Chapter Ten
“There were giants in the earth in those days.”
OLD TESTAMENT, GENESIS, 6:4
If Madelyne lived to the ripe old age of thirty, she vowed she’d never forget the week that followed her decision to help Adela.
It was a week like none other, save the invasion by Duke William perhaps, but then, she hadn’t been born yet to witness that event, so she guessed it didn’t count. The week all but destroyed her gentle nature and her sanity. Madelyne wasn’t sure which she coveted more, however, and therefore determined to keep both.
Why, the strain was enough to set a saint’s teeth to gritting. The Wexton family was, of course, the sole reason.
Madelyne was given freedom to roam the castle grounds, with only one soldier trailing behind her like a loud shadow. She had even gained permission from Duncan to utilize the waste of foodstuff by feeding the animals. And since the soldier had also heard her request approved, he actually argued in her favor to the men in charge of the drawbridge. Madelyne walked all the way to the top of the hill outside the walls, her arms filled with a burlap bag containing meat, fowl, and grain. She didn’t know what her wild dog would eat and carried a selection sure to entice him.
Her shadow, a handsome soldier named Anthony, muttered over the distance. He had suggested they ride, but Madelyne was against the plan, forcing the soldier to walk beside her. She told him the walk would do them good, when in fact she hoped to hide her lack of riding skills.
When Madelyne returned from her chore, Duncan was waiting for her. He didn’t look too pleased. “You weren’t given permission to go outside the walls,” he stated quite emphatically.
Anthony came to her defense. “You did give her permission to feed the animals,” he reminded his lord.
“Aye, you did,” Madelyne agreed, and with such a sweet smile and soft voice, she was certain he thought her most composed.
Duncan nodded his head.
The look on his face was chilling. Madelyne thought he wished he was rid of her. Yet he didn’t even yell at her now. In truth, he rarely raised his voice. He didn’t have to. Duncan’s size gained immediate attention, and his expression, when he was as displeased as he was now, seemed just as effective as any bellow.
Madelyne wasn’t afraid of him anymore. Unfortunately, she had to remind herself of that fact several times a day. And she still didn’t have enough courage to ask him what he’d meant by telling her she now belonged to him. She kept putting that confrontation off, in truth fearing what his answer would be.
Besides, she told herself, there’d be time enough after Adela was feeling better to find out her own destiny. For the time being, she’d attack each battle as it presented itself.
“I only walked to the top of the hill,” Madelyne finally answered. “Are you worried that I’ll just keep on walking until I’ve reached London?”
“What is the point of this walk?” Duncan asked, ignoring her comment about escape. He thought it too ludicrous to respond to.
“To feed my wolf.”
His reaction was most satisfactory. For once he wasn’t able to keep his expression contained. He was looking at her in astonishment. Madelyne smiled.
“You may laugh if you’ve a mind to, but I saw either a very large dog or a wild wolf, and I did feel it was my duty to feed him, just until the weather improves and he can hunt again. Of course, it will mean an entire winter ahead to see to his food, but come next spring, with the first warm breeze, I’m certain my wolf will be able to fend for himself.”
Duncan turned his back on Madelyne and walked away.
Madelyne felt like laughing. He hadn’t denied her walks outside his fortress, and that was victory enough to gloat over.
In truth, Madelyne didn’t think the wild dog was in the area any longer. She looked out her window every night since first sighting the animal, but he was never there. The dog had left, and sometimes, late at night when she was huddled under the covers, she’d wonder if she’d really seen the animal or if he’d just been a figment of her overactive imagination.
Madelyne would never admit that to Duncan, however, and gained perverse pleasure each time she walked across the drawbridge. The food she had left the day before was always gone, indicating that there were animals feeding during the night. She was happy knowing the food wasn’t wasted. And she was even happier vexing Duncan.
Aye, she did it just to irritate him. And from the way Duncan avoided her, she thought she had succeeded.
The days would have been enjoyable if Madelyne hadn’t had to worry about the dinner hours. That did put a weight on her shoulders and a strain on her gentle nature.
