Medieval Ever After (68 page)

“My lady, you do no’ need to thank me.” He stepped forward, and Madeline stepped a couple of paces back, though her smile did not drop from her face.
Again
, he thought,
she backs away from me.
He did not move again, thinking mayhap he smelled unpleasant after working so hard.

But his thoughts jumped to the situation he had found her in a few nights ago.

“Do not be concerned for your stepbrother. He was hurting you, was he no’? I would have done whatever was necessary in order to stop his cruelty. ‘Tis no’ right to beat a woman over anything, let alone a betrothal. Lass, you have my apologies for no’ getting you away from him sooner. And if he comes for you, rest assured that I will protect you. He will not hurt you again!” Alex’s men turned to stare at him as his voice escalated to a shout.

Madeline seemed to be cringing away from him, so he forced himself to calm down to avoid upsetting her more.

“But I do not want anyone hurt because of me,” Madeline whispered.

Alex’s bluster blew again. Was the woman daft? She could be hurt, but no one else could be?

“If your stepbrother or Niles Comming tries to come to my keep to get you, someone will be hurt.” He tried to rein in his anger, but lost the battle.

Maddie stepped back, clutching her hand to her chest.

“No one will touch you again!” Al could feel the fire burning in his chest as he spoke, his entire body rigid. The thought of anyone harming Maddie made him clench his hands in rage.

He knew his fervor probably frightened her, but he couldn’t help himself. Staring at the ground in frustration, he had to fight the desire to stomp his feet. She had no notion of her own value. Why did she not understand men did not have the right to touch her whenever they wanted? He would have to show her that she was special, but he did not know how. This woman took away his ability to reason. When he lifted his gaze, he found himself drowning in her blue eyes once again.

Her beautiful face and delicate skin were all he could see.

Her voice interrupted his thoughts, “Thank you, Laird, and please convey my thanks to your brother as well.” Maddie graced him with a timid smile and fled.

Alex watched her go and sighed.
Great, I have scared her away
again
.
Why does she make me daft?
He reminded himself he was laird with many responsibilities—he could not spend all his time thinking of one woman. He vowed to keep a clear head around Madeline in the future. He would not allow her to interfere with his responsibilities. With that settled in his mind, he turned back to his men.

“Robbie, where are you?” Alex grinned as he bore down on his brother. Robbie was the only lad in his clan who could offer him a challenge with the sword. He definitely needed someone to practice on right now.

Robbie smirked as he peered over Alex’s shoulder at Madeline’s departing form. “What has addled your mind?”

Alex withdrew his sword, alerting his brother to do the same. He brought the sword down repeatedly, but Robbie expertly deflected his blows, sending the sound of clashing steel ringing through the air.

Robbie danced in a circle, both hands on his sword. “Could the reason you are in this fury have golden hair, brother?”

After a thorough workout, Robbie finally conceded and patted Alex on the back.

“Good to see you befuddled for a change. Everybody loses control once in a while.”

Alex stared at his brother. “I do no’ know what you are talking about. I do not lose control. Ever!” With that, he stalked away.

His confusing feelings for Maddie had made a liar of him.

RESCUED BY A HIGHLANDER

CHAPTER TEN

Maddie decided to
search out the youngest of the clan, something guaranteed to make her smile. She found Jennie and they headed out to the bailey, searching for anyone interested in listening to one of her stories.

She sat on the ground with Jennie, surrounded by weans of various ages. She had them all enraptured with a tale of fairies in the forest, and she could see the delight in their gazes. How sweet they were. Her pain bothered her a bit, but the bairns made it all tolerable. As Madeline continued her story, Alex appeared out of nowhere and his gaze found hers. She blushed and paused for a moment before continuing with her tale.

Madeline’s pulse raced when she caught Alex watching her. She finished her story and waved to him, but he only smiled and moved on to the keep. As she glanced at the wee ones around her, she imagined what it would be like to have a husband like Alex. To have bairns who belonged to them. As she hugged each of the ladies and lassies and promised them another story soon, she sighed and bowed her head. That life sounded wonderful, but it could never be for her. She had experienced a man’s touch, and she never wished to do so again. How did other women bear it?

Fortunately, she had already had her courses after that night with Niles. As eager as Maddie was for the terrible marriage to never happen, Alice had actually cried tears of happiness when Maddie started to bleed.

But perhaps coupling with a man like Alex would be more tolerable. He was a much gentler man. But how many times did it take to make a bairn? Maybe Brenna knew. Even though she was most likely still a maid, she was a healer, and thus, maybe had assisted with the birth of a few bairns. Mayhap she had heard talk amongst the women. She would have to find a way to ask her.

Stop your dreaming. It can never be
, the cruel voice in her head insisted.
He could have any lass he wants, so why would he want you?

No, she was going to a convent. She had no choice.

