‘Excuse me,’ Madison shoved pass Rankin and ran out of the room.

‘Come back here!’ Rankin yelled. Ignoring him, Madison continued running outside.

Beth straightened. She did not know if she should run after Madison or keep Rankin away from her mistress. She stood rooted to the spot and just stared at Rankin.

‘What the bloody hell are you looking at? He growled. ‘Don’t just stand there. Go and bring your mistress back to me at once!’

‘Perhaps she does not want to be with you,’ Beth dared to raise her chin at Earl Swain.

‘How dare you address me?’ Rankin thundered. ‘Get out of the way,’ he brushed past her.

‘Madison dear,’ Rankin controlled his voice with difficulty when he saw her sitting huddled on the bench in the garden. ‘I see I have startled you,’ he sat down next to her and took her hand in his. ‘Talk to me dear,’ his voice was saccharine sweetness itself.

‘My lord---I think perhaps we should not marry.’

‘What nonsense! I want you as my wife,’ he asserted.

‘I do not think I should be your wife,’ she tried to remove her hand.

‘What brings this on dear? Has somebody been telling you lies?’

No,’ she jerked her hand out and stood up. ‘I fear I am the wrong lady for you my lord.’

I agree, but your money makes up for what you lack.

‘My lady, tell me what troubles you?’ Rankin gripped her shoulders, none too gently.

‘I---I am not worthy of you my lord.’

‘What!’ Rankin laughed. ‘How could you not be?’

‘I am not a maiden,’ Madison spoke softly.

Rankin went white as a sheet. His eyes widened unbelievably. She had spoken so softly. He had almost not heard her, but her deathly pale skin and the fear in her eyes told him he had heard her correctly.

‘Who is he?’ He shook her shoulders angrily. ‘I will call him out.’

‘No---.’ She did not for a moment think Chadwick could not defend himself. She just did not want to reveal his identity. ‘Please--- if you wish to call of the betrothal, I shall understand.’

And lose my dowry, not a chance.

I demand to know who he is.’

‘Please ---I cannot reveal that to you. It is not important.’

‘So you have been behaving like a harlot?’ he spat out. ‘How many men did you lie with?’

Madison gasped. Rankin’s comment had been like his fingers had sliced across her face. She lowered her head so he would not see her hurt, but she would not feel guilty about laying with Chadwick. Why should her virtue be savoured for a husband she did not love?

‘Well I prefer an experienced woman as my wife,’ Rankin sneered. ‘It would make our nights interesting.’ He gripped her wrists, pulling her close against his body.

‘Let me go,’ Madison urged, looking around, but nobody was in sight. Not even the ever watchful Beth was near.

‘I do not see the need to wait for our wedding night any longer dear, do you?’ he forced his mouth on hers.

‘My lord let me go,’ Madison cried out, but he just tightened his grip.

‘You freely gave yourself to another,’ he accused. ‘I am your betrothed. I have a right to you. You are mine,’ he pinned her arm painfully behind her back. His lips worried at the clothes protecting her bosom. Madison wrestled unsuccessfully, he was too strong.

‘I want us to wait,’ Madison tried to reason with him.

‘Whatever for?’ he laughed. You are not a virtuous woman. Now I can have a sneak preview of what I’ll be getting. ‘You like it do you not?’ His lips grazed her throat. He reached for her lips.

Madison felt repulsed at his touch.

Oh Chadwick help me please!

She froze when his fingers ripped at her bodice. ‘Show me the experience you have accumulated,’ Rankin urged. He groped her wildly. Madison wanted to scream, but she choked.

‘Don’t touch me!’ Madison exerted as much strength as she needed, and shoved Rankin off her. Startled, he lost his balance and wobbled in front of her. Madison quickly gathered her skirt higher, and ran indoors. When she looked back, Rankin was not following her. She was panting breathlessly as she ran up to her chamber.

‘My lady where have you been?’ Beth demanded.

Madison shut the door, a sob escaped her throat. Only then did Bet see her torn bodice.

‘My lady---did he---did he?’

Madison shook her head negatively. ‘He almost did,’ she whispered hoarsely.

‘We should tell the baron,’ Beth urged.

‘No! Nobody shall know Beth.

‘’But what he did was wrong. You are not safe with him. You should not have been alone with him in the first place.’

‘He only tried to ---kiss me. Besides what difference does it make? I am going to wed him one of these days,’ Madison cried and slowly sunk to the floor.

‘My lady call it off. It is not too late. You do not want to be wed to him.’

‘I can’t,’ Madison sobbed. ‘I have to go through with it. Papa will make me marry him.’

