Debra Kay Leland

by From Whence Came A Stranger. . .

  The older man took his arm and glanced at his men. “Nay, he has not. Now come, English. I need to speak with ye—alone!” He said purposefully as he threw the two men who had begun to follow a hard scowl.

  William nodded to his friends then went with Alden as he led him around the side of the building, glancing around cautiously into the darkened night before he spoke with a hushed voice. “The lass shall have ye, English.”

  “M—Miranda, has accepted my suit?!”

  “Aye, she has; but Egan must not find out! He would force the lass to marry him, if he knew!”

  William felt his blood boil at the thought. “When can ye manage it then?”

  “Now.”

  “What?! Now?!”

  “Aye, the girl waits with the monk in the shadows of yur barn. If ye wish to refuse, ye had best do it now, English!”

  “Nay, Nay… I shall not refuse! I—I would sooner die than to see another have her! Has anyone seen ye come this way!” He said glancing around the darkened night again.

  “I don’t believe so, but still—I’d like the deed good and done in case they have.”

  William agreed and led the older man to the barn. “Wait for me here.”

  He hurried back inside to where his two friends stood with worried eyes and their swords still in hand. “William, what is going on?!”

  He hurried past them without a word and went to his tunic, pulling at the sewing till he withdrew a small black velvet satchel that lie within and took the silver band that had been hidden there. Then faced his men who were staring at him with worried eyes. “Come, stand guard with me!”

  “Why?! William, what’s going on?!”

  He paused and looked at each with a frown. “My—my bride is here…”

  They threw each other worried looks as they hurried out the door.

  He went into the dimly lit barn and his eyes met hers, she was still wearing the same dress she had on earlier, the flower were still in her long hair making her look even more beautiful in the golden glow of the lanterns that had been lit. He swallowed hard as he looked at her, then walked forward and settled his sword at his side as he came and stood before her.

  She looked up into his dark handsome face; he had removed his tunic and now stood towering above her with his white shirt unlaced yet tucked into his brown trousers, but it was his blue eyes that made her heart skip a beat.

  He looked to her father and then the old monk. “May I talk to the lass a moment, alone?”

  The two glanced at one another then nodded before they stepped towards the door.

  He took her thin hands in his gently noticing how they trembled; then his eyes met hers. “Miranda…” His voice was a mere whisper. “…lass, do ye wish to be my wife?”

  She smiled softly, deepening the blush on her cheeks. “…Aye, I do. I have wanted it to be so since first I saw thee…”

  He smiled gently. “As have I...”

  He glanced towards the guarded door before he spoke. “But, before I let thee pledge thyself to me, I must tell ye from where I have come—and then, if ye still wish it to be so I shall make ye mine…”

  Her smile faded slightly as she watched him; hoping that his words would not soon break her heart.

  “I am…Sir William Sheridan, the second son of the Earl of Whittington, and the son of the man who destroyed this village...”

  She looked down for a long moment at the mention of the Earl’s name; for everyone had come to fear it for what he had done in Glenton Moor. She paused, then slowly lifted blue eyes to meet his face again, her voice soft and sincere. “And… whom shall ye be on the morrow, when I wake up at yur side? Will ye be the son of the Earl or William of Glenton Moor?”

  He managed a soft smile then. “I shall be William of Glenton Moor. I am not the heir to the title, nor the lands, nor the wealth of Whittington. I left my father’s house and can never to return there, lass. I shall live out my days here where I am contented, and more so with thee at my side. But ye must vow never to speak of it, for no one must ever know.”

  She smiled then, a soft sweet smile that made his heart ache. “I shall not betray yur trust, and I shall gladly marry ye, William of Glenton Moor—and have yur children and be a good wife to ye.”

  He touched her cheek lightly running the back of his hand down it to her soft jaw. His words a mere whisper. “Then come, lass, and be mine…”

  He turned to her father and the other men again. “The girl had agreed…”

  The old monk sighed and opened the small tattered book in his hand, before he took a hurried breath. “Then, let us make haste and have the deed done…!”

