Mad About You

by Dayna Quince

  “Be mindful of the waves, or you may get a mouth full of water and sea grass.”

  Maddie giggled. “Thank you for the warning.”

  “Watch this.” Jonathan held her on his lap, and they put their legs out toward the ocean. They floated in the shallow water letting the waves push and tug them.

  Maddie couldn’t stop smiling. She’d never had so much fun. At times, she was nervous, because the waves varied in size from gentle rolls to tumbling white water giants, but Jonathan was always there to pull her to her feet. She forgot about everything but him and the sun and the crisp water. When he leaned his head over her shoulder to catch her lips, she twisted her head eagerly to be caught, tasting the salt on his lips with her tongue, and opening her mouth to feel his.

  She pulled away with a gasp as they were hit with another wave, fighting to stay on her feet.

  She caught sight of Lucy and Winchester. Lucy was avidly trying to watch them and her husband was trying to block her view.

  “I forgot we weren’t alone. Lucy can never mind her own business.” Jonathan chuckled.

  Maddie turned away to hide her blush. Jonathan helped her to the beach where her gown felt like it weighed fifty stone. She sat in the shade of the umbrella, and Jonathan poured her a glass of watered wine.

  “Are you hungry? Swimming can build an appetite.”

  “I’m not sure that counted as swimming. It was more frolicking than swimming.”

  “A gentleman doesn’t frolic,” he quipped.

  Maddie smiled at him. “Forgive me, I frolicked, you strode about in a masculine manner.”

  “That sounds like something I would do.”

  Maddie laughed. She took a sip of wine, feeling embarrassed again as Lucy and Winchester joined them on the blanket.

  The picnic basket was emptied of its contents, and they ate in relative silence. Maddie avoided making eye contact with anyone by enjoying the scenery. Lucy began to toss bits of bread out onto the sand until seagulls started to gather.

  She tossed the bits of bread ever closer until one brave seagull was brash enough to come onto the blanket.

  He was rewarded with an especially large chunk.

  “Now the bread is gone,” Winchester complained.

  “We have to return now anyhow,” Lucy said. “Helena will be awake and demanding to be fed.”

  “I’ll walk you back,” Winchester said.

  “Do you want to return to the house?” Jonathan asked Maddie.

  Maddie nodded. The beach was lovely, but the swimming costume was not very comfortable when wet and sandy, and the breeze coming off the water was chilling her.”

  They packed up their picnic and made the climb up to the house. They went upstairs together and parted in the hall. Lucy offered to send Marigold to help Maddie.

  Maddie removed her cloak herself, but any attempt to untie the stiff back was thwarted by her cold fingers.

  Marigold arrived shortly to help her. “Would you like a bath?”

  “That would be lovely if it isn’t too much of a bother.”

  “Of course not,” Marigold assured her. She put another log on the fire and Maddie snuggled into her robe while she sat by the fire waiting for her bath.

  Chapter 17

  That evening, shortly before dinner, Maddie was scowling at the state of her hair. It was stringy and bent in all different directions. It refused to be smoothed and bound. Little frazzled wisps kept escaping around her ears, and she couldn’t convince them to stay down.

  She went downstairs feeling less than her usual self, but confident her dress was at least passable. It was green wool with little white sprigs she’d stitched into the hem, sleeves, and bodice herself. She was proud of it. It wasn’t the height of fashion, but its design was timeless in its simplicity. She paused in the door to the drawing room, hearing far more voices than she ought. She knew the parish vicar where they would be married was expected along with his wife and daughter. She paused just outside the doorway and stood to the side.

  She heard hushed voices moving closer to the door. Maddie hesitated. She did not want to be caught eavesdropping.

  “You will be able to tell shortly how despicable her father and brother truly are. They try, but they cannot hide their true natures. As for Miss Prescott, she is very sweet and nervous as a fawn.”

  “I think I recall meeting her before.” The voice was alluring and feminine. No doubt it was attached to a beautiful woman. One of Lady Lucy’s friends.

