Lydan rubbed his chin and smiled. “’Tis most temping…”
Garrick glared at the younger man reading only greed in his eyes, knowing that the Lydan cared nothing for the girl beyond her beauty and her dowry; and that she and her child would suffer under his hand, he was sure of it! And then suddenly, Garrick found the words coming from his mouth before he even realized they had been spoken. “I accept.”
The two men swung around to look at him with disbelief. “Ye what?”
“I accept. I shall bid for the girl’s hand in marriage, uncle, if she shall have me.”
Lydan laughed abruptly. “If she shall have thee?!”
Edmund looked at Lydan’s mocking face. “Do ye wish to bid for the girl’s hand also, nephew?”
Lydan cold eyes clashed with older frowning ones. “I. Nay, I do not.”
“Then, so be it. Neither of ye shall speak of this to the girl, until Garrick is given time gain her favor.”
Garrick’s eyes narrowed angrily knowing that Lydan was not to be trusted. Truly, he hadn’t intended to bid for her, he wasn’t even sure why he had spoken such except that he couldn’t stand the idea of Lydan seeking to possess her to his own ends...
The rest of the trip back to Whittington was done in stark silence, with the two men only throwing dark looks at one another as they went. Once they could see the castle walls Edmund turned to them and said, “I shall allow ye to spend time with the girl each day, Garrick, with my steward to chaperone of course,” He smiled as he continued, “But for the girl’s sake it shall be only once a day. She is not to be threatened or coursed, nor forced into a marriage. For now, it shall be by her choice and her choice alone.”
Garrick eyed the younger man darkly and then turned his attention back to his uncle. “I understand.”
“The girl is a lady and the child she carries is my only heir. If ye take her as thy bride ye must agree to treat them both with care. Ye shall have no stake in my title, nor my holdings, though ye shall always have Whittington at thy side, and a beautiful bride on thy arm.”
Garrick nodded stiffly at his uncle’s words, then glared back at Lydan who sat scowling at him with narrowed eyes at his uncle’s back.
Once they were inside the castle gate, Lydan took his uncle’s arm and leaned closer as he said, “Uncle, truly, I had not considered all when I declined thy offer for the girl.”
Edmund only shook his head at his nephew’s hushed words. “I have already accepted Garrick’s proposal, Lydan, ‘tis done.”
The younger man scowled even harder and watched his uncle walk away and couldn’t help feeling as though he’d somehow been cheated…
Miranda paced her room, her hand on the swell of her stomach where William’s child lie. The child stirred within her gently and she prayed through clenched teeth that her child would look like its father, if nothing else to give her his image to carry with her though the long lonely days ahead… For indeed, she was lonely here and unsure of what the future would hold… Her mind had been easily occupied before their two guests had come, but now she was restless and lonely—and afraid…
The men were at the table waiting for her again. Nigel had been sent to see to the reason in her delay. A few minutes later he came down and whispered in his master’s ear discreetly. Edmund nodded silently and looked at his nephew’s worried face. “The lady is overcome with grief and shall not be joining us this evening. I’m sorry, Garrick.”
His lips drew into a hard line as he glanced at Lydan seated across from him. The two eyed each other for a moment then looked away as their uncle continued. “Ye shall need to be gentle with her till she can move on…”
Garrick looked at his uncle and nodded softly. “Aye, I shall…”
Lydan did the same, but with a scowl though he held his tongue.
Miranda slipped out of William’s room quietly, the men were in her father-in-law’s solar for she could hear the low murmur of male voices from within as she descended the steps, and then turned to towards the narrow hall that led out to the garden and the family chapel. Her heart was heavy and no amount of crying had settled it that day. She walked softly, and opened the old door with hardly a sound, then stepped out into the soft evening light. The sky was golden and heavy with pinks as the sun settled lower still. She closed her red rimmed eyes and drew a soft breath hardly noticing the beautiful sunset as she opened the tall chapel door. It was dim inside the old stone building; the servants had lit a few candles around the room that cast it with a soft golden glow. She stepped towards the altar and dropped wearily onto her knees there, the quiet sobs that ensured shaking her thin frame before the tears had even begun to fall. She buried her face in her hand and cried words that she could not utter alone... “Be not far from me….” And then she wept…
It was quiet now in the dim room, the girl sat with her head against the altar where she had fallen asleep. Garrick stood from the place he had been when the girl had first came in and slipped past him, unaware that he had been there at all. He walked towards her, his heart nearly breaking for what he had seen and heard. He remembered the heartache of losing Sarah and saw it and felt it in her now.
He touched her shoulder softly as he knelt beside her and whispered her name. “…Miranda…” She turned to him with reddened eyes that stared almost through him. “…Come…” She made no move to resist him as he took her arm gently and lifted her to her feet. Her hand went to her swollen belly, as it always did, and somehow he found his hand reaching for her, even before he knew what he was doing and he laid it gently on the soft swell of her child... Miranda opened her eyes slowly and looked into gentle dark ones, which did not look away. The tiny child stretched and moved under his strong warm hand and she did nothing to draw away, somehow she just stood there staring at him with trembling lips and tear filled eyes only wishing that the hands that now touched her belonged to William. She swayed weakly on her feet as tears shook her again, but Garrick drew her against his strong chest and cradled her in his arms. “All is well, my lady.”
