'I'll thrust my blade into your back if you take one step toward Baron Wexton,' Louddon threatened. 'And give the order to kill your precious priest as well.'
'Tell me this,' she asked, surprising her brother with the anger in her voice. 'Will you also kill Duncan and his brothers, and all his allies too?'
Louddon couldn't restrain himself. He grabbed hold of Madelyne's arm. 'Don't test me, Madelyne. I've more power than any other man in England.'
'More power than our king?' said Henry.
Louddon jumped visibly. He turned to confront Henry, twisting Madelyne's arm in the process. 'I'm your brother's humble advisor, nothing more, nothing less.'
Henry showed his displeasure over Louddon's remark. He took hold of Madelyne's hand, knocking Louddon's own away. Henry then stared at the red marks on Madelyne's arm a long, silent minute. When he looked back at Louddon, his eyes seemed to mirror his disgust. 'I'm going to introduce your sister to a few of our loyal friends.'
His voice was hard, challenging. Louddon backed away. He gave his sister another threatening glare and then nodded to Henry.
'What did he say to you?' Henry demanded.
'He promises to kill my uncle Berton if I take one step toward Duncan.'
'He bluffs, Madelyne. He can't do anything now, not in front of his peers. And tomorrow it will be too late. You'll have to trust me to know what I'm talking about.'
Clarissa had obviously seen Louddon dismissed by Henry. She strolled over to greet Madelyne.
'I was going to show Madelyne my brother's impressive gardens,' Henry told her.
'Oh, I'd love to see the garden as well,' Clarissa announced.
Her plan to stay by Madelyne's side was easily seen through. Henry immediately foiled her. 'Another time, perhaps?' he said.
Clarissa wasn't able to hide the hatred from her gaze. She turned without saying another word and walked away.
Madelyne walked by Henry's side toward the doors leading onto the terrace. 'Who is that man speaking to Edmond?' she asked then. 'The one with the bright hair. He has the most unsettled look on his face.'
Henry quickly located the man. 'He is Baron Rhinehold.'
'Is he married? Does he have a family?' Madelyne asked, trying not to sound too curious.
'He never took a wife,' Henry said. 'Why do you take this interest in Rhinehold?'
'He knew my mother,' Madelyne answered. She continued to look at Baron Rhinehold, waiting for him to glance her way. When he finally looked at her, Madelyne gave him a smile.
Though she knew it wasn't possible, she wished she could spend a few minutes alone with the baron. According to Clarissa, Rhinehold was Madelyne's father, and the reason Rachael's husband hated her.
Madelyne was a bastard. The truth didn't shame her. No one would ever know the truth, except Duncan, of course, and… dear God, she'd forgotten to tell him.
'Does Duncan call Baron Rhinehold his friend?' Madelyne asked Henry.
'He does,' Henry answered. 'Why do you ask?'
Madelyne didn't know how to answer him, and so she sought to change the topic. 'I wish I could speak to Duncan for just a moment. I've just remembered something I have need to share with him.'
'Luck is on your side, Madelyne. Did you not just see Louddon leave with his friends? He's no doubt going to try one last time to sway our king before the meeting is called. Wait on the terrace and I'll send Duncan to you.'
She wasn't kept waiting long.
'Madelyne, it will be over soon,' Duncan said as way of greeting. He took her into his arms and kissed her tenderly. 'Soon, love, I promise you. Have faith in me, my sweet-'
'Have faith in me, Duncan,' Madelyne whispered. 'You do, don't you, husband?'
'I do,' Duncan answered. 'Come, stand by my side when we speak to the king. He should arrive at any moment.'
Madelyne shook her head. 'Louddon believes I'll trap you. Henry wants my brother to continue to feel confident until the last moment. For that reason I cannot stand by you. Don't frown so, Duncan. It will be over soon enough. And I've the most wonderful news to give you. Why, I've known the truth for several days but there's been so much going on I quite forgot to tell you when I first-'
'Madelyne.'
She realized she was rambling then. 'I am illegitimate. What think you of that news, husband?'
Duncan did look surprised. 'I'm a bastard, Duncan. Doesn't that please you? God's truth, I am pleased, because it means I'm not related to Louddon at all.'
'Who has called you bastard?' Duncan demanded. His voice was soft, yet filled with rage.
'No one. I heard Louddon talking to Clarissa. I always wondered why Louddon and his father had turned against my mother. Now I know the truth. She was carrying a child when she married. She was carrying me.' Duncan stared at Madelyne. She thought he might be worried. 'Will it matter to you that I'm a bastard?'
'Stop that talk,' Duncan told her. He shook his head. But he was smiling and Madelyne's heart was warmed with love. 'Wife, you're the only woman in this world who would welcome such news.' He tried, yet couldn't contain his laughter.
'Louddon won't tell anyone,' Madelyne whispered. 'He has freed me and doesn't even know it. Will it matter to you?'
'How can you ask such a question?'
'Because I love you,' Madelyne said with a mock sigh. 'It doesn't matter if you're upset or not. You have to love me forever, husband. You gave me your word.'
'Aye, Madelyne,' Duncan answered. 'Forever.'
The trumpets sounded behind them just as Duncan leaned down to kiss his wife again. 'Do you know who is your father perchance?' he asked when he saw the fear return to Madelyne's eyes.
'Rhinehold,' Madelyne announced, nodding vigorously when Duncan smiled at her. 'You are pleased,' she said. 'I can see that you are.'
'Very pleased,' Duncan whispered. 'He is a good man.'
Henry made the interruption from behind Duncan 's back. 'It's time,' he called out. 'Madelyne, come with me now. The king waits.'
Duncan could feel Madelyne tremble. He gave her a squeeze before releasing her. When she started to walk away, his mind worked to find something, anything, to ease her worry.
Madelyne had just reached the doorway when Duncan called out to her. 'Rhinehold has red hair, wife. As red as fire.'
She didn't turn around. ' 'Tis more brown than red, Duncan. Surely you can see that.'
And then her laughter reached him and he knew she was going to be all right.
Chapter Twenty-Three
'… The just is blessed, but the name of the wicked shall rot.'
Silence descended upon the gathering as William II made his way to his chair positioned atop a platform. When the king sat down, everyone lowered their heads.
The laughter was gone from Madelyne's eyes now. She stood alone in the center of the room. Henry had left her unattended and was now speaking to his brother.
Whatever Henry was saying to the king didn't seem to sit well. She watched as King William suddenly shook
