hidden within the folds of your garment? Go ahead, hand it over and be done with it.”
He moved more closely to where she lay in her bed, propped up with pillows, and opened his cloak.
She drew a sharp breath in, her eyes widening in shock. “My lute!” she cried.
He handed her the instrument and watched the joy spread across her face. She clutched it closely to her breast, her whole body trembling as her eyes glistened with tears.
“What think you of surprises now?”
She took his hand and kissed it fervently. The heat from her lips scorched his skin. “Oh, my lord, my lord. You don’t know how happy this has made me. This, my most treasured possession, restored to me at last!”
Then the smile died on her lips. He saw anger spark in her eyes as she pushed his hand aside. “You’ve had my lute all this time! Why did you not return it to me? I gave back your cloak, the very one you wear now. What wickedness possessed you to keep my lute from me? Oh, you are as black-hearted as Satan Himself!”
“If you’ll remember, Madeleine, I stumbled upon you at a faire far from Stanbury, never expecting to lay eyes upon you again. Yes, you graciously returned my cloak to me that day but your beloved instrument was in my solar at Stanbury. I’d actually put it away for safekeeping, fearing Lyssa might discover it and cause some harm.”
He sat beside her and took back her hand, entwining his fingers with hers. She tugged but he refused to give it up.
“I’m afraid to say I didn’t give your lute a second thought, especially since you played one at each performance of the mummers. It was only when I stumbled across it that I knew I must return it to you.”
He squeezed her hand. “Tell me you’re pleased at having it once again.”
She stroked the lute’s smooth wood with her free hand. “Yes,” she said, her voice barely a whisper. “I will forgive you.” She hugged the instrument. “I shall never let it from my sight again.”
He excused himself, overcome by witnessing her strong emotions. He felt a tightening in his chest, ready to burst as he exited the room.
Knowing that time spent in Madeleine’s company would never be enough, Garrett decided he must press the bishop harder for his petition to be granted. For what increased in his heart every day he spent in Madeleine’s company would not cease until he could freely hold the key to her heart without guilt.
*
Every day, Madeleine worked with Lyssa on her art and music and had begun teaching her letters, as well. The child caught on quickly and the hours flew by.
They were working so intently that neither of them heard Annie until she appeared before them. “Time for a bath and a bite to eat.”
Lyssa frowned but knew better than to protest. She followed Annie through the door, calling back to Madeleine, “I’ll see you on the morrow.”
Madeleine awaited the tray that was brought to her room every night. She often ate alone, savoring the quiet time, sometimes composing new songs in her head. She usually entertained in the great hall after the evening meal, so she enjoyed this time spent in solitude.
After finishing a light meal of cold chicken and bread, she heard a rap on the door.
“Come in,” she called, knowing it was Coster. Each night he carried her down the steep stairs, which were much too difficult for her to navigate alone.
The big serf entered the room wearing his usual sheepish grin. “How are you tonight, Madeleine?”
Madeleine welcomed him. “I’m doing well, Coster. How is your daughter feeling?”
Coster gently scooped her up. “’Tis almost time, me wife says. Agnes can’t catch her breath and waddles about like a duck. That’s a sign, that it is, Madeleine. The babe’ll be here before we know it.”
He walked carefully along the shadowy hallway, his touch as gentle as his ways. Cook teased her unmercifully, saying how Coster was smitten with her and Madeleine noticed he did blush when she looked him directly in the eyes.
The fragrant smell of warm bread mingled with the sweat of the men who’d worked a long day greeted them as they proceeded down the staircase to the great hall. Coster brought her across the room to the cushioned stool she sat upon every night as she worked her magic on the crowd.
Madeleine caught Garrett’s eyes upon her, reading the jealousy in them as she