Song of the Heart - Alexa Aston Page 0,49
some, Farley. I did mostly portraits but I’m sure I could help out however you need me.”
Farley captured her in a bear hug, practically cutting off her air supply. He danced around with her. “Did you hear, Elspeth? Madeleine has saved the day.”
“Who’ll save yer ample ass if ye don’t let go of such a sweet morsel?” his wife demanded.
Farley’s eyes widened and he dropped his arms from Madeleine. “Now, my dear, don’t go there again.” He grinned wolfishly at Madeleine. “She’ll be jealous even when I’m fat, old, and gray.”
Elspeth snorted. “Ye are fat, old, and gray, ye simpleton.” Yet she affectionately patted his rump. “Now, me wee girl, ’tis a good thing ye know a thing or two about paints, because Benton left things half-done. Come, I’ll show ye everything to do.” She linked arms with Madeleine and led her off, Farley cackling behind them.
Madeleine pressed into service any spare body she could find. The troupe, used to pitching in and lending a hand to whomever needed help, was more than willing to aid her. Before nightfall, every backdrop had been completed and every prop was ready to go.
At twilight, she realized Lyssa was still with her. The girl had been her shadow all afternoon. Madeleine had reassured a nervous Annie that the child would be safe with her. She promised the servant she would return Lyssa to the castle before the evening meal, though she made no promises how clean she’d be.
Despite her young age, Lyssa had proven quite adept with a brush. Madeleine found a few scraps of canvas and urged Lyssa to draw something for her.
“Anything you’d like, Lyssa. You’re free to put whatever you want upon the cloth.”
The child concentrated so her brow wrinkled. Within a few minutes, she had a good likeness of Evan before her.
“That’s excellent, Lyssa. You have quite a talent,” Madeleine praised.
“I can sing and I draw, Madeleine.”
Suddenly a shadow appeared on the page. Madeleine raised her head to find Garrett there, his head cocked to one side as he studied his daughter’s work.
“You did this, Lyssa?”
“Yes, Papa,” she said meekly.
He crouched down and studied the sketch. “This is very good, Lyssa. Very good, indeed.” He patted her head affectionately. “I think you draw and sing equally well. Why have you not shared this with me before?”
Lyssa frowned. “You’re always busy, Papa. You go to London a lot. I don’t ever see you.”
Garrett ruffled her hair. “Then mayhap I will change that, my girl.”
She hugged his neck, a sweet smile on her face. “Madeleine draws, too, Papa. She’s even better than me.”
Garrett eyed Madeleine. “Madeleine seems to have many talents.”
“Oh, I haven’t drawn in a long time, my lord,” she replied, conscious of her paint-splattered tunic and the strands of hair that had escaped her braid. “I only did so as a girl. My own papa indulged me.”
“Show me something.”
“Why not?” Madeleine picked up a flat, sand-colored rock. She concentrated for a few minutes and then presented it to Garrett.
He recognized Lyssa at once. In but a few simple lines, Madeleine had captured his daughter’s essence, the brightness of her soul. “This is remarkable. I insist you give Lyssa not only singing lessons but drawing lessons, as well.”
“Once the faire begins, I would be happy to do so, my lord. We should be here for another two weeks or so, I’d imagine. I think Lyssa and I could meet several times.”
“I insist upon being present when you work with her.”
“Why, my lord?”
“I have my reasons,” he said cryptically.
“She might be stifled by your presence. It may make her uncomfortable.”
“No, that won’t be a problem.” He looked around for Lyssa, who’d quickly tired of the adult conversation and run off with Evan again. “Come, child. Annie grows impatient. She wishes to put you in a bath and fill your belly with meat and bread.”
Garrett swept Lyssa upon his shoulders and she squealed her delight. He raised a brow at Madeleine. “The faire opens tomorrow?”
She nodded. “I hope you will bring Lyssa to see the mummers perform.”
Garrett took in the high color on Madeleine’s cheeks, the sweet curves hidden beneath her flowing clothing, the intense heat in her gaze as she met his eyes. “We wouldn’t miss it.”
*
As he’d promised, Garrett didn’t miss one performance that first day. Every time Madeleine took her place, he was there.
He’d sat spellbound, watching her, listening to her. It mattered not if she told of Beowulf and Grendel or sang of unrequited love. Her music made