Historical Romance – The Best Of The Year

She went out of the bedroom and walked along the landing to the room she’d asked her maids to prepare for her. Her old room had too many unhappy memories and she preferred what had been the best guest chamber. Once she knew that this house belonged to her she would sell it and find a new house.

The marquis had claimed that Lethbridge owed him a huge sum of money, but he was dead. If he had an heir, that heir would no doubt claim what was owed in time. Madeline would pay what was asked if she could...but these things were for the future. All she wanted now was to see Hal, to speak to him...to explain what had driven her to run away from him.

She was not sure that he would forgive her, but perhaps he might understand why she was afraid that she could never be the wife he deserved.

She had hoped he might come to her that night, but it was now early in the morning and she was sure he would not visit at this hour for he would imagine her to have sought her bed long ago. She must rest and then tomorrow...she would see what the morning would bring.

As she entered her room one of the maids was waiting to attend her.

‘Good evening, Maria. I am sorry to have kept you up so late.’

‘I know you were concerned for Thomas and Sally,’ the girl said. ‘How is he, my lady?’

‘A little better I think,’ Madeline said and sighed. ‘I see you have put out my nightgown. Thank you, I can mange if you unfasten the hooks at the back of my gown.’

She stood as the girl attended her, then told her to go to bed. Sitting in the light of the candles, she brushed her hair and gazed into the mirror.

What would she do with her life now that she was free? If Hal no longer cared for her... She had run away from him and he must think her a tiresome creature. She’d seen how angry he was when he came upon them on the Heath. At first he’d looked at her as if he hated her, though he had softened to her at the last—but had she killed his love for her?

Madeline shook her head. It was no use in chastising herself. She was tired. She would go to bed and think about this in the morning.

* * *

A maid drawing back the curtains and letting the light flood into the room startled Madeline. She blinked for she had been sleeping and it was unlike Sally to draw her curtains before she rang. Pushing herself up against the pillows, she looked at the girl.

‘Why have you woken me like this?’

‘Mr Henry told me to wake you, my lady. He says it is important—there’s a person asking to see you.’

‘A person—what kind of person?’

‘Mr Henry thought him impertinent, my lady, for he demanded to see you immediately—and at this hour.’

Madeline glanced at the clock on her dressing chest and saw it was almost ten. She frowned for she was unused to being demanded at such an early hour, especially by persons unknown to her.

‘I shall dress and come down,’ Madeline said. ‘Leave my breakfast for I shall eat in the breakfast parlour when my business is finished and then return to my room to change.’

With the help of the maid, she slipped on a simple morning gown, brushed her hair and curled it up under a fetching lace cap. Leaving the girl to set out the gown she wished to wear later, she went downstairs to the front parlour where the visitor was waiting. A man dressed in a shabby black coat and grey breeches was standing by the empty fireplace. He looked round as she entered the room.

‘Lady Lethbridge,’ he said. ‘John Hedges at your service, clerk to Sir Anthony Ironbridge, Magistrate and Justice of the Peace. I must apologise for disturbing you at this early hour, but the gentlemen were most insistent that you would wish it once you knew the purpose of my visit.’

‘Of whom are you speaking?’

He referred to a small notebook. ‘I am given their names as Major Ravenscar and Captain Mardle—do you know these gentlemen, my lady—and were you there on the Heath when a shooting took place last evening?’

‘Yes, of course,’ she said. ‘Has it not been explained to you what happened? An attempt to rob and kidnap me was made. The rogue had his pistol trained on us, as did his accomplice. I was ordered to ride the horse that my footman had been riding; he lay bleeding on the ground, shot by the highwayman. Captain Mardle was ordered to get down to assist me, but it was only when Major Ravenscar arrived on the scene unexpectedly that he had the chance to shoot at the highwayman. He saved my life and I am very grateful.’

‘Yet the man killed was the Marquis of Rochdale. Your account matches that of the gentlemen, my lady—but why would a man of such social standing attempt to abduct a lady such as yourself?’

‘I have no idea,’ Madeline said coldly. ‘He had shown an unpleasant interest in me, which I rebuffed. I believe if you enquire into his reputation you may find that he is not all you might think. He shot my footman who was riding with us and the poor man lies in bed in this house. He is lucky to be alive for he lost a great deal of blood.’

‘May I speak with this man?’

