Medieval Ever After (85 page)

CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR

When Maddie opened
her eyes, she stared at everything in confusion. Darkness enveloped the room. She attempted to push herself up, but pain immediately shot through her left arm. Memories of her fall into the hole came back to her slowly. The contraption on her arm must have been created by Brenna. Another sensation slowly registered, and she looked down to see a muscular arm across her waist and a long hairy leg draped over hers.

She could not stop herself from disturbing Alex. “What are you doing?”

“I was trying to sleep, sweeting, what are you doing?” he retorted.

“Alex, you are in my bed! ‘Tis not proper!”

“Nay, you are in my bed, and I know ‘tis no’ proper, but you are staying.” He peeked at her out of the corner of one eye with a slight grin on his face. “How is your arm?”

“My arm is fine. But I am not trying to be amusing. This is not proper. I am going back to my chamber. What have you done?” Maddie sat up quickly and then groaned as her body responded. She fell back against the pillows.

“Maddie, we are to be married in a sennight. I promised your maid that I would not ravish you. But you cannot sleep alone. ‘Tis no’ safe for you.”

“But your clan already thinks I am a whore because of the Comming. What will they think now?”

“What are you talking about? My clan does not think of you as a whore!” His voice grew to a dull roar.

“Aye, they do, Alex. You know ‘tis why the storytelling stopped,” Maddie said, turning from him.

“I do no’ think my clan will be treating you like that anymore. If they do, I will take care of it. I will take care of you,” he whispered, turning her face back so he could kiss her brow.

Maddie sighed and nestled her head against Alex’s shoulder. “I am too tired to argue now.” She promptly fell back asleep.

The next time she awakened, she was being carried down the passageway to her own chamber.

“Thank you, Alex,” she whispered.

“This is just for the day. I will return you to my chamber tonight. ‘Tis where you belong. But I will give in to your tender sensibilities during the day.” He deposited her on the bed and then propped her arm with a pillow. “Brenna said to keep your arm supported for a while. I will send her up to check on you while I see Cook about some food. Are you hungry, sweeting?”

“Aye, I could eat a little something, thank you.” Her eyes rested on her betrothed’s mouth as the memories of his kisses at the loch rocked through her.

“Please don’t look at me like that, or my intentions will no longer be honorable.” After a quick kiss on her lips, he turned and left the chamber. Maddie sighed, wishing they were already married so she could stop worrying about her reputation and conduct herself as she wished—which would be to stay as close to him as possible. She supposed she needed to focus on healing first. That thought brought another—she hoped Jennie would awaken soon.

As if summoned by her thoughts, Alex burst into her chamber a few minutes later. There was a huge smile on his face, and wee Jennie was cradled in his arms. Maddie was so pleased to see her awake she sat straight up in her bed. “Jennie? You are better?”

“Hi, Maddie,” Jennie said weakly.

Alex set her on the bed in front of Madeline.

“Jennie, are you all right?” Maddie asked as she cupped the lassie’s face with her right hand.

“I am fine, but my big brother will not let me walk yet. He does not believe me. I am a little tired though. And my head does hurt sometimes. And I think I have some bruises, but I will get better. Alex said I could have pastries to break my fast. Cook made me the biggest pastry I have ever seen, and it is covered with icing! I wanted to come and see you before eating it, but I did lick some icing off already.” Jennie’s words flew out of her, as if she hadn’t talked in days.

“Is your arm all right, Maddie? What is that thing on your arm? Does it hurt very much? How can you take a bath with that?”

“Och, little flower, slow down or you will give Madeline a headache, too,” Alex said with a smile. “Give her a kiss so I can return you to your room to eat your pastry. Maddie needs to rest.”

Jennie leaned over and gave Madeline a big kiss. “Thank you for saving me, Maddie.”

“Jennie, thank the saints above you have improved. We worried so.”

Alex picked her up and left. Her excited chatter continued and he shook his head, chuckling as he walked. “I think she is feeling better,” he shouted back to Madeline.

The next few hours flew by. Brenna and Alice helped Maddie bathe and then Alice clucked her way around the room, fixing everything. She ate in her chamber, as she was still in a bit of pain and not quite ready to face everyone. Robbie and Brodie stopped in briefly to see how she was doing, and they filled her in on wee Jennie and how much the lassie enjoyed being the center of attention.

She awoke several hours later to find Alex seated at her bedside.

“How long have I been asleep, Alex?” she asked.

“Quite a while, but your body needs it. What you did yesterday was no small feat for a lass your size. Your body needs to heal itself, especially your arm. Is it paining you much, lass?”

“Nay, only when I move it certain ways. I think I am ready to walk a bit. I cannot sit here forever.” Maddie moved herself to the edge of the bed.

“I think you could come down to the hall for supper. There are some people there who are anxious to see that you are all right.”

“Well, I do not know who could be interested in my welfare. I have seen all of your family and most of the servants today. But I would like to go to the hall and eat with your family. Can you send Alice in to help me get dressed into something more appropriate?”

“I will help you.” He walked over to her chest. “What gown do you want?”

“Alex, you cannot help me. It would be improper for you to see me naked.” Maddie blushed under his scrutiny.

“Maddie, in a sennight I plan to see you naked every day. Every inch of your body that I have seen is beautiful, so do no’ be shy. But today, I promise just to help you into your gown. You have a chemise on underneath, aye?” Alex asked.

