To Tame a Dangerous Lord (Courtship Wars)

A thought struck Madeline just then. “Do you know where the jewels are kept? In a bank vault? Or a safe here or in Rayne’s London house?”

“In a bank, I think.” She smiled apologetically. “I had best go. Penny becomes extremely cross when her wishes are thwarted, just like Grandmama.”

“Well, thank you for coming. It was a pleasure to meet you.”

“You as well, even though I wouldn’t dare acknowledge it if we were to encounter one another again. I am quite sorry.”

“So am I,” Madeline said sincerely. Daphne had a large measure of Rayne’s charm, while Penelope was much more like their grandmother. Madeline doubted they would become bosom friends, at least not as long as Lady Haviland commanded their slavish obedience, but she would very much have liked to know Daphne better. And she hated to think of causing a breach between Rayne and his sisters.

When Rayne returned home late that afternoon and went straight to his study, Madeline knocked on his door as soon as she learned of his arrival.

“Your sisters called here today,” she remarked upon gaining admittance.

Rayne’s gaze seemed sympathetic as he invited her to take a seat on the sofa. “I trust they treated you with more consideration than my grandmother did?”

“Slightly more so. Daphne actually became quite congenial as time passed.”

“What did they want?”

“To judge me, I suspect. At least they approved of my gown,” Madeline said humorously.

Rayne’s gaze swept over her stylish attire. “You should fit in their lofty circles quite well, dressed like that.”

For some reason she suspected his observation was not a compliment. Frowning, Madeline directed the conversation down a different path. “You seem to be on good terms with your sisters. Are you very close?”

Rayne shrugged. “I am fond of them, but I wouldn’t say we are particularly close. Penelope is the managing sort and henpecks her husband relentlessly. She takes after my grandmother, in fact. There is more hope for Daphne. She’s given to theatrics, but her wit can be amusing. Both are society creatures, which you know I don’t care for. At least they revert back into rational beings in the company of their sons—although they coddle the boys more than I would like. A pity they didn’t bring my nephews here with them.”

“Yes, I would have liked to meet them,” Madeline agreed. She paused before adding, “Daphne said Lady Haviland may leave her enormous fortune to your sisters because you wed me.”

Rayne regarded her without expression. “My grandmother is free to distribute her fortune as she sees fit.”

“Of course she is. But I would not like you to suffer because of me, Rayne.”

The look he gave her was penetrating. “That is considerate of you, sweetheart.”

“I wish there was something I could do to allay your grandmother’s concerns about me,” she said with true remorse.

“Don’t dwell on it.”

Madeline smiled faintly. “I cannot help but worry about it. Daphne also mentioned that the family jewelry is normally passed down to all the Haviland countesses.”

For a fleeting moment Rayne’s features seemed to take on a hard edge. “Is that a rebuke because I have been negligent? Do you want me to send for the Haviland jewels so you may wear them?”

“No, on the contrary. I don’t wish to increase your grandmother’s enmity by depriving her of what she considers to be her rightful property.”

“Since the jewels are entailed, you have valid claim to them now.”

It was Madeline’s turn to shrug. “I have never worn expensive jewelry, and I feel no need to begin now. I won’t miss what I have never had.”

Rayne studied her for a long moment, as if trying to determine her veracity. Madeline felt suddenly discomfited by his scrutiny.

“If you must send for the jewels, does that mean they are kept in London?” she asked to redirect his attention.

“Yes,” he replied after a brief hesitation.

“But you do have a safe here in your study?”

“Why do you ask?”