‘The baron will do no such thing. Not when you are unhappy.’

‘What should I tell papa? That I rejected the advances of my betrothed? He would laugh at me. Papa would expect me to tender to the whims of my future husband.’

‘The earl is no gentleman. Your life will be in danger if you wed him.’

‘Do not be silly Beth. Surely he is not abusive and I doubt that he is a criminal,’ she looked up at Beth.

‘He could be violent. He could harm you, and once you are married, he shall never allow you to walk away from him.’

I am sure he cannot be that cruel.’

‘My lady, his servants talk. They say he has a violent temper. Not many enjoy working for him. Apparently he keeps a whip for disobedient staff.’

‘Are you telling me he assaults the very workers he is supposed to be a good steward to?’

‘I have not seen anything myself,’ Beth spoke. ‘But why do you not befriend one of them at his estate? I am sure they will tell you it is not safe to be associated with the earl.’

‘Do not be dramatic Beth. He has a----healthy appetite and just lacks propriety,’ Madison murmured shyly.

‘My lady it is one thing to be intimate with one’s betrothed, but it is a serious concern when a gentleman ravishes those who do not welcome his advances.’

‘What are you implying Beth? That he forces himself on women?’

‘Perhaps,’ Beth answered guardedly.

‘Are you prepared to repeat your accusations in front of the earl, Beth?’

‘No!’ Beth supplied immediately. She was not bold enough to have the courage of her convictions in front of Rankin.

‘I can hardly take you seriously then Beth, if you yourself are not convinced of the accusations you make.’

‘But---.’

‘I should like to rest,’ Madison pointedly dismissed Beth.

‘Very well my lady,’ Beth left the chamber.

The following afternoon Madison accepted an invitation from Sarah and Viscount Anthony to look at some property Anthony wished to purchase. Madison had hoped the excursion would help her forget her turbulent thoughts of Chadwick and her dreaded upcoming nuptials to Rankin, but she was not able to offer much constructive advice to the young couple. She was not good company and time dragged on for her the entire afternoon. She longed to just be by herself, walking in the secluded woodlands nearby her home with only her wayward thoughts for company.

Madison was contemplating an invitation she received for a charity ball a week later when Beth entered her chamber to announce that Rankin was downstairs. She reluctantly looked up from the invitation to stare at her maid.

Why does he always show up uninvited?

‘I really do not wish to see him today Beth.’

‘Very well,’ Beth displayed a self satisfied smile. ‘I told him you were under the weather since yesterday and have not been downstairs in the last two days.’

‘Bless your heart dear,’ Madison spoke softly. ‘Please convey my apologies to the earl, and that I would enjoy a visit from him again before the end of the week.’ Madison’s facial expression did not reflect the sincerity of her words and Beth comprehended it correctly.

‘It shall be my pleasure my lady,’ Beth looked forward to getting rid of Rankin.

When Madison knew Rankin had long departed, she changed outfits for a walk in the woodlands. She replied in the affirmative to the charity ball invite and requested a groom to deliver her acceptance before she stepped out into the chilly afternoon weather. Madison had asked Beth to stay indoors to avoid the dreary wintry afternoon, but Beth had insisted on accompanying her. Protected by a bonnet, scarf and a long suede jacket, Madison strolled through the woodland. Beth trailed a few feet behind her. As it often happened every day, her thoughts were consumed by Chadwick.

Where was he?

Since they had made love in her chamber she had not seen him again. Her cheeks flushed at the remembrance of that night. A warm heat sizzled through her body, just thinking about being in his arms. It was more than two weeks since that memorable and most wonderful night of her life. Why had he not called at her home? Why did he not send any word? Madison’s heart ached painfully just thinking about how much she missed him. She had gone to a few social events in the hope of bumping into him somewhere, but he had not been to any functions where she had been present. Did he really mean those heartless words that he had spoken just before he escaped through the window? Surely he must realize that she was missing him. How could he be so cruel and stay away from her for such an extended period of time?

The cold biting wind pounded against her face. It made tears pool in her eyes. Wisps of her chocolate brown hair escaped from behind her scarf and blurred her vision, but Madison was oblivious to the effects of then harsh elements. After briskly covering close to a kilometre, Madison slowed down and looked over her shoulder.

‘Beth go home. You must be tired.’

‘Why are you torturing yourself in this weather Lady Madison? Surely you already have the answer to what troubles you,’ she announced prophetically.’

That I love Chadwick? That I miss him terribly? That I want him---again.

‘Stop it my lady,’ Beth chided as she caught up with Madison.