‘Thomas may be sleeping, but if he is awake and has no objection...’ Madeline raised her eyebrows, giving him an imperious look. ‘Do you doubt my word, sir? This is not the first time this man has tried to abduct me. Have you questioned the post boys and driver of my hired chaise?’

‘They had already left town. It was your testimony Sir Anthony required. No, I do not doubt you, my lady,’ he said. ‘I shall return to my master and give him your account of the incident and I am sure he will arrange to have the gentlemen set at liberty.’

‘What? Have they spent the night in the cells? This is outrageous! They rescued my maid and injured footman, and me from a vile rogue—and their reward is to be locked up for coming to report the incident? Such injustice is to be deplored. I shall certainly speak to the Prince Regent, who has been a friend to me, about this matter.’

‘Oh, no, my lady. I am sure it will not be necessary,’ Mr Hedges said, his neck brick red. ‘I shall assure my master that everything is in order—and I do beg your pardon for disturbing you.’

‘I trust that my friends will be released immediately.’ She was at her haughtiest and Mr Hedges bowed low as he left her.

Torn between anger and laughter, Madeline went into the breakfast room and served herself from the silver chafing dishes with a little kedgeree and soft rolls. She drank a dish of coffee with cream and sugar and then left the parlour. On her way to her own chamber, she knocked at Thomas’s door and was pleased to hear his voice answer.

Entering, she saw that he was now fully conscious and sitting propped up against a pile of pillows.

‘My lady,’ he said and pulled the covers over his bare chest. ‘Forgive me, I did not imagine that you... I thought it was Sally or one of the maids.’

Madeline smiled. ‘Do not feel awkward, Thomas. I have much to thank you and Sally for and I am sorry that you should have been injured because of me.’

‘Yours was not the blame,’ Thomas said. ‘Sally told me that Captain Mardle killed the marquis. It was well done of him for it sets you free of his threats, my lady—but I hope he will not find himself on the wrong side of the law.’

‘You may be asked to testify for him when you are well again,’ Madeline said. ‘I’ve had a visit from the magistrate’s clerk this morning and I gave him my account of the affair. I hope that Major Ravenscar and Captain Mardle will be exonerated of all blame and free to continue their lives very soon.’

‘I shall be very willing to tell anyone who wishes to know, my lady. That devil cared not whether he killed in cold blood and if he were not dead, I should wish to see him hang for his crimes.’

‘I came just to see how you went on,’ Madeline said. ‘I shall leave you to rest and I’m sure Sally will be here soon.’

‘I made her seek some rest,’ Thomas said, ‘for she sat with me all night and I told her she would be ill if she did not lie down for a while.’

‘She was worried for you, but she is relieved of her duties and free to nurse you, Thomas—and I hope we shall soon have a wedding to cheer us all. I mean to give you a handsome present and I hope you will invite me.’

‘Sally wouldn’t dream of anything else,’ he said. ‘We’ll be living in London, my lady, and you will always be welcome in our house.’

Madeline thanked him and went away. She returned to her own room where she found warm water in a can.

* * *

Some half an hour later, having washed and dressed in a fresh morning gown of grey silk trimmed with pink braid, she was on her way downstairs when Mr Henry informed her that a gentleman was waiting in the parlour to see her.

‘Not Mr Hedges again I hope?’

‘No, my lady. Mr Symonds is—or was, I might say—the count’s lawyer. He asked if we would let him know as soon as we heard from you. I took the liberty of letting him know you were home and he called round in the hope of seeing you—but he says if it is not convenient he can call again whenever you choose.’

‘I shall see him now,’ Madeline said. ‘Thank you for letting him know. It was my intention to send for him this morning.’

The butler nodded and preceded her to the parlour, where he flung open the door and announced her.

Madeline entered to see a gentleman very correctly dressed in a grey morning coat and breeches with a pristine white shirt and a black cravat held by a modest gold pin. He was an elderly man with greying hair, but his eyes were a piercing blue. He had been seated in a solid mahogany elbow chair, but stood up at once and bowed to her.

‘Countess. A pleasure to see you. I trust my visit does not inconvenience you, ma’am?’

‘No, not at all, sir. It was my intention to contact you this morning and ask you to call. My husband’s unfortunate demise has left me in something of a dilemma. I am not certain of my situation.’

