“Naturally I went to see Father about it,” Diana said, “for I knew something was wrong. I knew he must have done something absolutely beastly, for Adam would never have wanted to marryyou.He would have wantedme.”
A hush fell over the small crowd. Madeline held on to her hat against the driving wind and her skirts whipped around her legs.
Adam felt Madeline’s humiliation as if it were his own. He stepped forward. “It was a misunderstanding, that’s all.”
He turned to look at Madeline’s profile in the sun, to try and see what she was thinking. Her eyes were downcast.
God, he wanted to hold her. He wanted to lead her away from here and take her into his arms and tell her that he wantedher,not Diana, and that Diana’s unexpected appearance—though a shock to be sure—only served to confirm that fact to him.
He decided firmly that he would do everything in his power to make it right.
Lord Blackthorne interrupted the awkward silence with his deep, booming voice. “Well, it’s all worked itself out now. Lady Thurston and I had a fine opportunity to get acquainted on the ship, and I say, you can imagine my surprise when she explained who she was and why she was en route to Fort Cumberland. Small world, is it not? For it was I who had the pleasure to assure her that her sister had not married Mr. Coates, and that if Lady Thurston had remained in London, she would have received a more recent proposal herself. Naturally, she was overjoyed to hear it.”
Diana elaborated, directing her words at Adam. “Yes, well, I was a bit concerned that you might have already married Madeline, out of guilt or a sense of responsibility for her, after what had occurred. As I’m sure you must know, that would have been devastating for me.” She looked around, her cheeks flushing.
Adam didn’t know what to say. She was gazing at him, waiting for something….
Madeline shook her head. “I would never have allowed such a marriage to take place, Diana.”
It was her pride talking, Adam knew it, and it only made him respect her more.
Diana hugged Madeline again. “Oh, you are the dearest sister in the world. There are none more loyal than you. Thank you, Madeline. Myheartthanks you. You cannot imagine how little I slept during the crossing, worrying that I would be too late.” She faced Adam again and her gaze was intense. “For I have dreamed of this day.”
Lord Blackthorne interrupted again. “Well, we shall have a grand time over the next few days! I have much to learn about the Tantramar, and I’ll enjoy watching two lovers reunited, getting to know each other again. I could not have planned my visit for a better time.”
To Adam, however, the timing of everything could not have been worse.
During the trip home, Lord Blackthorne rode up front in the buggy with Adam, so that he might see some of the marsh and ask questions, which left Madeline to ride in Diana’s coach with her sister and her maid, Hilary.
Madeline realized that part of the entourage she and Adam had seen at the fort was as much for Diana and her maid and two grooms, as it was for the lieutenant-governor and his retinue. She supposed her sister was still an English lady—a wealthy one at that—and had certain expectations about how she should live her life.
Madeline wondered with some concern how Diana would adjust to the simple country life in Cumberland, where tilling and harvesting were more important to most people than keeping up with the latest Paris fashions.
The convoy of carriages descended into the woods along the narrow cart road, and the sound of sharp branches scraping against the roof of the coach unnerved Diana. “Heavens, I had no idea the land was so uncultivated here.”
“It’s not uncultivated,” Madeline explained, “maybe just a little thick here in the bush, but Adam’s farm is fully cleared, with fields of grain already planted, and hay almost ready to be harvested down on the marsh.”
Diana smiled. “Father told me that Adam had made something of himself, that he’s grown quite wealthy. He said Adam owns more land here than anyone in the area. Is that true?”
“He has indeed come a long way since the days we knew him in Yorkshire.”
Her sister smiled and leaned back. “I always knew he would rise to something wonderful. And oh, he has grown even more handsome, don’t you think, Madeline? I thought I was going to fall off the boat when I saw him, dressed so finely in that embroidered waistcoat, his eyes so strikingly intense. The sight of him brought it all back—all the memories of my youth when I was so desperately in love with him.”
And when you jilted him to marry a baronet.
Madeline’s thoughts were full of acid and she knew it. She chided herself, of course, but at the same time accepted that she couldn’t help feeling resentful. Here was Diana, coming to take Adam for herself and make him hers. All she had to do was flutter her long, seductive eyelashes, and it would be done.
“You’ve been quiet, Madeline. Were you that surprised to see me? I always suffer when you’re quiet. Why must you do that to me, when I have come all this way and I want very much to talk.”
Why is everything always about you?“I’m sorry, Diana. I don’t mean to be quiet, it’s just that I’ve been working hard the past few days, preparing for Lord Blackthorne’s arrival. Of course I’m thrilled to see you.”
“Ah.” She gazed studiously at Madeline. “May I ask, what is your role at Adam’s house? You’re not…keeping house, or anything like that, are you?”
With that tone, she might as well have said, “You’re noteating dead worms,are you?”
Madeline arranged her skirts on the shiny blue leather seat. “As a matter of fact, I am. I’m also governess to the children, and I’m tending to the vegetable garden with my very own hands.”
Diana gazed out the window at the passing spruce branches, still scraping against the sides of the coach. She threw Madeline that look—thatyou-just-like-to-shock-me-because-you’re-hatefullook.
