CHAPTER 25

‘Please---I would like to talk to him,’ Madison appealed to Carlton, as her eyes followed Chadwick slipping away from her presence and possibly her life.  Carlton looked at the striking lady sympathetically.   Sadly she was not the first to lose her heart to the debonair and rather strapping duke.  He had seen the dozens of females both of polite society and who had attempted to attain the impossible with the elusive, relationship shy duke. What silently bemused Carlton was the duke’s unconventional dismissal of charming lady.  Carlton had always witnessed the duke at pains to be ever so polite to everybody.  Friends and foe alike received the same cordial reception.  None knew his true feelings.  Even the ladies, who persistently clamoured for his attention, after his interest had waned, were treated with the utmost tolerance.  Carlton wondered now at the duke’s rare display of emotion.  Could it be because he had just heard of his father’s passing?  Or perhaps finally has captured the heart of His Grace, Addinell Chadwick Busquent d’Angers, the ninth Duke of d’Angerville.

‘You may try, my lady,’ Carlton smiled sympathetically. 

Madison rushed up the stairs in a manner so undignified of a polite lady it would make her mother gasp in horror.  Whatever would her mother say if she knew her respectable daughter was running unchaperoned to a gentleman’s chamber, even if that gentleman was a duke?

Madison pushed the door opened and found Chadwick with his back to the door looking out the window.  Had she noticed previously how broad his sturdy shoulders were?  Or how they tapered into a breathtaking V down his pelvic girdle?  He must have sensed her presence for he swung around, an angry scowl on his face, dark eyes narrowed like fiery darts ready to spear her.

‘You should not be up here Lady Madison,’ he flung at her.

‘Chadwick,’ she rushed to him.  ‘I want to marry you,’ she gripped his wrists.

 ‘It is not me you want to marry!’ he shoved her away.  ‘I am certain it is the title that impresses you.’

‘I have ended my betrothal to Earl Swain,’ she reached for him, trying to convince him.

‘Sure, now that you set your sights on being a duchess!’ he spat.    ‘Do not bank on the title my Lady Madison.  I do not intent to claim it.  I have no need of it.’

‘You do not want it!  Surely you have no choice?’ she questioned.

‘It can lay buried with the eighth Duke,’ Chadwick hissed.  ‘Actually, you and he have a lot in common,’ a cruel smile flashed across his face.  It made Madison feel cold to her bones.  ‘Prestige meant a lot to my father.' He looked at her disgustedly.  Clearly he had had issues with his father, but what has that to do with him and her? 

‘I love you,’ her eyes filled with moisture.

‘Strange how you will risk social censure today,’ he mocked.  ‘You presume the will be forgiving if you discard an earl for a duke?’ 

‘I do not care about your title,’ tears rushed down her cheeks.

 ‘Spin me another yarn my lady,’ he laughed cruelly.  ‘Might I remind you,’ he dragged out painfully, ‘when I lay in your arms, how you rejected my offer?   I was not worthy enough when you thought I was a commoner,’ he spat. 

‘Chad---your grace, I did not know of your title when I walked in this morning---‘

‘Leave,’ he shoved her away in disgust.  ‘I need to go and bury my father.’

‘Please---,’ Madison fell at Chadwick’s feet.  She gripped his ankles pleadingly.  ‘Take me with you,’ she sobbed.  ‘I cannot live without you.’

‘You will survive,’ he jerked his leg out of her grip.  ‘I am sure the Swine awaits you and you deserve him.’

Devastated and defeated, Madison walked out of Chadwick’s home with her head bowed.

‘My lady, shall I take you home?’ Buttons asked in a sympathetic tone.

She barely nodded.  Quite frankly she did not care where Buttons rode to.  If he kept on riding into eternity, that would also be fine.

Madison braced herself when they arrived home.  Rankin’s carriage was parked outside.  She inhaled deeply and walked into the fiery furnace.  She did not know why Buttons followed her in, but his presence was a comfort.

‘Madison---thank the good lord you have returned?’ her mother spoke with trepidation.  ‘The earl has told us the most bizarre thing,’ she laughed nervously.  ‘I told him he must be mistaken.’

Madison’s eyes shifted to her father’s.

‘Madison where have you been?’ her father demanded furiously.

‘My lady here is the books from the lending library?’ Buttons mumbled, with his head lowered.  Madison’s eyes widened.  

‘I guess that answers my question,’ Baron Sanford smiled with relief.  ‘You see Earl Swain, Madison was just at the library.’  The Sanfords were at pains to reassure Rankin that his betrothal to their daughter was still in place.

‘Hello dear,’ Rankin took the few steps to Madison.  Smiling broadly, he attempted to place a kiss on her cheek.  She moved away sharply.

‘Earl Swain,’ she was at pains to be polite.

‘Shall we take a walk dear?’ Rankin’s patronizing tone was riling her to no end.  His unwelcome arm around her waist wanted to make her scream in a most unladylike fashion.

‘I do not see the need,’ Madison refused to meet Rankin’s eyes.

‘Darling the earl is your fiancé.  You need some time together,’ he mother urged desperately.

‘I am not marrying the earl,’ Madison’s eyes met her father’s defiantly.

‘What?’ her mother exclaimed, almost choking on her saliva.

‘Thank you Buttons,’ Baron Sanford dismissed the groom.

‘Yes sir,’ he bowed and left in a hurry.  Madison felt cold without his presence for some reason.

‘What is this nonsense?’ her father snarled.

‘I---do not wish to marry the earl any longer.’

‘Have you taken leave of your senses Madison?  Your wedding is in a week’s time.’  Her father’s raised voice deflected against the walls and echoed in Madison’s eardrums with deafening effect.

‘I am sorry,’ she looked at Rankin.  ‘But there is going to be no wedding,’ she met her father’s livid glare boldly.

‘Earl Rankin,’ the baron smiled uncomfortably.  ‘Perhaps Madison needs some time.  Why don’t you return tomorrow evening?’ he proposed. 

Yet something told the baron, his daughter’s mind was made up.  She was a determined one.   When she challenged her father, she did not often yield to his way.