His Wicked Wish (38 page)

Nathan's enigmatic gaze rested on Maddy for a moment. But he spoke nothing personal to her, saying only farewell before shutting the door of the coach. As the well-sprung vehicle started off, she had one last glimpse of him standing at the roadside, staring after them.

 

Chapter 27

The following morning, Maddy descended the stairs to the drawing room after a breakfast of tea and toast. She felt wide-eyed and clearheaded after sleeping most of the previous day and night. Lady Gilmore had sent a message requesting that Maddy come down to join the family whenever she felt ready.

Misgivings touched her. Would they rebuke her for causing the death of Houghton's heir? Had she brought shame down on them once again by stirring up another scandal in society?

Oh, she hoped not. Nathan's family had grown dear to her. Their opinion of her mattered now, and she would never deliberately hurt any of them. What a difference two months of living here had made.

Passing through the arched doorway, Maddy recalled the first day she'd entered this drawing room as Nathan's bride. Back then, she had naïvely assumed it would be easy to play the loudmouthed strumpet. Easy to regard his family as pompous aristocrats instead of real people with feelings and vulnerabilities. She had babbled nonsense to the Earl of Gilmore and called him Papa, and had relished the way the snooty dowager had cringed in disgust.

How long ago that all seemed now.

The long, stately chamber had the same rich tapestries on the walls, the same groupings of chairs and chaises, the same gold brocade draperies drawn back to let in the sunshine. And just as before, the family was gathered together by the hearth. The earl and his mother sat in thronelike chairs, with Lady Sophia and Emily on the chaise …

And there was Nathan.

Her husband stood by the fireplace, one elbow propped on the marble mantel, the other arm in a sling. Without expression, he watched her walk toward them. In his charcoal-gray coat and white cravat, his dimples hidden, he looked aloof and unapproachable.

Maddy's breast squeezed. She had not seen him since dawn the previous morning. She feared it meant the worst, that his heart remained hardened to her despite his gallant rescue.

He had taken back her diamond wedding ring, too. During their quarrel two days ago, she had placed it on her bedside table, and this morning when she'd looked, it had vanished. Nothing could be more symbolic of the end to their marriage. Or more distressing.

Upon reaching the family, she resolutely turned her gaze to his father. He appeared robust, and the discolored lump on his forehead had shrunk in size. “Lord Gilmore, should you be out of bed already?”

“I could not tolerate that sickroom one moment longer,” he said, a slight smile softening his taciturn features. “And I should think it more appropriate that you call me ‘Papa'.”

Touched, she leaned down and kissed his pitted cheek. “Of course, Papa. I'm so very glad you're feeling better.”

Emily jumped to her feet and gave Maddy an exuberant hug. “We're so very glad you're back home again, Madelyn! I was ever so afraid for you. Why, I scarcely slept a wink that night you were gone!”

“None of us did,” the dowager said, one withered hand wrapped around the gold knob of her cane, the other holding up her quizzing glass to peer at Maddy. “You gave us quite a fright, girl. We are pleased that the doctor gave you a clean bill of health.”

At Lady Gilmore's insistence, the earl's physician had examined Maddy upon her return yesterday. In private, he also had confirmed her pregnancy at Maddy's request. She had sworn him to secrecy, and it seemed the man had kept his promise, for no one here showed any sign of knowing about the baby.

Her gaze strayed to Nathan. What would he say when he found out? Would he be as thrilled as she was? Or would he be irked that she might bear an heir with ducal blood, a boy who would make Lord Gilmore proud?

Maddy wanted to know—and yet she dreaded the worst, too.

Lady Sophia gazed anxiously at Maddy. “You and I have had our differences in the past. I hope that will change. And do allow me to say that I'm appalled Lord Dunham thought he could get away with murdering you—his own cousin!”

“Greed can twist a man,” Nathan said. “The duke is an immensely wealthy man. Madelyn's share of the inheritance will someday make her one of the richest women in England.”

Maddy emphatically shook her head. “I don't want the money—I never did. I would have cheerfully given every farthing to Alfred and his brother.”

