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CHAPTER 18

Rankin shook his head and winced from the pain he felt at his right jaw. What on earth had happened? Whose bed was he in? Then it dawned on him.

Is there nothing that can rid Rochester from this earth? Rankin gently massaged his painful jaw.

e should be tending to me, not that commoner. He gingerly lifted himself off the bed and sat up.

In a daze Madison walked out. Buttons called to her to inform her which room Rankin was placed in. She nodded and proceeded to the bed chamber Rankin occupied.

'My lord are you okay? Madison rushed into the chamber with Beth right behind her. Rankin looked annoyed at seeing them. He did not want any witnesses to gloat about what a cruel blow he literally received from Chadwick.

'What took you so long?' Rankin scowled. 'I want you to throw Rochester out of your home.'

'I have prepared a pack of ice for you,' Madison murmured.

'That man is dangerous,' Rankin rattled on. 'I want him gone. Where is Baron Sanford?'

'Father is out at the moment,' Madison replied.

She did not want to comment about Chadwick. Rankin was in a foul mood. Shame, Chadwick should not have assaulted him, but how dare he speak to her that way, in her own home, in front of Chadwick and the servants?

'I must leave,' Rankin stood up with difficulty. 'I shall be in touch with Baron Sanford shortly.'

'The incident is most regretful my lord. My apologies,' Madison offered, not wanting Chadwick to be in trouble with her father. Rankin was considered an honoured guest in Baron Sanford's home.

'God bye my dear,' Rankin belatedly kissed her cheek.

'Will you not take lunch with me my lord?'

'I am not hungry,' he growled and marched out. Madison wanted to walk Rankin out, but Beth held her back.

'What is the matter Beth?'

'Leave him be,' Beth whispered angrily. 'I do not want him striking .'

'What?' Madison laughed. 'He is an honourable gentleman. He shall not raise his hand to the fairer sex.'

'His servants say otherwise,' Beth whispered. 'He is a man with a temper and a lust for money and women.'

'Every man must sow his wild oats Beth,' Madison spoke uncomfortably. 'I do not mind what he does before we marry.'

'I do not believe that once he marries, he will refrain from his wondering ways,' Beth cautioned.

'You do not know him Beth,' Madison stated. 'Perhaps he will change.'

'And if he does not?'

'I---well, many gentlemen take on mistresses.' Anger exploded inside Madison. She did not want her husband having a mistress. She wanted him to be faithful to her. Like her father was to her mother.

Why was she channelling her thoughts in that direction?

'You will not be happy with Earl Swain,' Beth prophesied.

Madison turned sharply to look at Beth, thinking she was jesting, but Beth's face was deadly serious.

'I am hungry,' Madison dismissed Beth's warning. 'I am going into the kitchen to have lunch. See if Mr. Rochester requires anything,' Madison dismissed her maid.

'Lady Madison, Mr. Rochester's butler has arrived,' Beth announced.

'Good day,' Madison smiled. 'What is your name?'

'Nester my lady,' the butler respectfully answered.

Madison wondered what was in the huge basket he carried. It was certainly well packed, judging from the way the servant battled with its weight.

'Escort Nester to Mr. Rochester's room, and have the kitchen prepare some refreshments for him,' Madison requested politely.

'Very well my lady,' Beth guided Nester up the stairs to Chadwick's room.

'Good afternoon sir.'

'Nester it is about bloody time you got here. What took you so long?'

'Sorry sir.'

He did not bother explaining, upon receiving the note; he had packed the basket and rode the carriage like hell to get to his master as quickly as possible.

'What have you got there?' Chadwick permitted a rueful smile.

'Two sets of clothes sir. Some personal effects,' he showed Chadwick the soap, razor blade, body spray and some of your favourites,' Nester grinned.

'Let's see those favourites,' Chadwick waved his hand impatiently for the basket.

He looked through it and found smoked sausages, dried beef, salted peanuts, and a bottle of the finest brandy. . Chadwick opened the bottle and drank a generous mouthful of brandy.

'You should have got here earlier,' he scolded Nester. 'Want some Buttons?' Chadwick offered the bottle to the groom.

'No Mr. Rochester,' Buttons straightened and shook his head vigorously.

'Try some of this,' he threw a packet of dried beef to Buttons. 'It is delicious. The best in the continent,' Chadwick laughed.

'Shall I shave you sir?'

'Yes hurry up about it and get some clothes on me,' Chadwick barked. 'I have been pushed and prodded around here like a bloody corpse.'

A broad grin plastered across Button's face at the exaggeration.

'You think it funny Buttons?'

'No Mr. Rochester. Not at all,' his face became serious again.

'You may have the afternoon off Buttons. Nester will take care of me now.'

'Er---the baron may have words with me about that sir. I think I will stay just the same.'

'Suit yourself,' Chadwick bit into a piece of sausage. 'Ring for some hot water Buttons. I need a decent bath.

'Right away,' Buttons tugged on the cord near the bed.

'Is there something you need?' Madison burst into the room.

'I wanted a servant actually,' Chadwick answered.

'What is that bottle of brandy doing here?' she demanded.

'It ---is for the baron,' Chadwick answered quickly, reluctantly offering her the bottle.

Nester's eyes widened before he quickly schooled them. Madison directed her eyes at the butler. She took the bottle and made no comment about the broken seal and some of the missing content from the bottle.