“Meg, you are safe here.” Max struggled to keep his voice calm. “With your permission, I would like to have a look inside your parents’ home. I will take two footmen with me. At the very least, I want to make sure this Slade is not lurking within the house or grounds.”
She nodded, her movement faint. “Please be careful. He is the devil himself. Would see his own father rot for a farthing. He has proven to be a very dangerous man.”
His voice softened. “Do not concern yourself for me. We must not allow such a man near you. I want to ensure your safety. We are but a property away from your family home.”
“Lord Worsley, there is something I wish to speak with Lady Tipton about. Could I ask you to wait outside? And please ask Lady Worsley if her ladyship would assist me.”
“Certainly.” Max nodded, acknowledging both Perth and Maggie. He wondered what Perth wanted with his mother. Perhaps to change Maggie’s clothing. He hesitated, deliberating on whether to speak further with Perth, but he ultimately left. She was not his.
I wish she was.
Maggie gave him a slight nod, but most amusing was that the dog seemed to smile and nod at the same time. Did dogs smile? He had never observed it before, but Shep seemed to grin. He shook his head. Ridiculous, but it made Max smile. The animal had become central to her life. He was glad she had such a pet, especially one that cared for her in return. He had always wanted a dog of his own, but his father had been of the opinion that dogs were for hunting alone. No pet dogs.
Max contemplated heading to Harlow’s as he left the room. It was not far, but he needed Harlow’s help. Perhaps he knew of Nash Slade. He also needed to check into Tipton. At the very least, the man would be spurned and angry. If he knew where Maggie was, he would be within his rights to take her home. Max could not bring himself to release her into the care of her abuser regardless of any legal ramifications he might face.
* * *
Maggie needed to trust someone. Who better than Max? She wished he would stay, but the doctor had requested he leave. Max had a life that no longer included her.
The moment she had uttered Fergus’s name, she knew she would have to tell more. How much more? Now the doctor wanted to see her with Lady Worsley. He suspected. She just knew it. How could he not?
“Shep, would ye mind if I asked you to get down from the bed? Just for a bit.”
The dog perked his ears up, appearing to measure his options.
Maggie wanted to laugh, but it hurt. Shep recognized the word down, but it was not normally asked of him so politely. Less than a moment later, he jumped to the floor and curled up in the corner, watching.
A quick rap on the door was followed by Lady Worsley’s soft voice. “Dr. Perth, my son sent me up to help.”
“Come in, milady. I need ye to help with an examination.” He hesitated and glanced at Maggie. “That is, if Lady Tipton will oblige.”
“Certainly. Maggie, are you all right with my being here?”
Maggie dipped her head in agreement, and the older woman stepped behind the doctor, allowing him room.
“You know?” She looked directly at Dr. Perth. Her voice was weak.
He studied her for a moment. “I know this is difficult for you, but there are questions. First, if you dinnae mind, I would like to examine you to make sure you are healing properly.”
Maggie felt tears brim. Without a word, Lady Worsley moved next to her and hugged her, softly rubbing her back. “Let it out, my girl. Just let it out.”
Maggie leaned in and cried. Within what seemed like long minutes, she noticed that Dr. Perth was waiting patiently for her to regain her composure.
“Dinnae worry, lass,” Dr. Perth said when she looked up at him. “When you are ready. I know losing a bairn is devastating.” He nodded towards that pitcher of water sitting on a table nearby. “Perhaps a glass of water would help ye before we start.”
She leaned up, dried off her face and accepted a glass of water from Lady Worsley. “I am ready to talk about it. I have not allowed myself to mourn until now.” She glanced up at Max’s mother, moved that the woman had offered so much comfort. She suspected there was more that she wanted to share, but for now, what she needed was a mother. And she felt some connection to Lady Worsley, who had been friends with her own mother. Maggie touched the edges of her eyes, refusing to cry again. It only took the thought of her parents to become a watering pot.
“Can you tell us what happened?” Dr. Perth was kind and his voice full of empathy.
“Fergus…got rough with one of his visits.” She turned her face away, embarrassed. Maggie knew not how they would accept her word, especially since she had married in haste. The whole nasty business upset her to relive, even in her thoughts.
“Darling, do you mean he demanded his conjugal rights when you were with child?”
