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for Yorkshire ,’ she went on, turning her back
on Madeline and effectively cutting her out of the conversation.
    Leaving Letitia and Philip to their discussion, Madeline
began walking towards the door of the church, meaning to see if the rain had
stopped. But before she had gone half way the gentleman who had been sitting
with Letitia accosted her and swept her a low bow.
    ‘Lord Hadley, Countess,’ he said, turning mocking eyes
towards her. ‘But let us not stand on ceremony. You must call me Robert. I’m
Letitia’s cousin.’
    ‘Lord Hadley,’ said Madeline with a slight inclination
of her head.
    ‘Ah! Madeline! You cut me to the quick! Will you not
call me Robert? But I see that you won’t. A pity, as we are . . .connected . .
. you might say. You are Philip’s first wife, and my cousin is his second!
Although we must not speak of that here,’ he said in an exaggerated whisper. ‘One
never knows who might be listening.’ He made a pantomime of looking round.
    There was something jeering in his manner and Madeline
did not respond to his sally.
    He gave her an arch look. ‘You don’t find it a subject
for mirth, Countess? But I do. I find it delicious. A sham marriage to claim an
inheritance. What a stroke of genius. Philip is a lucky man. He not only gets
Letitia, he gets the fortune as well.’ He looked at Madeline thoughtfully, and
a gleam of malice entered his eye. ‘But what, my dear Madeline, is in it for
you?’
    ‘That is between the Earl and myself,’ said Madeline
shortly. She had no intention of telling Lord Hadley about her private affairs,
nor indeed of continuing the conversation.
    But Lord Hadley was not to be so easily put off. ‘It’s
very good of you to go through with it,’ he said, refusing to let the subject
drop. ‘Very noble and disinterested. On the surface, at least. But what, I
wonder, lies underneath?’
    Madeline had had enough of such an unpleasant
conversation and decided to put an end to it. ‘Good day, Lord Hadley,’ she said
coldly, then turned on her heel.
    ‘A word of warning,’ he said, moving to block her path.
There was a note of menace in his voice. ‘If you’re thinking of double-crossing
Letitia, then you’d better think again.’
    ‘Let me pass,’ said Madeline.
    But Lord Hadley did not move, and when Madeline took a
step to go round him he countered her move. ‘Why would a sensible woman - and I’m
sure you’re a sensible woman, my dear Madeline - why would a sensible woman
marry an Earl and then let him go, I ask myself? The answer is, she wouldn’t.
She would marry him, yes, but give him up? Give up all that power? Give up all
that wealth? No, a sensible woman would hang on to him. And how would she do
that? The answer is obvious. By tempting him to consummate the marriage.’ His
eyes became hard. ‘It’s a good plan, Madeline, but one I suggest you abandon.’
There was a threat in his voice now. ‘Letitia doesn’t like to be crossed, and
believe me, she isn’t someone you want as an enemy.’ And then he smiled once
again. ‘Remember that, won’t you? It is good advice.’
    ‘Ready to go?’ came Philip’s voice behind them.
    ‘Ah! Philip. I was just congratulating your beautiful
countess on her marriage,’ said Lord Hadley smoothly.
    ‘I’m sure you were,’ said Philip levelly, but the look
he gave Lord Hadley was a searching one. ‘However, it is time for us to leave.
Madeline?’
    He gave his arm to Madeline and together they went out
to the waiting carriage, leaving Letitia and Lord Hadley behind.
     
    Letitia wore a decidedly pleased expression as her eyes
followed Philip and Madeline out of the door. She looked like a cat who had
eaten the cream.
    ‘I hope you know what you’re doing,’ remarked Lord
Hadley. ‘You’re playing a dangerous game, my dear.’
    ‘By allowing Philip to marry? I don’t think so. Little
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