“Poor Theo.” Emily sighed, resuming her seat on the chaise. “He always looked up to his brother. I should like to comfort him, but he's gone to Hampshire.”

“Hampshire?” Maddy asked.

“Dunham is to be laid to rest at the chapel on the family estate,” the dowager said heavily. “At a private service two days hence.”

Dispirited, Maddy sank down onto a chair. Her fingers twisted the deep rose silk of her skirt. “I shudder to imagine what the duke and Theo must think of me now. They surely resent me for coming into their lives at all.”

Nathan strolled to her side. “Actually, they don't. I made certain of that. Come with me and I'll tell you what happened while you were playing Sleeping Beauty.”

He held out his hand.

Maddy's heart fluttered. She gazed down at his broad palm, the strong fingers that could caress her with such gentleness—if not for that quarrel. Slowly she raised her eyes to his face. He was smiling slightly, his dimples barely visible, flecks of gold gleaming in his green eyes.

Her heart fluttered again. She placed her hand in his and he helped her to her feet. He turned to his family. “I would like to take my wife for a short drive. Will you excuse us, ladies? Father?”

How amazing to hear Nathan address the earl as his father. The thought passed fleetingly through her mind; then she realized they were walking out of the drawing room, their fingers entwined.

“A drive?” she asked. “Is that wise? Don't people know that I was abducted? That I'm responsible for my cousin's death?”

“Certainly not. Go fetch your bonnet and I'll fill you in on the rest.”

Intensely curious, Maddy dashed upstairs to don her favorite straw bonnet, kid gloves, and a white silk shawl. When she came back down, her husband stood at the base of the stairs. Arm in arm, they went outside to find an open phaeton waiting for them, the black horse held by a groom.

Nathan had planned this excursion in advance, she realized in surprise. What was the purpose of it?

He helped her up into the high seat and then joined her, taking the reins. The horse set off at a brisk trot over the cobblestones. She tilted her head back, enjoying the cool breeze and the warm sunshine. The world seemed so much brighter with Nathan at her side. She felt as if she could face anything—if only he loved her.

Her heart aching, Maddy glanced over at him. As always, he looked like a rakish brigand in the tailored garb of a gentleman, his black hair drawn back in a neat queue, his arm in a sling. She marveled that he could drive one-handed. “How is your wound today?”

“A nuisance, nothing more. I don't really even need this.” He slipped off the sling and tossed it away, so that it went tumbling along the cobbled street. “I only wore it to please Grandmamma.”

“Nathan!” Maddy didn't know whether to laugh or to scold, but perhaps neither reaction was her right anymore. She still wasn't certain of his feelings for her, or if he intended to board his ship and sail out of her life forever. Unwilling to think about that, she said, “Perhaps it's time you told me what happened after we parted yesterday.”

He cast a solemn glance at her. “Theo and I came back to London to break the bad news to your grandfather. Needless to say, the duke was exceedingly distraught. Any man would be in such a circumstance. But I can assure you, he knows nothing of your part in the incident.”

“You
lied
to him?”

“Absolutely. You see, on the drive back, Theo and I agreed it would be best for everyone involved. A scandal would only sully your reputation and Dunham's memory, as well as bring more pain to the duke. Consequently, we told Houghton that Dunham suffered a terrible accident while on his way to an assignation with a woman.”

“How did you explain your knowing about this accident?”

“Theo told his grandfather that he'd intercepted a messenger bringing news of the mishap. And that he hadn't wanted to worry the duke until confirming it to be true. He asked me to accompany him so he wouldn't have to go alone.”

Maddy sighed. She'd had quite enough of deceit for one lifetime. Yet she could understand the necessity of it in this case. To learn of the treachery of his heir would only heap more anguish on the duke when he was already grieving.

Theo was the heir now, she realized suddenly. That was one thing for which to be grateful. Now he would be free to court Emily if he chose. Maddy hoped with all her heart that he would do so …

“I should like to attend the funeral,” she said. “Alfred was my cousin, after all. Perhaps Emily might care to go, too.”

