‘You are leaving already baroness? May I dance with Lady Madison before you leave?’

Madison’s head swung up.

What game is he playing at now?

‘Madison?’ Her mother enquired of her questioningly.

‘I am tired mama. I would like to leave.’

‘Baron Sanford is not with us Mr. Rochester. I would like to get Madison home safely,’ Rachael spoke.

‘Allow me the pleasure of escorting you and Lady Madison home, baroness.’

‘I do not want to trouble you. You may not have recovered sufficiently.’

Madison glared at the glass of scotch in his hand. He pretended not to notice her disapproving glare.

‘You took very great care of me, my lady,’ Chadwick addressed Rachael. ‘I would like to return the favour.’

‘Very well then,’ Rachael smiled. ‘If Lady Madison does not mind to dance with you, then we may leave whenever you are ready.’

‘My lady?’ Chadwick smiled and held out his hand.

Madison’s eyes were cold as she directed a frosty look at him. She could not very well deny him. Not in front of her mother without arousing suspicion.’

Chadwick was not surprised at her haste to leave. He had felt a cad, when he had seen the hurt in her eyes. She was an extremely proud lady, yet she had asked him to dance. And what did he do? Stupid mule that he was, he had gloated as he rejected her. She had been graceful in walking away with her head held high. He watched her stealing away through the balcony. He had wanted to go after her and apologize, but his stupid pride held him back.

‘Thank you,’ she grudgingly placed her hand in his.

What the hell was wrong with him? He had categorically stated that he did not want to dance. I had practically begged him to dance, just so I could legitimately steal a few moments in his arms. He had denied me, as if it was a payback for the episode in his chamber at home.

‘Why are you so quiet?’ His voice was a whisper, his eyes mocking.

‘I thought you did not want to dance!’ her icy look could not melt his disarming smile.

‘Am I not allowed to change my mind? Or is that only a lady’s prerogative?’

Somebody had opened the balcony doors. The breeze picked up in the ballroom. Chadwick’s fresh clean scent stirred her senses. Her stomach wound in a tight knot. Desire washed over her like a burning flame out of control. She willed her mind to focus elsewhere. In her periphery, she saw other couples gracefully moved around the dance floor. The music soft and romantic could not warm her cold heart. He had hurt her earlier. All she wanted to do was cower in her chamber. She wished she was already home. She held him at arm’s length, willing her body not to respond to his magnetic charm. She let her eyes travel around the room, so she did not have to look at his brooding eyes or worse his sensuous lips.

Chadwick inhaled the sensual scent from her body. He shut his eyes remembering the soft feel of her flesh against his heated lips. He longed to take possession of her luscious rosy lips right this minute, but propriety forbid such scandalous behaviour. He had to have her, or he would go insane.

‘Name the place,’ his seductive voice broke into her thoughts.

‘I beg your pardon?’ Her eyes met his uncomprehendingly.

His caressing eyes undressed her. His grasp at her waist tightened. She knew she was in trouble when she could not tear her eyes away from his.

‘I want to make love to you.’

‘What!’

‘You know you want me as much as I want you. Let us stop pretending.’

Are we forgetting one salient fact here? I am betrothed to another man!

‘No.’

‘What do you mean “no”?’ he hissed.

‘I---we---you and I ---.’

‘Can you stop babbling and get to the point my lady,’ he turned her around rather roughly in his arms.

‘I am not making love to you,’ she spoke with dignity just as the music stopped and there was silence around the dance floor. Madison glanced around to observe if she had been heard, but nobody was paying her any undue attention.

‘Fine,’ his fingers pierced her wrist. ‘When you want me, you come to me,’ he dragged her back to where Rachael was waiting. ‘We are ready to leave if you are baroness,’ Chadwick smiled courteously, his face masked. His anger at Madison concealed.

He really is a work of art!

‘You enjoyed your dance dear?’ Rachael smiled at Madison.

‘Yes, thank you mama,’ she lied.

Chadwick had wanted to sit with the driver in front, but Rachael had insisted he join them in the carriage. He sat silently, occasionally glancing at Madison. She pointedly ignored him, staring out the window. She could see nothing in the dark. Save for the outline of the trees from the dim glow of the lantern guiding the driver.

