a book lay next to her small hand. She’d been reading. It pleased him to think she’d tried to wait up for him.
He tiptoed nearer in order to remove the book. As he picked it up off the sheets he noted a dark mark on the whiteness of her neck. He leaned in closer until her scent filled his nostrils, and the book in his hand was forgotten when he saw more black marks-bruises. It looked as though someone had accosted his wife and tried to choke her!
Fury erupted, quickly followed by guilt. He dropped the book and it slammed loudly onto the floor, instantly waking Maddy. She sat bolt upright; the look in her eyes flayed him. It was intense fear...
He’d left her alone at a ball. In his defense, he’d thought his brother would have seen to her safety. Once he’d dealt with whoever had accosted her, Anthony was in for a thrashing too.
“What happened?” His anger and guilt made the words come out more harshly than he’d meant. How could he have let this happen?
She struggled to sit up, swiping her tangled tresses off her face. “Richard? You’re home. What time is it?”
“It’s late, or early depending on how you look at it.” He sat down on the bed next to her and ran a finger over the bruising on her neck. “Who did this to you?” his voice was rough with emotion. He’d kill the man who’d touched her...
A look of hurt flashed in her eyes. “You never returned.”
He swallowed back his guilt and deflected her statement. “Who was it, Maddy? I will have their name.”
“There is no need. The perpetrator was dealt with.”
“If you won’t tell me, I shall get the name from Anthony.”
“Anthony knows nothing.”
“I know you’re angry at me, Mads, but I can’t let this assault on your person go unpunished.”
“But you can leave me to the viciousness of the ton, whose derision, I have to say, was worse than the few bruises on my neck.”
“Please, Maddy. You promised no lies.”
“I haven’t lied. I simply haven’t answered your question. Just like you haven’t told me where you’ve been for the last four hours, or what was so important that you left me for so long at the mercy of the ton.” She leaned forward and sniffed. “Although from the scent clinging to you, I know very well who you’ve been with.”
“Well, that’s more than I can say. Who did this to you?” he fairly yelled, his guilt feeding his anger.
“My, it’s as if you really care.”
He grabbed her by the shoulders and pulled her to him. “Christ, Maddy. Someone hurt you. Of course I care.”
She clung to him, a sob escaping. “But not enough to pick me over her.”
He stiffened. He pushed her gently away from his body. “I will always pick you over Sarah. You’re my wife. God damn it, I gave you my word. I thought you knew me better.”
“Then how could you leave me there? You should have left her with Stephen and returned to the ball. I waited.” He hung his head. “You knew how important this night was to me. To us...” She wiped the tears from her face with an angry swipe. “Tell me that?”
She was right. He had made that promise and he knew he wanted her to tell him truthfully who had dared to lay a hand on her. Why should she not expect the same from him?
“Sarah was so upset I worried for her health and that of the babe. I stayed until she calmed down.” He hurried on when her eyes widened. “I didn’t know what else to do. But I shouldn’t have left you alone.” He pulled her back into his arms and hugged her closely. “If anything had happened to you...”
“I needed you too. I was so scared.”
“Then imagine how scared Sarah is? Timothy Chesterton is a cold hearted bastard.” He felt Maddy jerk in his arms. “Timothy is not pleased about her condition. If the child is a boy, Timothy will no longer inherit the title or the wealth.”
“I can certainly believe that Timothy is capable of hurting Sarah and the child she carries.”
“The man who gains from Charles’s death is Timothy. He is the likely culprit.” He stroked her hair, the silky feel, along with the softness of her body vanquished his exhaustion, and he felt his groin stir. “But I’m more concerned about who dared manhandle you. I will have his name...”
She hugged him tighter. “Timothy Chesterton.”
He closed his eyes and drew in a breath, trying to control his rage and fear. “Christ. What were you doing alone with him?” Chesterton could be on to them. Was this a warning? He hugged her tighter, desperate to protect her.
She gave a smothered laugh. “If you’ll let me breathe, I’ll tell you how stupid I was.” His hold eased but he couldn’t bring himself to let her escape from his arms.
“I waited for you to return, but when you didn’t, the stares and sneers got worse. I couldn’t stand it so I took some air…”
-“Alone?” Her hand stroked his chest, distracting him from his anger at her naivety.
