Page 119 of A Deal with her Forbidden Duke
When he was led up there, he immediately snatched up the note. He saw the notably nice handwriting but it was not his own despite his name being signed. Yet he had seen the penmanship many times on contracts.
Donald Cluett.
Without another word, Alexander ran out of the door and back onto his horse, racing like the hounds chased him, heading for the West Pier.
“Do you not miss me, Madeleine? Why do you cower from me, hm?”
Madeleine angled her head away from Donald, who leered at her, his smile utterly sardonic. He enjoyed intimidating her in such ways. “Get away from me!”
“I thought you were armed,” he laughed. “Fight me off at any moment, Madeleine. Where is your spirit? Or did I break it like our marriage?”
Revulsion ran through her. “You are pathetic, Donald. I was glad for all those nights spent alone, for I did not have to endure your company. No, you were enjoying the company of other women, were you not?”
“Jealous?”
“Not at all,” she laughed. “I pity you. I pity Nellie Trent, and I pity Lady Rowthern, for they truly thought you were in love with them.”
Recognition flashed in his eyes, and she knew she had ensnared him in his own stories. He was worried about being found out even further. “They were nothing but whores,” he snapped.
“That is what you love to call women when you are finished with them, is it not?” Madeleine snapped. “They were deceived by you.”
“I do not care for them.” Donald waved his hand dismissively, his lip curling. “They were dim-witted, idiotic, starry-eyed. They were so foolish they could not see past their own greed. They did not even hesitate when I presented them withyourdresses andyourjewels, Madeleine, so do not pity them.”
“They were victims of your ruthless behavior,” Madeleine accused. “I care little for either of them but I do care that you have hurt people.”
“Frankly, darling, I do not care about any of you.” Donald laughed, spiraling and uncontrolled. “With my new money I have acquired, and the payment you shall provide me to keep my distance, I will leave for America. I will start a new life away from all of you chits.”
Madeleine only shook her head. “I will not be giving you any money. You have taken enough of what is not yours.”
Donald snarled, his lip curling. “You infuriate me,” he spat. “My patience wears thin, Madeleine. I will have my payment immediately.”
“No.”
Donald shot forward, snatching her wrist. He yanked her hard enough that she stumbled into him. “No? You dare to refuse me? I will not ask twice.”
Madeleine’s heart raced. All she could see was Donald’s face filling her vision. His breathing was labored, his face red with anger.
“Get your hands off my wife.”
The threat came through the darkness, and Madeleine blinked into the illumination from the streetlight, watching as Alexander came into view.
His voice was sheer velvet to her, and her heart sang.
She almost wept at the sight of him, at the thump of his boots hitting the ground as he stalked towards Donald.
Donald smirked, turning to Alexander. “Well, well. If it is not the hero, come to rescue his damsel in distress. How predictable.”
With his attention turned, Madeleine saw her chance. She slipped aside him and ran to Alexander. Immediately, he tucked a hand against her waist and pulled her behind him.
“I am unharmed,” she murmured, only for him.
He gave a short nod. For a moment, all she could see was his handsome profile, the anger hardening his eyes. The protective grip he had on her moments before he pulled away was the fiercest thing she had ever felt.
“You will not get away with this, Donald,” Alexander growled. Madeleine let go of her hold on her husband as he stepped forward.
Seeing Donald take hold of his wife had sent Alexander into a flair of protection, his movements swift and fueled with fury at any harm coming to Madeleine. But now she was behind him—she wassafe, and it was because of him.
He would keep her safe, no matter the cost.
