Hell, it was humiliating. Edmond had obviously heard Madelyne call his stallion her lamb… Everyone probably heard, and if they hadn't, Edmond would certainly tell them.
'It would seem, Anthony, our captive has turned captor.'
'I'm in no mood for your riddles, Edmond,' Duncan muttered.
'You're in no mood for admitting you love Madelyne either. Look at your condition, brother, and the truth will hit you between the eyes.'
Edmond shook his head, turned, and slowly walked away.
'Madelyne's an easy woman to love, Baron,' Anthony commented when they were again alone.
'Easy? As easy as swallowing a mace.'
They were completely ill suited for each other. He was as rigid as a trunk of an old tree. Madelyne was as flighty as the wind.
And he never stood a chance… not since the moment she touched his feet. Duncan knew that now. Lord, he did love her.
'I'll not have chaos in my life.' Duncan made the proclamation as a fervent vow.
'Perhaps, in time, all will settle-'
'When Madelyne is too old to get out of bed,' Duncan interrupted. 'Then I'll have peace again.'
'Peace can be boring,' Anthony commented with a smile. 'Your wife has given new life to your home, Duncan.' Anthony sought to appease Duncan with his argument
He concluded, from the way Duncan scowled, that his plan wasn't working. Perhaps his lord had only just realized how much Madelyne meant to him. If that was the situation, Anthony decided his baron wasn't taking the realization well at all.
He decided to leave Duncan to his own thoughts, excused himself with a bow, and walked away.
Duncan was glad for the solitude. He kept picturing his stallion racing toward his gentle little wife, knowing he'd never forget the horror for as long as he lived.
She'd captured his horse just as she'd captured him. Duncan found his first smile when he realized what a feat Madelyne had accomplished. Edmond was right. Madelyne was captor now, for she owned his heart.
There was surprising strength with the truth. Duncan suddenly felt as though he'd just ended a forty-day fast. He wasn't going to have to ignore Madelyne any longer. Aye, he could feast on her. Besides, he admitted, it was past time he took a firm hand.
He started after his wife, thinking he would lecture her awhile, then kiss her. He was still angry. It was her fault, of course. She was the one who'd made his heart start pounding. She'd scared the hell out of him. He didn't like that feeling, not at all. He wasn't used to loving either. The first would take time to get over, the second would take time to adjust to.
Another shout stopped him. Fergus, soldier in charge of the south watch, called out a warning that a visitor was approaching the fortress. From the colors displayed on the banner waving in the breeze, the watchman knew that Baron Gerald and his assembly wished entrance.
It was all Duncan needed to turn his day completely black. Damn, he had sent a messenger to Gerald with the full explanation of Adela's condition. He assumed Gerald would have sent a messenger back with agreement to nullify the contract. Obviously, because Gerald had troubled to journey such a distance, there was still a problem to be solved before the betrothal could be set aside.
Hell, he was going to have to be diplomatic. And Adela would probably revert to her crazed condition when she learned her intended was here for a visit. Duncan realized he might be jumping to conclusions.
Gerald was an old friend. There could be a number of reasons for the baron to visit. Lord, Madelyne was affecting him more than he'd realized. He was beginning to take on her flaws.
She was gifted with affecting his concentration too. Why, only two days ago he'd been in the middle of issuing an important command to his men, when his wife had strolled into his line of vision. Duncan suddenly found himself watching the gentle sway of her hips as she walked by, forgetting all about the order he was giving.
Duncan smiled over that memory. The soldiers had been staring at him so expectantly, and there he stood, without a glimmer of an idea what he was telling them, probably looking quite stupid, until Gilard stepped forward and reminded him of their topic.
Fergus shouted to Duncan again, interrupting his concentration. Duncan immediately gave the order to let Baron Gerald inside.
Madelyne was just coming out of the stables when Duncan intercepted her. Without giving her any sort of proper greeting, he abruptly stated his order.
'Adela's inside, Madelyne. Go and tell her Baron Gerald is here. She'll greet him at dinner.'
Madelyne's eyes widened over Duncan 's startling news. 'Why is he here, Duncan? Did you send for him?'
'I did not,' Duncan answered, irritated she didn't immediately pick up her skirts and run to do his bidding. He was standing close enough to kiss her, and that thought fully consumed him. 'Now, do as I've instructed, wife.'
'I always do what you instruct,' Madelyne answered with a smile. She turned, started to walk toward the castle. 'And good day to you too, Duncan,' she called back over her shoulder.
It was a disrespectful comment meant to remind him of his lack of manners, Duncan supposed. He told himself it was too bad there wasn't time to throttle her senseless.
'Madelyne.'
She stopped as soon as he called out to her, yet didn't turn around until he commanded it. 'Come here.'
Madelyne complied, frowning now, for her husband's voice had sounded very tender. 'Yes, Duncan?' she asked.
Duncan cleared his throat, frowned, and then said, 'Good afternoon.'
He hadn't even meant to say that, had he? Duncan frowned all the more when Madelyne smiled. Duncan suddenly pulled her into his arms and kissed her.
She was too stunned to respond at first. Duncan had never touched her during the day. Why, he always ignored her. He wasn't ignoring her now, however. Nay, he was kissing her quite forcefully, and in clear view of anyone who might be passing by.
The kiss wasn't gentle either, but passionately arousing. Just when she was getting the way of it, Duncan pulled away.
He smiled at her. 'Don't ever call my horse your lamb again. Do you understand me?'
Madelyne stared up at Duncan, looking confused and flushed.
Before she could form an answer, Duncan walked away from her. Madelyne picked up her skirts and chased after him. She grabbed hold of his hand, stopping him with her touch, and when he turned to look at her, he was still smiling.
'Are you ill, Duncan?' Madelyne asked. Fear sounded in her voice.
'Nay.'
'Then why are you smiling so?' she demanded.
Duncan shook his head. 'Madelyne, please go and tell Adela about Gerald's arrival,' he said.
'Please?' Madelyne asked. She looked appalled. 'You've told me to please-'
'Madelyne, do as I've ordered,' Duncan said.
She nodded but didn't move. Madelyne just stood there, watching Duncan walk away from her. She was too stunned to go after him again. Duncan had always been so predictable. Now he was trying to change on her. She wrung her hands together while she worried about that. Had it been a hot summer day, she would have believed the sun had baked his head. Since it was January, however, and as cold as purgatory, Madelyne couldn't find any acceptable excuse for his sudden turnabout in attitude.
She needed time to think. Madelyne sighed and tried to dismiss her husband's unusual behavior from her thoughts. She hurried in search of Adela then.
Trying to dismiss Duncan was easier said than done. Why, it would have been less difficult to walk across a bed of nails barefoot.
Adela did help take Madelyne's mind off her husband. Duncan 's little sister was in her bedroom. She was sitting on the side of the bed, braiding her hair.
'We have company, Adela,' Madelyne announced cheerfully.
