Lawfully Pledged Read online

  “Don’t you know that? I worried for your safety all night long and that is why I held you while you slept. There are no women near camp and yet the most gorgeous creature fought with a ferocity that rivaled the men there. Who wouldn’t long for your heart, yearn for a taste of those lips?”

  “Is that why we are leaving?” she gaped, stunned by his admission.

  Alden reached up, grasped her around the waist, and pulled her down from Zeus. Madeline barely caught her footing at the aggressive display from him before he kissed her fiercely. His lips had a sense of desperation to them just before softening against hers. The taste of him, mingled with the cool rain, was heady and made her knees weak. She clung to his shoulders and barely noticed as the sodden blanket slipped into the mud. He broke the kiss and stared at her with such desire, she melted at the heat of his gaze.

  “Don’t you realize yet that I love you, Madeline?” he whispered brokenly as he pushed away a soggy curl that stuck to her cheek. “The general knows that a distracted man is a dead man on the field of battle. He saved me back there from a bayonet and knew my heart wasn’t in the fight. I kept worrying about your safety and looking up to the hill when I saw you standing there behind the soldiers. If you had taken a bullet, I would have died where I stood.”

  “Alden,” she breathed, feeling her heart burst with joy that he returned the feelings she’d been fighting. He wasn’t being tasked with taking the errant little woman away, he was protecting her – because he loved her.

  “Washington needs someone to protect his back as they leave to cross the Hudson. I knew that crossing the river was dangerous, but so was staying here waiting for the next wave of British to attack. I couldn’t risk your life with either suggestion – so I told him I needed to take you home. I am taking you home, Madeline, and hopefully I don’t get caught. I’ve no wish to hang before your eyes for treason.”

  “Alden, no,” she breathed. “Don’t take me back to Manhattan if it’s occupied. I won’t risk your neck. You see… I love you too. Take me anywhere else and I will wait for you – as your wife.”

  “You love me?”

  “Absolument,” she breathed in French, “I’ve changed my mind on your offer of marriage and can accept that I made a mistake saying ‘no’ right away. I would be honored to marry you.”

  “What about your family?”

  “I need to find out if they are uninjured or if my home is even there. There’s no guarantee in this life and I realize that now. I pray with my whole heart that my family is safe, that they are alright. If so, then all the rest doesn’t matter, anymore – does it? My family will still, and always be, part of my heart – but you are essential to my happiness. Let us find a town, get out of this rain, and find a pastor. I’m completely sodden and happier than I have ever been right now,” she teased, laughing as she saw a drip of rain fall off the end of his nose.

  “I love you, Alden.”

  “And I you, little one.”

  Two hours later, Madeline rode into a small town on the outskirts of Manhattan Island. It wasn’t a large town but felt relatively safe without a redcoat uniform within sight. As they strode through the mud directly down the middle of town, they found a small inn to take shelter in. She listened happily as Alden signed them in as husband and wife. He ordered up a warm meal and a bath for her, as well as clean clothes for them both. The innkeeper didn’t ask many questions when he slid several coins across the counter.

  “Is there a church nearby?”

  “Just up the road.”

  “My wife wants to light a candle for her family,” Alden offered kindly, looking at Madeline. “We’ll return shortly for our meals and to occupy the room.”

  “Certainly sir.”

  “Come,” Alden said gently, taking hold of Madeline’s elbow. She followed along dutifully and was stunned to see him take her into the small church. The echo of the nearly empty walls surprised her. Was there no one there?

  “Who goes there?”

  “Sir, we’ve come to be married.”

  “Have you announced the banns?”

  “No sir,” Alden said quietly. “I’m a soldier for General Washington and I’ve not had a chance to have the banns cried. I would do right by my wife though – would you witness our handfasting?”

  “Come son, bring your lady forward and let’s hear your pledge.”

