The sleigh glided over the ice to the sound of bells tinkling on the horse’s bridle. It was a quiet tune that soothed her nerves and lightened her mood. She wished this day would never end.
Chapter Thirty-Four
“We have arrived at our destination,” the duke said.”
The duke’s announcement was met with a round of applause and cheers. The joyous mood was infectious. Madeline could not decide if her voice or the children’s voices were loudest.
On the journey across the frozen river, the duke had confided that he and Jeremy had found and captured Devonshire and his men at the Frost Faire early in the day. The duke had not gone into great detail other than to say that Devonshire and his men had been arrested and were awaiting justice.
A sense of profound relief washed over her. She had not realized until that moment how much she feared that Devonshire would continue to seek his revenge. It felt as though she could breathe again and looked forward to the duke’s surprise.
Snowflakes drifted down like bits of lace as the sleigh pulled alongside a massive white tent. There was a wooden mural panel, painted with images of forest creatures and scenes fromA Midsummer’s Night Dream, attached to the tent walls. Footmen dressed in gold and silver livery held torches on either side of the entrance, while a third footman drew back the flap of the tent.
Sophia and Lydia jumped from the sleigh and rushed through the tent’s opening as Miss O’Brian called out words of caution. “Children! You must show decorum! What would your mother say if she knew you were running about willy-nilly? Ladies do not scamper about like puppies!”
William chuckled, offering his arm to Miss O’Brian after helping her down from the sleigh. “The duke and I will keep this a secret from our mother. Let’s pretend, if only for tonight, that we are not governed by the rules of theton.”
As Lord Oswyn and Miss O’Brian followed the twins inside, the duke helped Madeline from the sleigh. “Your brother is as romantic as you are, Your Grace,” she said as she and the duke entered the tent.
White fur rugs covered wooden floors. Jewel-toned pillows in emerald green, ruby red, and sapphire blue were arranged to resemble lounging chairs and sofas. A wide variety of sweets and a decanter of red wine and crystal goblets were spread over a low table. The inside of the room reminded Madeline of stories in the bookOne Thousand and One Arabian Nights. In that book, the woman, Scheherazade, read to Shahryar, the fictional ruler of India and China, a collection of medieval folk tales. The stories were filled with adventure and romance and the possibility of a happily-ever-after ending, which gave Madeline hope that such a conclusion might happen for her as well.
Robert nodded to the footman, who placed a torch in an iron stand and left, closing the door behind him. The glow from the torch bathed the inside of the tent in golden hues that further enhanced the enchanted-seeming atmosphere.
William, the twins, and Miss O’Brian, had circled around the low table on pillows, sampling the sweets displayed on golden trays.
“This place is like something out of a dream,” Madeline said. “How did you accomplish so much in such a short amount of time?”
He laughed softly. “I could tell you that for the Duke of Conclarton nothing is impossible, but that played only a small part. It is because of your reputation that these preparations came together so quickly. As you might imagine, hundreds of merchants and vendors are in need of workers to construct their buildings for the Frost Fair. When word spread that I wanted to surprise Miss Madeline Mercer, workers flooded to my aid.”
“I do not understand. I am no one of consequence.”
“Spoken like a true Angel of Mercy. Many would disagree. You are the woman who saved a village.”
“That is not true. I suggested that a few wagonloads of food and clothing be donated to help the villagers. Anyone would have done the same.”
“It amounted to twenty wagonloads, with more promised. The village is surrounded by wealthy estate owners who felt that a few baskets of bread or a butchered pig during the holidays was sufficient to ease their conscience. You were not satisfied with pretty words of empathy. You did not suggest, as you would have me and others believe. You demanded action. You exposed theton’s neglect and made it impossible for them to ignore the need. You were the only person who decided to do something about helping those less fortunate with an amount of charity that would make a difference. You have a kind and generous heart and are beloved.”
“You have given me too much credit. I did not act alone. I may have suggested we help the village, but your mother found the resources.”
“True, my mother was generous. But you and your mother contributed far more. You and your mother donated enough blunt to assure that the people in the village would have full bellies and warm cottages to last through the winter months and into the spring. Speaking of food, I am reminded that if we do not join my brother, sisters, and Miss O’Brian soon, they will devour every crumb.” He held out his hand toward her. “Will you join me?”
Chapter Thirty-Five
Late the next day, the sky was overcast as the carriage caravan returned from the Frost Fair and rolled across the bridge and through the gates of Conclarton Castle. The inclement weather did not bother Madeline. She had rarely felt this happy. She, the duke, and his family had shared a wonderful evening together. They had treated her like part of their family. She had never had sisters or brothers, and although her mother had surrounded her with love, Madeline had felt lonely at times. If Madeline was blessed with the ability to have children, she made a vow that she would have as many as three or more.
The return trip had been serene and without incident, and as a result it had been deemed not necessary to overnight at one of the posting inns along the way.
Sophia and Lydia were sleeping like angels next to their dozing governess, Miss O’Brian, on the cushioned bench seat opposite Madeline’s. The twins had begged the duke to allow them to travel on the return trip to Conclarton Castle with Madeline.
Robert had initially turned their requests down, whispering to Madeline that he had plans for them to share a private carriage ride home. She had felt the heat in his gaze sear through her from the top of her head to the tips of her toes. Her face had warmed, and she was convinced that the color matched the rose-red ribbons on her bonnet. She was on the verge of allowing him to ride with her unchaperoned when Miss O’Brian intervened, saying that the twins would be disappointed, as they had longed for another drawing lesson.
Miss O’Brian’s tone had been gentle but firm. The message behind the thinly veiled art lesson excuse had been clear. It would not be proper for Madeline to share a carriage with the duke unchaperoned. For once, Madeline had been thankful for the strict guidelines that governed women. She knew the duke would not force his attentions upon her, but she also knew she would welcome his kisses and was concerned where that might lead. She finally understood what her mother must have felt all those years ago. Her mother had said she loved Madeline’s father and believed he returned her love in kind. The consequences of their lovemaking had produced a child. Madeline’s mother had been thrilled when she learned she was with child. Madeline’s father had not.
Even so, Madeline had wanted to say yes, and Lord help her, if Robert’s sisters had given her pause to reconsider, she might have given in. She harbored little illusion where the long ride on the return trip would have led. She had promised herself that before she allowed her relationship with Robert to continue, she would reveal her and her mother’s subterfuge. Until then, it was wise to spend as little time alone with him as possible.
She leaned back against the carriage seat. “What a fine kettle of fish I’ve gotten myself into. Well done, Madeline.”
She glanced over again at the sleeping children and their governess. Sophia and Lydia, even in their sleep, clung to the sketches they had drawn during the long carriage ride. Madeline was pleased at their progress and their eagerness to learn. Sophia had drawn a mischievous rabbit nibbling lettuce in her mother’s garden, and Lydia a pony racing over a field of wildflowers.
