“Major Marshall, is it?” the old woman commented with unusual sarcasm. “Is that how ye refer to yer husband, Maddie, or do ye deign to call him by his first name when it suits ye? Perhaps when he takes ye in his arms?”
Madeleine felt a surge of outrage that Glenis was asking her such questions, or even sitting here in her house for that matter!
“I dinna know why ye took it into yer mind to visit Mhor Manor,” she said unkindly. “Ye must know ye’re no longer welcome here.”
Glenis rose from the stool so abruptly it toppled over, hitting the floor with a thud. Her dark eyes flashed with temper, the expression on her wrinkled face sterner than Madeleine had ever seen it before. For a moment she feared Glenis would slap her, but instead the stooped woman drew herself up and rested her hands on her narrow hips.
“I’ll tell ye why I’ve come back to Mhor Manor Madeleine Elisabeth Fraser,” Glenis said, her voice crackling with anger. “To set ye straight! Ye’re makin’ a fool of yerself and ye dinna even know it!”
“What do ye mean?” Madeleine sputtered, her hands tightly gripping the chair.
“Garrett Marshall loves ye, ye foolish lass!Loves ye! He told me so when I found him on the road to Inverfarigaig, and thank God I got there when I did. If I hadna, ye would likely have been killed along with yer kin. Ye went to prison instead, Maddie, buying Garrett some time so he might help ye—”
“Ye’re mad, Glenis,” Madeleine accused vehemently, cutting her off. She rose shakily from her chair. “Ye dinna know what ye’re saying.”
“Aye, I know exactly what I’m sayin’,” Glenis countered, staring up at her boldly. “Ye’re so ready to think the worst, Maddie, just because Garrett’s an Englishman. A redcoat. Ye havna given him a chance to explain, have ye? Did ye ne’er think to ask him how he was granted a king’s pardon for ye, before ye came to yer own conclusions? Ye’ve always been a good storyteller, lass, and I swear ye’ve outdone yerself this time!”
Madeleine found that she could barely swallow, her throat was constricted so tightly. Her head was beginning to pound. “No, I dinna ask him,” she said through clenched teeth. “I dinna have to ask him.”
“Well, ye might!” Glenis said heatedly. “Ye might be surprised to find his answer is far different than yer own fanciful version. Such nonsense about spies and Garrett wantin’ yer land, and him usin’ ye to ease his way with Clan Fraser.”
“How have ye heard all this?” Madeleine demanded shakily.
“The story has traveled up to Tullich, and well beyond Strathherrick, I’ll warrant. ‘Tisn’t ev’ryday an Englishman takes a Highland lass for a bride to save her from a hangman’s rope. Yer warning has traveled as well, which is why I decided to come here and risk yer fond greeting. Ye’ve done a terrible thing, Maddie. Ye’ve set yer kin against Garrett before ye even knew the truth.”
“I dinna want to hear any more of yer wild talk, Glenis,” Madeleine said angrily, brushing past her to the door. She was stunned when Glenis caught her arm, the old woman’s gnarled fingers gripping her like talons.
“Aye, then, if ye tell me ye have no feelings for Garrett, none at all, I’ll ne’er say another word!” Glenis challenged her. “I believe ‘tis heartache that’s been plaguin’ ye, Maddie, because ye know deep in yer heart what I’m tellin’ ye is true. Ye’re lovesick, and ye winna admit it, not even to yerself! Well, if ye swear to me now I dinna know what I’m sayin’, I’ll leave this house and ye’ll have seen the last of yer Glenis Simpson.”
Madeleine stared at her, a fierce denial on the tip of her tongue. Strangely, she could not say it, nor could she find it within herself to lie. She heaved a ragged sigh, her tormented expression revealing to Glenis more than words could have ever expressed.
“‘Tis so plain, Maddie, ye havna been able to see it,” Glenis said fervently. “Garrett told me he loved ye and I believe him. He promised me he’d help ye and not let anything happen to ye.” She released Madeleine’s arm, her tone almost pleading. “Garrett saved yer life because he loves ye. He helped yer kin before, and he’s tryin’ to help them now because he loves ye. However it came to pass, Maddie, he’s yer husband. Someday ye’ll carry his bairn. Ye must ask him for yerself if my words are true.”
“If ‘tis so, why hasn’t he said something to me already?” Madeleine asked quietly, tears glistening in her eyes.
“Ye’re one to ask me that?” Glenis scoffed lightly. “Ye’ve made no secret of yer hatred for the English. Garrett might be afraid ye’ll spit in his face, seein’ as ye believe he forced ye into a marriage to suit his own ends. Perhaps he’s tryin’ to show ye by his actions how much he cares for ye, hopin’ ‘twill soften yer heart a bit so he might tell ye, except ye’re thwartin’ him ev’ry step of the way.”
When Madeleine did not reply, Glenis sighed wearily. The strain of their encounter was clearly etched on her wizened face.
“I’ll leave ye now, Maddie,” she said. “Ye must decide for yerself if ye’ll accept what I’ve told ye. If ye love him, as I believe ye do, ye’ll ask Garrett if ‘tis the truth. Then ye’d best undo the damage ye’ve caused between him and yer kin. No good will come of things as they are, Maddie. I only hope ‘tis not too late.”
“Too late?” Madeleine breathed, searching Glenis’s eyes.
“Aye,” she replied gravely. “Yer kin believe ye’re unhappy, married to an Englishman ye’ve branded as a spy. Did ye ne’er think they might somehow rid ye of yer husband, believin’ ‘tis what ye want? Or did ye think Garrett would simply become discouraged and leave for England?” Glenis shook her head slowly. “‘Tis more likely yer kinsmen will seek to end yer problems long before Garrett would ever leave ye, lass.”
Madeleine sank into the chair, completely overwhelmed.
Garrett loved her. Could it really be true? So many thoughts, so many sensuous memories, so many things Garrett had said to her swirled in her mind that she scarcely noticed Glenis quietly leaving the room. It was the door clicking shut that pierced her unsettling reverie.
“Glenis!” Madeleine jumped up and raced to the door, flinging it open. She dashed into the hall. “Glenis! Wait!”
Glenis turned around, her face cloaked in shadow. “What is it, hinny?” she asked gently.
“When I said ye were no longer welcome here,” Madeleine began, her voice catching, “I dinna mean it, Glenis. ‘Twas the hurt in me, after what ye did.”
“I know. Ye thought I betrayed ye, and in a sense I did. ‘Twas the only thing I could think of to save ye, lass. I took a chance Garrett might care about ye, even as I care about ye. ‘Twas worth it to me, though I knew ye’d hate me for it—”
“I dinna hate ye,” Madeleine interjected fiercely, tears tightening her throat. “I want ye to stay here, Glenis. Ye belong at Mhor Manor. ‘Tis not the same without ye.”