She stayed outside as much as possible, ignoring the rain and the cold. Gerty had given her cast-off clothing that had belonged to Duncan’s older sister, Catherine. The garments were too large, but Madelyne put her needle and thread to them and the result was more than adequate for her needs. She didn’t care if she was fashionable. The clothes were faded but clean, and felt soft against her skin. Most important, they kept her warm.
Each afternoon Madelyne walked to the stables with a clump of sugar to give to Duncan’s stallion, the white beauty she’d named Silenus. She and the horse had formed a bond of sorts. The stallion would set up a terrible fuss, pretending to try to knock the wooden stall apart whenever he caught sight of Madelyne approaching. Yet as soon as she spoke to him, Silenus would settle down. Madelyne understood the animal’s need to show off for her, and she always praised his spirit after giving him his treat.
Silenus, for all his size, was becoming affectionate. He’d nudge her hand until she petted him, and when she’d stop and rest her hand on the railing, a trick to gain a reaction, Silenus would immediately nudge her hand back on his head.
The stablemaster didn’t like Madelyne visiting and stated his opinion loud enough for her to hear. He also thought she spoiled Duncan’s horse and even threatened to tell the lord what she was up to. He was all bluster though. Aye, the stablemaster was amazed by Madelyne’s gifted way with the horse. He was still a wee bit nervous whenever he saddled Duncan’s stallion, but this mite of a girl didn’t seem the least afraid.
On the third afternoon, the stablemaster spoke to Madelyne, and by week’s end, they were fast friends.
His name was James, Madelyne learned, and he was married to Maude. Their son, William, was still attached to his mama’s skirts, but James was patiently awaiting the time when the boy would be old enough to become apprentice under him. The child would follow tradition, James explained with an air of importance.
“Silenus would let you ride him bareback,” James announced after he’d given Madelyne a tour of his domain.
Madelyne smiled. James had accepted her name for Duncan’s mount. “I’ve never ridden bareback,” she said. “’Tis the truth, James, that I’ve not ridden much at all.”
“Perhaps,” James suggested with a kind smile, “when the rain eases a bit, you could learn the proper way.”
Madelyne nodded.
“Now, if you’ve never learned, how’d you get from one place to the next, I’m wondering,” James admitted.
“I walked,” Madelyne told him. She laughed over his look of surprise. “’Tis not a sin I’m confessing.”
“I’ve a gentle mare you could start your practicing with,” he suggested.
“Nay, I think not,” Madelyne answered. “Silenus wouldn’t like that much. I think his feelings might be injured, and we can’t allow that, now, can we?”
“We can’t?” James looked confused.
“I’ll do well enough with Silenus.”
“’Tis the lord’s stallion you’re wanting to ride, milady?” James stammered. He sounded as if he were strangling.
“I know whom he belongs to,” Madelyne returned. “Don’t concern yourself over the animal’s size,” she said, trying to ease the incredulous look off his face. “I’ve ridden Silenus before.”
“But do you have the lord’s permission?”
“I shall gain it, James.”
Madelyne smiled again, and all the logical arguments went right out of the stablemaster’s mind. Aye, he told himself, from the look in her pretty blue eyes and the way she smiled up at him so trustingly, James suddenly found himself in complete agreement.
When Madelyne left the stable, the guard walked beside her. He was a constant reminder to her and to everyone else that she was not an invited guest. Anthony’s attitude toward her had softened considerably though. He wasn’t nearly as irritated by his duty.
From the way Anthony was greeted by the other soldiers, Madelyne surmised he was well thought of. He had an attractive smile, a boyish grin it was, which was at great odds with his size and age. She couldn’t understand why he’d been ordered to watch her, thinking that someone of lesser stature, such as Ansel, the squire, would have been better suited for the placid duty.
Her curiosity increased, until she finally decided to question him. “Have you done something to displease your lord?”
Anthony didn’t seem to understand her question.
“When the soldiers return from their work, I can see the envious way you watch them, Anthony. You’d like to be training with them instead of walking with me in circles.”
“’Tis no trouble,” Anthony protested.
“Still, I don’t understand why you’ve been given this duty unless you’ve displeased Duncan some way.”
“I’ve an injury needing to heal a bit more,” Anthony explained. His voice was hesitant, and Madelyne noticed the blush that slowly crept up from his neck.
