Debra Kay Leland (11 page)

He rolled the missile up and threw it in the hearth, swearing to himself that if William ever set foot in Whittington again, he would not be so lucky to walk
away from it a second time…!

M
iranda sat talking to old Anna with a soft smile on her face, but a sound at the door made her looked up with a frown hearing Egan’s low voice…
again
…  She was feeling pressured by him and was afraid that soon he would lose his patients with her and force her into a marriage she did not want!

Chapter seven

M
iranda spent the next few days trying to keep herself busy hoping that she wouldn’t run into Egan, which had become a daily annoyance to her—and hoping that she wouldn’t think of William again, though most of the time she did despite herself.  She couldn’t help but notice that his visits had becoming less and less and of late, for it had almost been a fortnight since he had even showed his face there.  And somehow she missed him, even though she knew she shouldn’t…  If only he’d felt the same way she did, but then why would he?  She was nothing to him, nothing at all… 

She felt the tears that she had been trying to keep back all day well up in
her eyes again, yet she would not let them fall to her cheeks.  She drew a halted breath willing herself not to cry for that which was not meant to be! 
And prayed that she would not hold on to something that would never be hers…! 
But in the end, she knew she had already let herself fall in love with a man who didn’t want her—while another whom she despised pursued her endlessly…!

             
Alden Blair stood at a distance and watched his daughter, the girl was crying—again, and he was sure he knew why…
William of Glenton Moor
.  He’d watched his daughter when the man was around and heard her speak of him and knew that she favored him—as did he himself.  The man was all he could ever want for her and more.

He sighed, wondering if it would be foolish of him to speak to the man of his daughter—she was Welsh after all, with only a poor man’s dowry to give on her behalf, and that only five pieces of silver and a cow.  There was no reason that the man would even want the girl for his bride, unless—unless h
e had fallen in love with her.  It was true that he had seen the man glance at her, and it had given him hope; though, the man was careful not to be noticed as he did it, which pleased Alden very much and spoke well of the man’s honor to boot.

A
nd as far as his daughter went, she was sweet and kind and fair to behold, that much was true; but yet, William hadn’t been to see him in over a fortnight and it was that, that made him hold his tongue.  He was sure that if the man were truly interested in his daughter he would have found reason to venture there and see her often…  Nay, it would be foolish of him to go and tell of the girl’s anguish when the man himself didn’t share the same feelings for her.  Yet, who else would bid for her hand here since Egan had marked her as his own!  No one would dare to challenge him for her and he knew it very well!  There would be no other suitor than Egan and it worried him. 

But if
he had a choice of men, he would have chosen William for the girl and no other—English or not, the man held the qualities that he, himself admired.  And he also knew that a marriage between his family and the Englishman would safeguard them all from English attack, and keep peace between the Glenton Moor and Chadwick too for many years to come...  He could only hope that there was still a chance that the man would take notice of his daughter and prayed it would be soon…

W
illiam glanced up, then set down the bucket in his hand, a slow smile creased his handsome face as he lifted his hand in a greeting.  He met the old man half way along the narrow trail that lead to his house and offered him his hand.  “Alden Blair, what brings thee to Glenton Moor this cold day?”

The old man smiled softly and crossed his arms over his broad chest.  “Haven’t seen hide nor hair of ye, English.  Have ye forgotten the way to my farm?”

The younger man just laughed, not willing to share his thoughts just then; for Alden had always welcomed him warmly into his home regardless of what his wife or children had thought of it.  “Nay, ‘tis but the cold that keeps me away.”

The old man smiled.  “Well, I’ve come to invite ye to a wedding.  One of Miranda’s friends is mar
rying Egan’s younger brother.”

The mention
of the two names made him frown as he shifted on long legs.   “Ye know well I’m not from Chadwick, nor do I even know the couple…  I fear my presence would be taken as improper.”

The old man nodded and rubbed his bristly chin.  “Aye, but I have talked with the other villagers and all have agreed it would be more than fitting to invite ye for
the good ye have done for us.”

William drew a tense breath and his lips drew taunt at the corners.  He knew he had no business going back to Chadwick; and if he did, it would only mean seeing Miranda again and exposing hi
mself to her rejection, though he would have never said so to her father.  It may have been true that the lass felt no affection for him, but to see her with Egan would only drive him to the edge of reason!  “…I thank ye, Alden, but—I must refuse.”

The old man eyed him carefully knowing it wasn’t the answer he had hoped for.  “Yur men deserve a feast for all that they have done, William.  Come now, English, say ye shall not offend us
and refuse to be our guest!”

William shifted again, not wanting to be ungracious.  “…Aye…  Then we shall join thee, if ye are sure that n
one shall take offense to it.”

“
Ock
, give it no mind, English!  I shall see thee then in two days time, the couple shall say their vows come mid morning, and we shall feast all day long!”

Despite the friendly words, William’s heart didn’t set easy with the invitation.  And it was more than just
the fact that he would see the man’s daughter again, for there was still some tension between him and a few of the villagers and the drunken revelry could lead to disaster, but yet he did not say no.

William managed a polite smile as the old man turned to leave.  He watched him for a moment, and then turned away wondering as he went if it truly was a good idea for them to even go at all. He walked into the small barn with a frown.  “We’ve been invit
ed to Chadwick for a wedding.”

