Sarra’s jaw clenched. “Why are you telling me this?”
“I’m not tellin’ ye. I’m askin’ ye. What is the mistress like?”
A light suddenly entered Sarra’s eyes. “Perhaps tomorrow I will introduce you to the woman you are to marry.”
Cedric wanted to say more but wasn’t given a chance. Sarra lay back down with her back toward him. Was she upset? Of course she was upset. He’d kissed her, ogled her, eaten with her, and defended her. No doubt she believed he had feelings for her, and now… well now, he’d told her he needed to marry the mistress because he had come for land. Cedric felt terrible. But there was nothing that could be done. Land was his future.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Sarra couldn’t believe it. How dare the scoundrel enter her keep and say he was going to take her land by order of the King! What right did he have? Had he worked the land? Had he loved the people? Thief! That’s what he was. And to believe she’d shared with him her father’s most prized possession. Well, she would get even. The day he’d decided Greenbriar belonged to him he’d made the worst mistake of his life.
Shifting to get comfortable on the hard floor, memories of her father crept into her mind. Revenge never works. It ruins the heart of the one plotting the revenge…
Her thoughts drifted to a story her father had once told about a man who allowed his heart to be ruled by greed. She could hear her father’s voice in her mind as though he was still with her.
There was a man named David. He had everything. A family, a home, but it wasn’t enough. He left it all and went to England. There he pretended to be something he wasn’t. All the while plotting revenge on his family for an imaginary wrong he believed had been committed against him.
While there, a letter arrived from his brother Jasper. It was to let him know his father had passed on and he needed to come home. The mark on the letter stated the passing was at least a couple of years gone. David, being an opportunist, decided it was time to go home and claim his inheritance. He knew his family’s financial situation had greatly improved since his earlier departure. David felt he was entitled to half of all remaining. He loaded up his valuables, which were small in number, and set out on his journey back home.
Arriving home was a huge disappointment. The house was in worse shape than it had been when he’d left. He assumed with the money from his father’s investments the home place would have received improvements. But that was not the case. The fields were not cultivated and the livestock was poor and sickly. He had serious doubts about making his presence known, but deserved his half of the inheritance nonetheless. He walked to the door, and just as he was about to knock, a puny looking woman opened the door and yelled in his face. Her breath reeked from a mouth full of rotten black teeth and he took a step backward to get away from the stench.
She gave him a sickly smile. “Good mornin’ to ye. How can I be helpin’ ye?”
David wasn’t sure who this lady was, but if she was Jasper’s wife then things were not good. Jasper had been a handsome man, and women from miles around had come to try and win him, surely this was not his catch? “I’m looking for Jasper.”
“Oh, Jasper’s out back milking the cow. Come on in and settle down a bit. I was just fixin’ to ring the dinner bell.”
David obliged hesitantly. He stooped down and entered into the room. The house was smaller than he remembered. The main room held a table, some chairs, and a bed. Off the main room was one other room, which had been his and Jasper’s sanctuary. David tried to ignore the pleasant smells coming from the fireplace. Although the wife’s looks had much to be desired, she seemed to be a decent cook.
“What have you got in the pot?”
“Oh that is me laundry boiling. If ye be seeking food this here is what we have for supper.” She plopped a big slab of meat down in front of him. It was half raw in appearance. And if he wasn’t mistaken there were some kind of white worms moving around inside of it.
David stared at the dinner, forcing himself to hold his bile. “I think I will pass. I ate on the way here.”
“Nonsense, I say. When ye enter a person’s home ye got to eat.”
He wasn’t going to eat anything from this home even if he had to tell her the reason. “I would just like to see Jasper.”
“Well, I dun told ye Jasper is milking the cow and he will be inside in a minute. Boy, ye sure is impatient.”
“I am in a hurry. I only want to see my brother and get my half of the inheritance and be on my way.”
The woman fell down in the only other remaining chair and began to cackle. She cackled and shook, till the room felt like it was shaking right along with her.