She thought it most odd that he would be embarrassed. Seeking only to put him at ease, she said, “I’ve also suffered an injury, and not too mild, I can tell you that.” It did sound like a boast, but her goal was to make Anthony realize he had nothing to be ashamed of. “Almost did me in, Anthony, but Edmond took care of me. I’ve a horrid scar now, down the length of my thigh.”
Anthony continued to look uncomfortable with their topic. “Don’t soldiers think it noble when they’re injured in battle?” Madelyne asked.
“They do,” Anthony answered. He clasped his hands behind his back and increased his pace.
It suddenly dawned on Madelyne that Anthony might be embarrassed about just where he’d sustained his wound. His arms and legs looked fit enough, and that left only his chest and his …
“We’ll not speak of this again,” Madelyne blurted out. She felt her face warm. When Anthony immediately slowed his pace, Madelyne knew she was right. The injury was in an inappropriate place.
Though she never questioned Anthony about it, Madelyne thought it curious that the soldiers trained such long hours every day. She supposed that defending their lord was difficult work, considering the fact that their leader had so many enemies. She didn’t think she was jumping to conclusions either. Duncan wasn’t an easy man to like; he certainly wasn’t given to being tactful or diplomatic. Why, he’d probably collected more enemies than friends in William II’s court.
She was, unfortunately, given plenty of time to think about Duncan. She wasn’t at all accustomed to having so much unstructured time on her hands. When she wasn’t outside walking with Anthony, she drove Gerty and Maude to distraction with suggestions for making Duncan’s home more pleasing.
Maude wasn’t as guarded as Gerty. She was always eager to set her chores aside and visit with Madelyne. Little Willie, Maude’s four-year-old son, proved to be as talkative as his mother once Madelyne was able to coach his thumb out of his mouth.
When the day’s sunlight began to fade, however, Madelyne’s stomach would tighten up and her head would start pounding. It was little wonder, she told herself, when one considered that the evenings spent with the Wexton family were trials of endurance Odysseus would have turned his back on.
Madelyne wasn’t allowed to turn her back though. She had all but gotten down on her knees and begged to take her meals in her room, too, but Duncan wouldn’t allow it. Nay, he demanded her attendance at the family meal and then had the gall to remove himself from the disgusting ordeal he forced on her. The baron always ate alone, and made a brief appearance only once the table had been cleared of the clutter the men hadn’t already thrown to the floor.
Adela provided the stimulating conversation. While the men hurled bones over their shoulders, Duncan’s sister hurled one obscenity after another at Madelyne.
Madelyne didn’t think she could stand the torment much longer. Her smile felt as brittle as dry parchment.
On the seventh evening Madelyne’s composure did crack, and with such violent force that those who witnessed it were too astonished to intervene.
Duncan had just given her permission to leave the hall. Madelyne stood up, excused herself, and began to walk toward the entrance.
Her head was pounding, and she thought only to give Adela a wide path. Madelyne wasn’t up to another round of screaming. Duncan’s little sister was walking toward her.
Madelyne warily glanced over at Adela and saw little Willie peeking out from the doorway to the kitchens. The little boy smiled at Madelyne and she immediately stopped to speak to him.
The child responded to Madelyne’s smile. He darted out in front of Adela just as the sister swept her hand out in one of the grand gestures she always made when she was about to start in abusing Madelyne again. The back of Adela’s hand struck Willie’s cheek. The little one toppled to the ground.
Willie started to wail, Gilard shouted, and Madelyne let out an ear-piercing scream. The sound of rage she made stunned everyone in the hall, even Adela, who actually backed up a step, the first real retreat she’d ever made from Madelyne.
Gilard started to stand. Duncan grabbed hold of his arm. The youngest brother was about to argue over the restraint, but the look in Duncan’s eyes stopped him.
Madelyne rushed over to the little boy, soothed him with a soft word and a tender kiss on the top of his head, and then bade him to go to his mother. Maude, upon hearing her son’s wails, had appeared in the doorway, with Gerty at her side.
