Madelyne picked up her skirt and hurried after Duncan, calling over her shoulder, 'I'm certain he has good reason for his order.'
She had to run to catch up with him. 'Why do I have to return to the tower?' she asked when she was certain Adela couldn't hear her.
They'd reached the landing when Duncan turned to her. He wanted to shake her teeth loose, but the smear of dirt on the bridge of her nose drew his attention. He used his thumb to wipe the dirt away.
'Your face is covered with dirt, Madelyne. Aye, you're flawed now. Should I throw you out a convenient window, do you suppose?'
It took Madelyne a moment to understand what Duncan was talking about. 'The Spartans didn't throw their captives out windows,' she answered. 'Only ill-formed babies. They were mighty warriors with mean hearts,' she added. 'They ruled with complete control,' Duncan said. His thumb slowly moved to her lower lip. He couldn't stop himself from rubbing his thumb against her mouth. 'Without compassion.'
Madelyne couldn't seem to move away. She stared up into Duncan 's eyes while she tried to follow their conversation. 'Without compassion?'
'Aye,'tis the way a leader should rule.'
'It isn't,' Madelyne whispered.
Duncan nodded. 'The Spartans were invincible.'
'See you any Spartans now, Duncan?' Madelyne asked. He shrugged, though he couldn't help but smile over her ridiculous question. 'They might have been invincible, but they're all dead now.'
Lord, her voice shook. She knew the reason well enough. Duncan was looking at her so intently and pulling her toward him ever so slowly.
He didn't kiss her. It was a disappointment.
Madelyne sighed.
'Madelyne, I'll not deny myself much longer,' Duncan whispered. His head was bent, his mouth bare inches away from her own.
'You'll not?' Madelyne asked, sounding breathless again.
'Nay, I'll not,' Duncan muttered. He sounded angry now. Madelyne shook her head in confusion.
' Duncan, I would allow you to kiss me now,' she told him. 'There's no need to deny yourself.'
His answer to her honest admission was to grab hold of her hand and drag her up the stairs to the tower.
'You'll not be captive here much longer,' Duncan announced.
'Then you admit it was a mistake bringing me here?' she asked.
He could hear the fear in her voice. 'I never make mistakes, Madelyne.'
He hadn't bothered to turn around and look at her, and he didn't speak again until they reached the door to her room. When Duncan reached for the handle, Madelyne blocked the door by leaning against it. 'I can open my own door,' she said, 'and you most certainly do make mistakes. I was your biggest mistake of all.'
She really hadn't meant to phrase her statement that way. Lord, she had actually insulted herself.
Duncan smiled. He'd obviously caught her blunder. Then he pulled her out of the way and opened the bedroom door. Madelyne rushed inside and tried to slam the door shut behind her.
Duncan wouldn't let her. The fat's in the fire now, Madelyne thought, bracing herself for his reaction to the changes she'd made.
He couldn't believe what he was seeing. Madelyne had changed the stark cell into an inviting retreat. The walls had been washed and a large beige-colored tapestry was centered on the wall facing him. The hanging told the story of the final battle of William's invasion; the colors were vivid, the figures of the soldiers stitched in red and blue. It was a simple design, but pleasing too.
The bed was covered with a blue quilt. Across the room were two large chairs, both covered with red cushions. They were set at an angle to the hearth. There were footstools in front of each chair. Duncan noticed an unfinished tapestry propped up against one of the chairs. Brown threads dangled to the floor. The outline of the design was sufficiently stitched for him to recognize what it was going to be. It was the design of Madelyne's imaginary wolf.
The muscle in the side of his jaw flinched. Twice. Madelyne wasn't sure what that meant. She waited, her temper gaining timber for a blazing retort when he started yelling at her.
Duncan never said a word. He turned and pulled the door closed behind him.
The scent of roses followed him down the stairs. He held his temper until he reached the entrance to the hall. Gilard spotted him and immediately rushed over to speak to him. His voice was filled with youthful eagerness when he asked, 'Is Lady Madelyne receiving visitors yet this morning?'
Duncan 's bellow could be heard all the way up in the tower.
Gilard's eyes widened. He'd never heard Duncan yell like that. Edmond strolled into the hallway just in time to watch Duncan leave.
'What's got him so riled?' Gilard asked.
'Not what, Gilard, but who,' Edmond remarked.
'I don't understand.'
Edmond smiled and then whacked his brother on the shoulder. 'Neither does Duncan, but I wager he will soon enough.'
Chapter Thirteen
'The race is not to the swift nor the buttle to the strong…'
Madelyne worked on her tapestry. Her mind wasn't on the task, however; she kept repeating Duncan 's remarks. What had he meant when he told her she wasn't going to be his captive much longer?
She knew she'd have to confront him soon. She'd been acting like such a coward and was honest enough to admit the truth. She was frightened of hearing his answers.
The door suddenly flew open. Adela rushed into the room. Duncan 's little sister was terribly distressed. She looked close to weeping.
Madelyne jumped to her feet. 'Who has upset you so?' she demanded to know, already jumping to the conclusion that Duncan was responsible.
Adela burst into tears. Madelyne hurried to close the door. She put her arm around Adela then and led her over to one of the chairs. 'Sit down and calm yourself. Why, it can't possibly be as terrible as you're carrying on,' she soothed her.
Madelyne prayed she was right. 'Tell me what has caused such tears and I'll make it right again.'
Adela nodded, but once she looked up at Madelyne, she started crying again. Madelyne sat down on the stool facing Adela and patiently waited.
'Your brother has sent men to fetch you, Madelyne. Duncan allowed the messenger inside. That's why you've been ordered back to your room. Duncan didn't want the soldier to see you.'
'Why? Everyone knows I'm captive here. Louddon-'
'You misunderstand,' Adela interrupted. ' Edmond told Gilard he thought Duncan didn't want the messenger to see that you're being treated well.' She paused to dab at the corners of her eyes with the cuff of her gown. 'You do think you've been treated well, don't you, Madelyne?'
'Good God, is that why you're crying?' Madelyne asked. 'Of course I've been treated well. Just look around you, Adela,' she added with a little smile. 'Doesn't my room look comfortable enough?'
'I shouldn't have listened to what the messenger was telling Duncan, but I did. Gilard and Edmond were there and they heard every word too. Duncan didn't make them leave. And no one noticed me, Madelyne. I'm certain of it.'
