by Olivia Drake
Nate slid his arm around Madelyn in a deliberate display of ownership. “Dunham. You will kindly address my wife as Lady Rowley. Darling, this is the disreputable Lord Dunham.”
“How do you do, my lord?” she said.
Madelyn was still smiling but with tense civility. She didn’t extend her hand as politeness demanded, nor did she curtsy. She watched Dunham almost warily, and Nate wondered if he’d been wrong to think her interested in the man. Rather, there seemed to be an undercurrent of dislike between them.
Why would she have invited him to participate in the auction if she had an aversion to him? Was it just his rank that had attracted her? Whatever the reason, Nate felt disturbed by it.
Dunham waved his glass toward the dance floor. “Was that Theo I saw going off with your sister just now? I’m afraid it won’t do.”
“Won’t do?” Nate repeated coldly.
“I hate to be the bearer of bad tidings, but my brother shan’t be permitted to court her. Houghton would never allow his grandson to have any connection to a family that has been tainted by common blood.”
The direct slap at Madelyn made Nate’s fingers clench into fists. “If you insist upon insulting my wife, then let’s settle the matter in the boxing ring. Just name the time and place.”
Those pale blue eyes widened slightly. “Fisticuffs,” Dunham scoffed. “That was always your manner of solving disputes, not mine. I ask only that you warn your sister not to expect Theo to come calling.”
With that, he walked away into the horde of guests. The stinking coward. Nate would have enjoyed planting a hook into that weaselly face. It was hard to believe they’d once been cronies, drinking and gambling and carousing together. He must have been out of his mind to associate with such a ne’er-do-well.
He looked down at Madelyn. As she stared after Dunham, her face was pale, her lips compressed. Nate had never seen her so wounded that she could not speak.
The sight stirred a protective instinct in him. “I’m sorry you had to be subjected to that,” he murmured, gently squeezing her hand. “I’ll make certain Dunham never again comes near you.”
She lifted her chin and looked at him. Her blue eyes blazed with anger. “You needn’t coddle me. I’m perfectly capable of watching out for myself. If you’ll excuse me now, I shall return to Lady Gilmore.”
Stunned, Nate stared as she glided away, the incomparable lady as she sailed through the crowd and sat down with his grandmother and the other matrons. He’d been wrong to think Madelyn distressed. She was furious. At him? What the devil had he done but defend her?
No, surely her anger was directed at Dunham. She must be incensed at him for barring Theo from seeing Emily. And she’d be affronted at being dismissed as common.
Whatever the reason for her ire, Nate resolved to keep a closer eye on his wife. Not just tonight but in the coming days as well. There was something between Dunham and Madelyn, something that didn’t quite make sense.
And he intended to find out exactly what it was.
* * *
The following morning at nine, Maddy entered the dining room to see the Earl of Gilmore sitting alone at the head of the table.
She stopped, tempted to make a quiet retreat. The newspaper he was holding blocked him from seeing her in the doorway. What was he doing here at this hour? The earl usually breakfasted promptly at eight. By nine, he was ensconced in the library with his papers and books. She had learned his daily routine in order to avoid his company. But their late return from the party the previous evening must have caused him to alter his strict schedule.
She balked at the notion of making stilted conversation with her father-in-law over the breakfast table. Frankly, the man intimidated her. According to Nathan, the earl had tried to have their marriage annulled. Keenly aware of his resentment of her, she often felt tongue-tied around him. She could do nothing to improve their strained relationship, either, for she had been charged with the task of irritating him.
She was being paid handsomely for her efforts, Maddy reminded herself. It was necessary for her to earn her keep. Besides, the footman standing on duty by the sideboard kept flicking glances at her. And the food laid out there smelled delicious, making her stomach rumble.
She pasted on a chipper smile and advanced into the room. “Good morning, Papa. I trust you are feeling well today.”
