by Tamara Gill
“Nay, she did not.”
“Aye, she did. She believes the union can be tossed aside as if it never was. She does not seek my bed,” William said, gazing down at his wine.
Sir Alex chortled. “Do ye wish to seek hers?”
“Be lying if I said no. But I’ve hardly been fair nor treated Madeline kindly since our marriage. ’Twould serve as my own fault should she turn from me and seek another,” William said, his eyes alighting on Lady Veronica who sat at the trestle tables before the dias.
“The king will toss such a request to the dung heap, m’lord. ’Tis as certain as the sun rising on the morn.” Sir Alex nodded toward William’s mistress. “What of Lady Veronica?”
William shrugged. “’Twould seem the association must end. Lady Veronica knew our tryst would be just that, a tryst. I have let it carry on much too long. I will speak to her and inform her of my decision.”
Sir Alex poured more wine. “I have known ye, m’lord, for a long time. And never in all that time have ye succumbed to a woman’s demand.” William gave him a baleful look. “But to win the love of the Lady Madeline will be a difficult task,” Sir Alex continued, a smile quirking his lips. “She is strong willed, aye, but she is also kind and passionate about her people. I wish you luck, m’lord; I believe you will need it.”
William nodded, his knight’s words true and fair. An accursed fool was what he was. To win the love and trust of a woman, predisposed from birth to hate you, did not bode well for him. But he would succeed and win her.
William watched Sir Alex make his way through the great hall and out of the keep. He looked down at his meal and pushed it away, no longer hungry for food or company. Both their strongholds needed an heir. And Madeline, his wife, was required to fulfil her duties and give him one. And soon.
***
Lady Veronica smiled to herself, as she ignored the pitiful men who surrounded her. All were trying to win her affections with grand tales of war or female conquests notched upon their belts. They were fun enough to play with, she supposed, always delightful to bed when Lord William was absent, which seemed often these days. She smiled at the young archer who sat beside her. He reminded her of a pathetic dog with doe eyes, panting to do her bidding.
However, he was delicious to look at. His arms bulged with rippling muscle. His face, although youthful, showed promise of a future knight, one who would be devilishly handsome. An all-too familiar heat spread between her legs as he took in her gaze, their communication silent, a promise of what was to come...later.
She ran her hand up his inner thigh, reached his drawers, and fondled what was concealed within. He stiffened in her palm. Biting her lip, she fought the desire to straddle him and take him here and now. An archer was just what she needed; one to teach her how to perfect her aim, which always seemed to be a little off during her own practices. She giggled as his hand started to journey under her dress, sending delicious shivers across her skin.
It had been so easy to falsify the letter to Lord William about the outlaw party who roamed the area. She inwardly laughed at her own guile. What a shame it was that the pretty Lady Madeline was going to come to harm by that terrifying company of men. And of course if that did not work, she only had to tell Lord William of the conversation her maid had overheard between his wife and Mistress Rhode not long after their marriage. The conversation reeked of witchcraft, and no lord of the realm wanted to be associated with such slander.
Either way, she would be rid of the Lady Madeline. Justice and death was much more satisfying when achieved by one’s own hand. William could no longer be trusted to think logically when it came to his wife. To think he would trial her in the manor court was laughable, the fool. Standing, she beckoned with a silent look for her night’s entertainment to follow, which of course he did, in all haste...
CHAPTER EIGHT
Maddie sat in the solar, enjoying what little sunlight came through the narrow windows and conceded defeat. The ring was not here. Wasn’t anywhere, in fact. She suppressed a scream of frustration. Did it mean she was stuck here in 1102 forever? Was she going to grow old and die in medieval England? A shudder ran down her spine at the revolting thought.
Her attention wandered from her stitching, laying untouched in her lap, to the woman who sat across from her. Lady Veronica, exquisite and conceited as ever, plied her needle with ease. Although, perhaps not at ease herself, if her constant fidgeting was anything to go by. And any wonder, considering the size of the dark blue love-mark that sat above her left breast. The finest piece of lace was no match for the blotch on her skin.