  “Perhaps. She has bright red hair that practically throws sparks in sunlight.”

  “Oh, no, I don’t think I’ve met her.”

  “She is…different.” Lucy went on in a hushed whisper.

  Maddie felt her heart sink.

  “Different how?”

  “She really does her best to get along, but she lacks social refinement. Tis very obvious and mother worries she will have difficulties as countess.”

  “Oh, my.” The beautiful voice responded in a scandalized whisper.

  “Jonathan won’t listen to a word of our advice,” Lucy went on.

  “Well, that is understandable.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “It’s a family trait, dear. If I told you not to jump off the roof, you’d do it this moment, in your finest gown, amid a backdrop of fireworks.”

  “That is absurd.”

  The beautiful voice laughed, and it was a very lovely laugh. Maddie imagined this person to be so strikingly beautiful she must be made of starlight and meadow dew. She leaned forward to try to steal a glimpse.

  “Who are we spying on?”

  Maddie jumped back against the wall, thumping her head. She locked gazes with a man who looked terrifying, and at the same time, devilishly handsome. He gave her a closed lipped smile as he braced one hand on the wall beside her. His steely grey eyes penetrated her mercilessly.

  “Who are you?” Maddie gasped.

  He cocked his head the side and his eyes wandered over her. “I know precisely who you are.”

  Maddie stiffened in outrage over his bold inspection of her. “I didn’t ask who I was, I asked who you were.”

  Two bodies appeared in the door.

  “Ethan, stop it at once.”

  The man’s whole demeanor changed and he stepped back, his face softening.

  Maddie turned to look at the source of the lovely voice and could understand the man’s sudden about face. She was an angel. Perfectly coiffed silvery blond hair, crystal clear, vibrant blue eyes, a face fit to be painted. Maddie looked down at her very obvious pregnant belly. She was still in the drawing room, but her stomach had joined them in the hall.

  She turned back to the man accusingly. “You’re Lord Draven”

  He bowed smartly. “How do you do, Miss Prescott?”

  “I’d be better if you hadn’t done whatever it was you were doing. Your wife is expecting, and you were—what exactly were you doing?” Maddie put her hands on her hips.

  “He does it to everyone. His ultimate pleasure, beyond Annabel here, is to make people uncomfortable,” Lucy said.

  “I’m Lady Anabelle.” The blonde beauty introduced herself. “I apologize for my husband.”

  Jonathan appeared behind Lucy and Anabelle. “What’s going on here?”

  Maddie bit her tongue. She was stung with embarrassment. “It’s quite all right.” She didn’t feel gracious at the moment. She felt like she was floundering again. Lady Anabelle shared a glance with Lady Lucy, and it sealed Maddie’s opinion. All her confidence deflated. She wanted to go back to her room.

  Jonathan nudged Lucy aside and came to Maddie.

  “Lord Draven and Lady Anabelle have surprised us with a visit.” Jonathan grinned.

  “Wonderful,” Maddie said. She could tell how happy Jonathan was by their presence. He’d spoken of them frequently. “I hope you don’t spill your waters while here,” Maddie said. “That is, it would be a shame to not have the comfort of your home for the birth of your c
hild.”

  There was a round of awkward smiles.

  “Yes, this is my second child, and I still have a little bit of time.”

  Maddie looked at her stomach. It looked like it could burst open at any moment. “Are you sure?”

  “I’m positive,” Lady Anabelle returned with a slight frown.

  There, Maddie thought. Now we’re both uncomfortable with each other. But Maddie could always be worse. She wasn’t Mad Maddie for nothing. She’d earned that title. Her defense was uncomfortable conversation, and Maddie was the reigning champion.

  “You know,” she stepped closer to Lady Anabelle, “I once saw a cat give birth. A ball of fluid came out first, and the mother would eat it. Does that happen in childbirth? Of course, not that I’d expect a woman to eat it—”

  “Maddie.” Jonathan took her elbow and linked it with his. “Come meet the vicar and his family.”

