Tears pricked Fiona’s eyes, but she managed to keep her emotions at bay, realizing she was unfamiliar with children her age having fathers. “‘Tis all right my darling. He’s her papa.”
“Papa?”
Fiona nodded. “Aye, she has a papa and you have a mama.” She pointed to herself and then pulled her daughter into a hug.
When she released her, Clare continued to watch the man carefully before relaxing again and smiling. “I go dance, too.”
Fiona smiled and let out a light chuckle. “All right. Have fun.” She watched Clare run back to the group of children before turning to Aunt Edna. “This part of the village is different from the rest. The people dress different, too and wear shells in their hair. Why is that?”
The older woman gazed at the people in front of them with a far off look in her eyes. “They are refugees from the city of Aoife mostly…and some surrounding seaside villages. When King Malcolm attacked Órlaith, they fled the burning city. Leland found them trying to survive in the mountains and led them here. Kiely has become a refuge for anyone who needs it. Leland has made certain no one is turned away.”
“Now I understand why the people here love him so much.”
The widow nodded as a smile curved on her lips. “Aye, so much they wish him to be their king.”
Fiona stared at her with wide eyes. “Does Leland know this?”
“Oh, I’m certain he does. ‘Tis no secret around the village. His mother’s side of the family had an ancient royal bloodline. The council has convened to discuss that very matter today.”
Leland left the council meeting more confused than ever. Almost all of the nobles in attendance supported him taking the throne. It was a great honor, yet guilt hung on him like heavy prison chains. The company of men he sent to search for Tristan had yet to return. Could he live with himself if he betrayed his cousin?
He exited the castle into the courtyard when Lady Sibeal appeared by one of the fountains. “Would you care to take a stroll with me, Milord?”
Leland released a weary sigh. In truth all he wanted was to return to his cozy cottage on the mountain and have some time to think. However, the pleading look in her emerald eyes convinced him to agree. “Aye, Milady. I can take a short stroll, but I must arrive home before dark.”
“It will not take long. You have my word,” she said while taking his preferred arm. Then he escorted her around the gardens while they talked. “How did the meeting go?”
“As well as can be expected, I suppose,” he answered, not wanting to go into specifics. “The people are ready for a new king. The only question is who is most qualified to lead this kingdom into the future.”
She craned her elegant neck to look up at him. “I can only think of two men who would be worthy of such a position. The first would be my father…but barring a miracle, that will never happen. According to his physician, he does not have much time left.”
Leland frowned, hearing the sorrow in her voice and led her to a bench on the terrace overlooking the mountains. “I’m sorry to hear of your father’s declining health. He is one of the most honorable men I know. My friend, Niall is a physician. It might not hurt to have a second opinion.”
She nodded and gazed at the beautiful view before them. “Thank you, I will tell my mother.”
“I wish there was something more I could do.”
She remained silent for a moment, pausing to wipe a stray tear from her cheek. “There is something.”
“What?”
She turned to look at him again, eyes glassy from the tears welling up in them. “He longs for nothing more than to see his daughter happy and settled before he leaves this world.”
Leland’s palms grew sweaty as she talked. “And how can I help with that?”
“Besides my father, you are the only man who would be worthy to take the throne. I am the Countess of Aoife and you are the Earl of Kiely. You have to admit the arrangement makes sense.”
Leland’s mouth hung open in surprise, not believing what he was hearing. He had never met a lady who was bold enough to propose to a man. “I don’t know what to say.”
“You don’t have to say a word,” she whispered and before Leland had a chance to protest, she had wrapped her arms around his neck and pulled him into a passionate kiss.
After coming to his senses, he pulled back and gently gripped her shoulders to keep some distance between them. “I apologize, Milady. You are lovely, beautiful and refined—the portrait of what a queen should be. You deserve better than me.”
Her lips trembled in the lowering sun. “There is no one better than you, Leland.”
