“I don’t understand.”
“I was devastated, Maddie. I had waited years for you to debut, patiently biding my time until I could properly court you. Hadn’t you wondered why either my friends or I were at every event that first year? We were trying to keep the others away from you.”
“Kit, Preston and Forrest all knew?”
“Yes. Jesus, they teased me about it mercilessly.”
“Because you wished to court me.”
“Again, yes.”
This was surreal. All this time and she never had a clue. It was true that she’d thought of Harrison as a brother back then. However, that didn’t mean her opinion of him couldn’t change. She’d definitely appreciated his looks from time to time while they were growing up, and there had been moments of jealousy when he paid attention to other women at the society events. So perhaps the idea of more between them had been brewing for a while.
Why hadn’t he ever said anything?
“If you wished to court me, then why didn’t you?”
“I think the answer was fairly clear when you said I was like your brother,” he said, dryly.
“That caused you to leave New York? To leave the country?” Her voice went up a few octaves, anger shaking her and the water around them. He hadn’t even given her a chance to explain, to reconsider. Just disappeared from her life for three years without a word. “Why didn’t you talk to me about it?”
“Are we having our first fight as a married couple?” he teased in her ear. “Because I hear the best part is making up afterwards.”
Chapter Eighteen
Harrison’s attempt at lightening the mood clearly fell flat because Maddie turned and pinned him with a hard stare. “This is serious. You left for three years without a word and only returned when your father died. If we want this marriage to work, then we must be honest with one another.”
Though she was gorgeous when she was angry, and his cock had definitely taken notice, he nodded once. “You’re right. Forgive me.” He settled her on his chest again, kissing the top of her head.
“You should have talked to me about it. I might have changed my mind. Indeed, I did change my mind.” She indicated the two of them sitting in the tub.
“But only after some time apart. Who knows? Maybe we both needed it, to grow up, then reconnect. When I left, I honestly never thought I had a chance with you.”
“Nevertheless, between leaving three years ago and scheming for this house party, it feels as if you are making decisions without consulting me.”
Fair point, though at the time, it seemed he had no choice. “I’ll try to be better.”
“I am serious, Harrison. You know how I hate to be surprised.”
“I am well aware. You have my word it won’t happen again.”
She relaxed. “You said there were two reasons why you left.”
“Ah. The second reason was my father.” He stroked her arms with his fingertips, enjoying the goose bumps that pebbled on her skin following his touch. “I came home early that night, much earlier than expected. Mother and Thomas were still at the ball, but Winthrop had stayed here. When I rushed in, looking for the most expensive bottle of spirits I could find, I discovered my father taking advantage of a maid on the sofa.” Harrison could still see his father’s pale backside and the maid’s pinched expression, as if she were in pain but daren’t say anything.
Maddie gasped, a hand coming up to cover her mouth. “That’s terrible. I had no idea he was mistreating your staff like that.”
“Neither did I.” He swallowed thickly. “When I confronted him, he told me to mind my own business, that no one was being hurt. I can only assume he convinced himself that the maids somehow enjoyed it. But then, he never could admit wrongdoing, so why would this be any different?”
“What a horrible man.” She grabbed his right hand and threaded their fingers together. “Those poor girls.”
“Exactly. I had to do something, so the next morning I contacted the police. They came, spoke to my father alone and left. As far as I know, they never talked to the maids.”
“No doubt he scared the girls into not talking or reporting it. He probably paid off the officers who came to investigate, too.”
“Yes, that’s what I assumed as well.” He exhaled and shook his head. “As soon as the police left, he started in on me. Told me I was a disgrace, a wastrel, and he never wanted to see me again. There was no reason to stay after that.”
“I’m sorry. You deserved a better father.”
He squeezed her in gratitude. “The maids deserved a better employer. Believe me, I had a long talk with the housekeeper before I went.”
“Did she know?”
“She claimed not to be aware of what my father was doing. Anyway, I wrote a note of warning and asked her to show it to all the female employees, present and future. I’ve always wished I could have done more.”
“Do you think your mother or brother had any idea?”
“I’ve always wondered. Mother never stood up to Winthrop over anything and Thomas was the golden boy, the heir apparent and all that. If Thomas did know, there’s every chance he’d stay quiet to protect his interests.”
Which was why Harrison felt no remorse whatsoever about ruining every member of his family. He would take everything they had, from the house to the company. And it would happen in a matter of weeks.
He hadn’t told Maddie about his plans. She was light and sunshine, kindness and generosity. The Archers were the complete opposite of her, himself included. No matter what, he had to shield her from his family and their destructive influence. He would deal with them on his own, swiftly and completely, and Maddie could focus on her tournament.
The last thing he wanted was for her to worry or get distracted right before Nationals. He’d already upended her life. How could he compound it by bringing his family troubles to her doorstep just as she was about to compete in the biggest tournament of her life?
He’d spare her anything, if possible. He loved Maddie beyond measure, beyond reason. While she’d never love him as deeply in return, he hoped she developed feelings for him someday, feelings beyond lust and desire. He wanted to mean more to her than a childhood friend, the man who’d compromised her into marriage.
He wanted to mean everything.
She swished her feet in the water, regaining his attention. “I hate the idea of any woman who suffered his attentions still living in your family’s house, even though he is gone. I can only imagine how traumatic it must be for them.”
Harrison frowned. He hadn’t considered that. Furthermore, he hadn’t thought about the future of the staff once the Archers were bankrupted. “I was thinking of renting a house in the city. We could offer them a change of employment, if they wish.”
She angled away to see his face. “I thought you wanted to return to Paris.”
“We could live in both places.”
“You wish to reside in the same city as your family? I thought the whole point was to live far away from them.”
No use addressing it now, but the Archers wouldn’t be able to afford New York much longer. Furthermore, he needed to remain in the city to complete the takeover of Archer Industries.