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

by Bridget Barton

  “There is more to this story than what meets the eye; I am sure of it.”

  *****

  Hugh was thinking the very same thing as he followed Georgie up the stairs. He had thought to look for Prescott, but when he had seen a shadow on the stairs, his instinct had been to follow it. Within seconds he had recognised Georgie. Why would she be going up the stairs? Hugh followed her in stealth mode, not wanting to be discovered before he had seen her purpose. He stopped when he saw her walk into James’ room. A tiny pang of guilt came over him as he thought about the boy. The ruffian had done no wrong except to be born to the wrong father, but he couldn’t bring himself to show him any affection. James was his nephew, but his father had been the one to ruin his life. He had lost his wife and child in one night due to him. No, not his child, but it could have been. And then he had gone off and killed himself by riding off into the storm, falling off his horse and breaking his neck. Hugh had gone after him, intent on making him pay for his treachery, but fate had done it for him. Would I have killed Edward if I had the chance? No. But his family seemed to believe him responsible for his brother’s death. What would his wife say should he bring this little boy to her and claim him to be Edward’s son? Or reveal the sordid affair his brother and wife had kept behind his back? He had loved Almeria, loved her with his whole heart, but he had not been enough for her. She had wanted better, and Edward had been that better man.

  “The golden child, from his gold hair to his blue eyes, and easy charm.”

  Hugh was the dark horse. If Edward had still been alive, would Georgie have preferred his brother over him? Hugh stilled. The thought came out of nowhere, and it unsettled him.

  “Why am I thinking about Georgie in this way? For all I know she could be a man-slayer.”

  But he doubted that. She may be a liar, but she was no murderer. The title of murderer seemed to have been reserved for him. Hugh continued up the stairs, and as he drew closer to the room, he could hear faint singing. He stood on the side of the entrance, listening to the lullaby she was singing. For that is what it sounded like to him, but it was in a language he did not understand. It seems my imposter is hiding many things about herself, including the ability to speak in several languages. It is such a small fact to know, why lie about it? What can being multi-lingual reveal about her life?

  “Much, judging by her actions.”

  The language she was singing in reminded him of something, or somewhere in particular. Hugh closed his eyes and let the song wash over him, willing his mind to remember something, anything. His eyes flew open. He had it, or at least he hoped that he did. During one of his spy missions, he had travelled to India, only briefly, but it had left an impression on him. He closed his eyes again and listened to her, placing her voice amongst the hustle and bustle of India. Hugh imagined women singing as they sold their wares on the street, children playing among the throng of brightly garbed women, men grumbling as they manoeuvred the busy roads.

  “Hindi, she is singing in Hindi.”

  That realisation startled him. Could she have travelled to India? What other explanation could there be? It was not strange to hear of an Englishwoman going to India, but how many actually took the opportunity to learn the language? Georgie was turning out to be a remarkable woman, and he just needed to know more. He couldn’t hear her singing anymore, so he took a chance and peeked into his nephew’s room. James was awake, which was not unheard of. His nephew had a habit of doing things that were against the rules, very much so like he was as a child growing up. Edward had been the one to play by the rules, or at least appear to. Hugh had to admit that his nephew was very much like him, both in appearance and temperament. No wonder Edward’s wife believed the child to be his, and Hugh had simply refrained from correcting her. What is the use? They all have set opinions about me, and I gather that they will never change. Hugh found that he wanted to hear what the two were chatting about, so he leaned in further, keeping himself in the shadows.

  “Will you tell me about your travels again?” James asked.

  “Not right now,” Georgie replied. “Maybe tomorrow after your lesson. You have to sleep now.”

  “But I do not feel sleepy!”

  “My word is non-negotiable, young man; you should know that by now.”

  “Alright, but you have to promise.”

  He heard Georgie laugh. “Have I ever broken my promises to you, little one?”

  “You just called me a young man, and now you called me little one. I like young man better, Maddy.”

  Maddy? Was her name Maddy? Hugh stored this information – it would be useful to him in time to come.

  “As you wish, young man!”

  She tickled him then, and the sound of his nephew’s giggles tugged at his heartstrings. Hugh had never heard James laugh before; the sound did things to him that he would lief not address at that moment. He did not need the complication of his brother’s son on his mind. As it were, he was neck deep in investigating a black market down at the docks. English people, particularly women, were going missing, and it was all linked to someone who went by the name Silver Wolf. However, he had to admit that James sounded happy, and he was begrudgingly pleased about it. He leaned in once more.

