Destroyed & Restored - The Baron's Courageous Wife

by Wolf, Bree

  His mother had voiced her surprise that Matthew−after arriving late−had been granted that seat, but Tillie had insisted her doll liked him best. They had all laughed, and yet, Matthew had detected a slight blush come to his wife’s cheeks as she had turned her gaze from his and back to her niece.

  His mother had chuckled as well, answering Tillie’s question if Matthew wished for more tea when he had been completely oblivious that the girl had even spoken, his gaze focused on his wife.

  It was in that moment that their butler entered, announcing Lord Radcliff was here to see his daughter.

  Matthew immediately turned his gaze to his wife but was distracted when Tillie suddenly dove under the coffee table.

  In a flash, they all were on their feet before kneeling down beside the low table, trying to peer underneath. “Sweet one, what is it?” Adelaide asked the wide-eyed girl.

  Nervously, Tillie glanced at the door. “Did he come to take me back?”

  Matthew gritted his teeth at the sight of the girl’s fear, wishing someone so young had not already learnt what it meant to be afraid.

  “Of course not,” his wife said, her voice strong and without doubt as she held out her hand to Tillie. After a while, the girl took it and allowed Adelaide to pull her out and into her arms. “I don’t know why he’s here, but I would never allow him to take you back. Do you believe me?”

  Tillie nodded, then hugged Adelaide tightly.

  “You stay here with Clara,” his wife said, exchanging a meaningful glance with Matthew’s mother that made him wonder how close these two women had become. “I’ll see what he wants and then I’ll come back, all right?”

  The little girl nodded. “Promise?”

  “Promise.”

  Then Tillie stepped into his mother’s embrace who skilfully turned the girl’s attention back to her dolls. Within moments, they were serving tea once more.

  “What shall I tell Lord Radcliff?” the butler asked, doing his best to keep a straight face.

  Matthew glanced at his wife. “Have him wait in my study. We shall be there shortly.”

  Bowing, the butler left to do as he was bid.

  With a last glance over her shoulder, Adelaide straightened her back and then strode toward the door with quick steps. Matthew hurried to catch up with her, closing the door to the drawing room behind him before he reached out to stop her progress. “Wait, Adelaide!” His hand wrapped around her delicate arm and pulled her back to him. Gently, he placed one hand on each of her shoulders and looked down at her. “Are you sure you want to speak to him? The last time you said you didn’t expect that that would ever happen.”

  Inhaling a deep breath, she looked up at him. “I will not be afraid,” she stated calmly. “I will not allow him to intimidate me any longer. Standing up to him felt good…liberating.” She sighed. “However, it took all the strength I had to fight my instincts that day and not cower in a corner of the room.”

  Matthew swallowed. From the stern look in her eyes that day, he would never have suspected such a turmoil had filled her heart. Now that he knew, he felt even prouder of her.

  “I need to do this,” Adelaide told him, her blue eyes shining with conviction. “I need to…practise, for lack of a better word.”

  Pure and utter pride surged through Matthew’s heart, and a deep smile claimed his face. Then, before he knew what he was doing, his arms pulled her closer and his mouth closed over hers.

  For a split second, she tensed in surprise. Then, however, her lips yielded. More than that, she returned his kiss with the same passion that had so suddenly flared up in his own veins.

  There was no doubt left in Matthew’s mind; they fit well together.

  Exceedingly well.

  Reluctantly, he released her, his hands sliding down her arms until they reached hers, pulling them into his own. “I’m very proud of you,” he whispered, looking down into her blue eyes, now shining with new vibrancy. Matthew liked to think that he had something to do with it.

  Returning his smile, Adelaide briefly dropped her gaze, her cheeks flushing a becoming red. “You have an interesting way of expressing your opinion.”

  “Do you dislike it?” Matthew asked, a teasing note in his voice. Still, he held his breath, wondering if he had overstepped a line without realising it.

  Adelaide’s smile deepened, and her blue gaze glowed brightly as it held his. “Not at all,” she whispered. “I admit I rather care for it.”

