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)
“He would have,” I repeated. “Do you mean if my mother had not died?”
Geraldine looked torn. “I’ve said more than I ought. Forgive me, my lady. You should ask Lord Wheaton when he wakes.”
Before I could ask anything further, she bobbed in a hasty curtsy and left the room.
I stared after her, wondering what she had meant.
My stomach grumbled at me again, so I picked up a honey cake and took a bite, my mind churning with the possibilities of what Geraldine’s cryptic words could have meant. And then suddenly, all at once, the truth sank its claws into me. The honey cake fell from my numb fingers.
Could it be?
ALEXANDER
I woke in the dim of the evening. The windows were open, the breeze drifting through the room. I blinked in confusion, uncertain as to events I could recall. My head felt unclear, as if I had imbibed too many brandies over an intense chess game with Edward. Except my arm didn’t usually feel as if it were on fire.
A noise startled me, and I looked over, meeting my Maddie’s tired gaze.
“Hello, my love,” she whispered. “You are back.”
The evening light cast a glow around her, accentuating her delicate features. She smiled at me, but I could see she had been weeping.
“Come closer, Maddie mine,” I pleaded. “I wish to see you.”
She perched on the mattress, her slight weight hardly making a difference on the thick pad. I reached for her with my good hand, holding her palm in mine. “I am parched,” I whispered.
Maddie lifted the jug, pouring me some water. It was cool and delicious on my dry throat, and I drank deeply. I relaxed back on the pillow and took her hand again.
“I am back. And, despite the baron’s best efforts, alive. I will send him back to his estate, and you will never have to see him again.”
“I was so frightened. I didn’t care what happened to him, but to have lost you…” She trailed off and swallowed. “I could not even bear to think it.”
“I am here and safe. And thanks to your tending me, I will recover fully. Tomorrow, I will be up and ready to face the day.”
A tear splashed on my hand, the drop making my chest ache with repressed emotion.
“I, too, was afraid,” I admitted quietly, sharing with her emotions I could only admit to my wife. “Terrified I would never again see your beautiful face or hold our babe.”
Her startled gaze flew to mine. “Truly? You never showed it.”
“I could not. I refused to let him see I was unsettled. I would not give him that satisfaction. I tried to get him to stop the madness, but he refused.”
“Why does he dislike you?” She paused, her soft voice dropping even lower. “Why does he hate me so much?”
I hesitated, and then she spoke again.
“Geraldine said something to me earlier that caused questions to begin to form in my mind. He is not my father, is he?”
“No, Maddie, he is not.”
“I suspected. I know I certainly wished for it often enough. I searched my features, but there was nothing of him. None of his temperament. Often, I wondered if he had discovered that fact and punished me for it.”
“Yes,” I agreed. “It was nothing you did.”
Briefly, I told her what I had discovered and how. She wasn’t shocked by my words, nodding as I finished.
“How does this make you feel?” I asked.
She sighed. “If I am being truthful—relieved. I feel nothing but loathing for him. Any family feelings I might have had, he beat and starved from me long ago.”
“Never again, my love. You are safe here with me always. And should there come a day I am not here, Edward will ensure you are protected.”
“Please don’t speak of that.”
A low knock on the door interrupted us, and Edward came in.
“Ah, the victor is awake.”
I smiled at his attempt at levity. I met Maddie’s eyes. “My love, might I ask for some sustenance? Something to rid my stomach of the empty ache?”
She slid from the bed. “Of course. I should have thought of that.”
“No. I was enjoying gazing on you and hearing your lovely voice. A whiskey would be a welcome addition. To drink this time and not poured on my arm as a sacrifice.”
She pursed her lips, prepared to say no.
“A small one. It has been a trying day,” I coaxed.
“A small one,” she conceded.
“If you would fetch my valet as well. I require some assistance.”
Edward stepped forward. “Allow me to help, Alexander.”
I was too tired to argue. Maddie leaned down and pressed a kiss to my cheek. “I shall return with your tray.”
“Let a footman carry it.”
She glided away, her silk skirt drifting along the floor. I admired her carriage and the way her hips moved. The curls framing her face. My cock twitched in my pants, and I was grateful to know all was working. I would show her I was indeed well when we were once again alone.