‘I beg your pardon,’ Madison looked at Beth’s hand circled around her wrist.

‘Tell the earl you do not wish to go through with the wedding, please. It is killing you my lady.’

‘I can’t Beth,’ Madison turned her back on her. ‘You know I can’t.’

‘With all due respect my lady. You have made a mistake and you know it. You have become miserable since you have consented to the betrothal. There used to be a light blazing in your eyes. Now it has withered away. You live but you are not alive,’ Beth choked out the last words.

Chadwick is to blame, not Rankin. Even if I break the promise I made to Rankin, it will not bring Chadwick back to me.

Madison and her family were announced at the entrance to the charity ball. Her flowing mantle of hair was loose, cascading over her shoulders. She looked striking in her silk blueberry dress, but Madison did not feel or act like it. She attracted a lot of attention. Many gentlemen requested to dance with her, but she lied to each one that her card was full. Why she did not know. Even if Chadwick did arrive, and it was already quite late, she could not dance the entire night with him, propriety forbid it she knew that.

She took dinner together with Anthony and Sarah. After dinner she consented to one dance with Anthony. He enquired why she had not brought Rankin, seeing she looked like Rankin’s absence was affecting her. Madison choked on her denial, and decided not to correct Anthony’s supposition.

A ballad began to play. Couples grouped on the dance floor. Before anybody could claim her attention, Madison escaped through the balcony into the courtyard. Her parents were in the card room, she hoped nobody else would notice her absence. It was dark. The night air was cold. The half moon scarcely provided much light. Knowing it unwise to venture further into the dense garden alone, she continued anyway. Madison rubbed her palms over her arms, hoping the warmth will take some of the chill away.

‘That feel better?’ A warm jacket was spread over her shoulders. That scent was unmistakable, the voice even more so.

‘Chadwick!’ Madison spun around.

‘Ssh!’ He pressed a finger to her lips.

‘What---where have you been? Why are you not inside? Good evening,’ she spoke breathlessly. A fire ignited inside her. A glorious light reflected brightly in her eyes.’

‘Come here,’ he demanded, taking her into his arms. His mouth crushed hers, forcing her lips apart. She yielded obediently, her arms wrapping tightly around his body. Only when she needed oxygen, did Madison draw away reluctantly.

‘I have missed you,’ she whispered against his throat.

‘You did not come looking for me,’ he accused, kissing her eyes and ears and finally her neck.

‘I did not think you would welcome me,’ she arched her neck; her hands snaked around his shoulders, caressing the nape of his neck.

‘Oh I would have,’ he gently nudged her against the wall. They were hidden behind the thick bushes of bougainvillea plants.

‘What are you doing?’ she exclaimed, even though it seemed obvious to her.

‘I intend to have you right now,’ he slipped his hands under her dress. His mouth closed over hers again hungrily. They exchanged a lengthy kiss before Madison broke away. She was torn between her need for him and protecting her reputation.

‘We can’t,’ she urged. ‘Not like this,’ even though the thrill of Chadwick making love to her, in the dark; in the open excited her beyond caution.

‘Tell me to stop,’ he challenged, just as his fingers slipped beneath her plain cotton drawers. Her body arched in eager anticipation of his probing fingers. She groaned her pleasure in a hushed sigh.

‘I want you,’ she whispered hoarsely.

She pulled him closer. Her hands raced up and down his body, experimenting, teasing, and pleasuring. They kissed, their tongues caressed and entwined. When her moans became louder and her voice pleading for his love, he unzipped himself and entered her, as she stood with her back against the wall.

‘Chadwick,’ she cried out, purring with delight.

He lifted her one leg, draping it around his waist, burying himself deep inside her. He continued to pound into her repeatedly, until he felt her explosion and released himself inside her joining her ecstatically.

Madison was almost feint with pleasure. She could barely hold herself upright. She clung to him, all the while trying to regain her breath and composure.

‘I---I am speechless,’ she gasped.

‘You were amazing and sensational.’ She could not see his face, but he sounded like he was grinning. He removed himself and used his handkerchief to wipe her down.

‘What have we done ---here in a public place?’ she groaned, helping him to clean herself up and make her look presentable again.

‘We made love,’ he replied nonchalantly.

‘We should not have,’ she sighed.

‘I want to see you tomorrow,’ he demanded.

‘I cannot,’ she pleaded.

‘You can and you will, or I am storming into your home to get you. Now where shall we meet?’

‘Follow me into the woodlands at two o’ clock,’ she relented. ‘I am afraid Beth will be with me.’

‘See you tomorrow my lady,’ he kissed her lips and disappeared into the dark night.