Debra Kay Leland

by From Whence Came A Stranger. . .

  Miranda sat nervously in William’s chamber knowing that Lord Sheridan would have guests at the table that night, for she’d seen them each ride through the gate not more than hour apart as she sat looking out the high castle windows that day. It was true that she had grown comfortable with her father-in-law, mostly because he reminded her so much of William, but to have strangers at the table made her more than nervous. All knew who and what she was despite the regal clothing that had been given to her, for each time she opened her mouth to speak her own voice betrayed her… Here, she was treated well among Edmund’s household—but his guests were a different story all together!

  And even after a month, she still hadn’t even gotten used to the coy glances his knights would cast her way as they dined at the table beside her—but to have titled guests, especially men as their guest made her worry. She had even gone as far as to send her maid to her father-in-law to beg him to allow her eat in her chamber that night, but he himself came to her door shortly after and insisted she dine with him anyway.

  She stood and paced again as she had done for nigh an hour, already dressed and ready to go down, and yet she could not bring herself to do so. Miranda sighed and sat down stiffly as her maid watched her with worried eyes. The gown she had chosen for the girl was lovely ivory that flattered her despite her pregnancy, her soft silky hair hung in ringlets, a golden circulate graced her head, but it was her sweet innocent face that endeared her to you.

  The steward knocked softly and Amelia cast her a glance then bid him to come in; he opened the door and looked to her with lifted brows. “Lord Sheridan has asked for thee to join him…now.”

  Miranda glance at her maid with worried eyes before she slowly stood running a nervous hand over her skirt before it came to rest on the child within her. Amelia went to the door with a soft smile and waited with the steward; she could tell what the girl was thinking, that she would do something to embarrass herself or the Earl in front of his guests, even by her very presence at his table, but it wasn’t true… She knew that he loved the girl as if she were his own daughter and nothing would change that.

  The girl sighed and ran her hand over the skirt again, looking as if to find some excuse that would change the Earl’s mind. Amelia merely smiled. “My lady, there’s nothing ye can say that shall get thee out of dining with Lord Sheridan’s guest this night.”

  Miranda swallowed the excuse that she was just about to speak and frowned. “But—but they are not my guests, nor is there any good reason that I should meet them.”

  Amelia just laughed and took her arm gently guiding the nervous girl through the door anyway. “Go on now, Lord Sheridan awaits thee.”

  The girl drew a long breath and scowled once more before she straightened the soft material of her skirt for the fifth time and headed towards the stairs with the steward at her side and her cheeks flushed a soft pink.

  Garrick was glad to be at Whittington, it was always a pleasant distraction to be in his uncle’s presence instead of at his own holding surrounded by things that only reminded him of all that he had lost.

  Lydan on the other hand, hid his agitation well; he hoped that the business which had brought him here would soon be accomplished so that he could be on his way again. It would have been rude to refuse his uncle in light of all that had transpired here, and as his nephew he was obligated to attend him at the death of his sons, but the sooner it was done the better.

  The two men sat at the table discussing news of their families and estates as they waited for William’s widow to join them, a thing that brought neither of them much pleasure for indeed it was growing late and the food was surely getting cold! It had been a surprise to both of them to find out from the missive that both James and William were dead, but they had come to be at their uncle’s side and to help him till he was able to take care of things again by himself. It wasn’t until they were getting ready to sit down to the meal that there uncle had mentioned that they would wait for William’s widow to join them before they started—a woman who now kept them waiting for near an hour and they couldn’t help but wonder at it! Was she so rude that she would delay the Earl and his guests like this? Neither of them said a word though they wanted to.

  She paused at the top of the steps and glanced back with fore longing at her maid who merely motioned her to go on, the steward offered his hand and she sighed as she took it, refusing to look at the table and to those seated there as she went down the long curved stairs.

