To Win His Wayward Wife (4 page)

After dinner they all gathered in the drawing room where the hostess insisted they play nursery games. The first few weren’t too intolerable. However, he nearly jumped up and down with enthusiasm when she suggested everyone hide and she’d seek them out. This would provide the perfect opportunity to talk to Madison, he thought as he followed her out the door. With all the people present he lost sight of her in the hallway, but felt confident he knew the direction of her whereabouts.

He wandered around for nearly ten minutes before he caught sight of her gown atop a lighted balcony. Looking around for stairs or a ladder that would lead to the balcony, he heard a male voice whisper something he couldn’t make out. Unable to find stairs, he grabbed hold of the textured bricks and started to climb up. Just as he reached the top, he turned his head and watched in the shadows as a somewhat unsettled Madison whispered, “Not him, only you,” before she wound her arms around Robbie’s neck and he lowered his lips to hers.

Benjamin tore his gaze away and dropped to the ground like a lead weight had been lowered on his stomach, which it had. He was certain of it. He felt worse than ever before. He’d just witnessed confirmation that she’d never feel the same for him that he did for her. All her love was for Robbie, not him.

The next day he traveled home and swore never to even think of America again.

That goal worked out for little more than five years. Then, one mid-April day in 1812, he walked into a ballroom and his eyes immediately landed on a group of three young American girls.

They hadn’t recognized him right off. Actually, they still hadn’t even after a year. It had been five years since they’d met, after all. His horrible attempt at a beard was now gone. His clothes were now the height of fashion (still not dandified though). Most everyone now called him by his ducal title, except the few who were close enough to call him by his Christian name, Benjamin. Of course Madison and her sisters wouldn’t pick up on his name since they’d known him as Leo. For all intents and purposes they were meeting for the first time.

And now, more than a year after their second first meeting, they were taking vows and becoming man and wife.

Six years of miserable longing were over and they were now moments away from her becoming his wife.

Not that he had planned for it to happen the way it had. That was just a stroke of luck. He’d actually commissioned an engagement ring the morning after he’d first seen her in London. He’d carried it in his pocket like a besotted man for a few weeks at first. Then, when they’d been here a few weeks and he noticed she was still withdrawn and rumors circulated she had no interest in men or marriage, he put the ring back in its box and stood content to watch her from the shadows.

Before the start of this Season he’d brought the ring to London to be fixed. It would seem in all his nervous excitement at the beginning of last Season, he’d clutched the ring too tightly and accidentally broken one of the prongs that held the diamond in place.

His plan was to try and charm his way through her wall of defenses in order to win her hand. But when he arrived in London this Season, he was shocked and slightly unsettled to find her wall of defenses and haze of uncertainty was already gone. Instead of being lost in daydreams and quiet, she was surrounded by every eligible—and a few ineligible—gentleman aging from twenty to eighty.

With his plan ruined, he decided once again to watch her from the shadows and look for an opportune time to present himself to her. He knew she wouldn’t be very accepting of him at first due to her sister and brother-in-law’s past history with him. What an idiot he’d been to offer Townson money in exchange for orchestrating the ruination of Madison’s sister, he thought closing his eyes to block out the memory.

The time for him to present himself to her hadn’t arrived before she left to attend her increasing sister’s grand event. When she came back a few weeks later, the timing was even worse. Her parents had left for America and left Townson to be her guardian in their stead. This was not good news for Benjamin. Townson and he had an uncomfortable past which was all his doing. There was no way he’d give his permission for Benjamin to marry her. Nor court her. Nor even call on her. In fact, he was absolutely stunned when Townson allowed him in her mere presence when he’d asked him to keep her occupied so he could dispatch of Robbie.

He would have been content to stay in the shadows when they were caught by Lady Algen. He’d been prepared to wait for Mr. Banks to return before asking for her hand. The only reason he could no longer wait in the dark for everyone to leave was the three of them had done enough suffering at his hands, and he couldn’t stand idle as the family faced yet another scandal created by him. He was just fortunate Madison swallowed her shock and took his arm.

He’d done his best to postpone the wedding until her parents could return. But fear of rumors convinced them all to carry it of on the date originally set: four weeks from the engagement announcement. With her parents not yet returned, Townson stepped in and walked her down the aisle. He’d even gone so far as to keep a scowl off his face, except for a split-second when he placed Madison’s hand in Benjamin’s.

