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M ADDIE COULDN’T BELIEVE what her eyes saw.

She stared at the document her mother had given her in disbelief.

In an official letter, signed by two solicitors and even a judge, Dr. Smith declared he’d been mistaken about Hector’s mental state and after a second assessment—which she doubted had ever happened—he was ready to testify that Hector was perfectly sane and fit for his ducal duty.

She lowered the letter, speechless. She wanted to ask her mother how the devil she’d managed to convince Dr. Smith to change his diagnosis, and above all, why.

“See? I’m not completely useless.” Mother smiled, and for once, it wasn’t her smug smile but a genuine one.

Finally, Maddie appreciated the similarity between herself and Mother. “How did you get this?”

Mother blushed, and blazes, she looked ten years younger and beautiful.

“I always listen to your father when he talks about his work. So, I happen to know about some financial problems Dr. Smith is going through due to his passion for gambling. The man squandered his daughters’ dowries.

How irresponsible. His poor wife doesn’t know.

His dire financial situation is actually confidential information, but I didn’t publicly divulge it.

I simply reminded him that everyone can make mistakes and his wife should be informed.

It’s only sensible. He didn’t seem to agree with me, though. ”

“You blackmailed him.” Maddie didn’t know if she should be proud or horrified.

“Good gracious, no.” Mother put a hand on her throat. “It was a perfectly civil conversation.”

Maddie would like to argue that blackmailing was never civil, no matter how polite the exchange was. Anyway. “Why did you help Hector?”

“Why? A vast and wealthy dukedom with five estates. Well, four now that Blackburn sold one of them. I bet he and Dr. Smith attend the same gaming den. I don’t want to mingle with such scoundrels,” said the woman who blackmailed a doctor.

Mother gave her a kiss on the cheek. “Only the best for my daughters.”

As her mother sauntered away, a shock of stillness went through Maddie. She held the letter and read it again. Hector wouldn’t be locked up in an institution and, if their luncheon with Lord Naylor went well, he could find a champion. They had to thank Mother for the opportunity.

Blimey. Her mother had done the right thing for the wrong reason.

But did it matter?

Lord Naylor kept looking at Hector as if expecting Hector to attack him at any moment, which was a pity because Hector liked the man.

Lord Naylor’s house on the outskirts of London was surrounded by old oak trees, birches, and tall Scottish pines. Just inhaling the fragrant scent of pine resin and wet soil gave Hector hope.

The glasshouse, where they were strolling, held species from all over the world. Some of them looked remarkably similar to those he’d seen on the island.

He walked along the wide aisle, watching the beautiful flowers and ignoring Lord Naylor’s worried glares.

Maddie chatted with Lady Naylor, and he loved hearing the sound of her laughter.

Albert, Lord Naylor’s son, touched every flower and leaf he could get his hands on while Frances flashed at him a shy smile he returned.

Lord Naylor cleared his throat. “May I inquire about a matter that worries me, Wentworth?”

Ah, there it came. “Ask away, sir.” He stepped aside to let Albert rush past him, holding a bright red hibiscus.

“Would you tell me what happened in Hyde Park?” He surveyed the conservatory, following his son’s meandering. “I heard the most outlandish accounts of your adventure on the Serpentine. Some are too outrageous to be true.”

“Like what?”

“Like you tried to kill Miss Debenham and her sister.”

Hector sighed. At least Lord Naylor didn’t fully trust the rumours.

“The truth is quite simple and, I’m afraid, less exciting than the stories you heard.

Being on the boat and surrounded by water took me back to when I was floating on the raft in the ocean before I was rescued.

It was a harrowing experience. And there I was reliving it in that boat.

I panicked.” He paused as a choking sensation gripped his throat.

Just thinking about that moment of panic caused sweat to break on his skin.

The darn cravat was too tight all of a sudden.

“The fear was so real...I absolutely, without a doubt, believed I was on the raft. I understand it might sound absurd, ridiculous even, and I was shocked to realise my mind tricked me into believing I was in the middle of the sea. But that’s what happened, and I don’t have an explanation for it.

But yes, Maddie and her sister’s lives were at risk because of my reaction. ”

Lord Naylor’s expression softened, and his eyebrows lowered over his suddenly sympathetic brown eyes.

