In the three weeks they had been married, Chadwick was becoming more and more confused about the lady he married. After the first week he expected Madison to demand he take her back to her father’s home, but every evening when he came home, she was enthusiastically waiting for him with a cheerful smile. She seemed to adore their cottage. Every night she animatedly related to him about her day, what she and Buttons got up to in the garden, or how she and Beth rearranged the furniture either in the sitting room or their bed chamber. It irked him immensely that she never once questioned him about his day, where he went to each day, or what he did.

The ever resourceful groom, Buttons had built a picturesque water pond on the side of the cottage, attracting birds and frogs. The property now had an abundance of poultry and livestock. There were fowls, ducks and rabbits running around. Chadwick had introduced sheep, pigs and goats. Occasionally he brought home fresh trout or salmon, Madison did not know where it came from. She assumed he bought it at the market. It did not matter where it came from, she delighted in the delicacy, he seldom treated her to.

‘Darling oh good, you are home early’ Madison exclaimed, as she hugged Chadwick the second he waltzed through the door. She had heard his carriage coming to a sharp halt outside. ‘I have a surprise for you.’

‘Good afternoon my wife,’ he laughed. ‘What is this surprise?’ Chadwick had sped home. He had been impatient to take her for a drive.

‘Close your eyes,’ she murmured, taking his hand and opening his palm. Obediently Chadwick closed his eyes and was startled when he felt the very familiar texture of four gold coins being placed in the palm of his hand.

‘What is this?’ He looked at her ominously. She knew her husband’s stubborn pride. Had he not demonstrated that to her when he had arrogantly rejected her father’s dowry? Cautiously she began to explain.

‘We have been selling eggs and our own fresh produce in the market,’ she smiled tentatively. Beth even baked biscuits and pastries so we could sell them. This is from the profit we have made,’ she could not contain her happiness.

‘It is yours,’ he shoved it back into her hand. ‘Use it on yourself. Buy yourself gowns---slippers.’ He did not even have the grace to look her in the eye. In the three weeks they had been married, he had not once bought her a ribbon for her hair, let alone a dress, neither had she asked him for a single thing he painfully reminded himself.

‘I thought perhaps we could build a wash room at the back of the cottage, attached to our bed chamber,’ she studied the coins he had dumped back into her hand as if it had burned a hole in his palm. When Madison dared to lift her eyes up to Chadwick’s he saw the threatening moisture pooling in her eyes.

He swallowed furiously at the saliva forming a lump in his throat. That was another lack, his wife had silently endured. In her father’s home, she had a wash room in her own chamber. Here in this cottage, Buttons performed the ritual morning and night. He carried the bath from outside, filled it with hot water for when she and Chadwick took their baths and removed it when they were done. Instead of being appreciative or a little compassionate, the sinister beast in Chadwick reared its ugly head again, fuelled by his incapacity to deal with his wife’s threatening tears. It was the first time, he had seen them.

‘I am acutely aware you were spoilt with every conceivable luxury in your father’s house,’ Chadwick ranted, ‘but you are married to me now. Do not expect to be mollycoddled,’ he growled harshly.

Madison’s eyes widened. She was not making any demands on his financial resources. Surely the gold coins were more than sufficient. She was even certain there would be change left over. Last week she had enquired with Buttons on the material that would be required to build the bath. When she, Beth and Buttons had gone into the market, Madison had mentally calculated the prices of all the material that was required. She was more than happy that the four gold coins she had been safely keeping was more than sufficient.

She and Buttons had already done so much from their profits. Every room had been white when she moved in. She and Buttons had painted every room in a different colour that Madison had specifically chosen. The sitting room was now an attractive leaf green. Their bed chamber was a natural earth brown to blend with the mahogany furniture Chadwick had installed there before her arrival. Madison had been delighted at the bright sunflower yellow paint that she found and duly painted the kitchen in the gorgeous yellow, giving it an attractive alluring glow especially at night.

“‘Mollycoddle?”’ she repeated in astonishment. ‘But this---,’ she directed her gaze to the precious coins in her hand, ‘is more than sufficient. We can build it with this money,’ the deflated look on her face, almost made him pull her into his arms and assure her all was well, but he was not done castigating Madison.

‘If you are not content with what I have provided you with my lady,’ he waved aimlessly around the cottage, perhaps I should take you back to your father. Clearly I am not good enough for you,’ he spat viciously.

Madison was speechless. What on earth was wrong with him? Most evenings he came home happy and in a good mood. He would take her eagerly into his arms and kiss her until she was breathless. On one or two occasions he had carried her into the bed chamber and did with her what they normally looked forward to after supper.

If he had had a bad day doing whatever he had been doing, surely it was unfair to take it out on her. How could he be so harsh? Madison flung the coins on the floor and rushed into their chamber. She slammed the door and threw herself on the bed, and sobbed her sorry heart out.

