Madison leaned against the cold wall, shocked at her reckless behaviour. She looked around, astounded. They could have been caught in the disgraceful act, especially as she was betrothed to another man.

What was I thinking?

Well actually she had not been thinking. She just went ahead and did it. Standing against the wall! Was it---done that way? Clearly, for she had just spontaneously indulged in it with Chadwick.

Thankfully nobody else was around. Not a single soul was in the near vicinity. Madison shut her eyes tightly and wished she had the courage to end things with Rankin. She found him repulsive. She shivered violently, for she could not for a second imagine herself in his arms, or Rankin making love to her. How was she ever going to endure Rankin’s touch when she married him? She could feel the unwelcome cold in her bones. Madison pulled the jacket closer around her shoulders and realized she still had Chadwick’s jacket. She cupped her cheek against it and smiled. His strong masculine scent was all over the jacket. She lifted the collar closer to her face and inhaled deeply. Shutting her eyes, she allowed Chadwick’s scent to infuse with her senses. She yearned for him to return, looking forward to their rendezvous the following day.

Where had he gone now? How did he get into the garden? How did he know to find me here?

Madison was so confused? She wanted Chadwick in her life, like she never desired anybody previously. Yet, she knew she could not accept him. He was not a peer of society. It was important to her to have the right social standing in society. The gentleman one married was irrelevant, all took mistresses. As long as he was a respectable peer of society and his family were of noble blood that was what mattered. Every lady knew that after her husband acquired a male heir, the wife was relegated to “non -existent status.” As long as Rankin provided adequately for her and their children, she cared not if he never took her to his bed again. She did not need Rankin. She would have her memories of the one she loved.

Not wishing to remain at the ball any longer. Madison scribbled a note to her parents. She must look a sight, she thought to herself! She would send the carriage back to be on standby for them. What concerned her now was forming an excuse to see Chadwick the following afternoon. She would make every effort to meet him. Whatever was she going to say to Beth about her clandestine meeting with a certain Chadwick Rochester? She would worry about Rankin later, if she had to worry about him at all.

The following morning Madison was up with the sun. Joy surged through her at the thought of being with Chadwick again this afternoon, suddenly trepidation washed over her.

What if we are seen together? What about Beth?

Intense anticipation overwhelmed her more than the idea of being compromised. It weighed little against her determination to be in Chadwick’s arms again.

Madison rifled through her closet searching for a dress that would make Chadwick’s eyes twinkle with appreciation. She settled on the dove grey shirtwaist afternoon dress with the soft pink lace frills. She chose pale pink silk leggings to go with black velvet slippers. Madison left them in the closet. Removing them would only alert Beth that she had plans. After lunch she intended to hint at wanting to take a walk. Yes, that was the perfect plan. She could hardly wait.

Madison rushed down to breakfast after washing. She ate porridge, eggs and tea cakes with gusto. Her mother had been rather pleased at Madison’s jubilant mood this morning. Lately she had been of poor spirits. Chatting incessantly to her mother, she relayed how she had enjoyed the ball the previous night. She was glad her mother had not asked who she had danced with or how her meal was for she could remember neither.

‘I thought you had a migraine and had left early?’

‘I did,’ Madison bit on another tea cake. ‘But the little time I spent there was --- unforgettable.’

‘I’m glad you enjoyed it dear,’ Rachael smiled. ‘You remember Lord Fane? He has invited us to his opera box at Covent Gardens. A German operatic artist is performing there on Friday evening. Lord Fane said he would be most pleased for you to attend.’

‘Oh that will be superb. Please reply yes,’ Madison stated.

‘Good, I shall ask papa to extend an invitation to Earl Swain.’

Madison choked on her tea. She sputtered in her cup, quickly settling it on the table before it fell from her hand.

‘Darling are you okay?’ Rachael rushed to Madison and gently tapped her back.

‘Yes,’ Madison replied gruffly, tears pooled in her eyes from her near choking to death.

‘The tea cakes are not going anywhere,’ Rachael pressed her palms on Madison’s shoulders. ‘You are a lady, do not eat with such haste.’

‘Yes mama,’ Madison coughed some more, and wiped her eyes with her tea towel. At her mother’s clearing of her throat, Madison hastily replaced the tea towel on her lap.

'Is the rumour true then Swain?’ A gentleman enquired. ‘You are mortgaged to the hilt? That creditors are wanting to foreclose on your estate?’

