Thirty-One
Maddie heard a noise and looked to her left. Her heart stopped as she saw who emerged. He was familiar, and she felt her ire build up.
“What are you doing here? Kidnapping another?”
He had the gall to laugh.
“We started off on the wrong footing, but I assure ye, I am not an evil man,” he replied.
She snorted. “So you just allow your men to hit women because you respect them?”
Was that regret in his eyes?
He ignored her jab. “My question to ye, milady, is what are ye doing here?”
Think quickly! You could ruin everything, Maddie!
“I am visiting my family, only I am lost.”
“Ye expect me to believe that Ram let ye travel alone to yer family’s home?”
Maddie stuck her nose up in the air and crossed her arms over her chest. They both stood next to their horses.
“Connor told me that you and he were, at some point, friends and allies, so I’ll deign to answer your absurd question. We both know that Connor would never let me travel alone. Miriam and Katie traveled to the McLeans. I told them that my home was a short distance away, and so they allowed me to leave.”
Athyn nodded, pleased for the moment. Or so she thought.
“I doona believe yer story, Maddie. Miriam and the guards would have never allowed ye to travel even this short of a distance by yerself.”
She played it easy. She shrugged.
“Believe what you will, Athyn. I have nothing to hide nor lie about. Show me the way to my home, for I have a feeling you know it well, and go see for yourself. Go the McLeans and see Miriam and Katie.” She raised her hand in gesture towards the direction of the McLean land. “Speak to them and they shall tell ye.”
Maddie hoped calling his bluff would make him believe her. Athyn stared at her for unnervingly long moments. Her forthrightness calmed his doubts. If she was lying, she was good.
“I shall take ye home, Lady Madeleine.” He inclined his head and bowed with a sweeping arm. “‘Twould be my pleasure.”
She arched her eyebrows.
“Aye, for you took me once from it, and so it would be fitting for you to return me. Is it far from here?”
“Nay, about an hour’s time.”
Maddie nodded and they took up small talk as they rode. She was surprised that he had been correct- it was a small distance from where they were to Skorthyne Castle.
“Thank you, Athyn. Please, do go back and allay your doubts. I never lie,” Maddie said, smiling as she walked into the open gates.
Athyn looked at her for a long minute. He remembered that Connor had said she was very pious. Nay, she wouldn’t lie. With one last look, he turned and left.
Maddie waited until he was gone. She counted to twenty, her lucky number so far, and left the grounds. She knew how to get to the convent from here.
Who’d have thought that she would have gone to the convent after all?
*****
Athyn passed the McLean holding and spoke to a couple of guards. Since he was an ally of the McLeans, the guards were friendly.
“Hello, Simon. Ye’re looking like a terrible lot!” Athyn said, slapping Simon on the back.
“Aye, and ye reek of days gone without a bath!” Simon jabbed back, laughing.
More small talk transpired between the men and Athyn approached the subject he desired more information on, with caution.
“I have to be on my way. I just stopped in for a greeting. I have not made my mind up but I may visit Laird Ramsay this day.”
“Well, Lady Miriam and Lady Katherynne have arrived only moments ago. Do ye wish to speak to them?”
Athyn was appeased, and shook his head. There was one more necessary question.
“Have ye seen Lady Ramsay? Madeleine, that is?”
A smile developed on Simon’s face.
“I’ve gotten myself a good look. Pretty thing, isna she? Laird Ramsay is a fortunate man!” Simon said laughing.
Simon had seen Maddie before when he had briefly traveled to Keisealle to deliver a message from the McLean. Unfortunately, that’s where the misunderstanding transpired. Simon believed that Athyn had asked if he’d ever seen Maddie, not if he’d seen her that day.
Athyn, on the other hand, was feeling assured that Maddie had spoken the truth. After ending the conversation, he departed. He had tried to be a good friend to Connor and felt satisfied that he followed up on Maddie’s visit to her home.
It was the least he owed to Connor and Maddie.
*****
“Dear Lord, child, what are you doing here?”
The door was wide open.
“Oh, Sister Margaret! I am so alone!” Maddie wailed. She couldn’t help it. She did feel alone. Many times, Maddie had visited Sister Margaret when she was younger. Maddie had been so excited to join the convent then.
“Come in, dear child,” Sister Margaret said with an accompanying gesture. After having sat Maddie down, Sister Margaret left to fetch a glass of water. After a long drink, Maddie spoke.
“My life is over, Sister!”
“But I thought you had wed,” she said, and at the look on Maddie’s face, continued. “Aye. Word reaches fast when a Scotsman takes an Englishwoman for wife.”
Maddie took a gulp of air and explained the full story. When she was done, fresh tears poured out of her eyes and her lips quivered.
“‘Tis a shame, my child. Have you given any thought that perhaps he changed his mind and truly loves you?”
Maddie shook her head immediately.
“Nay, and I won’t give it any thought either, Sister,” Maddie said, crying.
Sister Margaret sat down next to her and rubbed her back.
“I’m not showing much yet, but my tummy is getting bigger.” Maddie smiled as she moved her navy wrap to show her.
“‘Tis a tiny tummy, aye, but nevertheless discernable,” Sister Margaret said laughing.
“He noticed, but didn’t put the signs together that it was a baby and not weight gain,” Maddie said sadly.
“Now, don’t you sit there and place the whole blame upon his shoulder, Maddie. You hid it, as did his mother.”
Maddie nodded.
“You look very fatigued, my dear. ‘Tis time you slept soundly. Seeing as how your sleep during the past week was interrupted by your worries and fears, you need a sound sleep. Would you like to eat before?”
Maddie shook her head. “I’m very tired. My stomach is fraught. Do you think it is alright for me to stay here?”
“Aye, my dear. The abbess adores you, you know that. Stay here for as long as you like,” she said, patting Maddie’s hand.
Maddie tried to smile.
“Or forever,” Maddie said, sullenly.
“Nay, not forever, Maddie. Connor will be here to come for you.”
“I don’t know, Sister. The clues I left in the parting letter were obscure. I’m not sure he would think to come here.”
“Why did you leave the clues behind, Maddie?”
“I was weak, but after further reflection during my journey here, I know ‘tis an impossible situation. We can never be, for he does not love me!” She began to cry again.
Seeing Maddie distressed, Sister Margaret wanted to end the conversation. She patted Maddie’s hand.
“Let’s get you settled in, darling.”
As Maddie left with Sister Margaret, she thought about the irony of her life. She’d always believed that she’d be here for the rest of her life, until she met Connor. Now here she was, and it was more than likely where she would spend the remainder of her days.
Only, she wasn’t alone.
Maddie had the baby she always wanted and she had experienced the greatest love she never thought she would ever know. Now, the love of her life was gone, and the only man remaining was the one to whom she always thought she’d devote her life.
God.