by Dayna Quince
He scowled. “What I don’t understand is why you won’t try.”
She backed up a step. “I never said I would try. The bargain we struck was simple.”
He stepped past her into the room and closed the door. His temper was ready to explode. “Tonight you insulted my family and my friends by not returning. You alienated them.”
“I don’t think they cared.” She folded her arms.
“I care. I love them. They are in my life, and that isn’t going to change.”
She turned away from him.
“Look at me, Maddie. Explain yourself.”
She spun around. “I don’t have anything to explain. I haven’t asked you to change, but it is clear you expect me to assimilate to your way of life. I can’t and more importantly, I don’t want to. I offered marriage on the condition that I would not have to do any of this now or in the future. I was never going to be the wife you paraded about on your arm or the cheerful hostess. I never lied about that.”
“That just isn’t possible. You understand that, don’t you?” Jonathan began to hear Winchester and Draven’s words in his head. “You will be expected to be present for certain events and—and be seen at the very least. I’m not asking you to steal the hearts of the haute ton, but damn it, Maddie, you have to try to be social at least a little bit. Smile and nod, talk about the weather, be present in the room when it’s expected of you.”
“That is not what we agreed to.”
“Then we were wrong—I was wrong. It was an illogical idea.”
“It isn’t. Just a marriage ceremony and then leave me somewhere.”
“Where, Maddie?” he bellowed.
“Anywhere where I won’t be expected to entertain anyone.”
He pinched his nose. “You have to compromise, Maddie. People are going to expect to know you, to see you. Holidays, birthday celebrations…I can’t exclude you from everything.”
“Yes, you can,” she said stubbornly.
“There will be talk.”
“There will always be talk.”
He glared at her stubborn chin. “What of children? Should I collect them after birth to show them around? I’m not asking much. At the very least get to know my family and be civil to them. We have to get along somehow.”
Her face scrunched, and she turned away again.
He was breathing hard and furious, but at the same time, he wanted to go to her. She was hunched with her arms wrapped around her, and he swore he could feel her loneliness. But she wore it like armor. She was refusing to let anyone close to her. Did that include him?
“Maddie,” he said softly. “I’m begging you to try.”
“I don’t want to.”
“For me, Maddie.”
“You want me to change?” she said over her shoulder. “You want me to become something I’m not? Something lovely and elegant like Lady Anabelle? Someone smart and witty like Lady Lucy? I can never be them. Whatever they are, I am not the same. I’ve known it my whole life, and they know it, too.
Jonathan swallowed. There was so much pain in her words.
“Why should I even try?”
“Because I need you to,” he begged.
“But I can’t,” she shivered.
He reached out to cup her shoulders. “I’m only asking that you try a little. Pretend if you have to. Make it a game. You may find that Lady Anabelle, Lucy, Draven…all of them, are not the kind of people you think they are. You don’t have to be alone, Maddie.”
She wiggled out of his hold. She walked to the fire and faced him. “I’m not a caterpillar, and I won’t change into a butterfly.”
“You already are a butterfly.”
There was a knock on the door. “It’s me,” Lucy said.
Jonathan went to the door and opened it a crack. “What is it?”
“Mother is asking for you. Father Tim has left already and…well, we could hear you up here arguing.”
Jonathan cursed. He looked back at Maddie, but for now, there was nothing more to say.
“Fine.” He stepped into the hall and closed the door.
“Is she all right?” Lucy asked at his side.
“She isn’t feeling well,” he lied. He knew she wouldn’t believe him, but he was in no mood to explain anything to anyone.
Chapter 18
In the morning, Maddie woke to find Anne had arrived on the early mail coach. It was bittersweet. An enemy that had become an ally. Maddie tried to push her to rest, but Anne wouldn’t have it. She helped Maddie bathe and dress. Maddie was late to breakfast, but she arrived, which should make Jonathan less angry with her. She steeled herself and put on a smile.
“Good morning, everyone.”
“Good morning, Miss Prescott. Feeling better?” Lady Heath asked.
“Yes, perhaps the sun was too much for me yesterday.” It was a bold-faced lie, but Jonathan did tell her to pretend, and pretending was basically the same thing as lying.
“Are you sensitive to the sun?” Lady Lucy asked her. Their gazes locked, and Maddie knew she was being assessed.
“No, but I’ve never been on the coast before.”
“Are you implying the sun is different on the coast than it is anywhere else?” Lady Lucy cornered her.
Maddie’s hackles rose.
“Lucy, she doesn’t need to be interrogated for feeling unwell.” Lady Heath came to her defense.
Maddie took a calming breath. “Now that you mention it that sounds like a wonderful scientific hypothesis. Is the sun stronger in different climates?”
Winchester set his coffee down. “That is interesting, for instance, for climates that are significantly hotter.”
“Everywhere is significantly hotter than England,” Lucy returned. “But is the coast hotter than the inland?”
“I’d say cooler, but is the intensity of the sun masked by the cooler air coming off the water?” Jonathan added.
