Page 95 of A Deal with her Forbidden Duke
John looked between the two of them, anger and bewilderment chasing one another over his face.
“The owner of what?” John’s eyes widened.
Madeleine continued, “Together, we investigated Donald’s disappearance, and when he turned up dead, the new Lord Kinsfeld ordered me out of the house. Alexander offered me financial stability through marriage.”
“That looked a great deal more than financial stability,” John answered drily, his lip curling.
“We…” Madeleine bit her lip, smiling. “We have warmed to one another over time.”
John scoffed, turning his gaze on Alexander before he gaped at Madeleine.
“Are you not happy for me, brother?” she asked, desperation thinning her voice. “Your friend helped me. He was honorable—just like you told me, on more than one occasion.”
“Honorable!” John spat. “That did not look honorable. What I have said about Alexander and having him as a brother-in-law are quite different things, sister.” His hand flew out, pointing at Alexander. “He—he is not the hero you have dreamed about, Maddie! He is ruthless. He is—he is cold.”
“Thank you, my friend,” Alexander muttered.
“John, I do not need a hero. I am a grown woman.” John’s answering frown had her stepping forward. She moved close enough to clasp his hands, forcing him to meet her eyes. “I know you feel guilt for not being there when our father sold me off to Donald, but I do not blame you. I know there is little you could have done, even if you were here. Our father was too cold and too stubborn to let you.”
“And you have married yourself to the same sort.”
“I have not,” she said firmly. “I have gotten to know my husband.”
Her gaze landed on Alexander for a moment, softening, before going back to her brother. “Do not blame yourself anymore. This is a good thing. I amhappy. Is that not all that matters? I was not happy with Donald. Can we not merely focus on your return? John, it has been so long since I have seen you.”
Madeleine released his hands. His blonde hair, so like hers, was wild from the fight. However, his war uniform was intact and smart, and he hurried to brush his hair back, and straighten out his jacket.
His heavy breaths soon slowed, and the red anger in his voice faded back to his normal pale skin.
“Madeleine,” he sighed before he pulled her into a hug. “Forgive me, sister. I am tired from traveling, and coming into such a thing was… startling, to say the least. Of course I am happy for you.” He pulled back, wincing. “But did it have to be my best friend?”
“I was not quite in control of such a thing,” she reminded him, trying to laugh it off. “We have many guest rooms here. Please stay. Have dinner with us tonight. We are staying in London for a few more days, and I wish to reunite with you properly. It has been too long since I have dined with you.”
John gazed at her, his face dusted with the early growings of a beard, a testament to his journey home.
“You have grown up. It is… strange.”
Madeleine pulled him into another hug. “I am sure you will adjust soon enough.”
Alexander came over, throwing an arm around John, who pulled away, scowling.
“I have not forgivenyou.”
“I am sure you will. Embrace me, you fiend. We did not go through Cambridge together only for you to fight with me now.”
John still looked reluctant but Madeleine smiled. Almost begrudgingly, John embraced Alexander, his body still tense.
“Do I even wish to know how brief your letter was?” he asked.
Alexander pulled back, affronted. “It was brief, yes, but informative. I gave you the details you needed to know, as I promised Madeleine I had done. I would not write you a book to explain. I had in mind that you may have possibly read it in a quick moment.”
John huffed a hard laugh. “You always have an excuse.”
“Then allow me to smooth over any lingering resentment with dinner, as my wife invited.”
“Wife,” John repeated incredulously, shaking his head. “That will take some getting used to.”
“It is a good job dinner shall last a while, then!” Madeleine clapped her hands together as she left the music room with her brother and her husband, all of them reunited.
