Medieval Ever After (75 page)

“Of course. You know I cherish your company. Where is everyone this morn?” Maddie glanced around the quiet hall again.

“Alice is still recovering, so she returned to her chamber to rest. Old Hugh was very busy this morning, so Mac has gone to the stables to help him.”

“Why was Old Hugh so busy?” Maddie asked, trying to pay attention to Brenna. What she really wanted to know was how to find Alex.

“Alex came into the hall this morning in a fierce mood. He gathered near to two hundred of his guard and left straightaway. He barked at everyone he encountered.” Brenna raised her eyebrows as she stared at Madeline.

Madeline chewed her lip with worry. “Where were they going?”

“He said he was going after Niles and your stepbrother. He told the men they would not return until they were found.”

Madeline gasped and stared at Brenna. “Oh, nay!”

“I don’t know what rankled my brother so. I haven’t seen him like this in a long time. Most of us know not to cross him when he is in such a bleak mood, so only a couple of lads had to find out the hard way. Mayhap you might have an idea about what put my brother into this mood?”

Maddie cringed under her friend’s gaze. “What do you mean?”

“Those who were foolish enough to question their laird are presently cleaning out the garderobes. They were not allowed to join the jaunt. My brother does not tolerate anyone questioning his decisions. Alex, of course, had to leave some men behind to protect the keep.”

Maddie’s belly collapsed. She stopped eating and fought to keep her porridge down.

“What’s wrong?” Brenna asked quietly.

“Oh, Brenna, I told Alex about the rape. He seemed very upset when I told him, but I thought he was upset with me.”

Brenna rubbed Maddie’s arm. “That explains much about his mood this morning. But you must know that Alex would not be upset with you. He has a strong sense of honor, and my brothers were taught to respect women. He is probably furious that Kenneth allowed such a thing to happen. I know my brother—when he says something, he means it. They will not return before they find Kenneth and Niles. I have faith in my brother to do the right thing. You must, too.” Brenna gave a fierce nod and left the room.

For the rest of the day, Maddie forced herself to stay busy to avoid focusing on her anxiety, but the worried thoughts did not leave her. The men could be back in a day or in a month. Who knew how long it would take them to find Niles or Kenneth? What if Alex lost and was taken captive? What if they killed him? She could not bear to think about losing him now.

Could she possibly hope he still wanted her after learning she was no longer a maiden? She found herself lost in all that was Alex. She remembered his gentleness, the way his skin felt against hers, the way his lips tasted. The way he gazed at her made her heart melt. Conjuring up his scent, his warmth, his essence, she realized her heart was totally captured by the fierce highlander.

Though she was sure it was too soon for Alex to be in love with her, maybe that would change some day. Could she be happy being his mistress if that was the only way she could have him?

***

Two days later, there was still no word of the men. Maddie searched outside for her little ones, hoping to occupy her time with telling them stories. As she strolled down the hill, she spotted a small group of children in the middle of the courtyard on the grass. She waved and several of them ran up to greet her. Wee Emma was just learning to walk, so she struggled to keep up with the others. Maddie greeted them all and then swept by to scoop Emma in her arms.

“Oh, what a big lass you are, Emma! You are walking about like an expert. I am so proud of you.” Maddie glanced at Emma’s mother, who beamed back at her.

“She has been waiting to show you, my lady. She is quite proud of her new talent.”

“As she should be.” Maddie hugged the little girl tight and set her down with the others. “What is everyone doing this morning?” she asked as she looked at her little group of darlings.

Jennie came tearing out of the keep, running right up to them. “We have been waiting for you, Maddie,” she said eagerly. “We were hoping you would tell us another story.”

“Please, my lady, please!” A loud cacophony of little voices greeted her. How could she refuse them?

Maddie eased herself down on the grassy knoll. “I would be happy to tell you a story, but be sure to sit close to me so you can hear me well.” Emma toddled over and plopped herself into Maddie’s lap.

