by Fiona Faris
“Hello Francie.” Madeleine answered evenly, wondering what was going on inside the girl’s head.
“I heard my sweet James say that he was going to come by your aunt’s to visit you. It’s so kind of him. He’s always doing kind things like that for others, especially people who are new to court.” Francie’s voice had a coolness to it that was not lost on Madeleine. Francie’s message wasn’t lost either.
“Aye, he said he would come to visit me,” Madeleine answered warily.
Francie drew nearer to Madeleine, lowering her voice as her eyes remained steady on Madeleine’s. “I want to give you some advice as a friend. He might flirt a little with you. He might say nice things or make you believe that he wants your company; but in truth, he is not available that way. He is mine, and I do not share my things with others.”
Madeleine stared at the young woman, but before she could speak, Claudine spoke up firmly, standing beside Madeleine. “James is not engaged to anyone, nor does he claim to belong to you. Perhaps you should ask him for a ring before you try to stop him from seeing others. He might want our Maddie here, and if she wants him in return, that’s between the two of them and no one else.”
Francie’s mouth and eyes narrowed into slits, and with a snap of her head and shoulders, she spun on her heel and stomped away through the grass toward James and Jacques. James was gesturing wildly as he described his hunt to Jacques, who was more interested in flirting with Marguerite from the short distance between them.
Madeleine gasped and looked over at Claudine. “Thank ye! I dinna ken why she seems to loathe me. She doesn’a even know me yet!”
Claudine shrugged. “She only hates you because she wants James, and she isn’t willing to lose him. I almost laughed right out loud when she said she was giving you some advice as your friend. Francie isn’t friends with anyone. You watch out for her.”
Madeleine rolled her eyes. “I appreciate it. I dinna even ken how I came to be in this mess. I shouldn’a even be here.”
“And where should ye be? I, for one, am very glad that you’re here, Maddie.” Fyn gave Madeleine a smile, and she felt everything in her rush for a moment at the sound of her nickname on his lips.
Straightening up some, she drew in a deep breath and tried again to steady herself in his presence. “I should be in Scotland. That’s where I belong. I have no business being here looking for a husband.”
Fyn gave her a quizzical look. “How did ye come to be here then, if ye didn’a want to be here?”
Claudine and Anne both peered at Madeleine interestedly. “I would love to hear this, too!” Anne stated with a laugh.
Madeleine rolled her eyes. “I might have… gotten into a… bit of a scrape. Then my mother insisted that I come here to find a husband.”
Fyn raised a brow as his lips turned up in a half-smile and the dimple in his cheek deepened. “What kind of a scrape?”
Madeleine sighed and crossed her arms over her chest. She hadn’t wanted to talk about it, but it was the subject of their discussion, and there was no turning back. “I was out for a ride on my stallion. I came across a couple of men from a rival clan, and they decided they wanted to attack me. I fought back. My mother was horrified and decided I had to come here to settle down.”
Anne and Claudine gasped. Claudine reached a hand out to Madeleine. “What happened? Did they hurt you? Did they rape you?”
Madeleine scoffed and shook her head. “They thought they would, but they didn’a. Not a bit. I fought them down to the ground. Neither one o’ them will be having bairns now. I made sure o’ that, and then I dragged them back to their village and dumped them there. I warned them to stay off of Campbell lands and never to attack another Campbell again.” She nodded, pleased with herself. “They will no’ be doing anything like it again. That, I know.”
Fyn looked sick as he asked in a quiet voice, “What clan was it that they were from?”
Madeleine narrowed her eyes. “Arthur. No clan fights against the Campbell’s like the Arthurs do.”
He closed his eyes and sighed, and then he nodded and reached for her hand, holding it tenderly. “No clan should have members that treat a woman that way; no matter who the woman is or where she may be from. It’s never acceptable. I’m so very sorry.”
Madeleine shrugged. “Dinna apologize for them! Ye did nothing wrong.”
Fyn’s face twisted in agony. “It wasn’a me, but it was my countrymen. No Scot should behave that way. You dinna deserve it. No one deserves it.”
The corner of Madeleine’s mouth turned up a little as she watched Fyn defending her and all women against such horrors. “That’s honorable of ye to say. At least the two o’ them will’na be hurting anyone like that again.”
“You’re a warrior.” Fyn’s despair faded into admiration as he gazed at her, enraptured. “An amazing warrior.”
“A warrior sent to find a husband because my mother thinks no woman should dae what I dae.” Madeleine sighed and crossed her arms over her chest.
Fyn cocked his head to one side. “Then find a husband who loves ye for being a warrior, and supports it.”
Claudine’s brows rose. “I’m not sure she can find that at French court.”
“I’d have to find that or fail at securing a husband.” Madeleine smiled, pleased with herself for being able to say it aloud. She had every intention of going home a single lady and disappointing her mother with the sad news that there was no man at French court who would have her.
“Ye may not have to look too far at all.” Fyn said. His eyes, dancing with intrigue as he watched her, filled with fire anew.
