Free Defiant Surrender by Tamara Gill Page B

back home.”
    Her maid frowned and held her response as the food platter was placed before them. “We shall look for the ring anon, child. Never fear, all will be well in time. But I pray your mind is confused as I would not want to lose you.”
    Maddie clasped her maid’s hand, oddly touched by the sincerity in her words. “Nor do I wish to lose you, Mistress Rhode. Thank you for being my friend.”
    *
    Neither saw nor heard the woman who had listened to their damning conversation. The maid, dressed in nondescript clothes, smiled, a malicious tilt to her thin lips. The information would be quite useful to Her Ladyship and could possibly afford her a valuable trinket or gold coin once repeated. She allowed the shadows to close over her as she stepped out of the castle and headed toward the hidden exit near the guard’s gate.
    She smiled as her mind filled with all the pretty things she could buy. How Her Ladyship would be pleased once she hears of the Lady Madeline’s strange musings and dilemma. She snorted, all of it was codswallop, the Lady Madeline’s mind was addled by a knock, and that was all. But she’d enjoy seeing the lady hang or burn for witchcraft, she knew where her loyalty lay and it was not at Aimecourt.
     

Chapter Five
    It wasn’t until the evening meal that Maddie saw William again. Earlier in the day, he had moved into her father’s bedchamber. A room joined to hers by an interlocking door. Upon entering her bedroom, Maddie’s first action was to lock that connecting door. After their kiss in the woodshed, she would take no further chances with the man.
    Tonight Maddie was dressed in a silver-threaded gown, with sleeves almost the same length as the dress itself. Blue and purple thread was skilfully stitched around the plunging neckline and ends of her sleeves. The hem of the gown was adorned with beautiful hand stitching. She couldn’t help but love the dress. It was surely the most gorgeous thing she had ever worn.
    “Do not forget your rosary, m’lady.”
    Maddie frowned and turned back from the door. Walked to her trunk and snatched up the beaded necklace made of ribbon. “Do I have to wear it all the time?” she asked, placing it over her head.
    “Lady Madeline was a devout Catholic. ’Twould be wise, I believe, to continue her religious beliefs,” Mistress Rhode said.
    “So I have to attend church every Sunday?”
    Her maid smiled then bent to stoke the fire. “Nay child, not every Sunday.”
    Maddie sighed in relief. “Thank God.”
    “You must attend mass at dawn, followed by your prayers. Then mid-morning prayers before your midday meal. Evening prayer is held before supper in the hall. Followed by your bedtime prayers.”
    Maddie laughed. “You’re joking, right? I have to pray four times a day!” She shook her head in disbelief. “Mistress Rhode, I’m not even christened.”
    “Well, consider yourself so now, m’lady. Now, you had best leave, supper is about to be served.”
    Oh gosh, and Maddie thought the mirror water bowl was ridiculous.
    *
    Maddie basked in the warmth that seeped into her bones from the well-stoked fire situated behind the raised dais she now sat. She watched, seated like a queen over the absurd proceedings in the hall. The pomp and ceremony almost made her laugh. Really, it was too much for her common soul. Her husband had no such reactions; he was completely in his element. She peeked at his handsome features and strong jaw, which tonight sported a five o’clock shadow. His hair was newly cut to the cropped style the Normans favored. William fit the part of medieval lord to a tee, strong, hard and unforgivably handsome. He spoke with authority and power to his knights and their ladies seated at the table.
    The meal was delicious. Almost every bird in existence was served: pheasant, chicken, duck, and turkey adorned the table along with fruits and cheeses and the ever-present mead. Maddie had grown accustomed to the beverage. Although she