clutched his heart. “Crushed again,” he said mockingly. “Will no one but God Almighty ever recognize my talents?”
Several grumbled at York’s antics but even more tried to persuade her to stay a bit longer. Madeleine felt she couldn’t let them down and before she knew it, an hour had passed.
“I must return to Gwenith,” she finally told those gathered around her.
There were some good-natured grumbles but all understood why she retired early. As she began her way back to the tent, Royce fell into step with her.
“You tell a fine tale, Madeleine,” he praised.
“Thank you, Royce. Your compliment is much appreciated.”
They walked along in companionable silence. This was the Royce she had come to trust, she thought. She enjoyed being around him. She opened her mouth to tell him so and was shocked when he swung her into his arms and kissed her.
He held her close to him and surprised her by quickly pushing his tongue into her open mouth. He stroked her own tongue with his as he caressed her back with his large hands. Pushing her palms against his chest, Madeleine broke away from him.
“We mustn’t, Royce,” she sputtered, left breathless by the kiss. Her thoughts were whirling, realizing how different his kiss was from the one she’d received earlier from Garrett. Garrett’s had spoken of hidden mysteries and promises to be fulfilled. Royce’s seemed rough and cheap in comparison.
“Why not, Madeleine? I am a man. You are a woman. I am attracted to you and I know you are to me by how you responded to my kiss. What’s wrong for two people to show how they care for one another?”
Madeleine wrapped her arms tightly around her body. Her head was swimming. “Because I’m married,” she finally managed.
“Married?” he said in wonder. He cocked his head to one side and squinted, deep in thought. Finally, he met her gaze. “I don’t care, Madeleine. I love you,” he said desperately. “We’ll run away if that’s what you want. We can go across England into Wales for all I care. We’ll change our names. I’ll do anything to be with you.”
For a few seconds, she was tempted. To become a new person, to leave her myriad of problems behind. The idea held promise.
But it was wrong. She was married to Henri, for better or for worse, and most of it had been worse. She would stay wed until she died. No, she must return to France and enter a convent. It was the honorable thing to do. God expected it of her. She refused to let the Almighty down.
Suddenly, Garrett’s image came into her mind and she pondered his kiss, too. It had been a very different kind of kiss, full of sweetness and promise. No, if she had been given a choice to run from her problems, she would have fled with the enigmatic nobleman who seemed constantly in her thoughts. As it was, this married woman would only run to God’s open arms.
She banished the picture of Garrett that danced in her head, knowing she must fight the attraction she felt for the moody lord of Stanbury. It would cause untold sorrows. She must be strong. She had handled far worse to this point and would manage this, too.
Looking at Royce, she wondered how she could crush the hope his eyes held. She could not bear to hurt him after all his kindness toward her. Maybe she could let him down gently. Her lies would ease him and she promised her Dear Lord she’d do ten Our Fathers for what she said now.
“Royce, your kiss was very nice, indeed, and I would be a liar if I said I did not enjoy it. But I have much on my mind now. I have a husband I’ve left, Gwenith to nurse, Evan to watch after. I can’t leave now. Can you understand this?”
“No, Madeleine, I can’t. I want you.” He grabbed her elbows roughly and jerked her close to him, their eyes locking. Her heart raced with fear. Her eyes darted wildly about. Royce seemed to sense her alarm and slowly relaxed his grip. Instead, he folded his arms about her gently and gave her a reassuring hug.
“You ask too much of me.” He sighed. “I know you have a heavy burden on your heart but once Gwenith’s better, we will talk of this again.”
She hadn’t the heart to tell him she would be long gone by that time so she simply nodded.
“Goodnight, Royce,” she said and walked