Secrets of the Heart (8 page)

Devlin watched the blood drain from Madeline’s face. “What’s her name?”

“Amanda Quinn. She’s cunning.”

Madeline whispered to herself, “Amanda.”

“Lady Madeline, are you all right?” Vale asked. “You look a bit pale.”

She looked from Vale to Ravensmoore. “I’m fine. I was just thinking how sad it is that the poor girl is disturbed and out there somewhere in need of help.”

“Never begin to think that the girl is to be pitied, Lady Madeline. She doesn’t speak, but that doesn’t mean she can’t speak. She’s chosen not to since the day she murdered her father. She’s mad. The courts have said so.”

Countess Richfield gasped. “How awful.”

Vale turned to Grace. “Indeed. She’s fortunate she didn’t get the gallows. She was right where she needed to be, and now she’s a danger again. I’d encourage you to have your servants on the alert in case she comes near Richfield looking for food or shelter.”

Devlin noticed that Madeline twisted her napkin in her hands underneath the table.

After dinner, while the men retired to another room for port and cigars, Madeline and Hally strolled in the moonlit gardens, ripe with plants and flowers awaiting spring’s call to blossom. Several grass-covered paths ran through a maze of tall hedges. Each led to a large wooden gazebo draped with ivy, an inviting, private place that Madeline loved to frequent during the summer months. With a book in one hand and a diary in the other, she would read and write and dream her time away. That was before death had plunged into their lives, hacking and pillaging its way through her family.

“What is wrong with me?” Madeline linked arms with her friend as they enjoyed the unusually warm and pleasant night. “I cannot believe my reaction when that man sat in Papa’s chair. Mother was horrified, and I’m responsible. What could I have been thinking?”

Hally sighed. “I think you know but are too afraid or too angry to say the words. Your mother is allowing Lord Vale to court her. I think she hoped for your approval tonight.”

How can she look at another man in the same way she did my father?
“I cannot bear the thought.”

“What you think is of no consequence. She is obviously interested in this man. Her eyes betray her feelings. And did you see the way he looked at her? I think the feeling is returned. Don’t you believe your mother deserves another chance at happiness?”

“Of course. I’m not cruel. He’s just… the wrong man. We don’t even know much about him.”

“I thought he was a family friend.”

Madeline snorted. “Six months after Papa died Vale came to the house. He claimed to be an old acquaintance of my father, wanted to pay his respects, and wanted to know if he could be of help regarding estate details. He’s knowledgeable about such things as a nobleman and knew our man of affairs had died in an accident.

“Mother refused at first, then slowly changed her mind when she got to know him better. Since she’s come out of mourning, he’s made a pest of himself. She’s been entertaining him much too often. And then tonight she invites him to dinner.”

“Maddie, what will you do if your mother decides to continue seeing him?”

“I don’t know.”

Hally turned off the path and led Madeline to a flat stone bench. Behind them stood a small fountain with a statue of a child pouring water from a pitcher. Its perpetual supply filled the basin, sending minute droplets of spray into the air. Madeline felt a tiny splash hit her cheek. She smiled, thinking how she used to sit here as a little girl and splash water at her father.

Hally nudged her, interrupting her thoughts. “And what about Lord Ravensmoore? You came to his defense this evening.”

“I did no such thing. I merely agreed that his decision to become a physician was intriguing.”

“That must be the nicest thing you’ve said about the gentleman since you realized he treated your father.”

“Treated is not what I call it.” Madeline fidgeted with her silver bracelet, turning the smooth bangle around and around on her wrist. “I find Vale irritating. I simply chose to disagree with him.”

“Are you sure, Maddie? Perhaps it is time you examine your
own
heart instead of your mother’s.”

“Each heart has its secrets, Hally. Mine is no different.” She heard footsteps and looked up.

“Ah, there you are,” Ravensmoore said as he rounded the hedge and spotted them in the gazebo. “I hope I’m not interrupting, but I did want to inquire after your injury, Lady Madeline. Is now a convenient time?”

Hally replied for her. “It is the perfect time, sir.” She rose from her seat. “I will begin walking back to the house while you talk. Please catch up with me soon. The countess would not want you to tarry long by yourselves. Even though you are studying to be a doctor, Lord Ravensmoore, you are very much a man.” She curtsied, gave him a brilliant smile, and quickly disappeared around the hedge.

An awkward silence fell as Madeline found herself suddenly alone with this man.

“May I join you?” Ravensmoore asked. “I want to know how you are feeling. I must return to the hospital this evening and cannot remain much longer.”

Madeline looked up at his towering frame, uncomfortable with her confusing emotions. Her mouth went dry when her eyes met his. She forced out the words, “Of course.”

“Are you well?” Ravensmoore sat next to her. “Is the pain tolerable?”

“It has been but a day, sir.” A mere inch separated them. Madeline could feel his closeness. His warmth wrapped about her like a protective cloak. “However, when I awoke this morning, it ached. I am most tired of wearing this cumbersome sling.”

“I suggest a more relaxed position of the arm. It appears too tight. May I?”

“If you think it will help.” Madeline’s heart fluttered when Ravensmoore stood and moved behind her. “Do be careful.”

“I’ll be most gentle.”

His fingers slid against the nape of her neck as he untied the knot of the sling. Gooseflesh covered her skin once again. Were these the hands of a butcher? She shivered, but not because she disliked his touch—the opposite.

“Let’s reposition your arm and start over.”

