'Was the messenger from the king or from my brother?' Madelyne asked. She was so frightened inside now, yet knew she'd have to hide her fear from Adela. Aye, the sister depended on Madelyne's strength, and she couldn't fail her now.
'I don't know who the message came from. I didn't hear the beginning of what he was saying.'
'Tell me what you did hear,' Madelyne suggested. 'You're to be taken to the king's court immediately. The messenger said that even though you've been… soiled…' Adela's voice cracked then and she paused to compose herself. Madelyne bit on her lower lip until it numbed. She fought the urge to grab Adela by her shoulders and shake the rest of the story out of her.
'You're to be married as soon as you reach London.'
'I see.' Madelyne whispered. 'We knew it was coming, Adela. We knew Louddon would do something. Did you catch the name of the man I'm to wed?' Adela nodded. 'Morcar.'
The sister covered her face with her hands, weeping uncontrollably now. Madelyne didn't have to hide her expression now. She thought she was going to be sick. 'What about Duncan, Adela?' she managed to ask. 'What did he say to this messenger? Was he in agreement?'
'He didn't say a word. The soldier recited his message and then returned to the others waiting outside the walls.'
'How many soldiers did Louddon send?'
'I don't know,' Adela whispered. ' Edmond and Gilard were shouting at each other once the soldier had left. Duncan didn't say anything. He just stood there in front of the fire with his hands clasped behind his back.'
'He separates himself,' Madelyne said. 'I don't understand.'
'Your brother must assume two positions in his household, Adela. He is lord and he is brother. I can imagine what Edmond and Gilard were arguing about. Edmond would want me given over to Louddon as soon as possible, while Gilard would argue in favor of a battle to keep me here.' Adela was shaking her head before Madelyne finished her suppositions. 'Nay, Edmond doesn't want you handed over to Louddon's men,' she said. ' Edmond championed my cause?'
'He did,' Adela said. 'And he suggested that I be sent to my sister, Catherine, for a brief visit. He's worried that all of this will be too much for me. I don't want to go anywhere. Catherine's so much older than I am, and her husband is most unusual…'
Madelyne stood up and slowly walked over to the window. She opened the shutters and stared out into the wilderness. She knew she needed to gain control of the seething anger building inside her. 'Did you know, Adela, that a Spartan child was taken from his mother at a very early age and sent to live with the soldiers? The little boys were taught to steal. It was considered cunning to be a good thief.'
'Madelyne, what are you talking about? How can you tell me stories now?' Madelyne turned around, letting Adela see the tears streaming down her cheeks. Adela had never seen Madelyne cry before.
'I find comfort in the old stories, Adela. They're familiar to me. Once I've calmed my mind, I'll be able to think clearly. Then I can decide what's to be done.'
Adela, stunned into submission by the pain she saw in her friend's eyes, quickly nodded.
Madelyne turned back to look out the window. She stared at the lower crest. And who will feed my wolf when I'm gone, she asked herself. Odd, but the picture of Duncan came into her mind. She confused him with her wolf, realized then that he needed as much taking care of as her wild beast. Probably more.
It didn't make sense to her, this need to straighten out Duncan 's bleak life until she was satisfied with it.
'My uncle and I would sit before the fire every evening. I learned to play the psaltery. Uncle would join in with his viele some evenings when he wasn't too tired. It was a most peaceful time, Adela.'
'Weren't there any young people there, Madelyne? Every time you tell a story, you speak of such old, frail people.'
'Uncle Berton lived at the Grinsteade holding. Baron Morton was very old. And then Fathers Robert and Samuel came to stay with us as well. They all got along but I was the only one who'd play chess with Baron Morton. He cheated something fierce. Uncle said it wasn't a sin, just cantankerous, ornery behavior because he was so old.'
Madelyne didn't speak again for a long while. Adela stared into the fire while Madelyne stared out into the night.
It wasn't working this time. Madelyne's bid to gain control wasn't going to happen. She could feel her composure cracking. Fury was building inside her.
'We must find someone to protect you,' Adela whispered.
'If I am forced to return to Louddon, all my plans will be ruined. I was going to go to Scotland. Edwythe would have welcomed me into her home.'
' Madelyne, Scotland is where-' Adela was about to explain that Catherine lived in Scotland and was married to a cousin of Scotland 's king.
She wasn't given a chance to explain. 'Why in God's name am I worrying about my plans being ruined? Louddon will kill me or give me to Morcar. Then Morcar will kill me.' Madelyne let out a harsh laugh, sending a shiver down Adela's legs. 'I still can't believe Louddon is bothering with me. When he chased after Duncan after his fortress was destroyed, I thought he wanted to kill only Duncan. Yet now he has sent men for me.' Madelyne paused, shaking her head. 'I don't understand any of this.'
Before Adela could offer comfort, Madelyne suddenly turned and started for the door. 'Madelyne. You must stay here. Duncan hasn't given you permission-'
'I must find a protector, Adela, isn't that the way of it?' she shouted over her shoulder. 'Well, Duncan 's fit enough for the task.'
'What are you going to do?'
'Your brother is going to send Louddon's men away. And I am going to instruct him on the matter now.'
Before Adela could caution Madelyne, her friend was out the door and running down the steps. Adela hurried after her. 'Madelyne, you think to instruct my brother?' Her voice squeaked with worry.
'I do,' Madelyne shouted.
Adela had to sit down on the step. She was stunned by the change in Madelyne. Her dear friend had lost her mind. Adela watched Madelyne continue down the circular stairs, her hair flying out behind her. Only when Madelyne had disappeared down the next level did Adela realize she should try to help her. No matter how frightening the prospect, she was determined to face Duncan by Madelyne's side. Why, she might even be able to speak up to him.
Madelyne reached the entrance to the hall and paused to gain a breath. Edmond and Gilard were seated across from each other at the dining table. Duncan was standing with his back to the entrance, directly in front of the blazing fire.
Edmond was just finishing his comments to his brothers. Madelyne only heard the last of what he was saying. 'Then it's agreed that Duncan will take her-'
Madelyne immediately jumped to the conclusion that everyone thought it a good idea to give her over to Louddon's men.
'I'm not going anywhere.'
Her bellow got an immediate reaction. Duncan slowly turned around and looked at her. She watched him a long moment and then turned her attention to his brothers. Gilard had the audacity to smile, as if he found her outburst amusing, while Edmond, true to his contrary nature, scowled.
Duncan didn't show any reaction. Madelyne picked up her skirts. She slowly walked over to stand directly in front of him. 'You captured me, Duncan. That was your decision,' she announced. 'Now I've a decision to tell you. I'm staying caught. Do I make myself clear on that issue?'
His eyes showed his surprise. Aye, he'd heard every word. And why wouldn't he? she asked herself. She'd fairly roared her decision right into his face.
When he just continued to stare at her, Madelyne thought he might be trying to frighten her. Well, it wasn't going to work this time. 'You're stuck with me, Duncan.'
Damn, her voice shook.
Edmond stood up, upsetting his chair. The sound turned Madelyne's attention. She slowly walked over to the table, her hands on her hips. 'You can rid yourself of that frown, Edmond, or I promise God I'll smack it right off
