“Are you sure? It looks to me like you need some help.”
“I’ll just wear the dress without the corset.”
“You and I both know that if you were caught in this fashion, your social standing along with your virtue would be in question. Besides, I’m letting you help me, remember?”
Argh, he’s right. I can't return looking like this. I had already caused enough havoc at Sherwood Manor. Returning practically naked wasn’t going to help my cause.
Plan C: Wait until nightfall to sneak back into the manor. Yeah, it’s only 8:00 or 9:00 in the morning. I’d have to wait like what, ten hours? Um, no.
“Fine, but no funny business.” I tried to act annoyed, but secretly I knew I would enjoy Dennan’s assistance.
He furrowed his brow at the modern saying. “No funny business—I promise.” He chuckled.
I took a deep breath and turned around. His strong hands brushed against my sides while he grabbed the strings to my corset. He pulled hard on the strings, and as the corset tightened, I envisioned myself in a prison with walls of leather and bars of whalebone.
“Thank you for helping me.”
“Don’t talk,” he said. “You’ll put me off.”
“I’m sorry.” I took another deep breath and remembered almost fainting earlier. I held my breath as long as I could while the stays grew snugger, and then I let the air out with a gasp and panted.
“I think that’s tight enough,” Dennan said.
I wondered how he’d gotten so proficient at corset tying. Even though I had worn this awful thing for three days, I didn’t have the slightest idea how to lace it up and tie it.
“There, that should do it,” he said after he finished tying the laces. His hands rested on my waist.
I stepped away from his touch. When I turned to face him, I realized once more how remarkably handsome he was. “Thanks,” I said nervously.
“You and I have more in common than you may think.”
“Like what?” I questioned, starting to put on the rest of my clothes.
“We both oppose being suitably dressed every living moment of the day.”
I looked at his messy hair and at his open shirt that showcased his chest—examples of his abandonment of societal norms. Dennan’s grin deepened, accentuating his dimple.
My, oh my.
I turned my head and concentrated on fastening the stomacher to my dress. I slipped on my stockings and reached underneath my gown to put on my shoes. Finally, I tied my kerchief into place.
Smoothing the waist of my dress, I said, “The key word is ‘comfortably,’ not ‘suitably.’ It’s easy to dress suitably. The worst part is being uncomfortably dressed every living moment of the day. Especially in countless layers of clothing according to so-called rules.”
“Here, here,” Dennan said.
Knowing that wearing a corset was really a small sacrifice for living out my fantasy, I sighed. “I have to confess to the beauty of it all, though.”
“How do you say?”
I twirled once in the grass. “There’s magic in the way courtesy is respected, as if everyone you meet is worthy of your attention.”
He chuckled through a wide grin.
“For example—” I lifted my skirt slightly and bowed in a deep curtsy “—a greeting is considered essential. Gentlemen and ladies greet each other with great esteem.”
Dennan bowed in return.
“Moreover, you live in a kingdom, with a castle and a prince,” I exclaimed. “What could be more charming and wonderful than a prince?”
The highwayman’s good humor lessened at the mention of the prince, but his lightheartedness quickly returned. “Oh, you’re one of those girls who swoons over the prince. You may be more alike them than I thought.”
“Who can blame me?” I lifted my shoulders.
After a few moments of silence, Dennan rubbed the toe of his shoe in the grass and looked behind one shoulder. “I’ll wait for you on the other side of those trees.”
I was grateful for the change of subject. “I’ll hurry.”
“I’ll watch out for you to make sure no more gypsies come to steal your clothes.”
“You’re hilarious.”
He took my hand, causing my heart to flutter. He leaned over and placed a kiss on the top of my hand. His soft lips left my skin tingling. When he released my fingers, I watched myself slowly pull my arm back and let it hang next to my body.
In that moment, everything seemed to stand still. A warmth crawled up the inside of my chest. Before Dennan’s lips touched me, it was as if I lived in a cell made of skin, with my feelings sealed inside. But now I felt the barrier breaking. How could a simple kiss on the hand have such a powerful effect on my soul?
My life would be altered forever, absolutely and completely. No longer would I dream only of Prince Charming. My dreams would now include Dennan—the stranger who’d stolen my heart.
Chapter 11
My First Kiss: Jeff Mitchell
I was sixteen, and it was the usual boy/girl party. The girls sat on the couch and giggled, while the boys stayed in the kitchen eating candy and having a burping contest. Did guys really think that was impressive to girls? Note to teenage boys: girls don’t like that stuff!
After spin the bottle—the most infamous boy/girl game of all—was announced, I gathered in a circle with the other teenagers and watched the bottle spin. And when my name was called out along with the name of one of the cutest football players at our school, Jeff Mitchell, my nervousness morphed into full-fledged fright.
Jeff was a good sport, though. I followed him into the designated closet, with onlookers chanting our names. He knew I was scared to death, so he kissed me on my cheek.
I know it wasn’t a real kiss, but I can tell you that I’ve never had a kiss since then that measured up to the magic of that first one.