Madelyne turned to confront Adela then. She might have been able to control her anger if Duncan’s sister had shown any sign of remorse. Adela, however, didn’t look the least bit sorry for her conduct. And when she muttered that the boy was a nuisance, Madelyne let go of her control.
Adela called Willie a brat a scant second before Madelyne lashed out and slapped her right where she thought Adela most deserved it, across her mouth. Adela was so stunned by the attack, she lost her balance and stumbled to her knees. Without realizing it, she gave Madelyne added advantage.
Before Adela could stand up, Madelyne grabbed hold of her hair and twisted the mass behind her head, making the sister vulnerable and unable to strike back. She forced Adela’s head back. “You’ve spoken your last word of filth, Adela. Do you understand me?”
Everyone stared at the two women. Edmond was the first to come out of his stupor. “Unhand her, Madelyne,” he shouted.
Without taking her attention away from Adela, Madelyne shouted back to Edmond. “Keep out of this, Edmond. You hold me responsible for what happened to your sister, and I’ve decided ’tis high time I took a hand to right this mess. Starting now.”
Duncan never said a word. “I do not hold you responsible,” Edmond yelled. “Let go of her. Her mind is—”
“Her mind needs but a good cleaning, Edmond.”
Madelyne saw that Maude and Gerty were both watching from the doorway. She kept a firm hold on Adela when she turned to speak to them. “I think we’ll have need for two tubs to rid the filth covering this pitiful creature. See to it, Gerty. Maude, find clean clothes for your mistress.”
“You’re going to have a bath now, milady?” Gerty asked.
“Adela is going to get a bath,” Madelyne announced. She turned back to glare at Adela and said, “And soap in your mouth every time you say an unladylike word to me.”
Madelyne let go of Adela’s hair then and helped her stand. Duncan’s sister tried to pull away, but Madelyne wouldn’t allow it. Her anger had given her the strength of Hercules. “You’re taller than I am, but I’m stronger, and meaner right this minute than you could ever imagine, Adela. If I have to kick you all the way up to the tower, I’m more than up to the task.” She pulled on Adela’s arm, dragging her toward the entrance, muttering loud enough for all three brothers to hear. “And I’m smiling over the thought of kicking you, that’s the truth of it.”
Adela burst into tears. Madelyne was heartless. The sister wasn’t going to get any more sympathy from her. Edmond and Gilard had given Adela too much of that already. Without realizing it, the brothers hurt their sister with their pity and their compassion. What was needed now was a firm hand. And Madelyne’s were firm enough. Odd, but her head was not aching anymore.
“Cry all you want, Adela. It won’t help your cause. You dared to call little Willie a brat, when the name belongs to you. Aye, you’re the brat. That’s all going to change now. I promise you that.”
Madelyne kept up a constant chatter all the way to her room. She didn’t have to kick Adela once.
By the time the wooden tubs were filled to spilling with steaming water, the fight had gone out of Adela. Gerty and Maude stayed to lend a hand getting Adela’s clothes off her. “Burn these,” Madelyne ordered after handing the offensive garments to Gerty.
When Adela was pushed into the first tub, Madelyne thought she tried to mimic Lot’s wife. Duncan’s sister sat like a sculptured piece of stone and stared off into the distance. The look in her eyes told another story, however. Aye, it was plain to see that Adela was seething with rage.
“Why was there need for two tubs?” Maude asked. She wrung her hands with worry. Adela had suddenly changed tactics and had just grabbed hold of Lady Madelyne’s hair. It looked as though she meant to rip Madelyne’s pretty locks right out of her scalp.
In retaliation, the lady who Maude had come to view as a sweet, gentle woman, shoved Adela’s face under the water. Did she think to drown the baron’s sister?
“I don’t think Lady Adela can breathe under there,” Maude said.
“Aye, and she can’t spit at me either,” Madelyne answered, snapping out each word.
“Well, I never…” Gerty gasped the protest before turning. Maude watched her friend run out the doorway.
Gerty was always one for telling the news before anyone else had a chance, Maude knew. Next Baron Wexton would probably be wanting to know what was going on.
Maude wished she could chase after Gerty. Lady Madelyne frightened her now; she’d never seen such a ferocious temper. Still, she’d stood up for little Willie, Maude admitted, and for that reason she’d stay and lend a hand as long as Lady Madelyne demanded it.
