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

by Bridget Barton

  Lord Allandale blew her a kiss and left the room. Madelene immediately started pacing the room.

  “No, I will not accept this. There must be a way out … there has to be.”

  She looked around. Madelene was sure that the Viscount had locked the door so that only left the small window. She was sure that she could fit through that window. Madelene ran to the window, thinking to open it, but Lord Allandale had not been lying. Stationed outside the window were three menacing-looking men.

  “The window is out of the question, but I will not give up so easily.”

  Madelene looked around, trying to keep her hopes up. Do not lose faith, Madelene, do not lose hope. If that is gone, all is lost.

  “Think, think, think. What can I do?”

  Madelene noticed that there was more light filtering into the room than there should be if the small window were anything to go by. She looked up and noticed a small opening in the roof. But how will I reach it? The room was nearly bare – it was not as though she could stack items on top of each other. Madelene sat on the bed and stared at the opening.

  “There has to be a way. This cannot be my fate, it just cannot.”

  *****

  Nightfall came swiftly as Hugh waited at the docks. His hiding place had been one that he and Gavin had used countless times while investigating the underground slave trade that Lord Allandale had created for himself. Evidence was mounting against the Viscount, but they had yet to come across actual proof. The man was obviously hiding the women somewhere at the docks, but they had to locate the premises. There were countless warehouses, many of them derelict and others in full use. Hugh had managed to sneak into many of the warehouses, but there were still many more to go. However, there was only one place where the Viscount could be, and he was staring at it. Gavin appeared out of nowhere, startling Hugh.

  “Gavin! I see that you have surpassed me in stealth mode.”

  The man smiled, showing his crooked front teeth.

  “You have taught me well, My Lord. Have you managed to locate Miss Madelene?”

  “No, but I have seen many of Lord Allandale’s men standing guard outside that room.”

  He pointed to a dimly lit room attached to the side of a warehouse.

  “I would bet all I had that Miss Madelene is in that very room. What is our plan?”

  Hugh had thought of nothing else but a plan to get to Madelene. There were too many men to execute an ambush, and they were likely armed to the hilt.

  “We have to take the men out, one by one. But we must remain silent. The chokehold should do perfectly, or a hit to the head. You will remain guard outside, while I go in and rescue Madelene. We cannot worry about bringing Lord Allandale to justice just yet – the man can talk himself out of a noose around his neck. I have no doubt that he will disappear once we rescue Madelene, but at least she will be safe.”

  As his wife. Hugh intended to marry Madelene as soon as he had the chance to. He could take better care of her as his wife, rather than just a servant in his household.

  “The rat will have to be brought to justice another day, but it sickens me to know that he will get away,” said Gavin. “It is a sorry state of affairs when a criminal such as him walks around freely.”

  “Yes, indeed. The guards move every so often, changing their positions. The smallest man is about to take his station at the door, but there are three others by the window. If I take out those men, we have a better chance of rescuing Madelene. Going through the door might attract attention, but the window should be a safer option. We will help Madelene crawl out of the window and be gone before the Viscount even knows it.”

  They started to creep forward but stopped when they noticed a familiar figure walk to the room.

  “It’s Lord Allandale,” Gavin whispered.

  “Yes, I know. Fall back until we are certain of what is going on.”

  They watched him enter the room and kick it shut behind him. If that man touches my Madelene ... Hugh just saw red, but he had to calm himself. It was dangerous when a man could not control his own temper. It clouded his judgement. Several moments later they heard a scream.

  “Madelene!”

  Hugh was rushing forward before he knew it. All he knew was that he had to get to Madelene.

  *****

  Madelene got ready to utter another high-pitched scream, but Lord Allandale blocked her mouth.

  “Shut up!

  She bit his hand, and he flung her away from him. Madelene landed hard on the floor, quickly getting to her feet. The Viscount nursed his palm, narrowing his eyes when the neat bite marks welled up with blood.

  “You little witch! How dare you draw blood from me?!”

  Madelene planted her hands on her hips, defiance gleaming in her eyes.

  “You should have never tried to force yourself on me, Lord Allandale. I will never accept a kiss from you, NEVER!”

  A smile played around the Viscount’s mouth. He flicked out his tongue and licked the blood, bringing instant nausea to Madelene.

