“What is there to tell me?” Her eyes glistened, and her swollen lips looked fiercely kissed.
He struggled to maintain his distance. He wanted more of her—he needed more of her. Max swallowed. I must tell her.
“Maggie, your husband is dead. He will never hurt you again.”
Chapter 6
Fergus was dead. How could that be? Maggie opened and closed her mouth. No words came out. A strange, paralyzing sensation swept through her body, the same feeling she had experienced when Uncle Silas told her she was to be married. Was this shock?
If Fergus was dead, why was Uncle Silas’s man here? He was somewhere on the grounds of Hambright Manor. She had seen him.
I keep answering you, Max, but you act like you cannot hear me. Help me.
Stark realization hit that she was having an episode…again.
The last time this happened, Uncle Silas had slapped her—hard. So hard, she had fallen to her knees. “You will not act like you do not hear me,” he had said as he knocked her to the ground. She could tell Max was talking to her, but she could hear nothing but her heart pounding in her ears. Her vision…what was happening? Everything was going black. She felt herself falling.
“Maggie! Oh my God. Summon Perth.” Max shouted orders at Anna as she walked through the open bedroom door. For a moment, the young girl stood staring at her mistress, seemingly unable to move herself.
Maggie heard the loud voices but felt safe. Strong arms held her, and the scent of sandalwood surrounded her. She mouthed his name in recognition. Max. The short period that he was gone had left her feeling lost. It had been years since she had visited this house. She adored Lady Worsley. The older woman exuded warmth and treated Maggie with something beyond mere respect. She cared about Maggie. The abrupt marriage to Tipton had hurt more than just Max. Now the danger following her was being thrust upon the household.
Maggie heard words and loud movements around her. “If that is Perth, show him in quickly.” Max’s rich baritone always soothed her.
“Good evening, milord.”
“Perth, I was talking to her, and she fainted. I barely caught her.” Max’s voice cracked with emotion.
“Aye. I ken ye are concerned. The lass has fainted. I do not think her condition has worsened.” The doctor helped Max lower her onto the bed and felt her head and neck. “Lady Tipton doesnae feel hot. ‘Tis good. She is healing. Did anything upset her?”
“We were just made aware that Lord Tipton is dead.” Max’s voice sounded cold.
Maggie struggled to wake up. She had to alert Max to Slade’s presence. “Mummph!” She forced out a noise and slowly opened her eyes, then closed them against the bright light.
“She is waking.” Perth’s low burr alerted the room.
“Maggie.” The rustle of skirts preceded Lady’s Worsley’s concerned appearance as she leaned over her. “I brought some of my ammonia, but I see we do not need it.” She smiled.
Maggie managed a slight smile. “Yes, well, that stuff is for the stout of heart,” she said softly. “I heard everyone talking. I tried to answer, but I could not make you hear me. It is important.” She turned to Max. “Slade. He knows I am here.” She shuddered.
“Yes. You told me just before…” A flash of pain crossed his face before he forced a smile. “I will send for Cabot and a footman.” Max came closer and leaned down over her. “You are safe here. I will ensure it.”
Somehow, she still felt safe. “But you said Fergus…Lord Tipton…” She tried to pick her head up from the pillow, but it was too heavy. “You said he was dead. How?”
“He fell from the second floor of the townhouse, but my sources tell me that his throat was slit and there were signs of a struggle.”
Maggie was sure the blood had left her body. Fergus…murdered? Surely, she was not suspected. Her heart pounded.
“Was your husband alive when you left him?” Lady Worsley sat next to her, wiping her face, calming her. She gave a small pat to Shep, who lay quietly with his head down and eyes watching those around Maggie.
“He was alive when I left.” She bobbed her head slowly.
“Aye. Go on, lass. Tell us what you remember.” The doctor’s quiet burr relaxed her.
“Fergus was a gambler, and he bragged that he had won big the last time he…” Her chin dropped, and she turned her head away from both men. At the tone of her voice, Shep rose, gave a small whimper, and jumped up on her bed, slowly walking to her pillow. He gave her a small lick on the cheek and settled next to her shoulders, nuzzling her gently. “He enjoyed inflicting pain when he took his…” She choked on tears and could not finish her words.
“Tell us what you remember about the night you left. I did not ask much about it, but we need to know if we are to help you.” Max’s rich voice tugged at her heart. She loved him as much as she always had. He was a kind man, such a contrast to what she had known of her husband.
“I think I told you that Nash Slade is my uncle’s man. He does things for him. I am having a hard time reconciling that he left me alone at my parents’ house but followed me here. I am afraid I have brought danger to your door.” Tears brimmed as she turned her face up to Lady Worsley. “I would never willingly have done that. I do not understand what he is looking for here.”
She gripped Maggie’s hand gently. “You have brought nothing but sunshine to our home. You dropped out of our lives…” She paused. “You are back, and we will protect you until we figure this out. Right, Max?” She looked at her son.
“Ahem.” Cabot made it known that he stood outside the door. Max rose to speak with him.
“My lord, Lord Harlow awaits you