  “Will you marry me if you do not marry my uncle?”

  “I am far too old for you, James,” Maddy said. “You are six, and I will be twenty soon – that is many years apart! When you are older, you will meet a beautiful and intelligent young woman who will be perfect for you.”

  “I would marry you even if you were a hundred years old! You are far prettier than any other girl in the world!”

  Maddy laughed. “How kind of you to say so, James. Now, it is time for you to sleep.”

  Hugh crept away from the doorway and down the stairs, heading back to his study. It seemed that his nephew knew far more than Hugh did about his stable hand. Why would she have threatened her discovery just to reveal her identity to a little boy? If he’d still had any doubts of his imposter’s gender, he had none now. Maddy, James had called her. It suits her. Hugh needed to do some work before he turned in for the night, but he had a notion that he would soon be plagued with thoughts of a certain blue-eyed beauty. Who is she?

  *****

  Days later, Madelene had managed to sneak away from the house and was on her way to meet Eva. Nielsen had been able to sell one of her jewels for a good amount of money, higher than she had expected. The money would go a long way to helping the poor of London, but it would not last forever. But by then I should be long gone. She shook her head at that. Oh, I’m not being truthful with myself, am I? The truth was that she had grown comfortable with her life here. There were moments of anxiety, but they tended to pass as soon as they had come. Madelene adjusted her bonnet and gathered her shawl around her. The night was chilly, more so as the moon was hidden behind clouds. The sooner she met with Eva, the better.

  “Nielsen, how much further?”

  “Not much further, Miss Madelene. Eva had to change the venue due to too many prying eyes and questions. It seems that you are causing quite a stir among these parts. I would keep that bonnet on more often if I were you. Perhaps a veil might do you better.”

  Nielsen and the other servants had taken to calling her as Giles did, which she had objected to, but they were adamant. They were wise enough to call her George when around Hugh, Prescott, Gavin, and Mr Facet. The servants were loyal to Hugh, but they understood that Madelene was no threat to their master. It had been Catherine who had discovered that she was a woman and not a man. Madelene had felt the need to remove her binding soon after lunch, as it had been tightly bound around her breasts that day. Cathy had walked into her room with the intention of giving Madelene her freshly washed pants and shirt, but instead, she had walked in on a half-dressed woman. It had taken Madelene a good while to calm the maid down, explaining her situation to her. Although Madelene did feel the need to leave out the part where she was to marry the Earl – she related to
the maid everything else about herself, including Maria and Giles. As with all servants, the news quickly spread to Mrs Rosely and Nielsen. However, having her truth revealed had suited her well, because here she was, able to help the poor.

  “You are right, Nielsen. I would hate to attract any unwanted attention. I am here for the poor.”

  They spied a dark-haired woman standing a few feet away; it was only when she stepped into the light that they recognised her.

  “Eva! Thank goodness. I was beginning to think that we would never reach you. How are the children?”

  Madelene squeezed both her hands in greeting, feeling the calluses on the older woman’s hands. But she is not the only one with calluses; I too, have them now. Not that it bothers me, good work is better than lazing about the house.

  “They are well, Miss Madelene. But, enough about that. I have some good news for you!”

  “Good news? I believe that is the best kind. Pray, tell me.”

  Eva smiled. “I would lief show you, Miss Madelene.”

  Madelene was not keen on surprises, but Eva seemed excited. The woman would never do anything to harm her.

  “Lead the way.”

  Several minutes later, they entered a house. To her relief, a fire was crackling. Oh, thank heavens! She rubbed her hands together, warming them up. Eva went ahead and curtsied before a figure sitting in front of the fire burning.

  “She is here, My Lord.”

  My lord? Who is Eva talking to? A silver-haired man stood up, and Madelene sucked in a breath.

  “Good evening, my dear. It is a pleasure to see you again.”

  Madelene released a shuddering breath, disbelieving of the figure that stood before her.

  “Lord Allandale! I – I did not expect to see you here,” she managed to say.

  The Viscount smiled. “I hope that it is a good surprise? I have been most eager to see you again.”

  Nausea began to build up within her. Do not lose your dinner, Madelene.

  “You are kind to say so, My Lord. It has been a pleasure seeing you again, but I fear that I must be going.”

  Madelene turned to go, not caring if she came across as rude. Eva called out to her, but Madelene did not immediately turn around. She stared at the door, wanting to be on the other side of it. I need to get far away from this man! How did he find me?

  “Miss Madelene?”

  Madelene turned back. “Yes, Eva? We should be going – we have much to do.”

