Chapter 11
Madison sat with her hands clasped around her knees staring at the fire as it crackled in the hearth.
Its orange glow danced against the stone fireplace enchanting her as her thoughts jumped around Theodore.
The sensation of his lips on hers still lingered like something sweet on her tongue.
Her body tingled and as quickly as the thought came, Madison beat it back into the shadows of her mind.
She couldn’t stop seeing the moment, no matter what she did.
Theodore’s eyes bore into her memory like a comet streaking through the inky sky.
The way his eyes darkened before he leaned closer, and the hitch of his breath before his mouth crushed against hers…
Madison pressed her fingers to her lips wishing he was there to kiss her again.
“I must be losin’ me mind,” she muttered to the fire as she raked her fingers through her hair. But it wasn’t the place that was out of sorts, but her. She could feel something struggling to claw its way back to the light from the bitter depths of her being.
Even the popping of the fire sounded different.
It was strange how still everything was or even could be.
Her ears strained to hear some throngs of bitter tears being shed.
But there was only the wind rubbing the branches together outside the window.
There were no dogs baying in the distance or any cracks of whips.
Just a stillness that should have soothed the fear of her spirit.
She absentmindedly rubbed her leg and realized the pain was gone.
The salves Edith had given her clearly were nothing shy of a miracle.
Madison jumped to her feet, eager to test her theory further.
As soon as she put the pressure of her weight down, she winced.
She’d still have to walk with some care, but for the most part she was healed.
The bruising around her ankle was nothing but a whisper of yellow splotching.
“I’m daft. That’s what’s goin' on here. That’s the only thing to explain it. I’ve finally taken the step off that edge of me sanity. Lewis and his men, they’ve finally done it,” she said as she paced the length of her room as she gnawed at the tips of her fingers.
Madison paused at the fire to let the warmth consume her. The heat lapped her face until it burned the tip of her nose.
“Nay, I’m safe. See, there’s nothin’ to be fearful about this place. I’ve nae lost me wits. I havenae. And soon enough, I’ll have me family with me again and all will be as if nothin’ happened.”
Bong.
Madison froze at the clamor. The bell sounded throughout the chamber as if its source had come from her very room.
She cupped her hands to her ears and dropped to her knees.
Her heart jumped to her throat as another gong rang out through the castle.
The sound vibrated through the floorboards and bounced about her bones.
She didn’t know what to do. The thought of running for the door sprang into her mind.
It was her first and only instinct she could comprehend.
In a flash, Madison was on her feet and to the door.
If the bell was to go off again, there was no telling the damage it would do to her ears if she stayed in the room.
Panic clawed at her chest as the bell tolled again.
Her body moved before her mind could comprehend the command.
She stumbled forward, knocking into the stool as she reached for something to steady herself.
The hallway was worse than the room. Her hands went to her ears as she dropped to the corner of the hallway trying to drown the sound.
The bell filled her head as every echo clawed at her like a pack of wild dogs threatening to drag her back to Lewis. Tears streamed down her cheeks as the bell rang louder. She closed her eyes, shutting out all that she could. Her body rocked as she clung to the darkness.
“I cannae go back. I cannae do it again… I cannae.”
“Me lady?”
A small voice lulled her from the darkness and dread. As much as Madison wanted to answer it, she couldn’t. Her breathing grew ragged as she felt something tender brush against her skin. Holding her breath she dared not look. If experience had taught her anything it was to expect the worst.
“Ye’re safe, I promise. There’s nothin’ here that wants to hurt ye,” the voice cooed. Going against her better judgment, Madison pried open one eye then the other. A meek young woman knelt before her, concern and worried etched into her very forehead. “Ye’re safe.”
“Aye,” Madison answered as she glanced around double and triple checking exactly where she was. The hallway was familiar with its gray stone walls. But it was the tapestry hanging of a waterfall and the unicorn that told her she wasn’t where she thought she was.
