by Dayna Quince
Jonathan and Sir William stood as Lady Heath and Maddie rose from their chairs. Lady Heath linked her arm with Maddie’s, and they left the parlor.
“Come,” Lady Heath smiled. “Show me this marvelous flower you saw.”
But they came upon her brother in the stairwell. He was holding a blood-soaked handkerchief to his nose.
“Oh, my!” Lady Heath gasped.
Her brother barely noticed Lady Heath. Instead, his venomous gaze focused on Maddie. “Twas lucky tis not broken, dear sister.”
“Lucky indeed.” Maddie gave him a wide berth, and Lady Heath remained silent.
Further down the stairs, Maddie stopped and faced Lady Heath. “There was no flower. Miss Cecelia interrupted whatever it was they had planned and rescued me. We ran to the front of the house, and from there, I found the parlor.”
Lady Heath nodded. “That would seem more truthful than your father’s tale.”
“I would very much like to go to Ramsgate with you. I cannot leave with him today.” Maddie swallowed. “He will seek to hurt me, punish me for defying him.”
Lady Heath squeezed her hand. “We will do what we can, my dear.”
Maddie wanted to be comforted by those words, but she wasn’t sure Lady Heath wanted her to marry her son any more than her father did. They continued down the stairs until they reached the hall and went out to the gardens.
* * *
Jonathan circled the table where his father and Sir William sat until his father barked at him to sit.
“We weren't prepared to create a contract. My solicitor will contact you in the coming week,” Lord Heath said.
“Madeline has a very small dowry, insignificant really, left to her by her maternal grandmother.”
“We don’t care about a dowry,” Jonathan growled.
“Will you join us in Ramsgate? I think it would be beneficial to both parties if we can become more acquainted.”
“I’m afraid I simply cannot. I have pressing engagements.” Sir William shrugged smugly.
“Miss Prescott will come with us,” Jonathan declared. His father cut him a speaking glance.
“He’ll hurt her,” Jonathan accused.
Sir William huffed. “I would never.”
Jonathan reached across the table with lightning speed, grabbed his cravat, pulling Sir William almost from his chair. “We both know that is a lie. I saw the scars. I saw the fresh welts.”
“Jonathan! Release him,” Lord Heath commanded.
Jonathan did, but only because he saw the fear in Sir William’s eyes.
“I suspect there is more to this than your word to Berett. You owe him a debt, and you want to use Maddie to pay it.”
Sir William blanched.
Lord Heath pressed him “Is this true?
Sir William nodded. “I gave bad investment advice. He lost a significant amount and holds me responsible. My investments are what keep my house afloat. I have a reputation. If word got out that my advice is bad, no one would listen to me, no one will invest in my interests.”
Lord Heath leaned back. “How much is the debt?”
Sir William hesitated. “No paltry sum, I assure you.”
“Then you shall have no trouble paying it, yes? I was going to offer to pay it, for Miss Prescott's benefit, as an assurance of her well-being in the time between now and the wedding,” Lord Heath proffered.
Jonathan stilled. “We have to take her with us.”
“Well?” Lord Heath goaded Sir William.
“One thousand pounds.” Sir William smirked.
Lord Heath raised a brow. “Brilliant. I shall have my solicitor release the funds to you in all possible haste.”
Sir William pursed his lips. The tips of his ears turned red. “She does not leave with you. I will bring her to Ramsgate one week before the wedding. We have our own preparations to make, and our extended family will wish to see her. They don’t have the means to travel to the wedding.”
Jonathan gripped the table with white knuckles. “No. She comes with us.”
Sir William sneered at him. “You don’t have that authority yet, son.”
Lord Heath stood. “I rescind my offer. I give you the thousand only when Miss Prescott greets us in Ramsgate one week before the wedding or earlier and assures us of her well-being.” He held up his hand to quell Jonathan’s outburst.
“Done.” Sir William stood, and they shook hands.
“I must prepare my family to depart. A pleasure doing business, Lord Heath.” Sir William quite the room.
“You realize we can’t trust him. You’ve put her life in danger.”
“We can’t take her against her father’s wishes.”
“We took Thea!” Jonathan argued.
“No, Thea came to us, and we sheltered her. Jonathan…” his father grabbed both his shoulders, “you’ve done enough damage here. We cannot take her with us. We need to give the appearance that all is well.”
“She wants to come with us.”
“Yes, but though she is of age to choose her husband, her father can still dictate where she can and cannot go. My promise to pay the debt will protect her. In three weeks, you will see her again, if not sooner.”
Jonathan jerked out of his hold. “I don’t like this.”
“None of us do.”
Chapter 15
Three weeks later…
Jonathan paced in front of the drawing room windows. The only communication he received about Maddie was one letter detailing when they were expected to arrive. She had written a small note, saying she was fine, but until he saw her, he was going insane with worry.
“You’re making me nauseous. Sit down,” Lucy said from the sofa. She had her baby in her lap sleeping.
“I can’t.”
“Have a drink, and you will relax,” Winchester said from behind his newspaper.