Return to the Pond
I grabbed everything from Sherwood Manor I thought I might need, and then hurried back to the pond. None of the servants at the manor paid any attention to me, since they were busy preparing dinner.
Finding Dennan sitting in the spot where I’d dipped my feet in the pond, I asked one of the many questions I’d thought of while trekking to the house and back. “So, why was someone chasing you so close to Sherwood Manor? Are you just a creep who’s on a stakeout?” I still didn’t know who he was, and I figured his charming charade was probably just that—a charade.
He slowly lifted his head “Are you now passing judgment on me?”
“Well, if the shoe fits, wear it.”
He really didn’t seem like a criminal, but my time alone had intensified my worry.
He opened his mouth, feigning shock. “I can’t believe it. Are you pronouncing me a scoundrel?”
“You are a stranger to me,” I said. “I find you in the woods, your clothes in shambles, with unkempt hair and no inhibition toward a woman. Of course the evidence leads me to wonder if you are a criminal in hiding.”
“For your information, I am in the woods for good reason. I must protect my identity.” His voice rose in defense as he stood.
“I know, I know. Your job is your identity.”
“My access to clothes and other essentials is limited.”
“I know. I get it.” I backed up when he stepped closer.
Dennan drew in a breath. “I apologize if I have given you any discomfort.”
Now I just felt bad. Why did I have to go all ballistic on him? He had given me no reason to feel uncomfortable.
“I’m sorry, Sir Dennan. I just had a flash of fright.”
“I thought we were well past the point of formalities.” He grinned. “Call me Dennan.”
I returned the grin. Shaking off the awkward
ness of my accusations, I lifted the herbs I held in my hand. “Give me a minute to mash these into a paste, and then we’ll get those splinters out.”
I knelt in the grass and concentrated on mixing the ingredients in the bowl I’d brought from the kitchen. I hoped I grabbed the right herbs and root. It was hard to tell, since so many herbs looked alike.
“So, where are you from, Brinlee?” He was standing right next to me, so close that shivers crawled down my back.
I considered what I should tell this handsome yet risky man. The truth was unbelievable, and anything close to the truth would sound outrageous. “I come from a land far, far away,” I said finally.
“Where?”
“Very far away.”
“What’s the name?”
“You wouldn’t know it.”
“Are you purposely avoiding answering the question?”
“Yes.” Get a clue.
He went silent.
I finished mixing the foul-smelling herbs. “All right, I think it’s ready.”
Dennan knelt next to me, but took special care with one of his legs. I didn’t ask and didn’t want to know if he had splinters on his thigh too. If so, he’d have to get them out himself.
I carefully rolled up his sleeve. His arm was huge—muscularly robust. His veins stood out above his tight muscles. I gulped down my exhilaration and dipped my fingers into the paste, then slathered it onto his skin. He flinched slightly but put on a brave face.
“My nana usually cooks this mixture in a frying pan, so I hope it has the same effect unheated.” I sighed at the thought of my grandmother.
“You miss her, don’t you?” It was more of a statement than a question.
“I miss her terribly.”
“You talked before of your sister,” Dennan said. “Who else belongs to your family?”
At first, I couldn’t recall mentioning Cass, but then I realized I’d spewed out the info in frustration when I first met Dennan and we rode his horse together.
“It’s usually just my nana and my sister. My mother travels a lot.”
“Where is your father?”
The question was innocent, but I instantly tensed. “I don’t know. He left when I was three.”
“Why did he leave?”
I shrugged. “I’ve spent my life trying to answer that question.”
Dennan didn’t push any further, for which I was very grateful. I quickly covered all of the visible splinters with the paste. Then, I bent my head and pulled his arm closer for inspection. The knuckles of his outstretched hand bumped into my chest.
“I’m sorry.”
I looked at his widened eyes, searching his expression for any sign of regret or embarrassment. All I saw was uncertainty, reservation, and something akin to desire.
“No, I’m sorry,” I said. “Did that hurt?”
“No, you’re not hurting me.”
I lowered my head and blew on his arm. He jumped but held his arm still. Keeping my focus on the herb mixture drying on his arm, I continued to blow for a few more minutes.
“I’m going to peel it off now,” I warned.
I pulled at the goop caked on his arm. I gathered it into my hand and piled it onto a rock to reuse on his other arm. It looked like the elder root had done its job and had drawn the splinters to the surface of the skin so I could easily grab them. I began the process of extracting each one. I hadn’t found any tweezers at Sherwood Manor, so I pinched each splinter between my fingernail and thumbnail.
“Did you know that you bite the tip of your tongue when you concentrate?” Dennan asked suddenly after a long silence.
I startled at the sound of his voice. I immediately retracted my tongue, which I’d unconsciously caught between my teeth.
“I find it very charming.” He shifted his position in the grass.
Ignoring him, I placed my hand under his elbow and turned his arm to the side to see if I had missed any splinters. This time when his fingers bumped into my corset, I pretended not to notice and continued to scan his arm.
