“For taking advantage of you.”
He couldn’t believe what he’d just heard. It was the most ridiculous apology he’d ever been given.
A slow smile overcame Duncan’s scowl. Lord, he felt like laughing now, would have given in to the urge, too, if Madelyne hadn’t sounded so damn sincere. His desire to guard her feelings kept his laughter contained, however. Duncan didn’t understand his reason for wanting to protect her feelings, but it was there, nagging at him.
He let out a long-drawn-out groan. Madelyne heard him and immediately jumped to the conclusion that he was thoroughly disgusted with her. “I promise you, Duncan, it won’t happen again.”
Duncan put his arm around Madelyne’s waist and pulled her up against him. “And I promise you that it will, Madelyne.”
She thought it sounded like a vow.
Chapter Four
Evil is the man who has known honor and discarded it.
Baron Louddon was only a half day’s hard ride from where Duncan and his soldiers were camped. Luck was on Louddon’s side, for he was able to ride during the night hours by the light of a full, bright moon. His soldiers equaled Duncan’s men in loyalty and numbers, and not one complained over this sudden turnabout in plans.
A half-mad servant had chased them down to give them the news of Duncan’s foul deed. They had all returned to Louddon’s fortress then. All had witnessed the message left by Baron Wexton. Aye, all had seen the mutilated bodies of those soldiers left behind to guard Louddon’s domain. The men joined together in outrage and vengeance, and every one of them vowed to be the one to kill Duncan.
The fact that they had all joined with Louddon and acted with treachery toward Baron Wexton was ignored now; they concentrated, instead, on avenging their leader.
Louddon had been quick to decide to go after Duncan. His reason was twofold. Foremost was the realization that his own plan to destroy Baron Wexton by dishonorable means would be unveiled, making him a coward to be ridiculed in court. Duncan would alert William II, and the king, though he favored Louddon, would nevertheless be forced to issue a battle to the death between the adversaries in order to end what he’d probably deem a petty difference of opinion. The king, called Rufus, the Red, because of his fiery face and disposition, would certainly be irritated over the squabble. Louddon knew, too, that if he had to face Duncan alone on a field of battle, he’d come out the loser. Baron Wexton was an invincible warrior who had shown his ability countless times. Aye, Duncan would kill him if given the chance.
Louddon was a well-skilled man, yet it was in areas that would give him little aid against the likes of Duncan. Louddon was a power to be reckoned with in court. He acted the role of secretary of sorts, though he couldn’t read or write and left those mundane matters to the two priests in residence. When the king was holding court, Louddon’s primary duty was to sort out those who had true business with the king, and those who didn’t. It was a powerful position. Louddon was a master manipulator. He instilled fear into those lesser-titled men who willingly paid for the opportunity to speak to their king. He paved the way for these eager men, lining his pockets with their gold.
Now, if his attempt to kill Duncan became known, he could lose everything.
Madelyne’s brother was considered to be a handsome man. Blond hair with nary a crinkle of curl to mar the shine, hazel eyes with chips of gold, tall as well, though reed-thin, with perfectly sculptured lips. And when he smiled, the ladies at court all but swooned. Louddon’s sisters, Clarissa and Sara, shared the same color of wheat-white hair and hazel eyes. They were almost as pretty as Louddon was, and just as sought after.
Louddon was known as a most available bachelor and could have his pick of any woman in England. He didn’t want just any woman though. He wanted Madelyne. His stepsister was the second reason Louddon chased after Duncan. Madelyne had returned home to him only two months past, and after having forgotten her for most of her growing years, he’d been given a shock when he saw the remarkable changes in her appearance. She’d been such an ugly child. Large blue eyes had swallowed up most of her face. Her lower lip had been too full, her expression set to pouting most of the time, and she’d been so skinny as to look sickly. Aye, Madelyne had been such an awkward child, with long, bony legs that caused her to stumble whenever she tried to curtsy.
Louddon had certainly misjudged her potential. In childhood there had been no sign in her appearance suggesting she might one day look so much like her mother. Madelyne had turned from embarrassment to beauty, so lovely, in fact, as to outshine her stepsisters.
