"Then I'll take every care."

"You promise me?"

"I promise you."

Madelyne tenderly cupped the sides of her husband's face. "You take my heart with you, my loving captor."

"Nay, Madelyne. I am your captive in body and soul."

And then he fulfilled his vow by making love to her again.

Duncan was dressed before the full light of dawn reached the sky. He called for Anthony and then waited for him in the hall.

When his vassal entered the room, Duncan was just breaking the seal on the neglected missive from the monastery.

Anthony sat down across from Duncan at the table, waiting for him to finish reading. Gerty intruded with a tray filled with bread and cheese.

The vassal had eaten a fair portion of his meal before Duncan finished his letter. The news obviously didn't please his lord. Duncan threw the parchment across the table and then slammed his fist down on the tabletop.

"The news displeases you?" Anthony asked.

"It is as I suspected. There is no Father Laurance."

"But the man you killed…"

"Sent from Louddon," Duncan said. "I already knew that much, yet I still believed he was a priest."

"Well, at least you didn't kill a man of the cloth then." Anthony made the observation with a shrug. "He wasn't able to report back to Louddon either, Duncan. He hasn't left this fortress since his arrival. I'd have known of it"

"If I'd been paying attention, I'd have noticed his odd behavior sooner. My lack of attention nearly cost my wife her life."

"She doesn't blame you," Anthony commented. "It didn't get as ugly as it could have either, Duncan. He could have been hearing all our confessions." Anthony shuddered over that obscene thought.

"I didn't get married either," Duncan said, slamming his fist on the table again.

The parchment bounced and settled against the bottom of the jar of wildflowers.

"Good God, I hadn't thought of that."

"Madelyne hasn't either," Duncan answered. "She will though. She'll have a fit. If there was time, I'd find a priest and wed her before I leave."

"It would take weeks…"

Duncan nodded. "Have you told Madelyne where you're going?" Anthony asked.

"Aye, but I'm not going to tell her about our impostor. When I return, I'll bring a priest with me. I'll tell her we aren't married a minute or two before I marry her again. Hell, what a mess."

Anthony smiled. His lord was right. Madelyne would have a fit.

Duncan forced himself to put aside the matter of Laurance's deception. He went over his plans with his vassal, trying to cover every eventuality.

"You've been trained by the best. I have complete faith in your ability," Duncan said when he'd finished his instructions.

It was an attempt to lighten his mood, a self-serving remark as well, since it was Duncan who trained Anthony. The vassal grinned.

"You're leaving enough soldiers to conquer England," Anthony remarked.

"Have you seen Gerald yet?"

Anthony shook his head. "The men are gathering in front of the stables," he remarked. "He could be there, waiting."

Duncan stood and walked with his vassal to the stables. The baron addressed his soldiers, cautioning them all that they could well be riding into a trap. He turned to the men who would remain behind and spoke to them. "Louddon could well be waiting for me to leave to attack the fortress."

When he finished addressing his men, Duncan returned to the hall. Madelyne was just coming down the steps. She smiled at her husband. Duncan took her into his arms and kissed her.

"Remember your promise to take every care," Madelyne whispered when he released her.

"I promise," Duncan answered. He put his arm around her shoulders and walked outside. They had to pass the church on their way to the stables. Duncan paused to stare at the damage from the fire. "I'll have to rebuild the vestibule," he said.

The mention of the church reminded Madelyne of the letter. " Duncan, do you have time to show me the letter from Father Laurance's monastery? I am most curious, I confess."

"I've already read it."

"You can read! I'd suspected as much, but you've never boasted of your skill. Why, just when I think I know you quite well, you say or do something to surprise me."

"So I'm not as predictable as you imagined?" he asked, smiling.

She nodded. "In certain matters you're always predictable. Oh, I wish you weren't leaving. I wanted you to teach me defense. If I could protect myself as well as Ansel does, you'd probably let me come with you."

"I would not," Duncan answered. "I promise, though, to begin your instructions as soon as I return." He made the comment to placate Madelyne. There were a few tricks every woman should know about, he decided. Perhaps it wasn't such a ridiculous request after all. Madelyne wasn't very strong but her determination impressed him.

Duncan noticed that Baron Gerald still hadn't arrived Since he had a few more minutes with his wife, he turned to her and said, "I'll give you your first lesson now. Since you use your right hand, you must carry your dagger on the left side of your body." He removed her dagger and placed it in a loop of her belt on the tilt of her left hip.

"Why?"

"Because it is much easier to pull the weapon free. Sometimes, wife, every second counts."

"You carry your sword on the right side of your body, Duncan. I know you favor holding your sword with your left hand. The steps! Does this lesson have anything to do with the steps being built on the left side of the wall instead of the right?"

He nodded. "My father also favored his left over his right. When an enemy invades, he comes from below, not above. My father had added advantage. He could use his right hand to balance himself against the wall, and fight with his left hand."

"Your father was cunning," Madelyne announced. "Most men use their right hands, don't they? What a wonderful idea to go against tradition and build his home to his specifications."

"In truth, my father borrowed the idea from one of his uncles," Duncan said.

Duncan thought he'd successfully turned her attention away from the letter. He was mistaken, however, for Madelyne came right back to that topic. "What did the letter say, Duncan?"

"It was nothing significant," Duncan returned. "Laurance left the monastery when he was assigned to Louddon's fortress."

It was difficult lying to his wife. Yet his intent was good-hearted. He was trying to keep her from worrying while he was away.

"He was probably a good man until my brother got hold of him," Madelyne commented. "I'll see that his body is sent back to the monastery immediately, Duncan. They'll want to give him a proper burial."

"No." He realized he'd shouted. "I mean to say that arrangements have already been made."

Madelyne was puzzled by Duncan 's abrupt manner. Baron Gerald walked over to greet them, turning her attention.

"Adela and I will be married when this task is finished," Gerald announced. "She has finally agreed."

Madelyne smiled. Duncan slapped Gerald on his shoulder. "Where is Adela?" he asked.

"In her room, crying. I've already said my farewell," Gerald added with a grin.

"You're certain you want to wed her, Gerald? My sister spends most of her days weeping."

" Duncan!" Madelyne protested.

Gerald laughed. "I'm hoping she'll use up all her tears before we're married."

Duncan suddenly turned and grabbed Madelyne. He kissed her before she knew what he was going to do. "I'll be home before you notice I've left," he told her.

Madelyne struggled to smile. She wasn't about to cry. It wouldn't be dignified, what with the soldiers filing past.

She stood in the center of the courtyard and watched her husband leave.

Anthony walked over to stand beside Madelyne. "He'll come back to us," Madelyne said. "He gave me his word, Anthony."