“I can’t drink, I can’t eat. I can’t do anything until I know she is safe,” Jonathan grumbled.
The corner of Winchester’s paper came down, and he and Lucy shared a look.
“I’m sure she’s fine. From what I remember of her, she is a stout girl. She had confidence despite not being well liked.”
Jonathan didn’t respond. He hadn’t told Lucy about the abuse Maddie had endured from her father and brother. It hadn’t felt right to. Instead, he paced and worried. He slept horribly at night. He even had nightmares about what she could be going through. He hadn’t seen her after their terrible meeting. Once her father had left the parlor, he’d packed them up and left without a word. It killed him to know Maddie was probably scared. He couldn’t reassure her; he couldn’t even tell her about the deal they’d made for her safety.
Every letter he sent to the address provided by their solicitor went unanswered. They began to trickle back unopened. Every time he threatened to leave and go find her, his father talked him down. Jonathan hated hoping that her father was greedier than he was eager to punish her. Jonathan had even written to Sir William and offered to double the payment.
Still no answer, not until two days ago. The letter was postmarked from Surrey.
He paused and twisted toward a window. He thought he had heard the crunch of gravel. The high hedge blocked the road. He stared, his eyes boring through the glass. At last, the crunching grew louder, and the carriage made the wide turn into the courtyard.
Jonathan took a deep breath. Winchester appeared at his side. “I never thought the time would come.”
“Beg pardon?”
“I didn’t think I’d see you marry,” Winchester clarified.
“You didn’t think I would marry? I never thought you would marry.”
“Neither did I.” Winchester chuckled.
Jonathan couldn’t wait any longer. He lost sight of the carriage as it went around the house to the front entrance. He sprinted into the front hall, getting to the door before the footman. He was standing in the doorway when the carriage came to a halt. He bounded to the carriage and opened the doo
r. He stepped aside as Sir William appeared first, a smirk greeting him. Then Mr. Prescott with his ever-present scowl, and finally, Maddie. He handed her down, greedily cataloging her with his eyes.
She looked travel worn and a bit thinner, but otherwise she seemed fine. He raised a brow.
“I’m fine.” She smiled.
Jonathan looked up to see her brother and father had already entered the house. They looked to be alone, so he kissed her.
He didn’t release her until she was breathless. “Tell me truly. How were you treated? What have you been doing all this time?”
“I’ve been chasing children and chickens.” She laughed. It was such a good sound. He wanted to bottle it.
“Children and chickens?”
She nodded. He turned her toward the house, and they walked slowly.
“He dropped me off at my aunt's home in Surrey and left me there for the whole three weeks. I didn’t see him until this morning when he arrived to fetch me.”
“That sounds wonderful. I was worried over nothing.”
“You were worried?”
He narrowed his eyes at her. “Of course, I was worried.”
“I’m teasing.” She pinched his cheek.
They stepped inside, and she looked around the hall in silent appreciation. “This is lovely.”
“It’s my favorite house, to be honest. I’ve many fond memories here.”
The house was significantly smaller than the principal estate. Jonathan liked that. There were no grand ballrooms, or endless halls to traverse to get from one place to another. Then there was the channel right outside. The house stood overlooking the English Channel and had its own private cove for swimming. It was a bit of a climb up and down but well worth it.
He walked her into the drawing room. His parents were present. His father was making introductions. She smiled shyly as he introduced her to his sister and Winchester. Her eyes lit when she saw the baby on the sofa sleeping soundly.
“My daughter, Helena. She sleeps like a log. Eating and sleeping, that is all she lives for,” Lucy said.
“She’s the most beautiful baby I’ve ever seen,” Maddie cooed.
“My daughter has been visiting my sister in Surry. She has four children. She assures me Maddie was a great help.”
Maddie blinked at her father but said nothing. Jonathan could very well believe she’d never heard her father compliment her before.
“Why don’t I ring for tea?” Lady Heath offered.
“Actually, I would appreciate a moment to freshen up,” Sir William said.
“Of course! You’ve been traveling. Let me show you to your rooms. I’ll have tea and sandwiches waiting for you in a half hour.” She led them from the room.
Jonathan wanted to follow but knew Lucy and Winchester were watching him.
“So?” He turned to face them.
“They seem amiable.”
“She is. Her father and brother can go to the devil.”
“Would you like to tell us why you feel that way? You’ve been terribly mum about it.” Lucy returned to the sofa and the needlework she pretended to do when company was present.
“If I did, it would change your attitude toward them and make things awkward.”
“How could things me more awkward than they already are?”
Jonathan glared at his sister. “Until Maddie adjusts to her surroundings, can you please temper your ability to be extremely annoying?”
“I am not extremely annoying. Tell him, darling.”
Winchester was already hiding behind his newspaper. “I do not find you annoying, my love, but I cannot speak for others.”
Lucy rolled her eyes. “How is it you wish me to behave? You’ve given me no details about how you met or how you came to be engaged to her.”
“You know how we met. We’ve been attending the same house parties with her for years.”
“Yes, but during that time, you never showed the slightest interest in her. Now you’re going to marry her and become quite defensive about it when anyone questions your motives.”