How could he threaten to take her back to her father? She did not want to go back to her father. She loved him too much. She was not prepared to lose him over a stupid wash room. She managed so far. She could manage for the rest of her life. At least she was thankful for the cottage and sweet Buttons who heated water for her and Chadwick each day. Her husband was mostly a loving man. Occasionally if she asked for anything he ranted like a wild boar. Madison must just remember in the future never to ask for a single thing, then she would not have to risk his wrath. She could put up with Chadwick’s arrogance. It was tolerable compared to the emptiness she would endure without him. She had been there. She knew the loneliness. She would never go there, ever again. It was just too much of pain. Now that she knew and looked forward to the passion and love he freely gave her each night, she would never give him up. Never. She would put up with his self-importance. It was surely a small price to pay.

The door opened rather slowly. She did not need to look up. She knew those footsteps only too well. Madison brushed her eyes furiously. He must not see her crying. He probably did not want a weak, frail wife that crumbled every time he raised his voice. But Madison was most surprised at what happened next. She felt the heavy weight of a knee sink into the mattress. The familiar musk scent of her husband engulfed her sense of smell. Madison was lifted and turned on her back. Her eyes fluttered opened and she stared into the most tender eyes. His thumb gently trailed over her eyes. His head lowered, his lips brushed hers affectionately.

‘I am sorry,’ his husky voice pleaded passionately.

Madison gazed into the dark smouldering eyes. Her hands flew around his neck, she pulled him lower. Her lips captured his in an aggressive display of possession. This was her husband. He was never getting rid of her. He was hers and she aimed to keep him. Forever.

‘I won’t go,’ she sobbed against his throat. ‘I won’t.’ Chadwick lifted his head to look into her troubled eyes.

‘You won’t go where?’ he asked.

‘I am not going back to my father’s house,’ she shrieked. ‘You can’t make me!’ Chadwick rolled onto his back. He hoisted Madison onto his chest and wrapped his arms around her in a fierce grip.

‘I am sorry my dearest wife,’ I should not have spoken so harshly. He pressed gentle kisses on her throat. ‘I don’t ever want to live without you,’ he declared. He could not fathom not having her supple naked flesh against his each night.

‘I am sorry, I asked you to build the wash room,’ she sniffed. ‘I don’t need it anymore.’

She is sorry, when I am supposed to be apologizing?

‘You deserve much more and only the best,’ he murmured in her ear, cradling her against his chest. His fingers raked soothingly down her cascading locks of brunette hair. ‘Why do you put up with me Madison, why?’ he demanded.

Madison lifted her eyes in surprise, ‘surely you know it is because I love you,’ she whispered.

‘How could you love an obnoxious cad---.’

Madison used her fingers to block his mouth. She did not want him saying negative things about himself.

---like myself?’ he got out between clenched teeth?

‘You are a good man. Big-headed and infuriating sometimes,’ she smiled, ‘but you are mostly good,’ she breathed.

Chadwick was quiet for so long, she thought he had fallen asleep, then he spoke softly.

‘Perhaps it is time I told you of my sordid past.’

“‘Sordid?’” Madison repeated throatily.

‘Oh I don’t mean debauchery, lewdness and drunkenness, although I suppose the latter two could be levelled against me,’ he laughed.

‘What do you mean?’ she questioned.

‘You see I come from rather a dysfunctional family,’ he spoke so softly, she had to strain to hear him. Madison cupped his cheek encouragingly.

‘As you know it Madison, love is never a consideration for aristocracy. Position, duty not love dictates our fate. So my father drummed it into my head,’ his tone was harsh. ‘Ironically my father, the honourable duke, expected duty from the working class to him and not vice versa.’ Chadwick’s voice was strained. ‘Father demonstrated not an iota of duty to his staff.’ There was a strained long pause before he continued. ‘You see the dukedom was literally ---bankrupt.’ Madison gasped, her eyes widened in shock. ‘Father refused for me to take up any commercial positions. “We do not labour!” My father had decried. ‘He said no heir or any son of his shall labour like a commoner.’ Chadwick looked into her eyes sadly. ‘Yet we had nothing---some nights there was ---no food,’ Chadwick swallowed painfully. ‘The pantry was empty.’

‘No!’Tears streamed unchecked down Madison’s cheeks.

Chadwick smiled and brushed her tears away. ‘We could not afford to buy candles. Yet the duke insisted on his three lavish meals each day. The servants were literally running up their own credit at the market just to meet the demands of that ogre,’ Chadwick continued through clenched teeth.

‘A dukedom is rather expensive to maintain,’ Chadwick stated. ‘It has various estates, each with its own compliment of staff. I suppose I could be honest here and concede, it did not start with father, three or four generations before him could be held liable as well,’ he exhaled heavily. ‘The d’Angerville line of ducal estates ruined by generations of notorious spendthrifts, who accumulate debt and thought nothing of the plight of future generations,’ he murmured.