  “I suppose that I should expect nothing less from a woman like yourself. You are wild and beautiful, just like a horse that has not been broken in yet. You need a man like myself to tame you, and I will enjoy doing so.”

  He lunged for her, but she narrowly missed his hands as she rolled across the bed.

  “Keep away, My Lord or I will draw blood again.”

  He laughed. “Vixen.”

  He jumped across the bed, giving her an opportunity to run to the door. Madelene yanked it open, ready to tackle whoever tried to stop her. She was not going down without a fight.

  “Stop her!” yelled Lord Allandale.

  Hands suddenly snatched at her, and she fought hard, not willing to be caught again.

  “Stop, Madelene! Stop.”

  Madelene felt the fight leave her body as she heard the voice.

  “Hugh?”

  Was she hearing things? She turned around to face the man who had caught her, and relief poured into her body.

  “Thank goodness.”

  Madelene clung to him, feeling her body shake.

  “Are you alright, Maddy? Did he hurt you? I heard your scream.”

  A gun was cocked behind them. “I will pull this trigger if you do not release my bride, Lord Scarborough.”

  Hugh turned around but kept Madelene firmly behind him. He lifted his own pistol and aimed it at the Viscount.

  “I believe that you are mistaken, Lord Allandale. How can Madelene be your bride if she was first betrothed to me? I see that Mr Huntington did not inform you of our little wager. She is my property, bought and paid for. If you have any grievances, I suggest you take it up with him or risk my servant putting a hole through you.”

  Madelene saw Hugh point at another figure that had snuck up from behind the Viscount. She recognised the man to be Gavin.

  “What have you done with the men I had guarding this room?” the Viscount demanded.

  “They are currently asleep, for lack of a better word.” Gavin laughed.

  Lord Allandale was outnumbered, and Madelene could see that he knew it. He lowered his pistol, but both Gavin and Hugh kept theirs pointed at him.

  “Fine. I am a man that can admit defeat when needed. But rest assured, this is not over.”

  “I would not count on that, Silver Wolf,” said Hugh.

  There was just enough light coming from the room to show the look of surprise that crossed Lord Allandale’s face. He recovered quickly, schooling his features to mild interest.

  “You surprise me, Lord Scarborough. So it has been you investigating me all this time? I gather that you have not found sufficient evidence, or I should be hanging by the gallows by now.”

  Hugh laughed. “Do not become so cocky, Lord Allandale. Your day will come. Now I suggest that you throw any weapons on the floor. My man will tie you up, just to ensure that you do not think of sneaking behind us – I know what a serpent you are. When your ship leaves in the morning, yo
u had best be on it, or I will personally come and find you. You should know me well enough by now.”

  Hugh touched his scar, making Madelene wonder at the action. Had something happened between the two men? Lord Allandale bowed.

  “Very well, as you wish.”

  He tossed his pistol on the ground, taking another out from inside his coat as well as a knife from his belt.

  “Tie him up, Gavin, and toss him into the room. His men will find him once they wake up.”

  Gavin did so, pushing the man into the room and locking it.

  “I believe that it is time that we go home,” Hugh said.

  But Madelene had a question to ask. “Wait just a moment, Lord Scarborough.”

  Hugh paused. “Yes?”

  “Do you mean to force me into marriage as well?”

  “No, I would never do that. I merely said that to deter Allandale.”

  Madelene narrowed her eyes. “How can I trust you?”

  Hugh scratched his head. “We should discuss this at another time, Maddy. Those men could wake up at any moment.”

  “Just know that I will not, under any circumstance, marry you, Lord Scarborough. I am grateful that you and Gavin have rescued me, but not enough to marry you. Have I made myself clear?”

  Hugh bowed his head. “Yes, of course. I just wish to see you home safely.”

  Madelene wanted to reach out and touch his hair; instead, she balled her hands into fists.

  “Your home is not my home, My Lord. I will be leaving Scarborough House as soon as I am able. I hope that you understand this.”

  He looked up, his eyes filled with heart-wrenching sadness.

  “Yes, I understand.”

  Madelene could feel her own heart squeeze tight, but she could not become weak before this man. She had no future with him, not when he still held his wife in his heart. Madelene turned away and started to walk to her freedom.

  Chapter 15

  Maria tried to convince her of the Earl’s love for her, but Madelene wasn’t having any of it. She knew better.

