Magnolia chuckled but shook her head. “We always fight. And that is when we talk about it.”
“And that is why you are still having problems. No, Magnolia. Find a good time, when you both are relaxed. If there is no time like that, create it and pitch it in. I am certain that he would hear you clearly. Then listen to what he has to say as well.”
Magnolia nodded. “I shall do that. Thank you, Aunt Dorothy.”
* * *
Magnolia was quiet throughout that day, most of which she spent in her room. She was angry that Adam would not share the contents of his letter, for she knew he was trying to punish her for going to the goldsmith’s shop without telling him some days before.
The fact that he still would not give her the reason for keeping the letter from her was making her even angrier. Magnolia was not enjoying her marriage anymore. She did not know how to please him or be the woman he wanted her to be.
Yet one thing she knew for certain: She could never be the woman he wanted until he fully accepted that finding the truth of what happened to her family was a part of her – a part which he must see and stop trying to control. He could control her in other ways, but definitely not when it came to that.
The door opened and Adam walked in. She lay on the bed watching as he drew closer and then stood beside her.
“Magnolia,” he stated. “I will be leaving for Spain tomorrow. The letter I received this morning came from there. My business in that place requires my attention immediately.
“How long are you staying?” she asked.
“About a week. But not more than that,” he replied.
After that, they were both quiet. Magnolia was not going to see him for some seven days. How would she cope?
Yes, they had been fighting, but she still loved him endlessly just as she had loved him for years and no amount of disagreements could ever change that. Undoubtedly, she would miss him terribly.
She swallowed as desire overwhelmed her and her eyes lingered on his lips. When last did she kiss those? When last did she run a hand through that dark tousled hair?
Magnolia leaned closer to him and placed a hand on his chest while maintaining eye contact with him. She drew her lips closer to his and planted a kiss on his lips.
She waited to see his reaction. Did he miss her as she missed him, or was he still angry with her?
But he kissed her back, with even more urgency and desire. She felt the heat rise in between them as the kiss deepened. Adam slid his hand down over her bottom, catching her in his grasp and jerking her hard against him.
He dragged her up the length of his leg so that her toes barely touched the ground as his lips found hers again. Her palms skated up his neck into his hair, the strands tickling her skin. She dug her fingers in and tugged on his hair. He growled deep in his throat and kissed her harder.
Adam brought his lips a little lower between her cleavage and began to undress her… but then, knowing what was about to happen, she summoned all her willpower and stopped him.
Desire flashed in his eyes. She recognized that look so well. Both of them panted as he stared at her in confusion.
“I want you, too, Adam. But things are not good between us,” she whispered. He still had his arms around her and planted kisses on her shoulders as she continued. “We will keep on having problems if you will not stop treating me like a child.”
Realizing he wasn’t listening, she pulled away and faced him. “You must see me as a grown woman who is capable of handling things herself. Who can take care of things. Someone you can trust.”
Magnolia waited, hoping to hear him say something. But instead, he backed away and then turned and left the room. She shut her eyes tight as disappointment overwhelmed her.
Chapter 26
Adam Avery, the Earl of Strickland
Adam walked out of the room and headed for his office. On getting there, he beckoned to a servant to get him a bottle of wine before taking a seat,
He shut his eyes and took a deep breath. What, exactly, have I got myself into?
Had he not been doing the right things by Magnolia? Was he not supposed to care about her and be worried for her? Why could she not understand that he was only performing his responsibilities as her husband?
The servant handed him the bottle and a cup. He served himself, and in under a minute, gulped down the wine before breathing out heavily and leaning back on his seat.
Adam could sense a slight headache coming up. Just for a time, he had thought things would be right between them . . . that they could make love and he could leave her peacefully, but now, the reverse was the case. Magnolia still could not see that he was only trying to protect her.
If her brother James were alive, would he not do everything possible to protect her? Of course he would. Adam tried to imagine what James would think if he were here right now. Would he be furious with what Adam was doing?
No, he would not. James would do whatever it took to protect his sister, with or without her consent. Adam sighed, wondering how long it would take Magnolia to understand him.
Some minutes later, he left the office and walked back to the room where he found her deeply asleep.
Adam climbed into bed and laid next to her. He was tempted to put his arms around her, to draw her closer, to shower her with kisses and make her see how much he cared about her.
But then he changed his mind and turned his back at her.
He loved his wife, but their marriage was not working as it ought to be. He was certain that James wouldn’t be disappointed with him for everything he was doing, so he did not need be sorry for caring deeply about his wife.
