Her wide, questioning eyes seemed too big for her face, but she rose hesitantly.
Without speaking, Rayne escorted her out to his grandmother’s barouche. He had ordered Muller to remain there in the drive and was infinitely glad to see he’d been obeyed even though the dowager had very likely threatened her longtime servant with dismissal.
Flinging wide the carriage door, Rayne stepped into the opening. Lady Haviland sat stiffly on the far side of the barouche, her spine rigid as she stared straight ahead, refusing to acknowledge him.
“It is time for you to proffer my wife a sincere apology for your shameless meddling, Grandmother,” Rayne prodded.
At his demand, however, the noblewoman visibly bristled. “I refuse to hold this discussion in front of the servants, sir,” she declared with an imperious wave of her hand to indicate her coachmen and grooms.
Her staff, however, was not their only audience, Rayne noted, since Freddie had followed him outside, as had two of his own footmen. Yet he was unswayed by her argument. “Do you think I give a damn who hears?”
At his adamant tone, his grandmother’s expression changed, while her own voice softened to hold an almost pleading note. “Rayne, do you not see? I only have your best interests at heart. You made a dreadful mistake, marrying as you did. I wanted heirs to the Haviland title, true, but not at this price.”
“Grandmother …” Rayne said warningly, his anger rising.
In response, Lady Haviland gave a faint cry and clutched her hand to her heart. As she slumped against the corner seat, Rayne ground his teeth. He’d seen this same dramatic performance before, more than once. Suspecting she was feigning a heart seizure yet again, he decided to call her bluff.
“Muller, please take Lady Haviland directly to her doctors in London. She is too weak to continue this discussion at the moment and needs to be confined to her bed.”
His command had the desired effect. As he made to shut the carriage door, Lady Haviland sat up abruptly. “No, wait!”
Rayne drew Madeline forward, holding her tucked against his side, as if sheltering her from attack. And when his grandmother gave his wife a scathing glance, he laid down his gauntlet. “If I must choose between the two of you, Grandmother, it will be Madeline. I love her, and I intend to keep her as my wife. There will be no question of annulment.”
He felt Madeline stiffen against him. She had been watching the elderly noblewoman, but at his declaration, her shocked gaze lifted to his.
Her luminous eyes held confusion and doubt as she whispered in disbelief, “You love me?”
&
nbsp; Rayne gave her a tender smile. “More than I can say, sweetheart.”
Returning his attention to his grandmother, he said in a cutting tone, “You will accept her into the family or I will have nothing more to do with you. Until then, you are not welcome here or at any of my homes.”
Lady Haviland had set her jaw stubbornly, but it went slack at his threat. Evidently she believed him, for she finally muttered, “Well then, if you insist…. I apologize.”
“That is not good enough,” Rayne snapped. “You should direct your apology to my wife.”
The dowager pressed her lips together tightly, her expression sour. But then exhaling a peeved sigh, she gave in. “I beg your forgiveness, Miss Ellis—That is, Lady Haviland. I should not have interfered in your affairs.”
Rayne started to remonstrate at her spiteful tone, but Madeline placed a hand on his arm.
“Thank you, my lady,” she said softly. “If you agree, we will forget this contretemps entirely and put it down to a misunderstanding.”
Lady Haviland looked as if she might refuse the offer of peace, but eventually she gave a brusque nod.
“That will do for now,” Rayne said tersely, deciding not to force the issue any further at the moment. Although it was not the concession he wanted, his grandmother had made a significant step with her grudging apology, and Madeline was evidently willing to drop the matter. Rayne felt his heart swell at her generosity.
Signaling to the coachman, Rayne stepped back, drawing Madeline with him. They both watched as the coachman flicked his whip at the team and the barouche pulled away.
Then Rayne turned to Madeline. She was gazing up at him, the look in her eyes one of longing, of hope—her expression exactly mirroring the emotions he felt.
Chapter Twenty-one
So this is what you meant by the joy of true love, Maman. I agree, it truly is magical.
Madeline scarcely dared breathe as she stared up at Rayne. Her heart had begun to slam in slow, painful strokes while her thoughts and emotions rioted.
“Have I rendered you speechless for once?” he asked softly.