“We’ll discuss that later. The most important thing is to find you somewhere safe to stay. Where these cutthroats can’t find you.”
The name cutthroats made her gasp. That’s exactly what they were. How wise Hart was. He surely must want to be somewhere else than dealing with her problems. Perhaps some lady expected him to call. She hated to be his problem. Maddie suppressed a moan as her hope to find refuge with Nanny evaporated. Her last haven had disappeared. “Just put me down at my aunt’s house, if you will be so good. Jane will be anxious about me. I cannot stay there overlong, however. Those biddies who saw you carrying me will have created a fine scandal for my aunt’s ears when she returns from London.” She put her hands to her face. “My uncle wants me home. I can’t bear to return there,” she said, her voice muffled. “But I worry about Pearl.”
“Go home? The devil you will. What is that man up to?”
“I don’t know, but it has nothing to do with me.”
“Those men are criminals.”
“Yes, I’m sure of it. But what would my uncle want with them?”
“I don’t yet know.”
“If I had the right clothes, I could go to London. Perhaps I should anyway. I shall have to bear the scandal, which is sure to follow.” She hesitated. “But I hate to embarrass and upset my aunt.” She sighed. “Aunt Libby hasn’t been well.”
“Do you know what your uncle plans for you?”
She shook her head. “I wish I did. He refused to allow me to make my debut. He wants to keep me close, but he doesn’t like me. I didn’t want to think him capable of evil, but now…” She shook her head. “I had intended to stay with him until my birthday, but those men made it impossible. When I turn twenty-one in six weeks, I will receive a little money from the trustees, and there’s my dowry, should I wish to marry. After that, Uncle Arthur will have no hold on me.”
“What is in your father’s will?”
“I don’t know precisely.”
“Why not?”
“I wasn’t present when the will was read. Uncle Arthur handled everything. Because I was under age, the whole business was taken out of my hands. But it is within my uncle’s rights to force me to return.”
“And after your birthday? What will you do then?”
“I don’t know. I haven’t thought that far ahead. My birthday seems a long way away at this moment.” Maddie watched him. His hands lightly clasping the reins, he passed a slow cart at a good pace, his polished boot resting on the footboard. He seemed so calm it was difficult to feel the weight of her predicament. But putting her experience into words had brought it all rushing back and made her stomach clench. Hart was right. She couldn’t go back there. But what about Pearl? She rubbed goosebumps on her arms. And where could she go? She supposed she could remain at her aunt’s, but she doubted it was right when Aunt Libby would be away in London until summer.
Hart pulled the curricle up outside her aunt’s townhouse, then sat back and looked at her. “There has to be something more behind your uncle’s behavior.”
“But what could it be?”
“I don’t know, but I don’t intend to let him get his hands on you again. If he does, I fear he might kill you.”
She frowned at him. “I don’t understand why he would. He can’t get hold of my dowry.” She shivered. “You don’t have to be so blunt about it.”
“Maddie, right now, he owns all the cards.” He took her hands and gave them a gentle shake. “I don’t know what he’s up to, but by God, you are not going back there.”
Chapter Seven
Maddie waved toJane, where she waited at the door. Then she turned back to Hart. “I appreciate how you’ve helped me, Hart, but now I must deal with this myself.” Her voice was tight as she fought for control. She didn’t fool him. She was reaching the end of her tether.
He had given some thought to Maddie’s plight as he drove here. “I own a small rural cottage near Box Hill on the North Downs, left to me a few years ago by a relative. It will need some attention to make it comfortable, as it’s been empty for close to a year. But you will be safe. I doubt they’ll find you there.”
“How kind you are,” she murmured. She tied the ribbons on her bonnet more firmly with quick fingers. “I hate to trouble you further.”
“It’s no trouble.” He pushed aside the thought of Vivian’s outrage and his uncle’s trustees. “I can take you and Jane there now. You can remain at the cottage for the following month, or longer if you wish.” He frowned. “But even after you turn twenty-one, you could still be vulnerable to whatever your uncle has in mind for you.”
She frowned. “Father never intended it to be this way.”
“Nevertheless, it is. You have to face the situation you are currently in. I will help you all I can.”
He assisted her down, breathing in her fresh lily of the valley scent, her hand resting lightly on his shoulder.
Her gaze met his and the reluctance in her expression told him how difficult this was for her. He remembered her nanny’s words, how independent she’d always been. “Thank you, but if you will take me back to my uncle’s house, I shall be grateful.”