His two friends looked up at his words. 
“To Chadwick?”
  They glanced at one another with a worried look; for truth be told they had been more than glad that William had been staying away from the village, and now this…!

“Aye, Alden just left.”

“He has not given the lass to Egan has he?!” 
Phillip said with a frown.

“Nay, God forbid!  ‘Tis not his daughter who shall be wed, but her friend and Egan’s brother.”

The three men looked at one another seeming to all have the same thoughts.  “I suppose Egan shall press for the girl’s hand now more than ever.”

“I suppose so...”

Thomas shook his head in disgust.  “’Twould be a pity, the lass deserves better than the likes of him!  Well, ‘tis no concern of ours—ye refused the invitation, did ye not?”

“Aye, I tried, but Alden wouldn’t hear of it.  I fear we have no choice but to pay them a visit in two days time.  And the thought of going into a village where we might not be heartily welcome by a drunken crowd does not set easily with me.  But if we stay only till midday, I doubt we shall encounter many problems.”  He glanced at his two friends pointedly.  “Though, we must go out of our way not offend them.  We shall go armed, but not appear to be so, and I shall bring the groom a gift of three pieces of silver and a silver comb for his bride.  ‘Tis fitting I believe.  We shall mingle about with them, but mind that we do not to offend any!  And then once
midday comes we shall leave.”

Phillip looked at him and shook his head.  “Truly, William—it feels more like a
trap than a wedding we go to.”

“Aye, it does; but I trust Alden enough to believe he would not purposefully allow
them to make trouble for us.”

“Nay, not him, but Egan an
d some of the other men would use even this to find aught against us!”

His friend’s words only spoke to the worry he himself already felt, but to refuse would be rude.  No, they would go, and pray that peace would follow.

M
iranda and her brother sat on the rocks at the edge of the stream as the cool waters ran past them.  “I heard the men talking the other day.”

She glanced at him and smiled, noticing that he would not look at her as he spoke.  “Aye, and what
were they saying this time?”

“’Tw
as ye who was on their minds.”

She scowled and drew her gaze away from him.  “Me?  And why woul
d they bother to speak of me?”

Her brother picked up a stone and skipped it across the surface of the slow meandering water.  “With Megan and Eli marrying, and she being only a year less
than ye, well—Egan is in a dither over it…”

She scowled even harder and picked up a rock herself.  She’d tried very hard to avoid him and even more s
o of late knowing that Megan had been secretly meeting with Eli near the brook.  And knowing how angry it would make Egan that she would not do the same.  “I do not wish to marry the man.”

He drew a long breath, still not looking at her as he spoke.  “Ye may have little choice in it, lass.  Every man in the village knows how Egan feels about ye, and no one would oppose him and seek yur hand.  Miranda, there shall be
no suitors
other than Egan Wallace and ye well know it!”

A hard frown creased her forehead as she stared at him, though he yet refused to meet her eyes. 
“Ye sound as if ye agree with him!”

He paused then turned and took her hand but she shook him off. 
“Miranda…  Nay, I do not, but I see no other way but for ye to accept.”

She stared at him for a long moment then stood abruptly fists clenched at her sides. 
“So he bullies even ye, brother!  Is da the only man who dares refuse him?!”

He jumped to his feet and reached for her again, but she moved back angrily. 
“Nay, Miranda!  ‘Tis not like that!”

She shook her head and stepped further away. 
“It ‘tis!  Well, I would rather die a spinster before I marry the likes of Egan Wallace!  And ye can tell him and the other men, I said that too if ye like!”
  With that she whirled around and ran back to the farm leaving him standing there in her wake.

He threw down the stone in his hand angrily.  She was right; Egan had pre
ssed him into talking to her, and he’d opened his mouth without even thinking how she felt about it all!  Though, he was sure that none of them would have much choice in the end!  Egan wanted her, it was that simple.  And he’d had been furious that his younger brother would wed before him…  Turin glanced in his sister’s direction again, feeling more than guilty for what he’d done—and yet he knew his words were true…  Though she deserved better, yet there would be no other who would come for her hand save Egan Wallace…

W
illiam was the last to walk down to the pond not far from their farm and bathe there in the cool waters that did nothing to refresh him though the day would soon be warm.  He and his men donned simple garments; tan tunics, a white shirt with brown trousers and boots—their long knives well hidden within as every knight had learned to do, sewing a sheaf on the inner side of the boot to conceal it.  He would wear no knife in his belt save a small one for carving his meat.  For he would not appear as if he planned to cause trouble this day, yet he would not go looking defenseless either!  They were dressed simple, clean and most acceptable he was sure.  His damp hair now hung in lose waves to his collar making him look handsome but dangerous, and a four day shadow was now trimmed to a neat short goatee.  Yet, even as they stood ready, he glanced at his men wondering if it were truly wise for them to go at all...  But with a sigh he walked to his mount regardless of his wayward thoughts...

Though the trip to Chadwick was uneventful, the uneasiness in his heart did not pass.  It was more than just worry about the men of the village that bothered him, for in truth there had been little trouble of late—but it was the lingering thoughts of Miranda that did not set easy with on his mind right then.  She had been cold and aloof towards him the last time he had seen her, so much so that now he almost dreaded seeing her at all.  He was almost certain that he’d feel the same things towards her that he’d been trying to purge from his mind this last month.  While she on the other hand, would merely give him a cool disheartened look and turn away as she had done before…