Medieval Ever After (73 page)

Maddie peered at him through tear-stained lashes. She did not trust him yet—he could see that in her eyes—but what could he do to gain her trust? Because after their embrace outside, he knew better than ever that he would do anything to gain her confidence. To protect her from anyone and anything. His eyes never left hers, though his mind drifted back to the memory of her luscious lips, her taste.

Maddie finally nodded her head. “Thank you, Laird. I feel I am exhausted by this day. I think it would be best for me to retire to my chamber now.”

Alex reached out to touch her cheek. When he remembered their audience, he quickly changed his movement from a caress to a brush, as if to erase her worry. She blushed a deep red nonetheless.

Stumbling away from him, she gave Mac another hug. “Thank you for bringing Alice back to me.”

Without a glance at Alex, she fled to her chamber.

***

Maddie bolted upright the next morning, her hand touching the spot where Alex had caressed her in front of everyone. Her cheeks turned pink as she recalled how soft and warm his touch had been—the warm and tender force of it spreading through her body instantly, heating her in places she had never expected. How was it possible she could still feel that small touch today? She forced herself out of bed, finished her ablutions, and dressed in a hurry—hoping it would be enough to put a stop to the carnal thoughts dancing through her mind.

She rushed through the corridor to Alice’s chamber. Alice bade her to enter when she knocked. Mac had already descended to the great hall to speak with Laird Grant. It warmed Maddie’s heart to see Alice was alert and sitting up in bed.

“Alice, are you better today?” Maddie asked as she sat down next to her maid and grabbed her hand.

“Aye, lass, I am fine now that I am away from that mad man. His cruelty knows no bounds.” Maddie sat and plaited Alice’s long gray tresses as the older woman told her about the other incidents that had taken place after her disappearance. Maddie cringed at this further evidence of Kenneth’s brutality.

“Alice, I hope some of the servants will leave and find other places to live. I am sure Alex and Brenna could find places for them here. I do not want them to stay there with Kenneth. Not when he is in such a murderous rage.”

“You must stop taking the burden of your stepbrother’s ruthlessness onto your shoulders. It is not your fault. Kenneth’s mother was a spiteful woman, and it was a sickness she passed on to her son. It has nothing to do with you. If you remember, even your father had trouble controlling the lad’s behavior after he moved in with us.” Alice repositioned herself to ease her pain.

Maddie thought back to that time. Kenneth and his mother had moved in with them once they had settled the fact that Kenneth was heir to the land, and it had been a disaster from the first. On numerous occasions, she had seen Kenneth’s mother beat the servants for trivial matters. Maddie’s mother often interfered to stop the viciousness. The servants worshipped her, for she was a true genteel lady who believed there to be something special in everyone, no matter their station.

After Maddie’s parents died, Kenneth started to find fault in everything she did. It was Alice and Mac who supported her and reminded her of her innate goodness. They believed Kenneth’s tirade would come to an end someday. But someday never came, and her beatings began over her betrothal.

Now Maddie was numb to most of her stepbrothers’ beatings. Whenever he started in on her, she retreated inside her mind and listened to her mother singing to her in a spring meadow. Focusing on the words of the song and the beautiful tone of her mother’s voice always helped her ignore the pain. Lately, however, the resonating lilt of her mother’s voice had started to elude her. Maddie still remembered the words, but too much time had passed since she had heard her mother sing.

Alice’s voice brought her back to reality. “Madeline, you must tell me about Laird Grant. What did he mean when he called you ‘my Madeline’ last night?”

“Oh, Alice, he is such a confusing man. He is so handsome, strong, and honorable…but he can also be very loud and commanding.” Madeline’s face blushed at the memory of Alex’s hand brushing her cheek, his lips on hers. After twisting the fabric of her gown with her fingers, she peeked at her maid to gauge her reaction.

“The man has serious responsibilities,” Alice said. “He is laird of a large clan, so it is his duty to train his warriors and protect his people. Mac and I have taken note of how many people depend on him for their very existence,” Alice explained.

“You are right. He takes his responsibilities very seriously. He has so much to do that I fear I am a bother to him and am imposing on his hospitality. I do not know what to do.”

Alice cupped her cheek softly. “Even serious honorable men need a personal life, Maddie. Has he ever been married?”

“Nay, I do no’ think so. Jennie or Brenna would have told me.”

“My angel, has this man shown interest in you?” A smile crept across Alice’s face.

Maddie stared at her hands and bit her lower lip. “Well, he did kiss me last night.”

Alice reached for her. “And, how do you feel about that?”

Maddie glanced up sharply, her gaze connecting with Alice’s keen eyes. “I am so torn! He is a gentle, kind man, and his touch feels…good. It feels right. But when he kissed me last night, I started remembering Niles and what he did to me.” Madeline hung her head again. “And I hit him, Alice. The man must think there is something wrong with me.”

Alice pulled Madeline’s hands into her warm ones. “Mayhap you should try telling him about what happened to you. He is a good man. I am sure he would understand your fears and tread more carefully with you.”

“I am no longer a maiden, so what could he possibly want with me?” Maddie started pacing before the hearth. “I have no dowry. He could do much better.”

“You are a wonderful young lady who would do any man proud,” Alice said fiercely. “You have noble blood in you, and if your father were still alive, this is exactly the sort of match he would be arranging for you. And if Alexander Grant is half the man I think he is, he will not care about your maidenhood under the circumstances. You are a beautiful, kind-hearted woman who can give him many strong sons. But you must be honest with him. No good will come of it if you try to deceive him.”

“Alice, may I ask you a female question?” Maddie sat beside her again.

“Of course you may. I hope I can answer it for you.”

Maddie sighed in frustration as she looked down at her lap. “How do you tolerate the marriage bed?”

