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

by Martin, Shirley

  He looked out the window as the carriage topped a hill. Off in the distance, he saw the spires of Moytura. He breathed a sigh of relief, gratified to be home again.

  What he wanted, what he had needed for so long, was a few days free of work and business. Last year, his father had taken one whole moonphase away from business and had stayed with relatives in Mag Bregha. One nine-day would not be too much to ask. He would take Morna with him, for he recognized the need to spend more time with his daughter; he had neglected her far too long. He would love to travel, visit other countries such as Galdina and Partholonia, spend a few days with relatives in Mag Bregha.

  But what about Alana? He reached his house and paid the carriage driver, no closer to a resolution.

  * * *

  I don’t like secrets and I don’t like sneaking around, Alana mused as she prepared to meet Colin at the inn. She believed in honesty, above all, but she dreaded hurting Malcolm’s feelings. And Morna, her conscience nagged her, such a dear little child. How could she leave her?

  On this day when she would meet Colin, her dilemma overshadowed her utter happiness at finding her loved one again. But she would keep her problems to herself, never wanting to spoil their time together.

  The air cooler now, she shivered on her walk from the Forgaill home to the inn, sorry she hadn’t worn her woolen cape. However, a clear blue sky showed promise of a mild day, and the long walk warmed her. Just thinking about Colin and his kiss last night brought a rush of heat throughout her body. She counted the minutes until she would see him again, hearing his voice, as if he were with her now, this very minute.

  Past the stores and fancy shops, she reached the inn and opened the door, blinking her eyes in the darkness of the room. Soon enough, Colin approached and took her hand. “I’ve missed you so, just since last night.”

  She raised his hand to her cheek. “And I’ve missed you. I can never tell you how much.”

  He looked around, as if he wanted to say more. “Well! What would you like to do? You are free the whole day, are you not?”

  “Yes, and all I want is to spend the day with you.” She turned toward the door. “Let’s go for a walk, some place where it’s quiet.”

  He opened the door for her, and they stepped outside into the bright sunshine. Taking her hand, he led her toward the western edge of the city to Aventina Way, near the hospital and the Temple of Knowledge. Off in the distance, they heard the music from the festival, but only as a muted backdrop. Oaks and elms tossed their branches in a stiff breeze, and squirrels, sacred animals in Avador, gamboled among the trees and raced across the grass.

  They found a wooden bench close to the Temple of Knowledge, where Colin drew her down beside him, their thighs touching. She warmed at his nearness, longed for his kisses, his caresses, yearning to be in his arms again. Ah, when they were married….

  From where they sat, they could see people enter and leave the Temple, but all remained quiet, away from the hustle and bustle of Talmora Square.

  He wrapped his arm around her shoulder, drawing her closer. “Ever since I left you last night, I’ve been thinking about us. When I returned to the inn, I wrote a letter to my father.” He paused, as if waiting for a comment from her.

  Would his family approve of her? “Your father is a worthy man, is he not?”

  “Yes, but—“

  ”But Colin, what will he think of me, a governess from a poor family? And the rest of your folks, what will they think?” She wasn’t ashamed of herself or her parents, yet she recognized that Colin came from a wealthy family. And she also knew that wealthy people often disdained those less prosperous than they, Malcolm being an exception. She feared traveling north to meet his family, only to have them scorn her.

  “Just my father and I.” Sadness touched his face, and he turned away for a moment, then looked her way again. “My older brother d—died of the wasting sickness not long ago.”

  She squeezed his hand. “I’m so sorry.” She paused. “But no doubt, there are other important people—“

  ”Nothing and no one is as important as you. Listen, Alana, after my father meets you, he will love you for yourself, for all the goodness and kindness within you.” His face worked, and she wondered what caused him such distress. “And I want to be honest with you. If you had … if you had stayed the same with your blemishes, you must believe me, I would still want you as my wife, would still take you home with me.” He caressed her hand between his strong calloused ones. “Here’s what I’ve decided to do. Much as I hate leaving you after finding you again, I’m going to ride north tomorrow to let my father know I intend to wed you. I’ll also make arrangements with one of the local druids to conduct the handfasting ceremony. Then I’ll ride south again to fetch you and bring you back with me.”