“‘Tis not true. There is someone out there who will be able to offer you the love and devotion you deserve. I’m afraid friendship is all I can offer you.”
She shook her head, eyes pleading with him to reconsider. “You may not love me now, but you could grow to in time. Please give me a chance. We could rule Órlaith together and make her stronger than she ever was before.”
He paused and studied her face for a moment. “And what if I choose not to be a king. What if I choose to be just Leland—a lowly earl with simple ways and little means to provide you with the lavish lifestyle of which you are accustomed to? Could you see yourself happy in a meager cottage, living off the land?”
Her brow furrowed. “You do not wish to be king?”
Leland gave her a sad smile and kissed her forehead, despising himself for breaking her heart. “I am uncertain what I wish for, Lady Sibeal, but I can only be true to my heart. Even becoming a king will not change that.”
Lady Sibeal wrenched away from him with a choked sob before dashing toward the hedges and disappearing around a bend in the garden path. His heart ached watching her leave shattered and hurt by his rejection, but he knew it was all for the best. His heart belonged to someone else.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Declarations
By the time Leland returned to the village, the sun had almost dipped below the horizon. Most of the villagers had gone into their homes with full bellies and joyous hearts. It was a good day for Fiona—one of the best she’d had in a long time—however she felt weary and ready to return to the cottage. Clare slept in her arms and Leland seemed worn out as well, hardly talking on the way back.
When they reached the cottage the last remnants of daylight had faded from the sky. Leland helped everyone down and then held onto Fiona’s hand. “After you finish putting Clare to bed, would you have time to talk?”
Aunt Edna reached for the sleeping child in her arms. “I’ll take care of this little lamb. I wager you two have much to discuss. Fiona gave her a questioning glance, but the older woman ignored it and carried Clare away with a grin.
When they were alone, Leland spent a few minutes building a fire. Then he sat next to her on a bench carved from a log, warming his hands. “‘Tis cooler this evening. I believe the seasons are on the verge of changing.”
“Aye,” Fiona agreed, pulling her shawl tighter around her shoulders. “I’ll venture the autumns in Kiely are equally as lovely as the summers?”
“Oh, yes. Even more so. ‘Tis my favorite season to behold in the mountains.”
Fiona grinned. “Clare adores the autumn as well.”
“Although at such high elevations it doesn’t remain for long. Winter catches us unawares sometimes. There is no shelter to keep the savage wind at bay.”
She released a light chuckle. “I’m quite used the unforgiving winters in Brannagh. The icy wind from the eastern sea can cut right through you like a knife.”
“I remember. My company spent one winter on the northeastern coast, searching for Tristan. I’d never experienced such bitter cold and it all turned out to be for naught. Little did I know, we should have been searching in the west.” He hung his head in despair.
Fiona placed her hand over his, longing to comfort him. “You did all you could, Leland. Tristan is blessed to have such a devoted cousin who refuses to give up hope.”
; He stared at the flames, allowing her hand to remain resting on his. “I might have to give up soon, or risk defying the council. They are impatient and want a new ruler chosen within the month.”
She sighed, remembering what Aunt Edna had told her earlier. “And they wish you to be king?”
He turned to look at her, his expression troubled in the moonlight. “I assumed you would learn of this eventually. I apologize I did not tell you myself. I grew up knowing of my mother’s ancient Kielyan royal bloodline, but there were so many nobles of higher station, I never believed this responsibility would fall to me.”
She stared at him, puzzled. “You said, Kielyan royal bloodline? ‘Tis something I have never heard of before.”
“Aye, being from the north, you may not know of the history between Kiely and Órlaith. They were not always joined as one kingdom. Long ago most of the mountainous region to the west belonged to Kiely while Órlaith owned the lowlands by the sea. They were constantly at odds over resources.”
She sat up straighter, intrigued by his story. “How did they become one kingdom?”
