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Braden knew that better than anyone.
“Sadly, many husbands are right bastards,” Logan said. “But I’m still a bit . . .”
“Astonished that I had an affair with a married woman?” Braden finished for him. “I’m not a saint, Logan.”
“I’m glad to hear it,” he replied with a slight smile. “But it does seem rather out of character. But also knowing you as I do, I strongly suspect there’s more to it.”
Braden nodded. “Annalise’s husband was more than a right bastard. He was abusive to her, both emotionally and physically.”
Even now, just thinking about the monster and what he’d done to the sweet lass sent fury surging through his veins like a raging storm.
Kade grimaced. “I knew she was unhappy in her marriage, but I didn’t realize she’d been abused.”
“Annalise didn’t want anyone to know, because she was ashamed of it. Tragically, that’s not an uncommon reaction.”
“I’m so sorry,” said Logan, his tone warm with sympathy. “But her family was influential, correct? Weren’t they able to protect her?”
“Ritter’s family was even more influential, having strong ties to the Court. He was a general as well, and he wielded quite a lot of power in that capacity. Annalise was convinced that no one would believe her, and even if they did, it wouldn’t matter. She was his wife, and it was a wife’s duty to be faithful and obey her husband, no matter the cost.”
“When did she tell you about the abuse?” Kade asked.
“Toward the end of our first visit, after she’d grown to trust me. One day, she sent a note asking me to come to her house in a medical capacity. Her husband had beaten her quite badly the night before, and she needed treatment.”
“A man like that deserves a hanging,” Logan growled.
Braden’s throat had gone tight at the memory, and he had to push down the sorrow and anger before he could answer. “Ritter certainly did.”
He’d never forget that moment when Annalise had allowed him to unbutton the back of her gown, and he’d seen the vicious marks of the beating on her skin. He remembered his hands shaking with repressed rage, and it had taken all his discipline to keep his touch and his voice soft. Annalise had needed gentleness, and he’d ached to give it to her—and not just as a physician. He’d wanted to sweep her up and take her as far away from her brute of a husband as they could get. He’d wanted to rescue her from certain destruction, the same way he’d wanted to save Kade when he was a sickly little boy on the verge of death.
And the way he wanted to rescue Samantha, now.
Kade gripped his arm. “I had no idea, dear brother. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Annalise begged me not to say a word. She was terrified of what Ritter might do if he found out I’d treated her.” Braden grimaced. “I wanted to tell you, but it was her decision to make. In my capacity as a physician, I had to honor her wishes.”
“You were more than just a doctor to her,” Kade protested. “She obviously considered you a friend.”
“That didn’t change the circumstances. You saw how much influence Ritter exercised at Court. We were leaving soon, and I was afraid of making the situation worse for her.”
“I bet you did something, though. You would never leave someone in need without help.”
Kade’s tone of unshakeable confidence in him was a beacon of light in the darkness. “Thanks, lad. And, yes, I did approach old Countess Geisler and sounded her out. You remember her?”
“She was rather a dragon, as I recall.”
“And very fond of Annalise. She’d already suspected things weren’t well in the marriage. The countess was furious when I told her about the abuse and promised to do all she could to keep the bastard at bay. Before we left, I also pleaded with Annalise to write me if she ever needed my help.”
“And did she keep in contact?” Logan asked.
Braden hesitated. “Well, yes. We struck up a fairly regular correspondence. I would write to the countess, who would then pass my letters along to Annalise.”
Logan sighed. “Och, lad.”
“I know. It was incredibly stupid of me.”
“You cared for her,” Kade said. “There’s no sin in that.”
No, but there’d been danger. It was through their correspondence that Braden had fallen in love. Annalise’s mind had been like quicksilver, as lovely and bright as her countenance.