  Madeline stepped forward, feeling suddenly shy at the love shining in Alden’s eyes as he took her hand. They knelt in front of the pulpit and she felt herself smiling as the minister laid his hands upon both of their heads.

  “Lord, these are strange times and require a bit of leniency to honor the troth that you have entrusted to us. These two have come during a maelstrom to bind their hearts together in your eyes. It may be slightly out of order but their souls are in the right place. Say your piece and I will witness your vows.”

  “I, Alden William Knox, do take you Madeline Anjou as my wife. I will honor, love, and cherish you for all my days,” he said reverently, taking her hands in his. She felt his hands tremble and knew that he meant every word he was saying.

  “I, Marie Madeline Solange dit Anjou, do take you Alden Knox as my husband. I will happily put myself into your keeping. I will love, honor, and cherish you for all my days and beyond,” she breathed, feeling a single tear roll down her cheek as her heart felt like it couldn’t handle much more. Before she could say anything else, Alden leaned forward and kissed her sweetly. When he pulled back, his own eyes were glassy with unshed tears.

  “I love you so much,” he said thickly, smiling at her.

  “And I you, little one,” she teased, using his term for her.

  She marveled at how beautiful a soul her new husband was as he threw back his head and laughed at their private joke. Alden got up and aided Madeline to her feet. The minister nodded, blessing each of them again quietly in Latin. She couldn’t help the grin on her face as she realized that she was happily tied to this wondrous man for the rest of her life. Before they stepped out of the church back into the deluge, Madeline took a moment to light a candle for her family as Alden had mentioned, but also another for their own life beginning today.

  Darting out of the door into the rain, she couldn’t help but laugh at how crazy her life had turned over the last few days. Had it only been such a short time? Meeting Alden had saved her life in more ways than one – he was such a blessing and she truly believed that he’d been put along her path for a reason. If the war hadn’t happened, if the fire hadn’t started, if she hadn’t been captured – she would have never had the opportunity to meet him. Now, here she was, running bedraggled through the street, completely soaked and utterly in love with her husband.

  They slid inside the inn once again, laughing at each other’s rain-soaked appearance. She knew people were looking at them and she didn’t care. She couldn’t be happier at this very moment.

  “Our room is ready?”

  “Yes sir – number three back there,” the innkeeper mentioned with a smile. “They are filling the bath now.”

  “Perfect,” Alden said with a proud grin, “Come, little wife.”

  “Oui, mon couer,” she breathed, putting her wet hand on his dripping sleeve like they were royalty. He looked down at her and winked playfully. As they got to the door of their room, her heart began to hammer with nervous anticipation. The maid departed quickly and she saw the steaming bath waiting intimately in front of the fireplace, along with a table laden with food. The door shut behind her, causing her to jump.

  “I would never harm you,” Alden whispered. His expression was utterly besotted as he gazed lovingly at her. He waited; his hand extended between them. “Your heart is the greatest treasure I could ever hope for. You are beyond precious to me, little one. Let me show you how much I feel for you.”

  “Je’t aime, Alden,” she breathed raggedly, her heart pounding. She placed her hand in his and felt him lace his fingers with hers, as she could not look away from the
love in his eyes.

  Chapter Eight

  November 1776

  Madeline had been crushed to discover that her family home had indeed gone up in the fire. Alden had held her as she cried desperately in his arms. There had been no sign of her parents or her grandmother, yet no reports of their death either. She’d clung to that hope mercilessly and prayed for their safety every night. She sent letters to her aunts and uncles in Montreal, in the hopes that if things were bad – they would return back to Canada or send word of their safety.

  Alden had been relentless in his travels, trying to reach her family. They had been married but a week when he started his search. He confided in her that he had a knack for slipping in and out of trouble, but she also remembered his fear of being hung as a traitor.

  “Don’t go, please,” she’d begged him one evening as she sat on her knees beside their bed, in prayer. “My family will return once it’s safe and we can travel into Manhattan once the British are gone. I cannot lose you.”

