Malcolm shot up to his feet. His movement was so quick and almost violent that his dining chair screeched loudly against the floorboards. Though not drunk, he nearly slammed his chair backward. His wine glass rattled against his plate. Crimson liquid pooled on the white tablecloth.
“Roberta?” he breathed, his voice cracking as he approached the woman.“Is that really you?”
He strode across the room to meet the woman, whose eyes were clearly sweeping the space. When he reached her, he embraced her tightly against his chest. Madeline nearly bowed her head to avoid watching the awkward desperation in which he did so. It dawned on her who the woman was—Malcolm’s wife.
This was the woman who left him. Madeline did not think she would be so generous in her welcome if someone had abandoned her and then returned without explanation.
“You... You are back,” Malcolm choked out as he pulled away from her, only to hold her at arm’s length. His face still held shock, confusion, and hope all blended into one emotion. “You are actually here, Roberta. I cannot believe it!”
Mrs. Spruce did not return her husband’s embrace and affection. Her arms were rigidly locked at her sides. Madeline noticed how the other woman’s hands were curled into fists. What happened to her? How could she be so cold to him when he was readily accepting her return?Why would she return if not to reunite with her husband and children?
As if finally sensing her coldness, Malcolm stepped back and watched his wife’s face for any sign. An eager hope broke across his features.
“Oh, Roberta! Emily and Alex will be so happy...” he rambled. “They miss you and constantly ask for you. You should not worry about anything. We can put everything that happened behind us. It no longer matters what kept you away. Just stay, and let us be a family again.”
“No, Malcolm,” Roberta said in a cool, low tone.
Malcolm’s smile faltered, although he tried to keep it there. Confusion marred his features.
“What do you mean no?” he asked, the corners of his mouth pulling downward. “You came back. You are here. We can fix whatever the problem was. I will do anything, just come back to us.”
“I can never come back,” she said. “Not to this house, Malcolm.”
Madeline was surprised by the iciness in the woman’s tone. She could not believe that she had come back and not even given the rest of the party some acknowledgment.Even worse, she was not eager to see her own children.
“Why not?” Malcolm asked, prompting Madeline to fear he would return to his bottle after the encounter. “Tell me why you cannot stay.”
It was then that Roberta shifted her gaze from him and swept the rest of the room, past the shocked Marlows, past the intrigued Baxters, past the concerned Madeline, until her bitter eyes locked onto Kenneth. At that moment, Madeline glanced at her husband. He appeared perfectly still, but a telltale tic in his jaw revealed he was not unaffected by this display.
“Because...” Roberta declared, tilting her chin upward. “Your brother assaulted me two years ago.”
Lady Marlow gasped, while some jaws dropped around the table. Only Lord Marlow looked unperturbed, possibly because he did not hear what she said clearly. Madeline turned to her husband, her heart pounding in her chest. She searched his face for any signs of what he thought, but he did not even blink. He sat straight in his chair, with his eyes focused on his accuser.
Meanwhile, Malcolm’s hands dropped heavily to his sides. He seemed paralyzed from his wife’s words, his eyes darting between his wife and his brother.
“After he... forced me, he told me to leave, or he would do it again,” Roberta continued. “He threatened me! I had to leave in shame.”
“Flame? Is there a fire? Is that why everybody looks so upset?” Lord Marlow asked, standing in panic.
“Stop talking, Norman,” Lady Marlow barked, pulling him back down. “This is serious.”
Meanwhile, Malcolm looked completely aghast. He remained silent as Roberta began to cry.
“The things he did to me, Malcolm.” Roberta’s voice trembled, and a tear slipped down her cheek. “I cannot bring myself to say it aloud. He pulled me against him and tried to have his way with me. He tore at my gown. He was so much stronger than I, and by the time I escaped him, my dress was ripped. Anyone who saw me that night would have known what he did.”
“That is a bald-faced lie,” Kenneth gritted out, even as he held himself straight and steady where he was seated. His hands were clenched into fists.
“You told me not to tell Malcolm,” Roberta continued, raising her chin. “You said you wanted me, and that there was no need for me to leave my husband, and that you would marry, too. But that we could—”
Madeline felt her skin prickle and pale. She did not know what to do at that moment. She was frozen in her seat.
“Did you try to force my wife to become your mistress?” Malcolm asked angrily.
“Your wife is lying!” Kenneth said, rising from his seat now. Everyone’s eyes followed the confrontation. “You know I wouldnever do such a thing. You have known me since you were a child. I am your brother. I would never force a woman into my bed. Never! And do that to my own brother? How can you believe that?”
Malcolm turned to Roberta, conflicted. “Do not believe a word he says, Malcolm. I would never leave you and my children if he had not...”
“If I had not what, Roberta? Why do you not tell Malcolm the truth about whatreallyhappened?”