She pulled away from him unsteadily then, tears lingering in the depths of her blue eyes as she looked at him now as if he were a stranger. “I—I did not know ye were here…”
He couldn’t help notice the blush that spread across her golden skin as she slowly backed away from him towards the doorway, not at all sure of what to think of what had just passed between them… “I—I…” She turned then and left without another word.
He made no move to follow, though he wanted to. It was better this way, she needed to know she could trust him, and from there he would win her heart… He’d come into the chapel to pray, not at all sure of what he should do, for he had begun to regret his hasty words to take her as his bride. But when he’d seen her, heard her tearful pleas, the protective feeling inside him only intensified and he knew he would do anything to make her smile again. It had not been the answer he had been seeking, but he knew what he must do.
Miranda glanced at the chapel door one last time, glad that the man had not followed her as she feared he would. She entered the castle quietly, but not quietly enough for her father-in-law who had just come from his solar heard the sound of the door closing and stepped to the side to peer down the long dim hall to see who it was. “Miranda?” A frown knitted his brows as he stared at her stiffly. “Where were ye? Outside?”
She nodded, swallowing guilt before she spoke. “…In—in the chapel… I—I’m sorry for missing dinner…”
He stepped in front of her and lifted her face to his with is thumb and forefinger, then paused to study her pale tear streaked completion needing to be assured that she only wept for William and that no other had caused her grief. “I would not have ye go off alone, girl.”
She didn’t know how to answer him, for in truth she had not been alone.
“I know ye still love William, and that ye are still struggling to go on without him, but he would want ye to be happy here, ye know that.”
She looked dow
n and nodded slowly. “I would gladly give my own life if it would only bring him back...”
“It was not meant to be so, girl.”
She bit back tears. “…But I—I miss him…”
He put his arms around her and drew her into his warm embrace. “As do I…” He helped her to the stairs silently, each feeling the loss and pain again though neither spoke, and then he waited till she slowly went up the stairs to her chamber. He paused but a minute before he again heard the sound of the door closing and looked down the hall with a hard frown only to see Garrick enter also.
The younger man stopped abruptly, his face dark with guilt.
Edmund hesitated a mere second, and then walked to where the man stood with lowered eyes. “I missed ye in my solar after dinner, Garrick.” He said with a controlled tone.
The man drew a tense breath. “I went to the chapel to pray.”
“I see. As did the girl…”
Garrick met the older man’s clear blue eyes steadily. “Aye, as did the girl… Though, she did not know I was there—well, not at first. I—I couldn’t seem to leave when she came in, but I swear to ye that I did nothing wrong!”
Edmund looked him in the eye carefully before he said, “I believe thee, I talked with the girl, and I was not concerned by her answers.”
Garrick shifted on strong legs, his jaw clenched tightly. “Truly, I went there for I was distraught over my hasty words to marry her, but now—now I am even more determined to marry her! Lord, knows I care about her, even if I am too old for her! And I care for her child also…” He looked up into his uncle’s eyes with all sincerity. “I want the child as if it were my very own… I shall be good to them both and protect them with my very life, I swear it to thee!” Even as he spoke, he remembered the feeling of her in his arms and the child moving gently beneath his hand, he had gone there to seek peace about his decision to withdraw his offer, and came away more sure than ever that he wanted her for his bride.
Edmund laid his hand on the man’s shoulder and smiled. “I am pleased… One way or another, Garrick, she shall leave with thee and be thy bride. I can only thank the good Lord that ye care for her so.”
He looked at his uncle and couldn’t help but hope that the girl would feel something for him too; though even if she did not, he would still offer her marriage to save her from another—and then pray that one day she would grow to care for him, as he had for her.
Miranda closed her heavy eyes; and yet images of William found her even before sleep did. She touched his cheek and smiled at the feel of it. The scent of woods and leather found her again. “…I knew ye were alive… I knew it…”
He smiled down at her. “Nay, lass, ye only wished that it was so.”
She felt heartache seize her again even as she slept as he pressed a soft kiss to her forehead. “I love ye, lass.”
“I love ye too, William…” She whispered in her sleep as she reached for him again.
He took her hands and held them to his lips, the feel of him slowly slipping away from her as she awoke. “…Don’t go, William—William…” She sat up in bed her heart hammering in her chest, her head wet with sweat and his name on her lips… again… “William!”
Edmund and Garrick glanced towards the stairs at the sound of the girl’s frantic cry, each one breaking into a run as they headed towards the sound. They burst through the door one after another. Edmund took her trembling shoulders tenderly. “Is it the child?”
