again and rushed out. 'I've still to tell you my gratitude for helping my boy.'
Madelyne was about to answer Maude, when the servant continued. 'Mind you. I don't hold it against Lady Adela.
She can't help the way she is. But you went out of your way to comfort Willie and I'm grateful to you.'
'I didn't mean to hit him.'
The admission came from Adela. It was the first decent sentence she'd spoken. Maude and Madelyne shared a smile.
As soon as the door closed behind Maude, Madelyne pulled up a chair and sat down, facing Adela.
Adela refused to look at Madelyne. Her hands were folded together in her lap and she stared intently at them.
Madelyne was given plenty of time to study Duncan 's sister. Adela was actually very pretty. She had large brown eyes, golden brown hair, a surprise that, but once the dirt had been removed, the strands of blond were most noticeable.
She didn't look much like Duncan, yet she certainly shared his stubborn streak. Madelyne forced herself to be patient.
At least an hour passed before Adela finally looked up at Madelyne. 'What do you want from me?'
'I want you to tell me what happened to you.'
Adela's face immediately turned red. 'Do you want all the details, Madelyne? Will that give you pleasure?' Adela began to twist the cuff of the freshly laundered sleeping gown she wore.
'Nay, I won't gain pleasure,' Madelyne answered. Her voice sounded sad. 'But you've a need to tell it. There's poison inside of you, Adela, and you need to get rid of it. You'll feel better afterward, I promise you. And you won't have to keep up your childish act in front of your brothers anymore.'
Adela's eyes widened. 'How did you…' She suddenly realized what she was giving away.
Madelyne smiled. 'It's obvious to the most simpleminded that you don't hate me. We've crossed paths each day and you never screamed at me then. Nay, Adela, you've been too deliberate in your hatred.'
'I do hate you.'
'You do not,' Madelyne announced. 'You've nothing to hate me for. I've done nothing to harm you. We are both innocent and both caught in this war between our brothers. Aye, we are both innocent.'
'I'm no longer innocent,' Adela answered. 'And Duncan has gone to your bed every night, so I doubt that you're innocent either.'
Madelyne was astonished by Adela's words. Why did she think that Duncan had spent his nights with her? She was mistaken, of course, but Madelyne forced herself to concentrate on Adela's problem now. She could protest her own innocence later.
'I would kill your brother if I had a chance,' Adela announced. 'Why don't you just leave me alone? I want to die in peace.'
'Don't speak such sinful thoughts,' Madelyne returned. 'Adela, how can I help you if you…'
'Why? Why would you want to help me? You're Louddon's sister.'
'I've no loyalty toward my brother. He destroyed that long ago. When did you meet Louddon?' she asked most casually then, as if it really held no importance.
'In London,' Adela answered. 'And that is all I'm going to tell you.'
'We
'Secrets? There are no secrets, Madelyne. Everyone knows what happened to me.'
'I will hear the truth from you,' Madelyne announced. 'If we have to sit here and stare at each other all night, I'm more than willing.'
Adela looked at Madelyne a long while, obviously trying to make up her mind. She felt ready to burst into a thousand fragments. God, she was so tired of the deception, and so very lonely. 'And will you tell Louddon every word when you return to him?' she asked, though her voice was a hoarse whisper now.
'I'm never going back to Louddon,' Madelyne said. Her voice sounded her anger. 'I've a plan to go and live with my cousin. I don't know the way of it yet, but I'll get to Scotland even if I have to walk.'
'I believe you, you'll not tell Louddon. But what about Duncan? Will you tell him?'
'I'll tell no one unless you give me permission,' Madelyne answered.
'I met your brother when I was at court,' Adela whispered. 'He is a handsome man,' she added. 'He told me he loved me, pledged himself to me.'
Adela started to cry, and several minutes elapsed before she could regain control.
'I was already betrothed to Baron Gerald. The arrangement was made when I was ten years old. I was content until I met Louddon. I haven't seen Gerald since I was a little girl. God's truth, I'm not even sure I'd recognize him now. Duncan gave permission for me to go with Edmond and Gilard to court. Gerald was supposed to be there, and since the marriage vows were to be exchanged next summer, my brothers thought it a good idea for me to get to know my future husband. Duncan believed that Louddon was in Normandy with the king, you see. Else he'd never allow me near the court.'
Adela took a deep breath and then continued. 'Gerald wasn't there. He had reason enough,' she added, 'one of his vassals' homes had been attacked and he had to retaliate. Still, I was angry and disappointed.'
She shrugged then. Madelyne reached out and clasped her hands. 'I would have been disappointed too,' she offered. 'Everything happened so quickly, Madelyne. We were in London only two weeks. I knew how much Duncan disliked Louddon, but I didn't know why. We kept our meetings secret. He was always kind and considerate to me. I liked the attention. The meetings were easy to arrange, too, because Duncan wasn't there.'
'Louddon would have found a way,' Madelyne said. 'I think he used you to hurt your brother. You're very pretty, but I don't think Louddon loved you. He's not capable of loving anyone but himself. I know that now.'
'Louddon didn't touch me.'
The statement fell between them. Madelyne was stunned. She forced herself to keep her expression contained and then said, 'Please go on.'
'We agreed to meet in a chamber Louddon had found vacant the day before. It was well away from the rest of the guests, quite isolated. I knew what I was doing, Madelyne. I agreed to this meeting. I thought I loved your brother. I knew it was wrong, but I couldn't help how I felt. Lord, he was so handsome. Dear God, Duncan would kill me if he knew the truth.'
'Don't torment yourself, Adela. He won't know anything unless you tell him.'
'Louddon came to meet me,' Adela said. 'But he wasn't alone. His friend was with him and he was the one who… violated me.'
All of Madelyne's training in hiding her feelings saved her now. She showed no outward sign at Adela's shocking admission.
Duncan 's sister watched Madelyne. She waited to see repulsion. 'This doesn't make you-'
'Finish it,' Madelyne whispered.
The full sordid story poured out, haltingly at first and then with increased speed, and when Adela was finished, Madelyne gave her a few minutes to calm herself.
'Who was this man with Louddon? Give me his name.'
'Morcar.'
'I know the bastard,' Madelyne answered, unable to keep the rage out of her voice. Adela looked frightened by the outburst. Madelyne tried to push her anger aside. 'Why didn't you tell Duncan all of this? Not the part about making the choice to meet Louddon, of course, but about Morcar's involvement?'
'I couldn't,' Adela answered. 'I was so ashamed. And I was so badly beaten, I truly thought I was going to die. Louddon was as responsible as Morcar was… Oh, I don't know, but once I'd said Louddon's name to Gilard and Edmond, they didn't want to hear any more.'
Adela started weeping, but Madelyne quickly stopped her. 'All right then,' she said most matter-of-factly. 'You're to listen to me now. Your only sin was falling in love with the wrong man. I wish you could tell Duncan about Morcar, but that decision is yours to make, not mine. For as long as you bind me, I vow I'll keep your secret.'
'I trust you,' Adela answered. 'I've been watching you all week. You're nothing like your brother. You don't even look like him.'
