To Win His Wayward Wife (3 page)

Catching sight of Lady Algen’s skeptical stare, she swallowed the uncomfortable lump in her throat and linked arms to the man she was about to become formally betrothed to. If she had been anyone else watching the scene, or even if it had been anyone else she had just become engaged to, she would have laughed at the twin looks of horror both Andrew and Brooke sported.

“Well, I never,” Lady Algen said, shaking her head. “I didn’t believe she’d go through with it.”

Madison’s escort stopped and turned to face Lady Algen. “Madam, you’d be wise to hold your tongue,” he counseled in a low, sharp tone. “The only thing you witnessed here tonight was the formal engagement announcement. Nothing else. If I hear even a hint of a rumor circulating suggesting anything else, you and anyone associated with you, will be finding out just how exciting the wilds of Australia really are.” He paused for a minute to let her brain work out his words. “Don’t think I don’t know of your involvement in the incident that took place at my house more than six years ago.”

Lady Algen took in a sharp intake of air and ran off as if she were being chased by a lion.

Turning back to face Madison, her nearly betrothed sent her a devious smile. “You just had to see my face, didn’t you,” he drawled tauntingly. “And now, you’ll get to see it every day for the rest of your life.”

Madison and Brooke gasped in unison at his cruel remark. Andrew, however, was not one to stand idle and watch while someone was taunted. Instead, he grabbed the man’s arm, spun him around and delivered a swift, hard punch to the other man’s midsection, making him gasp at the sudden loss of air, but showing no other signs of distress.

“Take that as a warning,” Andrew said evenly. “Come, ladies, let’s go announce this confounded engagement before Lady Algen does.”

That was it. That was how Madison now found herself, four weeks, two over-chaperoned carriage rides, and six obligatory waltzes later, looking into the cold blue eyes of her bridegroom.

And all she could think was in a way he was right, if she hadn’t been so blasted interested in discovering his identity, she wouldn’t be here making vows to look at his unyielding, handsome face for the rest of her life.

Curiosity may not have killed the cat, but it sure didn’t do her any favors.

Chapter 2

The groom, Benjamin Archer Leopold Charles Robert Collins, Duke of Gateway, swallowed nervously as he stared into the uncertain eyes of the woman who was now repeating her vows to be a faithful and loving wife to him until death do them part.

She was so beautiful, he thought as he watched her pretty pink lips move as she repeated Paul’s words. Her beautiful blonde hair was piled high atop her head with two sets of ringlet curls spiraling down to rest on either side of her face. Her gown was a gorgeous shade of sea foam green. It had capped sleeves, a moderately swooped bodice and long, flowing skirts that swished when she walked down the aisle to him.

That’s right, to him! He was the luckiest man in England. Today, right now, he was making Madison his wife. He’d never again have to go to another ball and watch her from the corner as men danced attendance on her. After today she’d be his and only his. He fought to keep the smile off his face as he thought what that meant. No other man would get to hold her and kiss her. No other man would get to claim her as his. She belonged to him; and no matter how many times he and Townson came to blows over that fact, she would still belong to him.

He cast a glance at the uneasy look on Townson’s face. He’d actually been a good sport about it, Benjamin allowed. He couldn’t fault the man for being angry things had worked out the way they had. Not that he was complaining, it had benefited him greatly. He’d been hoping for this moment for more than six years.
Six bloody years!
  Had it really been six years since he’d met her? He turned his head and thought about it, rolling back the mental calendar in his head. Yes, it had been six years, almost six and a half actually.

At eighteen he’d gone on Tour around the continent and spent a year seeing sights, tasting delicacies, and experiencing things he’d never imagined possible. But that trip paled in comparison to the one he took to the United States. In March of 1807, at three and twenty, he’d decided to go on Tour again, this time to America.

He’d once heard of a distant relation he had through his mother’s side of his family who lived in Brooklyn, New York. His whole life he’d grown up knowing he was a marquis and would one day be a duke. Everyone in Europe seemed to know about him and his scandal ridden past. But not in America, he thought. Over there people held no stock in titles. Heck, the founders had gone so far as to make a public declaration for the whole world to know they thought all men equal with equal rights and positions. Thus, he surmised, it would be a perfect place to go.

Leaving behind his fashionable (but not dandified, thank you) clothing, he took what would pass as commoner clothing, grew a scraggly if not somewhat patchy beard, and set sail for America. He was fairly certain he wouldn’t be recognized by his name, Benjamin Collins, but just to be safe, he chose his third most hated middle name and shortened it to Leo.

Knowing for sure nobody would equate Leo Collins with Marquis Channing—his courtesy title at the time, he slouched his shoulders and sought entry into the Swift household.

The family welcomed him in with open arms, as he knew they would since he’d corresponded with them for two months before he went and offered to send them a sizable amount if they’d agree to house him and not breathe a word of his title.