‘Why do you not invite Earl Rankin to lunch tomorrow Madison?’ her mother proposed, trying to break the tangible tension in the air.

‘You forget mama; we are going to the race fair tomorrow with Anthony and Sarah.’

Ladies were not allowed in the racing Tattersall’s, but this “Fair” was a fund raising event and the general public was invited. Neither Madison nor Rachael had any interest in betting, but they had agreed to attend with the rest of the family.

‘Oh yes, I did forget.’

‘You should bet on my filly in the seventh race,’ Chadwick bragged. ‘She is going to win.’

‘I'm not a betting person,’ Rachael laughed softly.

Chadwick removed a gold coin from his pocket, ‘inside tip,’ he grinned, handing Rachael the coin. ‘Place it,’ he offered. ‘She shall make you a fortune.’

Madison and Rachael stared at the coin with surprise. Surely it was frivolous to spend that amount of money on a horse.

‘I can’t---,’ Rachael shook her head.

‘You’re not going to lose it,’ he held the coin out to her. ‘My filly is running her maiden race. I tested her against the best times of the other winning horses. She has beaten the record by two lengths.

Madison watched his animated face. He was so confident. She did not doubt that his horse would win. She believed with all her heart that his horse would win.

‘Okay,’ Rachael reached out and accepted the coin. ‘I have nothing to lose,’ she smiled.

‘I like your spirit,’ his eyes turned to Madison. She knew that comment was accusingly aimed at her.

‘You must not divulge to others, what I have revealed to you,’ Chadwick requested. ‘I want my filly to be a surprise at the main race.’

‘How many horses do you have running?’ Madison asked with curious interest.

‘One in each of the last four races.’

The last four races were the most prestigious. They pooled the most money. Only the quickest and fittest horses were pitted in those races. Madison knew if he put his horses in, they would be winners. Chadwick Rochester epitomised confidence and success. Failure was not in his vocabulary.

‘Thank you Mr. Rochester,’ Madison quickly rushed out as soon as the carriage stopped. She did not spend another second in his company. She had humiliated herself enough.

'Where was Rankin yesterday? Stanton asked Rachael, as he took his breakfast.

‘I do not know.’

‘I saw his carriage at the Blue Orchid,’ Stanton spoke awkwardly.

‘“Blue Orchid,” is that a flower show?’

‘No!’ Stanton raised his voice.

Rachael looked up sharply from the bouquet of flowers she was arranging, ‘what is it dear?’

He stood up and walked closer to Rachael, ‘it is a brothel house,’ Stanton whispered.

‘Stanton what were you doing there?’

‘I was not there. I was riding on the road where it is situated. I did not see Swain, just his carriage parked there.’

‘Perhaps there’s a valid reason,’ Rachael spoke quickly. ‘Or maybe one of his servants had stopped there.’

‘Perhaps,’ Stanton repeated, however he was not convinced.

Madison secretly placed bets on all of Chadwick’s horses. She did not want him to know that she wanted his horses to win. She did not even share her insider information, with Anthony and Sarah. When Anthony had casually asked her opinion about the seventh race, she purposefully studied the brochure.

‘I like those colours,’ she pointed to Chadwick’s horse.

‘What do you know? That is Rochester’s horse,’ he laughed. ‘He is racing a filly against those tried and tested thoroughbred stallions. She does not stand a chance,’ Anthony was a prophet of doom.

‘What do you think Sarah?’ Madison prompted.

‘Oh what do I know?’ she shrugged. Sarah was more interested in all the ladies’ fashion displayed in the stalls.

‘I am going to put my money on this stallion.’ Anthony pointed. ‘He has won his last two races.’

‘Your loss,’ Madison smiled indulgently.

‘Ha! We shall see,’ Anthony looked smug.

‘His horse won,’ Rachel whispered in Madison’s ear.