“We need two tubs because Adela is so filthy, she’ll need two baths.”
Maude had difficulty hearing what Lady Madelyne was telling her. Adela had started kicking and scratching. Lord, there was water everywhere, most especially on Lady Madelyne.
“Hand me the soap, if you please,” Madelyne ordered.
The next hour was an incredible ordeal worthy of retelling until next spring. Gerty kept poking her head in to check on the progress. She’d then hurry back downstairs to report to Edmond and Gilard.
When the commotion was over, Gerty was a bit disappointed. Lady Adela was sitting quietly in front of the fireplace while Lady Madelyne combed her hair. The fight had gone out of the baron’s sister, and the excitement was over.
Maude and Gerty left the tower after the tubs had been emptied and carried away.
Neither Adela nor Madelyne had spoken a civil word to each other. Maude suddenly appeared in the doorway again and rushed out. “I’ve still to tell you my gratitude for helping my boy.”
Madelyne was about to answer Maude, when the servant continued. “Mind you, I don’t hold it against Lady Adela. She can’t help the way she is. But you went out of your way to comfort Willie and I’m grateful to you.”
“I didn’t mean to hit him.”
The admission came from Adela. It was the first decent sentence she’d spoken. Maude and Madelyne shared a smile.
As soon as the door closed behind Maude, Madelyne pulled up a chair and sat down, facing Adela.
Adela refused to look at Madelyne. Her hands were folded together in her lap and she stared intently at them.
Madelyne was given plenty of time to study Duncan’s sister. Adela was actually very pretty. She had large brown eyes, golden brown hair, a surprise that, but once the dirt had been removed, the strands of blond were most noticeable.
She didn’t look much like Duncan, yet she certainly shared his stubborn streak. Madelyne forced herself to be patient.
At least an hour passed before Adela finally looked up at Madelyne. “What do you want from me?”
“I want you to tell me what happened to you.”
Adela’s face immediately turned red. “Do you want all the details, Madelyne? Will that give you pleasure?” Adela began to twist the cuff of the freshly laundered sleeping gown she wore.
“Nay, I won’t gain pleasure,” Madelyne answered. Her voice sounded sad. “But you’ve a need to tell it. There’s poison inside of you, Adela, and you need to get rid of it. You’ll feel better afterward, I promise you. And you won’t have to keep up your childish act in front of your brothers anymore.”
Adela’s eyes widened. “How did you …” She suddenly realized what she was giving away.
Madelyne smiled. “It’s obvious to the most simple-minded that you don’t hate me. We’ve crossed paths each day and you never screamed at me then. Nay, Adela, you’ve been too deliberate in your hatred.”
“I do hate you.”
“You do not,” Madelyne announced. “You’ve nothing to hate me for. I’ve done nothing to harm you. We are both innocent and both caught in this war between our brothers. Aye, we are both innocent.”
“I’m no longer innocent,” Adela answered. “And Duncan has gone to your bed every night, so I doubt that you’re innocent either.”
Madelyne was astonished by Adela’s words. Why did she think that Duncan had spent his nights with her? She was mistaken, of course, but Madelyne forced herself to concentrate on Adela’s problem now. She could protest her own innocence later.
“I would kill your brother if I had a chance,” Adela announced. “Why don’t you just leave me alone? I want to die in peace.”
“Don’t speak such sinful thoughts,” Madelyne returned. “Adela, how can I help you if you …”
“Why? Why would you want to help me? You’re Louddon’s sister.”
“I’ve no loyalty toward my brother. He destroyed that long ago. When did you meet Louddon?” she asked most casually then, as if it really held no importance.
“In London,” Adela answered. “And that is all I’m going to tell you.”
“We are going to speak of this, no matter how painful it is. We’ve only each other, Adela. I’ll keep your secrets safe.”
“Secrets? There are no secrets, Madelyne. Everyone knows what happened to me.”
“I will hear the truth from you,” Madelyne announced. “If we have to sit here and stare at each other all night, I’m more than willing.”