Gilmore lowered the newspaper to regard her. Maddy knew she looked respectable in the stylish morning gown of bronze silk. Yet not even the tiniest hint of welcome cracked that dour façade. He merely gave her a nod, then lifted his cup to the footman, who scurried over to refill it from a silver coffeepot.
Maddy proceeded to the sideboard. The chafing dishes held a vast array of kippers and sausages, eggs and deviled kidneys, porridge and toast. Even after a few weeks living here, she never failed to be awed by the lavish meals. At the theater, she’d felt lucky to break her fast with stale bread and a sliver of cheese. Now she filled a plate with coddled eggs and bacon. Then she marched boldly forward to seat herself at the earl’s right hand.
The footman came to pour steaming tea into her cup, and Maddy added a trickle of cream, stirring it with a silver spoon. Gilmore continued to read his newspaper as if she weren’t even present.
She buttered a slice of toast. If there was to be a conversation, she would have to start it. “Lady Milford’s party was a brilliant success, was it not? It seemed we all enjoyed it very much.”
The earl glared over the top of his newspaper. “You behaved adequately last night. Is that what you wish to hear from me? Then consider it said.”
Maddy tried not to quail under that unfriendly stare. Adequately. Was that all? But she hadn’t been fishing for a compliment, anyway. “I was thinking of Lady Emily in particular. She danced with quite a few young gentlemen. She seemed especially taken with Lord Theodore Langley.”
Instantly, she was sorry to have spoken that name, although Gilmore merely grunted and returned to his newspaper. Lord Theo was her cousin and she mustn’t single him out lest someone guess the connection or glimpse a family resemblance. Besides, Lord Dunham had forbidden the courtship.
Houghton would never allow his grandson to have any connection to a family that has been tainted by common blood.
She took a bite of egg without really tasting it. His crass statement had lit the fuse of her fury. She had barely been able to contain herself from blurting out that she and Dunham shared the same blue blood.
But that revelation must wait for the moment when she came face-to-face with their mutual grandfather, the Duke of Houghton. Perhaps at the ball he was giving sometime in May.
Gilmore folded his newspaper and laid it down beside his empty plate. His dark brown eyes penetrated her. Abruptly, he asked, “Who are your people?”
Maddy’s heart pounded. She took her time slathering gooseberry jam on her toast. “My people?”
“Your relatives, your family,” he said in irritation. “Who taught you to speak like a lady? You could not have learned such refinement in your short time here in this house.”
“Oh.” She felt on familiar ground now. “I’m an actress, as were my parents before me. I grew up in the theater. From an early age, I learned to imitate speech patterns, to play many different roles. It was a necessary part of my work.”
His flinty stare made her uncomfortable. It was hard not to look away, to pretend a brashness that she didn’t really feel.
He dabbed his mouth with a linen serviette. “I presume you also became adept with the use of cosmetics at the theater.”
“Why, yes.”
“Emily was wearing face paint last night. My mother would never have allowed it. None of the servants would have dared to disobey her. And Sophia denied any complicity. That leaves only you, Madelyn.”
She clutched her fork, the whorled pattern pressing into her fingers. His stern expression daunted her. His face bore a network of the same unfortunate pits as Emily’s, a legacy of the illness that h
ad claimed the life of his eldest son. How could he be angry over the improvement in his daughter’s looks?
Maddy refused to apologize for helping the girl. “Yes, I did use a bit of powder and paint to minimize Emily’s scars. You mustn’t hold her to blame, either. It was entirely my doing. I can be quite insistent and persuasive, you see!”
“I am not blaming anyone,” he said testily. “My daughter looked exceptionally fine last night. It seems I am obliged to thank you for that.”
Rising, the earl pushed back his chair. Maddy gawked at him in astonishment. Before she could articulate a reply, he walked away and vanished out the door.
Chapter 16
Two hours later, Maddy was still mulling over the possibility that the Earl of Gilmore might have a trace of humanity in him, after all, when his son stepped into the morning room.
