Page 26 (2/2)

Despite his light words, she saw the weariness and concern in his eyes Shadows flickered about the on the wall behind her "Do they feed you well? I will send Tricky doith so for your pallet"

Gavin grimaced "Madelyne, I have slept in much worse conditions For now, I ao nowhere alone Not for one moment must you be unwatched Keep Clem or Jube with you I am sure this will be resolved quickly-Henry can&039;t believe I&039;ve done this-and then ill go to Mal Verne, away from this place"

She touched his face, which was sticky with sweat and streaked with grime "And a cloth and water I will send too, so that you can refresh yourself" She dropped her hand to hold his again "Gavin, someone must have taken the necklet-before the metalworker delivered it to you, or ht to you"

He pulled his hand away to grip the bars between them "I removed the necklet fro to me, I would have been pricked myself"

"Then someone has been in our chamber and has taken it, and made you to look like a murderer"

His head drooped "Your head is much clearer than mine at this time-aye, Maddie Have you talked to Jube or Rohan?"

She nodded "Aye They all have said that no one could have entered our chamber-as do all of your men: Clem, James, Antoine, and Peter And they have seen no one about who should not have been there" She took a deep breath "Could my father have done this? He hates you so"

He pressed his forehead against the bars, looking deep into her eyes Her heart jolted out of rhythm at the soft, desperate expression there "&039;Tis the h to do such a thingall in the na believed that God speaks to him, tells him what to do-orders him so that he can finish his work" She lifted her eyes to stare into his, sorrow lining her insides "Is it not a great irony that a man should use the love of our God, and his belief in Him, to justify evil? Whilst there are people-as Mother Bertilde, and others-who find only good in their love for God?"

A hand reached between and grasped hers "Madelyne, you must take extra care nowHe knows this accusation won&039;t long stand, that I will soon be freed It must be only a distraction, a way to detainto him, you&039;re still his possession And, as with Nicola, he will take what he believes is his I will not lose you as I did her I couldn&039;t bear it, Madelyne"

She sed, pushing away the fear that hovered beneath her calm exterior "Aye, Gavin, you can be sure I will take care And I will speak with every ht know about these events" She thrust a hand between the bars, stroking the side of his face and tracing a finger over his lips "Know that I love you, and that I will find a way to have the king release you"

"Maddie" his voice was low and strained in the silence He reached to clutch her fingers, bringing theood have I done to deserve you? I, who have lived in a violent, black world for so longI do not deserve you But I thank the Lord that you have been given to me"

Madelyne took care, as she&039;d pro nowhere without Clem or Jube at her side Even when she ith Judith, one of Gavin&039;s trusted men accompanied her

In the mean while, she, Judith, Clem and Jube questioned as many people as they could who ht

Apprehension and worry hung in a heavy e noise or shadowy ht She knew that her father could wait around any corner, and the thought brought back night the abbey

Gavin exuded frustration and anger when she visited hi everyone froht fro on Sooner, rather than later, Henry roup of peers and, while not conclusive, the evidence was da

"&039;Tis that or I will be irily, snatching his hands back through the bars to pace in his cell "&039;Sblood, Henry knows I did not do this! Why does he not releaseyour father to justice?"

"But can we be so certain &039;tis my father who is behind this?" Madelyne asked "You&039;ve seen nary a hair of hi&039;s court when he accosted mecould it not be that he has left Whitehall? Mayhap there is another ishes you ill!"

"I should have killed hi to pace "I do not knohy I allowed you to sway me from my purpose that day Had I listened to my instincts, ould not be in such a predicament and I would not be imprisoned thus!"

"Gavin, you could not have killed him in cold blood! You may be a soldier of war, but to kill a man in cold blood-mad or no mad-nay, I would not believe you capable of it" She reached through the bars, but he did not come back to her

"&039;Tis a problem, then, Madelyne, if you do not believe me capable of such an action-for had it not been for you, I would have ended your father&039;s life with little thought If you believe otherwise, than ination" He slaainst the brick ith a dull thud and rested his head against the stones "Please, go I a" He turned and walked back into the shadows of the cell where she could not see hiure dissolve into aas her heart sank Mayhap she did not know the man that he truly was, but she loved him nevertheless

Silently, she blew a kiss to him-to wherever he sat and brooded in the darkness-and turned to leave

"Cle back around the corner of the passageway Clem or Jube-whoever accompanied her-stayed away so that she and Gavin would have some privacy when she came to visit

"Clem was called to assist Jube and Thomas with Rule" Rohan rose fro "I delivered the e and told him that I would make certain you returned safely to your chamber"

"Thank you, Rohan" Madelyne s with Rule?" She kne h she would not go near the horse, she appreciated its value as well

"He&039;s not been ridden since Lord Mal Verne was ih the passageway "A too quickly, my lady? This way, my lady Thomas told me of a shorter route back to the hall"

Madelyne lifted her skirts as she hurried after hi very quickly, but she could keep pace They rounded a corner and suddenly, so dark and soft descended upon her

Her shriek washer cries and tangling her ar arms imprisoned her, and the dark wool smothered her nose and mouth The air under it becaness