Page 118 of A Deal with her Forbidden Duke
“What did you do?” she demanded.
“Ah, you have found your voice,” Donald laughed. “I thought he had made you mute. Either that or you are too overjoyed to know I am actually alive and well.”
“Overjoyed is the furthest thing from my emotions,” Madeleine hissed, stepping back.
“I have been watching you, Madeleine,” Donald continued, walking to her with his hands behind his back, as if they were out for a casual stroll.
Madeleine’s back hit the pier railing, and her breath caught.
“Your hosts are very protective and persistent, are they not? I thought they would never leave. I imagine the Dowager Countess of Easthall will get a surprise when they turn up on her doorstep, uninvited.”
It was then that Madeleine realized that Donald had forged both notes to get Tessa and Colin away, and her here.
Horror spread through her. He had already gone to such lengths to fake his death—what more would he do? A glimmer of mania showed in his eyes as his grin broadened.
“However, I care little for them. Madeleine, you were supposed to sort everything out for me. The debts, darling, they should have been paid by you in my stead. You have money from your brother, do you not? I hear Lord Halthorpe is quite wealthy. Your father gave me a rather handsome dowry along with your hand in marriage, and if your brother has inherited such wealth then…”
Donald inhaled, as if thinking hard.
“Then again, your husband hasmanylucrative businesses. One of them the most popular gambling establishment in London. Surely you can afford to give me just one measly payment among all the profit your husband makes.”
Madeleine’s hands trembled with fear.
The pier was completely empty, and there was nobody around to hear her if she screamed. Still, she stood her guard. She had spent weeks, months, rebuilding her strength. She would not let that falter now.
“I will not give you a penny,” she said. “Not of my brother’s money, nor my husband’s. You damned yourself, Donald. They are your debts, not mine.”
“See, I thought by leaving you with them they would be quietly handled.” Donald sighed. “Never mind. I shall have my payment another way, then.”
Madeleine snarled at him, feeling the railing press into her back. She moved discreetly sideways. “Alexander will come for you, Donald. Do not try anything.”
“Oh, will he, truly? Your husband thinks he has eliminated me as a threat. Do you not see the bruises on my face? They were delivered by yourlovelyhusband.”
Madeleine gulped.
“See, he is not so innocent, is he? Then again, the owner of a fierce gambling hell could not afford to be cowardly and soft. So, no, I do not think he will come for me, or to save you. After all, he already has tried, has he not? He left you vulnerable, my dear.”
Madeleine tried to think fast. “I am armed.”
“Oh, but my dear… I like my women when they fight back,” Donald laughed, and then lunged for her.
With Madeleine not at John’s residence—Alexander knowing exactly why, and his guilt deepening for that act of protecting Alexander from her brother’s wrath if he had taken their argument badly—Alexander thought of the only other place his wife would go.
The Easthalls.
He knew how much solace Madeleine found in Tessa. The earl and countess would provide her with support and a place to reside.
He rode hard to the Easthalls’ townhouse, hoping he was not too late to throw himself to the floor before his wife and beg for forgiveness if that was what it took.
Pounding on the door to the Easthalls estate, Alexander waited breathlessly. As soon as the butler opened the door, Alexander was already trying to push in. “Where is my wife?”
“The Duchess of Silverton is not here, Your Grace.”
“Tell me where she is.” Worry spiked through him. What if John was right, and the only time he could protect Madeleine was when she was at his side? He had simply let her go, let her fend for herself. Heavens, he was a fool.
“I do not know, Your Grace. All I know is that she received a note, then she went to her guest chamber to ready herself, and she left only with a horse. No carriage.”
Alexander’s chest tightened, his breath shortening. “Take me to her chamber.”