Rankin’s cold eyes glowered. He threw back his head and swallowed a measure of whisky. ‘I have a plan,’ he smiled with confidence, belying his true state of anger. Unhurriedly his eyes travelled around the smoky, noisy card room at Whites. There were many gentlemen there today just like him, with not two farthings to scratch together, but like him, every cash strapped peer smiled brightly and ran up their tabs as if they had an unending supply of funds.

‘You do?’ the gentleman asked curiously.

‘Yes,’ Rankin answered cryptically as he stood up. ‘Enjoy the afternoon squire,’ he tipped his hat and departed from the crowded card room at Whites.

‘Beth we are going for a walk,’ Madison announced, when she could not keep still for a second longer. She would be a bit early for Chadwick, but she’d much rather be early and already in the woods than sitting in agony in the drawing room watching her mother’s knitting needles at work.

‘We are?’ Beth looked up questioningly. ‘Yes that is correct,’ she answered quickly when she saw her lady’s flustered face.

‘Do not be out too long dear,’ her mother smiled. ‘I can feel the chill already.’

‘Yes mama,’ Madison picked up her shawl and draped it over her shoulders. ‘Hurry Beth,’ Madison pulled open the front door.

‘My lord! W---What are you doing here?’ She felt the lack of oxygen stifling her lungs. Madison wanted to faint. She clutched her shawl tightly as if that would shade her from Rankin’s presence.

‘I have come to visit my fiancée,’ he flashed a smile charmingly.

‘I was going for a walk. I---wanted some air.’

‘Splendid idea dear,’ he crooked his elbow invitingly. ‘May I join you?’ His expression intimated he was not expecting to be declined. Madison glanced at Beth desperately, but Beth could offer no help. She knew not of Madison’s secret plans as yet. Madison had planned to accidently come upon Chadwick in the woodlands.

‘Thank you,’ Madison grudgingly placed her hand in Rankin’s arm.

What else could she do? Tell her betrothed she had an appointment with her lover?

‘It is a lovely afternoon,’ Rankin looked up at the azure, cloudless sky and smiled enthusiastically. ‘What do you think?’

As far as Madison was concerned it had become a horrid, dark, gloomy, cold, unwelcoming, morbid day. ‘I cannot think of an adjective,’ she replied, her heart felt all the heat of an arctic glacier at that moment.

‘Are we walking my lord?’ His chariot was stationed right outside their home.

‘You wanted to walk, did you not?’ His hand pressed at her lower back guiding her in the direction of the woodlands.

Madison cursed herself for not leaving two minutes earlier. Then she would have been free to be with the man she loved, instead she had to endure Rankin’s presence, and his unwanted hands on her. They had turned the corner not five minutes when in front of her direct line of vision Madison found a lonely stallion grazing and the rider close by, lazily resting on the grass. He was so familiar to her, she held her breath.

Why did he pitch up?

Why was he not delayed?

‘Rochester?’ Rankin exclaimed in surprise, seeing Chadwick lazing on the grass. ‘What on earth are you doing in this neck of the woods?’

‘Swain,’ Chadwick’s response was unhurried. He had a furious scowl plastered across his face. ‘My horse needed a rest,’ he tossed his head in the direction of the grazing horse. ‘We have been riding hard.’

That was true he had ridden the breath out of his stallion, but only from the short distance of his estate, not for hours as he attempted to suggest. He had been in a great hurry to have the curvaceous chit in his arms, now he wanted to strangle her with those very hands that had been so hungry for her not five minutes ago. He was even more furious that she would not meet his eyes.

‘Ladies,’ Chadwick tipped his hat, as he courteously rose to his feet.

‘Good afternoon Mr. Rochester,’ Beth greeted enthusiastically. ‘Lovely day to be outdoors.’

‘Good afternoon,’ Madison murmured. Her eyes held his pleadingly for a millisecond before she looked away.

‘I wanted to see Baron Sanford,’ Chadwick attempted to engage her. ‘He is home?’

She knew he had no business with her father today. ‘Five o’ clock might be a better time,’ she suggested intuitively.

‘I have an engagement with Lady Sophia Jersey this afternoon,’ he lied.

‘Best you make alternate plans for another day then,’ Rankin suggested with an annoying smirk.

‘On your way Swain,’ Chadwick gritted his teeth angrily.

‘Enjoy the afternoon, Mr. Rochester,’ Beth smiled.

‘Father would like to have a word with you---about the horses,’ Madison pleaded.

‘My time is valuable to me Lady Madison,’ he glared at her. ‘I shall not be available for the next three days.’

Her eyes duelled with his, begging him to reconsider. She wanted the opportunity to explain, that she had been on her way to him. That Rankin had arrived unannounced, but his cold unforgiving eyes showed no mercy.