“The Órlaithan Prince fell in love with one of the Princesses of Kiely—my ancestor from five generations back. Both families were opposed to the match at first, but in the end a marriage alliance was forged and when the elder generation had passed on, the king and queen decided to merge their kingdoms together. Kiely has been joined as part of Órlaith ever since, gaining the resources it needed from the larger kingdom, but in exchange for losing her power.”
“So, if the kingdoms never joined, you would have been the heir to the Kielyan throne?”
“Aye, ‘tis what I am told.” He rested his head in his hands. “I never sought out nor hoped for this kind of power. I find myself asking God why this burden has come to me.”
“You are humble, Leland. Perhaps that is why God is entrusting this position to you. He knows you would use the power for good.”
He looked up and met her gaze, eyes twinkling in the starlight. “You have such faith in me, Fiona. What have I done to deserve it?”
She smiled and took his hand in hers. “I have faith in God—for what I’ve seen Him do through you. When I went into labor with Clare in Dóchas Forest I was so frightened, but the moment you arrived and I heard your voice and prayers for us, I knew everything would be all right somehow.”
“I was scared, too, but I knew God had brought all three of us together for a reason.”
She looked down and traced lines in the ashes with a stick. “If you were nervous you didn’t show it.”
“Did Queen Airell ever tell you I paced outside your tent all night once we reached the village? I couldn’t rest until knowing you and Clare were going to be all right.”
Fiona gave him a shy smile. “Aye, she may have mentioned something to that effect. You have a good heart, Leland. I do not believe my daughter and I would have made it without your aid.”
He looked away from her, seeming to wrestle with himself over something. When he finally looked back, he gently took her hand in his and kissed it. “I thought of you both often after I left Solas. I wondered about Clare and hoped she was growing up healthy and strong.”
Fiona nodded, but her smile faded. “Clare is blessed to have you in her life. In the absence of a father, I am thankful she has someone like you to look up to. It means the world to both of us. I do hope after the danger has passed, you will visit Clare in Brannagh often. She has become quite fond of you.”
She started to turn away to hide a tear dripping down her cheek, but he lifted her chin, forcing her to look at him. “Do you really believe I would only come to visit Clare?”
She gazed back at him, no longer able to hold back the emotion trembling in her voice. “I-I know you care for me, too…as a dear friend, of course.”
He wiped a tear glistening on her cheek with his thumb and left his hand resting there. “Only a friend?”
“I would never dare to hope for more—not from any man—not with all the burdens I carry.”
He caressed her cheek with his fingers. “I see no burdens, Fiona. I only see you—the woman I have loved from afar for what seems like ages.”
Before she could respond, Leland pulled her into his embrace, his tender kisses, chasing all doubts about his affections far away. As his fingers weaved through her hair, she let out a contented sigh, allowing him to hold her closer. She never knew a man could be so tender and kind, yet so passionate. It was as if he’d been patiently waiting two years for her heart to heal and trust again so they could share this special moment. Now that the moment had arrived, she never wanted it to end.
Leland woke up the next morning smiling, hearing the sounds of songbirds and the rushing stream in the distance. Instead of venturing home in the darkness the night before, he had pitched a small tent near the widow’s cottage. He couldn’t be certain when sleep finally claimed him. Leland had been up recalling every moment of his first kiss with Fiona. In truth, he hadn’t invited her to talk with the intention of kissing her, but his emotions took over.
She had been quiet after the kiss and retired shortly after, not giving them a chance to discuss what had happened between them. However, now after having the night to let the implications of the kiss marinate, he knew exactly what he needed to tell her. He only hoped his actions hadn’t scared her away.
He climbed out of the tent and stretched his sore muscles from sleeping on the ground. Then Leland went to work rolling up his tent.
He had almost finished when Aunt Edna emerged from the cottage with a grin on her face. “Don’t you dare try running away to your cottage yet, young man. I already have breakfast prepared.”
He smiled at her. “You do spoil me, Aunt Edna.”
When Leland entered, Clare ran into his arms with a squeal of delight. “Papa Lee Lay!”
