Julie Garwood - [3 Book Box Set] (76 page)

The trees were the first to show fulfillment of the promise. Branches were no longer brittle, but malleable with graceful motion when the breeze coaxed them. Fragile buds and green leaves fattened each limb. Forgotten seeds, blown into the earth by autumn’s warning blusters, now bloomed into a riot of color and fragrance, heady enough to entice vain, flittering honey bees.

It was a magical time for Madelyne. And there was such joy in loving Duncan. She thought it was a miracle that
Duncan loved her. The first few weeks after his declaration, she had actually been uneasy, worried that he’d grow bored with her. She went to great lengths to please him. Yet the inevitable first fight occurred anyway. A simple misunderstanding that could easily have been resolved, blown out of proportion because of Duncan’s black mood and her exhaustion.

In truth, Madelyne couldn’t even remember what started the argument. She recalled only that Duncan had yelled at her. She had immediately retreated behind her safe mask of composure, but it didn’t take her husband long to goad the perfected tranquility right out of her. She had burst into tears, told him he obviously didn’t love her anymore, and then ran to the tower.

Duncan followed her. He still bellowed, but the topic had changed to her habit of jumping to incorrect conclusions. When she realized he was furious that she thought he’d stopped loving her, she hadn’t minded the fierce frown or the shouts. After all, he was yelling that he loved her.

She’d learned an important lesson that night. It was quite all right to yell back. The rules had all shifted on her since meeting the Wextons. The freedom she was now allowed unlocked all the doors to her emotions. She didn’t have to be restrained. When she felt like laughing, she laughed. And when she felt like yelling, she went right ahead, though she did try to maintain a ladylike, dignified manner.

Madelyne also realized she was taking on some of her husband’s characteristics.

There was safety in predictability and she was beginning to dislike change as much as he did. When Gilard and Edmond both left to give their forty days to their overlord, Madelyne let everyone within shouting distance know of her displeasure.

Duncan pointed out the inconsistency of her reasoning, even reminded her she’d once argued in favor of giving his brothers more responsibility. Madelyne, however, didn’t want to listen to reason. She had turned into a mother hen and wanted all the Wextons to stay right where she could keep an eye on them.

Duncan understood his wife far better than she understood him. His brothers and Adela had all become members of her family. She had been alone for so many years, the
pleasure of having so many caring people surrounding her was too comforting to let go without protest.

She was a peacemaker too. Madelyne constantly interfered if she thought one was being picked on. She was each one’s protector and yet was amazed when anyone sought to protect her.

In truth, she still didn’t understand her value. Duncan knew she thought it was a miracle that he loved her. He wasn’t a man given to proclaiming his feelings, but he quickly realized she needed to hear his vow of love often. There was an underlying sense of fear and insecurity, understandable because of her background, and he accepted that it would take time for her to gain confidence in her abilities.

The days spent with his new wife would have been idyllic if Adela hadn’t been so determined to drive them all daft. Duncan tried to maintain a sympathetic manner toward his sister, but her behavior was enough to make him secretly want to throttle her.

He made the mistake of telling Madelyne how he felt about Adela’s conduct and his urge to put a gag in her mouth. Madelyne was appalled. She immediately defended Adela. His wife suggested Duncan learn to be more compassionate, and why in God’s name she thought he’d want to do that was beyond his comprehension.

Madelyne called him unsympathetic, yet the opposite was really the truth of the matter. Duncan was extremely sympathetic toward Baron Gerald. His friend had the patience of Job and the endurance of forged steel.

Adela was doing everything she could to dissuade her suitor. She mocked, she screamed, she cried. None of it mattered. Gerald wasn’t the least deterred from his singular goal of winning her. Duncan thought Gerald was either as stubborn as a donkey or as stupid as a bull. He might have been a little of both.

Duncan couldn’t help but admire Gerald. Such determination was praiseworthy, especially when one considered the prize Gerald was after had turned into a screaming shrew.

Duncan really would have preferred ignoring the whole situation. Madelyne, however, wouldn’t allow him that privilege. She constantly dragged him into the middle of
family squabbles, explaining it was his duty to set things right.