  …They stood facing one another in the dim light of the roughened barn, her small hands in his, his eyes never leaving hers as the monk’s hushed words threaded between them…

  …And when the monk had finished, he took the ring from his pocket and threaded it over her thin finger, she looked at it with tears in her true blue eyes. Her hand trembled as she held it before her; then she looked up into the face that now gazed at her with longing. “‘Tis lovely… I—I had never hoped for such a thing…”

  He cupped her cheek in his hand and brushed his lips across hers, his words as soft as a caress. “A bride must have a ring, lass.”

  Her father smiled and gave a deep sigh, more than pleased with himself now. “There now, lass, good and wed! Now, ye need not worry for Egan Wallace again!” He sighed once more, then continued, “’Tis late, William, would ye see fit to let two weary traveler stay in yur barn this night?”

  He just smiled and gave a nod. “Aye, Alden…”

  Her father just smiled back knowing he had done good by his daughter this day.

  Phillip made sure everyone was bedded down properly in the barn, as he and Thomas took up a post outside just to make sure that no one was about, leaving William and his bride to walk alone into their house. He paused on the threshold and looked down into hesitant eyes, and then he ran the back of his hand down her soft cheek again. Her heart hammered in her chest as he leaned down and kissed her, his lips softly lingering over hers. “I shall be good to thee, lass, ye shall want for nothing, I promise thee.”

  She leaned into his soft caress and he lifted her into his arms, his mouth never leaving hers as he took her into the darkened room and made her his…

  The morning dawned bright and lovely as she opened her eyes and looked up into the smiling face of her husband as he leaned on an elbow and gazed down at her in the narrow bed. “Good day, wife.”

  She smiled a smile that reached her eyes. “And to ye, my husband.”

  He touched her soft pink lips with his fingertips as he smiled. “I think I shall enjoy waking up to thee beside me in my bed.”

  She blushed and lifted her head to brush her lips over his. “As shall I.”

  He laughed softly and rolled from the bed. “Come, lass, we have guests feed and then we must bid them good day.”

  She sat up with a soft smile as he pulled his shirt over his broad sculpted chest; he returned it knowing he never felt so happy in all his life…

  Not long afterwards the two invited their guest into the house to break their fast. Miranda blushed as her father kissed her cheek and inquired of her softly. “All is well?”

  She smiled up into his weathered face. “Aye, da, all is well.”

  He gave her a wink and settled himself down onto the chair.

  William’s two men glanced at the couple discreetly as they sat on the benches by the fire both with gladness and worry. All knew that there would be trouble when Egan discovered what had happened, though none spoke of it now.

  William reached up and threaded his strong tanned fingers through hers on top of the table as he spoke. “Will ye go home then, Alden?”

  “Aye, English, I shall. I don’t expect much trouble from Egan, but then again he may pay ye a visit. ‘Tis hard to tell with a man like that, but I know this; the man shall not be pleased at the hearing of that which ye have done
. Ye would do well to watch yur back ‘till he cools down some.”

  William nodded and glanced at his beautiful wife. “Aye, I shall. Thank ye both, for I know the risk ye both took in bringing her to me.”

  The monk nodded softly and smiled at the couple, as her father spoke. “Ock, I could not see the lass married to a man she did not love; but ye, English, take good care of my daughter or ye shall answer to me for it!”

  William laughed. “Aye, I shall…”

  It wasn’t long after that they bid the two good day and William turned to his bride again bringing her against him as he clasp his hands behind her in a soft embrace, peering down into her lovely face as he spoke, “Well, my bride, the men and I have to see to building a shelter for them before winter takes us all by surprise. I shall not be far, just at the meadows edge. Will ye be alright if I leave ye here alone?”

  She nodded and smiled into his handsome face. “Aye, I shall.”

  He put a long tanned finger under her chin tipping her face to meet his. “And will ye miss me then, lass?”