Adela looked at Madelyne a long while, obviously trying to make up her mind. She felt ready to burst into a thousand fragments. God, she was so tired of the deception, and so very lonely. “And will you tell Louddon every word when you return to him?” she asked, though her voice was a hoarse whisper now.
“I’m never going back to Louddon,” Madelyne said. Her voice sounded her anger. “I’ve a plan to go and live with my cousin. I don’t know the way of it yet, but I’ll get to Scotland even if I have to walk.”
“I believe you, you’ll not tell Louddon. But what about Duncan? Will you tell him?”
“I’ll tell no one unless you give me permission,” Madelyne answered.
“I met your brother when I was at court,” Adela whispered. “He is a handsome man,” she added. “He told me he loved me, pledged himself to me.”
Adela started to cry, and several minutes elapsed before she could regain control.
“I was already betrothed to Baron Gerald. The arrangement was made when I was ten years old. I was content until I met Louddon. I haven’t seen Gerald since I was a little girl. God’s truth, I’m not even sure I’d recognize him now. Duncan gave permission for me to go with Edmond and Gilard to court. Gerald was supposed to be there, and since the marriage vows were to be exchanged next summer, my brothers thought it a good idea for me to get to know my future husband. Duncan believed that Louddon was in Normandy with the king, you see. Else he’d never allow me near the court.”
Adela took a deep breath and then continued. “Gerald wasn’t there. He had reason enough,” she added, “one of his vassals’ homes had been attacked and he had to retaliate. Still, I was angry and disappointed.”
She shrugged then. Madelyne reached out and clasped her hands. “I would have been disappointed too,” she offered.
“Everything happened so quickly, Madelyne. We were in London only two weeks. I knew how much Duncan disliked Louddon, but I didn’t know why. We kept our meetings secret. He was always kind and considerate to me. I liked the attention. The meetings were easy to arrange, too, because Duncan wasn’t there.”
“Louddon would have found a way,” Madelyne said. “I think he used you to hurt your brother. You’re very pretty, but I don’t think Louddon loved you. He’s not capable of loving anyone but himself. I know that now.”
“Louddon didn’t touch me.”
The statement fell between them. Madelyne was stunned. She forced herself to keep her expression contained and then said, “Please go on.”
“We agreed to meet in a chamber Louddon had found vacant the day before. It was well away from the rest of the guests, quite isolated. I knew what I was doing, Madelyne. I agreed to this meeting. I thought I loved your brother. I knew it was wrong, but I couldn’t help how I felt. Lord, he was so handsome. Dear God, Duncan would kill me if he knew the truth.”
“Don’t torment yourself, Adela. He won’t know anything unless you tell him.”
“Louddon came to meet me,” Adela said. “But he wasn’t alone. His friend was with him and he was the one who … violated me.”
All of Madelyne’s training in hiding her feelings saved her now. She showed no outward sign at Adela’s shocking admission.
Duncan’s sister watched Madelyne. She waited to see repulsion. “This doesn’t make you—”
“Finish it,” Madelyne whispered.
The full sordid story poured out, haltingly at first and then with increased speed, and when Adela was finished, Madelyne gave her a few minutes to calm herself.
“Who was this man with Louddon? Give me his name.”
“Morcar.”
“I know the bastard,” Madelyne answered, unable to keep the rage out of her voice. Adela looked frightened by the outburst. Madelyne tried to push her anger aside. “Why didn’t you tell Duncan all of this? Not the part about making the choice to meet Louddon, of course, but about Morcar’s involvement?”
“I couldn’t,” Adela answered. “I was so ashamed. And I was so badly beaten, I truly thought I was going to die. Louddon was as responsible as Morcar was … Oh, I don’t know, but once I’d said Louddon’s name to Gilard and Edmond, they didn’t want to hear any more.”
Adela started weeping, but Madelyne quickly stopped her. “All right then,” she said most matter-of-factly. “You’re to listen to me now. Your only sin was falling in love with the wrong man. I wish you could tell Duncan about Morcar, but that decision is yours to make, not mine. For as long as you bind me, I vow I’ll keep your secret.”
“I trust you,” Adela answered. “I’ve been watching you all week. You’re nothing like your brother. You don’t even look like him.”
