Mayhap that fear subconsciously compelled everything she did. Maddie couldn’t stop thinking about her tormentor, especially knowing he could be anywhere. He could show up anytime, and it would be Alex’s fault. He rubbed his jaw realizing her apprehensions made perfect sense in light of her current situation.
He wished he had never witnessed Kenneth’s cruelty. He couldn’t block that image of Madeline out of his mind, two filthy brutes holding the innocent lass with her brother wielding the whip. He went into a fury each time he thought about it. Now he had something else to enrage him, the thought of Kenneth with a hot poker in his hand, branding his betrothed.
How was Maddie able to function every day? He couldn’t comprehend how she was able to survive with a smile on her face. She had been through much pain, trauma, and betrayal. She had been humiliated, embarrassed, and disgraced in front of her people. How could she still walk around with her chin up? Most women would have been destroyed long ago. Any normal lass would have been driven mad. Would Madeline go mad one day? Could that be in her future? She could be the mother of his bairns. Could he trust her with them?
Unfortunately, the battlements gave him no answers tonight.
***
Over the next several days, Alex continued to roam the countryside in search of Kenneth. His mind persisted in torturing him. Convinced that finding Kenneth would be the answer to Maddie’s troubles, he brutally drove his guardsmen. He feared the only hope for his relationship with Maddie was unearthing Kenneth’s whereabouts. Each day he returned, he barely had enough time to go over important events with Robbie before eating and heading straight to bed. His exhaustion was so complete he was often asleep before his head hit the pillow. Of course, this prevented viewing the disappointment in Maddie’s eye.
But he had to find Kenneth MacDonald before the wedding.
On the following day, he returned to the keep midday. When he entered the great hall, he strode to the hearth where Maddie sat with Jennie at her side. Only a few seconds passed before Jennie bounded from her spot and threw herself into his arms.
“Alex, look at the beautiful book that Maddie made for us. She plans to teach me how to read. Isn’t it magnificent?”
Alex glanced over Madeline’s shoulder before she snapped the book shut. Stunned at the splendor of her work, he couldn’t believe she had drawn more on parchment and tied it together to create a book.
He gazed at Maddie as a sharp surge of pure lust shot through him. Breathtaking even in repose, he stared at her for a few minutes before he was able to collect his thoughts. Madeline blushed from his perusal.
“Maddie, the book is beautiful. What talent you have! I am sure the wee ones in the village must enjoy your storytelling even more with such vivid pictures.”
Maddie fussed with the pages, ignoring Alex’s comment. Jennie whispered in her brother’s ear, “There isn’t any storytelling anymore.”
Alex gaped at Maddie. “What are you talking about, Jennie?”
Alex changed his focus. “Maddie, you have been weaving tales with the wee ones, have you no’?” he asked.
Madeline refused to make eye contact with Alex. “I have been busy with the wedding plans.” She rearranged her materials around her.
“Nay, Alex, the mothers are being mean and will not let their bairns near Maddie. Tommy told me his mama said that Maddie is dirty. She said she isn’t good enough for you. I told him that Maddie takes a lot of baths and she isn’t dirty.”
“Maddie, is this true?” he demanded, his gaze boring into her.
“Brenna?” he roared.
Brenna bolted down the staircase. “What’s wrong, Alex?”
“Is this true, Brenna? Is Maddie shunned by members of our clan?”
Brenna glanced at Madeline. “I think you best direct your questions to Maddie, Alex.”
He turned again to Madeline. “Maddie?”
“Alex, I can handle my own problems,” Maddie said quietly.
“Nay, Maddie. This is my clan, you are to be my wife. I will not allow them to speak of you in such a way. Has anyone spoken to you directly?”
Madeline stared at her hands. “This is my affair.”
Alex’s patience came to an end. “Maddie, I want names!” he bellowed.
“So you can whip them like Kenneth whipped me? Nay, Alex, I will not give you any names!” Maddie glared at Alex, but kept her distance.
His voice softened. “I do not whip women and children, Madeline.”
Alex reached for her. His instinct was to pull her in close to protect her. But she flinched. He was horrified. His betrothed was afraid of him?
Madeline turned and tore up the stairs.
“You know I would never hurt you?” he called out after her. Shocked by his own behavior, he paced in front of the stairway.