She shook her head wordlessly as tears streamed down her pale face. He sighed and drew her against him protectively with a soft word. “I heard ye cry out…”
She glanced over his shoulder at Garrick who stood near the door tensely, before she turned her head to hide her eyes from him. Her voice a mere whisper; her whole frame visibly shaken. “…I—I dreamed of him… It—it was so real I thought he was here, but when I woke he was gone…”
Edmund held the girl for a long moment, feeling her slight shoulders still tremble from the dream that had gripped her, then he pushed her back softly and tucked the sheet under her chin as a father would a child; then he wiped the tears away with his thumbs. “I dream of him too. Do ye remember what ye told me he said to thee that last day?”
She nodded and started to cry again.
“He wanted ye to do what whatever ye needed to do to be happy, for thy sake and for the child’s. He would want ye to be happy, Miranda.”
She closed her eyes against the tears that filled them.
He stood up and kissed her forehead gently. “I shall send thy maid to thee. Rest now, and on the morrow all shall be well…”
He turned towards the door where Garrick still stood, the two men paused long enough to glance at her one last time, before they turned and went out without a word closing the door behind them. He motioned towards her room as he spoke, “…She shall need time, Garrick, but ye are no stranger to grief. Truly, I believe ye are the answer to her prayers and mine, though she might not even realize it yet.”
He nodded knowing it was true, and it did nothing to deter him in the least; for his own heart was still overcome with protectiveness at the sight of her.
Miranda did not join them to break her fast at her father-in-law’s table that next morning, but neither her uncle, nor Garrick had thought she would after the night she had had.
“No Miranda this day?”
His uncle smiled politely at Lydan’s question. “The girl had a hard night; she was told she could rest this day. Garrick, ye may take her for a walk tonight if she is able to come down for dinner.”
Lydan scowled at the words, he himself had spent a restless night reassuring himself that he had been most fortunate that he would not be saddled with the girl at the altar. Glad that he would not have to explain why his wife were as common as a serving wench—and yet now, he was feeling as though he hadn’t been given ample enough time to consider the thing before Garrick had claimed her and he hated it! He should have been given the right to at least bid for her—and then if she were not acceptable once it was done, then he would merely lock her in the tower and count his gold, if only to spite Garrick!
Garrick nodded silently and finished the food in front of him hardly aware of the other man’s thoughts. He had done nothing but dream about the girl and the child that he wanted as his own. He knew that he may never have a child, some men were unable to sire a child—he knew that, but it didn’t matter. He wanted that child, loved it, and he had promised himself that he would do whatever he had to do to win her heart. He hadn’t expected to feel this way, just a week ago he wanted nothing but to leave here and let his uncle deal with the girl, but he knew it was the right thing to do for the girl and for William also. And perhaps he had been alone far too long...
Miranda stayed in her room all day, she didn’t feel like talking to anyone, especially not her father-in-law’s guests. Lydan irritated her with his arrogance and the liberties he took. And Garrick, though he was nicer, somehow also managed to unnerve her—even if his presence and his touch didn’t make her cringe as Lydan’s did! But yet, he somehow always managed to disarm her when she didn’t want him to…! The best thing would be for both men to leave, and she couldn’t help but hope it would be soon!
Chapter Twelve
Garrick went out of his way not to press the girl, he would gain her trust and be her friend and hope that soon she would grow to care for him also; for indeed he knew he was falling in love with the girl. So, he purposefully stayed away from her till the evenings when he was allowed to spend time with her again.
She sat on the balcony to her window enjoying the summer breezes as she thought about her child. She and William had never talked about names for it, at the time it seemed too hurtful to do so when he would never see the child, nor hold it in his arms... She looked out at the lovely countryside remembering what William had told her once about this place, how he had always loved it here—but Whittington belonged to his brother and they would not ever be welcome here. I
n truth, she had never imagined she’d ever see the place, nor feel for it as she did. But now somehow, it felt like home to her and those feelings only helped her to know that this is where she and her child belonged. She smiled softly as she felt their child stir again and she whispered the names she’d been pondering for days, ‘…Evan…’ She tried the Welsh name with tentative lips. ‘Evan… do ye like it, little one? ‘Twas the name of a brave young warrior from long ago...’
She said it again and smiled even brighter this time. Aye, if it were a boy, she would name him Evan—and if it were a girl, Allana, which was her grandmother’s name. She smiled and tested the names on her lips only hoping that William would have liked them too…
She was bid to come down for dinner and reluctantly agreed. But when she took the stairs, she went down not meeting the gazes of those in the great hall below her; for she had been more than ready for both men to leave and yet they remained...! The men stood as she neared the table though she acknowledged them not—other than what was polite and expected.
Edmund stepped forward and took her hand and lifted her from her curtsey, then hissed her cheek and helped her to her seat, but this time it was not beside Lydan. She blushed and glanced at Garrick under her down casts eyes, but he made no move look at her, nor touch her, not even by mere accident. She glanced up and met Lydan’s dark angry gaze from across the table, then quickly lowered her eyes again more than glad she did not have to endure his nearness this night! She knew he was still mad at her for spilling the trencher of food on him, but she didn’t care, for at least it meant that she no longer had to put up with his coy tricks!
Edmund’s voice caught her attention and she looked at him and smiled softly. “Aye, ye do look better this day.”
Debra Kay Leland Page 18