To his good fortune, the first night he was in the States, the family had been invited to a ball given by some wealthy client of his Mr. Swift’s. Eager to go and experience the American way, he dressed in clothes that would have been the height of fashion—ten years prior—and eagerly attended the ball.

This ball was like nothing he’d ever seen before. The rules were more relaxed, but at the same time, the dances weren’t as progressive. This intrigued him. He sat on the side and watched as couples did the quadrille and a few different reels, but no waltzes.

He was lost in a trance, tapping his toe and watching the sea of young girl’s flounces rise and fall as they danced when two young ladies passed right in front of him, breaking his line of vision.

His eyes left the dance floor and traveled to the duo who dared end his mesmerizing entertainment and his breath caught. They were both beautiful, but one was so stunning she was arresting. Her blonde hair and pale skin were stark opposites of the emerald green gown she wore. He only had a profile view of her, but it was enough to know everything about her was dainty and quaint. He’d later find out that her looks belied her real personality, which would only serve to intrigue him more.

The beautiful blonde and her raven haired companion stood only ten feet away from him talking and giggling about who knew what. Frankly, he didn’t care what they were doing just as long as they stayed right there so he could watch her.

He crossed his arms and leaned back to make his staring look less obvious, not that it did any good.

“Something caught your eye?” Robbie Swift, his annoying younger cousin, asked before taking a seat.

“Someone,” Benjamin corrected with a nod in her direction.

Robbie scoffed. “Madison Banks?” he said doubtfully.

Benjamin turned his eyes back to Madison. She had a name now. She was no longer the beautiful blonde wearing green. She was Madison. Not Miss Banks. Not Miss Madison. Just Madison.

“You’re wasting your time,” Robbie said, breaking into his thoughts. “Her father’s my minister. You’ll never stand a chance.”

“Men can change.
I
can change,” Benjamin told him solemnly. For her, he could, and would, change anything.  He’d move mountains for her if it were in the least bit possible and she asked it of him.

Robbie laughed. “Even you can’t change that much,” he said, shaking his head. “Those two girls you’re looking at, Madison and Brooke, were brought up to be all that is right and proper. If you don’t believe me, ask anyone who knows them. Their youngest sister even totes around a notebook filled with the rules to every game she’s even been allowed to play.”

Benjamin shook his head. “So what. Rules are meant to be broken,” he said offhandedly.

“Not by them,” Robbie said again. “If you’re looking for a girl to lift her skirts, and I think you are, look no further than the door. You see her?” He nodded in the direction of the door. “The one wearing the blue with the white lace. She’s got what it takes to tickle your fancy.”

Benjamin scowled. He had no interest in a quick tumble in the storage closet. If he wanted that he would have stayed in England where the tavern wenches fought over the privilege to go home with him. “No, thank you,” he said before turning his eyes back to Madison.

“You’ll not get it from her, I guarantee it,” Robbie said with a pointed glance at Madison. “You’d be more likely to charm her sister into lifting her skirts than her.”

Benjamin turned a cold look to Robbie. “Is that all you think about?”

“Yes,” Robbie said instantly.

Benjamin rolled his eyes. “You’ve got a lot to learn. There’s more to women than tupping.”

Robbie snorted. “Yes, spoken like the wise old man you are. What are you two and twenty?”

“Three and twenty,” Benjamin corrected, shifting his gaze back to the sisters who were now surrounded by a pack of slobbering potential suitors.

“All right. And are you going to try and convince me you live the life of a monk?”

Not taking his eyes off Madison as she was led to the floor, he said, “No. But I could become one if it meant I could have her.”

Robbie let out a harsh bark of laughter. “Don’t bother. She’s already in love with someone else.”

“Who?” Benjamin demanded, spinning his head around to face Robbie.

But Robbie didn’t speak. He didn’t need to. His knowing grin said it all. Madison was in love with Robbie. Benjamin’s heart sank and he sifted his gaze back to where she was being twirled around the floor. Just then, her partner spun her around to face them and he caught a glimpse of the smile she sent Robbie.

Jealousy like he’d never known ate him up. The only woman he’d ever wanted would never be his. “Are you going to ask for her, then?” he asked raggedly, resigning himself to the bitter pain of being too late to catch her attention.

“No,” Robbie answered fiercely, shaking his head. “She may love me, but I’ve no need for her.”

“Right; because she won’t lift her skirt,” Benjamin returned with a sneer. “You don’t deserve her.”

“Maybe not,” Robbie conceded with a lopsided shrug. “But that doesn’t change how she feels about me.”

Turning to walk away, Benjamin caught sight of Madison walking their way and froze. She was beautiful as she came toward him, her dress swaying back and forth with each step. She flashed him a bright smile before turning to Robbie. “Good evening, Robbie,” she said with a blush.

