Blackthorne's Bride (35 page)

"It's Ashley," Josie said, moving toward the drawing room door. "She's back."

"With Lord Nicholas?" Maddie asked.

Josie nodded. "Oh, yes. And they've been back for"—she fumbled with the doorknob—"three days."

"Three days?" Maddie called after her. "Why hasn't she come to see us?"

"Good question. You'll have to ask her, and when you do, ask just how long she's been involved with Lord Nicholas."

Maddie frowned. "What does that mean?"

"According to my source, they were seen together numerous times
before
your elopement."

Maddie exchanged a glance with Jack. They had both suspected Ashley and Lord Nicholas had a previous relationship. The nature of that relationship, however, was unclear.

"I don't know what is going on, but I intend to find out." Josie finally turned the doorknob and stumbled into the drawing room. Catie, already on her feet, rushed to hear the news.

Maddie stood outside, still holding Jack's hand.

Finally, he said, "I suppose we had better call on them."

She nodded. "I suppose. But it's bound to be a horrible muddle."

He considered. "Or perhaps it's like you always say. Everything works out in the end." He bent to kiss her, and Maddie, her heart full of love, kissed him back.

"Aren't you going to tell me anything?" Maddie asked.

Ashley pursed her lips, and the sunlight glinted off the long golden curls tumbling down her shoulders. They were strolling in Hyde Park, their white parasols bumping into one another. A few yards ahead of them, Jack and Lord Nicholas stood facing one another.

Poor Jack. He looked frustrated. As usual, Lord Nicholas looked amused.

"What else do you want to know?" Ashley finally said. "I told you what happened."

Maddie shook her head. "But I don't believe it."

"Then you won't believe the rest." Ashley's sea green eyes stared back at her levelly.

"So I am supposed to believe that you and Lord Nicholas actually conspired—"

"I wouldn't have said we
conspired.
We collaborated."

Maddie sighed. "Fine. You collaborated to en-sure that Lord Blackthorne and I married. I find that difficult to accept."

"That's how I felt when I realized you were eloping with a dog breeder. Really, Maddie! Someone had to save you!"

Maddie frowned at her. "How did Lord Nicholas become involved?"

Ashley bit her lip. "That's a rather long story."

"I have time."

"Suffice it to say that Lord Nicholas wanted to do his brother a favor. He felt guilty for all the trouble he'd caused over the years."

"And I was the favor?"

"You needed to be saved and Lord Nicholas thought his brother needed a wife. I thought you two would be perfect together."

"But that doesn't explain the innkeeper who chased us or the Duke of Bleven or the drunk priest. You cannot possibly have orchestrated all of that!"

Ashley raised her brows. "You underestimate us. A little bribery goes a long way."

"You bribed the Duke of Bleven!"

"No. That was one factor we hadn't counted on. I'm sorry he hurt you, Maddie. He was never part of the plan."

They walked in silence for a moment. Up ahead, Lord Nicholas slung his arm about Jack's shoulder. Jack looked like he wanted to shrug it off, but he didn't.

"And what exactly was your relationship with Lord Nicholas?" Maddie asked.

"He's an old family friend," Ashley said quickly. Too quickly.

"I see. I find it hard to imagine the two of you consp—collaborating together. You don't seem to like each other very much."

"We've had a few ... minor difficulties.

"And now?"

"Now?"

"Ashley, stop being so evasive! What are your feelings for Lord Nicholas? You said before that you had trouble resisting him. Are you in love with him?"

"No!" Ashley cleared her throat. "I mean, no. It's a marriage of convenience. A marriage that worked out rather well for you."

"I don't believe any of this. I
know
you feel something for Lord Nicholas, Ashley, and he for you. I can see it—"

"Maddie!" Ashley rounded on her. "Stop trying to help."

"I can't," she protested quietly.

"Think of something else."

"Very well. Where have you been all this time?"

"Would you believe kidnapped by pirates?"

"No."

"I didn't think so."

In front of them, Jack turned and motioned for her to join him. Maddie gave Ashley one last look.

"You know, as much as I love Jack, I do miss our Spinster's Club."

"We were its last members."

"Perhaps we can form a new club."

Ashley laughed. "Why am I not surprised? Very well, then." She linked her arm with Maddie's and they started toward Jack and Lord Nicholas. "What shall we call it?"

Maddie smiled. "How about Misadventures in Matrimony?"

I first heard the story of Joseph Paisley several years ago on a writer's workshop tape about runaway marriages. Paisley was one of many men who went to Gretna after the English Parliament passed the Hardwicke Marriage Act in 1754. The act made it illegal for couples under the age of twenty-one to marry without parental consent, but the law only applied on English soil. In Scotland the law was more lenient. Couples only needed to be sixteen and in the presence of two witnesses to marry. As Gretna Green is the first town over the Scottish border, it became a popular spot for eloping English couples.

Paisley was one of the first anvil priests. One of his original occupations was smuggling, and most reports of him call attention to his fondness for drink. But what struck my fancy was a story about how he was called upon to marry two couples at the same time and accidentally married the wrong brides to the wrong grooms. Accounts of the event report that he shrugged off what he called a "trifling mistake" and told the newlyweds, "Ah weel, juist sort yersels oot."

I don't know what the real-life couples did, but the story gave me a kernel of an idea for a book— this book. As is the case with most books, I started with a question: What if two brides were accidentally married to the wrong grooms? And what if the mistake couldn't be readily corrected? What if the mistake was actually the best thing that could have happened? And so the story of Maddie and Jack was born.

Bear-baiting also plays an integral role in this novel. As cruel as it seems, it was a popular pastime in England until it was finally outlawed in 1835. The "sport" is very much how I have described it, with the exception that the event usually took place in an arena that was built like a theater. These bear-gardens were numerous and the favorite amusement for kings and queens. Unfortunately, the cruel practice of bear-baiting continues today in isolated areas of the world.

Maddie's sympathy for the animals would have been quite unusual in her time, but I don't believe it is unrealistic. There have always been people who fight cruelty, whether toward people or animals. Maddie is modeled after these courageous, unsung heroes and heroines.