The General's Ambition

All at once, Madalynne Northcliff found herself mournfully orphaned. Swept away in sorrow, she had little time to consider her circumstances, however. For in the blink of an eye, Madalynne likewise found herself suddenly married to the lethally attractive and ever brooding Merrick Broqueland, whom she had adored from a distance since she was a child.

Still, although Merrick Broqueland seemed rather indifferent to Madalynne, his father, General Broqueland, was not. Determined his lineage would continue posthaste, by way of his son’s new bride, The General’s very presence pierced Madalynne’s tender heart with fear and loathing. He was a man to stay hidden from and the utmost condition of evading him became Madalynne’s dire circumstance.

And then, as Merrick reveals the existence of a sworn oath obstructing his father’s ambition, the villainous General conspires further to ensure his coveted progeny. Will Madalynne find the only means of escape to be that of the odious General’s late wife…death? Or will Merrick find no tolerance for his father’s diabolic plotting concerning the woman Merrick Broqueland legally terms his own wife?

Chapter 1

"Please tell me that you haven't truly done this, Father! Surely, you did not sell me to..."

"Hush, Madalynne. I have not sold you! I've arranged for you to be cared for,” the frail man interceded.

Madalynne allowed her tears of fear and despair to escape her lovely green eyes as she listened to the explanation from her father. The ailing and dying man smiled as he gazed at his daughter--the vision of youth and beauty kneeling at his side. Truly her mother's image, her green eyes brimmed with frightened tears, her chestnut hair escaping its worn red ribbon. The very existence of that ribbon gave him further assurance that he had done the best thing for her. He reached up and affectionately caressed her flushed cheek. She owned a unique strength, even at seventeen.

"You're so young, my child. There is no doubt that you would be placed in an orphanage. I'll not have that!" He paused to cough violently. Madalynne waited patiently for him to continue. "This will serve, Madalynne. Security, wealth, a solid lineage for the sons that you may someday bear."

"But I do not want this, Father! Better an orphanage than to marry without love," the girl sobbed.

"Hush, now. It will come. He is a good man."

"His father is a monster! Everyone knows it! You've heard the stories they tell in the village about his treachery, depravity!  His very nature is violent! Surely you do not assume that I will be safe in his home?"

"Even one so villainous as he would not dare lay hands on the wife of his only son. He values his son and his blood beyond all else. Including his great wealth."

"Father, please...do not ask this of me," Madalynne pleaded in a whisper.

"It is best, child. I have been assured of it."

"By the honorable General Broqueland, no doubt."

"No, my darling. By his son, Merrick Broqueland. I am certain that this will serve as the right course for you."

Madalynne shook her head knowing she had lost the battle. She was convinced of it now. The sickness had caused her father's mind to wander at last. "Did you expect him to assure you otherwise, Father?"

"Merrick Broqueland is a good man, Madalynne. I know him...he will..."

"Why, Father? Why would he approach you concerning me? What is the reason? We have no wealth, no great position in society!" Madalynne cried.

"I love you, Madalynne. Know that I would not do anything that would harm you in the least way. This is best," he said, closing his eyes then to rest.

There was a beating at the door a mere moment later, and with a heart laden with grief, Madalynne called, "Just a moment." She rose unwillingly and crossed the room. She opened the door to find herself facing none other than the absurdly handsome Merrick Broqueland.

"I have come to collect you," he stated, glaring down at her.

"I am not a debt, sir," Madalynne responded, teeth clenched with anger.

"I beg your pardon, Miss Northcliff. I have come to take you to my home then," the man corrected himself.

"I cannot go with you. My father is very ill. I will not leave while he is still living," she informed him, dropping her voice so as to be undetected by her father.

The man looked past the girl and to the corpse of the now dead physician.

"I believe then...that the time has now arrived for you to come with me," he stated plainly.

Madalynne looked quickly to her father. Broqueland was correct. Her father's breath had stilled, his were eyes closed. His lips already blueing.

Madalynne looked back to the tall man before her; the man that would soon be her husband. "I cannot leave him," she explained as the terrible grief struck her heart.

"We will send for the new physician at once," he stated.  Turning he took his leave.

"Oh, Father!" Madalynne cried as she ran to his bedside and flung herself across the chest of the dead man. "What have you sentenced me to?"  

~*~  

Madalynne was struck mute as she entered the enormous residence of the Broqueland family. She was too filled with grief and fear to take notice of the grandeur of the building and its lavish furnishings. Too overcome with immeasurable loneliness to call upon the courage and independent nature that usually governed her.

Merrick Broqueland had insisted that she accompany him to his home the moment her father's body had been removed from hers. Madalynne had taken a few moments and gathered several things she felt she would need, and the man had assured her that her remaining belongings would follow her to his home within the next two days.

"You have acquired her then," General Maurice Broqueland bellowed, entering the room as the door closed, imprisoning Madalynne within the Broqueland ancestral home.

Madalynne cringed at the sight of the man who was to be her father-in-law. He was considered dashingly handsome and boasted a magnificent military career, having fought gallantly for the North in the war. But Madalynne knew he was a vile creature. Not only had she heard tales of his odious deeds, but every thread of her own instincts confirmed to her being that here before her stood an unconquerable villain.

"I have brought her here, yes," Merrick answered dryly.

"Very well. Have Melba show her to her rooms. I will see you in my study at once," the General ordered, striding past them.

Madalynne did not fail to notice the heavy breath the son drew in angrily when his father had gone. The father was, indeed, the aged image of the son. The elder boasted graying at the temples and a less perfectly molded physique. Still, they were frighteningly similar in appearance.

"I will bring Melba to you. Wait here," Merrick ordered and turned to walk away.

"Please, sir," Madalynne ventured.

The man halted, but did not turn to face her.

She continued, "I've a distant relation in a neighboring town. Please, let me go to her. You've no desire to follow through with this arrangement, I know. So, I beg of you, sir..."

"You are quite right," he grumbled, turning to face her. The anger and determination that showed on his face caused Madalynne to step back from him as he spoke. "I would not involve myself in such a farce...if I had any other venue to follow. But...seeing as my father has issued to me a forthright and unalterable ultimatum pertaining to...I have my reasons for adhering to his wishes."

"But why me, sir? There are so many others obviously more suitable for this...I am surely expendable in light of another," Madalynne pleaded.

The young man burst into roaring laughter all at once. "You're completely innocent to the reasons why you were chosen, aren't you?"

Madalynne did not respond, but only let her eyes fall to the immaculate, polished wood floor beneath her feet. Her father had been wrong. This was an angry, hardened man that stood before her. Her father had been wrong.

Merrick Broqueland ceased his unexpected laughter. "It's because my father fancies your most singular beauty. With the aid of what he sees of his own handsome image manifest in myself...you will, no doubt, produce a strong and magnanimous child who will assure the continuance of the Broqueland blood line."

Madalynne gasped as she looked up into the acrimonious expression of the man as he continued, "Your father was agreeable...with certain conditions arrived at between him and me alone. So, fear not, child...you will not be the unwilling recipient of my loathsome attentions for some time." And with one final scowl, he turned again and marched away  leaving her alone in the great, frightening space.

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