Medieval Ever After (69 page)

“Nay, I cannot say I have the calling. I would welcome the peacefulness, but it would only suit me if there were children about.” Maddie’s hands played with her skirt.

“Then why no’ marry another man? You are so wonderful with the wee ones. You belong with a house full of bairns!” Brenna leaned over and pulled her into her arms. “You have a heart of gold. You deserve a life of happiness. Put your terrible memories behind you.”

“I do love little ones, but I am not sure.” Maddie’s words caught as she struggled to maintain her composure. The time had come to tell her friend the truth.

“Sure of what, Maddie?” Brenna’s voice softened as she pulled away enough to look at her.

A tear slowly made its way down Maddie’s cheek. She shook her head and put her hands over her face.

“What is it?” Brenna waited patiently before reaching over and hugging her tight.

Maddie slowly lifted her gaze to meet her friend’s. “Niles forced himself on me a while ago. I am no longer a maiden. Who would have me as I am?”

“Och, Maddie, is that why Kenneth wants you to marry Niles?” Brenna brushed a lock of hair out of Maddie’s eyes.

“Nay. Niles thought he had the right to my maidenhead since we were betrothed. When I refused, he took it. It was horrible, and now I do not know if I could stand the marriage bed. That is when I refused Kenneth, after the Comming brutalized me.” Maddie’s composure finally broke as sobs wracked her body. “What am I to do now? I am so confused.”

“How terrible! Did you tell Kenneth about it?” Brenna whispered.

“Nay, Kenneth has no feelings for me. He would say it was Laird Comming’s right as my betrothed. Do you understand my dilemma? What say you now?” She swiped at her tears with her sleeve.

“It answers many questions. But I have no experience with this sort of situation, so I don’t know how to help you. Surely there must be someone who can help. Mayhap we should talk to my brother Alex.”

“Nay! I would be too embarrassed to discuss this with your brother. Please do not ask me to tell him, Brenna. I will decide on my own what to do. Mayhap when Father MacGregor arrives, I will talk with him about the possibility of entering the convent.”

Brenna sighed before biting her lip. “I will agree as long as you promise no’ to make up your mind for at least a fortnight. You have been through too much.” Brenna rubbed Maddie’s arm. “Is there any chance you could be carrying Niles’s bairn?”

Maddie could feel her cheeks blushing as she stared at the ground. “Nay, I have had my courses since then.”

“Please remember what I said. You are always welcome to stay with us.” Brenna helped her up from the bench and gave her another quick hug.

“Thank you, Brenna. I owe you and your family so much.”

“You are most welcome. We are here for you, and I hope you believe that. I’ll help in any way I can.” She glanced up at the sky. “I think we have done enough work out here for today. I will pick some fresh herbs for Cook and return to the keep.”

“If you do not mind, I would like to be alone for a bit before returning.” Maddie wiped the tears from her face as she straightened her skirts.

“Of course, I will see you back in the hall.”

Maddie strolled down the main path away from the keep. She stopped briefly to take in the crisp fall air…and regain her composure. As she glanced around the bailey, she noticed something very different about the Grants’ keep. Everyone here was
happy
. Everyone waved or smiled, even the blacksmith, and she could not help but smile back.

Alex must be a very good laird. The people respected him, and it was no wonder. Their crofts and cottages were in good shape, not in need of repair like many of the homesteads in her clan. Food was bountiful—though not rich—at his table, and many of his people were fed in the great hall.

She thought of how things had changed at her own keep since her parents’ death. The hall had always been spotless when her mother was alive. Now it was filthy, despite her best efforts. Kenneth even allowed his men to throw their food scraps on the rushes in the hall when they finished eating. He considered it Maddie’s job to clean it all up. But with so many dogs pushing around for food, it was an impossible task. Besides, Kenneth had scared away many of the servants, leaving Maddie without the help she needed.

No dogs were allowed in the food area of the great hall at the Grant Castle. Brenna kept her rushes clean by mixing herbs and dried flowers in with them to maintain their freshness. It was an altogether different kind of place.

As she walked down the hill, her gaze wandered to the lists. She sighed when her gaze found Alex, feeling a bit wistful of what could never be. As if on cue, he turned and found her gaze. She wanted to give him a quick wave, but worried he would be angry with her for interrupting his work. She strolled to the stables to visit the horses. They reminded her of Mac. The stables had always been a place of comfort for her at her home. She hoped she would feel the same way here.

***

Alex was in the middle of instructing one of his soldiers when a flush of heat warmed the back of his neck. Madeline must be nearby, he thought. He had not seen her for days, but only her gaze could have that effect on him. Anger and hurt both crept in. Why did she always turn away from him?

“Chief, is this what you were talking about? I think I know what you mean now.” The Grant warrior held his sword in a different stance in front of Alex. “Is this not correct?”

Alex turned and stared at his man. What was he babbling about? He dismissed him with a wave and turned around to look for Maddie. He could not find her anywhere. An unusual tightness built in his chest as he searched for a glimpse of her in the bailey. It was not safe for her to wander about on her own.

He turned toward his brother. “Robbie, I have things to do. You are in charge until I return.”

