Wee Jennie searched back and forth from Alex and Maddie several times before blurting out, “Alex, you made Maddie cry today, it must have been you. Why are you so mean to her?” Tears welled in her eyes, her hands on her hips as she pinned him with her glare. Alex froze in astonishment. What in blazes are they talking about?
Maddie slowly stood. “If you will excuse me, I do not feel well right now.”
Alex landed on his feet in a second and reached for her arm.
Maddie jerked back as Alex’s heat burned through the gown to her skin. Why did this happen to her? Her head told her to run from him, but her heart always wanted to stay. He had a way of turning her stomach to jelly and making her knees weak. She stared at him, unable to speak.
“My lady, I am sorry. Would you favor me with a stroll outside, please?”
Madeline’s chin rose as she averted her eyes. “Are you sure it is safe enough for me to go outside with only one man?”
Alex’s eyes darkened as he stared at her. “Please, my lady, we need to talk.”
Maddie nodded and proceeded toward the door. The entire hall fell silent as she continued. Alex caught up with her and stopped her, placing her arm on his. Maddie stared at him. Could she do this? Was she capable of walking while she touched him? He tugged her toward the door, wrapping his fingers around hers briefly before swinging the door wide.
They strolled in silence for a few minutes toward the gardens, listening to the hoot of an owl in the distance. A full moon brightened the area. Shivering a bit, she leaned into him. He was stunned, but wrapped his arm around her, cursing himself for not realizing it was probably too cold for her tender skin. He rubbed his hand up and down her arm in an attempt to warm her.
“I need to apologize for my brusque manner earlier today.” Alex fumbled with his words. He didn’t want to make any more mistakes.
She halted and turned to him. “There is no need to apologize, but I think perhaps it would be best if I went to a convent. When is your priest due? Mayhap he could advise me of an appropriate abbey.”
He couldn’t believe what he was hearing. He experienced a strange tug on his heart when he thought of her leaving him for a convent of all places.
“First of all, Maddie, I think we are past formalities. Call me Alex. Secondly, how could you possibly ask such a thing?”
“As you wish, Alex. I cannot stay here forever. You have been very gracious, and you know I appreciate all that you have done for me, but it is not right for me to continue taking advantage of your family.”
He searched his mind frantically for a sound reason why she needed to stay with him, but he couldn’t think of one. He wasn’t capable of thinking clearly at the moment.
“You do not belong in a convent.”
“How can you make that statement? You don’t know me.” She stopped and gazed up at him, her eyes searching his.
Alex again had no answer for her. It wasn’t something he could explain. It was in his heart and he didn’t know what to make of matters of the heart yet. But one thing he did know for sure, he needed to taste her, just once. Maybe then the curiosity and obsession would go away and he would be able to get her out of his mind.
He leaned down and brushed his lips softly across her mouth. He gazed at her briefly, but didn’t pull away. Cupping her face tenderly with his hands, he lightly touched his lips to hers again. She stepped back for a moment, but then leaned into him. His heart soared, her movement the approval he was searching for. He kissed her again and groaned as he tasted her sweetness, angling his mouth to deepen the kiss. He touched his fingers to her chin to get her to open her mouth for him and she wrapped her arms around his neck. His tongue mated with hers briefly.
Alex knew he should stop, but he couldn’t. She felt so good in his arms, but he knew she was innocent, this was probably her first kiss. He needed just a little more. His hands found their way down her back. He reached for her and pulled her in tight to his body. As soon as he did, he knew it was a mistake. Her entire body stiffened and her arms pushed against his chest.
“Nay!” she screamed. Both of her arms swung at Alex’s chest. “Leave me alone!” Tears ran down her cheeks as she flailed.
Alex grabbed both of her wrists and whispered, “Maddie, stop, I will stop.” He searched her face and his gut wrenched at the crazed, raw fear in her eyes. “Maddie, please, I will not hurt you.”
Maddie gazed up at Alex and realized her mistake. When Alex’s hands stroked near her bottom, her memory had flown to Niles Comming. In her mind, she fought Niles just as she had tried that terrible night, except she had been tied to the bed and couldn’t do anything. Her eyes closed with humiliation. She had been so powerless. How could anyone treat her so cruelly?