85 Doubts- Part 3

To stop her hands from shaking, Madeline clutched the sides of her skirt. 

The truth was that she wanted to answer James' question, but how far would her truth save James' life? It was apparent with the way Calhoun was trying to bring up the subject that he was trying to instigate James, to do something that would be considered enough treason against him to land him in one of the King's many prestigious dungeons. 

All the eyes were on her, and the most intense was not from Calhoun but James as he wanted her to speak up. Closing her eyes, she took a deep breath to say,

"I am staying here willingly."

James appeared hurt by her words, and he could only think that Madeline was scared in the King's presence which was why she answered that way. Even when he had arrived yesterday in here, to meet her, she had refused to come with him.