Authors: Mercedes Keyes,Lawrence James
that I need –
fil ing in holes I had no clue existed. Aye, she is more
than special.”
“Her name?”
“Sarah, Sarah Abigail Caine…”
“Cal the lass to us then, why do you stal ?”
Just then Sarah walked in with a tray and tea
for Evan, made the way Quinton liked it, laced with
just enough brandy, setting the tray down, she
passed a cup first to Quinton and then to his brother.
“This should take the chil from you, warm you
within.” She spoke to him, smiling. Evan looked up
into her eyes, not sure what it was about her that
caught his attention and then it hit him, she spoke as
if educated. He watched her turn back to his brother,
Quinton, “Al are in except for those seeing to the
horses, as wel the goods they have fetched at your
orders. If there is nothing more, I should further see
to them.”
to them.”
Quinton stood, taking her into his arms, “There
is one thing, I would introduce you to my brother,”
They both turned facing Evan.
Evan stared up at his brother, whose arm was
around the shoulders of the serving girl, unsure of
what was about to happen; whatever was taking
place before him, he must have a clue because his
heart began missing a beat as heat stole over him.
“Evan, have you no manners? Stand…”
Quinton instructed him first.
Evan cleared his throat, stammered a bit, set
his cup of tea down and leapt to his feet, eyes wide
staring in amazement at the dark beauty before him.
“That’s better; Lady Caine, my brother, Evan
Leonard Caine – Evan – my wife, Sarah Abigail
Caine, Countess of WhistHirst.”
Sarah could remember seeing no one go so
red, so quickly; she gave her slight smile, nodded
her head as she had been taught, and with her heart
about to stop, feeling her face burn just as heatedly,
she offered her hand.
“How very nice to final y meet you.”
Evan had enough sense to recover quickly and
take her hand, leaning down he brushed her
knuckles with his lips and rose, “The pleasure – is al
– mine.” He grinned.
It took everything he had within not to break into
uncontrol able laughter; as it was, his eyes twinkled,
dancing from her to his brother’s. “Bye Jove, you’ve
done it this time ol’cock!” He turned back to Sarah,
smiled, kissed her hand the second time, and
released her, standing back with a hopeless smirk
on his face, tears gathered in his eyes from fighting
not to give in to his laughter.
Sarah supposed his laughter was better than
outright rejection; she turned back to Quinton, “I real y
must go, see to them.”
He kissed her brow, “Yes, I know – go on, we
wil join you shortly so that I may extend the
introductions to them.”
She gave Evan one last glance, smiled, and
nodded and was gone as fast as she appeared.
The brothers stood staring into each other’s
eyes and then one erupted, Evan – sputtering in his
mirth, “I knew thee hated’im, but never that much!”
“Don’t be absurd, watch your tongue! I wil not
have her think my marrying her was for any reason
other than that any man would make in choosing his
wife! I love her! This is no game, no joke, nor act of
revenge! Think you I would marry and be stuck with
someone for the rest of my life, if it were not that I’d
given my heart!?”
Evan stopped laughing.
“Thas lost thee mind!”
“No, idiot, I’ve lost my heart – to her.”
“Aye, she’s a bonny lass, I can see you know,
but you needn’t’ve married her.”
“Lady Sarah Abigail Caine, Countess of
WhistHirst – is my wife! You wil treat her no different
than you would have had she been as pale as milk. If
you find that you cannot, at our return to England and
my
estates, you can gather what you have grown a
liking for and depart - immediately. That invitation wil
be open to any and al that wish it.” Quinton turned on
his heels and made his way to the kitchen, to his
wife’s side.
When he first sent the missive, his thoughts had
been on remaining where they were to make their
home, however, after his experience within the town
hal that forced him into doing something he found
completely soul-destroying, his plans had changed.
The surer he was of his love for her, the more
absolute that decision became.
Now, they had three wagons loaded down with
Now, they had three wagons loaded down with
furnishings that were no longer any good to them
since they weren’t staying. He would have to inform
the servants of that as wel .
When he entered the kitchen, it was to be
greeted by familiar faces, two women, middle aged,
a seamstress, a cook, and a young girl who was to
attend to Sarah’s needs, whatever they might be.
Three male servants; each had driven a team of the
wagons. They’d been specifical y cal ed upon to
attend because Quinton knew them personal y and
trusted them; also, always needed, two younger
males, as gofers and stable boys. Sarah had cal ed
them al into the kitchen, thankful y it was big enough
to accommodate the group to sit or stand without
being right on top of each other. They were sipping
tea, warming up while she served them al bowls of
steaming rabbit stew – fil ed with wild herbs; roots;
mushrooms and plenty of meat; a fresh pot that had
only been going since the night before, it was now
ready to eat, delicious to smel and even better once
consumed. She had not explained anything other
than to direct them on coming in to take in
refreshments; she would leave the rest to her
husband.
Upon going out to them, she introduced herself
with a smile saying, “Greetings to al , please - you
may cal me Sarah. Come in, warm yourselves; we
have tea and stew to offer, leave al of that for now.”
At doing so, one thing she was glad to see, was that
neither of them had looked at her oddly – they merely
nodded and fol owed her inside, too tired, cold and
hungry for murmuring or turning down her hospitality.