She told him, very matter-of-factly, he could be both lord and brother, but all that nonsense about keeping a cold, distant attitude toward his family was a habit of the past to be shed.

Madelyne also told him he could keep his brothers’ respect and gain their friendship too. Duncan didn’t argue with her. Lord only knew he hadn’t won a single argument since they’d wed.

In this instance, however, she’d been correct. He didn’t bother to tell her, of course, knowing she’d immediately point out some other “habit” he should discard.

He began to eat his evening meal with his family because he knew it would please Madelyne, and found he gained pleasure in the experience. He discussed various topics and enjoyed the lively debates that resulted. His brothers were both perceptive men and it wasn’t long before Duncan began to value their suggestions.

He slowly removed the barriers he’d erected to separate himself from his family, found the rewards were far greater than the effort.

His father had been wrong. Duncan knew that now. His father might have ruled rigidly in order to protect his position as lord. Perhaps he thought he’d lose their respect if he showed his children affection. Duncan wasn’t sure what his father’s reasoning had been. He only knew he didn’t have to follow the old ways any longer.

He had his wife to thank for the change in his attitude. She taught him that fear and respect didn’t have to go hand in hand. Love and respect worked just as well, perhaps even better. It was ironic. Madelyne thanked Duncan for giving her a place in his family, when the reverse was really the truth. She had given him a place in his own home. She had shown him how to be a brother to Gilard, Edmond, and Adela. Aye, she’d dragged him right into the middle of the family circle.

Duncan did continue to maintain the same schedule with his men, but he set aside an hour each afternoon to instruct his wife in the proper way of riding. She was a quick learner and it wasn’t long before he let her ride Silenus to the lower hill outside the walls. He followed behind her, of course, as
a precaution. And he grumbled, too, over her stubborn habit of taking food to her imaginary wolf.

Madelyne asked him to explain why one side of the hill was barren while the other side was a forest of trees and wilderness.

Duncan explained that all the trees had been chopped down on the side of the hill that faced the fortress. The watchman couldn’t see beyond the crest, so it wasn’t necessary to chop the trees down on the other side. Anyone who wanted entry to his home would have to climb the lower crest first. The watchmen could see if it was enemy or friend then. And if it was an enemy, archers would have easy targets without the clutter of trees providing shelter and hiding places.

She’d been amazed by his explanation; it seemed everything he did had something to do with protection. He shook his head and pointed out to his wife that protection was his responsibility as lord of Wexton.

Madelyne smiled over his lecture. He had grown accustomed to her smiles too.

Duncan knew Madelyne worried about their future. She still didn’t like to be reminded of her brother and everyone tried not to bring his name up in conversation. Since he couldn’t seem to convince her that everything would be all right, both of them avoided the topic.

Spring was a time of enlightenment for Duncan. He had to leave Madelyne for nearly a month because of pressing business matters, and when he returned, his wife wept with happiness. They stayed awake all night, loving each other passionately, and would have stayed in bed the following day if the household hadn’t intruded.

Madelyne hated it when Duncan had to leave her. He hated it just as much, and though he never would tell Madelyne, his thoughts were consumed with getting back to her side.

Spring left her cloak of sunshine and flowers behind her. Warm summer days at last came to Wexton land.

Travel was easier now. Duncan knew it was only a matter of time before he would be called to answer to his king. He hid his concerns from Madelyne while he quietly gathered his soldiers.

Baron Gerald returned to Wexton land in the last days of
June for yet another attempt to woo Adela. Duncan met his friend in the courtyard. Each had important news to give the other. Duncan had just received a messenger and had accepted a missive with the king’s seal upon it. Baron Wexton could read, a fact his wife wasn’t aware of, and the letter he’d just read made his manner brisk. He was too preoccupied to greet Gerald properly.

Gerald seemed to be of the same frame of mind and disposition. After giving Duncan a curt bow, he handed the reins of his stallion to Ansel and turned back to Duncan. “I’ve just returned from the Clares,” he announced in a low whisper.

Duncan motioned Anthony over to his side. “There are many things to talk about and I would have Anthony included,” he explained to Gerald.

