Perhaps, Duncan thought, Adela will aid Madelyne as well. His sister might unknowingly help rid Madelyne of some of her cloaks.
The frigid water finally bothered Duncan enough to push all thoughts aside. He’d finish his swim and go to Madelyne. That singular motive aided him through the ritual in quickened time.
Madelyne had just opened the shutters to her window, when she caught sight of Duncan walking toward the lake. His back was to her and she watched him remove every bit of clothing and dive into the water.
She felt no shame in seeing him without his clothes on. Aye, his nudity didn’t embarrass her at all. She was too stunned by what the daft man was doing to blush over his nudity. Besides, his back was facing her, saving her true discomfort.
She wouldn’t believe he was actually going to dive into the water, but he did just that, and without a moment’s hesitation.
The full moon gave her sufficient light to follow him across the lake and back again. Madelyne never lost sight of him, but out of a sense of modesty she closed her eyes when he climbed out onto the bank. She waited for what she thought an adequate length of time, and then looked again.
Duncan stood by the edge of the water, the lower half of his body covered. He looked just like an avenging godchild of Zeus, for he was gifted with a most magnificent body.
He hadn’t bothered to put his tunic back on, but threw it carelessly over one shoulder instead. Didn’t he feel the cold? Madelyne was already shivering from the breeze that came through the window. Yet Duncan acted as if it were a warm spring day. Why, he was walking back toward his home with a lazy, unhurried stride.
Madelyne’s heart quickened as Duncan drew closer. He certainly was well proportioned. The man was long in flank, lean in waist, extremely broad in shoulders. The strength in his upper arms was clearly outlined by the light. Madelyne could see muscles all but rippling across his chest. Power radiated from him, even from such a distance, drawing her and worrying her at the same time.
Duncan suddenly stopped and looked up, catching Madelyne staring at him. She instinctively raised her hand in greeting, then faltered in the attempt. Madelyne couldn’t see the expression on his face, but she guessed he was scowling. Lord knew that was his usual expression.
Madelyne turned away and went back to her bed, forgetting in her haste to close the shutters.
She was still angry. Every time the picture of Adela came into her mind, she wanted to scream. She’d wept instead, for almost a good hour, until her cheeks were raw and her eyes swollen.
Adela was the initial reason for her fury. The poor girl had been through such an ordeal.
Madelyne understood what it felt like to be at the mercy of another. She knew the rage inside Adela and pitied the girl.
Yet she was also furious with the Wexton brothers. They had made the situation far worse by treating Adela so poorly.
Madelyne made the decision that she’d accept responsibility for Adela now. She didn’t think she wanted to help Duncan’s sister because Louddon had caused her pain. Even though Madelyne was Louddon’s sister, she wasn’t going to feel guilt because of relation. She would help Adela because the sister was so vulnerable and lost.
She would be gentle with the girl, kind, too, and surely in time Adela would accept her comfort.
God help her, Madelyne started to cry again. She felt so trapped. She was so close to the border and to her cousin Edwythe’s home, but now she’d have to wait to make her escape. Adela needed love and guidance, and her barbarian brothers didn’t know how to give either. Aye, she was needed here, Madelyne thought, until Duncan’s sister was given new strength.
The air in the room had turned freezing. Madelyne huddled under the covers, shivering, until she remembered the shutters were wide open. She got out of bed, wrapped an animal skin around her shoulders, and hurried over to the window.
It had started to rain, fitting weather for her mood, Madelyne decided. She looked down at the lake just to make certain Duncan wasn’t still there, and then glanced over to look at the crest on the lower hill visible over the top of the battlements.
Madelyne saw the animal then. She was so startled by the sight, she rose up on tiptoe and leaned out the window, afraid to take her gaze away for even a second, lest the huge beast up and vanish on her.
The animal seemed to be looking up at her. Madelyne knew then that her mind had broken, just like Adela’s. Good God, the beast looked just like a wolf. And Lord, he was magnificent!
Madelyne shook her head, yet continued to watch, mesmerized by the sight. When the wolf arched his neck back, she thought he might be howling. The sound never reached her though, probably snatched away by the wind and the rain pelting against the stones.
She didn’t know how long she stood by the window watching the animal. She did close her eyes, deliberately, but when she opened them again, the wolf was still there.
“’Tis only a dog,” she muttered to herself. Aye, a dog, not a wolf. “A very large dog,” she added.
If Madelyne had been given to a superstitious nature, she would have jumped to the conclusion that the wolf was an omen.
Madelyne closed the shutters and went back to her bed.
Her mind was filled with images of the wild beast, and it took a long time before sleep claimed her. Her last thought was a stubborn one. She hadn’t seen a wolf after all.
Sometime during the cold night Madelyne shivered enough to wake up. She felt Duncan put his arm around her and pull her toward his warmth.
She smiled over her fanciful dream and fell asleep again.
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.
Julie Garwood - [3 Book Box Set] Page 44
