must confess, tonight, when we were sitting by the fire with your family and your guest, I did realize it then. You've given me value, Duncan. In my heart I know I matter to you.'
Duncan shook his head. 'You've always had value, Madelyne. Always.'
Madelyne's eyes filled with tears. 'It is a miracle, your love for me. You captured me to fulfill your plan of revenge against my brother. Didn't you?'
'Aye,' Duncan admitted.
'That is why you married me,' Madelyne said. She was suddenly frowning up at her husband. 'Did you love me then?'
'I thought it was lust,' Duncan answered. 'I wanted to bed you,' he added with a grin.
'Revenge and lust,' Madelyne returned. 'Sorry reasons at best, Duncan.'
'You've forgotten compassion,' Duncan informed her.
'Compassion? You mean you felt sorry for me, is that the way of it?' Madelyne asked, growing irritated. 'Good Lord, you love me out of pity?'
'My love, you've just relisted all the reasons I gave myself.'
She took exception to his laughter. 'If your love is based upon lust, pity, and revenge then-'
'Madelyne,' Duncan interrupted, trying to soothe her, 'what did I say to you before we left your brother's fortress. Do you remember?'
'You told me it was an eye for an eye,' Madelyne returned.
'You asked me if you belonged to Louddon. Do you remember my answer to that question?'
'Aye, though I didn't understand it,' Madelyne said. 'You said I belonged to you.'
'I spoke the truth,' Duncan told her. He kissed her just to rid her of her suspicious look.
'I still don't understand,' Madelyne told him when he let her speak again.
'Neither did I,' Duncan said. 'I thought I'd keep you, but I didn't consider marriage until later. In truth, Madelyne, it was your act of kindness that sealed your fate.'
'It was?' Madelyne's eyes brimmed with tears again. The look on Duncan 's face was so loving, so tender.
'It was inevitable from the moment you warmed my feet, though it took a while before I'd acknowledge the truth.'
'You called me simpleminded,' Madelyne told him, smiling over the memory.
The sparkle was back in her eyes. She wasn't angry any longer. Duncan pretended outrage over her remark just to gain her reaction. 'I've never called you simpleminded. It was someone else and I will challenge him immediately.'
Madelyne burst into laughter. 'It was you, Baron. I've already forgiven you though. Besides, I've called you many unkind names.'
'You have? I've never heard any of them,' Duncan said. 'When did you call me these names?'
'When your back was turned, of course.'
She looked so innocent. Duncan 's smile widened. 'Your obsession for telling the truth will get you into trouble one day.' He kissed her again before continuing. 'But I'll be by your side to protect you.'
'Just as I will always protect you,' Madelyne told him. 'It is my duty as your wife.'
She laughed over his incredulous expression. 'You don't worry me,' she boasted. 'I'll not be afraid of you anymore now that I have your love.'
He thought she sounded smug. 'I know.'
Madelyne laughed because of his forlorn tone of voice.
'I would hear you tell me you love me once again,' Duncan demanded.
'Such an arrogant command you give me,' Madelyne whispered. 'I love you with all my heart, Duncan.' She kissed him on his chin. 'I would give my life for you, husband.' She rubbed his lower lip with the tip of her tongue. 'I will love you forever.'
Duncan growled his pleasure and proceeded to make slow, sweet love to her.
' Duncan?'
'Yes, love?'
'When did you realize you loved me?'
'Go to sleep, Madelyne. It's nearly dawn.'
She didn't want to sleep. Madelyne never wanted this glorious night to end. She deliberately wiggled her backside against his stomach. Her toes curled against his legs. 'Please, tell me exactly when it was.'
Duncan sighed. He knew she wouldn't quiet until he answered her. 'Today.'
'Ha!' Madelyne announced.
'Ha what?' Duncan asked.
'Now you are beginning to make sense,' Madelyne explained.
'You're not making any sense,' Duncan returned.
'You're the one who has been acting so unpredictable all day. To tell you the truth, you had me a bit worried. When today?'
'When what?'
'When exactly did you realize you loved me?' Madelyne wasn't going to give up.
'When I thought my horse was going to kill you.'
'Silenus? You thought Silenus would harm me?'
He heard the astonishment in her voice. He smiled against the top of her head. She still didn't have any idea of the terror she'd given him.
' Duncan?'
He liked the way she whispered his name when she wanted something from him. It was tender, coaxing, and terribly sexy. 'You've ruined my stallion. I was telling you that downstairs when you fell asleep in my lap.'
'I haven't ruined him,' Madelyne protested. 'I've only shown him kindness. Surely being affectionate can't be harmful.'
'Affection might be the death of me if you don't let me rest,' he answered with a yawn. 'You've turned into an insatiable wench,' he added with a mock sigh. 'You've taken my strength.'
'Thank you.'
'You can have Silenus for your own.'
'Silenus? Mine?' She sounded as eager as a child.
'The animal is loyal to you now. You've demoted my great beast from stallion to lamb. I'll never live it down.'
'Live what down?'
Duncan ignored her question. He made her turn around to face him. Then he gave her a good long stare. 'Now listen to me well, wife. You're not to ride him until I've given you proper instruction. Do you understand me?'
'What makes you think I haven't had proper instruction?' Madelyne asked. She hadn't, of course, yet thought she'd hidden that flaw from him. But her husband was more astute than she'd realized.
'Just promise me,' Duncan demanded.
'I promise.' She began to nibble on her lower lip, when a sudden thought began to nag her. 'You won't change your mind in the morning, will you?'
'Of course not. Silenus is yours now.'
'I wasn't speaking of Silenus.'
'What then?'
She looked worried. Duncan frowned until she whispered her fear to him. 'You won't change your mind about loving me, will you?'
'Never.'
He kissed her to give her proof of his pledge, then closed his eyes and rolled onto his back, fully intending to go to sleep. He was exhausted.
'You didn't remember to swim in your lake tonight. That was very unpredictable of you.'
When he didn't comment, Madelyne prodded him. 'Why didn't you?'
'Because it was too damn cold.'