“Good evening, Madison,” Robbie returned, beaming. “Care to dance?”

“I’d love to,” she said, accepting his arm and flashing Benjamin a weak smile.

Benjamin watched them take to the floor. Robbie was an awful dancer, he realized. He stepped on her toes and twirled her too fast, heedless as to who or what she’d hit in the process.

Scowling, Benjamin took a seat to watch the awful spectacle that was presented before him.

“I have no idea what she sees in him,” a female voice muttered.

“Neither do I,” Benjamin agreed with a quick glance to the right to see who the woman was he was now talking to.

“She’s always been the one bound to find the good in everyone,” Madison’s sister, Brooke, said, shaking her head. “I think she’s found one that has no good, and she wants to be his saving grace.”

“Why?” Benjamin asked, scratching his unkempt beard.

She shrugged. “That’s just Madison, I suppose.”

“Well, she could do better than him,” he declared evenly. “There’s many lost souls more worthy of her than him.”

“Are you applying for the job, then?” Brooke asked with a smile.

“Absolutely,” he returned, nodding his head.

“Hmm, as Madison’s older sister and her most trusted confidant, I need more information about you before I can recommend you,” she said with a twinkle in her eye.

Benjamin laughed. “Name’s Leo. I’m visiting from England. I’m a bounder of the worst sort and I’m desperately in need of saving. But, I am savable. I guarantee it. I can dance better than he can. I have higher brain function that he does. And, I can tell just by looking at her, there’s more to her than just her beauty.”

“Yes, there is,” Brooke confirmed, nodding her agreement. “I shall be happy to pass on my highest recommendation for you. Whether she’ll take it or not, I don’t know. Let’s just hope for the best.”

The dance ended and the sisters scurried off to go join their friends, leaving Robbie and Benjamin to stare at each other.

Over the next three weeks, Benjamin spent enough time in Robbie’s presence to know he not only was unworthy of Madison’s love, he was unworthy to lick her boots. He was a womanizer of the worst sort.

Fortunately, he’d learned Madison may have her cap set on him, but they weren’t even courting. Hope filled his heart and he attended more social events, and even her father’s church in hopes of seeing her again.

He felt confident he could have made a good impression on her and won her from Robbie, except every time he’d start to talk to her, or even just go near her, Robbie would suddenly show up and pull her away. It was infuriating. In three week’s time he’d spoken to her less than half a dozen times for a period of about two minutes each.

During the entire twelve minutes of conversation they’d had, he’d learned she sewed for the needy, volunteered to tutor children at an orphanage, painted, and enjoyed topics of conversation that were not suitable for young ladies. He was certain there was a lot more to her, but bloody Robbie and his bloody presence prevented him from finding out more.

Thinking back, he should have sought out Brooke and tried to make his appeal to her. But he hadn’t and instead he had to sit back and watch as Madison tried in vain to vie for Robbie’s attention, only to be treated poorly when he graced her with it.

At the end of March her father had announced a church outing to the Hudson River. The weather was nice enough, perhaps a little breezy. But that didn’t matter. He was too awestruck by Madison to know or care about anything else. His eyes were trained on her nearly the whole time.

When she’d finally broken free of her crowd and started to walk in his direction, he moved away from the tree he’d been standing against and went to meet her. Only ten yards separated them when a hand clapped him on the back. “Care to go fishing?”

“Not now, Robbie,” he said tersely. There wasn’t any way he was going to let Robbie interfere this time.

“Madison, would you like to fish?” Robbie called as she was approaching.

“Absolutely,” she agreed with a bright smile in their general direction.

Unable to know who the smile was meant for, Benjamin pretended it was for him and returned it. “Leo here has no interest, so it’ll just be us,” Robbie said, grabbing her arm.

Madison flashed Leo what he interpreted as a disappointed smile. Oh, who was he kidding, it was nothing more than a friendly smile. She had no interest in him joining their fishing and flirting.

Arms crossed, he let out an annoyed sigh and watched in irritation as Robbie draped himself over Madison trying to show her proper fishing technique.

Ten minutes was all he could stand of that and turned to walk away when he heard a startled scream come from their direction. Turning back, he noticed the hem of Madison’s gown was wet and she looked to be rather distraught. He wanted nothing more than to go to her side and rescue her from his cousin’s clutches, but stayed put and watched with annoyance as Robbie scooped her up and carried her away.

The next night turned out to be his last night in America. He’d finally come to the conclusion he was not going to get to talk to her if he was associated with Robbie. Thus, he decided to see if she had any interest whatsoever in him, and if she did, he’d rent his own apartment in Brooklyn, and if not, he’d go home.

That night another local family hosted a dinner party the Swifts and Banks had been invited to join. All through dinner he cast glances down the table at Madison. She didn’t return any though. She was too busy chatting and socializing to notice him.