  Lady Anabelle and Lady Lucy stood in horrified silence. Lord Draven had burst out laughing as Jonathan sailed Maddie into the drawing room.

  “What was that about?” he whispered in her ear.

  “I was only asking a simple question.”

  It was all they could say before they were amidst the company of the vicar and his family. Jonathan made introductions and Maddie behaved herself. The vicar was kind and friendly, as was his wife and daughter. These were the people Maddie could relate to. Common genteel folk. There was no suffocating pretension, no sneering judgment of her clothing or her mannerisms.

  She could tell Jonathan was not pleased, but so be it. She wasn’t going to become something she wasn’t. He knew that already. The entire situation was born of his understanding of that. For better or for worse, she was who she was. She was never going to be as beautiful, elegant, and popular as women like Lady Lucy and Lady Anabelle was. She was used to that. What hurt was Lady Lucy’s false friendship. She’d been kind in person and hidden her true feelings. Maddie would rather deal with her dislike upfront. She felt like a fool believing that Jonathan's sister had liked her for who she was. She wouldn’t make that mistake again.

  After meeting the vicar, they went into the dining room. Maddie remained quiet as the meal was served and the others talked freely. She didn’t want to stir up trouble in front of the vicar and his family. There would be ample opportunity in the coming days when more of Jonathan’s friends came to visit. There would be a duke and duchess, for heaven’s sake. Maddie had never met a duke or duchess before. But those were the kinds of people Jonathan was friends with. If only she could slip into her usual role as guest, and play least in sight, she could survive the coming week. Even enjoy it.

  She loved the smell of the ocean. She loved keeping her window open while she slept so she could hear the waves. She loved the way the morning banks of clouds receded and then returned every night like the tide. She wanted to explore more and see what other kinds of flowers and grasses made their home here on the coast.

  But she couldn’t do any of that, because, for the very first time, she was the guest of honor, though she didn’t feel honored—she still felt like a fraud.

  Lord Heath toasted them at dinner, and Maddie smiled shyly as she drank. She imagined that she was here only with Jonathan, but she couldn’t help but be annoyed with him, too. He was laughing and drinking with his friends. He was enjoying their company in a way she never could, and she hated it. She was the outsider again.

  After dinner had been finished, the women went back to the drawing room while the gentlemen had Port. Maddie begged to be excused to fetch a shawl, but when she reached her room, she had no intention of going downstairs. She didn’t care what they thought, or at least, she tried desperately not to. All she wanted was to be done with this, so she could be left alone. She undressed and put on her robe. She doubted anyone would miss her downstairs.

  After a while had passed, she felt better. She was reading a novel, one she found in a bookcase in the drawing room and enjoying a story about a young girl who dresses as a young boy to become a pirate.

  “That’s what I should have done,” Maddie muttered to herself. She could be living on an exotic island, making a name for herself as a fearsome lady pirate. The thought brought a smile to her face.

  * * *

  Jonathan was outside with Draven and Winchester smoking a cigar. He was utterly content, even though it was starting to drizzle. He pulled his wool coat tighter and folded an arm across his chest to stay warm.

  “I didn’t think it would be this easy,” he said. He’d told Winchester and Draven all about how it was Maddie who’d come to him with the plan, and how her father had adamantly refused.

  “Easy? There is nothing easy about marriage,” Draven said.

  Jonathan shrugged. “Our marriage won’t be like yours. There is nothing complex about what I feel for Maddie. She’s funny and interesting, a good friend to boot.”

  “That kiss you shared in the water earlier didn’t look friendly,” Winchester said.

  Jonathan grinned. “That’s another thing I like about Maddie. She holds nothing back, but I know I could walk away after the marriage, and it wouldn’t hurt her. She understands.”

  He puffed on his cigar, watching Draven and Winchester share a look through the haze of smoke.

  “Get on with it. If you’ve something to say, say it.”

  “I don’t believe for one minute that, come Sunday, you will just leave her,” Winchester said.

  “I agree.” Draven nodded. “You’re smitten.”

