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He steeled himself to meet the villain, but his knock on the frail wooden door was met by a tall, thin woman wearing a ragged dress. Her face was lined with what looked like years of hardship, and the skin under her pale-blue eyes was shallow and dark.

He introduced himself as Maggie’s husband but was met with an unexpectedly harsh response and no reciprocal introduction, though the woman did not object when he referred to her as Mrs. Wentworth. Despite explaining that he was searching for Maggie and was worried for her safety, she refused to tell him anything until he drew a few banknotes out of his pocket. Only upon handing them over did she reveal that Maggie had been there three days ago, looking for her sister. Mrs. Wentworth then dragged a frail young girl out from inside the cottage, who stood trembling before him.

“He be asking about Maggie. Go on. Tell him!” she ordered.

The girl, who shared her mother’s pale-blue eyes, cringed.

“Don’t be afraid,” Jude said kindly. “I’m Maggie’s husband. I’m here to help.”

She blinked at him, and he thought he saw a glint of hope in her eyes before she spoke. “Lord Tidworth’s…uncle…his house be about a half mile from here in Grimstone. ’Tis…a bad place, wi’ barred windows an’ high walls. An’ his uncle be a strange creature. He’s like an evil goblin or even the devil himself. You must help Maggie!” she spoke now with a burst of energy. “She only came there to save me. Don’t believe Lord Tidworth. He made her write the letter. She didn’t want to. I swear it!” The girl then broke into hysterical sobbing.

“What letter?” Jude asked.

But the girl could not stop her wailing.

“Now see what you done,” Mrs. Wentworth said, her own lip trembling. She’d pulled Lettie to her and took the girl in her arms. “Did you hear what she said? Our Maggie be in trouble. If you really care for her, ye’ll find her. An’ won’t leave her family to suffer like this, neither. If you truly love her, ye’ll see us better off.”

“I swear to you, I shall find Maggie. And you will have nothing more to worry about.” He’d said the words for Lettie’s benefit, though he felt some sympathy for her mama too. She’d seemed genuinely frightened by Lettie’s account. If Tidworth had done anything to hurt Maggie…the thought stuck in his throat.

It had not been difficult to find Tidworth’s uncle’s residence in Grimstone. It was the largest house in the area, protected as Lettie had said, by high walls, many trees, and two burly footmen standing guard at its black iron gate.

He strode to the gate and gave his name to the footmen, informing them that he was there to speak with Lord Tidworth. They left him standing outside the gate as one of the footmen went to the house to inquire if he was to be admitted. The wait was long, and Jude was left wondering what he would do if Tidworth refused to admit him. Perhaps, he should have gone directly to the magistrate. Now that Maggie was his wife, she had his protection. Tidworth could not kidnap a countess. He’d involve the Prince Regent if necessary.

But to his surprise, when the footman returned, he opened the gate and said, “Lord Tidworth awaits you, my lord.”

Jude hesitated. It seemed too easy. Still, what choice did he have? He was here to rescue Maggie, and that is what he intended to do. He thanked the footman and made his way along the path toward the house. He was surprised to see the garden was unkempt and the exterior of the house somewhat dilapidated. Perhaps the uncle had suffered financial ruin. Then again, Lettie had said the man was strange and equated him to an evil goblin, so perhaps he was merely eccentric.

As he reached the door, Tidworth stepped outside. So the man wanted to confront him in the garden and did not intend to let him inside where he was holding Maggie!

“Well, I never thought I’d see the day when Cadwell paid me an afternoon visit,” Tidworth said, his tone caustic.

“I think you know very well why I am here. You have kidnapped my wife. And if you don’t release her, I’ll return with the magistrate.”

Tidworth grinned, and Jude had to resist the urge to punch him. “I didn’t kidnap Maggie. She came to me of her own free will. She loves me still.” He pulled a folded paper from his pocket and handed it to Jude. “Here’s the proof. Read it for yourself.”

Hearing Tidworth call Maggie by her Christian name made Jude’s blood boil. He snatched the letter from Tidworth’s hand. The man really thought he was stupid enough to believe his lies. Unfolding the letter, he read the contents.

My Lord,

I have made a mistake in marrying you. It is Lord Tidworth I love.

So, I have returned to him.

Sincerely,

Maggie Wentworth

Despite Lettie’s warning, the words pierced Jude’s heart. He replayed Lettie’s words in his mind. He forced her to write the letter. She didn’t want to. “This doesn’t fool me,” he said. “I know you forced her to write this. Her sister told me.”

Tidworth threw back his head and laughed. “Her sister is a proper harlot. She’s furious I sent her home. Why don’t you take her for yourself? Either way, I don’t care. Maggie stays with me.”

Jude took a step forward. “You are holding my wife captive, and I insist on speaking with her immediately, or you’ll answer to my fists.”

“Why not your pistol?” Tidworth said.

Jude faltered. His heart began to race. “What?”

“Another duel? What do you say?” Tidworth smirked. “You remember the first one, I assume.”