“Why do we not go inside and discuss this?” Richard suggested, moving past him to open the door.

“Why do you not go in there and fetch the girls back to me while your friend and I wait out here instead.”

Richard glanced back to insist they go inside, but paused when he saw the man had moved up next to Daniel and now held a very large black-and-ivory pistol to his side. For his part, Woodrow looked somewhat startled, but not unduly alarmed. Richard, on the other hand, noted the fine tremor in the man’s hand and was worried for him.

“Ha! Not so clever now are you, Dicky?” the man asked grimly. “Now give me my daughters. All of them. I’m not leaving a one of them here for you to abuse any longer.”

“Your daughters?” Daniel asked with interest, half turning toward the man. Fortunately the action didn’t get him shot; Richard had spoken at the same time, saying, “Lord Madison?” in an amazed tone and the old man appeared more interested in him than Daniel, though he kept the gun pointed at Woodrow.

“Save your games, my lord.” The man said with dislike. “You have managed to fool me one too many times already. I know you have mistreated my Chrissy. Robert told me everything after the Landons’ ball the other night. He said the girls told him that you’ve treated her terribly and I’ve sorted it all out from there. You never loved my gel, it was all an act to get your hands on her dower, and now you’ve somehow swindled me again hoping to force my Suzette into the same position. Well I won’t have it, and I am not leaving my Chrissy in your hands either, marriage or no marriage. I’ll have it annulled. I’ll take it to the King himself if I have to. Now fetch me all three girls before I lose my patience.”

“Father?”

All 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 fiancé? 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’ll not let Suzette marry this blackguard. No doubt he’s a friend of that devil’s there, which means he’ll 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 sell 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 will see Chrissy out of her marriage as well.”