  The Viscount was staring at her carefully, his eyes watching her every move.

  “I wish to help you, Madelene. That is why Eva has brought you here. I too, hold the poor close to my heart, and I want to help you in any way that I can. It would be a pleasure to work with you.”

  I’d sooner trust a snake than let you anywhere close to me.

  “That is wonderful of you, Lord Allandale, truly it is. However, I believe that I am perfectly content with the way I have organised my little mission, but I do thank you for your willingness, My Lord. Now if you will excuse me, we must be going. Eva? Nielsen?”

  Madelene looked at them, silently pleading that they would not argue. They understood her and quickly followed behind her. Her heart was ready to jump right out of her throat; she couldn’t get away from the man fast enough. Oh, heavens! What am I to do? The Viscount was a dangerous man, a man that her own father had feared enough to send her away from his side. How had he found her? Perhaps it truly was time to leave England once and for all.

  Chapter 9

  Where on earth did she disappear to? Hugh paced his study, waiting to hear back from Prescott. He had sent his steward along with his driver out into the night to follow Maddy. He had taken to referring to her as Maddy rather than Georgie – it suited her far better. But was it a shortened version of another name? He had yet to come across a woman with that name, which just further added to her uniqueness. Maddy was unlike any woman that he had ever met, and Hugh found himself seeking her out just to be close to her. Many men of his time would be intimidated by her intelligence, but he found her refreshing. Hugh was confident about his manhood; he had no need to seek out a woman who downplayed her knowledge.

  “Not that I am interested in her for any romantic reason, certainly not!”

  Right now he needed to know what she was doing sneaking away from the house in the dead of night. Was it nefarious in nature? Somehow Hugh knew that it wasn’t so. Maddy did not seem like the type, but it was imperative that he find out whether or not she was in any danger. He heard footsteps near his door, and he all but ran to it, flinging it open.

  “Prescott! What have you found out about Maddy?”

  “May I enter, My Lord? This should not be spoken in the hallway.”

  Hugh nodded, embarrassed about his over-eagerness.

  “Yes, yes, come in.”

  Hugh closed the door behind his steward, all the while trying to maintain a measure of patience.

  “Is Maddy safe?”

  “Gavin informs me that she is with Nielsen, My Lord, as well as another woman named Eva. She is a friend of Diana – Nielsen’s wife.”

  Hugh frowned. “I am not sure that I understand ...”

  “They appear to be helping the poor, My Lord. Diana is well-known for the work she does for the poor. It seems that Maddy is doing the same, but she is doing it under the shroud of darkness for obvious reasons.”

  Maddy could not go out during the day, and so she chose to go out at night. However, he had seen her in woman’s clothing. Why would she choose to reveal herself? The night can only hide so much.

  Prescott cleared his throat. “I’m afraid that is not the only news, My Lord.”

  Hugh could tell by his steward’s tone that something serious had taken place.

  “Tell me, Prescott. Is Maddy in danger?”

  “That is not certain yet, My Lord. However, she did meet someone that you should know about.”

  “And who would that be?”

  “Lord Allandale.”

  Hugh rubbed his ears. Perhaps he had not heard right.

  “I apologise, Prescott. Would you repeat that again?”

  His steward’s face was serious. “You heard right, My Lord. Maddy met with Lord Allandale, although I do not believe that she was expecting him.”

  Hugh started pacing again. What was Maddy doing mixed up with a man like him? He stopped.

  “Do you know the reason for their meeting?”

  Prescott shook his head. “Not yet, but Gavin will continue to ask questions.”

  Hugh touched the scar along his jaw. The Viscount was not a man that one chose to have near them, Hugh knew that knowledge first-hand. How had Maddy managed to become mixed up with the likes of him?

  “Have Mr Facet find out more of what is going on. He has his ear to the ground with many contacts. He can help us get to the bottom of this.”

  “Yes, My Lord.”

  Facet was fast proving to be a useful man, but there was something about him that Hugh did not like. Many a time he had caught Facet’s eyes roving around the house as if taking stock of Hugh’s possessions. Hugh thought it best to keep him close enough to keep an eye on him. He had helped him after all, but Hugh was not thoroughly convinced of the man’s story. It seemed to change ever so slightly whenever he told it. Hugh dismissed Prescott, turning his thoughts to Maddy again, as he often seemed to do. Not only was she intelligent, but she also had a heart of gold. He would soon find out her identity. And then what? What will I do with that knowledge? He didn’t know yet; he would have to see once the time came.