Satisfied, I dropped his arm and grabbed for the other one. When I spread the mixture onto his skin, I sadly realized the advantage of frying the elder root and making the mixture more pliable. I had a hard time spreading the goop and had to knead it over his sore arm, making him flinch.
“How about you? Do you have any brothers or sisters?” I asked.
“No. It’s just my mother, my father, and my grandmother, but I don’t see them much,” he said. I peered up in time to see him glance towards the outlying trees. “They don’t approve of what I do.”
I blew on the mixture drying on his arm. “What? Doesn’t your mother support your tree-climbing profession?” I teased.
Dennan chuckled. “Well, the casualties are one reason for their disapproval.”
“I don’t blame them. Splinters are the number-one cause of death these days.” That’s funny, Brinlee. Why couldn’t I be this funny in any of my high school classes? People would love me.
On cue, Dennan laughed.
See? Living in this era brings out the best in me.
“Splinters are the least of my parents’ worries right now.” He flattened his other hand against his thigh.
Seriously, what was wrong with his leg?
“Any luck finding out who is trying to destroy the kingdom?” I asked. “Are you still suspicious of anyone in Sherwood Manor?”
“No, my leads have all run dry. I feel like I’m running around in circles.”
“And up trees,” I muttered.
“Brinlee, I love that you always make me smile.”
“I’m glad.”
During our conversation, I’d already removed the herb mixture and pulled out about half of the splinters. I continued to pinch and pull until all that was left was red, swollen skin.
“Finished,” I announced.
Dennan jumped up and quickly reached out to assist me.
“Thank you.” I put my hand in his.
“It is I who should thank you.” His thumb caressed the side of my hand. “You run in men’s pants, bathe in a pond, and brew magic potions. If you are not a witch then you must be a fairy—a beautiful fairy from a land very far away.”
My face turned red again. “I probably should be going now.”
“You’re right.” Dennan frowned. “I’ve taken up enough of your time today.”
It’s the best time I’ve had in this crazy nightmare, I thought.
“Until we meet again, Miss Brinlee.” He lifted my hand and bowed.
“I thought we were past the formalities, Sir Dennan.”
He smiled. “You’re right.” He stepped closer and abruptly leaned in and gave me a kiss on the check. “Until we meet again, Brinlee,” he whispered next to my cheek.
I’m melting, I’m melting. Yes, I often quote The Wizard of Oz.
I do believe in spooks. I do! I do! I do!
See what I mean? The movie is contagious. Once I get going, I can’t stop.
How about this one: Not having fear isn’t brave, it’s foolhardy. Any real hero knows fear. The difference is a hero masters his fear.
And you’ve got to love this one: As for you, my galvanized friend, you want a heart. You don’t know how lucky you are not to have one. Hearts will never be practical until they can be unbreakable.
That’s what was running through my mind as my eyes fluttered open (I didn’t remember closing them) and looked into the smoldering eyes of the beautiful knight of the road. Why couldn’t hearts be made unbreakable? I could tell this heartbreak was going to be a doozy, requiring a full weekend of limitless chocolate, gummy bears, and plenty of pillows to throw at the TV while I watched sappy movies.
“I hope I
see you again, Brinlee.” Dennan dropped my hand.
I sure hoped there would be an again. My heart fluttered at the prospect.
I stepped backward, desperately trying to stabilize my pulse. “Thank you, Sir Dennan . . . I mean Dennan.” I took another step. “Um, I’ll see you later. Maybe down the road, or in the next town, or tomorrow, or never. Like whatever.” Another step. “Um, yeah, I’ll see you later.” Another step. “Um, bye.” I waved.
Yeah, I actually waved goodbye. Let’s see, weird girl flailing her hand, looking like a complete idiot in an era where no one, especially girls, waved. Can we say “weirdo”?
That was my signal to turn and walk quickly away. I clamped my mouth shut so I wouldn’t blurt out any other obnoxious farewell, then gripped my folded arms to punish them for their embarrassing display.
Yes, my heart would need a full weekend of chocolate, gummy bears, pillows, and probably a loaded can of Fresca to get over Dennan.
Chapter 12
Conkiajgharuna, the Little Rag Girl
Country of Georgia, 1894
One holiday the stepmother took her daughter, and they went to church. She placed a trough in front of Little Rag Girl, spread a large measure of millet in the courtyard, and said, “Before we come home from church, fill this trough with tears and gather up this millet, so that not one grain is left.” Then they went to church.
Little Rag Girl sat down and began to weep. While she was crying, a neighbor came in a said, “Why are you in tears? What is the matter?” The little girl told her tale. The woman brought all the brood hens and chickens, and they picked up every grain of millet. Then she put a lump of salt in the trough and poured water over it. “There, child,” said she, “there are your tears! Now go and enjoy yourself.”
That Afternoon
When I made it back to Sherwood Manor, Katie was still hard at work in the kitchen. “Can I help with anything?” I asked her.
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