Richard squeezed his eyes shut, filled with ecstasy of true happiness. Never did he think that he would find the woman who would complete him, yet Maddy had been there all along, right before him.
It was a staggering acknowledgement. He had always fallen into and out of love so easily, he had never been sure that what he had felt each time he entered a new relationship was love. He had learned that he really had had no idea of what true love was.
Now he knew that what he’d felt before was simply infatuation, desire—only one tiny part of love. But being with Maddy, being inside her and loving her as he had just done, was like nothing he had ever known before. What he felt for Maddy was consuming him, swallowing him up whole and he knew that he would never, ever, want anyone to take that away from him.
He had known Maddy since she was a girl of three and ten and from the beginning her kindness, her quiet strength, and her fierce protectiveness had won his respect and his feelings had grown from there. The more he knew of her, the more he had wanted her. He’d tried to deny his feelings because firstly, she’d been too young, and then, later, because of whom she was, his best friend’s younger sister.
She had given him tantalizing glimpses of the captivating, passionate woman that she had become. It was this exceptional woman who had made him burn, who had set his blood and heart on fire.
“Are you alright?” he asked after a while.
Her answer was a murmured sigh of pleasure.
Reaching up, he drew the covers over them. Then absently he pressed a kiss against her sleekly, soft hair and gathered her close, his senses distracted by the wonderful, frightening ringing in his head. This is love, this is love, this truly is love…and he was welcoming it with all his heart and soul.
Again and again, he turned this almost overwhelming thought over in his mind before finally allowing himself another reflection. He realized he was no longer too scared to say the words; that is, to tell his wife that she meant everything to him, in every way, forever.
He knew each day, each hour that he spent with Maddy by his side, would never be enough to satisfy the hunger in his soul. Their unlikely marriage had been forged by what had at first seemed a cruel twist of fate, but was unmistakably meant to be. She was his destiny and he, hers.
He relished the right to acknowledge the passion he felt for her. He wanted to lose himself in the hot folds of her sumptuous body each night and wake up beside her each morning. He wanted to build a future with her, to have children.
What disappointed him most of all, was he’d led Sarah to believe he was in love with her, and the consequence of that ill-judged decision would forever shadow his life. Now Sarah was going to have a child, perhaps his child.
Richard went very still; of all the things he regretted in his life, Sarah was the greatest.
He hugged Maddy tighter and his heart overflowed with love as he watched her sleep contentedly beside him, her head on his chest and a smile on her luscious lips.
He’d sort this mess out and then he’d take her on a proper honeymoon. He’d show her the world she had always longed to visit. He would show her that she, above anyone else, was the most important, most precious person in the world to him. He had found his destiny and his passion and he would now savor the opportunity of spending the rest of his life making Maddy happy.
Chapter Fifteen
Dear Richard,
I am relieved to hear that you have no intention to marry in the near future, as I value your friendship above all others. You must be thinking about marriage at your age. Mother has suggested Rufus marry, as the Strathmore’s will have no heir if something, heaven forbid, should happen to him.
I suppose that when you do decide it’s time to marry, there will be plenty of willing young ladies. You will likely have the choice of beauties from within the ton to chose from.
Have you been to the debutante balls? I suspect the gowns are beautiful. I don’t think I’ll ever get to have a season. Mother will not contemplate going back to town to be fodder for the gossips, and Rufus seems to have forgotten I exist. With the scandal surrounding my father, I’ll be lucky to attract a local squire’s son.
Anyway, I would not know how on earth to chose a husband. Do you have any advice? What are you looking for in a wife? I will, of course, compare any man to you!
Your friend,
Madeline
The men had agreed to meet in Rufus’s study the following afternoon. Richard lounged in a chair, his knee jiggling in frustration. Anthony was pouring the men drinks. He was pleased to see that Stephen Milton, Lord Worthington, had joined them.
“I can’t believe that Graeme Hornsbled could be this difficult to find. If only we knew who he was working for. Stephen, surely you have been able to find information on where Hornsbled might be hiding?”
Stephen looked around the room at Anthony, Rufus and Richard and then shrugged. “It is as if he were a ghost. It’s as if he had just disappeared into thin air. Someone must be hiding him. And to be able to hide him this well, I would assume it would have to be on someone’s large estate.”
“But whose estate? Would it be on Wrentham’s or Charles’s brother’s smaller holding?”
“Well, they are both Chesterton estates if it comes to that. Charles had given Timothy some land from his estate. The estates neighbor each other and will soon be under Timothy’s control if Sarah’s child is a girl. All that land would provide a strong incentive to kill. My money is still on Timothy Chesterton as the killer.”
Anthony did have a point. But something niggled at Richard’s soul. It was the way Sarah had presumed they would be together as soon as Charles had died. She’d clearly not foreseen his unplanned wedding to Maddy.
Anthony made his next point distinctly. “I still say we should take Timothy and beat the information from him.”
Rufus ran a hand through his hair. “This is not the time for rash actions. We need to think this through. You own a huge estate; if you were trying to hide someone away, where would you put him?”