  “No, not Sunday. I’ll spend some time with her, and help her get settled wherever she chooses to live. So what if I’m smitten? Smitten is not a lasting emotion.”

  “Smitten leads to love,” Draven said sagely.

  Winchester nodded in agreement.

  Jonathan rolled his eyes. “I’ve been smitten before, it always passes. With Maddie, it is different. It’s unchained freedom. I get all the perks and pleasures and none of the headaches.”

  Again, they shared a look. Like he was talking in tongues or something. He shook his head. “You both married for love. Maddie and I are marrying for freedom.”

  “I understand that part, but the way you talk and the way it looks are very different. Have you talked of fidelity? Have you talked about whether you will have children? You have a duty to pass on.”

  “I’m confident Maddie will not be adverse to children.”

  “But what of fidelity? Will you remain loyal to only each other?” Draven asked.

  Jonathan had to stop himself from crushing the cigar in his hand. “Of course.”

  Both gentlemen facing him raised their brows.

  “So you plan to take her to one of your father’s estates, settle her in, beget a child on her, and just leave? Carry on as if there is nothing to bind the two of you? You’ll remain celibate when apart?”

  Jonathan scowled. “It won’t be like you say it is.”

  “Rigsby, even seasoned mistresses fall prey to their hearts from time to time. Maddie is an innocent. She will form an attachment and then you will leave her all alone.”

  “She won’t. This was all her idea. It’s what she wants,” Jonathan defended.

  “No one wants that.” Winchester smothered his cigar on the bottom of his boot.

  “You don’t know her like I do. You don’t know what she has been through.”

  “No, but I know you, and I don’t think you can do it. I see the way you look at her,” Winchester argued.

  Jonathan was about to say more, but the back door opened.

  “We’ve been waiting for you,” Lucy said peevishly.

  Anabelle was right behind her. “I’m ready to retire.”

  “I’ll summon the carriage.” Draven put out his cigar, and Lucy stepped aside. He put an arm around his wife’s shoulders, and they bid everyone goodnight.

  “Shall we return to the drawing room?” Jonathan suggested.

  “If you expect to find your erstwhile fiancée there, don’t bother,” Lucy
muttered.

  “What do you mean?”

  “She went to fetch a shawl and never returned.”

  “And that didn’t concern you?” Jonathan put out his cigar and marched inside the house followed by Winchester and Lucy.

  “I assumed she didn’t want to be in our company.”

  “And you didn’t want to be in hers, so you neglected to check on her. Not very well done, Lucy.”

  Lucy pulled him to a stop. “After the way she treated Anabelle, no, I was not inclined to care if she spent her evening with us.”

  “You don’t understand how difficult this all is for her. She isn’t used to it.”

  “If by it, you mean polite company, then I heartily agree, but it isn’t my job to civilize her, it’s yours.”

  “She needs our help.”

  “Then perhaps you should have been there to help. She isn’t my fiancée. She is yours.” Lucy turned smartly and stomped off.

  “How do you not strangle her?” Jonathan growled to Winchester.

  “Because I love her, and I need her,” Winchester remarked calmly. He squeezed Jonathan’s shoulder. “What will you do?”

  “Find my erstwhile betrothed,” Jonathan grumbled and started up the stairs. He was up the stairs and at her door in a heartbeat. He reined in his temper. The last thing he wanted to do was start an argument with her here at her door.

  He knocked softly. “Maddie?”

  He heard a fumble of steps.

  “Coming!” She opened the door just enough to pop her head into the space.

  “Are you unwell?” he said with concern.

  “Um…I have a headache.”

  “Lucy said you left to get a shawl and never returned.” He folded his arms. She didn’t look bothered by a headache, she looked…content.

  “I didn’t want anyone to be concerned for me.”

  He frowned at her. She was not a very good liar. “Why did you lie?”

  Her lips pinched together. “I didn’t.”

  “It’s fine if you didn’t feel like socializing.”

  Her face relaxed, and she smiled. “Thank you for understanding.” She opened the door wider, and he could see she was already in her nightclothes. He looked past her and saw the open book on the bed.