  She blushed at his soft words. “Aye, husband… I shall miss thee…”

  His eyes lingered over her lovely face, her long lashes, and deep blue eyes and came to rest on her soft sweet lips before his head dropped slowly brushing hers with his, making her heart skip a beat. She smiled under his cool firm lips and he laughed, his lips still against hers. “Ye aren’t supposed to smile while I kiss thee, lass.” She stifled a soft laugh and looked up at him again as he continued, “And why is it that ye smile?”

  Her smile brightened even more at his teasing words. “…I am happy, William.”

  He laughed and drew her against his strong chest, her lovely soft sing song voice pleasing him even more. “Ah lass, we shall have a fine life, thee and I; but for now I must see to a house for my men.”

  She nodded softly. “And ye’ll come back at midday then?”

  “Aye.” He straightened then kissed her cheek before he stepped away. “Good day to ye, wife.”

  She smiled and watched him go, then turned to her new home feeling as if this was all merely a dream… But yet on the edges of it all was the worry of what Egan might yet do…

  Phillip glanced at the narrow house. “And ye think the lass shall be alright in there alone?”

  William glanced back also and frowned. “We won’t be gone long, nor be far. Egan may visit me, but I believe he would not hurt the lass.” Or so he hoped…

  Chapter Eight

  To all their surprise, the next week went by quietly though they were all sure it wouldn’t last for they had yet to hear from Egan. The men busied themselves laying timber on stone and setting the foundation for the house and beams they’d just cut for the roughened wood floor; while Miranda busied herself cleaning the house and readying things for winter. She looked around at the hut she would now call home, it was larger than her father’s, and made from roughened timbers that lie crosswise instead of those that were lashed together as they ran up and down. The hut was a welcome sight, and so was the life he would offer her here.

  Her mind went to the man she had married, the son of the Earl of Whittington had fell in love with a Welsh peasant. She wondered if his powerful father, the man who had destroyed this village would even allow such a thing…! And she couldn’t help but worry that when news of it reached him, that he would yet have her sent away, or worse…

  She frowned at her thoughts and began to set the table again with a trembling hand. She and William hadn’t had a chance to talk about anything yet—not his father nor mother, not even his siblings; for in a way he was yet but a stranger to her... And to now know of his title and from where he had come made her wonder even more… For would she be a disgrace to him with his family? She herself wanted nothing to do with his title nor with Whittington, she had married an honest and brave man, a man who was determined to live in peace and do what was right even in the face of opposition. And though she now knew of his title it hadn’t mattered to her then! She had fallen in love with William of Glenton Moor, not the son of an Earl, and all she could hope was that his family would let them live their lives here in peace…

  William and his men managed to set the foundation of the floor by midday. The house would be small, but the men had agreed that it would be warm and easier to keep if it were not so big. As he worked, he found himself glancing towards the darkened house hoping to catch sight of her; wondering what she had been doing there all day, and when he did it brought a smile to his face. It was like a dream come true, to have her here with him. Truly, he had lost the only home he’d ever known, the family he’d loved, his whole life as he once knew it; but he’d been paid back for it all abundantly with her!

  When the men came in for the midday meal she stood by the table waiting, her hands clasped behind her back shyly. On the table a large kettle of stew awaited with fresh bread and butter beside it. He stopped at the delicious aroma and smiled at her. “What smells so wonderful?”

  He peeked into the kettle and smiled again. “Ye have out done thyself, lass.”

  Phillip and Thomas agreed with smiling faces as they settled down on the benches aside the narrow table. She waited for William and then served the men up heaping bowls of stew and crusty bread. They ate it hardily, plying her with complements as they did so, making her blush as she looked to her husband’s handsome face. “Ye did well, lass. We haven’t eaten this well in months.”

  She glanced around at the wildflowers she had picked and put in on the mantle, though the days were cooler, there were still some to be had. “I wanted ye to feel like ye were home.”

