Song of the Heart - Alexa Aston Page 0,91

street. He’d paid the man good coin to take Montayne down and retrieve Madeleine for him.

Of course, now he was being tested even further by God. The man had barely threatened the couple with his knife when he was struck down, compliments of the Earl of Montayne. Instead of taking the earl by surprise and fleeing with Madeleine in tow, the idiot had tried to rob them first. What a waste of his money and time.

If things were to be done right, then Henri must take it upon himself. He’d seen Montayne slashed in the brief fight. He had no qualms about using that injury, or whatever trick was necessary, to kill his wife’s lover and reclaim her. Madeleine would have to be severely punished before he let her escape into Death’s welcoming arms.

He made his way to Montayne’s London home. He stood on the corner across from it, watching, wondering if the unrighteous couple lay fornicating within.

Suddenly, the door opened. Henri stepped back, pressing himself tightly against the building behind him.

An old crone, the height of a child, came out the door. Madeleine followed her, a market basket tucked into the crook of her arm. She turned back when her name was called.

Montayne appeared in the doorway and she returned the few steps to him. He leaned down and kissed her briefly, stroking her cheek with his thumb.

Henri nearly exploded on the spot, seeing the Englishman touch his wife in such an intimate way and watching Madeleine’s face fill with pleasure. It was only God’s spirit working in him that kept him from screaming to the heavens. Instead, he carefully moved from where he stood and began following his unfaithful wife on the other side of the narrow street. He stayed well behind her, out of her line of vision, while he hatched his plan.

He alone wielded the sword of justice. It was about time Madeleine learned this.

Soon they arrived at the market, an explosion of smells and sounds. The odors of fish and warm bread invaded his senses, as did the sweat of the tightly packed bodies all vying for business. He hated being this close to so many people, worrying what diseases they might harbor. He kept his arms tightly by his sides, not wanting to touch any one of them.

Henri wished suddenly that Bertrand were with him. The servant might be stupid but he was strong and had, on several occasions, helped Henri discipline Madeleine. Hopefully, though, Henri would take her so unawares that she would not have time to react. He must depend on God to give him the strength he needed when the time came.

The women moved from stall to stall, studying the goods to be had. The tiny servant finally stopped at a booth where different fish were sold. She began arguing animatedly with its proprietor.

Henri watched Madeleine move away from her companion and pick up some trinket. She had a dreamy expression on her face which Henri would slap off her the minute they were alone.

It was that look that moved him to action.

*

Madeleine instantly recognized the vise-grip that seized her arm. The bony hand belied the power in those fingers. Paralyzed by fear, the cry she longed to voice would not come. Her freedom snatched away in one brief moment, she focused on the familiar black onyx signet ring her husband never took from his hand. It was the sight of this ring that caused her to resist.

She desperately dug in her heels and pulled in the opposite direction, trying to stop Henri’s forward motion.

He turned. The look on his face brought terror to her soul. The face of a madman. A scream formed but never came for Henri slapped her so hard that her teeth rattled.

The sunny day went almost black, while stars exploded in a palette of color. Without warning, a second blow followed, and she slumped to the ground in a heap.

*

Madeleine awoke to the splash of freezing water hitting her in the face.

Henri stood over her, his mouth twitching rapidly, a sure sign that he was out of control. She might have teased Garrett about being the Devil Himself but she knew that a true demon from Hell now stood above her. There would be no escape this time, no hope to sustain her. She’d lost the love of her life. She hadn’t the will, much less the strength, to go on. Unless Garrett was by her side, she had no wish to live anymore.

If she were