“I now pronounce you man and wife. You may now kiss your bride,” Paul Grimes said, drawing Benjamin back to the present.

Slowly, reverently almost, and definitely tenderly, Benjamin reached his free hand up to cup Madison’s cheek as he lowered his head to press his lips against hers.

Under his, her lips briefly softened before exerting the same amount of pressure he had and returned the kiss.

Straightening, he looked down at her to capture in his memory exactly what her face looked like after their first kiss.

“Ladies and Gentlemen, I now present to you the Duke and Duchess of Gateway,” Paul said proudly as the grinning couple turned to face the clapping audience.

Chapter 3

Madison peeked up at her bridegroom through her lashes. He was startlingly handsome when he grinned, she thought before she turned her eyes back to the sea of wedding guests. She’d personally never seen His Grace beam like this before. Brooke had once told her she’d only seen him truly smile once and though it was an absolutely beautiful sight, it seemed to foreshadow something unpleasant.

Blinking to rid herself of that disheartening thought, she turned her smile up to a full beam and allowed him to escort her down the aisle.

Their wedding had taken place in St. Gregory’s church with the breakfast to follow at her sister’s townhouse.

Gateway led her to his carriage and wordlessly helped her up. “Thank you, Your Grace” she murmured when she got settled.

“You’re welcome,” he returned, taking a seat next to her. “You’re a beautiful bride, Madison.”

Her eyes locked on his still grinning face. “Thank you again, Your Grace” she said somberly. Was he just like all the others? Could all he see in her was her superficial beauty? “You’re rather handsome yourself,” she said with a weak smile. She hadn’t lied. He was handsome. He was one of the most handsome men in England and everyone, including himself, knew it. At close to, if not exactly, six feet tall, he was taller than most. His hair was a light blonde that was kept clipped reasonably short. His face was full of hard planes and angles that made him look like he was chiseled from stone. His eyes also resembled stones, the sapphire kind, that is. They were a color blue that held many different hues. She’d noticed at times they were pale blue like the sky and at other times they were a few shades darker almost like blue flame on a candle. Where his nose had once been a slim line, it now had a permanent knot toward the top and looked slightly lopsided. His mouth was usually clamped shut in a straight line with his slightly red not thin, not thick lips pressed together in twin rows. This was the first time she’d seen him smile in a way that didn’t make him appear to be sneering, snarling or grimacing. He actually looked exceedingly handsome just now.

“I’d say thank you, but we all know that would just lead to more useless small talk,” he said cheekily.

She smiled up at him. “I believe you’re right.”

Silence filled the carriage. Though she hadn’t gotten to know him very well in the past few weeks, she’d gathered he wasn’t one for small talk and pleasantries. Whether it was because he just wasn’t interested in her or because by nature he was just a quiet sort, she didn’t know.

The ride to her sister’s didn’t usually feel as long as it did this time, but sure enough only a half hour had passed before she was disembarking Gateway’s carriage and was on her way inside.

Their breakfast went faster than she imagined possible and she soon found her nervous self being loaded once again into her husband’s silence-filled carriage.

Due to the rush of their wedding date, they’d decided to wait until spring to go on their wedding trip, provided she wasn’t breeding. Madison gulped. Breeding? Surely not. They barely knew each other, they wouldn’t be having relations often enough for her to be breeding. Or would they? She’d been told men could take anything in a skirt to bed. For them it was just physical not emotional. But for her, like most women, marital relations fell more in the emotional category.

Looking at him now she could tell he was expecting to visit her room tonight and the thought made her stomach clench. They barely knew each other. Perhaps she should ask for more time. No, that wouldn’t matter. He didn’t seem the sort to be denied, especially if she were to tell him she wanted to get to know him better first. She’d just have to swallow her fear, close her eyes, endure the activity and be thankful when he left.

“You look nervous, Madison,” Gateway said, breaking into her thoughts.

“I’m not,” she lied, flashing him a weak smile. “All right, I am.”

He smiled at her. “There’s no need. I’m not as bad as they say.”

“Right,” she chirped. The whole country had something unpleasant to say about him. How could he possibly be nearly as bad as everyone claimed? But even if he was only half that bad, that was bad enough.

