Song of the Heart - Alexa Aston Page 0,67
chair but kept the jewels for safekeeping. He sent Annie in to sit with Madeleine before heading to his own chamber, all the while wondering about the mystery that was Madeleine Bouchard.
*
Farley’s booming voice awakened Madeleine the next morning. She groaned. Every bone she possessed felt stiff. Her leg throbbed painfully, feeling as if liquid fire had been poured upon it. She thanked God with a quick prayer that a true physician had helped her this time. She had a much better chance of healing properly.
Farley burst into the room seconds later, Elspeth trailing behind him. She took one look at Madeleine and burst into a brogue so thick, no one for three hundred miles could have understood her. She flew to Madeleine’s side and kissed her hands, her cheek, her brow, and the hands again, tears flowing freely from her.
“So you did this over a wee kitten?” Farley growled.
“It would seem so,” Madeleine replied meekly. “Though who knew the branch would break, taking me with it.” She was still groggy, but she found it easier to get her words out this morning than last night.
“Well, we’ll miss you, girl. When you can travel, know you’ll always have a place with us.”
Madeleine was moved by his words. “I thank you, Farley. If it’s meant to be, I’ll return to you.” She was saddened by the look on his face. “You do have York.”
“York?” Farley snorted. “He’s a handsome lad with an aversion to work. I guess I’ll make do with him for now.” He frowned down at her. “Are you in much pain, Madeleine?”
She didn’t want to worry him. “There’s some, but not more than I would expect.”
Elspeth straightened, her tears beginning to subside. “Lord Montayne says ye’re to remain here until ye’re well. Evan, too.” She stroked Madeleine’s arm. “You’ll be missed, Madeleine. Ye, Evan, and that precious Gwenith.”
Elspeth stood, wiping the remaining tears on her sleeve. “Must be on the way now. Had to come and say our goodbyes.”
Madeleine bit her lower lip, losing her battle with tears. “You took me in. You did so much for me. I’ll miss you both.”
“We’ll miss you, too.” Farley sniffed loudly. “Must be on our way, though.”
He and Elspeth took their leave, passing the richly dressed physician as he entered the chamber. His face was lined with deep furrows, as if he frowned from sunrise to sunset.
“Good morn,” he said brusquely. “I’ve come to see you before I leave with Lord Marbury. We travel back to London, you know. My lord is quite close to our king.”
Madeleine assumed by his air that he looked down upon attending a lowly mummer but he had done a competent job. He examined her briefly, seeming to be satisfied with what he found. “I’ve left some herbs for you. A creature named Annie has them. She’s gone to fetch you something to break your fast. Be sure to stay off the leg as much as possible.”
“Sir?”
Madeleine knew she must confirm what Garrett had mentioned. “Will it be months before I walk again?”
He shook his head slowly. “That, I cannot say. Only time and prayer will give you that which you seek. I bid you good day.” He quickly exited the room.
Annie returned soon afterward, helping Madeleine to relieve herself and then trying to feed her.
“Annie, I’m not totally helpless. Please, let me feed myself. I’m not a babe in this bed, but a grown woman.”
“I would think ye a child after going up the tree after a mongrel.”
Madeleine sighed. “It was important to Lyssa. You cannot tell me that you yourself wouldn’t be a fool over that sweet child.”
Annie softened. “Aye, I do see yer point,” she amended. “I’m sorry ye’re hurt so badly.”
“Maddie!”
Evan rushed into the room, flinging himself onto the bed, rattling dishes and tipping over Madeleine’s broth. She knew not which hurt worse, the blinding pain in her leg or the spilled broth that burned her side.
“Child! Get up at once!” Annie chided.
Evan stubbornly shook his head, refusing to listen. “Me Maddie needs me, Annie. I cannot leave her now.”
His face was so earnest even Annie could not stay mad at him for long.
Madeleine grimaced and shifted slightly. She hadn’t the heart to reprimand him. She could see the worry and fear in his eyes. He’d just lost his mother. She knew he was scared of losing her, too.
Annie clucked her tongue. “Very well, little boy. Ye can stay a few minutes, then it’s nothing but quiet that’ll come from this chamber.”
The