“Oh, Madeleine.” Garrett sighed and drew her even closer. He brushed his lips against her hair over and over. She closed her eyes and wished they could remain this way forever.
He lifted her chin and met her eyes. “We must talk.”
She nodded and swallowed hard. He led her to the single bed and sat, pulling her down next to him.
He took her hand in his. “Where did you find the necklace you pawned?”
Shocked at the question she’d least expected, she said, “Necklace?”
He reached into his purse and dangled it before her.
“So that’s how you found me,” she muttered. Her eyes opened wide as she realized the meaning of his words. “You still believe me a thief!”
She jerked her hand from his, her pride hurt by his words. “That’s what you mean by my ‘finding’ it. You mean where did I steal it, my lord? Well, I didn’t!” Her chin went up and she glared at him.
“I’m not saying you stole it.”
“’Twas a gift to me,” she answered reluctantly, knowing God had finally given her the way to tell her sordid tale.
“From whom?” His eyes darkened.
She could see the doubt mingled with the love in his eyes. Did he think she was some merchant’s bought woman? A married man’s mistress?
She shook her head adamantly. Perhaps it wasn’t wise to tell him about Henri in his present mood, not without knowing where his thoughts were headed.
“That I will not say. But have no doubts, the necklace was mine to sell. Why all these questions?”
“Because ‘twas a necklace I had made especially for my wife. Lynnette wore it always. I’m sure she had it on when she left Stanbury.”
“No,” Madeleine gasped. “It couldn’t be.”
“I’m afraid ‘tis so.” He lifted the clasp. “This alone would be enough to convince me. See, the lion engraved here with a sword in his paw. My banner is exactly the same. The stones, too, are identical to the color I had made up. There’s no doubt ‘tis the same necklace.”
Madeleine stood. She had to face the inevitable. He would learn of Henri now. In her heart she knew that her love for Garrett demanded it. She would make a start now.
“I know where the piece was purchased for me. That may be the first clue in Lynnette’s disappearance.” She stood quickly, determined to put an end to her charade. “Come, Garrett. I know Ebony must be nearby. We go to The Open Locket. I don’t know exactly where ‘tis located, though I do remember a heart-shaped locket graces the doorway. This should be enough for us to find it.”
Garrett took Madeleine’s hand and threaded his way through the crowd, moving down the street to where Ebony awaited. The weak sunshine threatened to break through the cloud cover at any moment.
He tossed a coin to the lad that had kept watch of his horse and then placed Madeleine in the saddle. She stroked Ebony’s mane fondly. Garrett climbed up behind her, and she tensed as he put his arm about her waist.
“No, sweetheart,” he whispered in her ear. “Please. Do not reject me thus.”
She turned and met his eye. “Oh, Garrett.”
He brushed his lips gently across her mouth, blocking out the world for a short moment.
As they made their way across London, he asked, “And how’s your mother doing?”
She flushed a deep pink. “So Coster told, did he? I didn’t think he’d stay quiet forever, but I gave him more credit than I should have. He broke much too fast.”
She looked up at him with sudden concern. “You weren’t too hard on him, I hope. He really is a decent sort.”
“I will deal with Coster when we return to Stanbury. By the way, where’s my horse?”
She gave him a sheepish glance. “Sold,” she squeaked out. “’Tis a poorly nag I asked for, Garrett. Not up to your usual standards. The brooch I left was worth far more than the horse.”
“Where does your jewelry come from, Madeleine? I thought I’d confiscated it all.”
“Oh, really?” she replied frostily, but she refused to answer him when he pressed her.
They rode Ebony in silence after that, stopping thrice to ask directions. Eventually, they located the shop. The balding jeweler there was delighted to see customers.
“No one’s buying or selling these days,” he confided to them. “’Tis glad I am to have your company. Come, tell me what I may show you. Perhaps a ring for the lovely maid?”
Garrett said, “We’d like to inquire about a necklace purchased here some time ago.”
“About two and a half years,” Madeleine added.
The shopkeeper frowned. “’Tis a long time to remember a certain piece.”
