A few days later, Madeline found her decision made for her when she arrived at a picnic in Hyde Park and found Lord Townsend standing by a cluster of trees, conversing with a group of gentlemen. The moment their eyes met, Madeline felt a familiar rush, and she revelled in the delighted expression that lit up his eyes. As he continued speaking, his gaze remained almost fixed on her, and before she knew what was happening, he excused himself and came striding toward her.
“My dear Lady Ma…Ainsworth.” He caught himself in the last moment, and Madeline could see the light leave his eyes as sadness overtook them. “It is good to see you.” He glanced behind her. “Is your husband not here? I’ve heard rumours that he’s left for the country; however, I didn’t dare…” His voice trailed off, and yet, the hope that he did not dare speak of was only too visible in his blue eyes.
“It is true,” Madeline whispered, transfixed with the way his gaze held hers…so gentle and caring. How different could her life have been had he found her alone that night at Lord Kingsley’s ball? She would be happy now, excited to begin the life she had always wanted for herself. However, now, this was a hollow dream. She would never be Lord Townsend’s wife, but she could be his?
“I suspect you will join him in the country soon?” he interrupted her thoughts, his gaze gliding over her face, and an appreciative glow came to his eyes.
Madeline sighed. “I haven’t decided yet. As I do find the country rather uneventful, I was hoping for a more diverting opportunity.”
A delighted smile lifted the corners of Lord Townsend’s mouth. “Well, in that case, I would be honoured if you agreed to attend the house party I’m planning for a few close friends.” He chuckled. “I have to say I do agree with your assessment of the country. I, too, prefer town as I cherish the company of good friends.”
As her heart thudded wildly in her chest, Madeline found herself accepting Lord Townsend’s invitation before she could reason with herself and convince her heart of the foolishness of this endeavour. Could she truly do this? Never had she even once contemplated taking a lover. And yet, could she truly allow this opportunity to be with the man who should have been her husband to pass her by? Did she not deserve a few weeks of happiness? Did she not deserve to know what it felt to be in the arms of someone who cared about her?
After all, her husband would not care.
Especially if he never knew.
And he never would. She only needed to be discreet about it.
As the end of the Season slowly approached, Madeline continued to pace the length of her bedchamber. Only now she was not driven by indecision but by excitement and anticipation instead. Tonight would be the last ball of the Season, and then she would travel to Lord Townsend’s country estate to attend his house party. How soon would he find an opportunity to kiss her? She could not help but wonder.
“Are you all right?” Elsbeth asked later that night as they stood side by side by the refreshment table, a drink in hand. “You seem rather quiet, and you haven’t danced once all night.” A tentative smile came to her friend’s face. “I admit it worries me. It’s not like you at all.”
Madeline drew in a deep breath, knowing that her friend would never approve of her decision. Not the way Elsbeth felt about her own husband. “A lot has changed,” she finally said, her gaze shifting to her friend. “Although I am married now, my husband does not desire my company.”
Elsbeth nodded, a touch of sympathy in her eyes. “I heard he returned to the country.” Then she glanced around the room, and a smile drew up the corners of her mouth. “But tonight, the Season will be over, and you can join him and show him the value of your company.”
Slowly, Madeline shook her head as she watched the dancing couples with a touch of envy burning in her heart. “I will not. I have no desire to waste away in the country.”
Elsbeth’s gaze narrowed. “Do you truly wish to live your life apart from your husband? Never knowing the kind of man he is?”
“It is what he wants.”
Elsbeth shook her head. “I refuse to believe that. Besides, will you not also be bored if you remain in Town all by yourself?”
“I have no intention of doing so,” Madeline admitted, preparing herself for her friend’s disapproval. “Lord Townsend has invited me to join his house party.”
For a long moment, Elsbeth looked at her, her normally gentle eyes sharp as she watched Madeline with care. Then her gaze widened, and she shook her head vehemently. “Madeline, you cannot!” she exclaimed as realisation dawned. Then she stepped closer, and her voice dropped to a mere whisper. “You’re married. You cannot betray your husband.”
Doubt settled on Madeline’s heart at her friend’s words, but she willed it away, turning to meet Elsbeth’s gaze with determination. “He won’t mind.” Or would he?
“Of course, he would?”
“It was his idea!” Madeline hissed under her breath, feeling the sting of her husband’s rejection drill into her heart and soul. Never had she felt so utterly unwanted…and worthless.
Wide-eyed, Elsbeth stared at her. “You cannot be serious. What husband would ever…?”
“Mine, apparently,” Madeline replied, trying her best to hold on to her composure. “He gave me leave to conduct myself as I want, and what I want is…”
“Him?” Elsbeth asked as Lord Townsend?as if on cue?came waltzing past them, a young lady in his arms, their gazes locked as though they saw only each other.
Madeline sighed, “He cares for me.”
“Are you certain?”
Madeline swallowed. He did, didn’t he? Please, someone had to.
As the last notes of the waltz faded away, Madeline lifted her gaze, searching for the one man who promised to make her feel worthy of his attention. At first, she could not spot him anywhere, and her heart sank. Had he not seen her? Or did he choose to stay away? Had he found a lady more deserving of his company?
However, moments later, the throng of people parted, allowing him through as he walked toward her, his gaze fixed on her as it had been that day in Hyde Park. With a delighted smile, Townsend bowed to her. “I had hoped you would attend tonight.” He spoke rather quietly, and his gaze flitted to Elsbeth, a calculating gleam in his eyes.
“I couldn’t stay away,” Madeline beamed, feeling like a flower finally touched by the sun’s rays after a long, dark night, “for I enjoy nothing more than dancing.” Ignoring Elsbeth’s frowning expression, Madeline moved a little to the side, half-blocking her view on Lord Townsend.
“I’m delighted to hear that.” Holding out his hand to her, Lord Townsend smiled. “May I have this dance?”
Accepting his offer, Madeline allowed him to lead her onto the dance floor. As they stood up together for a cotillion, Madeline kept her eyes fixed on his smiling face, determinedly ignoring the disapproving glower her friend shot at her from across the room.
“I was wondering,” Lord Townsend began, “if you’ve changed your mind regarding my house party.”
“Oh, no, I am most eager to attend,” Madeline assured him, belatedly reminding herself not to sound too eager. “It will be a most distracting event, I am certain.”
“Of that I am certain as well,” he replied, and his gaze became more intense as he looked at her, his eyes gliding over her face and touching her lips. “Especially if you are there to keep me company.”
Madeline swallowed, hoping she was not misinterpreting his intentions, and yet, fearing their consequences.
“That night at Lord Kingsley’s ball,” Lord Townsend began, his voice low and intimate, “I was about to follow you when…your husband,” he paused for emphasis, “happened to spill his drink on me.”
Staring at her dance partner in shock, Madeline almost forgot to move her feet.
“I cannot help but believe that he purposefully detained me,” Lord Townsend continued confidently, “so that he could follow you instead of me.”
As the shock of Lord Townsend’s revelation slowly wore off, Madeline felt her face flash hot with anger. He’d lied! Her husband had sworn that he had had no intention of trapping her into marriage, and yet, he had orchestrated their encounter, pretending it had come about by chance. And he had not even had the courage or the decency to own up to it, to speak the truth!