He remained completely silent, waiting for her to finish so he could find out what was so funny.
Finally she regained her composure and straightened up, looking him right in the eye she said, “Now ye listen here. I don’t want ye to mention no inheritance to Jasper.”
David could feel his blood rising. Keeping his temper in check, he asked, “Why ever not?”
The woman sighed. “Here is how it is. When your father passed he did have quite a stash of money from some investments ye see, but he also had quite a measure of debt as well. He owed practically everyone in the area. Because yer father didna change his lifestyle, nobody knowed he had any treasure about. But as soon as yer father died, and Jasper found out about the gold, he went and had a fancy coffin built for yer father. Then he went to tryin’ to buy things to fix up the farm and the like. And well next thing ye know, we had all these creditors at the door with their hands out saying we owed for this and we owed for that. Then they up and took all of it and then a little more. We had a daughter, only child we was able to have which didna die, and we had to sell her to meet one of the debts your father had done built up and left on our heads. So if ye mention inheritance, then I reckon the one who needs to be dishin’ out the treasure would be ye and not us.”
She sat back in her chair with a satisfied grin. David rose up from his chair, tipped his hat, and left the house. He didn’t look back. He heard Jasper calling to him in a friendly manner but he decided it was best left alone. He kept walking on down the road, forgetting he even had a family.
Wistfully, Sarra realized she had to protect her heart and her faith. She didn’t want to end up like David from her father’s story with naught but the clothes on his back. Greedy, selfish, unyielding. Everything would work out to God’s design.
Gnawing at her lip, Sarra knew she had to do something. There was no way she would sit back and marry a man who was only interested in her land. As her eyes closed, and sleep overtook her, a plan was formulating in her mind. Everything was clear. It would begin tomorrow.
Chapter Twenty-Three
Something wet poked her. With a moan, she tried to slap it away, but it was persistent and kept returning. Finally, Sarra eased her eyelid up to find a large dog licking her face. Startled by its unexpected presence, Sarra sat upright and backed up against the wall.
As soon as she recognized him, she held out a hand and scratched behind the dog’s ear. “Reuben. How did you get in here?”
“I let him in.”
Sarra glanced up to find Cedric staring. Jumping to her feet, she became tangled in the cover. The forward motion of her body sent her toward the floor, and Cedric stepped in. His reached out his large hands and stalled the direction of descent. They rested on her bare shoulders, rough but gentle.
“Are ye all right, lass? I didn’t mean to startle ye.”
“I’ll be fine,” she said through clenched teeth. “Would you mind leaving me alone so I may dress?”
“Aye.” Cedric left, whistling to the dog. Her faithful companion followed Cedric out the stall door.
“Traitor,” Sarra whispered.
Afraid Cedric would return at any moment and burst in, Sarra dressed quickly. Upon finishing, she combed through tangled hair with trembling fingers. The wavy locks were a mess and she expected a rat to fall
out any moment. Turning on her heel to head out of the stall door, Cedric surprised her.
“Ye missed one.” Between finger and thumb he held up a piece of straw.
“Thank you,” was all she could manage.
As Cedric stared, his gaze burned her with its intense heat. Sarra felt the air being sucked out of the room. The need to leave overwhelmed her. She had to start the plan now, before she lost her nerve.
“Would you still like to meet the mistress?”
Cedric studied the ground as he shuffled his feet back and forth. He kept his gaze averted. “Aye.”
“Very well. Follow me please.”
Sarra led him in the direction of the keep. There was no time to prepare anyone for the deception being enacted. The only hope she had was that Charism would figure out what was happening and pick up on the thread quickly.
Upon entering the keep, Sarra noticed several of the stragglers from the night before had taken their leave. The great hall was almost completely devoid of persons. As they walked through the hall, Sarra was looking for Charism. Where could she be?
When she spotted Charism talking to Cook, Sarra lifted her hand in greeting. “There you are, Mistress.”