“Here,” Garrett said, placing the necklace on the counter.
The man smiled immediately, his yellowed teeth glowing as much as his eyes. “Of course. The lion clasp. I remember how unusual I thought it was at the time.” He picked up the necklace and studied it carefully. “Yes,” he confirmed, “I know this piece.”
“Do you have any knowledge of who might have come in to sell it? A man? A woman?” He glanced at her as he asked, “Or do you remember who bought it?”
She flinched at his words. “I don’t remember who purchased it my lord, but I do recall the seller.” He fingered the clasp as he spoke. “I thought it strange that one such as he would have access to something so fine and unusual, but he said he was selling it for his mistress who was in great need.”
“Can you describe him?”
“Oh, easily, my lord. The man had only one eye. Wore a patch o’er it, he did. He had sandy red hair and a reddish beard. Yes, I remember him quite well.”
Garrett grew pale at the description. He gripped the counter for support.
“Garrett?” Madeleine took hold of his forearm. “Are you all right?”
“Yes,” he said through gritted teeth. “Thank you.” He placed a coin on the tabletop for the jeweler, then turned and led them outside.
The afternoon sun had dipped below the surrounding buildings, leaving them in the cool shadows of the October day.
“I know this man,” he told Madeleine. “He used to be my head stableman. A lazy, shiftless drunk. Because his wife was quite ill and they had several children, I reluctantly kept him on, but I demoted him.” He snarled. “I cannot wait to get my hands upon him.”
They had only taken a few steps when a man stepped from a narrow alley. “Gimme yer jewels!” he barked.
Madeleine stammered, “But I have none.”
“Nay,” the thief said. “I just seen ye leave Thomas’s place, and ye’re bound to have some bauble.” The thief pulled a knife from nowhere and held it in front of him.
With a quick motion, he sliced Garrett’s upper thigh. A bright, crimson line appeared, and Garrett gasped in pain and outrage.
“You have chosen the wrong man to tangle with, my friend.”
Chapter 22
Garrett slammed his fist into the nose of their attacker, making his head snap back. Crimson blood spurt from the thief’s nose, giving Garrett a small sense of satisfaction.
The bandit’s eyes narrowed. His grip tightened on the knife as he lunged.
Garrett feinted to his left, then delivered a series of powerful blows to the thief’s midsection. He crumpled, collapsing into a heap at their feet.
Garrett calmly turned to Madeleine, whose face was white with fear. He pulled her to him. “Are you all right?”
She stammered, “O-of course. But we must see to you.”
Following the direction of her gaze, he stared at the blood now flowing down his leg.
She reached for the hem of her tunic and tore a wide strip from the bottom, tying it tightly around his leg.
“Let us hurry, my lord. We must see to your wound at once.”
He sighed. “I do wish you’d quit ‘my lording” me, Madeleine. A simple ‘Garrett’ or ‘my sweet’ would do wonders for my health.”
She rolled her eyes. “Get up on Ebony, my dearest Garrett,
before I cause damage to you myself.” She smiled at him sweetly.
“Now that’s much better,” he said a bit woozily as he gave her a lazy smile.
With her help he was able to mount Ebony, then he reached down and lifted her in front of him.
The light had faded fast, and the streets emptied quickly as they made their way to his townhouse. He refused to take her back to the room she had been letting.
“We’ll send for your things tomorrow, love, but for now you’ll return with me. I wouldn’t want to chance your safety.”
Three quarters of an hour later they reached their destination. Garrett’s home was small by Stanbury standards, but Madeleine was impressed with it all the same.
She slid off Ebony as a lanky groom appeared. “Bit o’ a mishap, my lord?”
“Just a little fracas, John.” Garrett eased off the horse with a grimace and handed the reins to his servant. Madeleine quickly took his arm and helped him to the house.
A tiny housekeeper, who barely came to Madeleine’s chest, greeted them.
“Hello, Maude,” Garrett called out weakly. “This is Madeleine. She’s even feistier than you.”