  “And I cannot bear your tears, little one.”

  “I’m sorry that I am so emotional,” she breathed painfully, “it’s just the unknown that is tearing at me. Winter is coming and what if they are homeless or injured. My grandmama wasn’t in the best health before and what if…”

  She bit back a sob, unable to say the words aloud. Alden seemed to understand and joined her at their bedside in prayer. He laced his fingers with hers, as she kissed his knuckles in silent thanks. They prayed for a reprieve from the war, his missing brother Daniel, and her missing family.

  “Come love, get into bed and rest,” he urged. “Let me hold you and carry your burden so you can fall asleep.”

  “I love you,” she breathed shakily, feeling it deep within her soul as he cradled her against his chest.

  “I will always do what I can to make you happy.”

  And he had. Alden took off the next morning, searching for clues. They fell into a routine, once they’d moved into a tiny little house nearby. Madeline would do what she could to cook and clean, to make ends meet. Alden would leave each morning and return late in the evening.

  After a week, he was going further and further out, sometimes having to stay the night on the roads. She was beside herself, worried for his safety. The temperatures were dropping and it had already snowed more than once. He always reassured her that he found a warm place to sleep, confessing that it was usually with the horses in a barn – but it was enough to keep him warm.

  “You are so much more pleasant to sleep with, my little love, than the horses. They smell something awful and aren’t nearly as pleasant company,” he teased before kissing her.

  Just when she thought she couldn’t love him anymore – he would do something she considered extraordinary, like searching for her family. He was driven to help her and she knew that he’d done the same search for his own missing brother Daniel. Alden’s favorite saying was that ‘family took care of each other’ – she was part of his family now.

  Madeline found out that she had a sister-in-law in Lexington, Massachusetts. Alden had made the trip there several times to check on her, but Madeline was immediately set on the idea of drawing the mysterious Emma into their clan since her own was unknown. She took up paper and quill, writing to her and introducing herself.

  My dearest sister Emma,

  I hope this letter finds you well. My name is Madeline - and I am your sister by marriage. Alden sends his greetings and love. I hope to meet you come spring, once the roads thaw, and the temperatures warm up. My husband has told me of your family. I will include you in my prayers as my own family is missing. Alden is searching for them but must come to a stop soon. I fear for his safety and cannot lose him now that we have found each other.

  Write soon, dear sister.

  Love,

  Madeline Knox

  She smiled at her signature, feeling proud to write Alden’s surname. Hearing a knock at the door, Madeline jumped up and nearly tipped over the inkwell in her rush. She wasn’t expecting anyone and Alden never knocked. She slid a gun out of the pocket of her dress and held it behind her back, wiping the fear from her face as she put on an innocent expression. The town may be free of the British, but it only took soldiers passing through to put them all in danger.

  “Who is it,” Madeline called lightly through the doorway.

  “Mon petite fille, ouvrir la port tuit suite!”

  “Maman?” she gasped, yanking open the doorway to see her mother’s smiling face just before she was tackled into a massive bear hug. The gun went off in Madeline’s hands, making her jump at the noise and throwing Alden into action as he wrested it from her hand.

  “My fierce little soldier,” he teased, setting the gun down on the table nearby. Madeline looked at the bullet lodged in the floorboards and burst out crying. She couldn’t believe her parents and her grandmother were there, nor could she believe that the gun went off by accident.

  “I’m glad you are cautious and protecting yourself but please don’t shoot anyone. Please, everyone come inside and I’ll make some coffee while you get reacquainted,” Alden offered politely.

  Madeline was immediately surrounded as a flurry of questions in French tickled her ears. Everyone was smiling and crying as they hugged each other. Glancing up, Madeline smiled warmly at Alden, once again thankful to be pledged to such a wonderful man.

  “En anglais, sil vous plait, Mamam. Mon mari parle vous anglais,” Madeline chided gently, looking to Alden, “My beautiful husband speaks English and I would include him in our talks, please.”

