True Love's Deception (book 3) (The Fielding Brothers Saga) (23 page)

Gregg took another drink. “She is not a girl, Nick.”

“Answer my question.”

Gregg’s gaze darted back and forth between Andrew and the duke. Andrew held his breath, waiting for Gregg’s answer.

The man in question tossed back the rest of his drink then set the glass on the liquor tray. He met his older brother’s glare. “Yes, I took her virginity, but I did not rape her. I did not have to force her at any time. She was a willing participant the whole time.”

“Oh, dear Lord.”
Nick sank in his chair and covered his face with his hands.

Andrew grinned, finally feeling victorious. “Mr. Fielding, I demand you do the right thing and marry her. You know as well as I that she will not make a good match now that her reputation has been sullied.”

“And what if I say no?” Gregg barked, piercing his gaze toward Andrew.

“Then I’ll call you out.” Andrew headed for the low-life, but the duke jumped from his chair and interceded.

“There will be no need for that,” Nick snapped. “Mr. Lawrence, please return to your home and simmer your temper. I will have a long talk with my brother and straighten this thing out. By nightfall, we will have come to a conclusion you will be happy with, I assure you.”

Andrew ran his fingers through his hair, sighing deeply. He had no choice. He must do as the duke ordered. And he must have faith Nicholas Fielding would talk some sense into his wayward brother.

As Andrew departed, he wondered what Juliana’s reaction would be. Will she hate him or think he’d done the right thing?

Only time will tell.

Chapter Twelve

Maddie
stared at her reflection as she sat at her dressing table. Her eyes were not as puffy as they’d been last night, and she really wanted to make them appear as if she’d cried all night long.

She had, but it was because she’d allowed Gregg to seduce her. Gregg made her desire him, but she still thought about Andrew the whole time.

Or had she?

Was Andrew really the man she’d wanted last night?

She sighed and dropped her face into her hands. What had she done? She had actually given herself to a man other than the one who held her heart. None of this made sense, and she blamed Gregg Fielding.
If he hadn’t have been so charming, so sweet and tender...this would not have happened.
She had gotten to know him, and she couldn’t believe how much they had in common.

Gregg had once been in love with
his
sister-in-law. What a coincidence. It was nice to share that with him last night, which led from comforting to caressing, to touching and kissing, and enjoying.

Maddie
stifled a sob. How could she have let Gregg into her heart when it should have been Andrew?

Now what was she going to do? And how could she forget what had happened between her and Gregg last night? It had been unforgettable. The earth had moved.

With another moan, she tore herself away from the dressing table and walked to her closet. She couldn’t sulk in her room all day. Eventually Juliana and Andrew would want to know the truth.

She couldn’t confess. Telling this lie was the only way to get Gregg out of her mind, and put Andrew back where he belonged. From here on out, she had to focus on winning Andrew’s heart—no matter what the cost.

Last night when they had finally heard her outside their door, it relieved
Maddie
when she realized she had stopped them from making love. When she saw Andrew’s nearly bare chest, it was all she could do not to throw herself into his arms and kiss him. As he picked her up in his strong embrace and carried her to his bed, she imagined what it would be like when he finally did this with her—without Juliana around.

Soon, Andrew, my love.
Soon you will be mine.

A soft knock came upon the door, then her sister’s voice, calling her name.
Maddie
frowned. Why couldn’t it had been Andrew coming to comfort her in her time of need? “Come in.”

The door opened and Juliana stepped in, looking radiant in her yellow and gold day dress. Why did Juliana have to be so pretty...and so cheerful?

“Good morning.” Juliana walked to her and patted her cheek. “How are you holding up this afternoon?”

I’d be better if Andrew were with me.
“I’m all right, I suppose.” She looked past Juliana toward the hallway. “Where is Andrew?”

“I do not know. He left early this morning, and he hasn’t returned.”

Maddie’s
heart sank. His adorable face and heart-warming smile would have cheered her up right now.

She turned back to her closet and pushed through her many day frocks. Which one would she look the prettiest in? Which one would prove to Andrew she was a woman and not a mere girl?

“
Maddie
,” her sister said as she walked to the bed and sat on the edge of the mattress. “Will you tell me what happened last night with Gregg?”

Madeline sighed heavily. She really didn’t want to tell Juliana. But her sister would believe Gregg over her anyway, so she might as well relate the story.

“After Gregg stopped Lord Edward from attacking me, he sat on the ground with me, covered my shoulders with his coat, and wrapped his arms around me. He comforted me, which was what I really needed at that time.”

“Go on.” Juliana nodded.