Who would have thought such a miracle could happen? The timid caterpillar had changed into a lovely butterfly. Louddon’s friends also had been quite speechless when they’d first seen her. Morcar, Louddon’s closest confidant, had even begged him for Madelyne’s hand in marriage, putting pounds of gold in front of his petition.
Louddon didn’t know if he could let Madelyne go to another man. She was so like her mother. When he first saw her, he’d reacted physically. It was the first such stirring for a woman in so many years, Louddon was all but undone by it. Only Madelyne’s mother had been able to affect him in such a way. Ah, Rachael, the love of his heart. She had ruined him for other women. He couldn’t have Rachael now; his temper had stolen her from him. Louddon had believed his obsession would end with her death. A foolish hope, he now admitted. No, the obsession lived on. Madelyne. His stepsister could well be his second chance at proving himself a man.
Louddon was a man tormented. He couldn’t decide between his greed and his lust. He wanted Madelyne for his own use, but wanted the gold she’d bring too. Perhaps, he thought, if he was shrewd enough, he could have both.
Madelyne awakened in the most awkward position. She was on top of Duncan. The side of her face rested on his hard, flat stomach, her legs were entwined with his, and her hands were wedged between his thighs.
Because of her sleepy state of mind, Madelyne didn’t immediately realize exactly where her hands were resting. Duncan felt so warm, though … so hard. Oh, Lord, her hands were snuggled against the most private part of him.
Madelyne’s eyes flew open. She tensed against her captor, not daring to even breathe. Let him be sleeping, she prayed frantically as she slowly edged her hands away from his heat.
“So you’re finally awake.”
Duncan knew he’d given her a fright when she jerked against him. Her hands slammed into the junction of his legs. Duncan groaned in reaction. Hell, she’d make him a eunuch if he gave her half the chance.
Madelyne rolled to her side, daring a quick look up at Duncan. She thought she probably should apologize for accidentally bumping him there, but then he’d know she was quite aware of just where her hands had been, wouldn’t he?
Oh, heavens, she could feel herself blushing. And Duncan was frowning again this morning. He didn’t look disposed to listening to any apology she made anyway, so she put the worry aside.
He looked ferocious. Aye, the new growth of dark brown beard actually made him look more like a wolf than a man, and he was watching her with a curiosity she found unnerving. His hands continued to span her back. She remembered then how he’d warmed her throughout the night. He could have just as easily harmed her. Madelyne realized she was trying to encourage her fear of him, yet was honest enough to admit that the truth was really quite the opposite. Oh, Duncan did frighten her, but not in the same way Louddon did.
Today was the first time in weeks, since she’d returned to her brother’s home in fact, that she hadn’t awakened with a sick knot of fear lodged in her stomach. She knew the reason too; it was because Louddon wasn’t there.
Duncan wasn’t like Louddon at all. Nay, a man who wished to inflict cruelty certainly wouldn’t have shared his warmth while they slept. And he’d kept his word too. He hadn’t taken advantage … dear God, she’d kissed him. She suddenly remembered every bit of it with a clarity that sent her pulse racing.
Thank the Lord she’d learned t
o hide her feelings. Madelyne was certain her expression wasn’t giving her horrible thoughts away. That was a bit of grace, wasn’t it? Aye, she thought with a little sigh. Duncan couldn’t possibly know what she was thinking.
Duncan watched Madelyne, secretly amused by the way she showed him one emotion after another. Her eyes gave her away; in the past few minutes he’d seen fear, embarrassment, and, he thought, relief as well.
He was a man conditioned to finding the flaws in others. As a warrior, knowing what was in his opponent’s mind quickened his own reactions. He had also learned to find out what his enemy most valued. And then he would take it away. It was the way of fighting men, yet those lessons had spilled over into his personal relationships as well. It wasn’t possible to separate the two. And though Madelyne was unaware of it, she’d already given him important hints about her character. She was a woman who valued control. Keeping her emotions hidden seemed an important quest. Madelyne had already shown him that not all women were ruled by their emotions. Only once during the destruction of her home did she show any outward reaction. She’d screamed in anguish when she saw the mutilated body of Louddon’s vassal. Yet Duncan doubted Madelyne even knew she’d lost control.
