Love Comes Blindly

by Marie Higgins

  She pulled away. “Gregg, that man is McFadden.” She nodded toward the burly man.

  Gregg’s eyebrows rose. “You don’t say. We’ll have to tie him up good then, so he doesn’t slip away before he’s hanged for murder.”

  On quaky legs, she hurried to the saddle, retrieved the rope, and brought it back. Gregg gave her the pistol and secured McFadden’s wrists behind his back.

  Tom McClain turned over the man with scratches on his face and kicked his leg. “Sit up so I can tie you.”

  Madeline kept a sharp eye on him, thinking he might run at any moment.

  When Gregg was finished with McFadden, he moved to the man Tom struggled with. Gregg’s footsteps slowed the closer he came.

  “Oh, good Lord,” Gregg muttered. He sank to his knees and grasped the redhead’s shoulders. Gregg cussed and shook his head. “Why? Why did you pretend you were dead, Harvey?”

  Madeline sucked in a quick breath. Harvey? Gregg’s friend who they’d thought had been blown to bits from the cannon?

  The redhead’s eyes narrowed on Gregg. “McFadden paid me good money, that’s why.”

  Gregg’s fingers raked through his hair as he groaned. “Did you know McFadden was going to fire the cannon at us?”

  “Yes.”

  “Why, Harvey? Do you know we could have lost our lives? Jonathan Black did! Why did you and McFadden do that? What had we ever done to you—or him?”

  “For a few months now, I’ve been secretly working with McFadden. We are with a group of men who want revenge against Britain for winning the war.”

  Gregg gasped as if shocked. “What a senseless...” He growled. “So what does this have to do with me? Why were we targeted at all? We’re not soldiers.”

  “Owners of newspapers are our biggest threat.” Harvey pulled out a handkerchief from his over jacket pocket and pushed it against his broken nose. “People read about the terrible things happening in the world and it makes them angry. Our secret society wanted to get back at people like you, Fielding. We must put a stop to it anyway we can.”

  Gregg shook his head. “Harvey, did you ever once consider McFadden had lost his mind? I cannot believe you, of all people, decided to join forces with him. Harvey, I believe you have lost your mind along with old man McFadden. You deserve the same fate.”

  He yanked Harvey’s arms and pulled them behind his back to tie them with the rope. “As it is, you joined with the wrong people. Traitors are hanged, or have you forgotten?”

  Gregg tied both men to different horses, before walking back to Madeline. Her body still shook, and her arms were very little protection crossing over her torn bodice. He shrugged out of his overcoat and wrapped it around her.

  “Oh, Gregg. I prayed you would find me.”

  He wrapped her in his arms. “It seems I’m always protecting you from men who want to violate your person.”

  Glancing up at him, she tried to chuckle. “And I’ll never forget your kindness.”

  He wiped his thumb under her eye to dry a tear. “I knew you hadn’t run away, as the soldiers and the Reverend Mother tried to explain. Of course it was the worry etched on the woman’s face that made me guess what happened. That’s when I rounded up some men to assist me.”

  “Thank you,” she whispered through a choked voice and cried into his chest again. “I thought I’d lost you. I thought you had left last night...” She sniffed.

  “Actually, I did leave.” He stroked her back. “But when Drake and I arrived in town and discovered the train wouldn’t be back by another two days, Drake talked me into coming back to the Abbey with him. He really wasn’t ready to travel, and I knew it best to get him back to the good Sisters under their care.”

  She lifted her head and met his caring eyes. “Gregg, I love you, and I meant what I said this morning about returning to England with you after we are married.”

  “You do?” He cupped her face.

  “After meeting you, my feelings for Andrew disappeared. He was not the reason I didn’t want to return—yet in a way he was. I’m frightened to face him and Juliana and ask forgiveness from them. It’s been three long years, and I don’t know if I have the courage.”

  Gregg smiled and kissed her lips briefly. “My lovely Maddie. It’s been a while since you have seen your family. Juliana and Andrew are very happily married and have two children. I can guarantee they forgave you a long time ago.”

