Page 70 of Maid for the Marquess

“I will never allow it.”

“I do not wish this duel,” she whispered, clutching my wrists. “It frightens me, Alexander.”

“He wishes to embarrass me. To somehow make me look the coward. We will meet, draw our pistols, and shoot into the air. I will refute his claims and send him away. He is angry, no doubt having hoped I would offer him money for stealing you. It is his way to save face.” I kissed her again, my lips lingering on her soft skin. “Nothing will happen to me, my sweet.”

“What if he takes it further?”

I pondered her words. “Would you have me strike him down, my love? Kill your father?”

“I would have you unharmed, no matter the consequences,” she replied promptly.

“It will not come to that. He is too much of a coward, and killing me would only cause him further trouble. It is all gesturing and noise.”

If anything, my reassurances seemed to upset her more than comfort. I stepped back, pausing to drop kisses to her fists. “I will follow you to the house. You will rest, then we will have our picnic. We will not allow that cretin to ruin our day.” I smiled at her, hoping to see her smile back. But she looked troubled. Lydia climbed into the cart, lifting the reins. I assisted Geraldine into the wagon beside my wife.

“I tried to dissuade her, my lord.”

I smiled in reassurance. “My wife is, at best, stubborn. That she refused does not surprise me.” I patted her hand. “Rest well, madam. All will be fine.”

Geraldine nodded, still looking troubled.

“Take her to the house, and I wish her to rest,” I instructed Geraldine. “I will follow.”

I watched as the wagon moved away, Geraldine holding my wife’s hand, speaking to her, hopefully comforting her.

Edward appeared at my side, handing me the reins.

“I wish to walk a moment,” I muttered.

He fell into step with me, our horses trailing us. “Not the day you planned,” he observed.

“No. I doubt my plans will continue. Maddie is too fraught now.” I glanced over my shoulder, seeing the empty lane and closed gate. “What is he about? Nothing good will come of this for him. Did he truly think I would give him money to make him go away? That the word of a drunken card player and a butler so old would frighten me?”

“He is desperate,” Edward observed.

“Yes,” I mused. “But why? What is his plan?”

Edward sighed. “Liddy told me when she was in the village a few weeks ago, she saw the solicitor—Leigh. She recognized him today, and it surprised her to see him here with Barnett. He was questioning people, but she didn’t stop to listen since she didn’t know him.”

I frowned. “Of course not. She is not one to gossip.”

“I fear…” He paused. “Dash it, Alexander. I fear somehow word has gotten out that you set up Maddie with her own funds. Her father wants them.”

He was referring to the trust I had created for Maddie. It was a large amount, ensuring that she would never want for anything should something happen to me, and it had been drafted in a way that ensured only she could access the money.

“The funds are not his. They belong to Maddie. The way it is set, he could never get them—no matter what.”

He stopped, facing me. “Do you think he is of sound mind? He doesn’t care about her reputation or scandal. He doesn’t care about her. It has to be about the money. He was drowning in debt before—God knows how much further he has slid into the deep. I believe he has made some sort of nonsensical plan he imagines will work.”

I scrubbed my chin, frustrated. My day had been ruined, my wife upset, our fragile happiness threatened, and I didn’t understand why.

I hoisted myself up onto my horse. I needed to return to Maddie, then think this through.

“Post men at the gates in case they return to sneak about. Fetch me Higgins from the village—I require some answers. He established the trust for Maddie’s funds, and I need to know we are indeed sound in our knowledge.” I paused. “Ask around the village. See if we can find out what Leigh’s inquiries were regarding.”

“Right away. I will return with Higgins shortly.”

I nodded and urged my steed forward. I needed to check on Maddie.