Maddie stabbed the needle through her embroidery. Hated the thought of Veronica and William together. Hated herself more for hating it. She must have been deluded when she’d started to like him before he brought his mistress here. She did not want to feel anything for William, a man who did not care for her or her opinion.
Maddie shook her head. She was not jealous, perhaps only envious that William had someone he loved in this harsh time and she had no one. And never would if she remained stuck in 1102. Maddie looked down at her pitiful stitching, and cringed. It would seem she had no talent whatsoever for the finer arts women employed in this time, the art of being a wife included in her estimation.
“How do you like married life, Lady Madeline? From conversations with William, I understand you care naught for the notion,” Veronica said, with a smug smile.
Maddie pushed away the hurt that rose in her chest. It should not surprise her that William would discuss their marriage with his mistress. It was no secret William did not care for her. Why would he see the need to keep their conversations private? He was in love with another, had he not almost told her that himself? It should not shock her to hear such words spoken aloud. However, hearing it from this woman’s lips, somehow made it seem all the more awful.
“It is all very well, I suppose,” Maddie said striving to keep her voice even and calm. “When one is unable to pick one’s own husband, we must, each of us, make the best of situations not always to our taste.” Maddie bit back a scathing remark as Veronica laughed. She clenched her jaw as the sound grated against her nerves.
“Yes, poor William, having to proceed with a union he fought so hard to avoid.”
Maddie took a calming breath. Was the woman’s tongue always forked? Did Veronica speak to her in such a way from sheer hate, or was it unconscious? Somehow, Maddie thought, it was probably both.
“Lord William is a strong man. I’m sure he will survive the union,” Maddie replied in a bored tone. She held her embroidery to the light and made a point of inspecting her work, anything to hide her emotions from this woman.
“Oh? Pray, did you not message the king to annul the marriage, Lady Madeline? I was sure that was what William had said.” Veronica tapped her chin, her face one of mock puzzlement. “But perhaps not. We were occupied at the time, with a more pleasurable discourse.” Veronica smiled and tilted her head in query. “Why did you do such a thing? The king cannot help you, Lady Madeline. No one can.”
Maddie’s stomach tightened as she struggled to contain her anger. Never in her life had she wanted to slap another person. But this woman... Maddie took a calming breath, breathed in the muddy scent of burning peat in the fire, and decided to take the higher road. With calm indifference, she met Lady Veronica’s piercing stare.
“I don’t believe my marriage is any of your concern, Lady Veronica. I do not delve into your private life within my home, for I do not care to know who you bed and what you are doing. It would only be polite if you should avail me the same courtesy.” Maddie smiled. “Perhaps next time,” she continued, “when you are in such circumstances with my husband, you would remind him to keep me out of his bedroom talk.”
Maddie ignored Lady Veronica’s laugh. She would not let this witch of a woman see how much her words hurt. Maddie turned back to her embroidery, intently focused on the rose she stitched. How dare William have the audacity to discuss their m
arried life with this woman. Well, she inwardly fumed, he wouldn’t do that for much longer. The man was an untrustworthy cad! Thank God she had not fallen for his charm and false words.
“Who I bed?” Veronica asked, one eyebrow raised. “Are you implying I sleep with many instead of one?”
Maddie shrugged. “I do not lie, Lady Veronica. What I say is the truth. Moreover, I believe you forget whose home this is. This is my estate, and not one thing that goes on here escapes my notice or the notice of my servants.”
“Well, how diverting that I think as ill of you as you do me,” Veronica said matter-of-factly. “It seems your own behaviours are not above reproach.”
Maddie put down her embroidery. “What does that mean?”
Lady Veronica sneered. “There is talk, of you and Sir Alex and the close friendship that has sparked between you. He is your constant escort. Forever your champion. The man’s praise of you is high and never ending to any who wish to hear it. I do believe you have your own motives for wishing your marriage to be annulled, other than what you claimed to William in any case.”
