Mad About You by Dayna Quince

Author:Dayna Quince
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Dayna Quince

* * *

Hours earlier…

Maddie had managed to wash and dress herself, but it had been slow and painful. When she woke this morning, someone had left a fresh pitcher of water and towels as well as a tin of salve. She’d applied it tenderly without crying out, and now she sat on her less afflicted hip on her bed trying to read. She was starving, but she was not eager to see Lady Flora and hoped the woman would somehow forget about Maddie’s presence.

There was a knock on her door, and then Anne poked her head in.

“I’ve brought breakfast.”

“I didn’t think you were allowed to do that.” Maddie gingerly adjusted herself so she could hold the tray on her lap.

“Here, let me help.” Anne moved the small nightstand and set the tray over it in front of Maddie.

“Thank you,” Maddie said gratefully as she moved to her hip again.

“This may not please you, but I told Lady Flora of your injuries, and she has agreed that it would be best if you spent the day recovering here.”

Maddie gritted her teeth in anger, but there really wasn’t much she could do. It hurt just to walk. She wasn’t going to be able to sit in the parlor with the others.

“Lady Flora recognizes that there is a measure of tension between you and has elected to join the others downstairs so that you may recuperate and reflect on your actions in solitude.”

Maddie froze, and then looked up at Anne.

Anne gave her a speaking glance.

“Yes, solitude and reflection. So very thoughtful of Lady Flora to consider my needs,” Maddie said.

“Very good. I will bring you a midday meal around noon, shall I?”

“Yes, thank you.”

Anne turned and opened the door. Lady Flora squeaked as she spun away. Anne closed the door, and Maddie could hear Anne reciting their conversation word for word as if Lady Flora hadn’t been listening the entire time. Maddie smiled and dipped her spoon into her oatmeal. Reflection and solitude were exactly what she needed, but she would not be staying in this room to do it.

Finishing her breakfast, she hobbled into Lady Flora’s room and tested the door. It was unlocked! She excitedly did a little jig, and then almost toppled over from the searing pain from the welts. She braced one hand on the door as the pain eased and then she hobbled back to her room. Perhaps she wouldn’t be escaping the room so easily. Lady Flora hadn’t felt the need to watch her because she knew that Maddie was as good as hogtied by her wounds.

Maddie climbed onto her knees on her bed and pressed her forehead into it. She felt like crying, like cursing until her face was blue. She was free today, except she wasn’t. Lady Flora would go about her day with the other guests, enjoying the tournament, which meant Maddie could not. Even if she could leave the room, she would have to avoid any place where others might see her. But she wanted to see the tournament so badly, and Jonathan wouldn’t know why she was missing.

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