‘On that I can put your mind at rest immediately,’ Mr Symonds said. ‘Your settlement is intact for that could not be touched. Your late husband’s estate in the country is heavily mortgaged and I have received a foreclosure from the bank. Unfortunately, there will be nothing left after the estate is sold. This house is free of debt, but there are some small tradesmen’s bills to be paid. I have received a claim for five thousand pounds for a gambling debt. There are insufficient funds in the count’s bank to pay this, but you may know of some further funds—or you may choose not to pay it.’

‘If the debt has been proven you should pay it,’ Madeline said. ‘I am not sure what my settlement was—perhaps you could enlighten me?’

‘You have capital of ten thousand pounds, which is invested in the ten per cents, ma’am. Your income for the past several years was hardly touched and has accrued to another four thousand pounds, which is in a separate bank account in your name.’

‘So I am not penniless.’ Madeline nodded. She had expected the news to be something of this nature and was not dismayed. ‘My servants must be paid what they are owed and I should like to make sure they are given another six months’ wages when I close the house. They will, of course, have references. I have thought of selling this house and purchasing a smaller establishment in the country and shall take some of them with me if they wish to come. Do you know what I might expect to receive for a property like this?’

‘I imagine it might fetch ten or possibly twelve thousand pounds—the contents perhaps upwards of ten thousand, my lady. Some of the pictures and heirlooms may be worth more, but would need to be valued before they were sold.’

‘Yes, I imagine so.’ Madeline frowned for the marquis had claimed that he was owed twenty-five-thousand pounds. ‘Are there any other debts?’

‘None that have come to my hand as yet.’ He frowned, hesitating for a moment, then, ‘Are you sure you wish to settle the gambling debt? Such debts are sometimes written off when the debtor dies.’

‘Once the house and contents are sold, I shall pay all those debts I can,’ Madeline said. ‘There are some jewels that might be sold if need be—may I rely on you to handle that for me?’

‘Certainly, but do not include anything that was given to you personally, my lady. Your jewels are your own, though heirlooms are of course part of the estate...but I can see no reason why you should need to sell unless you wish. I have advertised in the newssheets and no one else has come forward to make a claim.’

‘Perhaps they will not,’ Madeline said and smiled. ‘It seems you have done just as you ought while I was away. I thank you for your care of my affairs, sir.’

‘I am honoured to serve you, ma’am.’ He hesitated, then, ‘I wished to make your settlement available to you on your marriage, but was told it was not necessary. I suppose the income accrued will be of some use now. I am sorry I cannot give you better news of your husband’s affairs.’ He cleared his throat. ‘I’ve heard unfortunate rumours of the count’s gambling, but have squashed them wherever possible.’

‘You have done just as you ought,’ Madeline said and smiled at him. ‘Please make certain that there are sufficient funds to pay your own account. I shall give you certain heirlooms that I have no use for so that we have funds available for any unforeseen debt.’

‘Why not wait and see what is needed?’

‘No, if the jewels are mine I shall sell them for I do not intend to live the kind of life that will require the more elaborate pieces. I have some with me—and if you will wait I shall bring them down to you. The remainder are elsewhere.’

‘I am at your service, my lady.’

‘I shall not be a moment.’

Madeline left him and went up to her room. She unlocked her travelling box and removed a set of sapphires that she had thought she might sell if she’d followed her intention of setting up as a seamstress. Taking them back downstairs, she discovered that Mr Symonds was no longer alone. Her heart caught when she saw Hal, but he was frowning and she kept the rush of gladness that surged through her to herself, merely inclining her head to him.

‘Hal...Major Ravenscar, I trust you are feeling better now,’ she said in a cool manner that gave no hint of her feeling. ‘This is the set I would have you sell for me, Mr Symonds. Please place whatever it may fetch in the bank and...’ She had opened the box for him to see and was surprised at his reaction. ‘Is something wrong?’

‘I fear I have more bad news for you,’ her lawyer said, looking grave. ‘The count asked me to sell that particular parure and some others a year or so back. He had copies made...and I fear these are merely paste. They are excellent copies but worth very little, perhaps a few pounds.’

‘I see...’ Madeline was shocked. ‘Did my husband sell many of the family heirlooms?’

‘He sold an emerald-and-diamond tiara, this set and, I believe a valuable ruby necklace. Those are the only things I was asked to have copied and then sell—though he might have sold others elsewhere.’

