Louddon immediately protested innocence of any wrongdoing. He accused Duncan of treachery, stating that the baron had destroyed his fortress, killed as many as two hundred good, loyal men, taken his sister captive, and nearly destroyed her.
Louddon then took the defense, stating that Duncan blamed him for something another man had done to his sister, Adela. He spun a web of lies around the king, reeking with sincerity as he claimed he hadn't even known Baron Wexton was going to challenge him. How could he? He was in court when Duncan and his soldiers attacked his fortress and had witnesses ready to testify to that fact.
Louddon ended his persuasive argument by insisting that Duncan had no evidence of any wrongdoing, while he had plenty of evidence regarding Duncan's foul deeds.
He was as slick as an eel and lied like a whore to his king. He turned cunning next. Louddon explained he understood the king's difficulty in knowing which one to believe and therefore called forth three men to give testimony on his behalf.
When the king nodded, each man Louddon called knelt before their leader and told their lies. Madelyne didn't recognize any of the faces, but she knew their names well. They all shared the same. Aye, each one was Judas.
The last witness finished his obviously rehearsed story and moved to stand behind Louddon. Madelyne grabbed hold of the back of Edmond's tunic and was twisting the edge. Edmond turned, pulled his garment free, and then took hold of Madelyne's hand. Gilard grabbed hold of her other hand.
They offered her their comfort. Neither brother had expected the king to allow witnesses. Both were furious, and worried too. And both tried to hide their feelings from Madelyne.
Louddon stepped forward again. He bowed, added a few more of his obscene truths, and finished his version by dramatically pleading for true justice.
It was Baron Wexton's turn to speak. The king was obviously on good terms with his vassal, for he called him Duncan when he commanded him to tell his version.
Duncan was a man of few words. He quickly stated the facts. He didn't call any witnesses but explained that Louddon had abused Adela, tried to kill him, and he had retaliated in kind. It was evident to everyone in the hall that Duncan wasn't pleading for justice. He was demanding it.
"You have witnesses to bring forth to verify your accounting?" the king asked.
"I have given you the truth," Duncan answered. His voice was hard, controlled. "I need no witnesses to verify my honesty."
"You have each charged the other with ill conduct. There are still questions to be settled in my mind."
"He is caught in the middle," Gilard whispered to Edmond.
Edmond nodded. Each man did contradict the other. Edmond thought the king wanted to rule in Duncan's favor. Yet Louddon had balanced the scale in his favor by bringing witnesses to lie on his behalf. Duncan was a loyal vassal, a warrior as well, who could become a threat if he felt his king had betrayed him.
It was an insult to ask Duncan to have others testify on his behalf. He had told the truth. The king would either believe him or not.
Edmond let out a ragged sigh. Duncan wouldn't play the game now. He was stubborn in his belief that he'd acted honorably in the past and that the king would believe him now.
Yet Louddon had also made a valid point in his maze of lies. Duncan had married Madelyne without gaining permission. That was an insignificant breach, but destroying another baron's fortress and killing over two hundred soldiers was a more serious charge.
Duncan had stated that Louddon had tried to trap him twice, but those charges couldn't be proven. Gilard could testify to one battle, true, yet he couldn't state for fact that Louddon had been behind the attack.
Gerald could also testify against Louddon when the second trap was set, but Morcar could be blamed. Louddon hadn't been there either.
Edmond cleared his mind when Madelyne's name was called. He turned to look at her.
Madelyne straightened her shoulders, composed her expression, and slowly walked toward the king. She stopped when she reached the platform and then knelt down with her head bowed.
"Your brother has convinced me that you have been through too much pain to give me your accounting now," the king announced. "I therefore release you from this duty."
Madelyne took to her feet and stared in astonishment at the king. She understood now why Louddon was looking so confident all evening. He'd already made certain that she wouldn't be allowed to speak.
