Enchanted Cottage (Avador Book 3, Books We Love Fantasy Romance)

by Martin, Shirley

  Colin’s heart leaped. Would he find Alana there? Oh, to see her again! Quickly, he returned to reality. No chance he would find her.

  “—so two copies.”

  His face warmed. “Father, I fear I missed part of what you said.”

  “What’s the matter, son? Are you daydreaming? Very well, to repeat … you must journey to Moytura and obtain two copies of a Deed of Inheritance at the Magistrate’s Hall. After you come back here to get my signatures on both copies, you must return one copy to the Hall, and I shall keep the other one.” He shook his head. “I don’t know why the queen doesn’t establish other legal centers in the country, as her father did with the courts. Be that as it may, I want you to leave tomorrow morning to obtain the deeds. Of course, this is a long journey. Rest along the way as you need to.”

  Colin rose the following morning at dawn, heading south to the capital. Hope rode with him, a futile hope, he knew, but such a fervent wish to see Alana again he could think of nothing else.

  He stopped at Nyrax overnight, finding a well-ordered inn to spend the night and rest his horse. Another stop at Mag Bregha the next night, then on to Moytura. He rode past fields rich with late summer crops, carrots and cabbage, the corn ready to harvest. A cool breeze heralded the coming of autumn, a welcome relief from the summer heat.

  He entered Moytura in the late afternoon, this bustling city with its convoluted streets, he’d learned long ago, to discourage foreign invaders. No fear of invaders now, he thought, as he walked the busy streets, full of people shopping and tending to business. His head moved right and left, his gaze seeking Alana, as if by some miracle she would appear before him.

  First leaving his horse at the city stable, he walked to the Magistrate’s Hall to procure two copies of the Deed of Inheritance. Deeds in hand, he strode the streets, past the jewelry store, where he’d bought Alana her bracelet, the piece that had been hers originally. A rush of memories taunted him, giving her the bracelet, her tears of joy. Darkness was falling as he strode toward the Snow Leopard to have his evening meal and spend the night.

  Inside the inn, he found the last empty table, the place alive with talk and laughter, the appetizing aromas of roast beef and spices. Dejection weighed him down, his loss of Alana a knife twisting inside his gut.

  He left Moytura the following morning, resigned to never seeing his loved one again. He accepted that he must find a wife, so that the estate would stay in the family.

  * * *

  Returned to Ulaidh, he consulted with the steward concerning estate business, riding around the property to assure himself that all was well. Farmer Buidhe had new thatching on his roof, and the doctor had set Farmer Colgain’s leg, although it would be two or so nine-days before the farmer could work again.

  Days later, he returned to Moytura. This time, he found the city more crowded than usual, forcing him to work his way among the men, women, and children, especially children. He’d never seen so many people in the city, never heard such deafening noise. Hawkers sold souvenirs, and vendors sold meat pies, candies, and spiced apples. Weaving his way among the mobs of people, he headed for the Hall to deposit one copy of the deed, glad to have that chore completed. Anticipating many people at the inn, he entered the Snow Leopard in the late afternoon, and even then, found only one empty table. Families had gathered there, children chattering with excitement, waitresses rushing about with large orders.

  As he dined on roast beef and cooked cabbage, he caught Cedric’s attention. “Why so many people in the city? I’ve never seen such crowds.”

  “Oh, sir, don’t you know? People come from miles around to celebrate the Foghar Roic.”

  “The Autumn Festival? How long does it last?”

  “Five days, sir. I’m surprised you didn’t see the sign at the entrance to the city, posted on the message board.”

  “I must confess I never check the message board.” After Cedric walked away, Colin’s mind worked furiously. If he wanted to see Alana again, he knew the Festival would present the most likely opportunity. If she was in Moytura. Oh, let it be so.

