Total pages in book: 89
Estimated words: 82982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82982 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 415(@200wpm)___ 332(@250wpm)___ 277(@300wpm)
“What?” Gently, he grasped my shoulder, rolling me toward him. “Why should you think you are to blame?”
I was on my back now, gazing up at the ceiling, trying not to dissolve into a new fit of tears. It wasn’t easy. They scalded the backs of my eyes, threatening to pour forth.
“Because I am the reason my father came to Wheaton,” I managed, barely keeping my composure. “You brought me here, you saved me, made me your wife, granted me every happiness, and look at what has happened in return. It is my fault that your life is now in danger.”
“Nonsense.”
“It is hardly nonsense. It’s the truth.” The tears won, escaping my eyes and slipping down my cheeks again. “What is the thanks that you receive for saving me, other than the possibility that you will meet an untimely end at the hands of my father?”
“Look at me, Maddie.”
I couldn’t. I was silently sobbing. I didn’t wish to distress him, but I couldn’t bear to have our precious, fragile happiness shattered. I couldn’t lose him.
“Maddie mine.”
I closed my eyes again, loving the way he said my name, the endearments for me that were his alone. What if this were to be the last night I would ever hear them? The last night I was blessed enough to lie with my husband in our bed?
I choked on my anguish, a wretched sound emerging from me that was scarcely even human.
“My love.” Alexander reached for me then, pulling me into his lean, solid strength. “None of what has happened is your fault. Not that bastard’s despicable treatment of you, not his appearance here at Wheaton, and not whatever shall happen in the morning. There is one person who will forever bear the burden upon his soul, and that is Lord Barnett himself. Not you. Never you.”
“What if he shoots you? What if he k-kills you?”
I could scarcely form the words.
“I won’t let him. Have faith in me.”
I buried my face in his neck, breathing deeply of his scent. “I do have faith in you, but I am also scared of losing you.”
“You won’t lose me. You’ll never lose me. No matter what happens on the morrow, Maddie mine, I am always here.” He flattened a hand over my chest. “In your heart.” He slid his hand lower, cupping the swell of my belly where our child grew. “And here, in the life you will soon bring into this world.”
“Our babe needs a father,” I said.
“And so our babe shall have me.” He kissed my crown. “You must never think that you are at fault. You are, and will forever be, the light of my days and the stars in my night sky. You are the best part of my life, Maddie mine, and I would meet your father at dawn every day until my last to keep you safe and to love you one day more.”
I was weeping again, but it was because of his words. “I love you, Alexander.”
It was a poor declaration compared to his, but it was all I could manage past the emotion constricting my throat.
“And I love you and our babe.” He caressed my belly fondly. “I have every intention of returning to you both and of putting this behind us for good. Now, get some rest, my love. You need your strength for the babe’s sake.”
I wrapped my arms around him. “I will try.”
I knew it would be useless, but Alexander needed sleep far more than I did. I wanted him as well rested as possible when he dueled. I wanted him safe.
“Sleep, Maddie mine,” he murmured, resting his cheek on my head.
But I lay there awake just the same until the faint streaks of light began to fracture the night sky, listening to the steady thrum of my husband’s heart.
ALEXANDER
Dawn was barely breaking when I left my solemn wife in the great hall. The long night had left her bereft of any tears, her pale cheeks and red eyes attesting to her heightened state. “Do not leave this house, Maddie mine. I will not risk you being anywhere near him on this day.”
She didn’t lift her eyes but nodded. I had spoken at length to her, telling her if she were there, I would be distracted and certainly injured, if not killed.
“Come back to me, Alexander,” she whispered, her voice thick with tears.
“I will return to you, my wife. I swear it.”
“I love you,” she added.
I slid my fingers under her chin and kissed her softly. “As I love you.” I laid my other hand on her expanding belly. “And our little one. We have much to look forward to.”
“Please be here to do so.”
I kissed her again. “On my honor.”
I walked away from her, shocked at the dread building inside me. Terrified I would never again see her lovely countenance. Hear her voice. Feel the touch of her gentle hands on me or her mouth on mine. I met Edward’s gaze, his filled with sympathy and worry. I straightened my shoulders. I was an excellent marksman. I refused to let Lord Barnett take away the happiness I had found. I loathed the idea of killing a man, but if it was him or me…