"I am one of your loyal subjects," Madelyne announced. She could tell she had the king's full attention, for his eyes did seem to widen. "Though I do not have an army of vassals to give you aid, I would do anything within my power to serve you. I would like to answer your questions."
The king immediately nodded. "You do not seem distraught, as your brother has indicated," he announced. He leaned forward said in lowered voice, "Would you prefer that I empty the hall before you tell me all that has happened to you?"
Madelyne was surprised by the gentle tone the king used with her. "I do not prefer it," she whispered.
"Then tell me what you can about this puzzle."
Madelyne obeyed. She folded her hands in front of her, took a calming breath, and then began her recounting.
It was quiet enough to hear a mouse nibble on cheese. "I would begin with the night of the attack on my brother's fortress if you wish," she said.
"That would be good enough," the king said. "I know it will be difficult for you, gentle lady, but I would have more light shed on this problem."
Madelyne wished the king weren't being so kind to her. It made her task all the more difficult. "My husband says you are an honorable man," she whispered.
William leaned forward in his chair again. He was the only one who heard what she said. "I am many things to many people," he boasted. He kept his voice as low as Madelyne's, wishing only to share his comments with her. "I believe I am honorable to everyone, even gentle ladies who have no armies to help my cause."
Madelyne gifted the king with a smile.
"Now, begin your tale," the king commanded, his tone loud enough for all to hear.
"I was on my way up to my chambers when one of my brother's soldiers announced to Louddon that Baron Wexton wished to speak with him."
"Louddon was there?" the king asked.
"He was," Madelyne said. "I heard him tell the soldier to let Duncan inside the gates under the sign of truce. It was a trap, of course, for as soon as Duncan rode inside the fortress, he was taken captive. My brother told his vassal he was going to kill Duncan. He thought himself very clever, you see, because he'd come up with a plan to kill the baron by freezing him to death."
Louddon let out a gasp. He started toward Madelyne, but stopped when he noticed Duncan reach for his sword. "She doesn't know what she's talking about," Louddon stammered out. "Madelyne is too distraught to know what she's saying. Release her from this ordeal!"
The king waved his hand for silence. Louddon took a deep breath. He calmed himself when he realized that the rest of Madelyne's story would be in his favor.
"There will be no more interruptions," the king shouted. He turned back to Madelyne, gave her a curt nod. "Continue, if you please, by explaining this clever plan to freeze my baron to death. I do not understand."
"Louddon didn't want to use a weapon on the baron. Once he'd died from the freezing temperature, the men would take his body to a remote area and leave it there until someone found him or until wild animals got to him. They stripped him of his clothes and tied him to a post in the courtyard."
Madelyne paused to take another deep breath. "Louddon left for London. He left some of his men to guard Duncan, but they couldn't take the cold, and finally went inside. As soon as they left, I untied Duncan."
"And did his soldiers attack the fortress then?"
"They gained entrance by climbing over the walls. Their duty was to protect their lord," Madelyne said.
"I see."
Madelyne didn't know what that meant. She glanced over to look at
Louddon, saw him smirk, and then looked over at Duncan. Her husband nodded encouragement to her.
"They came inside, you say?" the king asked after a long minute.
"A fight began," Madelyne said.
"And then you were taken captive?"
"In truth, I was given freedom from my brother's mistreatment. He did like to hurt me, and as God is my witness, I tired of his abuse."
A surprised murmur rolled through the crowd. "Baron Wexton took me with him. I was afraid of Louddon and I confess again to you that for the first time in my life, I really felt safe. Duncan is an honorable man. He treated me well. I never feared he would hurt me. Never."
The king glared at Louddon a long minute and then turned back to Madelyne. "Who burned his home to the ground? Or was it burned at all?"
His voice had risen in volume.
"Duncan destroyed my fortress," Louddon shouted.
"Silence" the king roared. "Your sister is giving her accounting and she's the only one I wish to hear. Answer this question," he added to Madelyne.