“I understand what you went through. After I returned from Afghanistan, my mind tricked me into thinking I was in the middle of the battlefield many a time. The sensations were very realistic. The illusions went away after a while, but my strength had little to do with them. Even now, sometimes I fall prey to nightmares.” He gripped Hector’s shoulder and gave it a squeeze.

“I don’t believe you’re as deranged as the rumours say.

I admire you for having survived in conditions that would have discouraged the bravest of men, and I know how a man’s mind can take time to heal. ”

Hector wasn’t sure he deserved the praise but bowed his head. “I feel for you. Living the nightmare of a battlefield must be even more horrifying than being on a raft.”

“I don’t believe that. The fear is the same.

But above all, I hate the feeling of not being able to control myself.

” He rubbed his arm stiff at his side. “I ruined quite a few parties as well. The sound of a bottle of champagne being uncorked would bring me straight to the battlefield. A shattered glass would have me search for my rifle. Even loud voices would make me sweat. Lord Hector, you have my sympathy. I’m grateful that my wife has always been patient with me and helped me through those awful years.

Believe me, the illusions will go away, or rather, you’ll learn to live with them. ”

A scream rent the quiet of the conservatory before Hector could say anything.

Lady Naylor rushed towards them, her skirt flapping around her legs. “Keith, come!”

Her panicked voice caused both Lord Naylor and Hector to run towards her.

They followed her to the fountain where Albert made retching noises, crouched on the floor.

His skin had a blue tint that hinted to suffocation, and his dilated pupils could be both fear and poison.

Maddie stood petrified next to the child.

Frances clamped her hands over her mouth.

Lord Naylor knelt next to his son, panic widening his eyes. “What happened?”

His wife sobbed. “He swallowed one of those orange berries.”

Hector studied them quickly. The rounded berries and shiny dark-green leaves pointed to a willow leaf plant. “They’re poisonous. Keep his mouth open and make sure his tongue stays out, lest he choke on it.”

He ran down the aisle, searching for the leaves of the Phillotaria elongata he’d spotted earlier. Behind him, Albert kept choking and gasping for air. Come on. Where was that damn plant? Hector snatched a few tender leaves and dashed back to the child.

“Keep his mouth open.” He stuffed the boy’s mouth with the crushed leaves none-too-gently, being careful to break them so as to release their juice.

The boy swallowed hard, tears welling in his eyes. Lord Naylor rubbed his son’s back, his features etched with fear. “Swallow it, son.”

Albert pulled a face, but he stopped convulsing and breathed normally again. His skin lost its blue colour but didn’t return a healthy shade of pink.

“Papa,” the boy said in a weak voice.

Lord and Lady Naylor hugged him. Frances joined them. Happy tears fell down Lady Naylor’s cheeks as she whispered how much she loved her son. Hector’s legs shook. He needed to sit down, or he’d collapse. He stretched out an arm, searching for something to grasp, and found Maddie.

“I’m here, Hector.” She took his hand and steadied him.

As always. She was always there for him.

“He’s fine. He’s fine,” Lord Naylor kept saying, caressing his son’s face.

Hector leant against her, not too heavily, though.

“He needs the physician. It takes a few days for the body to get rid of the poisonous juice of those berries. He’ll likely have problems with his stomach for a few days, but if he drinks a lot of water and avoids spicy food—” The rest of his list of recommendations was cut off by Lord Naylor crushing him in a bear hug.

Hell, Hector could barely breathe, trapped in the captain’s thick arms.

Lady Naylor copied her husband and, still holding her child, wrapped an arm around Hector.

He waited for the rising tide of anxiety that being squashed and crowded might bring him, but nothing came.

If anything, he enjoyed the comfort of the embrace.

Maddie never left him, her arms wrapped around his waist.

“We could never thank you enough.” Lady Naylor wiped her tears. “Without you, Albert would be dead.”

“Thank you, Lord Wentworth,” Frances said, taking his hand. “For everything.”

The boy flashed a weak smile and waved as if agreeing with his mama. “Thank you, sir.”

Lord Naylor stared at Hector with the determination of someone who’d made a firm decision. “Wentworth, I’ll vouch for you with the queen. I’ll present your case myself. You are neither deranged nor dangerous. I owe you my son’s life.”

Hector shook his head. “You owe me nothing.”

Maddie poked him with her elbow.

Lord Naylor’s determined expression didn’t change. “I do, and I’ll show you what gratitude means.”