Alice reached over and tipped her chin up, “Look at me, child. The marriage bed can be a wonderful expression of love. Most men treat their wives with gentleness and respect. That is not at all what Niles forced on you. Alexander Grant is not that kind of man. I believe he will be a gentle, caring husband. Look how caring he was with me.”

There was a knock on the door, and then Mac entered the room. Maddie leaned down and kissed Alice’s cheek. “Thank you, Alice. I have been greedy with your time, and I think your husband needs to see you now. We will talk later.”

Maddie smiled as she witnessed the genuine affection between Mac and Alice. They still gazed at each other with such love after all these years. Could she hope to find such a relationship?

She could not stop thinking about everything Alice had said to her as she walked down the corridor and the stairs. Would it be possible for her to tell Alex the truth? When she reached the great hall, she noticed very few people were there. Sitting down to break her fast, she beckoned to Brenna, who was sewing in front of the hearth.

“Good morning, Brenna. Where is everyone?” She broke off a piece of bread and bit into it.

“Alex has taken a group of men to scout the area for signs of your stepbrother. He wants to be ready in case there is an attack.”

“Oh, no.” Madeline put down her bread and wrung her hands in her lap. “I hope no one is hurt.”

“Well, I hope something happens to your stepbrother. The man is a menace. If he isn’t stopped now, he will only get worse. My brother has pledged to the king to keep peace in this land, and your stepbrother is a threat to everyone in the area. Alex is no’ worried. His men are better trained than either the Comming’s or your stepbrother’s, and besides, there are more of them. When your father was chief, he had a mighty guard, but many of his loyal men left to join other clans. We have taken some of them in and Robbie says they all have tales to tell. I know he is your kin, Maddie, but I am sorry. He is naught but trouble.”

A servant brought Maddie a bowl of porridge covered in honey. “Do not apologize,” she said softly. “I know my stepbrother’s harsh ways.”

What could be done with her stepbrother? He should not be laird. Now his maliciousness was spreading outside his own keep. He did need to be stopped. But how?

It was dark before the men returned. Alex strode into the keep with his brothers at his side, followed by many of his guardsmen. Maddie marveled at what an impressive sight he made, so massive with all his chainmail and gear, his dark hair curled slightly at his collar, his finely chiseled jaw darkened with the day’s stubble. When he was focused, his gray eyes turned dark and deadly. According to Mac, he had a reputation for making men cringe just from the serious way he looked at them.

Maddie’s breath caught at the sight of this fierce, proud man. She could not take her gaze off him as he advanced toward her.

Alex and his brothers bowed slightly to her before sitting and then Alex said, “My lady, you are a vision of loveliness this evening.”

“A true vision!” Brodie added with a smile.

“A pleasure never known to me before!” cried Robbie, his eyes twinkling with mischief.

Madeline beamed at the brothers. “Why, thank you, you are too kind.”

Suddenly she felt Alex’s scrutiny—his gaze was so powerful, she sensed it down to her toes. For a moment, she daydreamed what it would be like to have Alex come home to her every day. How would it feel to be held in his arms at night, to hold his bairns on her lap? Could she hope for such happiness? She caught Alice’s gaze from across the room. Her maid was smiling at her and nodding in encouragement. She turned back to look at Alex again. Was it possible?

Then she reminded herself that she was no longer a maiden. Alice had insisted he would understand, but what if he didn’t? She wasn’t sure she could stand to tell him. It would be better to focus on the threat posed by her stepbrother.

“Laird Grant, were you able to find evidence of my stepbrother today?” she forced herself to ask.

***

Alex was vexed at what this one slight woman did to him. With one glance, her innocence and trust undid all his training as laird, forcing him to soften everything he said, everything he did, and all for one golden-haired lass. No wonder his brothers teased him. Alex thought carefully before responding. He did not want to worry Maddie needlessly, but they found evidence of horses in the area. They knew they had been watched at some point, but the invaders could have been Kenneth or Comming. It was impossible to know for sure.

“We found nothing substantial, though we plan to continue tomorrow.”

Alex stared at her. What he wouldn’t give to see that warm smile bestowed on him alone. He let himself savor the memory of holding her in his arms. Maddie belonged with him. She had been so passionate, but he had made the mistake of going too far. He reminded himself that he would need to move slowly with her after all she had been through, but even though he reminded himself of this repeatedly, whenever she was near, he forgot everything.

He caught a whiff of her lavender scent and sighed like a laddie.
Curse it
,
the woman drives me over the edge!
How long would he have to wait to get her in his arms again?

Her skin was absolute perfection. He wanted the privilege of being able to stroke her tenderly whenever and wherever he wanted. The thought of anyone else doing so burned his insides.

He held his hand out for her and escorted her to the dais, then signaled for the servants to bring food for his men.

“How is your maid faring today?” Alex asked as he sat by her.

Maddie pointed to the hearth where Alice sat with her husband, Mac, and wee Jennie. “As you can see, my laird, she is doing much better. Thank you for helping her. She has a heart of gold and is very special to me.”

The sound of little feet pounding up to them interrupted their conversation. Alex turned to see Jennie flying toward him. He pushed his chair back just in time to catch her in midair before she landed in his lap. She threw her arms around his neck and gave him a kiss on the cheek.

“Alex, I like our new friends. Mac tells the best stories.”

“Is that so?” Alex retorted. “I have been replaced that easily, my wee one?”

Jennie wrinkled her face. “Nay, Alex, but sometimes you are very busy.”

“Never too busy for you, little squirrel,” he said, brushing a kiss on her nose.

Alex caught Maddie watching him. The sadness in her eyes broke his heart. How would it feel to have no family to love?

If only he could make it right for her.