by Laura Beers
Madalene giggled, bringing her hand up to cover her mouth. “You are terrible, but that is a good way to describe him.”
“It feels good to call him names,” Jane said, rising.
“I must admit that it does.”
Jane walked over to the settee and sat down. She patted the seat next to her and asked, “Now, will you tell me what is going on with you and my brother?”
“Nothing is going on between us,” Madalene replied.
“Heavens, you don’t truly expect me to believe that, do you?”
“It is not what you are thinking.”
“Good,” Jane replied. “Why don’t you start with why my brother called on you a few days ago?”
Madalene walked over and sat down on the seat next to her friend. “He had a lead on some missing girls, and he thought one of them might be Edith. Furthermore, he needed to ask a favor of me.”
“Which was?”
“He needed to abduct me,” she replied, holding her breath, “and use me as bait.”
Jane jumped up from her seat. “And you allowed him to do this—willingly?”
“I did,” Madalene said. “He took me to where the other missing girls were being held and a man tied my wrists together. Then, we were to wait for Bow Street Runners to rescue us.”
“And?”
“The Bow Street Runners didn’t raid the pub until much later, but they did rescue five girls that were about to be sold into slavery,” she admitted.
“Was Edith among the missing girls?”
“Sadly, she was not.”
Jane placed a hand on her hip. “And where was my brother during all of this?”
“He went to have a drink with the man who tied my hands together,” Madalene revealed.
“Didn’t he at least see you home?”
Madalene shook her head. “Lord Oliver saw to that,” she said. “He arrived with a coach and ensured I returned home safely.”
“What were you thinking, Madalene?” Jane asked. “You put your life in the hands of my brother. That was rather a stupid thing to do.”
“I just wanted to find Edith.”
“As do I, but not at the expense of losing you, as well,” Jane said as she returned to her seat.
Madalene pressed her lips together before admitting, “I worry that your brother might be in danger.”
“Why do you say that?”
“He is associating with disreputable people, and I couldn’t help but see his demeanor change in front of my captor.”
“In what way?”
“It was as if he became another person,” Madalene muttered. “I know that sounds foolish, but it is true.”
“That doesn’t surprise me in the least,” Jane said with a shake of her head, “especially since I don’t recognize the man who came home.”
Madalene shifted in her seat. “We must help him.”
“How?”
“Will you talk to him?”
Jane huffed. “My brother and I aren’t exactly on speaking terms right now.”
“Why is that?”
“I’m afraid it is fairly complicated,” Jane remarked dismissively.
Madalene blew out a puff of air. “I see.”
“But,” Jane hesitated, “I will see what I can do.”
“Thank you,” Madalene said. “You are the best…”
Her voice trailed off when the door to the drawing room opened and Lord Hawthorne stepped into the room. His eyes widened when they landed on her, and he rushed to say, “My apologies. I didn’t mean to intrude.”
“Nonsense,” Madalene said, abruptly rising. “I was just leaving.”
“You were?” Jane asked.
Madalene nodded. “I was, but would you like to meet for some lemon ice at Gunter’s tomorrow?”
“I would.”
“Wonderful,” Madalene replied. “I shall see myself out, then.”
As she walked towards the door, she offered Lord Hawthorne a polite smile. He acknowledged it with a tip of his head.
She stepped out of the drawing room and swiftly walked across the entry hall, hoping to create more distance between her and Lord Hawthorne.
A deep, baritone voice came from behind her. “A word, Miss Dowding.”
Madalene stopped and closed her eyes in dread. The last thing she wanted to do right now was converse with him.
Slowly, she turned around and watched as he approached her. “Yes, Lord Hawthorne,” she said, hoping her words were cordial enough.
He stopped in front of her, leaving more than enough distance to be considered proper. “I would like to apologize for my harsh words earlier this morning.”
An apology? She had not been expecting that.
“Thank you for that, my lord,” she replied, and started to turn away, but his next words stopped her.
“I hope we can remain friends.”
“Friends?” she repeated back incredulously.
Lord Hawthorne was watching her with an intensity that she could not discern. “Am I being too presumptuous in assuming that we are friends?” he asked.
“No, you are not,” she rushed to say. “I would be honored to call you my friend.”
A smile came to his lips, making him devilishly handsome. Now where had that thought come from, she wondered.
He took a step closer to her and said, “I am happy to hear that, especially after everything we have been through.”
“I agree,” she responded, returning his smile.
They both remained rooted in their spots, smiling at one another, when Jane’s voice came from behind her brother.
“You must not delay Madalene’s departure any longer, Brother,” Jane remarked tersely.
Lord Hawthorne blinked, and the smile dropped from his lips. “Of course,” he replied. “My apologies… again.”
Madalene shifted her gaze towards Jane. “I shall see you tomorrow, Jane,” she said before turning to leave.
Once she had stepped onto the cobblestone courtyard, Madalene found her smile returning. Why did the thought of being Lord Hawthorne’s friend have to be so intriguing? And how was it possible that she was this fickle about him? Hadn’t she just been afraid of him?