“It would have to be in some obscure cottage, ruin or an abandoned mine or cave; somewhere no one would think to look,” was Stephen Worthington’s response.
Rufus added, “But wouldn’t it be better to hide him in plain sight. If anyone saw someone in an abandoned cottage or in a place they shouldn’t be, surely they would think that something suspicious was going on.” Rufus added, “It would be far simpler to hide him where his presence would not be commented on. Perhaps disguise him as someone else or just another worker or tenant farmer.”
Anthony slapped the table with his hand. “You could be on to something there, Rufus. It would be very difficult to find a villain hidden in amongst the innocent. How could we distinguish this person among all the tenants, workmen and servants on the Chesterton estates?
Richard sighed. “You couldn’t. We would have to have someone who knew the estate well enough to point out anyone they didn’t recognize. But as soon as we start poking round, the news of it would get back to Chesterton.”
Anthony looked at his twin. “What about old Henderson?” he asked Richard. “He always did like you. And he was never much of a friend to Chesterton. He would certainly be the person to go through if we were looking for anyone who might be hiding in plain sight.”
“By Jove, you are right,” said Richard. “I will pay him a visit and see if he will help us. It will mean I’m going to be away for a day, if not for two. Stephen, can I count on you to look after Maddy for me?”
Rufus interjected, “Madeline will come here for a few days as I want her kept safe. If Sarah is involved, I don’t trust her. Maddy can catch up with Rheda and that way I can keep a close eye on them both.”
The men sat back contemplating the course of action they had decided to take, while quietly sipping the smooth brandy in their glasses.
Stephen was the one to finally articulate their thoughts out loud. “But what about Timothy Chesterton’s estate, how could we check tha
t?”
Silence greeted his question until Rufus replied, “Well, let’s start with what we can inspect; let’s start with Sarah’s estate. At least if we can rule her out, it would point us back to Timothy Chesterton, and then we would know where to focus all our efforts.”
#
Richard left Rufus’s house in a lighter mood, as at last he had something constructive to do. Determined to find answers, he would waste no time before heading to Wrentham’s estate. He could stay at Hascombe, for Rufus’s estate was only ten miles from Wrentham’s. Upon reaching home, he sought out Madeline to inform her of his plan.
“Maddy, I want you to pack a few things and go and stay at your brother’s for a few days.”
She looked up at his abrupt arrival but didn’t seem surprised at his statement. “Where are you going? Let me guess, to do more investigations. Why can’t I stay here?”
He bent and kissed the top of her head as she sat in the sunlit drawing room going over menus. She was a picture of deliciousness, and his body stirred as it always did in her presence.
“I’m going to Wrentham’s estate and I’m going to try and talk to his estate manager, Henderson. I’m hoping that he will be able to take me around the estate and we can see if Graeme Hornsbled is hiding there, in plain sight, pretending to be someone he isn’t.”
“Hiding, but not hiding; I see.” Maddy simply nodded her head, and Richard gave her a smile.
“We’ve had men searching everywhere for any sign of Hornsbled and they have come up with nothing. He has to be hiding somewhere close. Hiding him at either Wrentham’s or Timothy’s seems to be the most likely of choices.”
“Sounds plausible. And before you ask, I promise I will be careful while you are gone.”
He sat down beside Maddy and pulled her into his arms. He loved feeling her softness. “We are going to have to come up with a story as to why I’ve left town. I don’t want word to get to Sarah that I’m at Charles’s estate either.”
She snuggled into his embrace and ran her hand over his thigh. “Well, after the performance we put on at the ball last night, everyone will assume you have left because we have had another huge fight.”
He smiled and moved her hand up to his groin so she could feel how she was affecting him. “Yes, but where will I have gone?”
“Why don’t we say that you’ve gone down to Portsmouth to look at a new ship that you are thinking of purchasing?”
Richard nodded, closing his eyes as her delicate hand stroked him through his trousers. “Yes, that could work,” he said as his voice trembled with desire.
Maddy leaned forward and pressed her lips to the corner of his mouth. “Will you miss me?” she asked as she fumbled with the placket of his trousers. Her hand slipped inside and gripped his erection tightly. All other thoughts preoccupying him were now utterly banished as she played expertly and seductively with him.
Chapter Sixteen
Dear Madeline,
It pains me to hear you say you would have to marry a squire’s son. Only the most noble of gentlemen will do for my Princess. I’ve given Rufus a stern talking to. Of course you should have a season.
Rufus is having a hunting party in a few weeks and we shall tackle him about that then.
See you soon.
Your friend,
Richard
Madeline found it strange to be back in her brother’s London home now that she was a married woman. She no longer ran this household. She was here purely as a guest, and she was like a loose stitch in a tapestry—useless. However, she enjoyed having Rheda’s company and they had a fun excursion to the modiste that morning, happily selecting new ball gowns.
This afternoon, Rheda had agreed to go for a ride in the park and the two women caused quite a stir, galloping across to the far side of the park.
