On Monday he told himself he married her because he wanted her to have a safe haven, a place to live without being afraid. Her unselfish act of kindness in trying to rescue him merited such a reward.
On Tuesday he told himself he married her because he wanted to bed her. Aye, lust was a good enough reason.
Wednesday he changed his mind, deciding that he'd pledged himself to her because she was weak and he was strong. All his training conditioned him for such a response. Madelyne was just like a vassal, and though she hadn't knelt on the ground and given him her pledge, it was still his duty to protect her. And so, compassion was the true reason after all.
Thursday arrived and with it came another realization. Why, he'd married Madelyne not only to protect her but to show her how valuable she really was. The early years spent with Louddon had been cruel years indeed. His gentle wife had been taught she was unworthy. She didn't believe she had value. Louddon had abused her sorely for two years, then sent her to her uncle Berton for a visit. It was obvious, even to Duncan, that Louddon had forgotten her existence. It was the only reason he could find for Madelyne living with the old priest for nearly ten years.
When he gave Madelyne his name, Duncan was actually showing her just how worthy she really was.
It was unfortunate, but that reason didn't even make it through the day.
He stubbornly ignored the truth. Duncan actually believed he'd be able to make passionate love to Madelyne every night and then ignore her during the day. It sounded reasonable enough to him. After all, he'd been most successful in separating himself from his family. He was lord and he was brother. Neither duty conflicted with the other. Aye, it sounded easy enough. Madelyne had worked herself into his heart, but that didn't mean she was going to affect his way of life.
The truth nagged him all week long, as irritating as the first whispering sounds of thunder. On Friday afternoon, just two weeks to the day after he'd married Madelyne, the storm erupted. Violently.
Duncan had just returned to the upper bailey when Edmond 's shout drew his attention. He turned, just in time to see Madelyne strolling toward the stables. The doors to the barn were wide open. Silenus had gotten free. The animal was galloping toward Madelyne, his head down, his hooves thundering. The huge stallion was about to trample her to death.
The stablemaster chased after the horse, holding a bridle in his hands. Anthony was right behind him. Both were shouting warnings to Madelyne, but Duncan decided the noise from the stallion's pace must have blocked out the sound, for his wife never even looked around her.
He was certain she was going to die.
'No!' The bellow came from the depths of his soul. Duncan 's heart felt as though it were being ripped out of his chest. All he could think of was getting to Madelyne and protecting her.
Everyone was running toward Madelyne, trying to save her.
And there wasn't even need.
Madelyne was oblivious to the chaos surrounding her. She kept her attention directed on Silenus. She carried his treat in her hand and was on her way to visit him when he lurched out of the stables and headed for her. She assumed the animal was eager to meet her halfway.
Silenus came within a breath of killing her. Dust flew around Madelyne's face when the stallion stopped so abruptly a scant inch or two in front of her. She waved her hand in front of her face to clear the air. Silenus immediately nudged her hand. The animal was looking for his clump of sugar, Madelyne guessed.
Everyone was too stunned to move. They watched the great stallion paw the ground and nudge Madelyne again. She laughed, delighted with his show of affection, finally holding her hand out for him to lick the sugar from her palm.
When the stallion was finished with his treat, Madelyne patted him. She noticed James and Anthony standing a short distance behind the animal then. Anthony was leaning against James for support.
Madelyne smiled at the men. 'Is your injury bothering you, Anthony? You look a little pale to me,' she said.
Anthony shook his head quite vigorously. Madelyne turned to James, took in his glassy-eyed stare. 'Did my lamb finally tear the door down? He's been trying for the longest time.'
When James didn't answer her, Madelyne decided Silenus must have given him a fright. 'Come, Silenus, I believe you've upset James,' she said. She slowly walked around the animal and headed for the stables. Silenus turned, quite docile now as he danced back toward his home. Her voice, crooning a soft melody, kept the beast trailing meekly behind her.
Duncan wanted to go after Madelyne. He was going to kill her for trying to scare him to death. But he'd have to wait, he knew, until his legs would let him walk again.
God's truth, he had to lean against the wall. His strength had deserted him. He felt like an old man with a weak heart. Duncan noticed Edmond was in much the same condition. His brother was kneeling on the ground. Duncan knew it wasn't by choice.
Anthony seemed to be the only one in control now. He strolled over to Duncan, whistling under his breath. Duncan wanted to kill him.
The vassal put his hand on Duncan 's shoulder. It was probably meant as a sympathetic gesture. Duncan wasn't sure if Anthony was offering him condolences because he was wed to Madelyne or if the vassal was giving him understanding over the scene he'd just witnessed. Duncan didn't appreciate the action, no matter what the motive.
'There's something I've been meaning to tell you, Duncan.'
Anthony's voice was mild but it captured Duncan 's attention. He turned to scowl at his first-in-command. 'What is it?' he demanded.
'Your wife is determined to ride Silenus,' Anthony said.
'When I'm dead and unable to witness it,' Duncan roared.
Anthony had the gall to smile. He turned, a blatant attempt to shield his face from Duncan. 'Protecting your wife is an unusually demanding challenge. When her mind is set on a plan of action, there's no stopping her.'
'She has ruined my faithful horse,' Duncan shouted.
'Aye,' Anthony answered, unable to keep his amusement out of his voice. 'She has.'
Duncan shook his head. 'God, I thought I'd lost her.' His voice had turned into a harsh whisper. When he looked down at his hands, saw how they still shook, he was immediately furious again. 'I'm going to kill her. You may witness the deed if you wish.'
Duncan was back to shouting. Anthony wasn't intimidated. The vassal leaned back against the wall. He asked only curiously, 'Why?'
'It would improve your day,' Duncan announced.
Anthony did laugh then. 'I didn't mean to ask you why I'd want to witness Madelyne's death, Baron. I meant to ask you why you'd want to kill her.'
Anthony's laughter didn't sit well with his lord. 'How would you like the new duty of seeing to the water?' he threatened. 'Would you find it amusing to drag bucket after bucket to the kitchens? Would that duty be challenge enough, Anthony?'
It was an insulting suggestion for someone of Anthony's rank. Duncan thought his vassal would immediately show contrition over his lack of respect.
Anthony, however, didn't seem to be the least contrite. ' 'Tis a dangerous mission you give me, Baron. You've only to ask Ansel just how dangerous this duty is.'
'What are you talking about?'
'Your squire nearly drowned the other day. He had climbed to the top of the steps to the rainwater vat, when a ball hit him square in the shoulders. He lost his balance, of course, and-'
Duncan held up his hand for silence. He didn't want to hear any more of this tale. He closed his eyes, praying for patience. Though he didn't know the full story, he had an instinctive feeling his gentle little wife was behind Ansel's mishap. He'd also noticed her showing a new game to the children yesterday afternoon.
Edmond walked over to join Duncan and Anthony. 'What is so amusing to you, Anthony?' Edmond asked. Duncan 's brother was still too shaken by Madelyne's brush with death to find anything remotely humorous.
'Our lord is going to kill his wife,' Anthony remarked.
Edmond looked exasperated. 'For God's sake,' he muttered. 'Look at our leader now.' A slow grin settled on his face before he added, 'Why, Duncan couldn't kill a lamb.'