Surprised at his gentle touch and care for her feelings, a seed of guilt began to sprout as he secured the sling more comfortably about her neck. She had treated him so poorly and thought even worse of him. Could she have misjudged the gentleman? And if she had, could she have misjudged Vale as well?

“There now. How does that feel?”

She sighed with relief. “Better, thank you.”

“Let’s see how you fare over the next few minutes.” Ravensmoore came from behind her and held out his hand. “Would you do me the honor of a short walk?”

Madeline hesitated. “I really should return to the house,” she said, making excuses to escape him. The man had the dual effect of attracting her and driving her away at the same time.

His open hand awaited her answer. “Doctor’s orders,” he said, smiling.

Madeline accepted his hand. “You mean an
almost
doctor’s orders, don’t you?” His grasp, warm and gentle, comforted her. She felt oddly safe as he helped her to her feet.

“I’ll be a doctor by summer’s end, dear lady. Will you feel more comfortable with my position after that?” He placed his hand in the small of her back and turned her onto the path away from the house.

“Impossible, sir. You will be the only nobleman I know who is a physician. The spirit of my father forever stands between us as a reminder of what you did or didn’t do.” She quickened her pace.

“But—”

“Please.” She stopped and glared at him. “I don’t wish to be cruel. You have been kind, but I will never feel comfortable around doctors, you most of all. And Dr. Langford left you by my father’s side to attend another. He also is responsible for my father’s death. But you were the last one present with my father.”

“I understand.”

“I don’t think you can. My fondest wish is to live a normal life far from death, disease—”

“And doctors.”

“Yes, and doctors.”

“I believe that is the feeling of most people, Lady Madeline.”

“The last few years have brought nothing but pain.” Grateful for the dimness of the evening light, she wondered why she had shared her personal thoughts with him.

“To live is to experience pain. Illness and death come to all of us.”

“You, sir, have chosen to surround yourself with illness and have inflicted pain on others to satisfy your curiosity as you learn. And to what purpose?”

Ravensmoore stopped. “Inflicted pain on others? I imagine you are speaking of your father.”

“I did not say anything about my father.” Madeline walked away from him.

“You didn’t have to. I understand your anger.” He kept pace with her.

“You, sir, understand nothing about me. Do you fancy yourself a physician of the mind?”

He grabbed her hand. “Stop. I’m sorry that I’ve upset you.”

Madeline faced him. “Why do you persist?”

“I only wanted to help you. As far as being a doctor of the mind, I feel strongly that every physician must do his fair share of ‘maddoctoring,’ as it is called, to take into account a patient’s thoughts as well as the aches and problems of the body. Is not the brain a part of the body?”

“Of course. But I don’t wish to speak of such things. My brain and my thoughts are not for you to understand. Why don’t you visit Ashcroft if you wish to pursue the mad-doctoring trade?”

Ravensmoore looked as though she’d slapped him. Madeline took a step back. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to say that. It’s been a difficult day.”

He nodded. “You need rest. I’ll walk you to the house, and then I must be on my way.” He offered her his arm.

Madeline hesitated and then put her arm through his as they continued toward the house. “What do you think of Lord Vale’s impressions of the girl who escaped Ashcroft?”

“Madness is a serious affliction and not to be taken lightly. I feel sorry for the young woman, but she must be found and returned to the asylum.”

“If you discovered her, would you return her to Ashcroft?”

“Yes. It’s the only thing that can be done. I talked to Lord Vale about her after dinner. The keepers at the asylum are hunting for her as we speak. It’s only a matter of time until she is caught, if she can survive the out-of-doors and the dangers of the forest.”

“She’s no better off than the fox on the hunt field. I cannot help but feel pity for her. To be locked away forever. To be hunted like a helpless animal. She has no hope of a life outside the walls of Ashcroft. It breaks my heart.”

“You are most compassionate, Lady Madeline. Few women would concern themselves with such matters. It almost sounds as if you know the girl.”

Madeline lowered her gaze. “Of course I don’t know her.” The lie hurt. She didn’t want to keep the truth hidden, but she felt there was no recourse. If she told Vale or Ravensmoore, then Amanda would be sent back. “But if I did, I would consider helping her.”

“And you would place yourself and perhaps others in peril.”

She’d seen the bruises and the marks from what must have been shackles. Ashcroft didn’t seem to be the place anyone would want to be regardless of the improvements to the kitchens and the food that Vale claimed.

“And what of compassion?” she asked. “You claim to be a compassionate man.”

“What of the law? Even compassion must answer to the courts if it interferes with the law.”

“We’ve talked too long. Countess Gilling and my mother will be concerned.”

They walked out of the maze and back through the paths that led to the house. Madeline opened the French doors to the parlor anxious to rid herself of Ravensmoore and nearly collided with her mother wrapped in Lord Vale’s arms and being thoroughly kissed.

C
HAPTER 5

A friend loveth at all time, and a
brother is born for adversity.

—P
ROVERBS 17:17

D
EVLIN AWOKE BEFORE
dawn to the sound of rain splattering against the windows and the scent of Mrs. Hogarth’s cooking drifting through his room. Edna Hogarth always had a tasty breakfast waiting for him. The extra coin he supplied saw to that. Sniffing the air like a hound on the trail of his dinner, Devlin’s stomach growled. He realized he hadn’t eaten much of the delicious meal served at Richfield. He’d found Madeline far more interesting than food.