‘I am sure you are going to have a most enjoyable afternoon my lady,’ Chadwick taunted her when she remained silent. ‘Good afternoon,’ he lifted his hat again and swung onto his horse.

Rankin and Madison strolled ahead silently. Madison’s thoughts were in turmoil. She wanted to run after Chadwick and get onto his horse with him. If only she had never said yes to Rankin’s offer.

‘Shall we be seated here,’ Rankin guided Madison to the wooden bench under the trees. She allowed herself to be led, not having any desire whatsoever to walk or stand. All she wanted was solitude. She wished it had been Rankin climbing on the horse and departing.

‘Madison,’ Rankin gripped her hands in his. ‘I need you. I am lonely. I cannot wait any longer for you to be mine,’ he spoke passionately.

‘My lord---,’ Madison removed her hands.

‘I want us to be wed,’ he demanded impatiently. Madison kept her head lowered and her eyes shut.

‘I have hired a seamstress to hurry things up. She will be calling on you tomorrow,’ he stated. ‘I have also called the vicar. We shall exchange our vows in fourteen days from today.’

‘What!’ Madison stood up.

Sensing her intent to run, Rankin gripped her hand tightly. ‘You are not running away again,’ ‘You have accepted my offer Lady Madison. I will have no more dallying from you,’ his eyes blazed angrily. ‘Or should I inform Baron Sanford about his promiscuous daughter?’

‘No, please---I will marry you.’

Rankin smiled wickedly. ‘I am glad we have an understanding my lady,’ he stood up. ‘I shall call on you in seven days to assess the preparations, his fingers cupped her face. ‘I want you dressed in white, carrying white flowers,’ he instructed. ‘Our chamber will be decorated,’ he claimed huskily. ‘I shall make you mine on a bed of delicate white rose petals my sweet,’ he lifted her chin and pressed his cold lips to hers. Madison shrank away with disgust.

Rankin pulled her back against his chest. ‘Best you learn how to please me my lady,’ he warned. ‘I am a virile healthy man with much needs.’

‘My lady, we should be returning.’ Beth came to Madison’s rescue seeing Rankin taking too many liberties for her liking. Being engaged to her, may allow Rankin the right to hold her hand and perhaps kiss her, but Beth was determined to exercise her right as chaperone.

‘Good afternoon my dear,’ Rankin kissed Madison’s cheek and strode away.

Fourteen days, oh dear Lord!

‘My lady are you okay?’ Beth tightened Madison’s shawl around her chilled body.

‘Yes,’ Madison mumbled, oblivious of the changing cold weather or Beth fussing over her.

‘We should hurry back. The weather is changing.’

‘Yes,’ Madison answered trancelike allowing Beth to guide her back home.

Beth studied her mistress’s apprehensive face and her heart bled for Madison. She longed to talk to somebody about Lady’s Madison’s predicament, but who? Should she talk to the baroness? Surely Lady Madison should not be allowed to enter that death trap of a marriage to that unsavoury earl? So engrossed was Madison in her own tumultuous thoughts, she hardly noticed the familiar carriage outside the gate.

‘Madison, I have been waiting so long,’ Sarah exclaimed, hugging her cousin.

‘Sarah, so good to see you,’ Madison forced a smile. ‘We need some tea to warm up.’

‘We can have tea at Lady Jersey’s,’ Sarah declined.

‘I beg your pardon?’ Madison exclaimed.

‘I sent you a note this morning,’ Sarah spoke patiently. ‘Aunt Rebecca said she mentioned it to you at breakfast. We are taking tea at Lady Jersey’s.’

Her mother may have, but this morning Madison had been on cloud nine anticipating the afternoon with Chadwick, then the afternoon had been ruined.

Lady Jersey’s---Chadwick will be there.

A fire ignited inside Madison. Warmth spread through her body. She would have an opportunity to clear the air. She would find the opportunity to speak to him privately even if it destroyed her reputation in the process.

‘Beth help me change, quick,’ Madison breathed excitedly.

Beth shut the door in Madison’s chamber and exclaimed intuitively, ‘I take it your sudden burst of enthusiasm is because Mr. Rochester mentioned he would be at Lady Jersey’s.’

‘Make me beautiful,’ Madison smiled happily. ‘Take out my best gown Beth.’

Beth laughed, delighted to see her mistress in good spirits. This is how she wanted to see her mistress every day, happy and smiling. ‘You are already beautiful Lady Madison, but I have the perfect gown for this afternoon,’ Beth rushed to the closet and removed a striking cherry red afternoon gown that complimented Madison’s radiant skin tone and her shiny dark hair.