Adam covered himself with the blanket and closed his eyes. He had tried to avoid having a misunderstanding with her before traveling, but things had gone beyond his control.
* * *
Early in the morning, Adam opened his eyes. She was still deeply asleep, and he climbed out of the bed, careful not to wake her. He washed and got dressed for his journey.
By the time he was ready to leave, Hartley was already waiting for him in the parlor with his breakfast.
“My lord,” said the butler, with a bow.
“Hartley,” he replied. “Good morning. I hope you had a good night?”
The man smiled. “Yes, I did. Thank you.”
Adam sat down to his rolls and chocolate tea while Hartley motioned to leave.
“Do not go, Hartley. I would prefer your company. I have lots of things bothering me and I would love for someone to listen.”
“With all pleasure, my lord.”
“I have no idea how to please my wife,” he said with a mouthful of rolls. “She thinks I do not want her to be herself, whereas I am only after her safety. Is that too much to do as a husband?”
Hartley smiled but remained quiet.
“I am very puzzled, Hartley. I am afraid I am finding it difficult to trust her, especially when I am gone. She might decide to do what I would not want her to do. She might end up endangering herself.
For this reason, I want you to keep an eye on her while I am gone. She must not leave the house.”
Hartley looked surprised. “I am afraid, my lord, I do not think…”
“That is what I desire, Hartley. You are the butler and I am putting you in charge of her entry and exit. She is only allowed to walk within the mansion and the garden. She must not be seen outside.”
The older man sighed and nodded.
“I understand it seems harsh and limits her freedom. But what choice does she give me?”
As expected, Hartley said nothing.
“So, what about my bags?”
“They are in the carriage, my lord,” Hartley replied.
“Thank you, you may leave. I shall summon you once I am done.”
The man bowed and left while Adam went on eating.
* * *
Magnolia Richmond Avery, the Countess of Strickland
Magnolia sat up from the pillows. She wasn’t su
rprised that Adam was not in bed. Perhaps he was eating his breakfast, she thought.
She got up and slipped out of her nightgown and went to get dressed. The events of the previous night flooded through her mind, but she tried not to think about it. She was tired of fighting.
Some minutes later, Magnolia was in front of the mirror, adjusting her blue floral gown while Rachel helped with her hair.
“Rachel, please tell Mr. Hartley to get the second carriage ready for me. After my husband has gone, I would love to take a ride to the Henfield Park. It has been a while since I went on a picnic.”
“Yes, my lady,” said Rachel. She bowed and left.
Meanwhile, Adam entered the room. Their eyes met in the mirror briefly but neither said a word to the other. He looked away and left the room again.
She swallowed. Apparently, their argument persisted. Well, if he wasn’t going to stop treating her like a child, she wouldn’t stop speaking her mind.
Rachel opened the door. “My lady, Mr. Hartley said he is sorry but that will not be possible.”
Magnolia turned to face the servant, to be certain she had heard correctly. “What did you just say?”
Rachel cringed, unable to look at her.
“Mr. Hartley would never speak to me in such a manner,” Magnolia continued. “There must be a reason behind this.” She stood up and hurried out of the room to go and confront the butler.
“Mr. Hartley!” she called, descending the stairs.
The older man bowed slightly, looking at the floor.
“Is there something, you would like to explain to me?” Magnolia demanded, tilting her chin forward.
“My lady,” stated Mr. Hartley, with downcast eyes. “I am merely following orders not to allow you to leave the house.”
She gasped. This wasn’t possible. “Orders? Orders from who?”
“From his lordship, my lady,” he replied, still looking at the floor.
Magnolia took a quick breath to suppress the anger that was building up within her. “I see,” she said, and then marched back towards the stairs. She ran up to the second level and ran straight into Adam, who was already on his way out.
“What are you doing, Adam?” she sneered, putting her hands on her hips and stamping her left food on the floor.
He acted surprised. “I am just on my way to the carriage so I can leave for – ”
“What did you say to Mr. Hartley? Why are you doing this to me?”
Adam raised his brows. “Were you planning on going somewhere without telling me, yet again?”
“What are you talking about? Am I to be kept a hostage in my home?”
He sighed and spoke as calmly as he could. “This is for your own good, Magnolia. I do not want you snooping around when I’m gone. It is dangerous.”
“You have no right to stop me from going out!” she shouted at him. “This is extremely unfair! I cannot allow you to treat me like I am a child!”
“No, Magnolia! This is how it will be until you realize I am on your side!” Adam swept past her and climbed down the stairs and finally left the house.
She descended down the stairs after him, and then went to the window and watched as he climbed into the carriage and the carriage rolled away.
