Chapter 16

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

“ T he Duke of Greyhall will not be in attendance this evening,” Cecil announced to the family at breakfast. He had been reading his post and had found a missive from Percy excusing himself from the annual dinner party.

“Perhaps that is for the best,” the Earl replied. The family had been in no hurry to announce the dissolution of Madeleine and Percy’s courtship as it would cause a great deal of rumors and gossip. It was not a scandal, but people tended to assume such things when alliances such as those with the Duke ended without explanation.

“It will be commented upon,” the Countess pointed out. “We should have a reply ready if his absence is noted aloud.”

“He is preparing to return to the continent. We can say that he has business dealings abroad,” Cecil offered.

“He is leaving England?” Madeleine asked, her heart breaking twice over at the news.

Cecil gave her a compassionate look. “It is for the best. It will give you time to recover and to find another suitor.”

“Indeed,” the Earl agreed. “I would be more than happy to speak with Mowbray on your behalf to let him know that you are once again open to his offer.”

Madeleine shook her head. “Please, Father, no.”

Sighing, he nodded. “You are right. We should allow a small window of time to pass, but only a small window. Time is of the essence. We cannot allow this to deter your other suitors. We cannot have the ton thinking that you are tarnished goods.”

“George, you make her sound as if she is something to be bartered,” the Countess chastised.

The room fell silent as no one wanted to say what they were thinking. Madeleine knew the truth. I am being bartered, and we all know it.

The Earl, uncomfortable with the tension, broke the silence. “It is the fate of all young ladies of the nobility. Emily did her duty and is quite happy. Madeleine will do the same.”

No one said a word in argument, but Madeleine knew that she was running out of time. “Will Mr. Hamish MacElroy be at the dinner this evening?” she asked, attempting to appear nonchalant.

“I believe so, yes,” the Countess affirmed. She examined her daughter with the knowing eyes of a mother. “Do you favor the young gentleman?”

“Out of all of my suitors, he is the most tolerable,” Madeleine admitted.

“MacElroy,” the Earl murmured thoughtfully. “Of good noble stock. Good business sense.” He nodded in approval. “An excellent match. I do not know why I did not think of it myself.”

“He had been away in Scotland visiting his father’s people,” Cecil offered up as explanation for their father’s oversight.

“Indeed,” the Earl nodded, a glint of hope returning to his eyes. “Aurelia, please place Mr. Hamish MacElroy next to our dear Madeleine at dinner this evening.”

“As you wish, my dear,” the Countess agreed with a smile, giving Madeleine a nod of encouragement. “I shall instruct Lucy to take special care with your appearance this evening.”

“She always does,” Madeleine reassured her mother.

Out of the corner of her eye, she saw Cecil slip another scone with jam and clotted cream onto her plate. Holding back a sigh, she gave him what she hoped was an appreciative smile and ate it without complaint. Try as she might, she could not keep her mind off of the fact that Percy was planning to leave England once again. She could not help but feel that she was the reason for his choice to leave, and the guilt weighed heavily upon her spirit.

After the family broke their fast, they each parted ways to tend to their own duties in preparation for the dinner party. From the moment that she had fainted, Madeleine had not been allowed to be left alone, so Lucy had become her constant shadow. When Lucy was not able to be by her side, then one of the other servants would be hovering in the shadows. Today, it was Mr. Greeves while Lucy prepared Madeleine’s wardrobe for the evening.

Madeleine went out to the garden to pick some flowers for the bouquets that would adorn the main dining table. Mr. Greeves followed her out of doors, holding her basket of flowers as he stood watch like the saintliest of gargoyles. “I know that you have your own duties to see to, Mr. Greeves. I promise that I will not faint again. I have eaten plenty.” She patted her stomach for emphasis. “Please feel free to return to your required tasks.”

Mr. Greeves gave her a sympathetic look. “My apologies, My Lady, but it is by order of the Countess that I accompany you. You are my duty.”

Madeleine fought back another sigh. “As you say.” She turned back to the flowers and selected the best blooms that she could find. Being in the garden reminded her of her first kiss with Percy. There was a tightening in her chest at the thought, and she pushed it away. He had made his choice, and it was Madeleine’s task to forget him.

When it came time for their guests to arrive, the Gillett family gathered in the foyer to greet them. Each of them had gone to extraordinary lengths to represent the family in the best light. If word had gotten around about Percy calling off his courtship with Madeleine, there would be no sign of dissonance within the family that could be looked to for proof of scandal. Emily and the Viscount were the first to arrive, making certain to show familial solidarity.

“You look lovely and strong,” Emily greeted her sister, looping her arm through Madeleine’s.

“As do you,” Madeleine returned. “Your dress is stunning.” Emily had arrived in the most beautiful gown of muted peacock jewel tones. As a married woman, she could wear darker colors, and they suited her well.

“As is yours,” Emily nodded in admiration. “You resemble a Grecian goddess.”

Madeleine was wearing a new gown that the modiste had sent over via the Countess’ instructions made of a lovely white gauzy veil-like material with a vine of silver leaves embroidered down the front and around the lower hem that ended in a small train. The hem of her sleeves had also been embroidered with silver leaves. The silver vines crossed at the breasts, causing them to be highlighted in a most attractive manner. This was topped off by matching silver vines woven through her hair.

“The Duke of Greyhall is a foolish man,” the Viscount greeted her with a kiss to the hand.

“Thank you, Charles,” Madeleine accepted the compliment as it was intended.

“I am forever at your service.” He joined his wife, each looking at the other in absolute adoration. They were so deeply in love, it was equally beautiful and painful to behold.

Other guests began to arrive, and Madeleine had no time for further thoughts upon her own heart. The Earl and Countess of Stonefield’s annual dinner party was a highly sought after invitation among the English ton. The Countess was known far and wide for her hospitable nature and impeccable taste. Everyone who was anyone wanted to be in attendance.

Once the flow of guests arriving had slowed, Lucy came up behind her and whispered in her ear. “A messenger delivered this for you.” She passed a letter into Madeleine’s hand then retreated into the background. Madeleine excused herself for a brief moment and stepped into the library to read the letter in private. There was no wax seal, no tell-tale signs of who might have sent it. Opening the folded paper, she scanned its contents.

M.,

Meet me in the garden.

H.

“H for Hardy? Percy?” Madeleine breathed his name. Her heart constricted once more. Crumpling the paper, she tossed it into the fireplace and watched the flames turn it black then consume it all together.

She turned toward the foyer, planning to have Lucy send him away, but once she reached the library door, she found that she could not do it. She had to see him. Especially if it was to be the last time that they should ever lay eyes upon one another again. Making certain that she would not be followed, Madeleine traversed the foyer, skirted the kitchen, and exited out into the back garden.

“Percy?” she called out softly, her heart beating as fast as tiny bird’s wings.

“No,” a masculine voice replied, and Herbert Mowbray stepped out from the shadows into the waning moon’s light.