Aye, Duncan was learning all of Madelyne’s secrets, and what he’d learned thus far perplexed him. God’s truth, she pleased him too.
Duncan moved away from Madelyne, else the urge to take her back into his arms and kiss her again would become too strong to ignore. He was suddenly very eager to get home. He wouldn’t feel at ease until he had Madelyne safely protected behind the walls of his fortress.
Duncan stood, stretched his muscles awake, and then walked away from Madelyne, all but dismissing her from his mind. The sun was climbing into the milky clouds above, clouds that would surely block any heat to melt the night’s frost covering the ground. There was much to do before the light was sufficient for their journey. Though the new day was already bitter with chill, the wind was mild enough to please Duncan.
Madelyne knew they’d ride soon. She put on her shoes, brushed the dirt from her gown, and wrapped her cloak around her shoulders. She knew she looked a sight and decided she’d have to do something about it.
Madelyne went in search of Ansel. The squire was readying Duncan’s stallion. Madelyne asked him where her satchel was, though she stood a safe distance from the great beast and had to yell her question, and then thanked the boy profusely when he threw the bag over to her.
She was only going to wash the sleep from her eyes, but the clear water was too tempting. Madelyne used the scented soap she’d packed in her satchel to give herself a quick bath and then changed her gown.
Lord, it was cold. Madelyne was shivering by the time she finished dressing. She wore a pale yellow ankle-length chainse with a rich gold-colored knee-length bliaut over it. A band of royal blue needlework circled the long sleeves of the tunic.
Madelyne repacked her satchel and then knelt down by the stream and began to brush the tangles from her hair. Now that she was rested, and her mind wasn’t consumed with fear, she had plenty of time to think about her situation. The uppermost question was to find out why Duncan had taken her with him. He had told her she belonged to him. Madelyne didn’t understand what he had meant by that remark, yet was too timid to ask him to explain.
Gilard came to fetch Madelyne. She heard his approach and turned in time to watch his approach.
“It’s time to ride,” Gilard bellowed. The force of his voice nearly pushed her into the water. Gilard hastily reached out and yanked her to her feet, inadvertently saving her from disgrace.
“I’ve still to plait my hair, Gilard. Then I’ll be ready. And you really needn’t shout at me,” she added, deliberately keeping her voice soft. “My hearing is actually quite good.”
“Your hair? You’ve still to …” Gilard was too stunned to continue. He gave Madelyne a look that suggested she’d lost her mind. “You’re our captive, for God’s sake,” he finally managed to stammer out.
“I had surmised as much,” Madelyne answered. She sounded as serene as the morning breeze. “But does that mean I may or may not finish arranging my hair before we ride?”
“Are you trying to goad me?” Gilard shouted. “Lady Madelyne, you’re in a tenuous position at best. Are you too simpleminded to realize it?”
Madelyne shook her head. “Why are you so angry with me? You shout every word. Is it your usual custom, or is it because I’m Louddon’s sister?”
Gilard didn’t immediately answer. His face turned a blotchy red though. Madelyne knew she was infuriating him. She was sorry for it, yet decided to continue to bait him all the same. Gilard obviously lacked control over his temper, and if she could nudge him enough, perhaps he’d tell her what was going to happen to her. Gilard was much easier to understand than his brother. And so much easier to manipulate, if she was clever enough.
“Why was I taken captive?” she blurted out. The blunt-ness of her question made her wince. She hadn’t been very clever after all, and was therefore quite surprised when Gilard actually answered her.
“Your brother set the terms of this war, Madelyne. You know that well enough.”
“I don’t know anything well enough,” Madelyne protested. “Explain it to me, if you please. I would like to understand.”
“Why do you play the innocent with me?” Gilard demanded. “Everyone in England knows what has taken place over the past year.”