Of course Chadwick’s filly won. Madison was ecstatic, not because of her winnings, for she had secretly won a healthy profit. Her enthusiasm was more for the owner of the filly. Anthony was dumbfounded. He asked Madison’s advice for the remaining races. She played dumb and again won a tidy sum of money. Anthony continued his losing streak. After each race Madison ensured she got a bird’s eye view of the winner’s stand to watch Chadwick as he received his array of winnings and trophies. He looked delightfully pleased as punch. She longed to throw her arms around him and congratulate him, but she bridled her enthusiasm. Madison was taken aback when she heard it mentioned that Chadwick had pledged half his healthy winnings to the research of lung cancer.

Over the next month Madison had not seen or heard from him. She longed to see him but she did not know how to. He seemed to have disappeared off the face of the earth. She had asked Buttons to make discreet enquiries, but he was unsuccessful.

When you want me, you come to me.

His words replayed in her mind over and over. Where was he? Why had he not visited?

Where was he hiding?

She was actually contemplating responding to his challenge. Was it suicide? Could she do it? What would she say to Rankin on their wedding night? Rankin would think her a harlot. He would expect his wife to be a maiden. How could she go to him deflowered? No, she would have to forget about Chadwick. Perhaps it was better he was keeping his distance. So why was she consumed by thoughts of him day and night? Why was it that every night he tortured her in her sleep, if she had the luxury of sleep?

Rankin made an unheralded visit to Madison the following Saturday. She had been temporarily speechless by his announcement. They were to wed in two months time. Madison was devastated.

‘Why so soon my lord?’

‘Soon?’ Rankin looked surprised.

As far as he was concerned, he would marry her tomorrow, just to get his hands on her extremely large pot of gold. Not that he cared much about the righteous, boring twit. He would have to put his seed in her though to produce an heir. He winced inwardly, mentally noting he would need a bottle of his fine scotch to help through his wedding night. He would have to make sure on that night she would be with child. He could not fathom going to her chamber for a repeat performance. He was a healthy virile man, who liked his lovers, eager, responsive and experienced. The twit would probably come to bed fully clothed and just lie on her back like a corpse. He liked his lovers to work in bed, and he was not averse to a little adventure between the sheets. He liked the stimulating use of sticks and chains. His manipulative control over his lovers when they cried out in pain quickly excited him to a climax. She would deprive him this chit. She had no sense of adventure whatsoever. If only her cousin Lady Sarah had money and was available. She was the type of lady he would delight in ravishing.

‘I had thought you would be delighted at the news my lady?’ He smiled but his eyes were cold.

‘There is much preparation required,’ Madison looked away. ‘The dress, invitations, the menu and you and I have not agreed on the theme colour.’

‘I do not care about the colours,’ he spoke with impatience. Madison’s eyes flew up at him in surprise. He quickly improvised.

‘I am impatient for you to be my bride,’ his hand closed over hers on her lap.

Madison closed her eyes. She shivered inwardly. Not because the weather was cold, but Rankin’s touch was chilling. She would have to go through with the wedding. She had given her word to Earl Rankin Swain. She could not embarrass her parents. It would be a social catastrophe. She would be lambasted by the unforgiving ton. She may never get another offer. Which gentleman would risk offering for her, if she bailed out of this one with Rankin?

No, she had no choice. She had to go through with it. She would marry him. After she produced Rankin’s heir, she would maintain her own chamber. He could indulge himself with a mistress. She cared not if he did.

‘Are you going somewhere this morning?’ Rachael asked Madison, seeing her attractively dressed in a afternoon gown.

‘Sarah and I are going to Lady Jersey. She has started a reading group.’

‘Oh that sounds most interesting,’ Rachael smiled.

‘Shall you be joining us mama?’

‘No,’ Rachael shook her head firmly. ‘I think you young ladies will have more fun without us old hens putting a damper on things.’

‘Oh mama, nobody would describe you as an “old hen,”’ Madison laughed.

Rachael grinned. ‘You go on. I shall be in my garden.’

'You dare set foot on my property again! The frail grey haired man barked at Chadwick. Even on his death bed the cantankerous old man still tried to wield his iron fist. Chadwick with his eyes slightly shuttered, glared at his parent.

‘Get out!’

His father growled. His eyes were vicious looking, even though the body had become frail. Saliva followed his angry words out the corner of his mouth. Chadwick was barely holding his temper in check.