“Your aunt may have a few things to say about that.” Anne said quietly as she looked across the lawn beside the lake and indicated Lady Margaret in a close discussion with James II of Crussol. They both kept looking over at Madeleine, and their looks made Madeleine’s stomach erupt in butterflies all over again.
“Well, Lady Margaret may like James for a husband for you, Madeleine, but the decision won’t be up to him entirely anyway. Oh no. You’ll have to get the Queen Mother’s and King Charles’ blessing, but before you can get to them, you’ll have to get the approval of James’ older brother, Duke Antoine de Crussol, and his wife, Duchess Louise de Clermont,” Claudine pointed out seriously.
The group turned to look then, and Madeleine shook her head as she stared at the couple about whom Claudine had spoken. Duke Antoine was considerably younger than the old woman standing beside him. “How old is she?”
Claudine smirked scandalously. “She’s seventy-two, and he’s thirty-nine. Marriage isn’t always about love. Most of the time, and especially here at court, it’s about money, power, and connections.”
“But love, real and true love, is greater than all o’ those things.” Madeleine said quietly, watching the couple. She could see that it was not a marriage of love at all, but rather a partnership.
“Then I hope that if you wind up with James, it’s for love and connections. He may be twenty-seven, but unless his older brother and sister-in-law want you with him, you will be cast off him, like most of the other women here at court. It’s one of the reasons he’s still single.” Anne advised warily. “The Duke and Duchess don’t think any maiden here is good enough to be his equal.”
“Perhaps our Maddie will fall in love with someone else entirely.” Fyn looked away from the noble family and gazed down at the young woman at his side. “Ye have more than one option here, of that I’m certain.”
Madeleine half-smiled. “I dae have more than one option, and the one I’m keenly interested in exercising involves me going back to Scotland alone without a husband.” Her friends all shared silent glances, each one thinking their own thoughts about what Madeleine had said.
Jacques sat back in his chair with a drink in his hand as he gazed at Lady Marguerite, standing a short distance away, giving him bedroom eyes and coy smiles. “I don’t think I’ll be sleeping alone tonight, cousin.” He remarked with an ant
icipatory grin.
Fyn sat silently beside him, and after a few moments, Jacques turned and looked fully at him. “Where are you, man?”
Fyn blinked and turned his head to look at his French cousin. “I’m sorry, I didn’a hear ye. What was that?”
“Where were you just now?” Jacques asked with an intrigued look.
With a sigh, Fyn reached for his goblet of wine and sat back, his brow furrowed slightly. “I was thinking about… someone.”
“And would this someone happen to be a dark-haired beauty from your homeland? A bonnie Scottish lass with green eyes and a fierce heart?” Jacques’ eyes twinkled merrily.
“Aye.” Fyn nodded, staring down into his wine.
“And what are you thinking of in regard to her? Would you like to bed her or wed her?” Jacques asked nonchalantly.
Fyn frowned. “I dinna ken her well enough to say that I would wed her, but she does have a way of lodging herself into one’s thoughts. I cann’a get her out o’ my mind. She’s so… bonnie and sweet, and there’s a fire in her.”
“Watch out, cousin. Those are the ones that catch you and keep your heart,” Jacques warned.
Fyn looked from Jacques to his quarry of the evening, the Lady Marguerite. “And isn’t that lovely lady one of the same?”
Jacques shook his head. “No, cousin. I would never get close enough to a girl like that to be caught in her web of love. I prefer ladies who enjoy the temporary pleasures of a heated tryst, and nothing beyond it.”
“And ye believe Lady Marguerite is such a woman?” Fyn looked doubtfully at Jacques.
“Oh, I know she is. She has her sights set on someone with a much loftier title and position at court than myself, but she is certainly inclined to enjoy evenings of passion in the meantime, and tonight she will share my bed, but no more than that.”
Fyn smiled and shook his head, taking another long pull of wine from his goblet. “I’d rather have a lass whose heart I could capture.”
“Like the lady you were with most of the evening?” Jacques smiled at the romantic nature of his cousin.
“Aye. Exactly like her. In fact, I intend to pursue her, to see if she might be interested in me, but I have already set myself on a poor path with her.” He finished his wine and set his goblet heavily on the table before him.
“And how have you done that, cousin?” Jacques asked curiously, eyeing Fyn.
“I didn’a tell her who I am.” When I learned who she was, I knew if I wanted to get close to her, I couldn’a tell her who I really was.”
Jacques studied him closely. “And what will you do when she discovers the truth? You cannot keep it from her, unless you only want her for a night. Anything longer than that, and you’re going to have to tell her, or she’ll find out. Women always find out the truth, one way or another. There’s no way to keep anything truly secret from them. That’s been a painful lesson to learn. Honesty is best.”
Fyn shook his head. “I cann’a be honest with her yet. I want her to get to know me first. Perhaps she will learn to like me, to trust me, and then I can tell her who I am. Perhaps then she will no’ hold it against me, and she will stay.”
