“She mentioned it to Penelope, and Pen let it slip to me. Grandmama told her not to worry—that your marriage
would not stand.”
His muscles coiled even tighter. After the groundless accusations he’d made, Madeline might be eager to find a way out of their marriage, enough to accept a generous offer of independence.
“Walters!” Rayne barked at his aide’s retreating form.
“Yes, my lord?”
“Have a swift horse saddled for me at once.”
Riding would be much faster than traveling by coach or even curricle. Moreover, it would take precious moments to harness either carriage, moments Rayne feared he didn’t have.
“Certainly, my lord,” Walters replied before leaving promptly to do his bidding.
“Where are you going?” Daphne asked as Rayne spun on his heel and headed for his study.
“Where do you think? I need to find my wife before it is too late.”
When Daphne tried to follow him, Rayne halted long enough to grasp her by the shoulders and plant a swift kiss on her forehead. “You have my utmost gratitude, sweetheart, but you may go home now.” Then pointing his sister at the front door, he gave her a gentle push.
As he continued on his way to the study, however, Daphne called after him. “I like Madeline a great deal, Rayne. I don’t want Grandmama to interfere with your chance at happiness.”
“Trust me, I won’t allow her to,” he said determinedly. “Now take yourself home and let me deal with our grandmother.”
Not waiting to see if Daphne obeyed, Rayne entered his study. After retrieving a key from his desk, he opened his safe and withdrew a large velvet-covered box. Ten minutes later, he was riding toward Chiswick at a gallop, the jewel case strapped to the rear of his saddle.
His fresh mount ate up the miles, yet Rayne still had too much time to dwell on his frantic thoughts. The fear welling inside him was perhaps the closest he’d ever felt to true panic.
His chest was wire-tight, and so was his gut. He couldn’t lose Madeline now just when he’d come to realize how much she meant to him. Yet he might very well have driven her away. His grandmother’s financial proposition could be the final blow.
Without a doubt he was outraged and furious at his elderly relative’s machinations, and he intended to stop the dowager’s meddling once and for all. But for now he had to intercept Madeline before she had a chance to leave him.
Even so, Rayne kept a lookout for his grandmother’s carriage as he galloped the road toward Riverwood, while self-recriminations went around and around in his head.
He’d accused Madeline of adultery and lies, yet the real deception had been on his part—for convincing himself he wanted nothing more than a marriage of convenience with her.
The truth was staring him in the face, though.
He loved Madeline. Loved her deeply.
The power of his new emotions really was not so shocking when he considered it, Rayne realized. He had locked the door on his feelings for so long, he hadn’t even recognized them when they appeared. But his love had been growing from the first moment of meeting her.
His blindness also made perfect sense. In his fierce determination to protect himself, he’d banished tender sentiments like love from his life, keeping his heart frozen by design. But love had little to do with logic. And despite his fear of betrayal, he’d had no choice but to succumb to Madeline.
In her own uniquely spirited way, she had pierced his armor and burrowed unerringly into his heart.
And now? Rayne wondered broodingly.
He’d originally wed her because he needed a wife to give him heirs. But now he wanted so much more. He wanted Madeline as his friend, his lover, his life’s mate, not merely the mother of his children.
And he wanted her love in return.
Yet what did she want?
A fresh wave of apprehension struck Rayne. No doubt he could forcibly prevent Madeline from leaving him, but she might never be able to love him after the unforgivable way he’d treated her.
His gut churning to the rhythm of galloping hoofbeats, he spurred his horse harder, urgency driving him to even greater speed.