‘What the bloody hell do you want here? Have you no pride, you excuse for a man?’ His father continued to spit poisonously like a striking cobra.

‘I have a lot of pride old man.’ Chadwick answered with clenched teeth. ‘I have not slept under your roof in three years since the day you threw me out. It is your servant that has summoned me to your death bed.’

‘I do not need you,’ the old man bellowed at the top of his tired lungs. ‘You are a disgrace. I am certain you are not of my seed,’ the bitter old man continued to twist the knife in Chadwick’s heart.

Chadwick’s eyes blazed like a fiery steel furnace. It is one thing for your very own father to hurl abuse at you, but when he denounced his paternity, a son did not have to stand there and hear such callous words, especially when that son was a grown man, a very wealthy man who made his own way in life through honest blood, sweat but never, with any tears. His cold, brutal, ungrateful father never questioned where the funds came from to keep up the high maintenance cost of his ancestral home. Neither did the old man question how the servants were able to keep him in the extravagance he enjoyed.

‘I love you father. I fear I may never see you alive the next time I should risk coming to you. I pray there can be forgiveness in your heart before the cancer consumes you totally.’

Chadwick’s eyes moistened. His father need not be lonely, but he was stubborn and proud. ‘ I hope your remaining days will not be too painful. I shall ensure the doctors and servants make your last days as comfortable as possible.’

‘Get out!’ his father hissed. ‘Never set foot in here again,’ his father turned his back on him and faced the whitewashed wall.

Chadwick closed his eyes for a second. He breathed deeply, then walked out. The servant was waiting outside nervously.

‘The end is nigh Carlton,’ Chadwick spoke to the servant gravely.

‘I am sorry,’ the servant touched Chadwick’s hand affectionately.

Chadwick removed two bags of gold from his pocket and handed it to the trusted servant. ‘Make sure father continues to get the best medical assistance,’ Chadwick’s voice almost broke.

‘Why do you not come back?’ Carlton pleaded.

Chadwick shook his head, ‘No. It is better this way. Is the estate’s books in order?’

‘Yes,’ Carlton nodded. ‘Everything is as you instructed. Your bookkeeper has visited. I am certain he shall be giving you a report in a day or so. We have added another fireplace in his chamber, he gets quite cold all the time. ’

‘Good. Thank you for calling me Carlton. You are the only one who has father’s favour.’

‘I shall send for you if there is any change, good or bad,’ Carlton promised.

‘Send a footman with a report of father’s condition, once a week,’ Chadwick instructed. ‘You know it is a mere two day’s ride to get here.’

‘Consider it done,’ Carlton affirmed.

‘I am heading back to Cricklewoods,’ Chadwick informed the servant. ‘I have business and horses to take care of.’

‘No lady yet,’ Carlton smiled.

There is one---. ‘No,’ Chadwick shook his head. ‘Good bye Carlton.’

Chadwick travelled the dusty road back to Cricklewoods in his carriage. He raced his thoroughbreds at breakneck speed, stirring up quite a lot of dust like a desert sandstorm. He let his mind wonder to an image of a porcelain face, shiny brunette hair and mesmerizing brown eyes. That image had kept him sane in the last month dealing with his father and his failing estate. His father had taken a turn for the worst three weeks ago. He had been slipping in and out of consciousness. Chadwick had kept vigil at the old man’s bed day and night, when he was not attending to the mismanaged estate. He feared now, he would have to swallow his pride and knock on the feisty Lady Madison’s door. He needed her. Even if she did not want him, just to see her smile and hear her soothing voice would be a welcome balm.

‘Is that not Mr. Rochester’s carriage?’ Sarah pointed out their carriage window.

‘What?’ Madison asked, quite startled.

‘There, it seems he is coming into the town from outside the city?’

‘Yes,’ Madison saw the carriage flying past at the speed of light. Her heart lurched.

Tonight...I shall send a note with Buttons.

‘You know where he is coming from?’ Sarah looked at her cousin in confusion.

‘No---what I mean is, I see that he is coming from outside the city.’

‘You really are a featherbrain,’ Sarah clicked her tongue.

- end chapter nineteen-