  Lord Sheridan’s eyes were the first to fall on her, she was lovely as always and it pleased him; her hair a glorious halo around her soft face, her blue eyes cast down as she approached them quietly. He stood, and offered a smile to the quiet girl. Neither man had even noticed her, nor had they paid much attention to what was spoken of her for the last hour, but he knew that that was all about to change. Edmund had been careful not to say too much, he would let the girl herself show her true value to his nephews and she didn’t disappoint him even now.

  The two men glanced at the stairs as they noticed their uncle’s gaze, he stood and they stood with him hardly able to believe their eyes, the widow, their cousin’s wife was a mere girl—and the most beautiful girl they had ever seen. Edmund stepped from the table and took her hand and stopped her. He took a long tanned finger tipping her chin so she would look at him now. She lifted true blue eyes to meet his, a concerned look on her soft face and he smiled down at her. “Miranda, smile…”

  She blushed slightly and offered a tentative smile without dimples.

  His mouth quirked to one side with amusement as he watched her. “No dimples this night?”

  She shook her head softly and glanced at the table and blushed, before she looked back to him again.

  “Well, we’ll have to change that, now won’t we? Miranda, I would like to introduce thee to my nephews, this is Lord Lydan Hastings, my sister’s eldest son, and Lord Garrick Farrington, a nephew on my wife’s side.”

  She turned towards the men and curtsied low without meeting their gazes. “…M’lords...”

  The men threw each other curious glances that spoke of the pleasant surprise they both had on seeing such a comely girl. Lydan, who stood closest, took her hand and bowed over it kissing it softly. “My lady, ‘tis a great pleasure indeed.”

  Garrick came around the table and did likewise, his heart beating wildly in his chest though he hid it well; yet, he scolded himself for feeling more like a young boy instead of the man that he was.

  She lifted her blue eyes to neither, but allowed Edmund to seat her next to Lydan at his right, whose trencher she would be forced to share. She glanced around the table uncomfortably, finding more than one pair of eyes on her that only made her lower her lashes again. Edmund glanced at his nephews and smiled knowingly at them as if they all had the same thought; both men smiled appreciatively back and raised coy eyebrows and it pleased him.

  He signaled for the servants to serve the platters when he saw Miranda’s soft blush, for he did not want to distress her further knowing she had not wished to dine with his guest in the first place.

  She sighed softly to herself then reached for the meat on the trencher only to have Lydan’s hand gently brush hers; she blushed even harder and tried to ignore the soft touch, but yet, throughout the meal it happened again and again. By the time the third course was served she knew it had been no accident. She glanced up and caught the other’s man’s gaze from across the table, his dark eyes were soft and kind, and yet she blushed and lowered her gaze again uncomfortably.

  Garrick couldn’t help but look at the girl, though he willed himself not to, yet somehow his eyes just found themselves upon her instead. He’d been jealous when his uncle seated the girl beside Lydan, and the feeling surprised him; and to his folly it only grew worse as the meal continued as he sat watching Lydan’s advances towards her. He knew what Lydan was doing, and it made him uneasy. Though the girl was a mere peasant and a widow, she didn’t deserve to be treated as such!
He watched as she sat tensely, hardly eating and it bothered him...

  “Miranda, are ye not well this night?” He shifted his gaze to his uncle as he spoke to her.

  She looked up with pleading eyes and silently shook her head. A concerned frown creased Edmund’s forehead and he motioned for one of the servants. “The lady Miranda is not well; please see her to her chambers.”

  “Aye, m’lord.” An older woman came aside her and took her thin arm. “Come, my lady, all shall be well.”

  Garrick’s eyes never left the girl’s thin frame as she stood, and it was then that he noticed that she was with child... William’s child… And it all made sense why his uncle would have her here, for indeed she carried the only heir to Whittington. He watched as the servant helped the girl up the stairs but this time with a soft frown. “How far along is she?”

  Lydan eyes lifted at the other man’s words and he glanced at his uncle curiously. “She is with child?”

