She appreciated his indignation on her behalf, but Freddie was hardly a good judge of the ton’s standards.
He didn’t allow her time to reply, however. “I think you make Rayne an admirable countess. I have thought so from the first. In fact, I was the one who encouraged him to propose to you.”
“You were?”
“Yes, indeed. I knew he needed a wife in order to sire an heir, and you seemed a good choice. Even if you are no beauty, a man can be comfortable with you.” Freddie paused in his pacing to eye her. “Although you do seem to have improved in looks of late.”
Madeline flinched at his backhanded compliment. “I hoped Rayne would come to love me someday,” she said in a small voice.
He made a dismissive sound. “I don’t know if that is possible, considering the way his heart was broken.”
She s
tilled. “What do you mean, his heart was broken?”
Freddie halted altogether to look at her. “I do not really know the details. I only heard that Rayne had a tragic love affair with a Frenchwoman many years ago. Much more tragic than anything I ever suffered. But if the rumors of a shattered affair are true, you cannot expect Rayne to recover quickly.”
“You said it happened years ago.”
“So I heard, but I could be mistaken. Besides, love is not all it is cracked up to be, Madeline. I know. I have been in love countless times—and I am almost ready to give it up altogether.”
She couldn’t help a shaky laugh. “I cannot imagine you giving up on love, Freddie.”
He grinned at her. “No, I don’t suppose I could, either.” Then he sobered. “You should not make any hasty decisions,” he repeated, “particularly when you are feeling so low. If you ask me, you should give Rayne a chance to fall in love with you if he can.”
“I have tried,” Madeline admitted. “But my efforts have had no effect. On the contrary, they seem to have made matters between us even worse.”
“Perhaps you just need to give him more time.”
“How much more time?”
“How should I know? I am obviously no expert on love. But I cannot believe you would be vanquished so easily. Do you mean to give in to Lady Haviland without a fight? Honestly, I thought better of you, Madeline.”
Freddie had a point, she realized, straightening her spine. She at least needed to drum up the courage to confront Rayne, even though she wasn’t sure what good it would do her. If he truly wanted to dissolve their marriage, there was likely nothing she could say to change his mind.
Feeling that hollow, crushing ache flood her again, Madeline pressed a hand to her stomach. She hadn’t known she was capable of feeling such emptiness.
Still…. Despite what his disdainful grandmother thought of her, she was indeed worthy of him, and of being his countess.
Squaring her shoulders, Madeline set her jaw. If Rayne wanted their union annulled, he would have to tell her so to her face.
She stood abruptly.
“What do you mean to do?” Freddie asked.
“I am going to London to speak to Rayne.”
“You cannot. He is hip-deep in spy matters, remember?”
Madeline sank back down, frustration and despair warring inside her. Again Freddie was right. At this very moment Rayne was probably attempting to stop the assassination of England’s Prince Regent. She at least needed to wait to confront him until he concluded his mission. The future of her marriage might be of vital import to her, but it did not quite trump the fate of the country or the Regent’s very life.
So why did it feel as if her own life was hanging in the balance? Madeline wondered desolately. And why was it so hard for her to make the noble choice?
Chapter Twenty
Is it possible that he truly loves me, Maman? Dare I believe it?
A warning shout rang out across from the Parliament building, alerting Rayne of the danger to his charge. Acting instantly at the prearranged signal, he shoved England’s portly Prince Regent to the pavement and covered the great bulk with his own body, much to the chagrin of His Royal Highness. Yet the pistol shot that immediately followed whistled harmlessly overhead.