Nathan’s broad shoulders and tall form made the spacious chamber seem suddenly smaller. The walnut-brown coat brought out the gold flecks in his green eyes, while tan breeches and black knee boots outlined his long legs. A warm attraction pulled at her, a testament to his magnetism. It was hard to believe that less than a month ago, she had not even known he existed.
When he opened his mouth to speak, however, she held her finger to her lips and glanced meaningfully at Lady Gilmore, who sat dozing in the chair opposite Maddy.
The dowager’s chin sagged to the bosom of her pigeon-gray gown. Her eyes were closed in her wrinkled face, and a light, rhythmic snoring emanated from her. She had fallen asleep some ten minutes earlier and Maddy was loath to awaken her.
She quietly closed the book in her lap and set it aside. Then she arose from the chaise and tiptoed to the door to join Nathan. Catching hold of his arm, she steered him down the corridor toward the front of the house.
“What a relief,” Maddy said with feeling. “Your grandmother has been especially petulant this morning.”
“Exhaustion from the late party, perhaps?” Smiling, Nathan ran the backs of his fingers down her cheek. “It doesn’t seem to have affected you. And you certainly had less sleep than her.”
A delicious shiver coursed through Maddy. He had been especially attentive to her in bed last night, taking care to arouse her so completely that she fancied the aftereffects of pleasure still softened her body. Or perhaps it was just that smile of his now that made her so weak-kneed.
She strove for control. “Actually, I was growing quite drowsy myself while reading to her. A book of dry sermons isn’t designed to keep a person awake for very long.”
He frowned slightly as they strolled down the sumptuous passageway. “I thought the book was for your own enjoyment. But you were reading aloud to Grandmamma?”
“I always do so each morning. She claims it’s good for me to practice my diction. But the truth is, she won’t admit her eyesight is poor. She insists she doesn’t need spectacles, only that silly quizzing glass.”
Nathan stopped just outside the door to the drawing room and took hold of her upper arms. “You needn’t feel compelled to do her bidding, Madelyn. If Grandmamma needs a companion, I’ll speak to the earl about hiring one.”
“I don’t mind helping out. I’m used to staying busy.” At the theater she’d had rehearsals and costume fittings and a hundred other duties to occupy her days.
“Nonsense, you’re a lady now. I won’t have my wife treated as a servant. You’re free to occupy your days as you wish.”
“What else am I to do? I can’t shop or go to the park. The dowager expressly forbade me to leave this house.”
“That was before you passed your test with flying colors last night.”
To Maddy’s surprise, Nathan pulled her into the quiet drawing room, guiding her to the one of the windows that looked out over the square. It was late morning, and people were out strolling or walking their dogs in the sunshine. The squeeze of his hand around hers drew her attention back to him. “That’s why I sought you out just now,” he went on. “To commend you on winning our wager.”
“Wager?”
“On our wedding night, you vowed to transform yourself into the perfect lady. We agreed that if you succeeded, then I would reward you with diamonds.”
Maddy blinked. She had made that thoughtless demand in a fit of nervousness about the night ahead. But she didn’t want him to continue to think her a fortune hunter.
She placed her hand on his cheek, loving the faintly raspy feel of it even though he had shaved that morning. “Nathan, that really isn’t necessary. You’ve given me enough already with the new wardrobe and the stipend. I don’t require anything else.”
“Quite the contrary. There is indeed something you need.” A half smile playing on his lips, he reached into an inner pocket of his coat. “It occurred to me that you were shortchanged at our nuptials. I should like to rectify the matter.”
He held out his hand. Between his forefinger and thumb, he held a gold circlet with a large, square-cut diamond and two smaller diamonds on either side. The gemstones winked in the sunlight.
Her eyes widened on the ring. A rush of tender emotion filled her throat. Of all the jewels he could have given her, she had never expected something that called to her heart. Something that hinted he might have deeper feelings for her than mere lust.
She tore her gaze from the ring and looked up, trying to read his enigmatic expression. “It’s … beautiful.”
“I’m glad you approve. Shall we complete the ceremony, then?” Taking her left hand, he slid the circlet onto her finger. “With this ring I thee wed.”
