Defiant Surrender by Tamara Gill Read Free Book Online Page B

your side.” William yelled for a serf and ordered a missive for Sir Alex to join him in the bailey immediately.
    Madeline shrugged. “Perhaps I could bring my own men here, or return home like I suggested earlier.”
    “I thought my answer was clear on that score.”
    “I have a larger garrison than you and my men are used to me. They would be more than willing to look after me here.”
    William stared at her a moment, a muscle on his temple twitched, ticking the seconds passing by. “My knight will be more than adequate protection. And again, you will remain at Kingston until I decide otherwise.”
    “Are you keeping me here like some sort of prisoner? Am I not more powerful than you due to my father’s obscene wealth? And since you said yourself my parents had the ear of the king, wouldn’t it be assumed that I would also?”
    “Are you threatening me? ’Twould be unwise to make an enemy of me, Madeline.” William gritted his teeth as he waited for her reply.
    “It would be unwise to make one of me, William!” she retorted.
    “The arrangement under this roof will remain, and so will you,” he said, stealing another look at her breasts when they shook with the fervor of her tone.
    “Stop doing that.”
    “What?” he asked with mock innocence.
    “Looking at my breasts.”
    He smirked. He had to admit, though her temperament was not to his liking, she certainly had other qualities he found appealing.
    “I will respect your wishes, in regards to Lady Veronica and grant you a guard, Madeline. But do not cross me and leave Kingston. ’Twould be an error to do so. Have I made myself clear?”
    “Perfectly,” she said.
    Without another word, he turned on his heel and left the room.
    *
    Maddie sat down and massaged her temples. What a mess. Looking down at her hand, she ran a finger over the spot the wedding band should be. If only she could find that ring again, it would surely return her home. But such a thing would be more than likely impossible. It was probably lying in the mud somewhere between Aimecourt and the church, thanks to the anything but solid carriage floor. It may have, for all she knew, disappeared into space as she flew through time.
    She adjusted the cushion behind her back and sighed. What was it she didn’t know about these two families she was now a part of? Since it looked like she wasn’t going anywhere, no doubt she had plenty of time to find out.
     

Chapter Four
    As the days turned into weeks, Maddie kept mostly to herself. She strolled around the battlements of the keep and inner defensive wall; both locations gave ample views over the surrounding area. She walked daily in the magnificent forest that lay before the castle walls and welcomed the dense woodland to hide her from scrutiny for a time.
    With the warnings still ringing in her ears over rogue Scottish raiders in the area, Maddie thought it best not to venture too far away. The sentries had ceased looking at her with distrust and hate. She could only surmise it was due to the fact she now had a guard, who would keep a close eye on the woman from Aimecourt. And, in a time fraught with danger and uncertainty, she had slowly started to feel safe.
    Helped by the fact Maddie liked her guard, Sir Alex Bourke. It had taken her some weeks, but with a little coaxing, the knight had opened up enough to be a friend and confidant. Her designated shadow hailed from the southern areas of England. Her husband’s first knight since the day William had claimed the title of baron. A quiet man, he seemed to take his duties as protector very seriously. She often wondered what would happen to him if something did befall her. Would he really risk his own life to save hers? Something inside told her he would. Although, the way her husband continued to treat her, it was obvious should harm befall her, Lord William would probably award the knight some sort of medal for his lapse in protection.
    Maddie’s urge to return to Aimecourt increased