“I’ll take some Feverfew. But you must understand, Hart, I have been through much,” she said earnestly. “The recent event has stirred all that business up with my uncle’s henchmen again.”
He studied her. “Yes, of course. I’m sorry, sweetheart. Rest well and I’ll see you in the morning.”
Maddie stood watching the door close, tears in her eyes. Was she wrong to go away? Should she stay and fight? But how can a wife fight when it all happened behind her back? Would all thetonknow if a liaison occurs between Vivian Spencer and Hart? Would they laugh behind their hands, or worse, pity her?
When Jane came and helped to prepare her for bed, she asked if Maddie had told Hart about their betrothal. It had completely slipped Maddie’s mind. “I haven’t, Jane, but I will tomorrow. We travel to Pembury on Tuesday. As Henry comes with us, I’ll make arrangements for the proper accommodation for you.”
“Oh, milady, you are very kind. I shall sleep better tonight,” Jane said before she left the room.
But Maddie knew she would not sleep at all.
Maddie farewelled Diane the next day. “You must come to Pembury,” she called before the carriage took her away.
“As soon as I can,” Diane said at the window.
“I could invite Peter down with a few guests. We’ll hold a house party once summer is upon us.”
Diane nodded, her answer lost in the noise of the horses’ hooves striking the cobbles as the coachman cracked the whip.
Maddie saw Diane throw her a kiss and smiled as she turned and walked up the steps. “Well, Crispin, it was nice to have Lady Diane here, wasn’t it?”
Crispin shut the door. “It was, indeed, my lady. Almost like old times.”
She smiled at the graying butler. “They must have been good times.”
“Many years ago, when Hart’s mother was alive, there were always guests in the house. She liked to entertain.” He looked sorrowful. “But then his lordship decided her health would improve in the fresh air of the country.”
“That was probably wise.” Maddie nodded and climbed the stairs to see Jane about her packing. Hart must have been a young boy at the time. He had not been forthcoming about his early life, and she wondered why.
The next day, Maddie left with Jane for the country. Hart kissed her and wished her a safe journey. An armed footman sat on the box beside Henry and the coachman.
She gazed through the window as the coach began its journey. Hart stood gazing after her. He was worried about her, she knew. But she’d seemed unable to say anything to put his mind at rest.
The coach had been traveling for a couple of hours when it suddenly lurched to a stop at a loud bang.
“I heard a gunshot.” Heart pounding, Maddie stared at Jane and then peered out the window.
“Please God. I hope Henry is all right,” Jane cried.
“We have an armed footman. I can’t see how…”
The coach door flew open. At first she thought the well-dressed man who came up the steps was offering assistance, but then she saw the pistol in his hand. He frowned. “Where is your husband, my lady? Is he not traveling to Pembury?”
He spoke in an odd whispery voice which chilled her. “No, sir. What do you want?” Maddie hated how her voice wobbled.
“I must ask you to leave the coach, Lady Montford.”
“Why? Who are you?”
“My name is Buchanan. You will come with me, please.”
“Not until you explain why,” Maddie said, refusing to budge.
But he leaned in and took a tight hold of her arm, hurting her, and pulled her roughly down from the coach.
“How dare you!” Maddie cried, trying to break away from him.
“Milady,” Jane wailed.