Maddie could not leave the accusation undefended. “Sir Alex is my friend, Lady Veronica, and nothing more. Lord William himself placed me under the protection of his most trusted knight not long after I arrived at Kingston castle. There has been no impropriety on either side. He is to marry a woman who lives south of London within the year. I do not care to hear my name lowered to your level. If I hear any whispers that you have been spreading lies I will throw you from my keep and shut the draw bridge behind you myself. Am I clear?” Maddie said, her voice hard.
“William would never allow you to do such a thing. You bluff,” Veronica said, her voice only holding the slightest ounce of doubt. “To think all of this is yours,” she said, waving her hand to encompass the room and all beyond, “the daughter of a baron and,” she frowned. “Who was your mother?”
Maddie clamped her mouth shut having no idea of her parent’s history in this time. But from the vindictive line of Veronica’s mouth, Maddie knew it wasn’t great.
“Ah, now I remember,” Veronica said. “A legitimized bastard by the king’s second cousin. Why, I’m surprised you are even allowed the title of lady, Madeline.”
Maddie stood. “Watch your mouth, Veronica. You dare to speak of my family in such a way again, and you will be kicked from these walls and by my foot. If anyone has lowered themselves by their actions, it is you, by becoming my husband’s doxy.” She gestured at Veronica. “You claim to be a lady of class and yet you sleep with a married man. You fool yourself if you believe you are not sullied. You’re so dirty, had you fallen over in a puddle of mud, Lady Veronica, I would not have seen you.”
The slap echoed loud in the small room. Maddie stumbled before she righted herself. She stood there, her hand against her face, silent and in shock. Her cheek ached and her eyes stung with unshed tears. Something trickled down her face and Maddie knew she was bleeding.
“You will never do that again, Lady Veronica. I warn you now, lay another finger upon me and you will rue the day. I promise you.” Maddie walked to the door before the argument went any further.
“I consider myself duly warned,” Lady Veronica said smiling.
Maddie glared as best she could with an already swollen eye. “I would heed the warning, if you knew what was good for you.”
Lady Veronica’s chuckle followed her from the room.
Maddie frowned and wondered, not for the first time, if Lady Veronica’s mind was unhinged. What had just happened was no laughing matter. Something was definitely unbalanced with the woman.
Unbalanced and dangerous.
***
Veronica laughed as William’s wife walked from the room. She sat down and picked up her embroidery, her composure serene and relaxed. I will do more than touch you next time, Lady Madeline. This day you have proven to have backbone, but it will not be enough to save you, not with what I have planned. Veronica smiled as she watched the flames within the hearth, a turmoil of ideas flicking in her mind.
“Foolish girl to have threatened me,” she uttered. “That, Lady Madeline, you should not have done...ever.”
***
It did not matter how many cold compresses Mistress Rhode administered against her face, nothing, could stop the swelling and instant bruising which marked her skin.
“Do not worry, Mistress Rhode. The swelling will go down in a day or two,” Maddie said, a half smile quirking her lips.
“Aye, m’lady you are correct. But ’tis distressing for a well-bred lady to act out in such a way. You should demand Lord William send her to London, or to her brother’s home. Lady Veronica deserves punishment,” her maid replied, her brow furrowed.
Maddie nodded and walked over to her bed and slumped down on the woollen blankets and animal skin bedding. “She probably thinks she has one over me now because I didn’t hit her back.”
“I will not deny to being a little confused with your wording, m’lady, but I believe I understand what you imply. ’Tis my opinion that Lady Veronica will now leave, she is not bold enough to stand before your husband and admit to striking you. Lord William will not stand for such insolence. Not even from his mistress.”
Maddie removed the damp cloth from her face, the smell of lemons wafting from the linen. “Do you think William will go against my wishes if I tell her to leave?”
Her maid ruffled through the wooden chest, searching for gowns. “’Tis my hope Lord William will stand united with you.” Mistress Rhode looked over her shoulder and smiled. “Now come, put down the cloth, we must dress you for supper, m’lady.”
