Madeline rested her back against the wall, hoping for a moment of respite. Yet, the violent confrontation continued to echo in her ears. Malcolm’s hate, Roberta’s vicious smirk, and Kenneth’s despair would follow her throughout the day. She just knew it.
Why would a woman want to destroy her own family? Why marry one brother when she had designs for the other?
Even though she hated how Malcolm and Roberta behaved, nothing hurt as much as Kenneth telling her to leave.
‘Leave me.’
Madeline had opened herself to him in more ways than one. Yet, he was still holding on to his secrets. He was still trapped in his own pain, unwilling to share his emotions with her.She wanted to help him. She would have carried part of the burden if he had let her. But he would not let her near it.
“Your Grace?”
The voice was gentle and respectful, but it still startled Madeline. She was pulled out of her thoughts as she turned to see Mrs. Gaines standing just a few steps away in the dimly lit corner of the hallway.
Madeline knew Mrs. Gaines was a woman of competence and intimidating resourcefulness, highlighted by her stiff posture, quick steps, and smooth workflow. However, something was different about the older woman that morning.
She wondered whether the housekeeper was behaving so because she had overheard the conversation last night, if one could call it that. Embarrassment heated her cheeks at the thought.
“Good morning, Mrs. Gaines. Are you here about the state of the dining hall after last night?”
“No, Your Grace,” Mrs. Gaines replied. “Do not worry. I have already warned the servants, particularly the footmen who served last night, not to breathe a word unless they wish for a dismissal without a reference.”
Madeline suspected as much. She swallowed hard, trying not to show her humiliation. But it was as it always was in grand houses like Huntington, with its many servants. The family’s dirty laundry and ugly scars were often laid bare for the staff.
“It was... unfortunate that a family matter had to be laid bare like so, Mrs. Gaines. I prefer that we do not dwell on those words spoken in anger.”
“He never did it, Your Grace,” the housekeeper declared, the words stumbling out so quickly as if she had mustered the courage to spill them out as fast as she could.
Madeline’s head snapped toward the housekeeper.
“I can testify to it,” Mrs. Gaines continued, tilting her chin fiercely. “I can even swear it on a stack of Bibles before any magistrate in this land. His Grace never did what that woman claims he did. Not one thing she said was true. I have eyes and ears everywhere in this house, Your Grace. That is why I told you that I know what happened last night, just as I know what happened the night that woman entered His Grace’s rooms for her evil purposes.”
Madeline’s chest felt loose. She felt an overwhelming sense of relief. Yes, she believed in Kenneth, but it helped that someone else, someone who was not his wife, could attest to his innocence. She reached to place a reassuring hand on the housekeeper’s arm. It was trembling. It took everything for her to come forward, but she was loyal to Kenneth.
“Mrs. Gaines, I assure you that I believe in my husband’s innocence with my heart and soul. I may not have known him as long as you have, but I know what kind of man he is. He would never force himself upon a woman.”
She meant every word. If she had married another duke, she would have been forced to give her virtue as early as the wedding night. Kenneth argued with her, yes, but he never made her feel as if she had no choice.
“However, Malcolm must hear it from you. He is blinded by his grief and longing for his wife. He desperately wants to believe Roberta. It is unfortunate that he would risk his relationship with his brother for a mere illusion.”
“He will hear the truth from my own lips,” Mrs. Gaines promised. “I knew both men when they were little boys. Bothof them are aware that I do not lie for the sake of household politics. And I knew Mrs. Spruce well enough in the years she lived under this roof. I saw how she behaved, the way she looked at His Grace when her husband’s back was turned. I held my tongue then, God forgive me. I will not hold it now.”
“Would you really do that?” Madeline asked, daring to hope that the housekeeper could clear the misunderstanding between the two brothers. “Would you be willing to speak with Malcolm about such things?”
“I will go to him as soon as I am able,” Mrs. Gaines said with absolute finality. “Mr. Spruce will believe me. I have been in their family’s employ for as long as they can remember. I was there before they were even born. I cannot stand wickedness ruining the love between brothers.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Gaines,” Madeline whispered, her voice cracking. “Thank you so much more than you will ever know.”
The housekeeper gave her a stiff but respectful curtsy before turning on her heel to leave, but not before Madeline spied a look of maternal sympathy softening her features.
The relief of it lasted only a little while.
Kenneth was innocent. Madeline had never doubted it, and now Mrs. Gaines could prove it to Malcolm and to anyone else who needed convincing. That part, at least, would be set right, and everything could be back to normal.
But as the day wore on, she found the housekeeper’s reassurance did not settle her the way it should have.
“His Grace has not left his study since dawn, Your Grace,” the footman admitted, barely able to meet Madeline’s gaze. “Herefused the tea and even the scones. He told me not to knock on the door until he said so and that he would have anyone who disobeys him dismissed.”
“I see,” she murmured, “Thank you. You may go.”
