Enchanted Cottage (Avador Book 3, Books We Love Fantasy Romance) (15 page)

“A beautiful night, is it not?”

“Oh!” She swung around to see Malcolm headed her way, his walk sure and steady. His burgundy tunic and gold belt imbued him with an air of distinction, his face as handsome as ever. His light blond hair appeared silver in the moonlight.

He joined her by the earthberry bush.
“Sorry, I didn’t mean to frighten you.” He licked his bottom lip, a look of hesitation on his face. “I’ve wanted to know for some time. Are you happy here, Alana?”

“Oh, yes, sir
—Malcolm. Morna is a dear, eager to learn and quite well-behaved. I’ve enjoyed her company, teaching her—“

”I’m not referring to Morna, although she means much to me.”
He reached for her hand. “What about me?” He spoke quickly. “When you first came here, I told you my wife had died at Morna’s birth. A lonely life without a woman doesn’t appeal to me. It’s time I married again, and I find myself admiring you, more and more every day….”

Oh, no.
What could she say?

“Now I’m asking you, Alana.
Will you marry me?”

Chapter Sixteen

Tempted to ride to Moytura and search for Alana street by street, Colin realized the foolishness of such a plan.
He still lacked proof that she lived in Moytura, going only on the word of the villagers in Cairn, and that didn’t count for much. Day after day, he kept busy with estate business, hoping to forget her, as if he could! She was lost to him for all time. She might have married another man, a prospect that kept him awake at night, tossing and turning in his lonely bed.

Suppose
—vain hope!—that he would see her again and that she would consent to marry him. He was his own man—no question about that—yet he didn’t want to displease his father. He must consider the future of the estate. Nevertheless, he decided the best course would be to prepare his father for the eventuality that he might marry Alana, no matter how remote the possibility. And he would prepare him in a roundabout way.

“I’ve never told you about my period of recovery from my battle wound,” he said as he and his father shared an early morning breakfast.

“And to my shame, I never asked you.”
Finian Duffrey looked away for a moment. “So much has happened—Leith’s passing, Donella Furneth running off…”

“Yes, Father, I understand.
No blame to you. In any event, I suffered a sword wound on my upper arm, not realizing at first how serious it was. After being granted medical leave, I headed for home, taking a shortcut through the woods….”

“And so,” he said minutes later, “that’s how I met Alana.
She saved my arm and quite possibly my life. She … she … I came to care for her, very much.”

“Son, I’m so grateful for her care of you, and I understand how thankful you are.
If she were here now, I would thank her profusely and give her a gold coin. But gratitude is no basis for love or marriage.”

He swallowed past a lump in his throat.
“If only I could see her again….” He braced himself mentally and related the cottage’s disappearance.

“So you think magic was at work here?”

“What other explanation could there be?”

His father gave him a sly glance.
“And maybe this woman is a witch. How do you know she doesn’t practice black magic, a crime punishable by death?”

“She’s not a witch, that I know.”
He clenched his hand in his lap. “I want to see her again. I
must
see her again.”

“For what purpose?
She would be completely unsuitable as a life partner. A woman living alone in a forest!” He shook his head. “Entirely unsuitable. She surely must belong to one of the lower classes.”

“That’s what’s so puzzling about her.
Her voice and mannerisms bespoke that of a lady.”

His father heaved an audible sigh but remained quiet and turned away.

Colin agonized about telling his father about Alana’s marred face on the very slim chance that he would see her again, for if he did, he would not let her slip away from him.
“One more thing I wanted to say about her—“

”Have done with it, Colin!
No more talk about a strange woman living alone in a cottage that later disappears! Some time, we must discuss a suitable wife for you, but now is apparently not a good time. But remember, we can’t postpone your marriage much longer. I want to pass on to the Otherworld with the knowledge that our estate will stay in the family and that it’s your son who will inherit after you. And that reminds me of something else that has been on my mind. As my sole surviving son, there should be no question that you will inherit the estate. But Queen Keriam wants everything settled in a legal manner, so that no one will ever contest your claim. This will necessitate two journeys to Moytura—“

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!”