  Alden didn’t say a word; his expressive gaze spoke volumes and he was grateful to be included and acknowledged by her. Everyone grew silent at the table for only a second before Madeline’s grandmother spoke clearly.

  “My granddaughter is wise and beautiful. We are blessed to have another in our family who cares for her. Thank you for reuniting us, Alden. Tu ese un mari merveilleux pour ma petite.”

  “Je vous remercie. J’imagine que je devrais dire a ma femme que je devrais bientot parle francaise parfait – eh?” Alden said clearly, smiling as he poured the coffee for everyone.

  “You speak French?” she asked, stunned. His sheepish expression and smiling face melted her heart.

  “Part of being able to spy on people is understanding what they say,” he admitted, shrugging. “It never came up and I never had a problem talking to you other than when I was tongue-tied by your sheer beauty.”

  Her father burst out laughing, clapping Alden on the back. He uttered a curse word as well as praising Alden for being a ‘sneaky, but worthy man for his daughter’… that made Madeline blush as Alden burst out laughing.

  “I had to be in order to make her love me,” he said tenderly, taking Madeline’s hand in his, kissing her knuckles properly in front of her family. “I snuck her out of camp and then snuck right into her heart. I’ll take that as the ultimate compliment.”

  “I love you,” she said softly, smiling up at him.

  “And I you, petite,” he confessed with a wink.

  Epilogue

  October 1781

  Alden was beyond exhausted; he’d ridden out to check on his sister-in-law knowing she’d been alone all this time. He felt an obligation to help her when he could; however, it also gave him a place to hide with a person he trusted implicitly until the war was over.

  He’d had an evasive letter arrive at home and Madeline had quickly fetched him in town. She urged him to go immediately, promising to wait patiently for him. She’d discovered she was pregnant and her grandmother was ill; neither was up to riding at breakneck speed for hours on end. Alden would go to verify the letter and make sure it wasn’t a trap. The short letter had only said ‘Daniel is home’ – no signature, no information.

  “Who goes there?” A voice called out strongly – a voice he remembered and prayed to hear over and over again the last several years. His brother had returned.

  “Open the blasted door, brothe
r!”

  “Alden?” Daniel’s voice strangled out as he flung open the doorway. Alden’s beloved brother’s face had aged but the expression was the same. Daniel threw himself into his arms, hugging him tightly. Alden quickly wiped tears away and sniffled, seeing Daniel was doing the same. Daniel was tanned and had the beginnings of crow’s feet at the corners of his eyes. There was an edge to his young, gentle little brother that had not been there before. They had both been weathered from the war, just in different ways.

  “Let’s get inside – it’s bitterly cold out,” Alden urged, stepping forward and quickly closing the door behind him. “When did you return? How have you fared? Have you been home yet?”

  “Alden!” he heard Emma cry out as she ran over and hugged him. Surprised, he saw the jealous glare from his brother in the easy way that Emma greeted him. “Have you any news, brother?”

  “I suppose there is much to discuss – but first,” Alden said, changing the subject and craving the chance to hug Daniel once again to make sure this wasn’t some wishful dream. This time the two did not let go of each other for several moments, patting each other on the back affectionately.

  “We must talk,” Daniel said carefully, pulling away from Alden. “Do not trust our uncle.”

  “I wondered as much. I suspect he is the one behind the attempt on my life in New York a few years ago.”

  “Could it be the guise or the company you keep, brother? I’ve never known you to sympathize with the redcoats. Is this why you are here so late? Is Emma harboring you?”

  “I do not – nor would I ever support their cause. Daniel, I am spying on the troops moving in New York for the army. I have already seen one man I cared for, hanged for treason. I would not care to stretch my neck, yours, nor lovely Emma’s. She has given me a few warm meals in the past when I have needed a place to rest and in return, I have helped her avoid some of the taxations levied on goods by putting her in touch with smugglers.”