Song of the Heart - Alexa Aston Page 0,101
desperately that He would guide Garrett now as he searched for the answers concerning Lynnette. God created the love between them. Surely He would not have put them through so much only to keep them apart? He couldn’t possibly be the angry God the priests were so fond of portraying. No, God created this beautiful world and all in it. She must place her faith in Him.
Madeleine drank in the sight of Garrett a bit longer, happy to be in his presence. Finally, she wiggled her fingers slightly and he practically leaped to his feet.
“You are a light sleeper, my lord.” She grinned at him mischievously. “And very disheveled, I might add. Did you really have to sleep in that chair?”
He kissed her fingers. “Not for long, my sweet. I found it lonely in the solar, though. Now, if you’d rather me in your bed, I could—”
A loud rap at the door cut him off. Edith and Annie came bustling in with trays of food.
Garrett rose and helped Madeleine sit up against the pillows.
Edith smiled at them. “We thought you’d be hungry by now.”
“I don’t know about Garrett but I’m ravenous.” Madeleine glanced at the trays. “Why, you’ve brought enough to feed a small army.”
Edith laughed. “Garrett devours food much like an army.” She passed him a cup of ale. “The evening meal is about to begin downstairs but I thought you’d like a bit of time to yourselves.”
Garrett tore off a bite of the pheasant and chewed slowly, savoring its tenderness. “Actually, we both still bear the stains of travel, Mother. If we could have a bath drawn for each of us, it would be most welcomed.”
“I’ll take care of it now, my lord,” Annie said.
Edith made a motion to follow her, but Garrett stopped her. “Mother?”
She turned. “Yes, Son?”
He went to the door and took her elbow, moving them out into the corridor. The torches flickered, lighting the hallway. “Would you stay and assist Madeleine with her bath? I don’t want her left alone.”
Edith nodded. “Of course.” She started to enter the room again, but he stopped her.
“Mother.” He hesitated. “It’s bad what was done to her. I just wanted to prepare you.”
She sighed. “Oh, Garrett. I know. One look at her as you rode up and my heart was in my throat.” She faced him squarely. “I was married to Ryker, my son. I know from experience what a beating looks like.”
He wrapped his mother into his arms and held her for longer than his usual quick hug. Then he stepped back and saw her eyes brimming with tears.
“It’s over and done,” she reassured him. “Those shadows were lifted from Stanbury long ago. Come, finish eating. I’ll help your Madeleine. No prying servants’ eyes. Just your mother helping care for the woman you love.” She kissed his cheek.
*
Once bathed and dressed, Garrett returned to Madeleine’s chamber. He paused, surprised at the sound of laughter as he pushed open the door.
They obviously did not hear him come in and their conversation continued uninterrupted. Madeleine was seated upon a stool close by the fire, his mother braiding her hair.
Garrett watched Madeleine as the two women chatted, oblivious to their words. Despite the fading bruises, she appeared radiant. She had lost the harried look she’d worn in recent weeks, as if the weight of concealing her identity from everyone had been a physical one, pressing down upon her. With her so visibly relaxed, he knew her emotional scars, as well as the physical injuries, had begun to heal.
“Then Garrett tried to . . . oh, hello, Son,” Edith said, noticing him for the first time.
Madeleine glanced up. As their eyes met, she burst out laughing.
Garrett frowned playfully. “What’s so amusing?” He crossed to her and placed his hand on her shoulder.
Both women looked at each other and erupted into giggles. Edith finished her work by tying a ribbon of midnight blue on the end of Madeleine’s braid.
“I’ll tell you more later,” his mother said mysteriously and left the room.
Garrett began kneading Madeleine’s shoulders. She closed her eyes and sighed. “That feels wonderful. Don’t ever stop.”
“I’ll keep on. As long as you tell me what I missed.”
She opened her eyes. “Your mother was telling me the most amusing stories about you and Ashby.” A smile tugged at the corners of her mouth. “I can’t wait to tease you both.”
His fingers slid up her neck. “I’m afraid I can’t allow you to speak with Ash anymore.”
She twisted around to look at him.