  “Aye. William’s only heir and my only grandchild.” He took a sip of his wine before he continued. “She is nigh seven months now, Garrick.” He glanced towards the now empty stairway as he continued. “…The girl, though she is common born has nothing common about her. …Beauty, grace, a sweet spirit, and it has been a joy to have her in my home. I find myself looking forward to those soft sweet smiles of hers, though there has not been much for her to smile about of late.”

  “William was a lucky man to have such a beauty in his bed.”

  They both looked at Lydan’s blunt words. He flushed uncomfortably and tried to amend himself then. “…I—I only meant that—that the girl ‘tis of exceptional beauty of course.”

  Edmund cleared his throat and picked up a piece of meat with his knife and studied it before he ate it slowly. “…Indeed, she may be of common birth, Lydan, but she is now as titled as ye are. And—every bit a lady I assure ye.”

  The younger man glanced between the two men seated across from him and smiled nervously. “…Of course.”

  Edmund switched the topic then, but Garrick’s thoughts were still on the girl and the man seated across from him. He knew if Lydan was left to himself that the girl would in no wise be safe from his blatant advances. He glanced around the table and wondered about his uncle’s men also; as an uncomfortable feeling seeped into his heart though he wasn’t sure why it had bothered him at all, for indeed it was no concern of his...

  Miranda sank into William’s comfortable bed, her voice soft as she spoke, “...I knew it was no accident. I only wish that Edmund would not have insisted I dine with them!”

  “And the other man? Was he also so crude?”

  Miranda sighed and closed her eyes as she answered. “…I don’t know, he kept glancing at me… Do I not have the right to refuse to see them?!”

  Amelia sat on the edge of the bed and laid her hand over hers. “I am sure that Lord Sheridan was aware of it all and shall speak to his nephews in private about the matter. Now, m’lady, just rest and all shall be well.”

  She laid there quietly till her maid left, hugging William’s pillow, knowing that he would have protected her if he were here...

  Chapter Eleven

  The men had retired to the solar and sat reclined in high back chairs with silver goblets in their hands and smiles on their faces. The conversation was of stories long since gone and each man laughed… It was close to midnight when Lydan finally excused himself and sought his chamber; his room was on the other side of the great hall in what used to be the woman’s chambers and wondered after it. The servant informed him that the lady Miranda stayed in her husband’s chamber and that Lord Sheridan had requested that the men stay in the others. He smiled at the thought of the pretty young widow.

  Down in the solar, Edmund and Garrick continued to talk, their conversation drifting to the loss of his own wife not three years before, and then to William’s widow also… “She’s too young to be a widow, Edmund. Ye should take care with her; I noticed how thy men and even young Lord Hastings looked at the girl.”

  Edmund frowned, more than careful with his words now. “…Aye, I too have noticed it. But there is little I can do until the girl is wed. She is lovely though, so it shouldn’t be hard to find a suitor for her after she has given birth to my grandchild.”

  Garrick swirled the wine in his cup as he spoke not lifting his eyes. He didn’t agree with his uncle, but it was no concern of his. In his mind, the girl had lost her husband and should not be pressed into another marriage, but yet it was not his place to say so. “That much is true, but perhaps he girl would not agree with thy plans.”

  Edmund smiled and took a sip of his wine before he spoke, “Agree or not, it is for the best. I shall not be around forever to protect her.”

  Garrick considered his words with a frown. “Aye, ‘tis true. Indeed, it would have to be the right suitor or ye could well find thyself losing thy hold on Whittington altogether. Can any of thy men be trusted with the task?”

  Edmund looked up at his words. “My men? Aye, some I suppose; though I would never leave the girl go off alone with them no matter how trustworthy they are. I am no fool, Garrick. To some she is just a just a common lass—beautiful, but common. To others a young widow whose favor may be gained and with it land and gold, but to me… Well, I love her as if she were my own daughter. I would never let anything happen to her.” He paused with a smile, “…Garrick, what of ye, why have ye not taken a wife? It has been nigh three years since Sarah has passed on.”