Robbie nodded and returned to what he had been doing. “Brodie, can you believe it? I did not ever think we would see Alex so taken with a woman.”

Alex glared back at his brother. “I am not taken with the woman, Robbie. She is currently under my charge and I am just trying to protect her.”

“After the farce with Anna Comming, I was no’ sure I would ever see it again,” Brodie remarked.

Alex stopped dead, spun on his heel, and pointed his finger in Brodie’s face. “Do not ever mention that woman’s name in my presence again. Do you understand me?”

“Aye, Laird Grant, I do,” Brodie ground out as he glared at his brother. “But since we never heard the circumstances, it is difficult for us to understand why you will no’ discuss what happened. Anna is a beautiful lass.”

“You do not need to know the circumstances. Just never speak her name again.” Alex stalked off toward the stables. He probably should have told his brothers about the farce that had been his betrothal, but he did not want to create any more animosity toward their neighboring clan. Some things were better kept quiet.

Now he was barking at his brothers. What was Maddie doing to him?

RESCUED BY A HIGHLANDER

CHAPTER ELEVEN

Alex stormed into
the stables, only to find Maddie feeding an apple to his horse. He froze at the sight of his stallion eating from her hand as she rubbed his head and cooed to him.

“Hugh, what are you thinking?” he bellowed. “You know how nasty my horse gets, or have you lost your senses, old man?”

Maddie stiffened at the chastisement. “Laird Grant, it is not his fault. He did not know what I was about.”

Alex’s gut clenched at the fear and concern he saw in her eyes. “My lady,” he said softly, “I am no’ going to hurt old Hugh.”

Old Hugh chuckled as he watched Maddie coddle Alex’s horse. “As you can see, Chief, there is no need to worry about Maddie. Midnight knows a kind soul when he meets one. Or are you nervous he might like her more than he does you?”

Alex glared at him. “Never mind,” he said. “‘Tis no’ why I came here. My lady, you should not be wandering around the bailey by yourself. I do not want you to leave the hall without an escort. No one knows when your stepbrother might send someone to steal you back. My gates are open during the day. Anyone could sneak in.”

Fire lit her eyes before she bowed her head. “I am sorry, Laird. I was in the garden with Brenna, and I thought I would pay a visit old Hugh and your horses. There was no problem when I was in the bailey with the wee ones yesterday, so I did not think there would be any danger.”

“Leave us, Hugh,” Alex said to his stable master.

After he left, Alex sighed and studied Maddie. Lost in her gaze, her lips, he wanted so badly to kiss her. All he could think of was pulling her into his arms since her sweet scent of lavender and woman was driving him wild. He reached out to touch her, but she pulled back.

He shook his head slightly and glanced at the horses, using the distraction to regain his control.

“My lady, you had a group around you yesterday. Today, you are alone. I would not trust you alone with some of my own clan.” The volume of Alex’s voice rose as he continued. The sudden vision of another man touching her, hurting her, burst into his head. “And you will need ten escorts whenever you go outside the keep!” He knew he was yelling, but he was desperate to keep her safe and protected. “You will heed my orders, Madeline MacDonald, or I will lock you in your chamber!”

Madeline eyes turned to ice as she stared at him. “Forgive me, I thought to be a guest in your home, not a prisoner.” She ran around him and tore up the hill toward the keep.

Alex put his hands on his hips and heaved a big sigh.

Stepping back around the wall, Hugh said, “Well done, laddie. You drove her further away.” The old man chuckled as his eyebrows rose. “Laird, I have known you since you were a bairn, and I have ne’er seen a lassie affect you so. Och, ‘tis about time.” The stable master gave him a warm pat on his shoulder. “From what I know of her, she is as kind as she is fair. Naught like that other lass.”

Old Hugh was one of the few men who knew the real reason why Alex had not taken a wife yet.

Years ago, before his parents’ death, Alex had been betrothed to Anna Comming, Niles’s sister. He had not known her well, but his father had insisted that Alex marry to produce heirs. After much discussion with his mother, Alex had agreed to the plan.

Not long after, the Comming came to Grant land to introduce his sister to Alex. Niles was anxious to commence the wedding, as he always sought ways to expand his wealth and holdings. Anna was a dark-haired beauty, but there was a coldness in her eyes Alex did not trust. Old Hugh was actually the one who had saved Alex from making a disastrous mistake. He had summoned him to the stables one night—just in time to catch his betrothed in the act. Alex found Anna, in all her splendor, being tupped in the hay by her brother’s second in command. They knew he was there, but did not stop. Instead, Anna had smiled at him over her lover’s shoulder and beckoned him closer. But what had sickened him most was the sight of Niles in the corner, watching with a smile on his face as he brutally twisted the breasts of one of Alex’s servants.

Alex had drawn his sword on Niles, but the other man had been unarmed. All he said was, “You and yours will be off my land by dawn.” Only respect for his mother had stayed his hand from killing them all on Grant land.

The servant girl had been terrified, but Alex had escorted her home. He had spoken to her parents and made special arrangements for her to guarantee she would be out of harm’s way.