Now Maddie was intrigued. She didn’t anticipate her poor excuse for not returning last night to turn into such diverting conversation. Even Lord Heath had an opinion about it. She settled into watching, listening, and eating her breakfast, but all the while, she noticed Lady Lucy watching her. What the devil was she looking for?
* * *
This was how Maddie carried on the remainder of the week. There were trips to the village, luncheons, high teas with neighbors, and even a small ball at a neighboring home Thursday evening. All the while, Maddie played her part, and she spoke only when necessary and very little of it to Jonathan. He was reserved as well. Friday morning came all too soon, and the house was filled to the brim with friends and family. More importantly to Maddie, today was the day she would meet Mrs. Dorothea Felton and the mysterious major who stole her heart from Jonathan.
Maddie was in the drawing room staring out the window while the women and men chatted and had tea. She was waiting for the carriage that would appease her rabid curiosity.
“What are you looking for?” Lord Draven appeared beside her and whispered co-conspiratorially.
Maddie side-eyed him. She hadn’t figured him out yet. “What makes you think I’m looking for something?”
He also side-eyed her and added a one-sided smile. “Oh, you’re definitely looking for something, or someone to be more precise.”
“I like the scenery.”
“You are anxiously waiting for someone to arrive.”
“Do you read palms too?” She held up her hand.
She didn’t expect him to take it, but he did. She just barely stopped herself from jerking it back. He held it and bent over it like he actually had experience reading palms. He used a fingertip to trace a line.
“I see you will live a very long life with twelve children.”
She ripped her hand away and looked at it. “You can’t know that from my hand.”
“I know it from the way he looks at you.”
Maddie looked up at him in curiosity. “Jonathan?”
He nodded.
&
nbsp; “No.”
He nodded again.
“It isn’t what you think.”
“I’ve far more experience than both of you in bedding and marriage, and I know exactly what it is.”
Maddie bit her lip in delighted shock. “You can’t say things like that.”
“I just did.” He grinned.
He was far too handsome to take seriously, and he knew it, too.
“You delight in saying shocking things,” she accused him. She was rapidly changing her opinion of him.
“I do.”
“Should we try to out shock each other?”
He tipped his head back in laughter. “Oh, my dear Miss Prescott. You have no chance of shocking me, but I heartily encourage you to try. “
They had everyone’s attention now. Jonathan looked worried as he stalked over.
“I think I will try, Lord Draven.” Maddie couldn’t stop a smile from forming.
“What is so amusing?” Jonathan asked.
“Your fiancée,” Draven said.
“I must think of something to say that will shock Lord Draven, and he will try to shock me,” Maddie said.
Jonathan groaned. “Absolutely not.”
“Winchester,” Draven beckoned. Winchester left his wife’s side to join them.
Maddie had never been surrounded by so many handsome men, but it was Jonathan who made her heart ache the most. She wished he’d smile at her again. He smiled at everyone else but her now.
“Yes?” Winchester said.
“I’ve entered into a contest with Miss Prescott. Who can say the most shocking thing do you think?”
“Neither of you. I will win, if I may take part.”
“No. No one will take part,” Jonathan scolded.
“Don’t be such a ninny, Rigsby. You’ve managed to find an interesting woman to marry. Let us enjoy it.”
Maddie glowed at the compliment.
“You’ve also married interesting women, but I didn’t encourage them to do illicit things, now did I?”
“They’ve done plenty of illicit things, Rigsby. That’s how they came to be married to us.”
Maddie blushed, but she was enjoying Jonathan’s discomfiture.
“I’ll have to think up something truly shocking. Give me a moment.”
“You needn’t try to impress theses rogues, Maddie,” Jonathan pleaded.
“I’m not trying to impress them. I’m trying to shock them. There is a distinct difference,” Maddie returned.
Jonathan opened his mouth to answer, but then he heard it. The crunch of wheels on gravel. They all turned to look as the carriage swung into view and passed before them before turning around the corner to the front entry to the house.
Maddie immediately looked to Jonathan to see his reaction, but his expression was stoic.
“Is that Thea and Felton?” Lucy asked from the sofa.
Winchester responded with a nod, and Lucy bounded from the room.
Maddie couldn’t control her curiosity. She wanted to follow Lady Lucy but didn’t want to intrude where she didn’t belong. She elected to find an empty chair and wait along with the others. Jonathan remained by the windows with Winchester and Draven. Maddie had the perfect view of his face so she could analyze it when Mrs. Felton entered. Maddie was so eager she was almost nervous. What would he do? Would he be obviously angry? Would the tension be unbearable? She started to feel uneasy. Had he really loved her that much that this would cause him pain?
She looked toward the door in anxious anticipation. Perhaps she should be at his side, but after their argument, he’d done very little to indicate that he wanted her company. He still was angry with her, and Maddie was angry with him, but this hollow feeling she had wasn’t anger. It grew with every second that passed as they both stared at the door.
Maddie took a breath. Did she want to see this? Did she truly want to know the woman Jonathan had loved? There was no reason to be frightened of this moment, but she was. She’d been excited but now didn’t know what she would do if it was obvious that Jonathan was very affected by this woman’s presence, or worse, was still in love with her.
