Historical Romance – The Best Of The Year. Кэрол Мортимер

what Sir Matthew told me, the count had no family whatsoever. I suppose that was why he was desperate to get himself an heir. One can understand it in the circumstances, but he was a devil to Madeline. I cannot be sorry he is dead, Adam—though to shoot a man in the back is cowardly work.’

      ‘Yes, most disagreeable. It leaves one with a bad taste in the mouth. But Madeline must be relieved to be free at last.’

      ‘He treated her abominably.’

      ‘Yes, most unfortunate for her. Still, I confess I am glad you were not the one that killed him, Hal. I know you would have killed him for her sake, but it would have been a shadow over your life.’

      ‘Yes, perhaps,’ Hallam agreed. ‘Murder is a foul crime, Adam, and it did feel a little like that to shoot in cold blood. But he shot first and would’ve killed me if he could. I feel no regret for his death.’

      ‘Nor should you—though someone undoubtedly took advantage of the situation to murder him. You have no idea who it was?’

      ‘No...unless...’ Hallam shook his head. ‘It occurs to me that it may have been the same person who tried to abduct Madeline. Rochdale wants her and I believe Lethbridge owed him a large sum of money.’

      ‘Would any man do murder for such a thing?’

      ‘A man like that would do worse. I fear for her, Adam. If I should fail her, she would be at his mercy.’

      ‘You should not doubt your abilities, Hal.’

      ‘I would back myself against any man in a fair fight, but a damned rogue who could murder a man and then attempt to abduct his wife does not fight fair.’

      ‘Indeed, you are right. I’ve spoken to my uncle. We shall double the guards patrolling the grounds while she is here,’ Adam said and frowned. ‘If you fear for her, you must expose this man for the devil he is, Hal. It would not be possible for you to protect your own estate as we may Ravenscar.’

      ‘I know—but it will not be easy. Rochdale covers his tracks well. I made a few enquiries in London and, apart from a few whispers of depravity was unable to discover anything that could have him arrested.’

      ‘I trust you do not plan to challenge the marquis to a duel?’

      ‘No, for it would not serve. I have never met the man to my knowledge, other than to glimpse him at a large gathering, and I doubt he would oblige me.’

      ‘Have you considered going abroad to live?’

      ‘It would not be my first choice,’ Hal told him. ‘I shall try to discover what Rochdale wants of Maddie. If he is willing to settle for money, she would be better paying him off.’

      ‘It seems to me that her family has served her ill. Her father should never have let her marry Lethbridge.’

      ‘He had little choice for the count could have ruined him.’

      ‘Yet to give one’s daughter to such a man...’ Adam shook his head, then his gaze narrowed. ‘Do you intend to ask her to marry you?’

      ‘Yes, of course, in time. I must settle my affairs first and she must observe a period of mourning. I would marry her at once, but I must have thought for the future. I should not wish her to be censured by society.’

      ‘No, most certainly not,’ Adam agreed instantly. ‘She will be safe enough here, Hal. But I should not permit her to return to her father if I were you. He might see a way to use her to his own advantage.’

      ‘Yes, I did see a gleam in his eyes when he learned she was a widow.’

      ‘He sold his daughter to a man not fit to kiss her feet,’ Adam said. ‘A man like that might do anything.’

      ‘Well, Maddie thinks much the same and has expressed a wish not to return to her former home. I intend to enquire into the particulars of the count’s estate. While I am uninterested in his fortune, she is entitled to the settlement left her by her grandfather, which ought to have been protected in law. I should wish her to have that for her own use. You know my circumstances. I cannot give her as much as I would wish, Adam. Indeed, had she not been in danger, I dare say I should not have thought of approaching her again.’

      ‘Because she broke your heart?’

      ‘That...and the fact that she could do so much better. She has been used to moving in the highest circles. I can offer only a medium-sized house in the country and a comfortable living. If she had something of her own, it might serve and she could spend a few weeks in town if we had what is due to her. I do not wish to make her a prisoner of poverty after the life she has led.’

      ‘You are worthy of any woman,’ Adam said. ‘Pray do not undervalue yourself, Hal. Besides, your fortunes will come about in time. We shall make a reasonable living from importing wines together. I believe you have more to offer than you know.’

      Hal smiled and agreed, but he could not help wondering how Maddie would take to living in a small country house. He would naturally give her all the comforts he could, but he was unable to offer a smart London house or to give her all the jewels and clothes she deserved. It was his intention to see what could be recovered of her personal possessions, but as to the huge fortune that might come her way...it was his opinion that they would do better without it, even if it was on offer to them.

      * * *

      ‘You look lovely this evening,’ Hal said when she came down to the drawing room before dinner that night. ‘That colour becomes you, Maddie.’

      ‘The gown belongs to Jenny,’ she replied, a faint flush in her cheeks. ‘Sally had time to put up only a few gowns for me and she chose the simplest she could find, for she knew we must go into hiding. They were very well for the farm, but not right for dinner here. Jenny saw my lack and loaned me this gown. It fits well enough for we are much the same size, though I prefer my gowns to be a trifle more modest. Jenny bought this in Paris and it was all the rage there—but I am glad to have a stole to cover my shoulders.’

      He smiled and reached for her hand, carrying it to his lips to place a kiss within the palm. ‘You are too modest, Maddie. You look charming—and this style is all the rage even in London now.’

      ‘Yes, perhaps.’ A flush of heat touched her cheeks. ‘I fear to wear such gowns for they draw the eye of gentlemen I prefer not to notice me. Lethbridge liked even more immodest gowns—I believe it was the gown he forced me to wear that night that brought the marquis to attempt seduction.’

      ‘Rochdale is not here, Maddie,’ Hal said gently. ‘Adam is a perfect gentleman and I would never do anything to hurt or distress you.’

      ‘I know.’ She lifted her eyes to his with a look of appeal. ‘You do not know what my husband did to me sometimes. The different ways he hurt me, Hal. I have not told you, but after the first few weeks of our marriage he was unable...he could not play his part in my bed...and he blamed me.’

      ‘Was he violent to you?’ Hal asked, a little nerve flicking at his temple.

      ‘Yes, sometimes. He often pinched me, but his rages took all forms. He would shout and throw things, smash things I liked and tear my pretty gowns. He accused me of pride and coldness and withheld anything he knew might please me’

      ‘I wish that I had known—that I could have taken you away.’

      ‘Until I had discovered and burned my father’s notes I dared not leave him. He gave me jewels, but only allowed me to wear them when it pleased him, and he never released my settlement. When I fled I had only a few trinkets of my late grandmother’s.’

      ‘I shall recover what I can for you,’ Hal promised. He reached out and touched her cheek. Madeline did not draw away, but he saw a flicker of something in her eyes and knew that he would have to be careful with his lovemaking. She had been ill treated and would need to overcome her nervousness of physical affection.

      ‘I