Julie Garwood - [3 Book Box Set] by Gentle Warrior:Honor's Splendour:Lion's Lady

Author:Gentle Warrior:Honor's Splendour:Lion's Lady [Lady, Gentle Warrior:Honor's Splendour:Lion's]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Published: 0101-01-01T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter Seventeen

“The price of wisdom is above rubies.”

OLD TESTAMENT, JOB, 28:18

“Madelyne, what ever is the matter with you? Are you ill?” Adela bounded to her feet and hurried over to her friend. She thought Madelyne looked ready to faint. Madelyne’s face had lost all color, and if Adela hadn’t reached out in time, the beautiful psaltery would have fallen to the floor.

Madelyne shook her head. She started to stand up, then decided her legs might not support her. In truth, she was still shaking over her realization. She was in love with Duncan. “I’m fine, Adela. Just a little tired, that is all. Please don’t carry on so.”

“Are you well enough to sing another song?” Adela asked. She immediately felt guilty for asking, but excused her conduct by telling herself she was desperate, after all, and would think of a way to repay Madelyne for her kindness if she’d only come to her aid now. Why, she’d carry a breakfast tray up to Madelyne in the morning.

Madelyne knew Adela was stalling. She sympathized with her friend yet couldn’t think of any plan to get her out of her walk with Gerald.

When Gerald walked over to stand beside Adela, Madelyne said, “’Tis a fine instrument you’ve given Adela. You’ve chosen with care, Gerald.”

The baron smiled. “Duncan has also chosen with care.”

Madelyne puzzled over his odd remark. Then Edmond and Gilard expressed their pleasure over her performance. She was soon blushing with embarrassment. In truth, she wasn’t used to such praise. She thought the Wextons were the most unusual family. They threw out compliments so easily. They didn’t think it detracted from their own value, Madelyne decided.

She’d never been called beautiful until she met the Wextons. Yet each one of them had given her that compliment more than once. It seemed to Madelyne that they believed she really was beautiful. “You’re going to make me quite vain if you keep up this praise,” she admitted with a shy smile.

She did notice, however, that Duncan hadn’t offered her any comment and wondered if she’d pleased him.

Her husband still wasn’t acting like himself. He’d behaved so strangely outside when he grabbed her and kissed her in front of the world. And he’d teased her during dinner. If she hadn’t known better, she’d have to think the man had a sense of humor. That was ridiculous, of course.

Madelyne watched Gerald take hold of Adela’s hand and escort her out of the hall. Duncan’s little sister kept glancing back over her shoulder at Madelyne, giving her a pleading look.

“Don’t stay outside long, Adela,” Madelyne called out. “You’ll get a chill.”

It was the best she could do. Adela grasped the suggestion with a thankful nod before Gerald pulled her out of Madelyne’s view.

Gilard and Edmond also left the hall. Duncan and Madelyne were suddenly alone.

Madelyne smoothed her gown to give her hands something to do. She wished she could go up to the tower room to spend a few minutes alone. Lord, there was so much to think about, so many decisions to make.

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