Gerald nodded. “I was telling Duncan I’ve just returned from the Clare holding,” Gerald repeated. “The king’s brother, Henry, was there as well. He asked many questions about you, Duncan.”

The three men slowly walked toward the hall. “I believe he was trying to come to some sort of understanding as to your position if he were to become our king,” Gerald confessed.

Duncan frowned. “What questions?” he asked.

“The conversation was guarded. It was as if they were all privy to some information I lacked. I’m not making much sense, am I?” he asked.

“Is there need to defend William? Do you think Henry might challenge?”

“I do not,” Gerald answered, sounding emphatic. “I thought it strange though. You weren’t invited, yet all the questions asked me were about you.”

“Were they questions about my loyalty?”

“Your loyalty was never an issue,” Gerald answered. “But you command an army of the strongest fighting men in England, Duncan. You could easily challenge our king if you’d a mind to.”

“Does Henry believe I’d turn against my liege lord?” he asked, clearly astonished by the possibility.

“Nay, everyone knows you to be an honorable man, Duncan. Still, the meeting made little sense to me. There was such an uneasy atmosphere.” Gerald shrugged, then
said, “Henry admires you, yet I could tell he was worried about something. God only knows what.”

The three men climbed the steps to the main hall. Madelyne was standing beside the dining table, arranging a cluster of wildflowers into a fat jar. Three little boys were sitting on the floor next to her, eating tarts.

Madelyne glanced up when she heard the men approach. She smiled when she saw Gerald was once again visiting. With a curtsy she greeted all three. “Dinner will be ready in one hour’s time. Gerald, ’tis good to see you again. Isn’t it, Anthony? Adela will be pleased.”

The men shouted with laughter.

“’Tis the truth I’m giving you,” Madelyne insisted. She turned to the children then. “Go and finish your treats outside. Willie, please go and find Lady Adela. Tell her she has a guest. Can you remember that important duty?” she asked him.

The children bounded to their feet and ran out of the room. Willie suddenly rounded on Madelyne and threw his arms around her legs. Duncan watched his wife grab hold of the table with one hand and pat Willie on the top of his head with her other hand.

He was warmed by her gentleness. All the children loved Madelyne. They followed her wherever she went. Each was eager for her smiles and her words of praise. None of the little ones were ever disappointed. Madelyne knew each by name, a considerable accomplishment considering that there were well over fifty of them living inside the manor with their parents.

When Willie finally let go of Madelyne and ran toward the entrance, her gown was covered with the stains from the lad’s face.

She looked down at the damage and sighed. Then she called out to the child. “Willie, you’ve forgotten to bow to your lord again.”

The little one tripped to a stop, turned, and affected an awkward bow. Duncan nodded. The child smiled and started in running again.

“Who do the children belong to?” Gerald asked.

“The servants,” Duncan answered. “They follow my wife.”

A shout of distress interrupted their talk. Duncan and
Gerald sighed in unison. Willie had obviously just informed Adela of Gerald’s arrival.

“Don’t frown so, Gerald,” Madelyne said. “Adela’s been dragging around here ever since your last departure. I do believe she missed you. Don’t you agree, Anthony?”

Duncan could tell from the look on his vassal’s face that he didn’t agree. He laughed when Anthony said, “If you think so, then I’ll allow for the remote possibility.”

Gerald grinned. “Playing the diplomat, are you, Anthony?”

“I don’t wish to disappoint my mistress,” Anthony announced.

“I pray you are correct, Madelyne,” Gerald said. He sat down adjacent to Duncan and Anthony at the table. Madelyne handed him a goblet of wine, and Gerald took a long, thirsty swallow. “Are Gilard and Edmond here?” he asked then.

Duncan shook his head. He took the cup of wine Madelyne offered him but didn’t let go of her hand. Madelyne leaned against his side and smiled at him.

“Duncan, Father Laurance is finally going to say mass for us,” Madelyne announced. She turned to Gerald to explain her remark. “The priest burned his hands right after he wed Duncan and me. The poor man has taken the longest time healing. It was a terrible accident, though he hasn’t explained the exact way it happened.”