Magnolia drew the curtain and sighed.
Mr. Hartley was looking at her, but he averted his gaze, with his head bowed. “My lady,” he stated quietly, as though afraid of heightening the tension that was already present. “Is there anything you would like me to do for you? Perhaps, a special delicacy?”
She shook her head, knowing he was trying to make her feel better. “I am all right, Mr. Hartley,” Magnolia replied. “You do not have to make me feel better.”
With that, she climbed up the stairs again and returned to her room.
* * *
Elizabeth Avery, the Dowager Countess of Strickland
Just as Magnolia climbed up the stairs of the west wing, Elizabeth descended those same stairs. As she landed, she walked to a couch in the parlor with her brows furrowed in a frown and then took her seat and sighed.
She really couldn’t understand what was going on with her children any longer. The marriage was not working. Every day was usually a fight about one thing or the other.
Elizabeth overheard everything her son had said to Hartley, and she had heard everything that had transpired between Magnolia and her son that morning as well. Nothing seemed right, and she had no idea how to make it right.
She knew that Dorothy had talked with Magnolia but even with that, there seemed to be no changes. She couldn’t understand why Adam’s interest in keeping his wife safe should cause so much issues.
Ah, well. She was going to see how far they both would go. Perhaps she should have interfered and talked to Magnolia; but that would have been easier if they both didn’t love each other.
Amidst their constant quarreling, anyone could see how much Adam and Magnolia were in love with each other. Elizabeth could only hope they would realize their differences in time before things got too far out of hand.
* * *
Magnolia Richmond Avery, the Countess of Strickland
Magnolia sighed and lay back on her bed. She was still filled with rage at what Adam had done. How would she be kept a hostage in her own home? Now, she was certain that this marriage had been nothing but a colossal mistake!
She climbed out of bed and began to pace. She had never felt so helpless or so completely like a child. She really couldn’t believe Adam would do this to her, and all she could do was sit on the bed and weep.
Suddenly there was a knock at the door, distracting her. “Who is that?” she asked in a breaking voice, wiping her face.
“Caroline.”
Quickly Magnolia sprang out of bed and rushed to open the door. On seeing her friend, she rushed into her arms.
Caroline looked surprised but later embraced her. “Is everything all right?” she asked, as Magnolia finally moved back and they sat down on the bed.
“Nothing is right, Caroline. Everything is so wrong. Do not ever get married!”
Caroline frowned. “Is it that terrible?”
“Adam just made me a hostage in our home. Is that not outrageous?”
Caroline inhaled and held her hands. “I am certain there’s a reason why he did that.”
“Why do you always make excuses for him?” she demanded, nostrils flaring.
“I am not making excuses for him. I am just trying to make you realize that he loves you and he is looking out for you!”
“This is not love!” Magnolia stated angrily. “He is trying to control me!”
“Yes, to protect you! You and I both know the investigation is getting deep and to be frank, I am afraid for your life and mine.”
Magnolia stood up and turned her back on her friend. “It seems you and Adam have much in common. But you two have no idea how much finding this psychopath means to me.”
She turned around. “This is not a game, Caroline. This is about finding him and bringing him to justice!”
“And if you end up getting killed before you get to him? Have you thought of that?” she cried to her friend, placing her hand on her hips. “This is what your husband is fighting for – to protect you! Do not you understand?”
Magnolia took a quick short breath. Apparently, her friend was no longer on her side. What was wrong with all of these people?
“You said it is not a game,” Caroline continued. “Then you understand that once you die, it is over. No one would continue your quest for revenge. You think you are the only one in this, but that is not true! We are all in this with you!”
“It does not seem like it!” Magnolia said maliciously. She knew she was being stubborn, but she didn’t care. No one was seeing things her way.
“That is a very unkind thing to say!” said Caroline.
“Very well, then. If you are on the same side as I am, can you please go to the goldsmith and find out who owns the cufflink?” Magnolia
pleaded.
Caroline stared at her and shook her head. “Adam did the right thing by keeping you here. You are on a death mission – one that will only end in your own death.”
To Magnolia's surprise, Caroline took her leave. All attempts to persuade her to stay proved futile. Finally, Magnolia went back to her room and slumped on the bed.
Chapter 27
Adam Avery, the Earl of Strickland
The Rodriguez Inn, Spain
Adam checked the time while he waited at the Rodriguez Inn. It was already some minutes past the time they were supposed to meet. He picked up the glass of wine in front of him and drained it in one gulp.
A Mysterious Quest 0f A Seductive Lady (Regency Historical Romance) Page 19