The Countess Page 0,105

marriage. I'l have it annul ed. I'l take it to the King himself if I have to. Now fetch me al three girls before I lose my patience."

"Father?"

Al three men glanced to the woman hurrying up the path toward them: Lisa Madison with Robert Langley on her heels.

"Father, what are you doing pointing that pistol at Suzette's fiance? Put that away before you hurt someone."

"Nay," Lord Madison said firmly, grabbing her arm with his free hand and urging her to the side to keep her out of harm's way as he dug the pistol more firmly into Daniel's stomach. "I'l not let Suzette marry this blackguard. No doubt he's a friend of that devil's there, which means he'l be as bad as Dicky. Now, be a good girl and fetch your sisters, gel. We are leaving here and going back to Madison. I've sold the townhouse to pay the debts. There is no need for Suzette to marry anyone."

"You sold your townhouse?" Daniel asked with alarm.

"Aye." He smiled meanly, his eyes darting from Daniel to Richard. "The two of you didn't think I'd do that, did you? But I'd sel the estate itself before I let you rope another one of my girls into a miserable marriage." He stood a little straighter and added, "And I wil see Chrissy out of her marriage as wel ."

"Oh Father," Lisa said with a sigh. "That wasn't necessary at al . Daniel agreed to let Suzette keep half her dower to pay off the debt and use the rest as she wished. He is not the devil Dicky was."

"And actual y, Richard here is not the vil ain you think he is," Robert added, moving to the man's side. Pausing, he leaned forward and whispered in the old man's ear, and whispered, and whispered. Real y, while Richard knew it was quite a bit to explain, he thought Langley could have been a little more succinct. It seemed to take a very long time before Madison's mouth dropped and the hand holding the gun fel to his side.

"What?" he squawked with amazement.

Robert nodded solemnly. "Chrissy is very happy with the Earl of Radnor. This one," he added firmly. "And Daniel is a good and honorable man. He'l make Suzette a good husband."

"Only if he doesn't tel her he sold the damned townhouse to make good on his debts," Daniel muttered with disgust. "If she finds that out she is just contrary enough that she may very wel not marry me."

"I'm sure Lord Madison wil keep that information to himself for now," Richard said dryly.

"Why would I do that?" Lord Madison asked. "If Suzette doesn't wish to marry him, I wil not let her be forced into it."

"Under normal circumstances I would agree with you," Richard said solemnly.

"However, after what I interrupted in the parlor between the two of them this morning, honor demands he marry her, and as her brother-in-law I feel it my duty to ensure he does."

"Eh?" Madison's eyes shot to Daniel, who was suddenly grinning.

"I'd forgotten about that." He nodded cheerful y. "Yes, she has to marry me to avoid ruin."

Madison's eyes narrowed and he turned to Robert. "You're sure he's a good and honorable man?"

"Positive," Robert assured him, obviously fighting a grin. "Truly, just look how eager he is to do the right thing. Besides, the fact that Suzie al owed him to take liberties with her proves she is not averse to the marriage. However, she can be contrary. It may be best to al ow her to continue thinking for now that the marriage is necessary."

"Hmm." Madison grimaced. "Of the three of them she has always been the most stubborn and difficult." He glanced to Daniel. "Are you sure you know what you're getting yourself into? She won't make life easy."

"Perhaps not," Daniel said with unconcern. "But life shal certainly never be boring with her either."

Madison relaxed and nodded solemnly. "There is much to be said for that. She is like her mother and that woman had me hopping to keep up with her from the day we wed. Never regretted marrying her even for a moment."

"So you won't tel her that there is no need to marry?" Daniel asked hopeful y.

Madison pursed his lips, his gaze moving first to Lisa, who nodded solemnly, then to each of the men before he heaved a sigh. "I shal talk to her, and if Suzie doesn't seem averse to marrying you, I wil keep the sale of the townhouse