She saw Jonathan turn his back to the door just before the trio entered. Maddie steeled herself as Lady Lucy sailed through the door with a sunny smile followed by Major and Mrs. Felton. He was no longer with the military, Maddie corrected herself. She remembered Lady Lucy mentioning he had sold his commission. Her eyes went first to Mrs. Felton, Thea as Lady Lucy adoringly called her. She looked exactly as Maddie remembered her, sweet, docile, and silver little spectacles perched on her nose. Then she looked to Mr. Felton. He was handsome, though his nose and cheekbones were a tad austere to Maddie’s mind. They made a lovely couple, both fair-haired.
Then Maddie looked to Jonathan and found him looking at her. He beckoned her over. She leapt up, almost forgetting the very reason all these people were here was because of she and Jonathan. She came to his side, twisting her fingers in her skirt nervously.
“Thea, Felton.” Jonathan smiled warmly. “My soon to be wife, Miss Madeline Prescott.”
Maddie felt the warmth of his smile spread through her, even though it wasn’t directed at her.
She pasted a smile on her face and greeted them.
“A pleasure to meet you,” she said.
“I remember you,” Thea said. “Your hair makes you impossible to forget. It is so lovely.”
Maddie touched her hair bashfully. “It is one of my attributes that has led to my infamy.”
There were chuckles at this statement.
“Infamy?” Mr. Felton raised his brows.
“Oh, I’m well known.”
“Careful, Maddie. We don’t want to scare them off,” Jonathan warned.
“This sounds intriguing,” Felton said with a grin.
“But not before you’ve had a chance to greet everyone,” Lucy interrupted.
“Yes, I’d hate to prevent you from hearing the most interesting things that are said about me when I’m not present,” Maddie added.
That earned her an arch look from Lady Lucy who then ushered the silent Felton’s away.
Maddie turned to Jonathan. “They seem very nice.”
He didn’t look pleased. “You like to stir the pot, don’t you?”
“Pot’s must be stirred, or the food will stick.”
“That isn’t what I meant,” he ground out.
“I know precisely what you meant.”
Draven joined them. “Bravo,” he smiled at Maddie.
“There, you see? It was exactly as I said.”
“I know what you are doing, Maddie.”
Draven stepped closer. “May I recommend not having an argument here in the drawing room?”
“We work best when there is an audience. Isn’t that right, Jonathan?” Maddie folded her arms. “I’m going for a walk.” She left without another word, and more importantly to Maddie’s mind, was that Jonathan didn’t try to stop her. She collected her cloak and went outside. The day was overcast and blustery. She wrapped the wool around her tighter and headed for the stairs to the beach.
She paused as she heard a voice on the wind. She looked up into the sky and listened.
“Wait!”
She turned around. Two cloaked figures were chasing after her. She waited as they joined her. It was Mrs. Felton and Lady Lucy. Maddie steeled herself for a lecture.
“May we join you?” Mrs. Felton asked.
Maddie looked around. “I suppose if you must.”
Lady Lucy looked mutinously silent.
“We must,” Mrs. Felton said.
“I was going down to the beach,” Maddie offered.
“The tide is out. There may be some interesting creatures to be found.” Lady Lucy brightened.
She led the way down, Mrs. Felton and Maddie following in single file. When they reached the bottom, they straightened into a line. Maddie wondered what their motives were for joining her. They walked slowly toward the water’s edge
, which had receded far out revealing clusters of rocks, and shallow pools Maddie hadn’t known were there. Lady Lucy surged ahead, picking up shells and what not.
Maddie was aware that Mrs. Felton purposefully stayed at her side.
“I gather you know all about me now.” Maddie began.
“I know very little of you.”
“But that you heard—”
“It is conjecture. I want to hear what you have to say.” Thea put her hands on her hips.
Maddie cocked her head. “I always thought you were rather meek.”
Thea shrugged. “I had to change.”
That took Maddie by surprise. “Why?” They began to walk again.
“If I was going to fight for what I wanted, I couldn’t stay the same. I had to become tougher and stronger. I had to save myself.”
Maddie thought for a moment. “Jonathan is trying to save me from my family.”
Thea stopped them and turned to face her. “That is precisely what he tried to do for me.”
“But weren’t you in love with each other?”
Thea shook her head. “I love him like a brother. He thought he was doing the right thing, but it wasn’t until he helped Felton and I marry that he did the right thing.”
“But he loved you?” Maddie frowned.
Thea shook her head again and then shrugged. “I don’t think he got that far. I think he wanted to believe he could love me if given a chance. But then again, I can’t really say what was in his mind. It just wasn’t meant to be. I am very happy that he has you now, and we can move past that time, and be friends again. Will you be my friend?”
Maddie was caught off guard. No one had ever asked to be her friend. “I…I would like that very much, but you see…I don’t have friends really, and I don’t think Lady Lucy would want us to be friends.”
“Lucy makes an excellent friend, and I know she wants to be friendly with you.”
Maddie was skeptical of that. “She and I are very different.”
“That is a good thing. More than one of Lucy in the world would cause it to collapse into chaos.”
Maddie giggled. “She isn’t that bad.”