  * * *

  For days, Alana had looked forward to the Fall Festival, for she knew there would be games and prizes, booths and dancing. Since the Festival lasted for several days, she had taken Morna earlier, first obtaining permission from Malcolm and explaining that it would be good for the child to meet others and join in the games. Now I have the day to myself, she thought as she got ready to attend the Festival alone. She slipped on her new green cotton frock and brushed her hair until it shone,

  Malcolm had left this morning to tend to trouble at one of the mines. “Sorry I can’t accompany you,” he’d said, “but I must see to this mine business.”

  Malcolm. After his proposal, she had asked him to give her time to think on it, but she knew it wasn’t fair to him to keep him waiting. She must make a decision soon.

  She left the house in the early afternoon of this brisk fall day, delighting in the cool breeze, anticipating the fun she’d have by herself. Much as she cared for Morna and enjoyed her company, still it was nice to have time alone, to browse among the booths, to walk leisurely around the grounds and buy trinkets and souvenirs without tending to a child.

  Past the mansions in this fine section of the city, she walked toward the festival grounds, almost a mile away. She enjoyed the walk, singing a little tune to herself, as if something wonderful would happen this day. She smiled at her fanciful thought as she hurried on, greeting neighbors and waving to children. Inhaling deeply of the brisk fall air, she delighted in the leaves that fell from maples and elms, watching an occasional squirrel as it darted across lawns or raced up the trunks of trees. She carried a few copper coins in her pocket, thinking to buy snacks and trinkets. The music of the festival reached her from several streets away, and soon she joined the crowds as everyone headed for the celebration.

  * * *

  Take a chance. What do you have to lose? Much as he hated crowds, Colin held close to his heart the hope—no matter how slight—that he would see Alana again. He donned a dark blue tunic and metal belt over black trousers tucked in mid-calf black boots, then left the inn.

  He joined the crowds headed for the festival on the western edge of the city, past the hospital and the Temple of Knowledge. Hearing the music and noise of the people from several streets away, a curious anticipation gripped him, as if Alana stood before him now. Entering the festival grounds, he saw a small band playing a favorite tune, one he remembered from childhood. He paid little attention to the booths that sold all manner of trinkets and souvenirs, colorful ribbons and toys. He ignored the puppet show that held the fascinated wonder of dozens of children, his only thought to find his loved one. Looking all around from one side to another, he nearly bumped into other celebrants as he disregarded the blandishments of the vendors and fought his distaste of crowds. So many people here, more than he’d seen in one place! How would he ever find anyone?

  Hours later, he sighed, more disappointed than he’d ever been. What made you think Alana would be here, the same time and place as you? So, back to the inn—

  But wait! A woman with her back to him walked among the crowds, near the booth selling ribbons. Her auburn hair, ah, he would know those tresses anywhere. There she was, here, now!

  He hurried ahead, elbowing his way among the people, impatient with the mobs that hindered his approach. Finally, he caught up with her and called her name. “Alana!”

  The woman turned around, but no, this woman was beautiful—

  “Colin! Colin, what a surprise to see you here, now! I can’t believe it!”

  Happiness burst inside him. “Alana, is it really you?”

  She laughed. “Last time I looked in the mirror, I saw myself.”

  “But you … you’re beautiful. How can this be?”

  Frowning, she looked around at the crowds that surrounded them. The noise swelled, so many people laughing and talking at once.

  He took her
by the arm. “Come, let’s go where there is quiet. Unless you want to stay here longer?”

  “No, I’ve seen all I want to see, even bought myself a ribbon and a brooch. So, really, I’m ready to leave.”

  “Good.” He clasped her small hand in his, leading her away from the festival grounds and heading toward the inn. So many people pushed against them that he slipped his arm around her shoulder and moved slowly to ease them both away from the festival goers. Ah, the nearness of her, inhaling her lilac fragrance, her warm body beneath his fingers.

  Although sorry he had to drop his arm from her shoulder, still he breathed a sigh of relief when they left the festival behind and headed for the inn.

