To Tame a Dangerous Lord (Courtship Wars)

“No, Lynette agrees with me. She wants her parents to have the necklace, even if we must live in France.” Gerard’s expression turned imploring. “Please, Maddie, you have to help me.”

Feeling a welling impotence, Madeline gazed back at her brother in dismay and frustration.

“What would Maman say about your stealing?” she finally muttered.

“It is unfair to bring her into this,” Gerard objected more quietly. “Maman is long gone. And in any case, I believe she would want to see justice done.”

Perhaps he was right about that, but still…. Madeline raised a hand to her temple. Not only was her bruised cheek throbbing, her head was aching with the futility of making her brother see reason. “Don’t you realize that you are destroying your entire future, Gerard? Not to mention that I may never see you again. You have to give the necklace back to Ackerby.”

“I cannot, Madeline. I will not.”

A tense silence ensued. Rayne, who had been watching their altercation without commenting, broke their impasse.

“There is a simple solution to your dilemma,” he said slowly.

When she turned to eye him, Rayne expounded. “I will purchase the necklace from Ackerby and gain his agreement not to press charges against your brother.”

“I say, that would be ‘capital’ of you!” Gerard exclaimed.

Madeline stared at Rayne, however, torn between distress and hope. With his chivalrous streak, he was determined to defend the weak and vulnerable and fight for justice. Gerard’s lamenting the plight of émigrés had been a far better way to gain Rayne’s sympathy than expressing fear at losing his wife’s love. But she couldn’t let Rayne make the financial sacrifice that trying to purchase the necklace would entail.

Nor could she understand why he would even want to help her brother out of his self-inflicted dilemma. A brief while ago, Rayne had grimly accused her of betrayal and adultery. His features were enigmatic now, devoid of emotion, giving no clue as to what he was thinking or feeling.

“It would not be ‘capital,’” Madeline replied before addressing Rayne. “Even if Ackerby is willing to part with the necklace—which is gravely doubtful—it would cost you a fortune, and I can’t allow you to throw your money away in support of my witless brother’s felony.”

The barest of smiles flickered at the corner of Rayne’s mouth. “Stubbornness is clearly a family trait,” he observed in a dry tone.

Madeline stiffened. “I have told you before, my lord, I do not want or need your charity.”

Gerard hastened to break in. “Well, I am not too proud to accept his charity. I cannot thank you enough, Lord Haviland. I swear I will repay every penny somehow, although it may take years.”

“Years?” Madeline repeated in a scoffing tone. “You will be in his debt for centuries.”

“That is still better than being exiled to France.”

Aware she was losing the argument, she rephrased her protest to Rayne. “Just how will you convince Ackerby to part with the necklace and overlook Gerard’s theft?”

“It should not be too difficult,” he replied, “considering that he set his henchmen after your brother and assaulted your housekeeper. Ackerby will not want his savagery to become known, or allegations about his father’s complicity in the original theft to come out.”

Madeline shook her head, her feeling of helplessness growing.

“Come now, Maddie,” Gerard pleaded. “You don’t want me to have to flee the country, do you? This is the perfect solution.”

Knowing she was beaten, she let out a heavy sigh. “Oh, very well. But you don’t deserve to get off this easily.”

Her scamp of a brother beamed a grin. “Of course not. I know how fortunate I am, best of sisters.”

She bit back a retort, restraining the desire to shake him, but then Rayne interrupted.

“Where is the necklace now?” he asked her brother.

Gerard answered willingly. “With my wife, Lynette. We took refuge at a farmhouse a few miles from here.” His expression sobered. “I should get back to Lynette as soon as possible. She will worry if I don’t return shortly.”

“Did you ride here?”

“No, I walked.”

“Then I will drive you there in my carriage. I first want to question Ackerby’s minions to discover where he can be found. Meanwhile, you should clean up your appearance. Your bride will be alarmed to see you looking so battered.”