  “Much riding for you.”

  “You’re worth it, anything for you.”

  “I can’t ride a horse.” Ah, she had much to learn, to fit in with his people.

  “You won’t need to. I’ll hire a carriage for you. And dearest, you must speak with your employer, to tell him of your upcoming marriage. I can understand your reluctance, but it must be done, and the sooner, the better.”

  She looked off to the distance, as one thought after another tumbled through her head. Perhaps his family would accept her, yes, but there remained the problem of Malcolm and how to answer his proposal. She sighed. “I’ll speak to Malcolm as soon as possible.”

  They left Aventina Way and headed back to Talmora Square, deciding to have their noontime meal at The Hungry Bear. Over beef stew and oat bread at the inn, she told him about Morna. “She’s a dear little thing and quite well-behaved, except for an occasional prank. It will be difficult for both of us to part.” She paused, her voice breaking. “Very difficult. I’ll miss her so much. Before I return to my employer’s house, I’d like to buy her a little keepsake, something to remember me by.”

  “We can go to the jeweler, buy her a locket.”

  “Ah, Colin, that’s more money than I can spend.”

  “Then let me spend it. Alana, please remember that I have money, and while I would never waste it, I’d consider it money well spent to buy a keepsake for the child.” He reached for her hand. “Get used to my doing things for you, buying things for you and for those who mean so much to you.” He grinned. “It makes me happy to do it.” Ah, she loved his smile, and those brown eyes that changed color, depending on his mood.

  They left The Hungry Bear and walked the streets of Moytura, discussing their families and their future. So much to talk about, so many plans to make! Soon, very soon, she would be his wife.

  * * *

  Colin left the following morning, giving Alana much time to gather her courage and consider what she would say to Malcolm. He had arrived home while she and Colin had spent the day together. She would wait until evening, she decided, for Malcolm was busy in his study for much of the day. Her stomach churned during the evening meal with Malcolm and his father. She forced herself to eat, lest they suspect that something was wrong.

  After the interminable meal ended, Gorsedd Forgaill went upstairs to his room, and her employer headed for his study. Malcolm, such a good man, one who deserved a truly loving wife. If she searched throughout Avador, she would never find a better man. But she didn’t love him. She bided her time, looking over books in the library, rehearsing what she must say to him. Letting a bit of time pass, she went to his study and knocked on the door.

  * * *

  “Come in.”

  Malcolm rose from his desk as Alana entered his study, marveling at her beauty, and not only her outward features, but the goodness that dwelled within her. He wished—oh, how he wished!—that he loved her. But he could not retract his proposal, so if she had come to accept, he had no choice but to acquiesce.

  “Sir—Malcolm.”

  He held a chair for her. “Sit down, please.” He walked around to his desk again, his mind busy, resigned to a loveless marriage. He b
raced himself for what Alana would say, certain that she had come to accept his proposal.

  She twisted her fingers in her lap, a look of distress on her face. “Malcolm,” she began, “there is another man I met several moonphases ago. It’s a long story, and I won’t bore you with it. We came to care for each other but then became separated. Now we have found each other again….”

  Relief flooded him, an emotion he sought to hide. He let her talk, considering it best for her to say what was on her mind.

  “He has asked me to marry him. Caring for him as I do, I could never refuse him.” She paused, looking away for a moment, then returned her attention to him. “Malcolm, I can never tell you how much your proposal has meant to me. You are such a fine man, one who deserves a loving wife. I am sorrier than I can say that I am not that woman.”

