Defiant Surrender (25 page)

Maddie pushed the longing for him down in her heart and walked into the castle. She headed along the corridor that led into the great hall. Rushes no longer crunched under foot. A fire did not burn. There was no dais or trestle tables.

She looked about the vacant space. Walked toward the hearth and bent down to touch the blackened bricks from fires past.

“It’s not possible.”

Maddie jumped and hit her head on the stone mantle. She turned and searched the room then sighted a figure that stood in a doorway. Her heart thumped hard in her chest. “William?” she said. Her feet, like lead, wouldn’t move. “Is that you?”

“Yes.” William walked into the light and Maddie felt her mouth drop open. Gone were the hose, tunics and chain mail and in their place stood a suit cut to this modern man’s perfect form.

Maddie pinched her arm to check she was not asleep and having this wonderful dream. “How?” she asked.

William slipped a ring off his finger. “This,” he said. “I found it some weeks ago. Apparently, it’s an old family heirloom. I’m not normally superstitious but since the day I placed it on my finger I’ve been having dreams.” He met her eyes. “About you.” He paused and walked closer to her. “I believe the ring has somehow given me access to a past life of mine.”

Maddie took a step then stopped. “So, you remember everything about this past life and the life you are living now?”

“I do. Seems the ring has changed the way it works over the past nine-hundred years,” William said, smiling at her for the first time.

Maddie walked the rest of the way and stopped before him. She took in his features, not one difference could she notice. Unable to stop herself, she cupped his face and
reveled in the warmth beneath her palms. His jaw was so familiar and comforting after weeks of unhappiness. “Are you real, or a figment of imagination?”

William clasped her hands and brought them before him. “I’m no ghost, Madeline. I was born William Dowell in 1978 but I have the memory of William Dowell, Baron of Kingston as well.”

Maddie stepped back. “Do you remember everything about my life with William?” she asked. This was so strange. She almost felt like she was cheating on William just talking to this man before her.

“I do. I remember everything about you and me. Everything,” he said, with emphasis. Maddie’s stomach flip-flopped at the heat in his gaze.

“You look just like him.” Maddie bit her lip trying to stem the tears that threatened. “What happened to you?” she asked, sniffing.

“You died in my arms. Well, the Lady Madeline who was left behind did.” William walked over to a glassless window and stood with his back to her. “I was crazed, angry, and desperate for you. I went into a stupor of drink. Travelled to London and stayed there. I could not face life at Kingston or Aimecourt.”

Maddie came to stand beside him. “History states you died some three months after my death. How did you die?”

“I don’t know.” William paused then looked down at her, his eyes haunted with grief and remorse. “I did return home when I remembered how you believed I would be a good lord to our people. I could not fail you again. I had already failed once by letting Lord Ribald take your life.”

Maddie clasped his hand and frowned. “You never failed me, William. You brought me back to life,” she said, meaning every word.

He grinned. “One night at Kingston I placed the ring on my finger. It had not even entered my conscious that the ring may throw me into your time. But I believe it did. And into a life of a future relation,” William said, his fingers massaging the top of her hand. “After that it was like I had two memories but one life. It was very strange and I still don’t believe what has happened to me.”

Maddie nodded, her mind a whirr of thoughts. “That day in the woods, had I not put that ring on I would have died too, William. Perhaps you may think me a coward for doing it, but I didn’t want to die. In some small part of my mind, I held onto the hope that I would see you again. I found you once; surely there was a possibility of finding you again.”

“I never thought you a coward, Madeline.”

Maddie heard the truth behind his words. She turned his hand and looked down at the ring. She ran a finger over the smooth metal and looked up at him. “I never thought you may enter my time and find me.”

William smiled. “I have an ache to hold you. Can I?” he asked.

Maddie went willingly into his arms and welcomed the familiar strength and warmth of his embrace. A healing balm to her heartbroken soul.

“I’ve missed you, Madeline.” His hold increased. “God, you have no idea how much.”

Maddie pulled back and looked up at him. Could not thank divinity enough in having William back. “I’ve missed you too.” She leant up and kissed him then pulled him into her arms. Never wanting to let him go again.

“Say something to make this real. Tell me something that only William would know,” Maddie asked.

He laughed a sound as familiar as Maddie’s own. “Will you come for a walk with me, ma chère? I believe I was to show you my castle’s stone enforcements.”

Tears welled in her eyes at the familiar endearment. “I always loved it when you called me that. And yes, I’d love to see the improvements, my lord. Better late than never,” she said, laughing.

He kissed her lips, a lingering embrace that promised so much more to come. “I know,” he answered, his voice tinged with desire. “Will you marry me, Madeline?”

Maddie smiled already nodding. “Yes, I will marry you. Again.”

William laughed and pulled her into his arms. “I am never going to let you go.”

Maddie met his gaze and saw the truth behind his words. She chuckled as he scooped her into his arms. “This is new,” she said as her mind started to adjust to the situation. “Is this the medieval William or the twenty-first century William who is carrying his fair lady this day?”

“Both,” William replied his face serious.

William carried her out into the bailey and toward the gate. Maddie ignored the startled and curious stares of the people that milled about. “Where are we going?”

“Home,” was William’s curt reply.

“What about my tour?” she asked.

“That can wait,” he said.

Maddie smiled and cuddled into the curve of his shoulder, her arms secure around his neck. She kissed beneath his ear and felt the familiar shiver that ran through him at her touch. “And where would home be exactly?”

“Not far from here. And this time, my lady you will be accompanying me.”

Maddie bit her lip, remembering their wedding day in 1102 and William’s refusal to allow her to travel with him in his own conveyance. She looked up and watched his profile, couldn’t believe her luck in finding him a second time. And it was her William, such memories were not privy to everyone. Her throat closed as emotion swamped her.

“I love you,” she said.

William stopped and looked at her, his eyes pools of emotion. “I love you more.”

Maddie grinned. “Perhaps some other time, my lord, but today I do not feel like quarrelling with you.”

“’Twould seem we are in agreement, ma chère.”

Maddie kissed him. “Well, it was bound to happen one day.”

“True,” William replied. “And it only took nine-hundred years.”

Maddie laughed.

THE END

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