  Back at the Snow Leopard, he found a table for them, the inn not so busy now, with most people at the celebration. Over a mug of mead, he asked her about herself. How lovely she looked in that green dress that brought out the peach-like glow of her skin. And her voice, just as he remembered, the soft tones, a hint of refinement in her speech. Her hair shimmered by the flickering candlelight, sometimes appearing dark, at other times, golden. Captivated by her hand movements, those delicate fingers, he wanted those fingers touching him, caressing him.

  “I’m so happy for you, but your face—how, why?”

  She smiled, and for the first time, he noticed she had dimples. “I don’t know how or why. I only know that shortly after you left, my face began to clear.” She sighed. “I never told you how I came to be ugly, and yes, ugly is the only word to describe my former appearance. A witch in the village placed a curse on me—“

  “Why would she do such a thing?” But he knew. Jealousy.

  “She had her eye on one of the villagers who cared for me.” Alana waved her hand, as if she wanted to forget the experience. “She was later hanged for practicing black magic. So that is over and done with. I don’t want to think about that part of my life anymore. Now please tell me about yourself. What have you been doing?”

  “First of all, I resigned my commission with the Elegian army. After that I tended to estate business,” he said, relating his affairs at his family’s holdings. He said nothing about the loss of his brother—-it caused him too much pain—-and he omitted telling her of his aborted handfasting ceremony. “Enough about me. I want to hear more about you. What are you doing now?”

  “Governess for a wealthy mine owner who lives not too far from here. A widower, has a little girl of seven.” A brief hesitation as she looked down at the table. “He has asked me to marry him.”

  The world stopped spinning. His heart ceased its beating. To think after all this, waiting and wanting her so, she would marry another. “And are you going to … marry him?”

  “Most likely, yes. I respect him. He is a kind, pleasant gentleman. We get along well together.”

  “Kind! Pleasant! You get along well together! You didn’t say anything about love.”

  Her eyes flashed with defiance. “Love? What do you know about love?”

  I know that I love you, he wanted to say. How to tell her what was in his heart? He reached across the table and wrapped his fingers around hers. “Alana, I beg of you. Give me a chance to prove how much I care for you. I’ve wanted you, longed for you, all these moonphases since we’ve been apart.”

  “Oh, yes, now I understand. When we were together at the cottage and I was so ugly, you didn’t care for me—“

  ”Not true!”

  “—but now that I have my looks back, all of a sudden, there is this fierce passion for me.” Others looked their way and she lowered her voice. “Not once did you say anything about your feelings for me.”

  “Don’t you remember my kiss? Surely that meant something to you.”

  “A kiss? I was just a woman who had taken care of you. The kiss was your way of showing your appreciation.”

  “More than that, oh, so much more!” He heaved a deep sigh. “Recall that we were together for only a few short days. And even though those days came to mean so much to me, still I could hardly have declared my love for you then. You knew I had to ride home to see my family. Two years since I had last seen them!”

  Again, she looked down at the table, and he saw tears in her eyes.

  He squeezed her hand. “Please give me another chance. I will woo you,” he said with a self-conscious grin, “court you as I have wanted to, as a man is meant to court the woman he loves. Will you give me that chance?”

  She looked away, brushing the tears from her eyes, then turned back to him. ‘For now, yes. But no promises.”

  He smiled, feeling as if heavy weight had been lifted from his shoulders. For now, she said. No promises. He would have to be content with that reply. For now.

  Chapter Seventeen

  As Colin walked her back to the Forgaill mansion, Alana wanted to tell him all that she felt in her heart, happier than she’d ever been in her life. To think they had found each other again! But a kernel of doubt troubled her mind. Did he really care for her? True, she reasoned, they had spent only a few days together at the cottage, and yes, she understood that he’d wanted to see his family again, after such a long absence. She had no misgivings about her feelings for him; she loved him and had from the first.

  What about Malcolm and his proposal? her conscience nagged. What to do then? And what about Morna? She would have to deal with these issues, no evading them.