  A knot of emotion clogged her throat as more tears burned her eyes. “But...what if they haven’t? What if they don’t ever want to see me again?”

  Gregg stroked her hair. “I don’t understand why you’re so upset over this. You have convinced me you’re a changed woman, which couldn’t have been an easy task. I was very reluctant, you know.” She nodded as he continued, “So, if you’re able to convince a stubborn person like me, why not your sister and Andrew?” He smiled. “Besides that, you’re forgetting one thing.”

  “I am?”

  “Yes. You will be my wife when we return, and I’ll be there for you when you confront your family. You won’t be alone.”

  Her bottom lip trembled, and she bit it to make it stop. Slowly, she nodded. “You still want me as your wife?”

  His face relaxed, and his smile widened. “Yes. I have never loved another woman. You’re the only one for me, Madeline.”

  He pulled her face to his as he captured her mouth. She threw her arms around his neck and held him tight, showing him through her kiss how much she loved him. His hands moved down her neck to her shoulders, then around her back as he pulled her closer.

  She broke the kiss and rested her head in the crook of his neck. “Your love gives me strength, Gregg. And I know if you’re by my side, I can accomplish anything...even talking with my family.”

  “Settled. As soon as we get back to town, we’ll marry. Until then,” he glanced over his shoulder at the traitors, “we need to get these men to the captain and have them arrested for treason.” He met her stare again. “After that, I want to hold you in my arms and never let you go.”

  She sighing and smiled. “I’m all yours.”

  Chapter Twelve

  Madeline stared at her wedding ring as she sat next to her husband in the carriage. The rhythm of the vehicle relaxed her slightly, along with the man she loved and who fulfilled his promise to come with her when she met her family.

  Father Irvine performed their ceremony as promised, with only a few of the nuns and Lord Drake in attendance. She was happy with that. The smaller the better.

  Their train ride to London had gone smoothly, too. And their nights... She smiled. Their nights were unforgettable. Gregg made her happier than she’d ever expected. Whatever she’d done to deserve this, she was grateful for it.

  As the coach slowed and turned, she looked out the window. Her heart jumped into her throat and her body shook with nervousness. The place in which she’d been raised loomed before her. Flowers were in full bloom, and the lawns were green and well taken care of. The coach ambled up the marbled drive and stopped in front of the two-story house. The windows wells had been trimmed with greenery and the house had been painted.

  Emotion blossomed in her chest and tears stung her eyes as she thought of the home that she had lost. Why had she tried so hard as a child to compete with her sister? Madeline had been jealous of Juliana for as long as she could remember.

  It was hard to let the past go. But she must. She wasn’t the same spoiled girl now.

  “It looks like my father has kept the servants busy.”

  Gregg nodded. “He has. Now that your mother’s health has improved, your father has become more active in a lot of things.”

  Grasping his hands tightly, she gazed up into his gorgeous blue eyes. “Is my mother really better? Has she been healed completely?”

  “I can’t answer that, my lovely. You’ll have to ask her.”

  She sighed heavily and glanced out the window again. “Part of me wants to return to the Abbey and hide. I think
that was what I did three years ago—hide. I wasn’t ready to face my problems, so I ran to the nuns. I convinced myself during that time that I was safe, and staying with them meant I didn’t have to return to my former life.”

  “Darling?” His finger turned her chin so that she looked upon him again. “You’re not returning to your former life. Remember that.”

  She smiled. “You’re right. I am a different person now.”

  “Yes you are, or I wouldn’t have fallen deeply in love with you.”

  She sat up straighter. “Well, let’s get this over with. I’m excited about seeing my parents again. It’s Juliana and Andrew that I’m not looking forward to seeing.”

  “We can see them tomorrow if you like, but I thought it necessary to see your parents right away.”

  “You are an intelligent man.”

  When the coach came to a stop and the groom opened the door, Gregg climbed down and then turned to help Madeline out. When her feet touched the floor, she swept her hand over her hair, which she had pulled back into a chignon, and patted the tendrils around her ears. She smoothed out the wrinkles of her sky-blue gown with white lace overskirt before looping her arm around Gregg’s and walking with him to the front door.