Rheda, like her brother, was horse mad and just as good a horsewoman as Maddy. They had a wonderful afternoon and it was with regret they turned for home. As they neared the gate to the park, Maddy looked up as a horse rode towards them. Her stomach plummeted. Sarah, accompanied by Melissa, was approaching them. Melissa looked pleased to see them, and she leaned forward and gave Maddy a hug.
“Good afternoon, ladies. A lovely afternoon for some fresh air isn’t it?” Melissa squeezed her arm at Sarah’s greeting.
Maddy couldn’t bring herself to respond, leaving Rheda to answer the pleasantries. “How lovely to see you, Sarah, and in black for a change.”
Sarah’s smile fled at the insult. “And here I thought we could all be friends,” she murmured. “I thought a little compassion would be in order. I am the one who is in danger.” She paused before adding, “And as for the babe I am carrying, Richard would be most upset if anything happened to our child.”
Madeline’s head came up. Those words, ‘our child’ were said on purpose. She looked to Rheda only to see the same shock on her face. However, Melissa couldn’t look her in the eye. “Melissa?”
Sarah’s triumphant smile told Maddy all she needed to know.
“Oh my, did Richard not tell you?” Sarah ran her hand lovingly over her belly. “The child could very well be his.”
Madeline’s insides froze and two things flashed in her head. The first: had Richard slept with Sarah after her wedding to Charles when he had sworn he hadn’t? The second, and much worse thing, was that he had lied to her. She’d known something was wrong on the night of the fire, and now she realized that he’d purposely not told her the child could be his. Why had he lied? As if reading her mind, Sarah spoke up.
“He didn’t want to hurt you. Everything he has done has been to protect you; that’s the kind of man he is, even though he really wants to be with me, the mother of his child.”
Rheda rode up beside her and took Maddy’s hand. “The child might not be his.” At Sarah’s satisfied smile, Rheda added, “You’re such a bitch.”
“I’ve done nothing wrong, except love a man who loves me.”
Madeline didn’t hear anything else the women said to each other. She was lost in a world of pain. Everything she believed and thought she knew about Richard was under attack. He’d lied. Never in the six years she’d known him had he ever lied to her. He had promised…
“Are you all right, Madeline?” Melissa asked.
She looked at Sarah’s victorious smile, but it was the pity on Melissa and Rheda’s faces that broke the damn holding the churning feelings welling inside her. She needed to get away. To think, to understand why Richard would do this to her.
She turned her horse and with only the driving need to escape urging her on, she took off across the park at a gallop. She had no idea where she was going and soon her blinding tears were all she could see.
She could no longer hear Rheda calling her back, or Melissa telling Rheda to let her go. All she could hear over and over in her head was Sarah laughing.
It did not take long before she found herself at the gate on the other side of the park and had pulled Woodstock to a halt. Panic made her heart pound. Did Rufus know? Did they all know? No wonder Melissa had looked at her with such pity in her eyes.
She couldn’t go back, not yet.
“Madeline, are you all right?”
Christopher was on his stallion in front of her, concern etched all over his gorgeous face.
“Can you take me away from here? I just need a place to think.”
He came closer and with one finger swiped a tear from her cheek. “What on earth has upset you?”
“He didn’t tell me?”
“Who didn’t tell you?”
“Richard, he didn’t tell me Sarah’s child could be his.” A sob choked her until she could barely breathe.
“Bastard.” Christopher sat cursing, clearly not really knowing what to do next.
“You said I could come to you for help. Well, here I am. I need a place to gather my thoughts, to decide what to do next.”
He nodded and turned his horse so he was beside her. “It would be my honor
to lend you my townhouse for the afternoon. Follow me.”
They left together and Madeline didn’t care who saw them.
Richard had lied to her and she had to have some space to understand the meaning of his deception.
They entered one of Mayfair’s most exclusives streets. Christopher’s house was not what she had expected. It was very grand, the type of townhouse only a very wealthy gentleman, a titled gentleman, would own.
A further surprise was that the house was fully staffed and a very formal butler opened the door.
“My grooms will take care of your stead. My butler, Mr. Taylor, will show you into the drawing room-unless you’d like to freshen up first?”
“Thank you, yes. Perhaps I should freshen up.” Madeline was curious and wanted to see more of the house.
“Mr. Taylor, please show Mrs. Craven where she can freshen up, and then direct her back to the drawing room. See if cook can rustle up some tea and cakes.”
With that, Madeline was escorted up the grand marble staircase. She wondered who Mr. Hindsworth was. His family obviously had money. She wondered why she had never heard of them, but then she’d spent so much time in exile at their country estate she hardly knew anything about London’s wealthy.
Maddy splashed water on her face and tried to stop the pain stabbing in her chest. Her eyes were red rimmed from crying and she looked a mess. Once she’d cleaned herself up, and tried to tidy her hair, she was directed downstairs to the drawing room.
It was empty when she entered, but a large fire roared in the grate. She walked to it trying to take the chill out of her soul. She studied the room. It was very masculine in decoration. It was decorated in dark colors and fabrics, with sturdy furniture and not one dainty chair was to be seen in the room. It was as if men only tended to use the room. She shrugged her shoulders. It was a bachelor’s residence, she supposed.
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