‘Staff and creditors’ bill continued to rise,’ Chadwick stated. ‘Our servants had not taken wages in months, but the mighty lord cared not about their needs,’ Chadwick’s attack was scathing. He laughed sarcastically, ‘aristocracy is not supposed to do something as sinful as a honest day’s work,’ Chadwick grimaced. A duke is supposed to live a life of debauchery, drunkenness, play hard, maintain mistresses.’ Chadwick’s charcoal eyes challenged Madison’s.

She knew Chadwick could never be that irresponsible person. He had too much pride to live of others and he was not afraid of hard work. ‘So what did you do?’ she was too afraid to question him, but she needed to know.

‘I made the mistake of telling father I intended to enter in commercial business,’ Chadwick lifted his head, a faraway look in his eyes. ‘I---needed to put food on the table, to pay our faithful staff. Father threatened to disown me, and he did just that three years ago.’ Chadwick lowered his eyes, so she could not see his pain. Madison sobbed, her palms covered her mouth.

‘Hush,’ he whispered, pressing his lips against her throat. ‘I knew about horses and agriculture,’ he smiled proudly. ‘So I left my father’s house.’

‘And you started using your mother’s name?’ she spoke softly.

He nodded, pressing a kiss to her fingers just below his chin.

‘Oh dear Lord, and then you met a vain, uncaring lady, whose only interest was in marrying into a title,’ she groaned loudly. ‘You offered me your love and I callously rejected you,’ her fingers tenderly brushed his cheeks.

‘I started breeding race horses and exporting them,’ he did not respond to her comments. ‘I developed a good reputation for my horses. They became in demand in the Americas and the Middle East. I could not keep up with the demand from the Arab royalty. They paid me handsomely,’ he smiled proudly.

‘Can you forgive me?’ Madison pleaded through her tears. ‘I am so undeserving of you.’

‘I forgave you when I came to collect you in Bath,’ he smiled tenderly.

Madison did not want to think about her lonely, depressing life when she was in Bath. She never wanted to be in that emotional state ever again.

Madison looked at her fingers that were gripped tightly in Chadwick’s. When did he lace his fingers through hers? She loosened her fingers. Her thumb traced over his calloused palm.

‘What have you been doing all these days?’ she asked softly.

Renovating my castle just for you.

Chadwick had come home early to take her for a ride. That was until she attempted to pay him. Never again, would he ever judge or condemn his wife. She was worthy of his unconditional love.

‘Come I will show you.’ He lifted her off the bed and proceeded to walk with her to his horses.

‘Wait, I cannot ride a horse in this,’ Madison cast a critical look at her impractical flowing skirt covering her ankles. She was more surprised when he placed her sideways and quickly hopped onto the horse.

‘Put your arm around me, my love,’ he instructed. It was awkward, but she managed to snake one arm around his neck.

‘Chadwick! Where are we going? What about the jackals?’ She asked with concern when he proceeded to exit through the back of their cottage.

‘There are no jackals here,’ he laughed. He had merely kept her away, just incase she happened upon a certain castle.

‘You lied to me?’ she elbowed him.

‘That hurt my dearest wife,’ he pretended to be in pain.

Madison pressed a kiss to his lips quickly. ‘That make it better,’ she smiled.

‘A little,’ he laughed. ‘When we go home, you will make it better,’ he demanded.

‘Yes, my husband,’ she hugged him.

‘I can’t see,’ Chadwick laughed. ‘Anyways, if I had not issue that threat, you would have found out my surprise,’ he spoke mysteriously.

‘What surprise?’

‘This,’ he waved to the castle suddenly appearing in front of them. Madison had to angle her body to appreciate the view rising up in front on them. It was majestic, breathtaking, and huge. Like pictures she had seen of towering castles up in Ireland and Scotland.

‘Good heavens, it is a real castle,’ she exclaimed. ‘Chadwick the emblem on the wall ---is the same as the carriage we arrived here in. ‘Look,’ she pointed. ‘There are so many carriages with the very same emblem.’

‘I know,’ he grinned.

‘You know? How do you know? Whose castle is this?’

Chadwick brought the horse to a standstill and hopped off. He hitched it to a flowing willow tree. ‘Come,’ he extended his hands to her.

‘Your Grace, may I present to you the official seat of the Duke and Duchess of d’Angerville.

‘“ Your Grace?”’ Me? --- You are referring to me as the duchess? You have reclaimed your title? But this castle! I thought your father had a lot of debt? I thought you were poor.’

'You are my duchess,’ he lifted her off the horse and kissed her. ‘I didn’t relinquish the title. I merely chose not to use it,’ he avoided her eyes. My father did leave me a lot of debt,’ Chadwick looked angry but only for a millisecond. ‘But I have settled his credit, paid every last penny he owed. I have redeemed the d’Angerville name.’

‘I am proud of you darling,’ she whispered. ‘I do not mind that we have no money.’

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