  Darkness was falling, the first faint stars and a waning moon glimmering in the sky. A cool breeze tossed leaves in the air and bent branches of maples and oaks.

  Colin’s voice broke through her thoughts. “I must see you again, and soon—my reason for staying in Moytura.”

  “Tomorrow is my last day off this nine-day,” she said, wishing it were not so. “As I told you back at the inn, I’m a governess for a little girl.”

  “What about your evenings? They haven’t enslaved you, have they?” he asked with an attempt at humor. He stopped and looked down at her, and even in the dark, she saw his somber expression. “Surely you know I want to marry you. I should have made that plain before. You alone, Alana, no one else for me.” He held her hand close to his chest. “After all these moonphases, being without you, missing you so, I can’t let you slip away from me.”

  She bit her lower lip. “My time is my own in the evening. But Malcolm—my employer—would worry about my being out after dark.”

  “Malcolm—he’s the man who proposed to you?”

  His face revealed his anguish, and she didn’t want to hurt him, didn’t want to hurt either man.

  “Malcolm, yes, and he is a fine man.” She sighed inwardly, realizing the task ahead of her.

  “But do you love him? Alana, I must know your feelings for me.”

  Time for her to be honest, to reveal all the love she had for him. “It’s you I love, only you. All these moonphases—“

  “Alana!” He drew her into his arms and kissed her as she had longed for, dreamed of for so long. Ah, his kisses, her heart beating next to his. Her hands roamed across his back, pressing him ever closer, wanting this passion they shared to go on forever.

  After an eternity, he released her, leaving her bereft, as if the stars and moon had disappeared from the sky and all life had ended.

  Too soon, they reached the Forgaill mansion. She didn’t want to say ‘goodbye’ but knew she must. A tangle of emotions twisted inside her, such a desire to see him again, yet the dread of hurting Malcolm, the distress of leaving Morna. She must deal with these concerns in the coming days.

  She squeezed his hand. “Tomorrow, I can meet you at the Snow Leopard. That would be best, I think.”

  He nodded, as if he understood her dilemma, and quirked a little smile. “Early in the morning, then. It can’t be too early for me.”

  She smiled. “Well, let’s at least wait until it’s light. I eat an early breakfast, so I’ll meet you after that.”

  “Tomorrow, then.” He kissed her again, and then he was gone, disappearing into the night.

  * * * />
  On his way back to the inn, Colin recognized that he must write his father a letter, explaining that he was delayed on personal business. No, he amended, he would tell his father that he had found Alana, no hesitation, no equivocation. He wondered if the Snow Leopard had a messenger service, as many reputable inns did.

  Which they did, he found upon his return to the inn, telling Cedric his letter must go to Ulaidh.

  “That far north will cost you three silvers, sir. The messenger will leave at dawn.”

  “Very well. Bring me writing materials, if you will, and I’ll have the letter ready for you shortly.”

  Settled in his room, Colin composed the letter to his father. “Honored Father,” he began, choosing his words carefully. He ended the letter by saying that Alana was everything he would want as a daughter-in-law. And all I would ever want in a wife.

  After leaving the letter downstairs with Cedric, he went to bed, thinking only of Alana and counting the days until they were wed.

  * * *

  The long carriage ride from Ros Creda to Moytura, besides stopping at the many inns along the way, gave Malcolm much time to think. Should he have asked Alana to be his wife, he agonized. A lovely, intelligent woman such as she would make any man a good wife, but he greatly regretted that he didn’t love her. He wondered if he could ever love again, for his wife, gone from him these many years, still held a place in his heart. If truth be told, the moonlight and Alana’s beauty had bewitched him, making him throw caution and his normal good judgment to the wind. And also, he had to admit, he needed a woman in his bed. He could not, in good conscience, withdraw his proposal, nor would he want to hurt Alana’s feelings.

  Might there come a day when he could love another woman? He was only thirty-one and had many years to find someone to love. Yet he kept returning to the same certainty: he could not undo his proposal to Alana.