Maddie sighed then rose. “What herb did you use in this water? It’s got quite a sharp scent.”
“Vervain, m’lady. ’Tis used for wounds.”
She was not looking forward to the evening meal at all. To have to go down to the Great Hall looking like a woman who had participated in street brawl was shameful. And what would the castle priest say when he saw her face?
“Lady Madeline, I do not know what you should wear. Your green gown will only accentuate the bruising. Perhaps blue? Purple is most assuredly excluded.”
Maddie giggled at her maid’s strained expression. “Blue will be fine, Mistress Rhode. It does not matter what I wear. I cannot hide my face in any case.”
Mistress Rhode mumbled something under her breath that Maddie did not catch. She stood and allowed the gown to be placed over her head and taking a steadying breath, she walked from the room.
The hall was a buzz of noise. Laughter, the clinking of goblets met her ears as she descended the last steps. Smells of roasting meat made her stomach grumble in hunger as she made her way to the dais. She kept her eyes focused on her seat, ignored the murmurs and gasps of shock, which followed her every footstep. Heat stole up her neck and she pushed away her embarrassment and strove for composure. She could only thank God William had not yet arrived for the evening meal. Seated on her right, with any luck, he would not notice her reddened cheek and swollen eye at all.
However, with such a marred face, it was only a matter of time before he did. She wondered what he would say and do when he found out what his mistress had done. Would he defend his lover? Or would he defend his wife? Maddie looked down the dais and caught Lady Veronica laughing and conversing without a care in the world. Perhaps Veronica’s ease this night was an indication William already knew, and had made his choice.
The Great Hall quieted. Maddie looked up and watched William, accompanied by Sir Alex walk into the room, his stride purposeful and sure. She listened to the deep baritone of his voice as he acknowledged his men. Her body tensed and her breathing hitched at William’s nearness. Maddie took a large sip of wine to calm her nerves. She needed to get a grip. He probably wouldn’t even care his mistress had hit her. Certainly wouldn’t stand beside her when she asked for his agreement in sending Veronica away.
Tonight, William wore finery that would befit a king. His long, muscle
d legs accentuated his height. His broad shoulders masked by the green tunic made him look stronger and deadlier than ever. He almost seemed too powerful, an untouchable man. William reached the dais and her heart accelerated at such masculinity. She swallowed the rising irritation that her body would deceive her in such a way.
Maddie nodded for the priest to start the supper prayer. The priest commenced and she kept her attention fixed on the old minister not wanting William to see her bruised face.
“Good evening, Lady Madeline.”
Maddie turned her head the slightest degree and smiled. “Good evening, my lord.”
“Are you speaking to me this eve, my lady?” William asked, summoning a footman for wine.
The servant stood before the dais and stared at her, his hands fumbling with William’s goblet. Maddie sent the lad a scathing look. “Of course, my lord, what is it you wish to talk about?” Maddie turned her attention back to her meal, took a bite of pork, and flinched as the action of her jaw hurt the muscles in her face. Was the bruise worsening as she sat there? The thumping in her skull had certainly intensified. She swallowed and touched the bruised skin with her fingers to try to determine for herself how bad her eye was.
William cleared his throat. “I looked over the stores of wheat and grain today. I believe with this year’s crop, Aimecourt will be well stocked for the winter. It seems between you and your steward, the people under your care are well looked after.”
Maddie smiled at the small compliment while a seed of embarrassment lodged in her mind. She had no idea how much wheat, grain or food they held in storage at Aimecourt. In fact, Maddie didn’t even know where such supplies were kept. “That is a relief, my lord,” she replied.
William sighed and leaned forward in his chair, his gazed fixed on the revellers eating in the great hall before them. “Madeline, look at me.”
The request said in a soothing tone, had no such effect. Maddie shut her eyes and wondered how to explain to William she’d argued with Lady Veronica like a jealous child.