“We started talking, and he shared a lot of personal things, and I felt so close to him. We talked for quite a while. Then soon, one thing led to another, and he started seducing me.” She shrugged and took a big breath. “I didn’t want to, really I didn’t. I told him to stop, but he wouldn’t.” She forced tears to come and she sniffed.

“Did you really tell Gregg to stop?”

Maddie
spun around and faced her sister, plopping her hands on her hips. “Why don’t you believe me? Andrew does.”

Juliana shook her head. “Because I’ve known Gregg since we were children, and he’s not the kind of man who would force a woman in any way.”

Maddie
scowled. “But you haven’t talked with Gregg on a personal level for the past several years. People can change, Juliana. You claim you have.”

Her sister’s forehead creased as she slowly rose to her feet. “What do you mean by that?”

“That means I don’t believe you have changed, dear
sister.
I still believe you are a selfish woman who doesn’t think of anyone but herself.” She swept her hand through the air. “You cannot even love your husband the way he deserves.”

Juliana gasped, her gaze narrowing. “What happens between Andrew and
myself
is none of your concern.”

“I happen to think differently. You do not see the pain written in his eyes like I do.”

Juliana’s hands clenched into fists, and her lips curled into a snarl.
Finally.
The sister Madeline remembered.

“
Maddie
, I swear, if you—”

“What’s going on?”

Andrew’s voice came from the doorway and both
Maddie
and Juliana swung in his direction.
Maddie’s
heart skipped in double-time
. He was so handsome. How could she help but to love this man?

“Andrew.” Juliana hurried over to him, wrapped her arms around his neck and gave him a quick kiss.

Maddie
seethed. Obviously, her sister was trying to prove a point, but Madeline could see through the jaded performance.

“I have missed you terribly, darling,” Juliana said. “Where were you this morning?”

He glanced from Juliana to
Maddie
. As each second passed, her heart sank. Why did he look at her with guilt in his eyes? What had he done?

“
Maddie
?
I hope you are not too upset at me, but...”

“But what?” she asked quickly.

“But, I took it upon myself to travel to see the Duke of Ashton and speak with him about his errant brother.”

“What?”
Maddie
shrieked.

Still holding onto Juliana, Andrew took a step toward
Maddie
. He reached his hand to her, and automatically, she clasped it.

“
Maddie
, my dear.
I had to make things right. With your parents gone, Juliana and I are your guardians now. I was only doing what your father would have done if he were here.”

Her mouth turned cotton dry. “What...have you...done, Andrew?”

He gave her a weak smile. “I have demanded that Gregg marry you.”

The room tilted and all sounds faded before
Maddie
hit the floor. Everything turned black.

* * * *

Juliana paced the parlor while Andrew sipped a glass of brandy. Mixed emotions ran through her as she thought over the past twenty-four hours. What a disaster! She was so caught up in her feelings for Andrew she didn’t know what her sister had been scheming. Now Juliana knew.
Maddie
wanted Andrew.

Juliana sighed heavily. Her sister had always been a quizzical girl, and now as a woman, it had gotten worst. To what lengths would
Maddie
go to break her and Andrew apart? Juliana wouldn’t doubt her sister faked swooning earlier. But now she rested in bed with a cold rag on her forehead.

Juliana glanced at Andrew who leaned against the wall and gazed out the window. How could she have gotten so attached to the man in such a short while? Not only was he extremely handsome, but he was full of kindness and consideration. He had a huge heart.

Was it possible she had fallen in love with him? Why else would she be so willing to give herself to him?

“Are you vexed with me also?”

At the sound of Andrew’s voice, she snapped out of her thoughts and concentrated on him. He had turned away from the window and gazed her way.

“No.”

“You have a strange way of showing it.”

Juliana shook her head. “I’m just amazed, that’s all.”

“Amazed at what?”

She walked to him and linked her fingers with his. “I’m surprised you were able to get Gregg Fielding to marry my sister.”

Andrew shook his head. “He hasn’t agreed yet, but I think the duke will talk him into it.”

She chuckled. “Yes, I’m quite certain Gregg’s brother will.”

He stroked her cheek. “Why does that surprise you? Gregg ruined her for any decent man. It’s only right that he do the honorable thing and marry her.”

“You don’t understand. By making Gregg marry
Maddie
, you have found her the perfect husband.” He arched a brow, so she quickly continued. “Gregg is considered amongst the
ton
as the perfect man. Although he doesn’t hold a title, he’s very wealthy, indeed.”

He shook his head. “Does it not matter to you that he raped her?”

She sighed and lost her smile.
“Oh, Andrew.
I think my sister has you duped. I don’t think
Maddie
was raped.”