Good heavens, she thought. She didn’t know what to think about Lord Hawthorne anymore.
Chapter Thirteen
The moment Miss Dowding had departed from Hawthorne House, Jane exclaimed, “You abducted my friend?!”
Baldwin sighed before turning back towards his sister. “She shouldn’t have told you that.”
“Why?” Jane asked, placing a hand on her hip. “Is it because you want to keep up the pretense of being such an honorable lord?”
“If you would like to talk about this, I suggest that we adjourn to the privacy of my study,” Baldwin said. His tone brooked no argument, and he started walking towards the rear of the townhouse.
Jane followed closely behind, and he could practically feel her piercing gaze on his back. He stopped in front of the open door and stood to the side. Once Jane had entered, he stepped inside and closed the door behind him. He walked over to the drink cart, knowing he would need something strong to drink to help him with this conversation.
As he removed the stopper from the decanter, he asked, “What is on your mind, dear sister?”
“You abducted my friend.”
“To say that would imply she wasn’t in on the ruse.”
“Do you have no remorse?”
Baldwin poured himself a drink before he responded. “I do not,” he replied. “Because of Miss Dowding’s cooperation, we were able to rescue five girls who had gone missing and saved them from a life of slavery.”
“Did you not concern yourself with Madalene’s reputation in the least?”
“I care greatly,” he replied, “which is why every care was taken to ensure no one discovered what we intended to do.”
“Madalene said you left her alone with the girls while you went off to have a drink with the person who t
ied her hands together.”
“That is true.” He took a sip of his drink.
Jane eyed him suspiciously as she lowered her voice. “Why are you even associating with those types of people?”
“You do not need to concern yourself with that.”
“You cannot possibly be in earnest!” she exclaimed in disbelief.
With his drink in his hand, Baldwin walked over to his desk and sat down. “Why do you say that?”
“Because if word ever got around Town that you were associating with those types of people, you would damage our family’s reputation.”
“No one will ever know,” he gave her a pointed look, “unless you intend to tell them.”
“Why would I intentionally ruin our reputation amongst the ton?”
Baldwin brought the glass up to his lips. “Frankly, I don’t know what to think about you anymore.”
“I feel the same way about you,” she countered.
He considered his sister for a moment before saying, “We can’t keep going on this way. We need to sort out our differences and move on.”
“Move on?” she asked, arching an eyebrow. “You just want me to forgive you for abandoning our family and be done with it?”
“I understand your hostility—”
She cut him off. “No, you don’t,” she declared. “When Father died, I needed you here. I needed my brother, but you left, without an explanation.”
“And I am sorry for that.”
“Are you?” she asked.
“I am sorry for hurting you.”
“But not for leaving?”
Placing his empty glass on the desk, Baldwin replied, “I had to leave.”
“Why?” she asked, coming closer to the desk. “Why did you have to leave your family when we were all grieving Father’s death?”
“It is a long story.”
“I have time.”
With a shake of his head, he asserted, “I’m afraid you wouldn’t understand my reasons.”
Jane sat down on a chair that faced the desk. “Perhaps not, but I am willing to try,” she said, her voice softening.
“I was not prepared for Father’s death,” he murmured.
“None of us were.”
Baldwin abruptly rose from his chair and walked over to the window. He continued to stare out at the gardens. “After I discovered Father had died, I knew I needed to leave Hawthorne House, to escape his memory,” he shared.
“But what about us?”
Bringing his gaze back to meet his sister’s, he admitted hesitantly, “I’m afraid I was only thinking of myself.”
“Where did you go?”
“That is not important.”
Jane looked displeased by his response. “Why are you keeping so many secrets?”
“I’m trying to protect you, Jane,” he stated.
“I don’t need your protection anymore.”
Baldwin turned and leaned back against the windowsill. “You may not want my protection, but I will always extend it towards you,” he said. “You may hate me, but I will always love you.”
Jane paused. “I don’t hate you, but I am angry with you.”
“That is a start, at least.”
Glancing down at her lap, Jane said, “We used to be so close before Father died. Why don’t you trust me anymore?”
“I do trust you.”
Jane gave him a disbelieving look. “No, you won’t even tell me where you have spent the last three years of your life.”
Baldwin knew he needed to share some aspects of where he had been to appease his sister, but he needed to be careful as he skirted around the truth. “If you must know, I spent a portion of my time on Jersey Island.”
“Jersey Island?” she asked. “Why would you wish to be so close to France?”
“The island was perfectly safe since the harbors were fortified with cannons and our naval ships were constantly docking there. Furthermore, the local militia was well trained and could assemble nearly three thousand men in a day’s time.”
“Where did you stay?”
“I rented a room at a coaching inn.”
Jane frowned. “I am not entirely sure if I believe you.”
“I assure you that it is all true.”
“Why would you give up all that you have to rent a room on an island in the Channel?”