Cook and Charism raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Sarra allowed herself to relax for a moment. Perhaps she could pull this off yet. Charism was used to the role; it shouldn’t be a stretch to go a little further.
When Sarra and Cedric reached the couple, Sarra pointed to Cedric. “Cedric MacNeil, I would like you to meet the mistress of Greenbriar. Mistress Charism.”
Cedric’s eyebrow rose. Cook coughed as if he was choking. Sarra worried about Charism’s reaction but she was true to her character.
“Aye. Cedric MacNeil, is it? Have we met?”
Stuttering out his reply, “Aye. I helped hold down Sir Gavin while ye treated his wounds.”
“Aye. I remember. Thank ye kindly.” Cedric seemed to study Charism then he added, “And I believe we met at the birthday party.”
“Aye, perhaps. I don’t remember.”
Sarra cringed. She’d forgotten about the party. What would Cedric do?
When he nodded, as if accepting Charism’s explanation or lack of one, Sarra breathed a sigh of relief. She clasped her hands in front of her with delight. Oh, this was going well. Very well, indeed.
Cedric appeared to study the ceiling. Was he trying to prepare himself? Sarra wasn’t sure. But in the next moment his hand was placed into his sporran and he pulled out a rolled piece of parchment. Holding it out in front of him, he handed the paper to Charism.
“What is this, lad?”
Cedric pulled his shoulders back and straightened his spine. “This is a letter from yer King. It gives me the right to claim Greenbriar as me own as soon as we are wed.”
Cedric choked out the last word and Sarra almost felt sorry for him.
Charism raised an eyebrow. “Indeed?”
“Aye.”
“Ye are tellin’ me ye are here to marry the mistress of the keep and to claim the land.”
“Aye.”
Charism placed a finger to her lips as if pondering this news, all the while sneaking glances at Sarra.
Sarra remained as far back as possible. If she’d been surprised before; what happened next, utterly shocked her.
Cedric unsheathed his sword and planted it point down in front of him. He got down on one knee behind it, bowed his head low before Charism, slowly lifted his eyes up to her astonished face and declared, “I am Cedric MacNeil. I pledge fealty to this castle. I request yer hand,” he picked up Charism’s hand and kissed it, “in marriage.”
Charism giggled at the attention. “Cedric MacNeil, I am Charism of Greenbriar. While I gratefully accept your fealty, the marrying I must take time to consider.”
Cedric stood and walked around Charism like a strutting peacock. “Do I not suit ye?”
“Alas, that is not the problem. The problem is. . .” Charism cleared her throat. Sarra could sense Charism’s intense stare, but she was frozen. How had this happened? He was supposed to take one look at Charism and run away screaming. Of course, Sarra would have spent months trying to get over him but it would have been worth it. There was no way she would marry a man who had only come for her land.
Before Sarra could make a move, Cedric said, “A fortnight, perhaps, to consider my proposal? Such a span will give my future bride time to acquire a gown worthy of her stunning beauty.”
Fourteen days? The world seemed to spin around Sarra as she fell to the ground.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Cedric watched the trembling Sarra from the corner of his eye. The mistress appeared to be looking to the maid for assistance in accepting or declining his marriage offer.
Sarra’s eyes were glazed over and locked on Cedric’s imposing form, lips frozen in consternation, her skin pale. It appeared as if the insolent maid found the idea of the marriage to her mistress preposterous. How dare she!
Cedric’s fists balled at his side. He would be Laird and she would be his maid. Then they would see if her attitude toward him remained.
As these thoughts ran rampant through his mind, Cedric noticed Sarra’s eyes roll back in her head as she toppled to the ground. He caught her before her head slapped the floor. How was it this woman continued to wind up in his arms?
With a beseeching look, Cedric sought Charism’s eyes. “What shall I do with the young lass? She seems to have swooned at me offer of marriage to ye.”
“Aye. She has indeed. We shall take her to, well, hmm,” stalled Charim’s reply.