"Louddon destroyed his own home when he dishonored the sign of truce," Madelyne announced.
The king sighed. He looked weary now. "Then I can assume your virtue wasn't taken from you?"
Madelyne all but shouted her answer. "He didn't touch me."
Another low murmur escaped the crowd. Everyone was quite spellbound by the strange tale unfolding.
Until that moment Madelyne hadn't actually spoken a lie. "Duncan didn't touch me, but I've promised to speak the full truth and so I'll confess to you that I did try to take advantage of his good nature. 'Tis the truth that I did eventually seduce him."
A gasp replaced the murmur now. Madelyne thought she heard Duncan groan. The king looked ready to scream. Duncan was suddenly standing next to Madelyne, and his hand covered her mouth. She guessed he wanted her to stop.
When she nudged him, Duncan moved his hand back to rest on her shoulder.
"Do you realize how you defame yourself, my dear woman?" the king bellowed.
"I love Duncan," Madelyne answered. "And I wasn't able to seduce him until we were married."
The king turned to scowl at Louddon again. "Your charge that your sister was defiled I now deny. I've only to look at her to see she speaks the truth."
The king then asked Madelyne, "What about your husband's charge that Louddon defiled his sister?"
"It is true," Madelyne said. "Adela told me what happened to her. Morcar attacked her, but Louddon was there too. It was his plan and he was therefore just as responsible."
"I see." The king looked furious. He continued to question Madelyne a long while. She fenced with her answers, yet always spoke the truth.
"My husband acted with courage, my brother with deceit," Madelyne said.
She sagged against Duncan's side when she was finally finished.
"Do you have anything further to say to me?" the king asked Louddon.
Louddon could barely speak. His face was mottled with fury. "My sister boldly lies to you," he stammered.
"Isn't this the same sister you praised to me as always speaking the truth?" he yelled.
Louddon didn't answer him. The king turned back to Madelyne. "You are loyal to your husband. An admirable trait. Do you tell me truths now or do you protect Duncan?"
Before Madelyne could answer, the king turned to Duncan. "Do you have anything further to add to this?"
"Only that it was an equal seduction," Duncan commented. His voice was mild now. "And thoroughly satisfying."
A roar of approval echoed through the hall. The king smiled.
He stood then and gave his decision. "Louddon, you have betrayed my confidence in you. You are now stripped of all duties and forever banned from my court."
He turned to Duncan next. "My brother, Henry, has suggested a time to cool your anger. I am displeased over the havoc caused and the lives lost, but I accept that you were retaliating in measure for your sister's honor. Perhaps a month with the Scots would be sufficient time."
Madelyne felt Duncan stiffen against her. She took hold of his hand and squeezed it, begging him to keep silent.
"If, when you return, you still wish to challenge Louddon and the men who stand with him in this matter, I will allow a fight to the death. The choice of confronting will belong to you."
Duncan didn't immediately accept or reject the order. He didn't like waiting to challenge Louddon.
He felt Madelyne tremble. Her fear made the decision for him. "I will leave immediately."
The king nodded. "I've released Louddon from his duties, Duncan. I've given him a month to hide from you," he admitted.
"I'll find him."
The king smiled. "Of that I have no doubt"
Duncan bowed to his king. William then left the room, with Louddon chasing after him.
"I would have a few words with you, wife," Duncan whispered.
Madelyne tried to smile at her husband. His face was masked. She couldn't tell if he was angry or just irritated. "I am very tired, Duncan. And you did tell the king we would leave immediately."
"We?"
"You wouldn't leave me here, would you?" she asked, clearly appalled.
"I would not."
"Do not tease me," she muttered. "I have been through an ordeal."
Baron Rhinehold interrupted the discussion. "Your wife equals you in courage, Duncan. She faced our king and told him her story. Why, her voice never wavered."
"And what did she tell him?" Duncan asked, his voice mild.