  “They may have convinced me to stay, but I will never believe that Hugh loves me as they say he does. How can he love me when he still loves his wife?”

  She could never compete with the untainted memory of a childhood sweetheart.

  “Furthermore, the man lied to me. He knew who I was, and yet he neglected to inform me of it! How can he say that he loves me? A relationship must be built on trust.”

  Then why was her heart aching? Madelene could not look at the Earl without feeling butterflies fly around in her belly. He rarely spoke to her, except to enquire about James’ lessons or her health. The answer was the same every time.

  “Well, My Lord. James is an intelligent boy, and I couldn’t be healthier.”

  The Earl would nod and smile and tell her that he was happy to hear it. As the weeks passed, Lord Scarborough became thinner, busier, and solemn. Madelene believed it to be due to the memory of his wife playing upon his mind. Despite her own sadness, Madelene found that she could not bear his depressed state, but what could she do to raise his spirits? She could not bring his wife or his child back to him, but surely she could do something else for him? Julia brought her out of her thoughts as she entered the library, looking as youthful and bright as any nineteen-year-old.

  “Good, you’re here. I need to speak with you, Maddy. This has gone on far enough.”

  Madelene frowned. “What has gone on far enough?”

  Julia threw her hands into the air and waved them around.

  “This thing between you and my brother. Now I know that you love each other! Why will you not just admit it to each other and get married like any normal couple?”

  Madelene sighed. “Julia, your brother still mourns the death of his wife and child. How can he have love in his heart for anyone else?”

  “That was six years ago, if not more! Hugh is not so foolish as to give up a wonderful future with you just so he could continue to grieve his loss!”

  Julia and Madelene were close in age, but at times Madelene believed that she was far more mature than the younger woman before her. Julia still had much to learn of the world.

  “I do not wish to discuss this anymore, Julia. If you wish to remain friends, then you must drop this subject.”

  Madelene turned away as tears threatened to fall. Why did Julia have to speak of this now? What good would come of discussing something that would never be? Madelene was better off going away, remaining out of affection for her servants. They were happy at Scarborough House, and she could not take that happiness away, no matter how sad she was herself. Arms went around Madelene’s waist, and Julia laid her head on Madelene’s shoulder.

  “I am sorry, Maddy. Please forgive me. I just want my two favourite people in the world to be together, but I will not speak of it again. You have my word.”

  Madelene nodded, too weepy to speak. The less people spoke of it, the better for her. It would do her a world of good if she would forget the matter as well, but that was far more difficult to do. Time heals all wounds, that is what Father would say. I hope that he is right.

  *****

  Hugh did not know whether he was coming or going. He mechanically went about his daily activities, going through the motions but not being present. Hugh’s mind enjoyed torturing him, showing him what life with Madelene as his wife could have been like. She wasn’t happy here, that much was clear to him, and it killed him to see her so unhappy. Madelene deserved to find the right man and marry him, which would not happen if she remained at Scarborough House. Which was why the letter in his hand should change all that for her. Hugh had managed to send word to Sir Cardross Huntington, explaining all that had happened. If this letter was anything to go by, it meant that Sir Huntington was on his way to England. But Hugh would not open the message.

  “Madelene should have the honour of seeing her father’s written words first.”

  That should bring happiness to her. Her sadness had plagued him day and night until he felt that he could not take it any longer. Hugh would gladly cross the most treacherous of seas just to see her smile again. He was hoping that this letter would bring the spark back into her jewel-coloured eyes and rosy colour to her pale cheeks. Hugh carried the letter to the library, knowing that she would be there. Much of her day was spent there since she no longer tended the horses. Hugh had hired a young man to take over her stable duties, believing it to be the right thing, but Madelene had been angry and hurt. The anger he could have taken, but not the hurt he had caused. He would have taken it all back, but the young man he had hired needed the job more than she needed it. In time, she had come to understand this, but her injured look had forever been branded onto his memory. He knocked on the door – even if it was his house, he was loathed to disturb her, only doing so if he believed it necessary.

  “Come in.”

  Hugh took a deep breath, expelling it as he made a chore of closing the door. Anything to stall looking into her eyes. He turned to face her, his shoulders hunched forward. Hugh lifted the letter.

  “This came for you. It’s from your father.”

  Madelene stood up. “My father? But how? He has no knowledge of my stay here.”