“You want her to stay?” Jacques asked seriously, his tone cautious.
Fyn bit at his lip a moment and then nodded. “I do. I cann’a get her out of my head.”
Jacques watched him and exhaled thickly, finishing off his wine. “You’d better focus on any other woman here if you don’t want to be hooked, because you’ve already been bitten, and unless you let go now, she’s going to have your heart before you know what’s happening.”
Fyn smiled lightly and shrugged. “I dinna think I would mind if she did. She’s a bonnie, winning lass. A right winning lass.”
Jacques gave his cousin a sorry look and rose to his feet. “I’m afraid it’s too late for you, cousin. I shall take my leave of you before you infect me with your cupid’s arrow poison. I part with these words of warning, before I go to my lady of the evening. Be very careful, Fyn. A woman with fire in her soul, like Madeleine has, can be passionate but also stubborn and unforgiving. Have a care with your heart and tread mindfully with her. If you make a mistake with her, such as the lie she already believes about you, you may pay for it with a steep and painful price.”
Fyn gave his head a shake. “That’s a chance I’m going to have to take. She’s worth the risk. Perhaps she will want me enough that the truth willn’a matter.”
“That’s a hell of a gamble with your heart.” Jacques said as he walked away, his attentions focused on Lady Marguerite. “I wish you luck, cousin.”
Fyn nodded and smiled, hoping that luck, good luck, would be all his.
Chapter Five
Madeleine’s chamber maid helped her into her nightgown, and she smiled when her aunt came in to bid her goodnight. Margaret smiled and kissed her cheek, then took her hand to hold it tenderly.
“Did you have fun tonight, my dear?” She asked hopefully.
“I did, thank ye.” Madeleine had found friends, as well as possible suitors. It had been a very fun evening for her; much moreso than she had imagined it might be.
“That’s good. James II of Crussol is quite keen on you. He will be calling on you, and you should make every effort to do all that you can to turn his head and win his interest. You will likely not find a better match than him at court, or anywhere else for that matter. I’m quite impressed with you. It took only one party, and you’ve managed to turn the head of the most eligible and sought-after young bachelor at court. Many young ladies have tried what you did tonight and failed. He would be a fine husband for you, and you’d be lucky to get him.” Margaret beamed at her niece. “One night. I’m so proud of you.”
Madeleine gave her a smile and a nod. “I’ll dae my best.”
“Good girl. Sleep well.” Margaret kissed her once more and left her.
Madeleine leaned over to blow her candle out, but hesitated, and then pushed the bedding back. With silent feet she carried her candle to a small desk in the corner and retrieved a paper and a quill. The quiet scratch of the quill against the page was the only sound in the room as Madeleine poured her thoughts out onto the paper before her.
My Dearest Fiona,
Our aunt took me to party at the castle of the King of France tonight. It was beyond imagination. You would have loved the ladies in all their beautiful gowns, and the music which was played out across a lake. There were firelights and flowers everywhere, wine flowing, and more food than everyone could eat. It would have been your dream come true.
Aunt Margaret took me there to find a suitable husband. I am not engaged, but I did meet two nice men. One is a well born Frenchman; a Baron. The other is a Scottish lad who is here visiting his cousin. He’s a Stewart. I like them both, but I like the Scot best of all.
Perhaps I won’t find a husband, and I can come home to you, and things can remain as they have been. That is my fondest wish, for I love no one better than you and our family there. I’m missing you more than you can imagine, and I wish that you were here with me. This is your world, much more than it is mine, and you would love it. I hope to see you soon.
All my love,
Maddie
Madeleine folded the letter and sealed it, smiling to herself and missing home just a little less. With a soft sigh, she returned to bed and blew her candle out, letting her mind return to the events of the evening and all the fun she had had. She thought a short while on James, and how it might be to be the wife of such a sought-after man, but then her mind turned to Fyn, and she felt butterflies begin to dance in her as a smile formed over her lips. She drifted to sleep with visions of dancing in his arms.
At that very moment, James entered his bedchamber, his head swimming a little from all the wine he’d had at the party. He pulled his clothes off and laid back on his bed, closing his eyes with a sigh. He jerked up suddenly at the feel of a soft hand on his leg, and gaped in surprise at the young woman standing nude beside his b
ed.
“Francie! What are you doing in here?” he demanded in frustration.
She shook her head slowly, speaking in a soothing, sensual voice as she climbed up onto his bed and ran her hands over his body, reaching for his member and stroking it gently as he grew hard in the firm grip of her hand.
“Shh…” She hushed him, touching her free hand to his lips for a moment as he stared at her.
“I had to come to you tonight… to show you again how much I love you… how much you mean to me! You know I love being with you!” She smiled at him sweetly and leaned forward, kissing him for a long moment as he hardened fully beneath her tight fingers.
James pulled his mouth away from hers and shook his head, frowning slightly. “You can’t be here! You can’t keep coming in here like this! I don’t want you, Francie! I’m not going to marry you! You should give yourself and your love to some other man!”