Baron Rhinehold smiled. "That is the question, isn't it? I listened to her explanation and am still confused as to who burned what, who attacked and who retreated… and still I haven't the faintest idea of what happened."
"You have just described my life with Madelyne," Duncan announced. His voice sounded pained now.
Duncan looked down at Madelyne and saw how she stared at the baron. "I've forgotten to introduce you," he realized out loud. "Baron, this is my wife, Madelyne. I understand that you knew her mother?"
The baron nodded. "Your wife looks like Rachael," he said. "It is a pleasure to meet you, Baroness."
He had such a nice smile. Madelyne could feel herself getting emotional. She forced a smile and said, "I would like to speak to you about my mother, Baron. Perhaps, when we return from our temporary exile, you would pay us a visit."
"I would be honored," Rhinehold said.
There wasn't any more time to talk with the baron. The other allies came to express their pleasure over the outcome. Madelyne stood by Duncan's side, holding his hand, wishing he'd tell her what he thought about this encounter.
Duncan ignored her. He turned when Gerald joined them and stated that they would ride in one hour's time.
"Duncan? Is there time for me to gather my things from my room?" Madelyne asked.
"You wear the clothes on your back, wife."
Madelyne sighed. "You're angry then?" she asked.
Duncan looked down at his wife. Her eyes were misty and she chewed on her lower lip. He slowly shook his head. "Seduce me? My God, you told the king you seduced me. When you decide to tell a falsehood, you aren't the least timid." He grinned at her while he rebuked her.
"It wasn't a falsehood," Madelyne said. "I did want you to kiss me and I never liked it when you stopped. That is a bit of a seduction, isn't it, Duncan? And I kissed you that first night. You only responded in kind, husband. Aye, it was the truth. I did seduce you."
"If you'd told the full truth, I would have been able to challenge Louddon now," Duncan pointed out.
"Oh, I know how that works," Madelyne said. "You both contradicted each other. The king would have put you in a lake, with your hands and feet tied to stones. And if you sank to the bottom, then he'd know you spoke the truth. Of course you'd be dead, but your honor would be intact. Well, I don't want to go to bed at night with your honor for company. I want you alive and well. What say you to that, husband?"
Though she tried, she couldn
't help the tears that escaped.
Duncan was staring at her with the most astonished expression on his face.
"Madelyne," he said, drawing her name out in an exaggerated sigh, "warriors are not put to such trials. The church uses that method, not the king."
"Oh."
Duncan felt like laughing. He took Madelyne into his arms, smiled when he heard her mutter, "I have been through an ordeal."
"You have a heart of gold," he said. "Come, wife. I have the urge to let you seduce me."
Madelyne was in complete agreement with his plan.
They made camp almost four hours later. Madelyne was weary. Clarissa had intercepted her just as she was leaving with Duncan. The vile, angry words she'd yelled at Madelyne still echoed in her mind.
Duncan left her by a stream he'd found while he saw to protecting his camp. Madelyne was in his sight at all times however. As long as Louddon was alive, Duncan wasn't going to leave Madelyne's side.
Madelyne washed as best she could under the circumstances and then returned to the campsite. Duncan had just finished building a tent for the two of them. It was a short distance away from the contingent of men traveling with them.
"Will Father Berton be safe enough? Or do you think you should increase the number of men guarding him?" she asked Duncan.
"He will be fine," Duncan said. "I left the fittest men in charge. Don't worry, love."
Madelyne nodded. "Do you remember the first night we slept together?"
"I remember it well."
"I thought the fire was too close and worried our tent would catch flame," she said.
"You worried about everything," Duncan told her. He untied the roped belt resting against her hips. "You slept with your clothes on that night."
"I protected my virtue," Madelyne said. "I hadn't known then that I really wanted to seduce you." She laughed over the disgruntled look on her husband's face.
"I protected your virtue," Duncan countered.
Madelyne settled herself on top of the animal skins. It was a cool, accommodating evening. The breeze refreshed and the bright moon gave them a soft light.