While he held her tightly, she proceeded to tell him everything that had happened, but even so, he could hear what she wasn’t telling him. This wasn’t a mere flirtation that had overstepped bounds. Chesterton would have raped his wife if this Mr. Hindsworth had not intervened—he was sure of it. Maddy must have been so frightened. Guilt consumed him. While he’d been protecting Sarah, no one had protected his wife. He owed Mr. Hindsworth a debt of gratitude he would struggle to repay, while he owed Chesterton a bullet.
“Chesterton’s a dead man. He will hang for Charles’s murder if he doesn’t die from my pistol first.”
Maddy scrambled to her knees tangled in the billowing nightgown. “No. You must not challenge him. If Charles’s death is investigated and they find foul play, you’ll be a suspect. More so, if Timothy is found dead too.” She took his shoulders and forced him to look at her. “Our revenge will be to see him convicted of Charles’s murder. I can’t lose you. It’s illegal to duel, and as angry as you are, you might kill him. It’s funny how I always seem to be dissuading you from dueling with a Chesterton.”
“I want to kill him. He touched you.” He gently traced the bruises on her neck. “He hurt you, and for that I am so very sorry. I’m also sorry for leaving you, but Sarah’s behavior is fuelled by fear and stress, and…”
“Sarah has no one, does she?” Maddy’s good-heartedness was pacifying her anger at his desertion.
“She doesn’t appear to be in her right mind with the stress of Charles’s death and the threat hanging over her and her child. Appearing at the ball like that... But still, I shall have a word with Anthony. He should have protected you. Perhaps it’s my brother I’ll pummel once I’ve dealt with Timothy Chesterton.”
“For goodness sake.” She beat her chest. “I’m still here and I’m fine. Don’t let Chesterton destroy us before we’ve even started. Please!”
He swallowed. Everything in him wanted to find Chesterton and beat him senseless, but Maddy was right. Proving him guilty of murder would be infinitely more satisfying. Perhaps no one would mind him beating Chesterton just a little as they handed him over to the magistrate.
“Remind me to send a crate of the finest French brandy to Mr. Hindsworth. I don’t believe I know the gentleman.”
“You wouldn’t. Mr. Hindsworth is much younger than you. He looks to be about my age. He’s a very serious young man.”
“Young? Are you inferring I’m old?” and he grabbed her and began to tickle her.
Maddy squealed. “Stop it.” Their play grew more erotic, with hands no longer simply tickling. “If you must know, even though many women would find him exceedingly attractive, I prefer my golden Adonis of a husband.
”
“Should I be jealous? I know how you admire saviors.”
She halted their play and the hurt look on her face cut him to his core. “Of course not.” She did that thing with her hair, indicating she was sad, by twirling it round her finger. “He has lost the love of his life. He’s heartbroken.”
Richard stilled. “Just like I may have lost you tonight.”
Maddy turned away. “Would that have upset you? It would solve a lot of your problems. You could then marry Sarah.”
When she finally looked at his face, she was shown the full force of his anger. “I’m sorry, Richard. That was a terrible thing to say. Of course you’d be upset. Let’s speak no more of what happened tonight. I understand why you left. I even feel sorry for Sarah.”
He couldn’t believe she’d said such a thing. Is that what she thought of him? A man who’d be pleased to see his wife, his friend, disappear? He turned away to hide his hurt. She said she was his friend, but what friend would think that of the other. Perhaps Maddy wasn’t the ‘friend’ he’d thought she was.
“Sarah’s brother is returning from Italy. As soon as he arrives, he’ll take over protecting her, but until then I’m honor bound to help her. I can’t simply turn my back on her.”
“Shush. Of course you can’t. This is who you are-the white knight.” She snuggled against him and his blood fired despite his hurt. “I don’t expect you to tell me everything, only the important things. Don’t hide what you are thinking from me. You never did before.”
“Before you weren’t my wife then and I wasn’t responsible for your safe keeping.”
“You promised our friendship wouldn’t change just because we were married.”
With a start, Richard knew it already had. His possessiveness and worry over her safety had hit a new level of concern. When they were just friends, Rufus was her ultimate protector. Now it was his duty and honor to protect her.
Invitation to Passion Page 14
