Page 78 of Maid for the Marquess

I was weeping again, but it was because of his words. “I love you, Alexander.”

It was a poor declaration compared to his, but it was all I could manage past the emotion constricting my throat.

“And I love you and our babe.” He caressed my belly fondly. “I have every intention of returning to you both and of putting this behind us for good. Now, get some rest, my love. You need your strength for the babe’s sake.”

I wrapped my arms around him. “I will try.”

I knew it would be useless, but Alexander needed sleep far more than I did. I wanted him as well rested as possible when he dueled. I wanted him safe.

“Sleep, Maddie mine,” he murmured, resting his cheek on my head.

But I lay there awake just the same until the faint streaks of light began to fracture the night sky, listening to the steady thrum of my husband’s heart.

ALEXANDER

Dawn was barely breaking when I left my solemn wife in the great hall. The long night had left her bereft of any tears, her pale cheeks and red eyes attesting to her heightened state. “Do not leave this house, Maddie mine. I will not risk you being anywhere near him on this day.”

She didn’t lift her eyes but nodded. I had spoken at length to her, telling her if she were there, I would be distracted and certainly injured, if not killed.

“Come back to me, Alexander,” she whispered, her voice thick with tears.

“I will return to you, my wife. I swear it.”

“I love you,” she added.

I slid my fingers under her chin and kissed her softly. “As I love you.” I laid my other hand on her expanding belly. “And our little one. We have much to look forward to.”

“Please be here to do so.”

I kissed her again. “On my honor.”

I walked away from her, shocked at the dread building inside me. Terrified I would never again see her lovely countenance. Hear her voice. Feel the touch of her gentle hands on me or her mouth on mine. I met Edward’s gaze, his filled with sympathy and worry. I straightened my shoulders. I was an excellent marksman. I refused to let Lord Barnett take away the happiness I had found. I loathed the idea of killing a man, but if it was him or me…

I chose myself. Maddie. Our child.

I chose my life.

CHAPTER 21

ALEXANDER

As we rode toward the field at the edge of the estate, I inhaled deeply. The air was resplendent with the scent of spring. I glanced around, taking in the beauty. The dew was heavy on the long grasses that swayed in the early morning breeze. I knew that, later, the sky overhead would be so blue it would remind me of my Maddie’s extraordinary eyes. A niggling thought worried at me, and I wondered if this perhaps might be the last time I would be able to gaze on such beauty. Unusually overcome, I offered up a prayer for my safety. For my wife and our unborn babe.

I paused my horse, taking it all in. Edward turned in his saddle, regarding me.

“Alexander?”

“Promise me one last time.”

He rounded his steed and drew alongside me. “She will be looked after. Always. As God as my witness, she and your babe will want for nothing. I will watch over both of them as if they were my own and care for them. He will never again touch her life.”

I reached over and grasped his forearm. “Thank you. You have been the truest, most loyal companion a man could ask for to walk beside him.”

“Until the end. That was our vow as young men.”

I nodded. “If the end be today, I am grateful to have you with me.”

“It will not be,” he stated firmly. “You will return to your wife shortly and put this behind you.”