Several stories later, a low rumbling noise interrupted her words.

Tommy jumped up, screaming, “They’re back! The guardsmen are back! I can’t wait to see my da. My lady, you must come and look with me.”

Maddie handed wee Emma to her mother and then followed Tommy to the staircase to the battlements. What Maddie saw in the valley beneath them made her freeze in place.

Horses—so many she couldn’t count. They filled her vision, moving swiftly toward the keep. Shouts from the clan guardsmen reverberated as they drew near. She saw horses with men, horses without them, and she thought she saw some men tied to horses. What had she done?

She grabbed the stone wall to steady herself. Alex? Where was Alex? Her eyes searched for him, but the guards were still too far away for her to find him in the crowd. Blood pounded through her temples as she scanned the horizon.

“Someday I will ride as a guardsman for Laird Grant!” Tommy pulled on her hand to get her attention. “My da said I could if I work real hard. I will, won’t I?”

Maddie glanced at Tommy, but could not focus on his words. Her hand went to her mouth as she continued to search the sea of Highlanders for one man. As they drew closer, she was finally able to pick him out, riding in the front with a grim look on his face. Was that blood running down his arm? Was he seriously injured? Maddie’s eyes blurred as she turned to race back down the stone steps.

She fought for control, for focus, but she was not sure she could deal with this situation. What if Alex had come back with both Kenneth and Niles? Saints above, the possibility of seeing them both again was more terrible than she could bear. She rushed so fast toward the steps of the keep, she tripped over a stone in the courtyard. Jennie’s voice called out to her as she caught her fall, but as soon as she was steady, she continued on toward the steps. She had to get inside. She had to get to the safety of her room.

Please, Papa. Don’t make me have to face them again.

Her skirts crinkled in her hand, she charged forward blindly. The grate of the portcullis raising broke into her thoughts, unleashing panic within her.

Lord, please help me.

Total chaos erupted as mothers shoved their little ones into their cottages and everyone else ran toward the gates. The thundering of horses’ hooves came closer and closer. The air filled with clouds of dirt and angry shouts.

Maddie grabbed wee Jennie as the lassie approached the steps. Jennie’s eyes were huge as she watched Alex lead the men into the bailey.

“What is happening, Maddie?” she cried out. “I don’t understand. My brother looks so mean and mad. What has happened to him! Maddie, please, make this stop!”

Maddie held Jennie tight as Alex and his brothers approached on horseback. “I am not sure, Jennie,” she whispered. She wound her trembling arms around the lassie and buried her face in her hair.

Alex’s black destrier stopped in front of them, prancing with excitement. Madeline stared wide-eyed at Alex. He sat tall, his sword at his waist, blood weaving a current down his left arm. His dark eyes wrenched her gut as they connected with hers. After a long moment, she tore her eyes from Alex and searched behind him.

Two men were bound and gagged on their horses, thrashing to get free. Robbie punched one of the men in his belly as he yanked him from the horse. Another guard did the same with the other.

Niles and Kenneth!

Madeline’s vision blurred as she watched as the men were roughly toppled from their horses. She shrank back and closed her eyes, shuddering, and reminded herself they were both tied up and could not hurt her now. Alex would never allow it.

Madeline vaguely heard Alex shout to Jennie, “Inside!” His wee sister took off toward the keep without question. Maddie turned around in confusion, unsure of what to do or where to go.

Alex dismounted, strode toward her, and briefly bowed his head before returning to the center of the courtyard, bringing her with him. He strode with conviction, his muscles bulging down his forearms, rippling in his legs. The other guards followed, and stable boys rushed forward to remove the horses in the melee. Madeline stood to Alex’s right, slightly behind him, while Niles and Kenneth still stood bound and gagged amidst a circle of soldiers, their faces twisted in anger and indignation.

Alex’s people gathered in close, seemingly in awe of what was happening. More and more streamed in through the gates, anxious to see the laird and his men. Once the horses had all been removed, a dead silence hung in the air as everyone waited to hear what their laird had to say. What would Alex do next?