“Come, let us stand before we cause a scene,” the servant said as she offered Madison a hand to stand. Embarrassment washed through Madison as she caught glimpse of other servants rushing down the hall giving her a side glance as they passed. “Are ye well?”
“I’m a bit flushed,” Madison confessed as she wiped the beads of sweat from her brow.
“Aye, I can see that. I daenae think it’s a good look for ye.
Especially if ye’re to have dinner with the laird.
What do ye say we get ye freshened up a bit?
” the servant offered as she moved back to Madison’s chambers.
But Madison didn’t want to go back in the room. Not if the bells were to ring again.
“The bells,” Madison managed to get out. “Can ye tell me what they were for?”
“The laird sounds them for meals. It’s to let everyone come and join us if they daenae have somethin’ of their own. I ken it can be loud, but tis the only thing that can let everyone ken on the island.”
Madison tried not to winch at the memory of the jarring sound. "Will they ring often?"
"Three times a day for meals, and sometimes for gatherings." The servant's expression softened. "Truth be told, I hardly pay any attention to them anymore. Then again, I could be goin' deaf in one ear too,” she added with a slight smirk. It was clear she was trying to lighten the mood and tension.
Madison’s stomach clenched. Even knowing the bells meant food, not danger, she wasn't sure she could bear hearing them again.
She forced a smile, “Then I will have to get used to them, willnae I?”
For a time, neither woman spoke as their steps echoed softly down the hall. Madison kept her gaze low. She tried not to let her nerves be so troubled. After all, she was going to see Theodore again.
Her heart skipped. It was unmistakable. The mere thought of him was causing her heart to race She didn’t know if she was thrilled or fearful.
It wasn’t like his kiss wasn’t wanted, if anything she couldn’t deny the fact she wanted to do it again.
But the reason for it baffled her. It wasn’t like he owed her anything, but there was a comfort in his lips that she knew she’d never be able to find anywhere else.
“So, I’m Heather. I heard ye’re the one who’s to be the next Lady MacLeon,” the servant glanced expectantly at Madison.
“I suppose that would be true,” Madison answered.
“I trust ye found yer chambers to yer likin’? If there’s anythin’ ye want to change in the room ye can. I’m certain the laird will allow ye to do it,” Heather said with a huge grin. Madison tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear and nodded.
“Aye, it’s the nicest room I’ve stayed in so far. But I have to admit, I’m gettin’ a bit stir crazy in there. Daenae suppose there’s a library or maybe a garden I can tend to while I’m here?”
“Ye’re to be the lady. I daenae think gardenin’ is somethin’ ye’ll have to worry about doin'. That’s peasant work,” Heather said.
“Then what do ye suppose I should do with me time?” Madison asked as they turned the corner.
“The laird’s mare just foaled, so ye can always go to the stables and see that,” Heather said.
“I’ve nae seen a horse since…” Madison’s voice trailed off.
She didn’t want to think about the horrors she had been through.
She turned her attention to the stone floor opening into a grand foyer.
The scent of roasted hens filled her nose and twisted her stomach with hunger.
As the rounded the corner, Madison stopped short.
There, standing at the entrance to the great hall was Theodore waiting like a sentinel.
Her breath hitched as he looked every bit of the laird he claimed to be. His dark hair brushed against the collar of his shirt. But it was his broad shoulders beneath the black wool of his coat that looked formidable.
“Tis good to see ye walkin’ better,” he said as Heather cleared her throat before bowing. In the corner of Madison’s eye, she could see the hesitation in Heather. Theodore after all wasn’t waiting there for her, but for Madison and they both knew it.
Her heart skipped as if betraying her. Every nerve in her body tingled. “Edith’s ointment has done wonders.”
“Aye, I can see that.”
She couldn’t breathe. Even as they strolled through the doors of the great hall, it felt as if every eye was on her.
She hesitated a moment, uncertain if her strength would give in or sustain her till she could find a chair.
Theodore didn’t stop or pause. He barely did anything to pick her up and before she knew it, he had her at a table seated without fainting.