  Matthew inhaled a deep breath, feeling his insides dance at her words. “I do as well,” he said with equal frankness, once more tempted to pull her deeper into his arms. Before he could though, he dimly recalled that they had a visitor.

  Clearing his throat, Matthew blinked, his gaze drifting to the door in her back. “We should go. Do you have any idea why he came?”

  The smile vanished from Adelaide’s face, and Matthew could have kicked himself. “I cannot say,” she mumbled, her forehead in a frown. Then, for a short moment, her eyes seemed to widen in shock before she closed them, almost imperceptibly shaking her head.

  “What is it?” Matthew asked, fresh concern coursing through his veins. What else might lie ahead?

  A rather forced smile returned to his wife’s face as she lifted her gaze to his. “Nothing. I’m fine. Let’s go.”

  In order to keep her arm looped through his own, Matthew took a large step after her, wondering what it was she did not feel comfortable sharing with him. Was it connected to the secret she had admitted she kept? Did her father know? Was he somehow connected to it all? Had it nothing to do with Bartholomew after all?

  Outside his study, Adelaide halted and took a deep breath.

  “Are you ready?” Matthew asked, and when she nodded, he opened the door, allowing her to step inside first. Following close on her heel though, he took note of the dark scowl that came to the earl’s face when he perceived him.

  “I wished to speak to my daughter alone!” the man snapped, his tufts of hair sticking up from his head and his clothes dishevelled. His eyes were red-rimmed, and yet, he seemed−for lack of a better word−sober. There was a clearness in his eyes that Matthew had not seen before, and he wondered about the subtle changes in the man’s appearance. What had happened since they had last seen him?

  Meeting the earl’s gaze, Matthew scoffed, “Did you truly think I would allow you in my wife’s presence without protection for her?” Matthew shook his head. “No, I do not dare trust you where her well-being is concerned.”

  At his words, Lord Radcliff seemed to cringe as though he had been dealt a painful blow, and yet again, Matthew wondered why he seemed suddenly bothered by such honesty.

  Beside him, Adelaide stepped forward, her hands linked casually as though she did not have a care in the world. In truth, Matthew knew the courage it took for her to address her father. He could see the almost imperceptible tremble in her hands and the slight paleness of her cheeks. Indeed, it took great courage to do what she did.

  And yet, she hid it well.

  Was that how she had kept her secret hidden for so long? Because she had learnt to hide her emotions and appear indifferent and unaffected? Had life with her father taught her to lie?

  “Why did you come here today?” she asked, her voice strong as her gaze met her father’s, her own unflinching. “What do you want?”

  Sighing, the earl turned to look at his daughter, the look in his eyes suddenly showing nothing but regret and exhaustion. Tears clung to the corners of his eyes, and he cleared his throat to regain his composure. In a tone quite unlike any Matthew had ever heard from him, he said, “I came to apologise.”

  Matthew was thunderstruck.

  And from the looks of it, so was his wife.

  Chapter Thirty − Amends

  Staring at her father, Adelaide could not help but think that she had to have misunderstood. For a long moment, she was unable to form a coherent thought and simply stood and stared at him. Never would she have expected to hear h
im utter these words.

  Never.

  A part of her had feared that his visit would be about her secret. That he had come to threaten her yet again and demand money. That he wanted to reveal all to her husband and forever ensure that she would not find happiness.

  Could he truly mean what he said?

  Beside her, Adelaide felt her husband move, his hand coming to rest in the small of her back. Slowly, the warmth of his nearness began to ease the tension resting in her limbs and the daze retreated.

  “Please take a seat,” Matthew said to her father, gesturing to the armchair in the corner. Then he gently urged her to sit down as well−next to him and at a safe distance from her father.

  Looking at her husband, Adelaide smiled, touched by his concern for her safety. Never would she have thought to ever feel safe in her father’s presence, and although he acted less threatening today, it was her husband’s nearness that put her at ease. Because he was here with her. Because he would not leave her alone to face her father. Because she trusted him.