‘Can the horses not go any faster?’ Madison complained.

‘What?’ Sarah laughed. ‘They are going at the speed we always travel at. You have not complained previously.’

‘I know,’ Madison sighed. ‘I want to get to Lady Jersey before the rain clouds open up,’ she looked at the sky through the carriage window.

‘I do not see any rain clouds?’ Sarah searched the sky in confusion.

‘Are there others that will be at Lady Sarah’s?’ Madison probed.

‘I guess,’ Sarah answered distractedly. ‘So have you and the earl settled on a date yet?’

Suddenly a chill dampened Madison’s spirit. ‘We are to be wed in fourteen days.’

‘Good heavens, before me?’ Sarah laughed. ‘What on earth is the rush or should I not ask?’

‘I am not with child,’ Madison blushed. Or at least not Rankin’s. ‘The earl is insistent it happen sooner rather than later.’

‘I do not blame him Madison,’ Sarah took cousin’s hand. ‘Any gentleman will be proud to make you his wife.’

I don’t want to be Rankin’s. I am not his.

‘I am sorry if this presents a challenge for your preparations,’ Madison spoke.

‘No,’ Sarah smiled. ‘We shall prepare for your wedding and then you will help me with mine.’

‘Come over tomorrow,’ Madison invited. ‘The earl has hired a seamstress to design my trousseau.’

‘I can’t wait to see. Oh look we’re here,’ Sarah smiled.

Lady Jersey was standing at the bottom of the stairs eagerly awaiting her visitors.

‘Ladies good afternoon,’ she smiled welcomingly.

‘Good day Lady Jersey,’ Sarah greeted happily.

‘Good afternoon,’ Madison murmured.

‘Lady Madison,’ Lady Jersey laughed softly. ‘How lovely to see you again,’ they embraced.

‘Thank you for the invitation,’ Madison spoke politely.

‘It is my pleasure. We shall take tea inside today. I do not trust those clouds,’ Lady Jersey looked up into the grey sky.

The drawing room was set up for tea. A tray was packed with a variety of refreshments, cakes and sandwiches. Madison noted the tray only held three sets of cups and saucers.

‘You are not expecting others?’ Madison enquired.

‘Sorry,’ Lady Jersey was apologetic. ‘I just wanted to spend the afternoon with the two of you.’

‘Oh?’ Madison was confused.

‘Madison?’ Sarah glared at her cousin.

‘Sorry,’ Madison tendered a half smile. ‘It’s just that, when I was out with Earl Swain, I met Mr. Rochester, and he mentioned he had an engagement with you this afternoon.’

‘I do not know about an engagement with Chadwick,’ Lady Jersey laughed. ‘I have not heard from him in weeks.’

‘That is strange,’ Sarah raised an eyebrow.

‘Perhaps Chadwick had his reasons,’ Lady Jersey stated intuitively, as her eyes locked with Madison’s.

‘Why would he implicate you?’ Sarah was clueless.

‘Is that Earl Grey I smell?’ Madison wanted a change in the topic.

‘Yes,’ Lady Jersey was quick to note Madison’s haste to change the subject. She did her duty as a perfect host, pouring tea and offering the ladies creamy scones and other delicious pastries.

Why did he lie? Was he trying to make me jealous? I hoped he would be here, at least I could then explain things to him.

‘Lady Madison?’ Lady Jersey laughed.

‘Sorry---,’ Madison turned scarlet.

‘I asked do you require any help preparing for your wedding. Lady Sarah tells me you are to wed in two weeks.’ Lady Jersey’s eyes clearly conveyed to Madison that she was making a mistake and that she should not go through with it.

‘I shall let you know in a few days,’ Madison murmured. ‘The invitations shall be going out by tomorrow.’

‘I am here for you,’ Lady Jersey offered, and her meaning was all to clear to Madison, if she needed a sympathetic ear.

‘Sarah, can we stop at Mr. Rochester’s home?’

‘What! Whatever for? Madison that is most unconventional! Our fathers will be furious with us.’

‘They do not need to know---please. Buttons is trustworthy,’ Madison pleaded. She knew her groom had not betrayed her previously.

‘Madison---I cannot think of one single reason for us to knock on a gentleman’s door without invitation or reason. We will be ruined,’ Sarah declared with horror.

Be damned about that.

‘Buttons!’ Madison banged on the roof of the carriage. It immediately came to a halt.

‘Yes my lady?’ Buttons asked with concern.

‘We need to make a detour,’ Madison instructed.