“Thank God for that,” Madelyne muttered with such gusto in her voice, Adela smiled.
“One more question, Adela, if you please,” Madelyne said. “Why have you been acting so crazed? Was it all for your brothers’ benefit?”
Adela nodded. “Why?” Madelyne asked, confused.
“When I came home, I realized I wasn’t going to die. And then I began to worry that I might be carrying Morcar’s child. Duncan would force a marriage, and—”
“You can’t believe Duncan would bind you to Louddon?” Madelyne interrupted.
“No, no,” Adela said. “But he’d find someone. His only concern would be to help me.”
“And are you with child?” Madelyne asked. She felt her stomach lurch over the possibility.
“I don’t know. I’ve missed my monthly but I don’t feel any different and they’ve never been orderly fluxes.” Adela blushed after making her confession.
“Perhaps it is too soon to tell,” Madelyne advised. “But if you are, how did you think to keep it from Duncan? He may be stubborn, Adela, but he certainly isn’t blind.”
“I thought I’d keep to my room until it was too late, I guess. It sounds so foolish now. I haven’t been thinking too clearly. I just know I’ll kill myself before I am forced to marry anyone.”
“What about Baron Gerald?” Madelyne asked.
“The contract is broken now,” Adela said. “I’m no longer a virgin.”
Madelyne sighed. “Did the baron announce this?”
“Nay, but Duncan says he’ll not have to honor it now,” Adela said.
Madelyne nodded. “Is your main worry that Duncan will force a marriage?”
“It is.”
“Then let us face this worry first. We’ll form a plan to rid you of that concern.”
“We will?”
Madelyne heard the eagerness in Adela’s voice, saw the spark of hope in her eyes too. That made her all the more determined. Unable to sit still a moment longer, Madelyne bounded to her feet and began to pace a slow circle around the chairs. “I don’t believe for one minute that your brother would be so heartless as to demand that you marry anyone.” She raised her hand when Adela looked as if she were going to interrupt, and then continued. “However, what I believe isn’t important. What if I gained a promise from Duncan that you could live here for as long as you wanted to, no matter what the circumstances? Would that ease your fear, Adela?”
“Would you have to tell him I might be carrying a child?”
Madelyne didn’t answer immediately. She continued to pace her circle, wondering how in God’s name she’d ever get Duncan to promise her anything.
“Of course not,” Madelyne answered. She stopped when she was directly in front of Adela and smiled down at the girl. “I’d get his promise first. He’ll find out the rest soon enough, won’t he?”
Adela smiled. “You’ve a devious mind, Madelyne. I understand your plan now. Once Duncan agrees, he won’t go back on his word. But he’ll be furious with you for tricking him,” she added, her smile fading over that worry.
“He’s always furious with me,” Madelyne answered with a shrug. “I’m not afraid of your brother, Adela. He blusters like the wind, yet there’s a soft core underneath. I’m sure of it,” Madelyne said, praying to herself that she was correct. “Now then, promise me you’ll not worry about the possibility of carrying a child. You’ve had an ordeal, and that could well be the reason you’ve missed your monthly,” she advised. “I know all about this, you see, because Frieda, the woodcutter’s wife, suffered a terrible upset when her boy fell down the drinking well and couldn’t be gotten out for the longest time. The lad was unharmed, and thank God for that, but I heard Frieda tell another servant some two months later that she wasn’t having her monthly. The other servant did explain that it was a natural enough condition considering the fright she’d had. I don’t remember the wise woman’s name now, else I’d share it with you, but she turned out to be right on the subject. Aye, Frieda was back to her usual flux the following month.”
Adela nodded. “And if you do carry a babe,” Madelyne went on, “we’ll see it through, won’t we? You’ll not hate the child, will you, Adela?” Madelyne couldn’t keep the worry out of her voice. “The baby would be as innocent as you are, Adela.”
“He’d have a black soul, like his father,” Adela said. “They would share the same blood.”
“Then if that is the way of it, I’m damned to hell just as Louddon is, aren’t I?”
“Nay, you’re not like your brother,” Adela protested.
“And your child won’t be like Morcar either. You’d see to it,” Madelyne said.
“How?”
“By loving the baby and helping him make the right choices when he’s old enough to understand.”