Maddie glanced at the determination on her betrothed’s face. His arms were crossed in front of him, and she probably could not sway him. She finally conceded by standing up. After all, he had already seen her in a chemise.

“All right, but do not dawdle!” she said with a firm set to her jaw.

Alex turned his back to her and reached into the chest, emerging with a lavender gown. “How is this?”

“That will be fine,” she said, clenching her teeth. She turned her back to Alex and tried to remove her night rail, but she only managed to tangle it.

“How am I supposed to dress and undress with my arm like this?” she sighed in frustration.

“Let someone help you,” he whispered near her ear. He stood behind her and helped untangle her arms and remove the night rail.

He stood so close to her she could feel his heat, even through the material of her chemise. His scent of horse and pine washed through her senses, reminding her of the day he had rescued her. She remembered the gentleness with which he had pulled her chemise from the dried blood on her back in the woods. She gave in to him, letting him control her movements. His hands ran down her body as he helped her put the gown on. She leaned back into him and felt his hardness against her back. She shivered at the sensation.

“Are you cold, lass?” Alex asked as he turned her and pulled her into his arms.

She shook her head as his mouth descended on hers. His tongue pressed against her lips, and she opened her mouth for him. Maddie wrapped one arm around his neck and pushed him closer. She couldn’t stop the little moan in the back of her throat as he deepened the kiss, begging for more.

***

Alex heard her moan and pulled her closer. He ran his hands over her soft bottom. He had wanted her for so long that he was sure he would embarrass himself and lose his seed the instant his hardness touched her flesh. He set her away from him as soon as he heard footsteps in the hallway. The door flung open and Alice marched into the room.

Alice stopped her advance and gasped, her hand going immediately to her mouth as she took in Maddie’s dazed look and drew her own conclusions. Only then did Alex notice how red and swollen Maddie’s lips looked. The maid picked up one of Maddie’s storybooks made of parchment and promptly swatted him across the back of his head.

“Just as I thought, you swine. This is not proper. You will not treat her like this. You are not to be alone with her until after you are wed. Why, her mother is probably rolling in her grave as we speak!”

Maddie’s eyes were big as saucers. “Alice, you hit Laird Grant. That is not your place!”

Alice’s chin jutted forward. “Perhaps not, but I won’t take it back. I promised your mother that I would take care of you, Madeline, and I will not let this man, laird or not, take advantage of you.”

Alex squelched the grin on his face, and before he knew it, he was shoved out of the door by the petite commander. From the quick look he got of Maddie before he was ousted, she was fighting a smile, too. He was propelled right into Robbie.

“Huh!” Robbie said. “What do you suppose that is all about? Any ideas, brother?” His eyes sparkled as he ducked Alex’s swing and turned and ran down the stairs, laughing all the way.

***

Eventually, Alex returned to carry Madeline downstairs to the great hall. He sat her at the main dais, but he moved her chair away from the table, tuning it to face the door. Robbie, Brodie, Brenna, Alice, and Mac were all present, and it felt as if they were waiting for something. They were acting in a peculiar manner, but she could not fathom their intent. Jennie positioned herself at Maddie’s side, a big smile lighting up her face.

“What is this about?” Madeline asked as she searched everyone’s faces.

Alex motioned for Brodie to go to the door, then turned to Maddie and said, “There are some members of my clan who have been asking to speak to you.”

The door opened and Moira rushed in with Emma in her arms. She marched up to the dais and curtsied to Maddie. “My lady, I came to thank you for saving my wee Emma.” She set the bairn down and tucked a package into her tiny hands. Emma waddled over and offered the package to Maddie with a big smile.

As Emma walked back to her mama, Moira continued. “I also wish to apologize for the way I treated you. I was wrong, and I hope you will find it in your heart to forgive me. You are truly a fine lady.”

Tears welled in Maddie’s eyes as she opened the package. Inside, she found a bar of lavender-scented soap.

“I made it with me own hands, my lady. I hope you like it.”

Madeline held the soap up to her face to take in the sweet scent. “It is lovely, Moira. Thank you, I will treasure it.” She lifted herself up and walked over to give the other woman a one-armed hug. “Of course I forgive you.” Emma reached up to kiss Maddie’s cheek and then Moira curtsied and left the hall.

Maddie turned to Alex, only managing to say, “Oh, Alex!”

The door opened again, and this time wee Tommy scrambled up the steps to Maddie, followed by his mother. He bowed to Maddie and handed her a glorious bouquet of dried flowers. “Me Ma and I picked them and dried them ourselves a while ago, but we want you to have them, my lady.”

Tommy’s mother curtsied and said, “Forgive me, my lady, for the wrongs I have done you. The laird could not find a better lady to take as his wife.” She turned and curtsied to Alex. “We will be proud to have her as our lady, my laird.” Alex nodded before they turned and left.

Maddie stared at the two gifts in her lap. How long had it been since anyone had given her a gift? Brushing the moistness from her lashes, she jerked as the door opened again. The blacksmith and his family crossed the room to Alex and bowed. “Forgive me, Laird, for my behavior. I should no’ have shunned your betrothed for something that was no’ her fault. She is a brave lady who will make you a fine wife.” He stepped forward, bowed to Madeline, and placed a long, thick rabbit pelt on her lap. “To keep your hands warm on the cold winter nights.” He bowed again as he and his family turned to leave.

Maddie forced a weak, “Thank you, sir,” as she fought back tears.

Jennie clapped as she looked at the gifts. “You see, Maddie, I knew they would like you once they got to know you better!”