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CHAPTER SIX

Madeline had been prepared for something exciting to happen today, but getting kidnapped wasn’t it. As she was being carried away from the carriage house over the shoulder of a stranger, she could see the look of panic on Charlie’s face.

Madeline had no intention of crying out and drawing attention from the main house when Charlie was getting closer. She knew he would find a way to rescue her.

“So, you are his new victim.”

Madeline had been tossed into the carriage, landing hard on the carpeted floor.

The breath was knocked out of her but as she struggled for air she saw the lady’s skirts in front of her face.

They were silk, in a deep burgundy color and expensive boots peeked out from beneath them.

This clothing was far better than anything Madeline would own.

“Do you speak, girl?”

Madline braced herself on her hands so she could look up at the woman sitting in the seat of the carriage. The woman was older, but still quite beautiful with sharp green eyes and dark hair streaked slightly at the temples with grey.

“I don’t know what you mean, my lady.”

Madeline didn’t need to know who she was to know she was in society.

“The duke’s brother has been paying you special attention during his stay here, from what I here. I’m wondering what information he is trying to get you to reveal to him.”

“I have no information, my lady. I’m simply a tutor here.”

“You teach the duke’s son?”

Madeline nodded and the lady laughed.

“Such a simple story wouldn’t pique Charles interest. You must have something he wants. He only charms those that have something to give.”

The carriage rocked to a start, lurching Madeline forward on her hands and knees.

“Perhaps you should have a seat.” The lady extended her hands toward the seat across from her.

“Will this be a long trip?” Madeline asked.

“Depends on how much you have to tell me.”

Madeline sighed. “I told you that I have no information of value. I am simply a servant of the house.”

“Then why was Charles spending so much time with you?”

“I suppose he enjoyed my company.”

“I thought that too, until I realized he was plying my husband with drink to get him to tell secrets after I invited him into our home.”

That sounded like a devious plan, but clearly effective. “What kind of secrets?”

“That’s none of your business, but him obtaining them could cost us greatly. So, I came to see if I could take something he wanted in exchange.”

“There is nothing he could want from me.”

“Then I will just take you alone.”

Madeline’s mind was running through possibilities for her escape, but she didn’t have to figure it out because the carriage came to an abrupt stop.

There was a look of shock on the lady’s face as she braced herself in her seat.

Then the sound of shuffling and grunting outside before the door was thrust open.

Charlie was standing there with a split lip and a glare in his eyes.

“Lady Pickford,” he said to the lady. “You should have told me you were coming. I could have arranged for a more fitting welcome.”

“You are the reason my husband has been arrested!” she said in a screeching tone, pointing a finger at him.

“They would have arrested you too, but you ran before they arrived. You left him there to take all the blame for the smuggling that I suspect was your idea.”

The bright red color crept up from Lady Pickford color to spread across her face.

“You lied to me! You pretended to be enamored with me so you could learn all my secrets.”

“I simply offered you some flattery and excitement. You offered me anything I wanted.” He glanced at her and Madeline struggled to keep from saying anything. “The only thing I took was the information about the smugglers.”

“You have ruined me!” She lunged out of her seat and towards him.

Madeline grabbed her by the hair and tugged her onto the floor of the carriage.

The two of them struggled, tugging and scratching at each other.

The sound of fabric tearing could be heard.

By the time Charlie was able to pull them out Madeline could feel her hair had fallen in shambles down her back.

He pulled Lady Pickford to her feet and tied her hands behind her back, then pushed her in the direction of where her servant was standing tied in a similar fashion.

He had an eye that was swelling to point of being closed.

Then he tied them both to the back of the carriage so they couldn’t run away. Looking up the road, Madeline saw that they had gotten very far in a short time and now would have to walk all the way back.

“Are you hurt?” Charles asked her. “You could ride inside the carriage if you like.”

“I would prefer the fresh air.” Madeline couldn’t stand the thought of being trapped inside again.

“I’m so sorry. This is all my fault.”

This might be the last chance Madeline had to ask him for the truth. He would be leaving after the reached the house. That thought made her stomach clench.

“Was she telling the truth? Did you pretend to care for her in order to get her to tell you her secrets.”

Charlie cleared his throat. “I did.”

“You played with her heart.”

“I don’t think she ever really cared for me. She just enjoyed the attention. She was flattered by it. It was her ego that was hurt, not her heart.”

“Do you pretend to feel affection for women often to gain what you want?”

She could see him since but felt not guilty for what she said. She needed to know what kind of man he was.

“I do what I must to get the information that is my mission.”

“Mission?”

He looked at her, pressing his lips together while he was deciding what to say.

“I am tasked with gathering information for the queen.”

Madeline couldn’t stop a gasp from escaping her lips. “You are a spy?”

Charlie shrugged. “That makes it more important than it is. I’m more of a collector. A gossip rag in a suit. I put people at ease so that they feel free to talk, then I listen to what they say and report the things I think the queen should know.”

He was acting so at ease with his role in life

“Does your brother know?” she asked.

“Of course not. Alec would be mortified to find out. He prefers to think I am simply irresponsible.”

That was what Madeline had believed. He was very good at his deception.

“What were you hoping to hear from me?” Madeline knew she had nothing that would interest the queen, but he had spent a great deal of time with her.

He stopped, which made her stop as well. Those dark eyes burned into her.

“Nothing I did with you had ulterior motives. I genuinely felt desire for you.”

Madline felt warmth spreading inside of her.

“But you will still leave?” She asked.

“I must. I have more that I need to do for the crown.”

“While attending parties? While seducing women? Must that be the only way?”

“I could attend those parties as a reformed man,” his voice lowered and became uncertain. “I could be a married man, who is love with his wife. If I could find someone willing to travel with me and help me collect secrets.”

He must not know what his words made her think. He must not realize it sounded like he was offering her something.

“She would have to be very intelligent and beautiful, as well as patient. Especially if she would be spending her life with me,” he continued to speak while gazing at her. “Could such a woman exist?”

Madeline couldn’t speak so she nodded her head.

“Could, I find such a woman living among my family? Would she be willing to risk her future on a man such as me?”

Her heart was beating in her chest, and the sound was so loud it pushed out her thoughts. For the first time that she knew of, Madeline was speechless. She saw his confident expression begin to falter and there was a flash of fear in his eyes. He was frightened about what her answer would be.

“If this man could offer her a life of adventure and challenge her on a daily basis, she would welcome the opportunity.”

He exhaled a deep breath and swung her up into his arms, twirling her around.

“I promise you will never be bored,”’ he said into the sensitive skin of her neck.

“I believe you have met your match,” she laughed. “You had better be ready for your best game.”

Then he kissed her and her mind was filled with all their possible moves together in the future.