Page 70 of Bound to a Wicked Duke

“I am not doing anything with Lady Laura Knight,” Mowbray stuttered in indignant protest. “She came to me with an ultimatum. She said that if I did not convince Lady Madeleine to marry me, that she would not only destroy Lady Madeleine’s reputation, but she would also destroy her family.”

“Why would you care about my family?” Cecil demanded to know. “What is in this for you?”

“He would be in your sister’s bed,” Percy answered on Mowbray’s behalf. “And I am certain that her dowry would pay for many of his gambling debts.”

Mowbray attempted to stand up straight, not an easy feat with Percy shaking him about like a child’s doll. “You are an uncouth man, Percival Hardy. I have genuine affection for Lady Madeleine and great respect for the Earl of Stonefield. I would not wish to see either brought to ruin.” The tone of his voice clearly relayed the message that he was insulted by Percy’s accusations.

“I do not believe you,” Percy angrily ground out between clenched teeth.

Mowbray gave him a look of defiance. “It matters not whether you believe me. I speak the truth.”

“Percy, I believe him,” Madeleine called out from atop his horse. “I do truly believe that he was trying to help me.”

“You trust this worm?” Percy asked, shaking Mowbray for emphasis.

“I do protest, Greyhall,” Mowbray complained. “There is no need for such dispersions.”

“I do,” Madeleine affirmed. “Mr. Mowbray may not be my choice of husband, but he is a man of some honor in this instance. Upon that I do trust.”

Percy raised his brow in doubt. “Are you certain?”

Madeleine nodded. “I am.”

Percy growled low in his throat threateningly at Mowbray. “A man of honor does not run away with an unwed lady in secret to Gretna Green.”

“There was no time to go about it properly,” Mowbray attempted to explain. “Lady Laura only gave me until dawn. Lady Laura…”

“Lady Laura would have killed her had you not agreed to this,” Percy finished the sentence for him. His anger was beginning to subside, being replaced by the relief that he had gotten to Madeleine in time.

Mowbray’s eyes shot up in surprise. “Killed her? I was left with the impression that she might harm Miss Madeleine, but to kill her?”

Percy gave him a scathing look, his anger returning.

“Laura Knight is a murderess. Had she discovered that you had not followed through with your instructions, she would have killed Madeleine. It is the only reason that you are not already dead by my hand for taking her.”

Mowbray gulped, fear turning his face an unhealthy pale hue. “I swear to you that I never meant her any harm.”

“I believe him,” Madeleine repeated. She was so relieved to be free from the fate that had awaited her but moments earlier that she was more than willing to be generous and put what had been a horrible night well into the past. “I am safe now.”

“Only if we get you home before everyone realizes that you are gone,” Cecil pointed out.

Percy released Mowbray. Mowbray stumbled back from the abrupt nature of it. “Get on your horse,” he commanded. “If we do not return in time, you will be needed to answer questions.”

“I only wished to help her,” Mowbray whined in protest.

Percy skewered him with a look. “Then you can help her with this.”

Mowbray mounted his horse, still eyeing Percy and Cecil as if they might change their minds and beat him senseless. “We will not make it in time to save her reputation. We have been on the road too long.”

“Ride,” Percy commanded. “Ride as if your very life depends upon it, Mowbray, because it does.”

CHAPTER TWENTY

“Where have you been?!” the Earl of Stonefield’s angry voice rang out over the garden, echoing off of the stone walls.

“Father,” Cecil intervened, placing himself between Madeleine and the Earl.

The Earl turned his angry gaze to his son. “What was your sister doing out all night?! Her absence, as well as yours, was noticed. Your mother pled illness on your behalf, but it was not convincing as we had received all of our guests together as a family. Your good health was clear for all to see. It was clear that they did not believe the excuse. Now I repeat, where were you?”

---