“I know we don’t know very much about the other,” he intoned, causing her eyes to meet his. “I’d like that to change. I think I can be a good husband to you, but you’ll have to let me in.”

Her eyes went wide. What was he talking about? Let him in? Let him in where? Her bed? Of course she was going to have to let him in there. She couldn’t deny him his husbandly rights any more than she could have denied his abrupt announcement of their engagement. It just wasn’t done. “All right, Your Grace” she agreed with a tense nod. This was going to be a long night.

“Good, I’m glad that’s settled,” he said lightly. “Now, if only I could break you from calling me ‘Your Grace’.”

She swallowed. “What would you prefer? Gateway?”

“No,” he burst out, shaking his head. “Never. I despise being called by my title. You can call me Benjamin or Ben, whichever you prefer.”

She looked stared at him. Of course she knew what his name was, but she’d never considered he’d ask her to call him by it. “Benjamin,” she said, testing it on her lips.

He smiled at her. “It looks like we’re here,” he said, moving to the door.

Together they descended the carriage and walked into the front door where all the servants were assembled to greet their new mistress.

One by one Benjamin introduced her to each of the servants, surprising her that he knew them all by name. She wasn’t bad with names necessarily, but when meeting so many at one time, she knew she’d never remember them all without having to ask again. She did make a point to remember Todd, the butler, Mrs. Potts, the cook, Mrs. Landry, the housekeeper and Lottie, the lady’s maid Benjamin had hired for her. Beyond that, she couldn’t keep up with all the Marys, Johns and Sarahs.

In an odd twist of events, Benjamin dismissed Mrs. Landry when she offered to give Madison a tour of the house and insisted he’d show her around himself.

Perched on his arm, she listened with great interest as he led her around the house and pointed out each room and explained why it was the way it was. She was quickly learning her husband had a great interest in both art and history. He admitted he couldn’t paint a square without messing it up and she almost told him she’d once had a great passion for painting before deciding he probably didn’t care about such things.

After he’d taken her through all the common rooms in the downstairs, they climbed a great marble staircase that had beautifully carved mahogany banisters and a bright red carpet running down the center of the stairs.

Idly, she trailed her fingers up the smooth wood as they climbed the stairs to what she presumed would be where their rooms would be located.

Taking a deep breath as they reached to top landing, she stood quietly while he opened the first door and put his hand on the small of her back to encourage her to go forward.

The room she’d entered was clearly a sitting room. There were two large royal blue settees positioned close to a large window with beautiful cream colored drapes. On the far wall, under a small window was a petite secretary stocked with fresh quills, inkpots and vellum. A soothing pale green wallpaper covered the walls and gave the room a softer touch. She roamed around and ran her fingers along all the surfaces, noting the feel of the fabric or the hard edges of the planes as she went. He must have talked to Brooke to know she wasn’t a fan of pinks and purples, she mused to herself. Smart man.

“As I’m sure you’ve guessed, this is your sitting room. Through that door,” he gestured to a door over on the wall without windows, “is your bedchamber. You can also reach it through the hallway, if you’d like.”

She nodded. If she went to her bedchamber now would he follow her? A shiver skated down her spine. Perhaps she’d wait until he found something else to occupy his time before she explored her bedchamber.

“I’ve some letters to write,” she said abruptly, hoping he’d take the hint and leave.

He looked slightly disappointed, but didn’t argue. With a nod, he accepted her statement, informed her dinner would be served at eight and departed, making only a soft click as he shut the door.

Madison waited only a minute or two before opening the door and walking into what would now serve as her permanent sleeping location in London.

Awe swept over her as she inspected the masterfully carved scrolls on the poles of her canopy bed. Running her fingers along the fringe of the deep crimson counterpane, she walked to the head of the bed where a little side table was positioned. After inspecting the odd little table that was perfectly polished and held a five candle lamp and a small clock, she went to the wardrobe. Her clothes had all been delivered the day before and it appeared Lottie had already put them away for her.

With nothing else to do, she sat in solitude and waited for dinner. Solitude was no stranger to Madison. She’d spent nearly a year in the state after the bitter end to her relationship with Robbie. However, during that year she’d always had her sisters nearby, and even if they weren’t talking to her, at least she knew they were there. Now she had no one near her, leading her to feel lonelier than ever before.