Her heart thudded as she gazed down at the diamonds sparkling on her hand. She blinked against a hot prickling in her eyes. It was foolish to feel a tightness in her bosom, to wonder if Nathan might be falling in love with her. It was imprudent to wish their marriage could be more than one of convenience, for she must not want something that could never be. Yet she felt more newly married in this moment than she’d felt that cold day in church.
She lifted her soft gaze to his face. “Thank you, Nathan.”
Standing on tiptoes, she brushed her lips across his. He pulled her close and deepened the kiss, his mouth playing with hers for one heartfelt moment of tenderness. Then he drew away all too soon.
He took a step back and regarded her with a look of aloof satisfaction. “Last night, you were wearing gloves, so no one noticed your lack of a ring. But that won’t always be the case. It would raise eyebrows in society if you’re seen without my wedding band.”
So that was his true purpose. To brand her as his. The gift had no romantic significance to it whatsoever.
The bubble of wistful yearning burst, leaving her deflated. She thought back to their waltz at the party, when she had teased him about taking a lover once he left England. He had appeared displeased by the notion, and the heady thought that he might be jealous had prompted her to needle him all the more. Now, it struck her that he intended for the ring to be a constant reminder that she belonged only to him.
Not out of love, but because he’d bought and paid for her.
Little did Nathan realize, though, she desired no man but him. The prospect of an affair repulsed her. She didn’t know if the muddle of emotions he stirred inside her ought to be labeled love or fondness or friendship. All she knew for certain was that she craved to be with him, to talk to him, to probe behind the cool façade he showed to the world.
“I must be going now,” he said briskly, taking out a gold watch and consulting it before replacing it in his pocket. “I’ve some pressing business at my warehouse. I shall be back in time for tea.”
He turned to leave the drawing room, but on impulse Maddy caught hold of his sleeve. “May I go, too?”
Nathan frowned. “There will likely be callers this afternoon, wanting to have a closer look at you after last night’s party. Grandmamma will require you to be here.”
“So that I might be examined like an exotic creature in a zoo? All the more reason for me to escape this house for a while.”
/>
“I have paperwork and you’ll be bored silly.”
“Not nearly as bored as I’d be listening to the gossip of catty aristocrats.” Smiling, she stroked his cheek, conscious of the ring weighing on her finger. “Please, Nathan, I haven’t been out in the daylight for over two weeks. Won’t you take me with you?”
He stared at her a moment before nodding. “As you wish, then.”
* * *
The London docks were no place for a lady. Nate was sorry he hadn’t considered that before letting himself be wheedled by his wife. But he didn’t seem to have the fortitude to deny Madelyn anything. Especially when she aimed that dazzling smile at him.
She was smiling now as she alighted from the carriage with the assistance of his hand. The elegance of her bronze-hued gown looked incongruous against the filthy cobblestones. Her ocean-blue eyes glowed inside the brim of a chocolate-brown bonnet tied beneath her chin with an amber ribbon. She lifted her face to the midday sun and breathed deeply as if savoring the rotten stench off the Thames.
He found it impossible to believe she could enjoy these rough surroundings. But she was glancing around with interest at the many ships and the activities of the dockworkers.
He himself liked the hustle and bustle of the docks. He liked hearing the shouts of the sailors, seeing the forest of masts, smelling the tang of salt in the damp, fishy air. He especially liked the sense of being a useful part of this well-oiled machine that brought in goods to fill the demands of a great city.
A male whistle of appreciation came from somewhere behind them. Nate turned around with a scowl, but couldn’t tell if it was one of the stevedores unloading a nearby ship or a dockworker rolling a barrel along the busy waterfront.
Leaving the carriage in the care of a coachman and footman, he guided Madelyn around a series of dirty puddles and toward a warehouse, the bricks blackened from soot. “I oughtn’t have brought you here,” he muttered. “The men who frequent the docks are coarse fellows, and I don’t like the way they’re looking at you.”