Medieval Ever After (74 page)

RESCUED BY A HIGHLANDER

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

The relentless activity
in Maddie’s mind kept her awake for much of the night. Intent on getting some air, she climbed out of bed, slipped on her robe, and tiptoed out of the room. When she reached the end of the passageway, she opened the heavy door. The rush of fresh, cool night air blew across her face, making her smile.

She carefully wound her way up the stairs. After stepping out onto the battlements, she glanced around, hoping she was alone. Once she was satisfied that she had no unanticipated company, she gazed out at Alex’s lands. What a magnificent sight. From this vantage point, she could see the treetops in the forest and the fields filled with row after row of neat crops yet to be harvested. Wrapping her robe tighter around her body, she made her way down the walkway to find a place to sit. Soon she found the perfect spot—a flat stone encased in the wall.

Maddie sat and pulled her knees up to her chin, carefully tucking her robe around her. The chaotic thoughts all rushed back to her. Time was what she needed to decide what her next step should be, but she did not have it. Who knew when Kenneth would arrive? She’d escaped from him for the time being, but he wouldn’t give up easily.

She shuddered as she thought back on the beatings and injustices she’d endured at her stepbrother’s hands. She would never go back, she just could not. Kenneth had destroyed her home, and it was time for her to move on with her life.

Marrying Niles Comming was certainly not the answer. Maddie’s eyes closed as the painful memories assailed her. She had tried fighting him, but her struggles had only excited him more. He’d eventually tied her to the bed and taken her over and over.

She had been bruised for a sennight afterwards, but she had tried to be strong around her servants and her maid, always aware of the pitying looks they gave her.

Maddie rested her chin on her knees and thought of how different Alex was from Niles and Kenneth. He was so powerful and strong, yet when he touched her, she sensed only gentleness. Firm but fair, he commanded the respect of his people, and he often put their welfare ahead of his own. Kenneth would never do that. His needs had always come first.

Her thoughts turned to the marriage bed. She believed that it would be different with Alex. But even so, the marriage act was the same for everyone, was it not? How could she bear that pain again?

Alice had said that the act should be done between two people in love. Was she in love with Alex? Nay, it couldn’t be love she felt for him. He still made her anxious at times. He was so quick to anger. But then she thought of the many good things she knew about Alex. He was a wonderful brother to wee Jennie. He always had a smile for the lassie—a smile that made Maddie’s knees go weak. And then there was the way he had comforted his sister by buying her new puppies. Kenneth liked to beat animals.

Maddie felt a smile stretch across her face as she thought of the quick, decisive way Alex had picked up Alice. She had been filthy, but that hadn’t stopped him. And then there was the way he’d called Alice ‘my lady’ and Maddie as ‘my Madeline.’ Did he really think of her that way?

She remembered how good it had felt to be in his arms last night. And his kiss…she had never imagined it could feel so wonderful.

The distant sound of footsteps registered in her ears, making her flinch. She hoped it was only a guard, but cold fear crept down her spine. A booming, “What say you?” caused her to jump up from her spot. Alex’s dark eyes locked with hers. He towered over her, his hand on his sword.

“Maddie?” he asked. “What the devil are you doing up here?” He studied her slowly and then tugged at the robe around her. “Especially at this time of night?”

“I could not sleep. I thought fresh air might help. Alex, do you have a moment for us to talk?” she asked as she gazed into his steel gray eyes. She needed to apologize for hitting him, and besides, they needed to talk about Kenneth. His eyes almost looked silver in the moonlight. She shivered as his stare raked over her.

“Aye, but you need to keep yourself warm. The nights are cool.” He sat on the stone, pulled her onto his lap, and wrapped his plaid around her. “Now what has you so upset this eve?”

Maddie sighed, relaxing into his warm embrace. She forced herself to focus on her words. “I do not know what to do to stop Kenneth from hurting people. I fear I have endangered your family and your clan, and that is not right. You know I would not do anything to hurt any of you. If he attacks, lives may be lost, and it will be completely my fault. What can I do to stop this from happening?”

He rested his chin in the hollow of her neck. She loved the feeling of his warm breath fanning across her skin. “Maddie, ‘tis not your fault. Your stepbrother is a danger to us all. If we do not stop him now, he will continue on his rampage. Our king wants peace, and I gave my word to keep it. I’ll not allow Kenneth to threaten my people or anyone else. ‘Tis my job to stop him.”

“Maybe it would be better for everyone if I go back.” Maddie twisted her hands back and forth in her lap repeatedly. It was unthinkable, but she would do it if it was the only way to protect Alex and his family.