“Not everyone, Gilard,” Madelyne returned. “I only just returned to my brother’s home two months ago. And I lived in a most isolated area for many years.”
“Aye, that is right,” Gilard sneered. “Lived with your defrocked priest, I understand.”
Madelyne could feel her composure slipping. She wanted to scream at the arrogant vassal now. Did everyone in England believe that horrible rumor?
“Very well,” Gilard announced. He seemed ignorant of Madelyne’s fury now. “I will tell you all the truths, and then you’ll not be able to pretend any longer. Louddon’s soldiers attacked two holdings belonging to Duncan’s loyal vassals. In each attack there was needless slaughter of women and children. The vassals weren’t given any warning either; your brother pretended friendship until his men were inside the fortresses.”
“Why? Why would Louddon do such a thing? What could he hope to gain?”
She tried not to show how appalled she was by Gilard’s words. Madelyne knew her brother was capable of such treachery, yet couldn’t understand his motive. “Surely Louddon knew that Duncan, as overlord, would retaliate.”
“Aye, that was his hope, Madelyne. He’s been trying to kill Duncan,” he added with an obscene laugh. “Your brother is greedy for power. He has only to fear one other man in England. Duncan. They are equal in power. Louddon is known to have the king’s ear, true, but Duncan’s soldiers are the fittest warriors in all the world. The king values my brother’s loyalty as much as he values Louddon’s friendship.”
“The king allowed this treachery?” Madelyne asked.
“William refuses to act without proof,” Gilard answered. His voice sounded his disgust. “He defends neither Louddon nor Duncan. I can promise you this, Lady Madelyne. When our king returns from Normandy, he’ll not be able to evade the problem any longer.”
“Then Duncan hasn’t been able to act on his vassals’ behalf?” Madelyne asked. “That is the reason my brother’s home was destroyed instead?”
“You’re naive if you believe Duncan didn’t retaliate. He ousted the bastards from his vassals’ holdings immediately.”
“In kind, Gilard?” Madelyne whispered her question. “Did Duncan also kill the innocent as well as the guilty?”
“Nay,” Gilard answered. “The women and children were left alone. We Wextons aren’t butchers, Madelyne, regardless of what your brother has told you. And our men don’t hide behind false colors when they attack either.”
“Louddon has told me nothing,” Madelyne protested again. “You forget th
at I am only a sister. I’m not worthy enough to be privy to his thoughts.” Her shoulders sagged. Lord, there was so much to think over, so much to reason out. “What will happen if the king takes Louddon’s side? What will happen to your brother?”
Gilard heard the fear in her voice. Why, she was acting as though she cared about Duncan. That made little sense, considering her position as captive. Lady Madelyne would confuse him if he allowed it. “Duncan is a man of little patience, and when your brother dared to touch a Wexton, he sealed his fate. My brother won’t wait for the king to return to England so that he can command a battle to the death with your bastard brother. Nay, Duncan is going to kill Louddon, with or without the king’s blessing.”
“What do you mean when you say Louddon touched a Wexton?” Madelyne asked. “There was another Wexton brother and Louddon killed him?” she surmised.
“Ah, so you pretend you know nothing about Adela either, is that the way of this game?” Gilard demanded.
A knot of dread settled in Madelyne’s stomach, for she’d caught the frightening look in Gilard’s eyes. “Please,” she whispered, her head bowed against his hatred, “I must know all of this. Who is Adela?”
“Our sister.”
Madelyne’s head jerked up. “You would war because of a sister?” she asked.
She looked quite astonished. Gilard didn’t know what to make of such a reaction. “Our sister went to court, and while she was there, Louddon caught her alone. He raped her, Madelyne, and beat her so brutally it is a miracle she survived. Her body has healed, but her mind is broken.”
Madelyne’s composure snapped. She turned her back on Gilard so he wouldn’t see the tears streaming down her cheeks. “I’m so sorry, Gilard,” she whispered.
“And you believe what I’ve just told you?” Gilard demanded, his voice harsh. He wanted to make certain Lady Madelyne wouldn’t be able to deny the truth any longer.
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