  She didn’t want to admit it, but wearing nice gowns made her feel pretty again. She’d missed that these past three years.

  Gregg pulled the bell cord, and Madeline held her breath. Would her parents welcome her with open arms? Would they forgive her for her past mistakes?

  The door opened, and the butler stood in his dignified uniform. She didn’t know this man. What happened to the butler who’d been employed with them when she lived here?

  “May I help you?” the servant inquired.

  “Yes,” Gregg said. “I am Mr. Gregg Fielding, and this is my wife, Madeline. I know we haven’t announced ourselves properly, but it’s very important that we see Lord Brummel and his wife.”

  “May I ask what is of such great importance?”

  Gregg grinned at the older man. “My wife is someone,” he said as he inclined his head toward Madeline, “who Lord Brummel and his wife have not seen for three years. This is Madeline O’Neil, Lord and Lady Brummel’s youngest daughter.”

  The butler’s eyes opened wide as he gave Madeline a quick assessment, then within a few seconds, his face relaxed as a smile appeared on his wrinkled face. “Yes, my lord. I’ll allow you and your wife to enter. I must say, Lord Brummel will certainly be pleased this morning.”

  As Gregg stepped into the house, he squeezed Madeline’s cold hand. “If you will, please don’t tell them about their daughter. Just inform them that Gregg Fielding is here to see them with some important news.”

  “Yes, milord.” The butler nodded and then showed them into the drawing room to wait.

  When the butler left the room, Madeline turned into her husband’s embrace for comfort. His big strong arms wound around her, bringing warmth into her body. “I’m shaking like a frightened kitten.”

  “They are going to be deliriously happy. Didn’t you see the way the butler’s face lit up when he recognized your name? If he knew you were not welcomed here, he wouldn’t have looked so joyous.”

  Tilting her head up, she gazed into Gregg’s caring face. “As always, you’re correct.”

  Gregg’s eyes darkened as he bent his head to kiss her. She’d never get tired of seeing the look of desire on his face. When his lips met hers, she felt his love.

  Footsteps echoed out in the hallway, so Madeline quickly pulled away. She stood by Gregg’s side, holding his elbow for support as the doors opened. Her stepfather and mother walked in, and she held her breath. It took all of her strength not to run crying into their arms.

  When their attention rested on her, their eyes widened, and they froze. Her mother gasped as her hand flew to her cover her mouth, and Clifford’s eyes swelled with tears.

  “Madeline?” her mother asked, hesitantly.

  “Yes, it is I.”

  A sob tore loose from her mother as she ran toward Madeline. She broke away from Gregg to meet her mother halfway, throwing her arms around her as cries of joy sprang from her throat. Her mother sobbed and held tight. Her stepfather wrapped his long arms around both of them and kissed her cheek.

  “Oh, Madeline!” her mother cried. “I didn’t think we’d ever see you again.”

  “I didn’t, either.”

  “Madeline? Where were you all these years?” her father’s teary voice questioned.

  “Does it matter? I’m back home now.” She sniffed and wiped her eyes.

  Pulling away slightly, her mother swept her glassy eyes over Madeline as a smile stretched her mouth. “Maddie? Please tell us where you’ve been. We were so worried about you.”

  “Didn’t you receive the letter I sent?”

  “Yes, but we still worried.”

  Madeline’s gaze moved to Gregg. He nodded.

  She took a deep breath before explain where she’d been and what she’d been doing. Both her parents stared agape at her. It was almost comical, but she refrained from chuckling. “That is where I met Gregg...again. He actually thought I was a nun.”

  Her mother, Candace, gasped, and Clifford’s first reaction was to laugh, but he quickly stopped himself. This made Gregg tilt his head back and laugh.

  “Not to worry, Lord Brummel. I had the same reaction when I first thought she was a nun.”

  Madeline relaxed. Her parents seem to accept her and her past. She prayed her stepsister and brother-in-law could do the same.

  Gregg moved up beside Madeline and slid his arm around her waist lovingly. “Lord and Lady Brummel, I tried my hardest not to believe she had changed, but her actions and deeds proved to me she had.” He looked down at his Madeline and smiled. “Do you want to tell them the best part, or shall I?”

