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A WEEK PASSED since Maddie had received her first marriage proposal, and she couldn’t stop thinking about Hector despite the fact he hadn’t shown himself since.

He was used to visiting her every day, even if only for a few moments. But after their last conversation, he’d kept his distance, which, she had to admit, had been partially her goal when she’d prompted him to join the expedition. Or maybe not. She wasn’t sure.

She liked him, she really did. When he talked about plants and flowers, his whole face brightened, and he knew the most unusual and curious things about nature.

But yes, at times during his visits, she’d wished to be left alone.

Her mood had shifted from high to low during her worst days, and even though she loved her family and Hector was kind to her, she’d wanted to be left alone to cry in her bed and pity herself.

Sometimes that was what she needed before flourishing again.

But she refused to let him ruin his life because of his guilt.

Ridiculous. If she’d agreed to marry him, years from now, he would resent her, and she’d hate it.

She sighed, glancing out of the parlour window overlooking the busy street.

The trees in Hyde Park had put on new leaves that fluttered like tiny waving hands in the wind.

Ladies promenaded with their friends, showing off bright coloured frocks, lace-rimmed parasols, and silk reticules.

Summer filled the air with the scent of freshly mowed grass and flowers.

London was so pretty in summer, so full of people.

There would be art exhibitions and presentations in every gallery and theatre.

She wished she could go with Verity to take a walk through the park, eat a gelato, and watch the swans in the Serpentine.

Maybe sketch one of those lovely poplar trees.

She coughed in her closed fist, her throat still burning.

The incident and its aftermath had ruined her life—no, that was ungrateful of her.

She still could become a painter. Her dream was merely postponed.

But she’d be lying if she said she didn’t wish Hector had never broken through her window that night.

She didn’t regret having rejected him. His offer had come from the wrong place, nothing more.

He wasn’t really interested in marrying her.

It was his sense of duty, or worse, guilt to have pushed him to propose.

Thank goodness her mother wasn’t aware of the proposal. Maddie would never hear the end of it.

She grimaced as a new shot of pain travelled up her arm after yet another bromine application.

The liquid stank of sulphur and burned her skin like acid, leaving her shaken and in pain.

After each application, her fingers remained numb for a while and her stomach roiled with nausea.

She didn’t know if it was a good or a bad thing.

Dr. Wilton had said the nausea was normal.

There was a quick knock on the door before it opened, and the maid entered. The servants never waited for Maddie to reply, knowing their missus couldn’t raise her voice.

The maid dropped a curtsy. “The Dowager Duchess of Blackburn, is here.”

The Duchess? Her almost mother-in-law. “Please let her in.” Maddie struggled to sit up, wondering if her hair looked like something that had been dragged out of the Thames. She hadn’t used a hot rod or ribbons in weeks.

“Miss Madeline, may I?” a sweet voice asked from the door.

Maddie coughed. “Please.”

The duchess came inside in a swirl of black linen and pristine lace. She had nothing in common with her sons. Where they were all golden hair and fair eyes, she was dark-haired and with gentle brown eyes. Her beauty resembled Hector’s though. Same straight nose, fine features, and natural elegance.

Maddie tried to stand up, but it was too much effort, and the bromine caused her head to spin. “Your grace.” She bowed her head.

“Please don’t stand up, my dear.” The duchess took her good hand. “I apologise for not having come earlier.”

“Do not worry, your grace. Your sons have been very kind to me.”

The duchess sat on the chair next to her. Her black skirt frothed around her. “How are you? Is there anything I can do for you?”

“I’m recovering, slowly, but I’m on the mend. Your sons took very good care of me.” By paying all the medical bills and even her meals.

The lady’s bottom lip quivered. “I’m sorry for what happened. Hector has always been wilder than his brother. I know he might behave like a scoundrel.”

Maddie smiled because Hector might be passionate when he talked about plants and ignore some rules of society, but he couldn’t possibly be a scoundrel.

“I’ve never thought him to be one.”

The duchess clenched her gloved hands in her lap. “He’s so immersed and focused on his love for science that oftentimes he isn’t connected with real life.”

To that, Maddie had to agree. But then again, she was the same.

The duchess lowered her gaze. “I gather he proposed and you refused.”

Oh, dear. What was she supposed to say? “Your grace, I couldn’t accept his proposal. He proposed out of guilt, and I can’t let him feel guilty forever.”

“My guess is he’s trying to emulate Robert and his sense of duty, so I agree with your conclusion.

” Hector’s mother cradled Maddie’s injured hand gently in hers, stroking the bandage.

“I want you to know…” Her voice cracked, and she took a deep breath.

“We’ll provide for you anyway. You’re bedridden because of my son’s foolish actions.

He didn’t mean to hurt you, but that’s the result, and we will not shy away from our responsibilities. ”

That seemed to be a common theme in the Wentworth family. Now Maddie understood where Hector and Robert’s sense of duty came from.

Maddie could easily shun Hector’s offer of money, but refusing the dowager was another matter. “Thank you.”

The maid opened the door again. “Lord Wentworth is here.”

“Please send him in.” Maddie pulled her quilt up to cover the part of her chest the nightgown left exposed.

Hector’s mother released Maddie’s hand and angled towards the door, her expression guarded as if she were ready to scold her son.

“Miss Madeline, Mother.” Hector bowed and smiled at his mother.

He didn’t seem surprised to see her there. His mother’s presence had to be a plot to convince Maddie to accept the money.

“We were talking about you, darling,” the duchess said. Whatever emotion had taken her over a moment ago was gone.

He removed his hat, letting his beautiful golden curls tumble down his jaw. “I hope the conversation was interesting.” He kissed his mother’s cheek tenderly, and for some reason, Maddie’s throat tightened. When had the last time been when she’d kissed her mother? She couldn’t remember.

“Miss Debenham agreed to accept our help.” The duchess smiled.

Yes, the whole visit was an ambush to make sure Maddie would accept their financial help. Perhaps she’d been too stubborn after all.

“When are you leaving?” Maddie asked and regretted it immediately. His ruse to convince her to accept the money had stung her a little. But since he’d won, surely it meant he was going to sail to South America, right? “You should leave soon, shouldn’t you?”

He toyed with his hat as a smile tugged at a corner of his mouth. “Sir von Humboldt himself asked me to join the expedition, and well…” He shrugged, flushing a deep red. “I’d love to go.”

“Then go.” Maddie meant it. For him. She understood the fierce need to chase one’s dream. “Please do it.” A sob remained trapped in her throat. What was it? Sadness for his imminent departure? She didn’t know. “I’m happy for you. I really am.”

Their gazes locked, and she couldn’t deny the shiver of attraction going through her as she stared at his incredible sapphire eyes.

The incident had changed them both, and as absurd as it sounded, she believed for the better.

She was stronger, in spirit that is, ready to fight for her dream.

The incident had also formed a connection between them, a bad memory, yes, but a connection, nevertheless.

He took her good hand gently and ran his thumb over her knuckles. Another shiver caused her pulse to spike.

“Thank you, Miss Madeline. Your blessing means more to me than I could ever express.” He kissed her hand, and the emotion made her dizzy.

“I will see you when you return,” she whispered.

“I’d be honoured to.” He released her hand when his mother cleared her throat politely. “One year from now, I’ll be a famous scientist and you a famous painter. I might see you at one of your exhibitions at the National Gallery.”

She laughed for the first time in weeks, a weight lifting from her chest. “Lord Wentworth, I believe we have a deal.”