The Fairy Tale Bride

by Kelly McClymer

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  Betsy swept a pretty curtsy as Miranda came up the pathway to the neatly kept cottage. Unfortunately, in her excitement, she forgot that a young lady never ran and dashed away behind the cottage calling loudly for her mother.

  Miranda had to quickly stifle her laughter behind her palm as Katherine came running, clutching two handfuls of uprooted herbs. Her eyes lost some of their panic when she saw Miranda. Her face became quite pretty when she smiled.

  "How did the wormwood tonic do?"

  "Oh, quite successfully, thank you. Valentine's spirits and his appetite have both picked up," Miranda answered, her smile disappearing as she remembered her task here. "But I'm afraid I need more than a simple remedy this time."

  Katherine's expression grew grave. "For yourself?"

  Miranda shook her head. "No." She looked into eyes she had learned to trust, after only one short meeting a few days ago. Katherine had been nothing like Miranda expected. She was indeed a good mother — and no lightskirt. Grimthorpe had come to her for a remedy of a very personal — and herbal nature.

  Though it was obvious the family had no money, the garden and pathways were well kept, the cottage itself in repair and neat. Miranda took a deep breath, knowing that she was trusting Katherine with a very important secret. "His Grace has confided in me that he is very ill."

  Katherine murmured in shock. "No."

  "His doctors have told him that he is to die within six months' time." Miranda grasped the other woman's slender arm. "Can you help him? He sounds as if he's given up hope."

  The healer frowned. "He certainly seemed healthy the little I saw of him. "What are his symptoms?"

  The logic of the question caught Miranda by surprise. She had been so shocked by Simon's news that she had not thought to find out. She shook her head in annoyance at her own stupidity. "I never thought to ask."

  Katherine smiled sympathetically. "Will you see him sometime soon? Could you ask him then?"

  "We are to be married tomorrow — "

  Katherine laughed, and Miranda was surprised to hear it. Such a serious demeanor had led her to believe that the healer was incapable of laughter. Then she realized the cause and blushed. "It is not what you think –"

  "I think nothing but that when you speak of him your eyes glow. And I shall do my best to see that you have him for as long as you live." Her eyes darkened. "Although, knowing nothing, I cannot promise. Still, he seemed so hale I can't believe …"

  Her voice drifted off as she looked full at Miranda. "My goodness, if you are to be married so quickly, how shall I find out the cause of his illness. Will you write?"

  Miranda shook her head and began to guide her into the cottage. "No. I have a plan..."

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