‘I see.’ Madeline laughed. ‘I was never allowed to keep the jewels in my rooms. I thought my husband feared they would be stolen, but perhaps he feared I would discover they were worthless.’

‘I shall take my leave now.’ Mr Symonds bowed his head to her and then to Hal. ‘I am glad to have met you, sir. If you will excuse me...’

He left the room and silence fell for some seconds, then Madeline said, ‘I am sorry you should have spent an uncomfortable night.’

‘I’ve spent worse when with the army,’ he said, his tone matching hers in coolness. ‘Thank you for seeing the magistrate’s clerk at such an early hour, Madeline. I am sorry to have disturbed you, but we needed your help.’

‘I believe Sir Anthony may have found it difficult to believe that Lord Rochdale had held up my carriage in the guise of a highwayman. I suppose it might be thought unusual for a man of his standing to do such a reckless thing.’

‘He might be a marquis, but that does not make him a gentleman,’ Hal said harshly. ‘I wanted to let you know for I thought you might be concerned. When Sir Anthony heard our story himself, and his man agreed you had confirmed it, he apologised for the way we had been inconvenienced.’

‘As he should,’ Madeline said. ‘I thought it outrageous that you and Captain Mardle should have been treated so ill when all you did was save me from an evil rogue.’

‘Well, you are finally free of the marquis and your husband.’ Hal’s mouth was set in a hard line as he studied her. ‘May I ask what you intend to do now?’

‘I shall need to sell this house and most of the contents for there are debts to pay. Rochdale claimed he was owed twenty-five thousand, which I fear I could not pay.’

‘Nor should you,’ Hal said. ‘It is likely that he cheated Rochdale at the tables—and even if he did not, he is dead. Let the debt die with him.’

‘I want nothing that belonged to Lethbridge,’ Madeline said. ‘My grandfather’s settlement is intact and will suffice for my needs. I shall leave the sale of what remains to Mr Symonds and retire to a small house in the country. He may deal with any claims that come on the estate. My servants must be recompensed when the house is closed and after that.’ She shrugged. ‘I do not care what becomes of the rest of it.’

‘And what of me...of us?’ Hal asked, a nerve twitching in his throat. ‘I thought you loved me, Maddie. But now I am not sure. You ran away from me without a word...why did you do that if you cared for me?’

‘I did not wish to drag you down with me. Rochdale would have ruined us both if he could.’

Hal seized her by the arms, gazing down into her face. She saw anger and hurt in his eyes and her throat tightened with emotion.

‘I’m sorry, Hal. I never meant to hurt you.’

‘I thought I should die of the wound you inflicted when you wed him,’ he said. ‘For a time I hoped I should be killed in battle. It was my cousins who brought me through.’

‘Forgive me...’ Tears were burning behind her eyes. ‘I believed I had no choice. I have regretted it so many times.’

‘If you heard Adam question me that night, it was because he knew that I had suffered the first time and he feared it might destroy me if you hurt me again. Is that why you left me, Maddie? Tell me, I beg you, for I have been in agony since I learned you’d gone. If you do not care for me, tell me now and let us be done.’

‘Oh, Hal,’ Madeline said and the tears began to trickle down her cheeks. ‘I have always loved you b—’

She got no further for he crushed her against him, bending his head to kiss her fiercely on the lips. His kiss was filled with a desperate need and hunger that she could not help but know for desire. Yet she found herself pressing her body closer, felt the heat rising from within her and knew that she wanted him to go on kissing her. She wanted to be held for ever in just this way. She had feared that she would freeze and shrink away when he demanded intimacy of her, but suddenly she knew that she could never feel revulsion for anything Hal did to her. It was Lethbridge’s coarse, brutal treatment of her that had made her shrink away, but even in the midst of his passion, Hal was tender and his love caressed and coaxed rather than took. She slipped her arms up about his neck and kissed him back, her lips parting as his tongue explored and flicked at hers in a way that made her tingle and want to melt into his body.

‘Oh, Hal, I was afraid...’ she said and now she was laughing and crying at the same time. ‘But you have been so sweet to me, so loving that you have banished what he did...the shame he made me feel...’

‘You should never feel shame,’ Hal murmured and stroked her hair as she buried her face in his shoulder. ‘You were innocent and sweet when he forced marriage on you. I vow that I will never force or hurt you, my love. You have only to ask me to stop and I would let you go.’