“Here,” he said handing her a dram of dram. “It’ll burn goin’ down, but it’ll take the edge off.”
Madison bobbed her head and took the dram from him. She took the contents and tried not to wince. She noticed Theodore stepping in front of her as if shielding the crowd from seeing her contorted face.
“I ken, but is it better now?” Theodore asked as he took the empty seat beside her. Madison bobbed her head as she tried not to let the random gazes bother her.
“I daenae ken. They’re all watchin’ us,” she whispered.
“They’re just curious about ye is all. They cannae believe I’d pick someone as common as ye,” he answered.
“So, they’re waitin’ for me to falter, to make a fool of me self.”
“Well, what do ye expect? Most people in the world have that very intention. Yet, here at least they’re open and honest about it,” he answered as he waved for a servant to fill her glass again.
Madison wasn’t sure she wanted another drink.
“I wouldnae worry yerself about it. They’re goin' to do what they’re goin' to do and ye cannae please everyone.”
"It doesnae bother ye that I daenae come from a laird?" The words slipped out before Madison could stop them. "That I'm just... common folk. A merchant's daughter with nay land, nay title, nay—"
She stopped, shame burning through her.
What are ye doing? Speakin’ as if yer family are somehow less, as if yer father's honest work and yer mother's kindness means nothin’ simply because they have no title before their name.
"I dinnae mean..." She swallowed hard. "Me family is good. They're decent, hardworkin’ people. I shouldnae have—"
He leaned closer, stealing her breath. Heat flooded her skin as his breath warmed her neck.
"Daenae worry yerself over those who cannae touch ye," Theodore said, his voice low. "And as for yer family—decent and hardworking means more to me than any title ever could." He pulled back just enough to meet her eyes. "Right now, all that matters is ye and me."
Madison watched Theodore’s mouth move as he spoke.
It didn’t matter what came out of it, she was enchanted by everything he was saying.
It was strange not what he was saying but how he said it.
It was as if his words were casting a spell of protection around them, a bubble that nothing could penetrate.
Madison’s heart slowed as she drew a ragged breath.
Madison watched Theodore's mouth move as he spoke, his voice wrapping around her like a shield. For a moment, she could almost forget the eyes boring into her back, the whispered judgments just loud enough to hear.
"What is it ye want to do? Just tell me, and I'll have it done," Theodore said, his fingers brushing her cheek.
The walls pressed in. The whispers grew sharper. Madison's chest constricted.
"Leave." The word came out strangled. "I need to leave. Now."
She shoved back from the table, her chair scraping loudly across the stone floor. Heads turned. More whispers. Her vision tunneled.
"There's nay one to stop ye—" Theodore began.
"I cannae breathe." Her voice pitched higher, panic clawing up her throat. She stumbled to her feet, nearly knocking over her cup. "The walls—there's too many people—I cannae—"
Theodore stood, reaching for her. "Madison—"
"Daenae touch me!" The words burst out before she could stop them. The entire hall went silent. She pressed her hands to her chest, gasping. "I'm sorry, I dinnae mean—I just—I need out. Please."
She didn't wait for permission. She turned and fled toward the doors, her breath coming in ragged gasps, not caring that every eye in the hall watched her run.
Every step she took was a test of her strength. Her leg ached and burned as it pleaded for less strenuous activity. But she wasn’t going to stay in a room with slandering lips and haughty eyes.
No, she needed a sanctuary and the only place she could think to go was back to the safety of her chambers.
“I’m a fool,” she muttered as she closed the door and dropped to the floor, relief washing over her like cool water to a dried spring.
Tears pooled in her eyes as she shook her head.
How was she ever to go back to her family if she couldn’t even handle strangers looking at her?
Madison didn’t know. Too much had changed for her since she’d been taken for the hunt.
Far too much terror and horror and pain had been afflicted on her to make her ever feel safe again.
Madison rocked as the tears spilled down her cheeks. “I’m safe. Nay one will hurt me. Nae here… I’m safe.”