Nathan nodded. “I'm sure Theo would appreciate the gesture. He was quite broken up over his brother's death. We should have ample time to drive to Hampshire tomorrow for the service the following day.”

He was offering to accompany her, as if it were the most natural thing in the world that they'd go together. Was it just chivalry again? Or did he intend to commit himself to their marriage?

Afraid to hope, Maddy realized that the carriage was turning onto Bond Street. Numerous elegant vehicles thronged the wide avenue. On this fine sunny day, ladies and gentlemen strolled along the foot pavement, going into shops or stopping to peer at the window displays.

“Where are you taking me?” she asked.

Nathan deftly guided the briskly trotting horse past a lumbering black coach. “There's something I want you to see.”

“What is it?”

His dimples flashed in a grin. “If I told you, it wouldn't be a surprise, now would it?”

Just then, he steered the carriage close to the curbstone and drew on the reins. He dismounted, secured the horse to a post, then reached up to circle her waist with his hands. As he lifted her down, their bodies brushed, and she trembled with longing at the pressure of his hard chest against her bosom. His enticing nearness made it difficult for her to thread two thoughts together.

“Are we shopping?” she asked in confusion, glancing at a tobacconist's on one side of an empty shop and a men's haberdashery on the other.

“Not quite.”

Reaching inside his coat, Nathan withdrew a key. He led her to the large, vacant shop straight ahead, the bow window sadly devoid of any goods. He turned the key in the lock and opened the door, ushering her into the dim interior.

Why did he have the key?

The question faded as she found herself distracted by the sight of an enormous, bare room with a few glass display cases empty of merchandise. Her footsteps echoed on the wood floor. Venturing deeper into the shop, Maddy experienced a burst of enthusiastic vision.

“Imagine all that could be done with such an immense area,” she mused aloud. “There should be gowns along that wall and hats on display by the window and perfumes near the front so the scents will entice customers as they walk inside—” A startling comprehension made her spin around to face Nathan. “Is this … for
me
?”

Smiling, he strolled to her side. “The shop can be yours if you like. I haven't signed a lease, but the landlord is holding it for me.
If
you approve, that is. The decision is yours, Madelyn.”

Maddy's heart overflowed. He must have put a good deal of time and effort into finding this place for her. Why? Because he cared for her? Or because he thought it would soften the blow of him leaving England?

“It's perfect,” she said, her gaze searching his. “But what will your father say? And your grandmother?”

“Leave them to me. They've had to adjust to my being in trade, so we shall both be rebels.”

Yet if he intended to sail away to China, then she didn't want his stipend. It would feel too much like being bribed in order to blunt the pain of abandonment. “This is a prime location. What will it cost?”

“Consider it my gift to you on this very special occasion.”

“Occasion?”

To her astonishment, Nathan dropped on one knee in front of her. “Although I'll always cherish the memory of that auction, I never did propose properly to you.” Reaching inside his coat, he withdrew the diamond ring he'd given her many weeks ago, the one that had vanished from her bedside table. “Will you, Madelyn, wear this ring and be my wedded wife for always?”

A lump formed in her throat as she gazed down at his solemn, handsome features. She hardly dared to believe him. “How can I be? Aren't you departing England soon?”

“No. I've decided to stay right here, if you'll have me. I'll hire an agent to handle my foreign trade interests.” Nathan gazed up at her earnestly. “You see, I'd like to change that cold-blooded bargain we made. Instead, I'll devote my life to you, darling. I do love you madly—with all my heart.”

Joy shimmered inside her, spreading into every part of herself, body and soul. “Oh, Nathan, yes! I love you, too. So very much.”

Smiling, he sprang to his feet and she removed her glove so that he could slip the ring back onto her finger where it belonged. She admired the diamond sparkling on her hand, but only for a moment. Then she lifted her arms around his neck and brought her lips to his. Nathan kissed her so deeply and tenderly that she no longer had the slightest doubt that he loved her. His hands glided up and down her back, holding her close as if he couldn't bear to let her go.

He broke the kiss, his lips nuzzling her face. “I believe it's high time we returned home and locked ourselves in the bedchamber.”