  Garrick stiffened and drew a slow breath at his words. “Nigh three years and still it feels like it only happened but yesterday. Nay, I fear I cannot bring myself to even think of another woman but Sarah…”

  “And thy holding and title?”

  “All shall go to my sister’s son; I have already decided to name him as my heir. It was not a decision lightly made, Edmund, so do not look at me so! Even when Sarah was yet alive and we had been wed for nigh ten year without a child of our own, I had little choice in my actions then, and even less choice now.”

  “But ye are still young enough to be a father, Garrick.”

  “Yet, I find no desire to wed.”

  He looked at his nephew intently. “I would offer Miranda to thee—if I knew ye cared for the girl.”

  Garrick smiled, not looking at his uncle as he lifted his cup to his lips and took a long drink then set it down again. “Nay, uncle, not that it is not a tempting thought, mind ye—for the girl would tempt any man, but I am too old for her and have no desire to find another wife, beautiful or not.”

  His uncle shrugged gently. “As ye wish, but ye would be ideal for the girl. I fear a man would want her only for her beauty and dowry alone, and not because she has found favor with him.”

  Garrick laughed and finished his cup. “It shall not be hard to find a suitor, uncle; they shall pound down thy door.”

  “Aye… that is what I fear…”

  He frowned at his uncle’s words that bothered him more than he wanted them to. But reassured himself that he had always been one to care for those in need, and all he felt was concern for the poor girl. For he had his own estate and own problems to deal with without worrying over hers also. His uncle loved the girl and would see that he did well by her and he would leave the whole thing in his hands.

  It wasn’t long after that he excused himself, yet despite himself Garrick went to bed that night thinking of the young widow with the beautiful sad eyes and the unfortunate position she was unknowingly in...

  The men were kept busy in the days that followed and Miranda purposefully kept herself busy too as she sat plying needle and thread and listening to the women around her talk. She glanced at their faces as they spoke; she felt more at ease with the servants here than any other—but Edmund himself. Even now, she wasn’t sure how she was to fit into life here or what would happen after the child was born… She hesitated, finding herself praying for their uncertain future, and in the back of her mind always wondering what William
would have wanted for them… Would his wishes have included them coming here…? She just didn’t know.

  It wasn’t until the evening that she again saw the men, and it was then that she was seated aside Lord Hastings again. She almost cringed as she felt his leg brush hers softly; wishing that the two would finish their business at Whittington and then leave! Her father-in-law seemed oblivious to it all and drew her into conversation about her day as if nothing had happened, yet through it all Lydan continued his coy advances. She answered softly glancing between the three men then lowered her gaze again. Lydan, himself never made it a point to address her at all, though he thought nothing of brushing his hand against hers as the meal ensued. She glanced up only to meet Lord Farrington’s intense gaze, his mouth drawn taunt as he stared at her. She blushed and lowered her eyes again without a word wishing more than ever that they would just leave!

  “…Uncle, may I take the lady Miranda for a walk on in the gardens, her maid may follow if ye choose it to be so.”

  Edmund looked up at his nephew’s words and smiled, Miranda did the same—but no smile graced her soft face. “Aye, a walk would do her good. Miranda, ye may go with Lord Farrington. Nigel, go with them if ye please.”

  She glanced between the two men and blushed. “…I—nay, m’lord.”

  Garrick was on his feet already expecting her rejection as he came to her side; ignoring her quiet refusal and took her arm gently, helping her to her feet, then placed her hand on his when she did not do so herself. He bowed to his uncle and strode towards the door with her reluctantly at his side. She lifted her skirt with one hand and tried to keep step with his long strides as she glanced over her shoulder at her father-in-law with pleading eyes, but he would not even look at her and she felt an angry flush redden her cheeks.