Alex’s voice turned gravelly. “He will never touch you again. I gave you my word that I would protect you, and so help me, I will.” Alex’s jaw clenched. “Nay, Maddie, you will never go back to him.”

Maddie feared she had made him angry again. “Then maybe it would be better for everyone concerned if I were to join a convent. Neither my brother nor the Comming would be able to reach me.” She turned to Alex with pleading eyes.

“Maddie, do you no’ trust me to keep you safe? I train my warriors every day to protect my people—and you are one of us now. Why would you want to go to a convent?”

“Alex, you do not understand. Things are sometimes not what they seem.” Maddie cringed at the thought of revealing her past to Alex, but Alice was right. She could not deceive him. It probably would make him hate her, but it would be best for him to know the truth.

“I understand what I need to understand.” As he spoke, he brought his thumb up and grazed it lightly across her cheek, then brought it down to rub her bottom lip. Her heart pounded against her chest. “You are mine. You belong with me. I know you are no’ ready for it yet, but I can wait. I will wait as long as you need me to wait.”

He brought his lips down to hers and kissed her lightly. He increased the pressure slightly and ran his tongue across her lips to get her to open to him. She whimpered and leaned into him, wrapping her arms around him. He ran his hand up and down her arm and lightly brushed her breast. She thought it must have been by accident, and to her surprise, she did not want to pull away.

She moved closer to him, wanting more, though not knowing exactly
what
it was she wanted. But was it right to satisfy her needs when his feelings would certainly change after he learned her secret?

She slowly withdrew from him and whispered, “Alex, you don’t understand. Niles…”

“What is it, Maddie? Whatever it is, it does not matter to me.”

She gazed into his eyes and realized that she
did
love this man. The feeling had crept up on her, unexpectedly, over her time at the Grant keep. He was looking at her with such care and concern that the thought of leaving his arms made her want to weep. But she had to be honest.

She placed her hand in his and mumbled, her head down, “I am sorry I hit you when you kissed me, Alex. But when a man touches me, I jump, I cringe.”

She couldn’t bring herself to look him in his eyes. She did not want to see the revulsion in them.

“Niles raped me, Alex. Kenneth gave me to him when we were betrothed.” Tears rolled down her cheeks. “I tried to fight him, but I was not strong enough. I am not a maiden anymore. No one will want me. You especially deserve better.”

And she prepared for him to push away from her.

***

Alex pulled her closer, caressing her back. He was so angry he could not speak. Sighing softly into her hair, he noticed the tears dotting her eyelashes. She was clinging to him and crying softly into his neck. Neither of them spoke. Everything made sense to him now. How had this mere slip of a lass survived so much pain? No wonder she was timid around him. He now understood so much more about her. He kissed her hair, her forehead, and pulled her tightly to him. She belonged with him—they belonged
together
. Forever. He was surprised at how strong his feelings of protectiveness were toward her. But first he had something else to attend to.

Kenneth MacDonald and Niles Comming were both dead men.

RESCUED BY A HIGHLANDER

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

Maddie stretched to
ease the kinks in her back from a restless sleep and swung her legs over the side of the bed. Late morning light filtered in through a slit in the closed shutter. She bit her lip, dreading the day ahead.

Alex had quietly walked her back to her door last night, kissed her briefly, and bade her good night. She’d lain awake for another couple of hours, worrying about the effect her confession would have on him.

He had said very little, but he had held her tight through her deluge of tears, softly caressing her hair. Still, she had felt the rigidity of his body. Did he think it was her fault? Or maybe he was angry with Niles? Or Kenneth? She was uncertain. How she wished she could talk to her mother. Deciphering Alex was a challenge at times. The man gave no clues as to his thoughts or emotions.

Hopefully, she would have the opportunity to talk to him today. Of course, now that he knew the truth about her, he might choose to avoid her. Maybe he thought her wanton, especially after the way she had acted in his arms last night. He probably would not want her influencing wee Jennie. She closed her eyes, remembering how wonderful it had felt to be held by him. How safe and special and warm. He had told her she belonged with him, but he probably felt differently now that he knew she was not a maiden.

Fiona had left hot water for her, still warm enough to use. She washed and donned a clean gown before heading to the hall to break her fast. When she arrived, the hall was empty. She made her way to the kitchen, where Brenna was busy planning meals with Cook. Not wanting to disrupt their work, she filled a bowl with porridge and headed back into the hall. Where was everyone?

Brenna followed her after a few minutes. “Good day to you, Maddie. May I sit with you?”