Crossing his arms over his chest, Baldwin replied, “Because I wanted to be anywhere else but here.”
“Why didn’t you go to our Scottish manor?”
“It still held memories of our father.”
Jane’s voice was soft as she asked, “Why do you wish to forget Father?”
“I’m not ready to accept his death.”
“It has been three years.”
“I know, but the pain is still raw. It gnaws at me,” he admitted.
Tears came to Jane’s eyes. “I feel the same way,” she shared. “I think of Father every single day. I miss his smile, his laugh, and how he used to let me help him balance the ledgers.”
“That was quite scandalous of him,” Baldwin joked.
“But Father didn’t care,” Jane remarked. “He was patient, and he always made me feel loved and protected.”
Baldwin grew solemn. “I am sorry I failed you by leaving.”
“When you left, I was forced to grieve two men that I loved dearly,” she confessed as she wiped away the tears from her eyes. “I didn’t know if you were ever coming back.”
“I should have sent word.”
“Yes, you should have,” Jane remarked firmly.
Uncrossing his arms, Baldwin said, “I think we both can agree I didn’t handle the situation very well.”
“No, you did not.”
“But I don’t want it to ruin our relationship.”
Jane grew silent as she watched him. Finally, she spoke. “Neither do I,” she replied. “But I still need some time.”
“Take all the time that you need. I am not going anywhere.”
“I am relieved to hear that,” she said, rising.
“As am I.”
Baldwin watched as his sister walked over to the door. Just as she reached to open it, she stopped and spun back around.
“What are your intentions towards Madalene?”
His brow shot up at that unexpected question. “My intentions?” he repeated. “I have no intentions towards Madalene.”
“None?”
“If you must know, we are merely friends.”
Jane gave him a look that implied she didn’t believe him, but she didn’t respond to his remark. Instead, she said, “Please don’t abduct any more of my friends.”
“I can promise you that.”
“Thank you,” she replied with a smile. “Although, I am slightly envious that Madalene had such a fun adventure.”
“I don’t think Miss Dowding would consider it an adventure.”
“How could she not?” Jane asked as she opened the door.
After Jane departed from the room, Baldwin straightened from the windowsill and went to sit down at his desk. He might as well attempt to review the ledgers before he had to leave for the rookeries.
He had just reached for a ledger when Oliver stepped into the room, closing the door behind him.
“That went well,” Oliver remarked.
Baldwin leaned back in his chair. “I see that you were spying on my conversation with Jane,” he said.
“Well, I am a spy,” Oliver joked.
“That you are.” Baldwin grinned. “What is it that you want?”
“Do you need me to accompany you to the rookeries tonight?”
Baldwin shook his head. “I do not. Morton has come to accept that you are always chasing after women so your presence will not be missed.”
“That is good,” Oliver replied. “That is one less thing for you to have to worry about.”
“How will you spend your evening?”
Oliver sat down in a chair. “I intend to go to th
e gambling halls. After all, I have a cover that I need to protect.”
“I do not envy you,” Baldwin said. “Besides, I am terrible at cards.”
Oliver chuckled. “Then I would stay far away from the gambling halls if I were you. The men in those clubs would have no hesitation in taking you to the poorhouse.”
Baldwin glanced at the closed door before asking, “What do you make of our sister?”
Oliver grew serious. “She is rather clever, and I think it is only a matter of time before she suspects that you are a spy.”
“But not you?”
Oliver shook his head. “Sadly, Jane looks at me with disapproval in her eyes, just as Mother does.”
“I’m sorry.”
“That is generally what happens when you are labeled a rakehell amongst the ton,” Oliver said despairingly.
“But that is not who you truly are.”
Oliver sighed. “No, but it is for the good of England. My cover helps me root out the radicals amongst the members of Society.”
“We must put our duty ahead of our own wants,” Baldwin stated.
“Father used to say that.”
Baldwin grew nostalgic at that thought. “That he did.”
Rising from his chair, Oliver said, “If you need me for any reason, you know where to find me.”
“Thank you for escorting Miss Dowding home safely last night,” Baldwin said, leaning forward in his seat and opening the ledger.
“It was my privilege,” Oliver remarked. “She was even astute enough to give the Runners a false name.”
“She is no simpleton.”
Oliver smiled. “No, she is not,” he agreed. “But I can’t help but wonder what your intentions are towards her?”
Baldwin shot his brother an exasperated look. “Not you, too.”
Oliver chuckled. “I was only teasing,” he replied.
“Thank you.”
“But in all seriousness,” Oliver started, “you would be a fool to pass on a woman like Miss Dowding.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because I have never met another woman like her, and I doubt you will either.”
“That may be true, but I have no thoughts of matrimony at this time.”
Oliver stepped closer to the desk and asked, “Do you mind if I try for Miss Dowding?”
Baldwin stiffened, and an adamant refusal was on the tip of his tongue. But he didn’t want to admit that he was harboring some feelings for Miss Dowding, albeit unrequited.