  He leaned forward and kissed her before he stood. “Anywhere ye are shall be home to me now.”

  The meal done, she smiled up at him as she walked him to the door. “We need to get a few more logs down before the day’s end. If ye need me, just call and I shall hear thee.” He kissed her again then turned towards his men and left.

  It was towards evening when her father came with a hardy smile and a fat cow in tow. She smiled and ran to greet him lifting the hem of her tanned skirt as she went, threading her arms around his stout middle and smiling up happily into his weathered face. He laughed at the warm welcome and smiled down at her. “Ah, there’s my lass!”

  She smiled brightly as they walked.

  “I’ve brought William yur dowry. The cow shall have her calf come spring.” He looked around. “Is he here then?”

  “Aye, over the crest of the hill cutting down trees for his friend’s shelter.”

  Alden spotted the foundation near the edge of the meadow, and then looked down at his smiling daughter again. “Run along now, lass, I wish to speak with yur husband without a woman pestering us.” He tied the cow to the gate and gave her a wink, before he strode towards the hill. But she couldn’t help but worry for she had noticed his frown also, making her wonder if Egan was to blame... She stood there watching him for a long moment, then turned glancing down the roadway he had come from with a worried frown, before she went back into the hut, her dark thoughts in no way eased.

  “Ah, there ye be, English!”

  William straightened at the sound of his father-in-law’s voice.

  “And what brings thee to my home, Alden?”

  “I bought ye the lass’s dowry, five pieces of silver and a cow, just as I said. The cow is to calf by spring.”

  He smiled. “I accept, though I would have taken the girl even without it.”

  “Aye, I know ye would have; but I am a man of my word, now are I not?” He looked down and shifted uneasily before he looked at the younger man in front of him again. “English—Egan came to me today… I have made excuses for her all week, but sooner or later I knew he would find the truth. He knows now that ye have taken the girl as yur wife, and he’s not pleased about it in the least.”

  William glanced at his men, and then back at Alden with a frown before he spoke, “We shall keep watch for him. I was sure he would not take the news of it k
indly. But I thank thee for the warning, and though I do not seek trouble with him, I shall protect my own! But do ye think he shall strike back against thee also?”

  Alden shrugged. “Me? Ock, I do not believe so, the man would risk turning those in the village against him if he came after me. Just watch yur back, English, he would think nothing of claiming yur widow.”

  William’s face tightened into a scowl at his words; he knew it was true, but he wasn’t about to let Egan Wallace dictate to him as to his own affairs. If he came here, then trouble would greet him at the end of his sword…! He drew a long breath then pressed a smile on his face as he said, “I shall heed thy words well. But ye have come all this way, can ye join us for dinner?”

  “Nay, I must be getting back. Take care of her, English.”

  William extended a strong hand. “Aye, I shall, Alden. I shall.”

  He watched the man walked away again; Thomas and Phillip joining him where he stood looking on with worried faces. He glanced at them. “Ye heard then…? We shall need to keep watch for Egan…”

  Thomas nodded. “Aye, we heard… But we shall not let aught happen to thee or the lass!”

  Yet even at his word, William still felt uneasiness in his heart at the thought that Egan might seek revenge. For he would not lose her, nor let everything be taken from him again!

  The two lay together in the darkness, her head on his warm hard chest, his hand threaded though lush reddish curls. They had not talked at all about Egan, nor would she now… “William, what of yur father and mother? Ye have not told me of them...”

  He paused a moment at her question, then his deep voice murmured against her hair. “My mother died when I was yet a child, my father is well… and still very dear to me, though I may not ever be able to see him again… And truly it saddens me… Though those here see him as a tyrant, he is a fair man who rules a hard land and does as he must to keep order here… I may not always agree with his decisions, but I respect the man regardless of it… My brother on the other hand—has no redeeming qualities whatsoever, yet he shall be the Earl when my father is gone… ‘Twill be a sorry, sorry day for all when he takes the title I fear… even for us…”