He looked up, meeting Fiona’s surprised gaze. “I apologize, Leland. She must have picked that up yesterday while playing with the children in the village.”
He grinned and lifted Clare into his arms. “‘Tis quite all right. I don’t mind.”
During the morning meal, Leland couldn’t help stealing glances at Fiona across the table. When she caught him in the act, her cheeks blushed to a lovely shade of pink, enhancing her beauty even more. When they were done eating, he couldn’t resist asking her to take a walk with him to see his cottage. Aunt Edna agreed to watch Clare without skipping a beat.
Walking beside the stream, with Fiona holding his preferred arm, he felt like the richest man in all of Ardena. After so many years of believing he would be a lonely bachelor forever, now he dared to dream what life would be like with a wife and child to keep him company.
When they reached his cottage, he watched Fiona walk into the quaint structure, studying it with curious hazel eyes. It was smaller than Aunt Edna’s, but had a loft, which he used for storage.
He leaned against the hearth under the mantle and smiled as she ran her fingers over a solid oak armchair and eyed a colorful wall hanging, glad she overlooked a few scattered pails to catch remaining leaks in the roof. “I am still making repairs, but soon it will be like it once was. My father built this cottage with his own two hands.”
“‘Tis lovely,” she said while crossing to a shelf nearby filled with small wooden carvings in the shapes of horses, wolves and various other animals. “Did you make these?”
Leland nodded with a smile. “Some. My father carved most of them though. He also made the armchair and the mantle above the hearth.”
“He was a very talented carpenter. His work is beautiful.”
He gave a slight nod, remembering his kind and humble father. “Thank you. He would have been pleased to hear someone appreciated his work. He taught me all there is to know about working with my hands. I am thankful he was around during my childhood. ‘Tis a shame Isla never had a chance to meet him. He passed away from an illness a few months before her birth.”
She crossed the room and put her hand on his arm
. “I’m sorry. At least she has you to tell her about him, right?”
He allowed his eyes to travel over the figurines again. “Aye, that she has. Most of the carvings were toys he made for me when I was an infant and for my sister before she was born.”
“‘Tis wonderful you have such keepsakes to remember him by.”
He nodded and managed a smile while motioning the direction of the hallway. “Would you care to see the rest of the cottage?” After she agreed, he showed her the loft and two bedrooms. “After my father’s death, my mother and Isla used to share the larger bedroom and I have always stayed in the smaller one. Even now with my mother passed and my sister away in Daireann, I still cannot move into the larger room. All my mother’s possessions are still in there, untouched from the day she left with my sister for Aoife shortly before the war. She never returned.”
“I’m sorry, Leland. I know you must miss her very much.”
“I do. I shall never forget her. She was very attentive of Isla and I during childhood and managed it all with such dignity and grace. You remind me of her sometimes—in your interactions with Clare.” Fiona gave a slight nod of thanks at the compliment, but neglected to look at him. Had their special moment the night before caused her to pull away?
Soon they made their way outside again and Fiona admired the flowers along the edge of the house. He stood in front of her and took both her hands in his. “Fiona, I must ask your apology for my actions yesterday.”
She looked up at him, but her eyes were not fearful or sad like he expected. Instead they were filled with confusion. “Apologize for what?”
“I rushed in to kiss you, knowing your fear of men—knowing you may not be ready for that kind of closeness after all you’ve endured. You trusted me as your protector, yet I betrayed that trust. I do hope this will not damage our friendship.”
Fiona gave him a bright smile—a sight that took his breath away. “I regret nothing about the kiss we shared last night. After enduring Cadman’s cruelty, I vowed to never trust men again. I was so fearful—even of my own family members. Then you rescued me in the forest and cause me to question everything.” She reached up in a timid manner and placed her hand over his pounding heart. “I never knew a man could be so gentle, humble and kind. Somehow I believe you would never hurt me as Cadman did.”
Lady Fiona's Refuge (Ladies of Ardena Book 3) Page 10