  “I’ll let you.” Happiness bubbled in her chest.

  Gregg’s attention went back to her parents. “Lord and Lady Brummel? Something wonderful happened during my stay in Scotland. I was wounded badly, and my eyesight was taken from for a short time. During my stay at the Abbey, I fell in love with one of the nurses, who I’d thought was a nun, but I couldn’t help myself. Once I regained my eyesight and discovered it was Maddie, I tried to deny my feelings. I couldn’t, and luckily your daughter was having the same kind of feelings for me. She and I were married before we left to come home.”

  Both Clifford and Constance laughed at the same time. Unshed tears twinkled in their eyes. Clifford hugged Madeline again, then turned and hugged Gregg.

  “You know,” Clifford said to Gregg, “three years ago when Juliana told me about Maddie’s engagement to you, I thought it was the best match in the world. When I found out it never happened, it saddened me deeply. I can’t be more happy than I am now.” He turned and hugged them again.

  When he stepped back, Constance threw her arms around them, too. “I love you so much, Maddie, and I’m so happy that you’re finally happy.”

  “Oh, yes, Mother. Gregg is the most wonderful man in the world.”

  From out of the room, loud voices echoed through the hallway. A child’s voice made her swing toward the door in surprise. A little boy, perhaps two years old, rushed into the room.

  “Gramma, Grampa!”

  Madeline’s heart dropped. Juliana and Andrew must not be too far behind, Madeline surmised. Her heart hammered out of control, and a cold chill spread through her body again. Instead of watching for her sister and brother-in-law, she couldn’t pull her gaze from the cute little boy. He was a spitting image of his mother with the reddish-blonde hair and big eyes, yet he had his father’s lean, masculine features.

  “Why, hello, David,” Constance greeted as she bent and picked up the boy. “Are you here all alone, or are your parents with you?”

  He giggled and pointed toward the hall.

  Madeline swung her attention to the door just as Juliana and Andrew entered. Maddie’s sister looked different. She was more beautifu
l than Madeline remembered. Of course, being happily married did that to women.

  Andrew was also very handsome, and looked upon Juliana as if she was the most precious thing in his life. Madeline’s heart melted. She was pleased to see them finally happy.

  Juliana looked at Gregg, her eyes widening, and a grin pulled at the corners of her mouth. “Gregg!” She rushed to him and took his hands. “I heard about your accident. Are you well now? I heard you were blind.”

  He grinned. “I was for a time, but I’m better now. Thank you.” Gregg looked at Andrew and nodded. “Lawrence. How are you this fine day?”

  “Splendid.” He stepped closer to Juliana, and then his gaze landed on Madeline.

  Madeline’s heart pounded fiercely as she watched Andrew’s reaction, wringing her hands against her stomach. Slowly, his eyes widened the same way her parents had when they first recognized her.

  She swallowed hard and then forced herself to smile at the man she thought she’d once loved. She had hurt him just as much as she’d hurt her sister, and she wanted their forgiveness and acceptance more than anything.

  Andrew slipped his arm around Juliana’s waist. “My sweet, you have seemed to overlook the other person in this room.” He smiled at Madeline and nodded.

  Juliana’s gaze latched onto Madeline’s. Although she felt like crying, she tried her hardest to hold the smile. Her body couldn’t stop its nervous shaking, but she tried to act calm, nonetheless.

  “Good day, Juliana,” Madeline said softly as she studied her sister’s expression.

  Color faded from Juliana’s face and her mouth opened. Madeline’s heart sank and emotion lodged in her throat.

  Then, just as quickly, color returned to Juliana’s face and she smiled widely. She hurried to Madeline, her grin growing wider, and took her cold hands.

  “Madeline? Is it really you?” Juliana’s gaze roamed up and down her body. “You...you have changed so much! You’re absolutely beautiful!” She turned to Andrew. “Isn’t she just lovely, my dear?”

  Andrew moved by his wife and touched his hand to Madeline’s cheek. “Yes. Madeline, the years have been extremely kind, for which I’m pleased.”