  Completely.

  Safely seated beside her husband, Adelaide stared across the small table at her father.

  A long sigh left his lips before he leaned forward, resting his elbows on top of his knees. He looked older than Adelaide had ever seen him, his face haggard and his eyes almost hollow. Sadness and regret clung to his features, and for a brief moment, Adelaide felt sorry for him.

  Then her father inhaled a deep breath and lifted his head, his eyes finally meeting hers. For the space of a breath, father and daughter looked at one another before he once again averted his gaze, shame clouding his eyes.

  Again, Adelaide felt thunderstruck. This was not the man she had grown up with. This was not the man who had intimidated her at nearly every turn of her life. This was not the man who had lost her hand in a card game. What on earth had happened to make him seem so different? Was it a ruse? Or had he truly come to understand the wrongs of his ways?

  “I tried to…,” he began, his gaze fixed on his hands which he held linked in front of him, “speak to…your sister.” A long sigh left his lips before he lifted his head. “But she refuses to see me.”

  “Does this truly surprise you?” Adelaide asked, a hint of regret claiming her heart at the harshness in her voice. Of course, she had reason to mistrust him, and yet, she could not help but feel that his regret was genuine.

  Her father shook his head. “No. I cannot blame her. I merely…” His eyes held hers for a moment. “I do not want to hurt her or her mother, I assure you that. Neither will I ask for their forgiveness. I only want to know what happened.”

  Overwhelmed by the sudden changes in her father’s behaviour, Adelaide felt her mind spin. Forgiveness? Did that mean he had finally come to realise that he had done something wrong? That he ought to plead for forgiveness even though he did not deserve it?

  Belatedly, Adelaide realised that her father had not only referred to Beth, but also to her mother, his first wife. Did he not know that she was dead? Perhaps not. After all, both had vanished twenty years ago and had not been heard from again.

  Not until Beth had come to town after her mother’s death, trying to uncover the secrets of her past.

  Watching her father, Adelaide frowned when she failed to detect the usual odour of spirits on him. Even over the distance between them, she ought to have been able to smell him. But there was nothing. His eyes were reddened, and his face pale, almost greyish, but he looked more weary than inebriated. Was he sober? When was the last time that had happened?

  A silent plea lay in her father’s eyes, and Adelaide felt her heart respond despite her arguments to the contrary. She wondered if she would be betraying Beth’s trust by telling her father what he wished to know. However, her sister had never asked her to keep her story confidential−at least not from their father−and a part of Adelaide needed to know if her father would truly show regret for what had happened, for what his actions had caused.

  Sighing, Adelaide looked at her husband, grateful when he placed his hand on hers, squeezing it gently. Silent words passed between them, and Adelaide knew that he would support her no matter which path she chose.

  After all, she could trust him.

  If only she dared trust him with her own secret.

  “Grandmother and Beth’s mother planned their escape for weeks,” she began, her voice hard, and yet, the eyes that looked back at her held only sorrow. “They knew the only chance they had was to put as much distance between them and you as possible. So, they chose a time when you allowed them to retreat to Beechworth Manor while remaining in town yourself…on business.” An accusatory note slipped into her voice. “We both know what you were doing.”

  Sighing, her father nodded, his lips pressed together.

  “They left everything behind,” Adelaide continued, imagining what it had to have been like for Beth’s mother to leave in the middle of the night, all on her own, with no one to support her, no one to help her, no one to lean on. “Her mother knew that she could not be weighed down. They had to cover as much ground as possible. She had to make certain that they would not be caught. She had to ensure that Beth would be safe from you, that she would grow up in a house without fear and pain.”

  Hanging his head, her father rubbed his hands over his face. Then he pushed to his feet and walked over to the window, his gaze focused on something outside.

  Feeling her husband gently squeeze her hand, Adelaide inhaled a deep breath. “Luckily, they made it to a small village with good people where they were received with kindness. They found a home there, and Beth’s mother managed to support them by working as a seamstress and using the money Grandmother had given them.”

