His reaction was most satisfactory. For once he wasn't able to keep his expression contained. He was looking at her in astonishment. Madelyne smiled.
'You may laugh if you've a mind to, but I saw either a very large dog or a wild wolf, and I did feel it was my duty to feed him, just until the weather improves and he can hunt again. Of course, it will mean an entire winter ahead to see to his food, but come next spring, with the first warm breeze, I'm certain my wolf will be able to fend for himself.'
Duncan turned his back on Madelyne and walked away.
Madelyne felt like laughing. He hadn't denied her walks outside his fortress, and that was victory enough to gloat over.
In truth, Madelyne didn't think the wild dog was in the area any longer. She looked out her window every night since first sighting the animal, but he was never there. The dog had left, and sometimes, late at night when she was huddled under the covers, she'd wonder if she'd really seen the animal or if he'd just been a figment of her overactive imagination.
Madelyne would never admit that to Duncan, however, and gained perverse pleasure each time she walked across the drawbridge. The food she had left the day before was always gone, indicating that there were animals feeding during the night. She was happy knowing the food wasn't wasted. And she was even happier vexing Duncan.
Aye, she did it just to irritate him. And from the way Duncan avoided her, she thought she had succeeded.
The days would have been enjoyable if Madelyne hadn't had to worry about the dinner hours. That did put a weight on her shoulders and a strain on her gentle nature.
She stayed outside as much as possible, ignoring the rain and the cold. Gerty had given her cast-off clothing that had belonged to Duncan 's older sister, Catherine. The garments were too large, but Madelyne put her needle and thread to them and the result was more than adequate for her needs. She didn't care if she was fashionable. The clothes were faded but clean, and felt soft against her skin. Most important, they kept her warm.
Each afternoon Madelyne walked to the stables with a clump of sugar to give to Duncan 's stallion, the white beauty she'd named Silenus. She and the horse had formed a bond of sorts. The stallion would set up a terrible fuss, pretending to try to knock the wooden stall apart whenever he caught sight of Madelyne approaching. Yet as soon as she spoke to him, Silenus would settle down. Madelyne understood the animal's need to show off for her, and she always praised his spirit after giving him his treat.
Silenus, for all his size, was becoming affectionate. He'd nudge her hand until she petted him, and when she'd stop and rest her hand on the railing, a trick to gain a reaction, Silenus would immediately nudge her hand back on his head.
The stablemaster didn't like Madelyne visiting and stated his opinion loud enough for her to hear. He also thought she spoiled Duncan 's horse and even threatened to tell the lord what she was up to. He was all bluster though. Aye, the stablemaster was amazed by Madelyne's gifted way with the horse. He was still a wee bit nervous whenever he saddled Duncan 's stallion, but this mite of a girl didn't seem the least afraid.
On the third afternoon, the stablemaster spoke to Madelyne, and by week's end, they were fast friends.
His name was James, Madelyne learned, and he was married to Maude. Their son, William, was still attached to his mama's skirts, but James was patiently awaiting the time when the boy would be old enough to become apprentice under him. The child would follow tradition, James explained with an air of importance.
'Silenus would let you ride him bareback,' James announced after he'd given Madelyne a tour of his domain.
Madelyne smiled. James had accepted her name for Duncan 's mount. 'I've never ridden bareback,' she said. ' 'Tis the truth, James, that I've not ridden much at all.'
'Perhaps,' James suggested with a kind smile, 'when the rain eases a bit, you could learn the proper way.'
Madelyne nodded.
'Now, if you've never learned, how'd you get from one place to the next, I'm wondering,' James admitted.
'I walked,' Madelyne told him. She laughed over his look of surprise. ' 'Tis not a sin I'm confessing.'
'I've a gentle mare you could start your practicing with,' he suggested.
'Nay, I think not,' Madelyne answered. 'Silenus wouldn't like that much. I think his feelings might be injured, and we can't allow that, now, can we?'
'We can't?' James looked confused.
'I'll do well enough with Silenus.'
''Tis the lord's stallion you're wanting to ride, milady?' James stammered. He sounded as if he were strangling.
'I know whom he belongs to,' Madelyne returned. 'Don't concern yourself over the animal's size,' she said, trying to ease the incredulous look off his face. 'I've ridden Silenus before.'
'But do you have the lord's permission?'
'I shall gain it, James.'
Madelyne smiled again, and all the logical arguments went right out of the stablemaster's mind. Aye, he told himself, from the look in her pretty blue eyes and the way she smiled up at him so trustingly, James suddenly found himself in complete agreement.
When Madelyne left the stable, the guard walked beside her. He was a constant reminder to her and to everyone else that she was not an invited guest. Anthony's attitude toward her had softened considerably though. He wasn't nearly as irritated by his duty.
From the way Anthony was greeted by the other soldiers, Madelyne surmised he was well thought of. He had an attractive smile, a boyish grin it was, which was at great odds with his size and age. She couldn't understand why he'd been ordered to watch her, thinking that someone of lesser stature, such as Ansel, the squire, would have been better suited for the placid duty.
Her curiosity increased, until she finally decided to question him. 'Have you done something to displease your lord?'
Anthony didn't seem to understand her question.
'When the soldiers return from their work, I can see the envious way you watch them, Anthony. You'd like to be training with them instead of walking with me in circles.'
''Tis no trouble,' Anthony protested.
'Still, I don't understand why you've been given this duty unless you've displeased Duncan some way.'
'I've an injury needing to heal a bit more.' Anthony explained. His voice was hesitant, and Madelyne noticed the blush that slowly crept up from his neck.
She thought it most odd that he would be embarrassed. Seeking only to put him at ease, she said, 'I've also suffered an injury, and not too mild, I can tell you that.' It did sound like a boast, but her goal was to make Anthony realize he had nothing to be ashamed of. 'Almost did me in, Anthony, but Edmond took care of me. I've a horrid scar now, down the length of my thigh.'
Anthony continued to look uncomfortable with their topic. 'Don't soldiers think it noble when they're injured in battle?' Madelyne asked.
'They do,' Anthony answered. He clasped his hands behind his back and increased his pace.
It suddenly dawned on Madelyne that Anthony might be embarrassed about just where he'd sustained his wound. His arms and legs looked fit enough, and that left only his chest and his…
'We'll not speak of this again,' Madelyne blurted out. She felt her face warm. When Anthony immediately slowed his pace, Madelyne knew she was right. The injury was in an inappropriate place.
Though she never questioned Anthony about it, Madelyne thought it curious that the soldiers trained such long hours every day. She supposed that defending their lord was difficult work, considering the fact that their leader had so many enemies. She didn't think she was jumping to conclusions either. Duncan wasn't an easy man to like; he certainly wasn't given to being tactful or diplomatic. Why, he'd probably collected more enemies than friends in William II's court.
She was, unfortunately, given plenty of time to think about Duncan. She wasn't at all accustomed to having so much unstructured time on her hands. When she wasn't outside walking with Anthony, she drove Gerty and