The old woman worried wrinkled lips. Her eyes shifted around the room. What was she hoping to see? Cedric followed her line of vision but couldn’t fathom what the mistress was looking for. Finally her aged eyes shifted back toward Cedric and his burden.
“Aye. We must take the maid to the servant’s quarters.”
Cedric’s eyebrow rose but he didn’t ask. Why had it taken the lady so long in deciding such an obvious course of action? Shrugging his shoulders, Cedric followed along behind the mistress as she ambled up the winding staircase.
When they reached the top, Charism opened a door. It creaked loudly and the sound of tiny scurrying feet could be heard. Mice? Cedric bent low under the door beam and carried Sarra inside the room. The ceiling grazed the top of his head as he walked. The one window in the wall brought in a small amount of light, causing Cedric to bump into trunks and bed frames.
Once completely inside, Charism directed Cedric to place Sarra on a cot near the window. As her small frame touched the straw mattress, Sarra let out a sigh of relief and curled into a tiny ball. Without thought, Cedric’s hand slipped forward and moved a stray hair from Sarra’s face, placing it behind her ear. Gulping deeply, he couldn’t stop the feelings he held for the lass rushing up inside him.
“Beautiful, ain’t she?”
Cedric had forgotten Charism was in the room with him. He took a step backwards a tad too quickly, and his feet caught on a rug gracing the floor. His fall pitched him bottom first on one of the other cots, where he landed with a thud. The bed collapsed from under him, falling to the floor.
Charism’s hand rose to cover her mouth but not before a giggle escaped. Cedric flipped over and placed his knee down, pushing himself off the ground.
“I guess I owe someone a bed.”
Charism could hold her reaction back no longer, wild laughter pouring from her throat. The corner of Cedric’s lips twitched as a grin graced his own visage. Charism placed a hand upon Cedric’s forearm and began to direct him out of the room.
“Come with me. We will tell one of the servants about the bed and it will be repaired. Mending the furniture is hardly the work for the soon to be lord.”
“Are ye acceptin’ my proposal then?”
“I’ll let ye know. Right now we need to let the young maid have her rest.”
“But aren’t ye concerned about her swoon?”
“Nay. She will be
all right.”
Charism ushered him out the door. Leading him outside, she introduced him to a servant in charge of maintaining the household furniture. Once they were talking, Cedric noticed Charism pick up her skirts and take her leave. She wasn’t headed back to the house to check on the maid. Where could his future bride be going?
****
Charism left Cedric talking and hurried back to her own home. She had noticed Sarra’s odd actions of late. Upon meeting Cedric, Charism realized her assumptions were true, Sarra was in love.
Before the merchants left, Charism had come across a beautiful blue silk material for a gown and had already delivered it. Now she strolled down the village lane on her way to see the seamstress. Mathilda needed measurements.
“Mathilda, are ye here?” whispered Charism, as she peered around for nosey villagers. It wouldn’t do for Sarra to know what she was up to. When the wedding day came, her gown would be ready and waiting for her.
“Aye, I’m here. Come on in and stop yer whisperin’.”
Mathilda had the blue fabric in hand. “I guess ye got the measurements.”
“Aye, I do.”
Charism handed her a small slip of parchment folded several times over. Mathilda unfolded the paper, careful not to smudge the ink. Looking up from the paper she made a slow perusal of Charism, looking her up and down with a trained eye.
“Now Charism, ye know as well as I do this,” she shook the paper with the measurements in her hand, “will never fit ye.”
Charism frowned. “Just make the dress.”
Shrugging her humped shoulders Mathilda glanced back at the material and muttered a dismissive, “Aye.”
Chapter Twenty-Five
Sarra woke. Something was strange. To begin with, she had no idea where she was. Looking around the darkened room didn’t help. As her eyes adjusted to the environment, she was able to make out faint lines of old beds. It couldn’t be. Could it? Crawling gingerly across the splintered wood on the floor, she found her way to the door. Once the door was reached, she realized her initial thoughts were correct. She was in the old servant’s quarters.
There Your Heart Will Be Also Page 12