  He released a pent up breath. “Alana, we all must go where our heart takes us. Far better for you to realize now that you don’t care for me, than for you to marry me and later regret your decision.” He decided at that moment that he must be honest with her, that such a revelation would be the best course. “You are such a lovely woman, one I have come to greatly admire. I must make this confession to you. I have often wondered if I will ever love another woman as I loved my wife.” He smiled. “Perhaps someday that woman will come along. Till then, it would not be fair for either of us to join ourselves in marriage. You have found a man to love, and I am happy for you. I would never wish it otherwise.”

  “But what about Morna? I flatter myself that she feels a certain affection for me, and I’m so very fond of her. It will be difficult, I fear, for me to leave her.”

  He told her then about his plan to leave for a nine-day and to take Morna with him. “I have neglected her for too long. Rest assured that I will have her study her schoolbooks while we are away. It won’t be entirely a holiday for her,” he said with a smile. “Children are amazingly resilient. And although I agree that she will miss you, I’m hoping that if she travels throughout the country, and yes, to other countries, too, that will partly ease her sadness at your leaving. We have relatives in Mag Bregha. Time she got to meet them.”

  “What about a governess for her upon your return?” She blushed. “I don’t mean to imply that I’m irreplaceable—“

  ”No, I understand what you are saying. I shall ask about, as I did before, and eventually find another governess.”

  She stood, and he followed. “Thank you, Malcolm. I wish you good fortune and happiness in all that you do, and yes, for Morna, also. I will talk to her before I leave.”

  After he closed the door behind her, he heaved a deep sigh. One part of his life had ended. And as for his journey with Morna, another part would begin.

  Chapter Eighteen

  “You went against my wishes. Son, how could you do such a thing? You asked this … this nobody to marry you—“

  ”Father, let me say something. All my life I have tried to be a dutiful son, to do as you wanted. Until Leith passed away, I assumed he would inherit the estate, so I bought a commission in the Elegian army and served them fighting against Fomoria.” In his father’s study on a cool morning, he glanced outside the window at the overcast sky, thinking the weather matched his mood. He had returned from Moytura late the day before and hadn’t had a chance to talk to his father until now. “Alana is not a nobody, as far as I’m concerned. She is the woman I love.”

  “But she—“

  ”Sir, please let me finish. Would you rather I be handfasted to a woman I don’t love and have a miserable marriage, or would you rather I marry the woman I love and be happy?”

  “Love doesn’t guarantee a happy marriage.”

  “That may be, but I think you have a greater chance for happiness if you love the person you marry.”

  His father sighed heavily. “What about her family? I know nothing about this woman. A governess, did you say?”

  “Yes, to a little girl in Moytura whose father owns iron ore mines throughout Avador. Her parents are dead. She has one married brother in Uisnech.” Was he convincing his father? He wished he knew.

  Finian Duffrey rose from his chair. “Let’s leave the matter in abeyance. We will deal with it at another time.”

  And what will change in the meantime? Colin agonized.

  Later that morning, Colin entered the library to fetch a book on animal husbandry and saw his father on a ladder, two books in his hands.

  “Father, what are you doing up on that ladder? Surely that’s something a maid can do.”

  Finian shook his head. “I’m rearranging the books, and this isn’t something a maid can do.” He snorted. “Most likely the maids can’t even read. No, I’m placing the books in their correct category.” He waved his hand to indicate the entire library. “Just look. A book on astronomy was placed with the history books. I found a biography of King Tencien among the books on mathematics. This situation has gone on far too long. I’m tired of looking for a book only to find it’s in the wrong place.”

  “Then let me do this task for you,” Colin said, worried about his father’s heart.

  Finian waved him away. “I’d rather do it myself.”

  Colin found his book on animal husbandry and left the library to go to his own room. He hoped his father wouldn’t work too hard or too long at a chore that necessitated continually moving a ladder and climbing up on it.