Madeline’s insides turned to water. Anger was written all over Alex’s face. Tension was evident in his every muscle, and she could almost feel the rage coursing through his body. She glanced at Niles and Kenneth, hoping they had not noticed her yet, then quietly moved away from Alex, hoping she could slip inside without being noticed. She was not sure she could face Niles and Kenneth together.

“Madeline!” Alex hollered. “Stop where you are and be still!” He turned to face the crowd.

Madeline froze in her path and turned toward the courtyard. “Yes, Laird Grant,” she whispered with her head down. She slowly raised her eyes to meet Kenneth’s. He sneered at her, despite the gag in his mouth, but he wasn’t so overbearing in his present state. Maddie inched her chin up and stood tall. She scanned all the people gathered in the courtyard, noting their bewildered looks. Well, they would probably hear all now. She was determined to keep her head up. Alex would want her to be strong.

Alex pointed to Maddie’s stepbrother with his sword. “Remove the prisoner’s gag!”

Kenneth shouted obscenities and accusations as soon as his mouth was freed. “How dare you touch me, Grant! You have no right, you bastard! Return my sister to me. I am her guardian. The law says she is mine to do with as I wish.”

“And does the law include beating the lass with a horsewhip? I witnessed the effects of your cruelty, MacDonald. You will never get the chance to hurt her again. Madeline stays here with me. I will take the matter to the king if I must. He won’t side with you. You are my prisoner until he decides otherwise.”

As the two men battled with words, Madeline listened and subconsciously took a small step toward Alex. She realized what she was doing and inched a little closer yet. She trusted him to protect her. Who knew if Niles could possibly break his bindings? Mayhap Kenneth would break free and lunge for her. She rubbed the underside of her arms without thinking, tears blurring her vision. She inched a little closer to Alex.
Alex, I know you told me to stay still, but you are moving too far away
.
Please stay. Don’t let either of them touch me again.
She brushed at the invisible tears that threatened to roll down her cheeks. Certainly he would not be upset by a little movement.

Alex pointed to the Comming next, ordering for his gag to be removed, too. Niles spat on the ground in front of Alex. “You will pay for this, Grant. First, you back out of the contract with my sister, now you interfere with my betrothed. Madeline is mine. MacDonald betrothed her to me, and I want her back!”

“You are released from your betrothal to this lady. She does not want you, Comming. She never did,” Alex stated. “She is under my protection now, and you will no’ touch her again.”

“At whose orders is she under your protection, Grant?” Kenneth yelled out.

“At the lady’s request. She does not want anything to do with you or your friend.”

“And since when does a wench have any say about her future?” asked Kenneth.

Alex strode up to Kenneth and positioned the point of his sword at his throat. Madeline could not hold back a gasp.

“Since she came to my keep, MacDonald.” A small trickle of blood slid down Kenneth’s throat. The man’s face instantly went white and his knees buckled. One of Alex’s guards caught him before he went down.

Alex chuckled and turned to smirk at the Comming.

“She is mine, Grant!” Niles glanced around at the gathered crowd. “And she will tell you the very same. She begged me to take her maidenhead! Who could possibly want her now?” he yelled out for all the crowd to hear.

Madeline cringed as a collective gasp range out from the spectators. The crowd quieted as they waited to hear their laird’s response to the accusation. What would his people think of her? Her secret was out. She took two more steps toward Alex. He might be the only one willing to help her now. Her stomach churned from the sight and smell of so many male bodies. They could reach her in a moment if they decided to make her suffer for the Comming’s accusation. Her eyes snapped shut.

She loved so many of Alex’s clan. They had welcomed her with open arms, but how would they feel about her now? Who would allow someone so wanton to tell stories to their children? Her world crumbled in front of her, what was left of it, anyway. She opened her eyes and took another tentative step toward Alex. Toward safety.