Calmly, as though Garrett came in bloody on a daily basis, the servant said, “We’ll need to dress yer wound, my lord. I know ye’ll also want something to eat.”
Madeleine watched Maude take charge of Garrett, fussing over him as she led him upstairs to his bed, making sure his gashed leg was propped up with pillows.
“Madeleine can attend my injury, Maude. Just bring me a tender chicken with your famous cheese sauce, and I’ll be fine in no time.”
“Chickens? ‘Tis the very thing I need,” Madeleine proclaimed.
She and Maude went off in search of chickens, and Madeleine asked the servant for wine, too.
Soon, Madeleine returned to Garrett with a tray. He grinned lazily at her.
“I need to undress you, my lord,” she told him. “I must see to your wound.”
He grinned at her. “Will you see to others things, too?”
Exasperated, she pushed him back onto the pillows and unwound the strip of cloth from his leg. Both his pants and hose were soaked with blood, which had begun to clot. She removed his boots, followed by his clothing.
She cleaned the deep slice first with water then warned him, “This may sting,” before pouring wine over the gash. He sucked in air loudly through clenched teeth as the wine touched his skin.
“What are you doing?” he demanded.
“Taking care of you the best I know how,” she replied tartly. “I’ll either save you or kill you in the process. We’ll just have to await the outcome.”
“’Tis worse than facing a herd of bloody Scots,” he muttered. “’Tis not even a scratch.”
She ignored him as he rambled on, rubbing the whites of eggs across the wound to provide a soothing balm. As she brought the skin close together, she chanted, “In the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Mary. The wound was red, the cut deep, the flesh be sore, but there will be no more blood or pain till the Blessed Virgin bears a child again.”
Binding it with a clean cloth, she leaned back and surveyed her work.
He grinned at her. “Never have I had such a lovely nurse.” He took her hand and brought it to his lips, pressing a fervent kiss upon her knuckles.
She looked him in eye. “Oh, no, my lord, you aren’t to move a muscle.” She removed her hand from his and folded them both primly in her lap.
“Mayhap you are right,” he said.
“Of course I’m right,” she retorted. “I want you to get some rest now.”
“Will you stay with me? Please.”
She gave in, allowing him to bring her down next to him. He placed an arm about her and drew her close until her head lay on his chest. “Now I am at peace,” he told her. He kissed the top of her head.
They stayed that way for some minutes, then Garrett whispered, “I want you.”
Immediately, she felt the familiar stirring inside her. She wanted his touch and yet she did not. It would only make it harder to leave him. But her heart argued with her mind to seize the moment, for there could be no others. Soon Garrett and England would be far behind, and she would only have these memories to sustain her for the rest of her life.
She glanced up at him, and his lips moved to hers. She responded to his kiss, cradling his face in her hands. He needed no further encouragement.
“No regrets,” she whispered into his mouth.
“What?”
“Nothing,” she said, holding him close to her.
Some time later, when they were spent, he fell asleep.
Madeleine slipped quietly from the bed and dressed. She found Maude humming in the kitchen, the chicken plucked, boiled, and ready to be consumed.
“Oh, my lady, how be the master? Well rested now, is he?”
“He’s asleep, Maude. He’ll need broth from the chicken, too. We don’t want him to get a fever.” Madeleine hesitated a moment. “And, please, call me Madeleine. I am no lady.”
Maude sized her up shrewdly. “Yer every inch a lady, my dear. Can’t hide that. Can’t hide how taken the master is with you, neither.”
Madeleine blushed and shook her head.
“Don’t be silly, my lady. My master has been most unhappy ‘bout near all his life. Don’t think I’ll judge ye simply ‘cause ye’ve brought a little sunshine into his life.” She eyed Madeleine speculatively. “Does he know ye’re a lady?”
Madeleine laughed, taken aback at her astuteness. “No, Maude. He thinks me a thief.”
“And he still loves ye, nonetheless? ‘Bout the only thing ye’ve stolen is his heart, I’d daresay.” She patted Madeleine’s shoulder. “Come, dear. Let’s get the master a meal in his belly, and then he can have all the sleep he wants.”