  Her father’s shoulders tensed, and his head fell forward until his chin seemed to rest on his chest. “She never said a word.”

  “Of course not,” Adelaide snapped, unable to let go of her anger and disappointment. “Grandmother had to ensure that they would remain safe.” Swallowing, she drew in a long breath. “As far as I know, they were happy there, and Beth grew up safe and sound, surrounded by people who cared about her. She was happy…at least until the day her mother died.”

  Spinning around, her father stared at her with wide eyes, shock stealing the last remnants of colour from his face. “Ellen is dead?”

  Adelaide nodded.

  “How?” he breathed, his voice barely audible as he slumped back against the window.

  “Pneumonia.”

  Adelaide watched as her father closed his eyes, his hands gripping the backrest of the chair in front of him. The muscles in his jaw tensed to the point of breaking, and he seemed to have no strength left to hold himself upright.

  “Do you truly care?” Adelaide could not help but ask. “After all, you had them declared dead with the utmost haste, so you could remarry. If you had cared, I would have expected you to look for them harder. Longer.” Adelaide shook her head. “But you didn’t.”

  Silence fell over the room, and for a long moment, the only thing that could be heard was her father’s laboured breath as he fought to control the emotions that had seized him so unexpectedly. Then he finally lifted his head and looked at her. “A part of me had hoped that they were living somewhere. Safe. Every once in a while, I would picture them.” Swallowing, he shook his head. “I never expected this. I knew they had gone. I never believed they had been taken. I always knew that she had left me, taking my daughter along.”

  Adelaide sat up straighter, her eyes not wavering from her father’s. “If you cared about them, why did you treat them thus? Why did you force her to leave? You left her no other choice if she wanted to ensure her daughter’s well-being.”

  Gritting his teeth, her father momentarily shifted his gaze to Matthew before bowing his head once more.

  Adelaide knew that speaking so openly about his shortcomings was difficult for him, but if he had truly come to regret his ways, he needed to admit to what he had done wrong. Only if he was willin
g to feel the pain would he ever truly have a chance to change. If that was what he wanted!

  Despite a small flame of hope, doubts still remained in Adelaide’s heart.

  “All my life,” her father began, his eyes distant as he recalled his own past, “I felt such…anger in me, and I never knew how to restrain it. I fought it down, but the more I did that, the greater the outburst once I lost control.” He swallowed hard. “My father died when I was very young, and I felt left alone without him, not knowing how to become the man everyone expected me to be. I did not know what to do.”

  For a moment, he grew quiet, thoughtful, before he blinked, and his gaze returned to Adelaide. “Is she happy?”

  For a moment, Adelaide was at a loss, but then she nodded. “She is,” she whispered. “She married the man she loved, and she will be a mother soon.”

  Her father’s eyes widened slightly at the news, but then he nodded, the ghost of a smile flickering over his face. “That’s good. She deserves nothing less.” He inhaled a deep breath. “And you?” he asked, his gaze focusing on Adelaide’s with more intensity. “Are you happy?” His eyes darted to Matthew. “In your marriage?”

  Her husband’s hand, which was still tightly wrapped around hers, tensed as though he was holding his breath, waiting for her answer. Adelaide sighed, allowing her father’s question to wash over her. Was she happy?

  Turning her head, Adelaide looked at her husband. She saw his deep green eyes looking back into hers, open and honest. She felt his hand on hers, protective but not restraining. And she remembered the many moments he had stood by her, and yet, always given her the freedom to choose.

  A heartfelt smile claimed Adelaide’s face, and she saw its effect reflected in her husband’s eyes. “I am,” she whispered, feeling his hand close more tightly around hers. Then she looked at her father. “I am happy.”

  Relief came to his eyes, and he nodded. “I’m glad to hear it,” he replied, his voice sounding more and more strained. “I’m glad you managed to find a way to…escape my influence.” His lips pressed into a thin line, and his hands tightened on the backrest in front of him.