Dinner came soon enough and was an extraordinary feast she was certain she would have enjoyed had she been able to eat a bite. Nerves were getting the best of her. All day today she’d been a bundle of nerves. First with the wedding, then with worries of the wedding night. There was no denying he intended to visit her room tonight. His whole body screamed it. From the look in his eyes to the knowing smile that touched his lips, she could tell he had plans to devour her as soon as he was done devouring his evening meal.

Knowing this only made her gut clench tighter.

“I think I shall retire now,” she said blurted out as she set her napkin on the table and stood to depart.

She hurried up the stairs and slipped into her room before exhaling a deep, nervous breath. Lottie was waiting for her in the corner and quickly helped her to take off her dress before handing her a white cotton nightgown. Brooke had gone with her to the modiste to pick her trousseau. Of course Brooke, having a love match, suggested all sorts of filmy negligees. To appease Brooke, she’d ordered a few with express intent not to wear them. Ever. Brooke and her husband may enjoy bed play, but she was certain she and Benjamin would not find the activity nearly as enjoyable.

Dismissing Lottie, Madison blew out all the candles, leaving her room lit only by a little sliver of the moon that peaked in through the break in the curtains. Shakily, her fingers went to the buttons at the top of her nightgown. As quickly as she could, she undid the first five before pulling her counterpane down and crawling into her bed. Once comfortable on the bed, she hiked the hem of her gown up to pool just above her waist, exposing the necessary parts for his easy accessibility. Content he’d not find her nightgown impeding him in any way, she raised her hands to her chest and repositioned her gaping bodice so the fabric was spread far enough to expose most of her breasts, but not far enough to show her nipples.

Resting her hands by her sides and reminding herself to take deep breaths, she heard him walking around his room and knew it was only a matter of minutes before he knocked on her door.

Those few minutes felt like hours as she laid there in the poorly lit room waiting for his discreet knock. Finally when she thought she could take it no longer, the knock came.

“May I come in?” Benjamin asked, opening the door.

Her mouth went dry and her throat tightened in such a way that no matter how hard she tried, she couldn’t form a single coherent noise.

Taking her silence as an affirmative, Benjamin started walking in her direction. He wore only a dark dressing gown as he moved silently across the carpet in his bare beet, holding a single candle in his right hand.

When he reached her side he put the candle on table before turning his gaze to her. She watched as he swallowed before letting his eyes travel down her body. To fight the instinctive urge to cover herself from his gaze, she fisted her hands in the sheets, twisting them into tight coils with her fingers.

His gaze drifted past her nearly bared breasts and down to her waist before snapping back to her face. “What’s the meaning of this?” he demanded angrily.

She stared at him in shock. What did he mean? What was the meaning of what? He’d obviously come to her room with the intent of bedding her, did he not recognize she was in ready position? “What do you mean?” she asked, swallowing convulsively.

“Why are you presenting yourself to me like a whore?” he spat.

Her eyes went wide and she felt the burning heat of hot tears pricking the back of each of her eyes. She opened her mouth to try and talk, but no words would come out. She mentally told herself to cover up, but her body must have been in too much shock because she didn’t move. She couldn’t move. She could do nothing more than just lie there and stare at him, her mouth fruitlessly trying to work.

His hard eyes bored into her, demanding an answer. An answer she couldn’t give. At last he shook his head, grabbed the counterpane and carelessly flung it over her. “That was a disgusting display, madam,” he hissed with a snarl. “I never want to see it again, do you understand? That’s how a whore presents herself for a man who uses her body with little regard for her. Is that what you want?”

Wide eyed, she continued to stare at him, unable to respond.

He shook his head. “Believe me when I tell you that no woman wants to be treated that way. Heed my warning, don’t ever do anything this again.”

In silent shock, she watched him leave her side. The hard crashing slam of the door broke her shock and made room for mortification and hurt.

Under the covers she righted her nightgown and waited until he stopped slamming things in his room. A few minutes later she heard him slam another door, presumably the one to the hall. Against her better judgment, she crawled out of bed and bent down to look out the keyhole in her door. She could see him in the hallway. He was dressed in evening clothes. It appeared he was going out. She caught sight of another man in the hall, Benjamin’s valet perhaps. He mumbled something she couldn’t understand to the other man before dashing to the stairs. Less than a minute later she heard the front door shut.