  During the evening meal, Colin managed to maintain an amiable demeanor with his father, wondering if his father had changed his mind about Alana and would accept her into the family. He could only hope. Between spoonfuls of potato soup and sips of elderberry wine, they discussed minor estate matters. He savored the soup, rich with chunks of potatoes and onions, a hint of oregano. Apparently his father had dismissed the previous cook and hired—

  “Ah!” Finian dropped his spoon, clutching his chest.

  “Father, what is it?” Colin jumped up so quickly his chair fell back.

  “Something pressing against my chest, like a heavy weight.” He slumped in his chair, his breathing shallow. “And my arm….”

  Colin approached his chair. “Let’s get you to bed.”

  Finian shook his head. “I’ll be all right. Just let me be.”

  “Father, you are not all right. Let’s get you to bed and I’ll fetch the doctor.”

  Finally relenting, Finian let Colin help him rise from the chair. Colin stopped outside the library. “Better to lie down here on the sofa, rather than climb the stairs.” He helped his father get settled on the sofa, making sure he was comfortable, then turned to leave. “Father, I’ll be back as soon as possible.” Reluctant to desert his father, he knew he had no choice. Since none of the servants—with the exception of the steward—could ride, he headed for the stable and had Fagan saddle and bridle the horse, then wasted no time in riding for the doctor. In what was less than an hour but seemed like an eternity, he returned with the doctor, explaining his father’s symptoms on the way back.

  “Rest is the most important thing,” the doctor said inside the library. “I don’t need to tell you that.” After giving Finian a foxglove infusion, he promised to return the following day.

  Colin realized he couldn’t leave his father now, could not return to Alana just yet. He must write her a letter and find someone trustworthy to carry a letter to her for a fee, of course.

  * * *

  Upon receiving Colin’s letter, Alana resigned herself to a long wait before he could come for her. Writing of his love for her, he explained his father’s heart attack. For his sake, she worried about his father and hoped he would recover soon. This must be a difficult time for both Colin and his father, she thought, agonizing that his disability might prove fatal.

  She mustn’t doubt Colin or his love for her. She knew now what she should have realized long ago—Colin’s love had cured her of the curse. All this time, he had loved her and she had loved him, each unaware of the other’s feelings. Still, she regretted the uncertainty, not knowing w
hen Colin could come for her. And she missed him so much, recalling every moment spent with him, his voice, his laugh, the way he looked at her, as if there were no one else in the world.

  After her talk with Malcolm about her marriage plans, he had asked her to stay for a few more days while he completed necessary business before embarking on his journey with Morna. And she had asked him to let her speak to Morna first, to explain her eventual departure.

  “One more thing,” Malcolm had said. “Why don’t you tell her about going on a journey with me, to detract from the sting of your leaving. No great detail, of course, just give her a general idea.”

  She realized she could no longer stay at the Forgaill mansion after Malcolm and Morna left, thankful Colin had included a gold coin with his letter. Familiar with the Snow Leopard, she would stay there, but mindful of the expense of staying at the inn, she hoped Colin would come for her soon.

  Time now to talk to Morna, a task she had dreaded. Possibly children were ‘amazingly resilient’, still she feared hurting the child. After breakfast, she sat in the child’s room. Whether or not pink was Morna’s favorite color, Alana didn’t know, but the pastel shade surely predominated in her room, she’d noticed from her first day. Perhaps her father had assumed all little girls preferred pink. Pink-checked curtains brightened the windows, and a pink silk bedspread stretched the length of her trundle bed. The child herself was clad in a dress of a pink rosebud print with pink bows.

  “Morna.” Alana fought her emotions, desperately wanting to remain calm for the child’s sake. “You have been such a good little girl, but … but I must leave you soon.”

  “Leave me? Why?” Tears filled her eyes. “Why must you leave me?”

  Her own eyes filled with tears. “I intend to marry soon and move from here.”

  “No, please don’t leave me.” Tears ran down her cheeks.