“I don’t have motives,” Jonathan grumbled.
“Do you love her?” Lucy asked.
Jonathan sent her a scathing glare. “Is it any of your business?”
“Yes.”
Their mother appeared. “They are getting settled as we speak. Sir Williams’s temperament has improved.”
“From what?” Lucy asked. “Jonathan won’t tell me anything.”
“Well, I can see why but really,” she addressed Jonathan now, “if you don’t tell her, she will only drive you mad.”
Jonathan sighed. “He opposed the match. He had promised Maddie’s hand to another, older, gentleman.”
Lucy sat up straighter. “Do go on, dear brother.”
Jonathan sighed and began to fill in the rest. He kept certain parts secret, like Maddie’s scars and how Sir William had beaten her during the party. Jonathan could barely control his own urge to attack Sir William. Lucy had even less self-control. Lucy would tear the man limb from limb with her teeth if she knew.
“He sounds very unpleasant. They both do,” she said when he finished. “Her life is like a novel.”
“We only have to tolerate them until the wedding and then never see them again.”
“But that doesn’t explain how you suddenly came to be engaged to her.”
Jonathan rolled his eyes.
“She is an improvement from the light-skirts you’ve been chasing over the last year.” She strolled to the window and cocked her head. Jonathan went to her side. There was Maddie, sitting on a bench alone.
He watched his sister examine her.
“She isn’t an insect.”
“No, but she is far from your usual sport.”
Jonathan bared his teeth at her. “She isn’t sport. She is to be my wife. Go beget yourself another child and stay out of my business. I thought you’d be happy for me.” He pivoted away from her.
“And I would be if I believed that this sham was real.”
Jonathan spun back to her. “You don’t believe us?”
“No. You’ve found the one woman more reckless than I and eccentric enough to agree to such a farce. Why?”
“Why not, Lucy.” He shrugged. “Why not.”
“This isn’t like you.”
“I’ve changed.”
“Don’t do this. Not to her and not to yourself.”
“I’m going to marry her in one week. I don’t need your approval.” He met each of the worried gazes of his family. Except for Winchester. He looked bored and uninterested.
“And what are your thoughts, Winchester? You’ve remained quiet.”
Winchester shrugged. “It’s clear the men of this family have a taste.”
Lord Heath snorted.
“Taste? What taste?” Lucy said indignantly.
“A taste in a certain type of woman. A type of woman who isn’t the typical fare offered on the marriage mart.”
“You’ve never been on the marriage mart,” Lucy retorted.
“True. But it is still clear to me that you, Lady Heath, and Miss Prescott are not typical stock.”
Lord Heath snorted again.
Lady Heath glared at him.
“I mean no insult. It was intended as a compliment,” Winchester added.
“Thea was nothing like us, and Jonathan went mad for her. Miss Prescott is the opposite of Thea.”
“Lucy,” Jonathan growled. He pinched the bridge of his nose. The last thing he wanted to do was rehash the emotions of last year.
“I stand by my assessment,” Winchester argued. “I can see why he would choose Miss Prescott.”
“And?!” Lucy waved her arms about in exasperation.
“It isn’t for me to say. It is Rigsby’s choice, and he doesn’t need my or anyone else’s approval.”
“Thank you, Winchester,” Jonathan said. “That is exactly the point. I will marry Maddie whether anyone here approves or not. This
is what you wanted, is it not?” He looked to his mother. “You wanted me home and wed.”
She frowned at him. “But not like this.”
“Like what?” He wanted to bellow, but his father would not stand for it.
“I want you to have a true genuine marriage as we have. This is so sudden and so unexpected. It doesn’t seem real,” she said imploringly.
“You want me to fall in love?”
“Yes,” Lucy and Lady Heath said in unison.
“I tried that. It didn’t sit well.” He pushed away from the window. “I’m going to marry her. I’ve compromised her enough times that it is the only acceptable outcome.”
His mother gasped. His father frowned in a way that made him feel twelve years old again. He lifted his chin. If you will excuse me, I’m going to see to Maddie.”
Jonathan found Maddie still sitting on the bench. He stopped in front of her and extended his arm. “Walk with me. They can see us from the house.
She raised a brow and stood. “They don’t like me.”
She said it with such resigned sadness that it was obvious it was something she was used to.
“They don’t matter,” he said angrily.
“Yes, they do. They are your family, and until now, you all appeared very happy with each other.”
“You haven’t looked close enough. Lucy drives me insane.”
Maddie smiled crookedly. “I’d give anything to have a real sibling.”
“Was there a time you ever felt close to your brother? When you were children?”
“He’s more like my jailer. An extension of my father’s arm, really.”
They passed behind a tall hedge and Jonathan pulled her to a stop, cupping her face in his hands.
“You don’t have to see them ever again if you don’t wish it.”
“Your family?” she said puzzled.
“No. Your family.”
“Oh, them. I figured they would disappear after the wedding, though part of me is afraid they will try to extort money out of you.
“He isn’t brave or dumb enough to attempt that. He’s already been paid well.”
“What?” Her eyes snapped to his.