The tears were trickling down her cheeks so that she tasted their salt. ‘I feared I could not be a proper wife to you and I did not want you to give up everything you cared for, for my sake. I thought you would become bitter and hate me if I could not...but I can,’ she said and gulped back her tears as he wiped them from her cheeks with his fingertips. ‘I love you, Hal. I do want to be your wife so very much.’

‘Then we shall be married as soon as I can arrange it,’ he said and smiled. ‘Be damned to the gossips and those who censure us may do so. We shall have friends who accept us and I dare say we shall not often come to town, for my estate is small and I fear we must live the life of a country gentleman and his wife.’

‘It is all I want,’ Madeline told him, smiling through the tears. ‘I shall let Mr Symonds save what he can from Lethbridge’s estate and it shall be put aside for our children. If amongst the jewels I left at Ravenscar there are any worth selling, they may be sold for I shall need only the pearls that came from my grandmother.’

‘I have some pieces that my grandmother left to me,’ Hal told her. ‘All I have is yours and I own I would rather not keep anything that belonged to your husband.’

‘We shall not,’ Madeline promised. ‘Our children may inherit what there is, but we shall do very well on your estate. To be your wife is all that I care for, my love.’

‘If I have you, I am richer than any man deserves to be,’ Hal said and bent his head to kiss her once more. ‘I can hardly wait for our wedding day, my love.’

Afterword

‘It was so good of you to give us the reception here,’ Madeline said as Jenny entered the bedchamber where she was dressing for her wedding. ‘I do not think I deserve it after I ran away and caused you all so much distress.’

‘Adam told me it was his fault. You heard him question Hal’s wisdom in giving up his estate to go abroad, and he should not have doubted you—as I soon told him. You are my friend, Maddie, and I am glad that everything has turned out well for you after all.’

‘I never thought I could be so happy. Lethbridge was not a kind man. I believed I could never give myself to anyone, not even Hal—but I saw how happy you were, Jenny, and Hal was so tender and gentle. I did not know it, but my stay here helped me to recover my pride and forget my shame, and now I cannot wait to be Hal’s wife.’

‘There can be no shame where love is,’ Jenny said and smiled. ‘To love and be loved is more pleasure than I could ever describe in mere words. Trust Hal for he is a good man and would never willingly hurt you—and if you fear anything tell him.’

‘Yes, I shall, though I do not think I shall fear anything in his arms. We have not stopped at kisses.’ She blushed as her friend laughed. ‘I did not wish to wait for I wanted to be sure that I was not a shrinking violet on my wedding night, though we have not...lain together. Yet from his touch and the way I felt, I know now that there is much happiness to be found with the man you love.’

‘Yes, there is. You look beautiful,’ Jenny said. ‘Hal will think himself lucky to have you, Maddie. I hope you will both visit us whenever you can spare the time.’

‘We shall, you may depend on it—and you must come to us.’

Sally entered the room then, bearing Madeline’s bouquet of lilies and roses dressed with lace and ribbons. Her wedding to Thomas had been a simple one before they left London, but although she would return to her husband’s inn after the wedding reception, she had wanted to dress her former mistress one last time. She was to be a maid of honour and carry the train of Madeline’s shimmering ivory gown.

‘You do look lovely, my lady,’ Sally said and handed her the flowers. ‘I am so glad I have seen you—you look so happy.’

‘I am. Thank you both for helping me. I am ready and we should go down now, because I do not wish to keep Hal waiting.’

* * *

Hal turned his head to watch as his bride approached down the long nave of the ancient church. She looked so regal and beautiful in her gown of satin and lace and he caught his breath. Was she truly here or was it just another of the dreams that had haunted him for years?

She came to stand by his side, then turned her head to smile at him. His breath caught and he felt a surge of love and joy. Her bonnet of blue satin was trimmed with ribbons of ivory with silk roses stitched under the brim, the colour of the satin setting off the greener shade of her eyes. She looked pale and he wondered, but then she smiled up at him and his heart sang, because he saw the joy in her eyes. She had longed for this day as much as he had and she had overcome her fears, trusting in him to love her and cherish her for the rest of their lives. He smiled at her, feeling the love flow between them. She was truly his at last and he knew that happiness awaited them.