Garrett awoke the next morning with a parched throat and a dull ache in his leg. His head was clear, though, with none of the throbbing pain to which he had become accustomed. It was too bad, in a way, for then he could have asked Madeleine to sing to him. Her voice had a way of soothing the pains in his head. He would have enjoyed being her audience of one.
He spotted her dozing in a chair next to his bed. She’d probably been there all night. He reached over and gently took her hand, feeling its warmth. She stirred slightly, but did not waken.
He gazed at her lovingly, wanting to know every inch of her. All his anger from the previous day was spent. He still wondered how she’d come into possession of Lynnette’s necklace, but she would tell him in her own time. For now, he needed to return to Stanbury as soon as possible and confront Barth. Only when he learned the truth about Lynnette could he start a new life with Madeleine.
He studied her face, glad for once she was silent. Not that he didn’t enjoy their verbal sparring. She had a quick tongue and keen mind, and he enjoyed their conversations immensely. Still, it seemed a luxury to look upon her beauty in the quiet morning.
He focused on the faint scar that marred her perfect skin. The slightly jagged ridge ran along her cheekbone and he determined it must have come from a ring. Someone had backhanded her with a powerful blow to cause such a blemish to be embedded so deeply. He would kill the man that had mistreated her. He would not rest until he’d done so.
He gave her hand a quick squeeze, and her eyelids fluttered. Despite his sore leg, he leaned up and softly kissed her sweet lips.
“Good morning, my nurse. ‘Tis time you woke and tended your patient.”
She stretched lazily. “This good nurse needs to be up and about, my lord. Sleeping in a chair is not my idea of a comfortable night.”
“You’d rather sleep on that flea-bitten quilt in your rented hovel?”
“Mayhap,” she said teasingly.
He started to rise.
“Oh, no. You are to remain abed the whole day. Maude and I have decided that already. You need rest aplenty.”
“No, my dear, we leave for Stanbury today. I must—
”
Madeleine pushed him back against his pillows, her hands firm on his shoulders. “I know you are anxious to learn about Lynnette, but ‘twill only be for a day. I want to be sure of your strength before you set out on such a long ride.”
“You treat me as a babe,” he grumbled.
“Just for today, Garrett. Now I’ll heat some broth for you to break your fast.”
She returned in a little while with a steaming bowl of the broth she’d promised him, along with ale and bread. She redressed his wound as he ate.
“The cut already looks to be healing nicely.”
“All thanks to your care.” His eyes caressed her.
She swallowed hard. “Garrett, ‘tis something we must talk about. There are things you must know.” She twisted her hands together, her brow furrowed as she concentrated on the right words to say.
“’Tis about—”
“There ye are, Madeleine. Might’ve known where ye’d be.”
Maude bustled into the room, drawing the curtains as she hummed a bit off-key. “Ye be well-looking, Lord Montayne.”
Sunshine streamed into the room, and Madeleine began pacing nervously. He wished Maude hadn’t interrupted their conversation since he knew Madeleine was about to share something of her past with him.
“Ye look to have much energy, Madeleine,” said Maude. “Mayhap ye could accompany me to market? I’ve a mind to prepare eels, seeing as to how Lord Montayne be partial to ‘em.”
Maude raised her brows at him. “Ye’d like some eels now, in a bit o’ saffron sauce? Or would ye be preferrin’ fried minnows?”
“They both sound good, Maude. You make the choice.”
The servant clucked her tongue. “Well, we won’t be deciding just yet then. We’ll wait till we see what Old James has.” She nodded at Madeleine. “I’ll get us some baskets, dearie.”
As soon as Maude left the room, Madeleine went to him and placed her hand against the side of his face. “I will help Maude now.” She hesitated a moment. “When we return, I must speak to you. ‘Tis important.”
Henri de Picassaret left the church immediately after mass. He still felt a bit unsure about being in London after hearing the warning from the gatekeeper concerning the waning epidemic of typhus. Yet no fear of illness could have kept him from following Garrett Montayne as he chased after Madeleine.
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