Madelyne sighed then and shook her head. “You may not be with child anyway, so let’s put the matter aside for now. I can see how tired you are. Since your room must still be cleaned before you can sleep there, you’re to have my bed this night. I’ll find another.”
Adela followed Madelyne over to the bed and watched as her new friend pulled the covers back. “When will you ask Duncan for his promise?”
Madelyne waited until Adela got into bed before answering. “I’ll speak to him tomorrow. “’Tis most important to you, I can see that. I won’t be forgetting.”
“I don’t ever want another man to touch me,” Adela said.
Her voice was so harsh, Madelyne began to worry she’d get herself upset again.
“Hush, now,” Madelyne soothed as she tucked the covers around Adela. “Rest now. Everything is going to be all right.”
Adela smiled over the way Madelyne was pampering her. “Madelyne? I’m sorry for the way I’ve treated you. If I thought it would help, I’d ask Edmond to speak to Duncan about taking you to Scotland.”
Madelyne noticed Adela thought to talk to Edmond and not go directly to Duncan. That comment reinforced her belief that Adela was afraid of her eldest brother.
Adela sighed and then said, “I really don’t want you to go anywhere just yet. I’ve been so lonely. Is that selfish of me to admit?”
“Only truthful,” Madelyne returned. “A trait I most admire,” she added. “Why, I’ve never told a lie in all my days,” she boasted.
“Not ever?”
Madelyne caught Adela’s giggle and smiled over it. “Not that I can recall,” she said. “And I promise to stay here just as long as you need me. I’ve no wish to travel in this harsh weather.”
“You’ve also been dishonored, Madelyne. Everyone will think …”
“’Tis nonsense you speak,” Madelyne said. “Neither one of us is responsible for what has happened. We are both honorable enough inside our hearts. That is all that matters to me.”
“You’ve the most unusual attitudes,” Adela said. “I would think you should hate all of us Wextons.”
“Well, it is a fact that your brothers aren’t easy men to like,” Madelyne admitted. “But I don’t hate them. Do you know I feel safe here? It’s remarkable, isn’t it? To be a captive and feel so safe at the same time. Now, that’s a truth to mull over.”
Madelyne frowned, her mind filled with her amazing admission. “Well now,” she said to herself. “I’m going to have to think about this a bit longer.”
She patted Adela on her arm and then turned to walk to the door.
“You won’t do anything foolish about Morcar, will you, Madelyne?”
“Now, why would you ask such a thing?” Madelyne asked.
“Because of the look that came over you when I told you his name,” Adela answered. “You won’t do anything, will you?”
Adela sounded scared again. “You’ve an overactive imagination,” Madelyne told her. “That gives us something else in common,” she added, neatly avoiding the issue of Morcar.
Her ploy worked, for Adela was smiling again. “I don’t think I’ll have nightmares tonight. I’m too tired. You better come to bed soon, Madelyne. You’ll need to be rested for your talk with Duncan.”
“Do you think he’ll drain the strength out of me?” Madelyne asked.
“Not you,” Adela answered. “You can get Duncan to promise you anything.”
Lord, the sister held such confidence. Madelyne felt her shoulders slump.
“I see the way Duncan watches you. And you did save Gilard’s life. I heard him tell Edmond the story. Remind Duncan of that and he wouldn’t be able to deny you anything.”
“Go to sleep, Adela.”
Madelyne was just about to pull the door closed, when Adela’s next words caught her. “Duncan never looks at Lady Eleanor the way he looks at you.”
Madelyne couldn’t resist. “Who is Lady Eleanor?” she asked, trying not to sound too interested. She turned and looked over at Adela, and from the way the sister was smiling at her, she thought she might not have fooled her.
“The woman Duncan is thinking to marry.”
Madelyne showed no visible reaction. She nodded, indicating she’d heard Adela.
“Then I’m good and sorry for her. She’ll have her hands full living with your brother. Do not take offense, Adela, but I believe your brother is too arrogant for his own good.”
“I said he was thinking about marrying her, Madelyne. But he won’t.”
Madelyne didn’t answer. She closed the door behind her and made it across the landing before she burst into tears.