Song of the Heart - Alexa Aston Page 0,90

rise.

“Oh, no. You are to remain abed the whole day. Maude and I have decided that already. You need rest aplenty.”

“No, my dear, we leave for Stanbury today. I must—”

Madeleine pushed him back against his pillows, her hands firm on his shoulders. “I know you are anxious to learn the truth about Lynnette. I’m only asking for this one day for you to heal before you ride to Stanbury. You’ll need your strength before you set out on such a long ride.”

“You treat me as a babe,” he grumbled.

“Just for today, Garrett. I’ll heat some broth for you to break your fast.”

She returned in a little while with a steaming bowl of the broth she’d promised him, along with ale and bread. As he ate, she redressed his wound.

“The cut already looks to be healing nicely.”

“All thanks to your care.” His eyes caressed her.

She swallowed hard. “Garrett, there’s something we must talk about. Things you ought to know.” She twisted her hands together, her brow furrowed as she concentrated on the right words to say.

“It’s about—”

“There you are, Madeleine. Might’ve known where you’d be.”

Maude bustled into the room, drawing the curtains as she hummed a bit off-key. “You look much better today, Lord Montayne.”

Sunshine streamed into the room and Madeleine began pacing nervously. He wished Maude hadn’t interrupted their conversation since he knew Madeleine was about to share something of her past with him.

“You seem to be restless, Madeleine,” said Maude. “Mayhap you could accompany me to market? I’ve a mind to prepare eels, seeing as to how Lord Montayne is partial to them.”

The servant turned to Garrett. “You’d like some eels now, in a bit of saffron sauce? Or would you prefer fried minnows?”

“They both sound delicious, Maude. You make the choice.”

She clucked her tongue. “Well, I won’t decide just yet. We’ll wait until we see what Old James has.” She nodded at Madeleine. “I’ll get us some baskets, dearie.”

As soon as Maude left the room, Madeleine went to him and placed her palm against his cheek. “I will help Maude now.” She hesitated a moment. “When we return, I must speak to you.”

*

Henri de Picassaret left the church immediately after mass. He still felt a bit unsure about being in London after hearing the warning from the gatekeeper concerning the waning epidemic of typhus. Yet no fear of illness could have kept him from following the Earl of Montayne as he chased after Madeleine.

The wanton bitch.

Henri felt the bile rise in his throat at the thought of his wife giving herself to a lover. He had no doubt based on Garrett’s reaction to her disappearance that they were lovers. How dare she forsake her loving husband and their vows? Who did the chit think she was to leave him, Henri de Picassaret, man of wealth—and God’s chosen one?

He must find her and take her back to France. He’d spent this very morning in constant prayer to the Almighty Father, seeking His advice on how to punish his wife’s ungodly behavior. Death seemed too pleasant for one who had sinned as heavily as Madeleine. But, in the end, he supposed God would wish it so. After all, he must find a new wife who could give him children if he were to build a dynasty to revere God’s greatness. It was his duty to produce heirs.

It seemed a pity, though, that God had felt the need to test him so. Three barren wives and now the last one who also proved to be an adulteress. It was almost more than a good Christian man such as him could bear.

As a man of God, though, he must accept his fate and walk the path God provided for him, no matter how painful that path became. Still, to be publicly humiliated by Garrett Stanbridge, the Earl of Montayne, was almost more than he could bear. Madeleine’s paramour had flaunted their immorality in his face. A man did not get much lower than Lord Montayne. To think that he had almost traded his precious French land to that English swine.

Henri had been searching for his sinful wife in the disease-ridden city and had actually found her at some rundown rooms. But before he could fetch Bertrand to help him spirit her away, Montayne had showed up and snatched her from his grasp. Infuriated, he’d followed them at a distance until they’d entered The Open Locket. Though his curiosity was aroused, it had not stopped him from approaching a burly ruffian on the