Apprehension and worry hung in a heavy mantle over Madelyne. She startled at any large noise or shadowy movement, and tossed and turned in her empty bed at night. She knew that her father could wait around any corner, and the thought brought back nightmares that she hadn't had since leaving the abbey.
Gavin exuded frustration and anger when she visited him. He fumed over his helplessness, cursing everyone from the king to Fantin. They'd learned naught from any of the people with which they spoke, and time was moving on. Sooner, rather than later, Henry must bring Gavin to trial among a group of peers and, while not conclusive, the evidence was damaging.
"'Tis that or I will be imprisoned until I am too old to walk," he said angrily, snatching his hands back through the bars to pace in his cell. "'Sblood, Henry knows I did not do this! Why does he not release me to allow me the opportunity to bring your father to justice?"
"But can we be so certain 'tis my father who is behind this?" Madelyne asked. "You've seen nary a hair of him since you nearly strangled him out side of the king's court when he accosted me. . . could it not be that he has left Whitehall? Mayhap there is another who wishes you ill!"
"I should have killed him when I had the opportunity!" Gavin snapped, continuing to pace. "I do not know why I allowed you to sway me from my purpose that day. Had I listened to my instincts, we would 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.
"'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's life with little thought. If you believe otherwise, than mayhap the man you love is naught but one in your imagination. " He slammed his hands against the brick wall with a dull thud and rested his head against the stones. "Please, go. I am weary of talking. " He turned and walked back into the shadows of the cell where she could not see him.
Madelyne watched his figure dissolve into a mere silhouette, her insides twisting as 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.
"Clem, I am ready to leave," she said, stepping 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 from the stool on which he'd been sitting. "I delivered the message and told him that I would make certain you returned safely to your chamber. "
"Thank you, Rohan. " Madelyne smiled at the young man. "What is wrong with Rule?" She knew how much Gavin valued his destrier, and even though she would not go near the horse, she appreciated its value as well.
"He's not been ridden since Lord Mal Verne was imprisoned," Rohan explained as he strode rapidly through the passageway. "Am I walking 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 him. He was walking very quickly, but she could keep pace. They rounded a corner and suddenly, something dark and soft descended upon her.
Her shriek was muffled as some heavy cloth enveloped her, stifling her cries and tangling her arms. Madelyne kicked and fought, but it was no use. Strong arms imprisoned her, and the dark wool smothered her nose and mouth. The air under it became hot and close and she felt herself slip into nothingness.
Chapter Twenty-Six
The hours crawled by for Gavin as he paced in his cell. He'd been incarcerated for six days. . . and Madelyne had not been to visit him since the morning before, when he'd vented his anxiety and fear in such a venomous manner. Not that he blamed her for not wanting to interact with him when he acted in such an infantile way. . . but did she not know now much he longed to see her? How much he looked forward to her morning and evening visits?
He'd been a fool to speak so sharply, so spitefully to her when she'd done naught but treat him with warmth and understanding. Could he do nothing but drive women away?
He cursed himself and, holding to the bars, he pushed his face as close up against them as he could, trying to peer toward the right side, from which Madelyne would come. He missed the clean cloths and bowls of water she sent him every morn and night, and the bits of bread, meat, and cheese she wrapped up from her meals. Though he wasn't being starved, the fare served him was little better than peasant bread and watered-down ale.
Suddenly, he heard a commotion from that direction, and he pushed harder against the bars. Mayhap she'd come. . . .
But it was Clem and Jube who burst around the corner, with the guard rushing after them. "Wait! Halt!"
"My lord, she is gone! She is taken!" Jube burst out as he and his mate came up against the gate. "My lady is gone!"
Gavin's world stopped. Everything went black.
"What do you mean she is gone?" he repeated, slowly, carefully. . . knowing that if he'd heard what he believed he'd heard he would surely go mad. Still, he kept his voice calm, low, slow. "How can she be gone when she is to go nowhere but with one of you?"
He gripped the bars, his breath increasing in speed, and saw the answer in their faces before Clem was able to respond. "She is gone? She is gone?" His voice rose and he shook the bars. "Get me the king! I must see him! Get him to me now!"
Sickness pitched his stomach and he felt the sweat springing to life all over his body, trickling down his back and face. "Take me to the king!" he commanded, staring at the guard, and reaching through the bars to grasp the man's tunic. "I must see him!" He pulled, slamming the man up against the bars with a clank. "Get me to the king. "
He released the guard, who, with a terrified backward glance, rushed off. Gavin turned his attention to Clem and Jube, trying desperately to control the panic that screamed through his veins. "Tell me what happened, you fools! Where is she? How long has she been gone?"
Clem stepped forward, disease patterned on his face. "When last I saw her, 'twas yesterday morn when I brought her to visit you. I waited for her and whilst she visited with you, Rohan came to me with the message that Jube and Thomas required my assistance at the stables with Rule. He assured me he would return Lady Madelyne to her chamber. "
Jube glanced at Clem and picked up the story. "I received a message from Rohan that Madelyne would stay with Lady Judith last night, so I did not think to find her until after the midday meal, when she did not come to eat. "
"No one has seen Rohan and Madelyne since yesterday morn, my lord. "