Brenna approached coming from the direction of her gardens, stopping because she apparently noticed the worry on Maddie’s face. “Is everything all right, Maddie? There must be something I can do to help you.”

“I am fine, Brenna, there is no need to worry about me. May I assist you with your garden?”

“Mayhap tomorrow, Maddie. I think it is time to change your dressing and put more salve on your back.”

***

Alex leaned over the side of the battlements, his favorite vantage point. He drew in a deep breath of the cool night air, hoping to clear his jumbled thoughts. Realizing he was searching for a golden halo in the area beneath him, he shook his head in disgust. Of course, Maddie would not be there. She was probably abed.

“Alex, may I have a word with you?”

He turned as Brenna approached. “Of course, you know I would do anything for you. What is it?”

“Did you really mean what you said about marrying Maddie?”

Alex sighed as he stood and crossed his arms. “Nay, Brenna, I have too many responsibilities to take the time to marry. I doubt Madeline would even consider me, but I am trying to get to know her better. I enjoy having her near me, but she does not appear to return the feeling. Every time I step near the lass, she backs away from me. I try not to frighten her, but it appears I do.”

“You know she has a tender heart. I think she is confused right now. I hope you are not planning to send her away.”

“Nay, ‘twould be too dangerous for her to leave until the situation is settled between her brother and the Comming. I still should not have mentioned marriage, at least no’ yet, but you know as well as I do how much Robbie and Brodie love to goad me.”

“Aye, they were having a wee bit of fun with you. But ‘tis rare for you to notice a lass, Alex. Mayhap if you tried to woo Madeline slowly, it would work. I think ‘twould be a good match, and anyone can see how wonderful she is with bairns. She is a sweet-hearted lass.”

“Aye, that I see. The lass does not seem to feel easy around me, but I will not give up yet. Has she talked about the Comming at all, Brenna?”

“Nay, when I ask her, she says she is not ready to talk. She needs time.”

“Aye, I know she was in a bad place. I will give her time. She has much healing to do.”

***

The next few days passed quickly. Maddie discovered she was exhausted. She was surprised at how much she slept, but her energy was slowly returning. Brenna fussed over her wounds and continued to apply salve to them daily. Time brought slow relief, as always.

She spent hours sitting outside near the keep, telling stories to the wee ones. Bairns and toddlers had always had a way of putting a smile on her face. Their innocence was precious to her, and it helped her forget her own troubles.

Alex spent most of his time training his men in the lists, and it hurt Maddie to think that it was her fault they needed to be prepared for a possible attack. Still, she could not regret that she was free of her brother. Her days were so much happier here. She sketched drawings to use with her storytelling, and Brenna had given her some needlework to help keep her busy. Everyone at the Grant keep treated her wonderfully, including the maids. She ignored the inevitable. Some day soon she would have to leave. But where did she belong?

One day, after breaking their fast, Brenna convinced Maddie to join her in the garden. Jennie had run off to pick apples with the servants, so they were alone together.

“‘Tis peaceful here, Maddie. ‘Tis why I like this place so much.” Brenna grabbed her friend’s hand as they walked toward the small, beautifully appointed plot of land.

“Aye, Brenna, ‘tis a wonderful place.” Maddie gazed around at the golden flowers lining the outside of the garden. Lavender plants filled the air with their sweet fragrance. She picked a flower and wove it into her waves. “You must teach me about the plants someday.”

“We can start today. You can help me transplant some of my herbs.” Both of them were dressed in old gowns, fit for working. It was unusual for the chatelaine of a keep to get her hands dirty, but Brenna had told her it relieved her stress.

Together, they worked steadily at weeding and transplanting. Surprised by how much she enjoyed working with the soil, Maddie hoped she would get to see the results of her gardening someday. After they toiled in the sun for a couple of hours, Brenna motioned for Maddie to follow her. “Come join me for some water.” They found a stone bench under a shade tree and shared a drink.

They sat quietly for a few moments, enjoying the sound of the birdsong overhead and the sight of the Grant land stretching out in front of them. The fall colors were brilliant at this time of year. Red leaves were her favorite and some trees were starting to turn.

Maddie sighed and glanced at her friend. “Do you know what your brother’s plans are for me, Brenna?”

“I am no’ sure what you mean. ‘Tis no’
his
choice; ‘tis yours. What do you want to do?”

“I have no other kin, and I will never marry the Comming, so I do not think there are many choices for me. I cannot impose on you and your family forever. You have done so much for me already. I think maybe it is time to think about entering a convent.”

Brenna leaned over and grabbed her friend’s hands. “A convent? Maddie, what makes you say such a thing?”

“What other choice do I have, Brenna?” Maddie’s voice cracked as she attempted to smile.

“You can stay with us. We have plenty of room. Mayhap Alex and I can find a nice man for you to marry. Or is it your desire to be in a convent?”