So it was to that scene that Quinton entered the
kitchen, with his brother Evan – much sobered, in his
wake. The men and women were at the table, three
to a side upon the long benches, devouring the
delicious stew.
The two young males stood at the counter
doing the same. There was a large loaf of bread in
the middle of the table for those seated to share, and
half a loaf between the two lads at the counter. The
stew was so good, the meat so tender, a couple of
the men could not resist groaning in pleasure from
each mouthful they scooped and savored.
Sarah went immediately about getting a bowl
out for his brother Evan, fil ing it and placing it at the
table end before a seat with the others. She looked
at him and smiled, nodding towards the steaming
bowl.
With nothing more to say, already accepting
things as they’d been presented to him, Evan made
his way around his brother towards the vacant seat,
and returned her smile speaking up, “Thank you
Milady.” His addressing her with gratitude did not fal
on deaf ears.
Each of them looked up at her, a bit surprised
and then turned to give Quinton their attention, as he
was speaking. “If you wil al excuse me as I must
interrupt your meal to begin first by saying it is quite
a joy to see that you have al arrived and in one
piece, fol owing the instructions given. Now that you
are here, I’m afraid there wil be a change in plans,
before that is addressed, introductions are in order.”
His eyes went to Sarah; lifting his arm, he extended
his hand to her. She did not hesitate in going to him
as he pul ed her into his side, making sure she faced
al in attendance.
Looking to each of them, he stated, “My wife,
Lady Caine, Countess of WhistHirst. As you al
know, I swore never to marry and now, I can assure
you, there was good reason for me doing so. Stand
please and introduce yourselves.” He bade them.
The ladies did so first, starting with the
youngest who would be attending Sarah personal y.
The young girl smiled with bright eyes, she stood,
nodded and began.
“I’em Aislin, Milady, an ever s’glad t’meet yah.”
And took her seat for the cook to stand, “Milady, I’s a
pleasure, I’l be needin’ th’stew recipes, tis certain –
I’were good I’was-…”
“Aiy! T’be sure!” The men nodded in
agreement cutting her off.
“Thank you, and your name?” Sarah asked
softly and demurely.
“I’s Col een, Milady – jus’ Col een.” She added
quickly, taking her seat.
“I wil share mine, if you wil share yours and
most certainly, my Lord’s favorites.”
“Aiy, that I wil ! T’b’sure!” She smiled agreeing.
Sarah looked to the next that stood, “Orla,
Milady – I’ve gowns t’complete for’ya, pretty as ever,
colors so lovely for your skin, twil be a d’light – al
who see’ya wil ’be green wit’envy – I’l see t’that!”
She winked and grinned.
Surprise, joy and elation fil ed Sarah so that her
Surprise, joy and elation fil ed Sarah so that her
smile was bright and beautiful, she couldn’t help but
turn her smile on Quinton. Nothing brought him
greater joy than to see her happy; unable to resist,
because it was not done while standing in the
presence of the servants, he leaned over and kissed
her brow, “So there was no need to fear.” He
reminded her.
She turned back because one of the men
stood, “I’s me turn, an’ I’m Owen – Milady, it wil be
my pleasure t’serve’ya!”
“Aye, an’ mine as wel , I’m Hayden! I know
Milord since ‘e wa’ this high! We miss’im w’have.”
Al spoke at once agreeing, getting warm, their
bel ies were ful and from what they could see, things
looked already as if final y, a change for the better
had come.
The next man that stood, introduced himself as
Vonn, and the two young men, Aatu and Kaci. After
introductions were done, one of the young lads
asked, “Milady, more stew please?”
“Most certainly you may,” She went to serve
him more, when Col een stood, “Milady, yer deeds
be done, I’s m’job to be servin’. Seem t’me, b’time
fer ‘er’fittin’.” She stepped in the way of Sarah going
to the pot, and looking at Orla, “Let’us get started
then.”
Sarah stopped, once more surprised and sure
enough, found herself taken away to her room, which
became her fitting room, while the men occupied
themselves with bringing in trunk after trunk fil ed with
al the things needed to fit her with new gowns;
nothing had been spared in form of fabrics. Wools,
Linens, Brocade woven silks and cottons; patterns
were
made
from
her
measurements
and
transformed into chemises, underskirts, bloomers,
day dresses, dinner dresses, riding dresses and
gowns – each one, with matching stockings, shoes,
gloves, shawls, capes and scarves.
One gown that had been started earlier was
being finished to fit her, while the young Aislin
coaxed her to sit, so that she could do her hair.
Sarah was not comfortable with trusting her – and
wanting so badly to please her, the girl burst into
tears, promising to do a good job. Afraid that she
would regret it, Sarah sat and let the girl unbraid her
hair. After taking al of the braids out, al of the
women could see why she was so hesitant to let the
young girl; Quinton stepped into her door to see,
after al – they’d kicked up such a fuss, his curiosity
had won.
His wife had more hair than he’d ever seen on
any human’s head – he couldn’t imagine how her
head could even hold so much hair. Because of her
Native Indian mother, and her African father, the
blend not only gave her hair down past her hips, but
also a coarseness that made it stand away from her
head in the most startling cloud of dark waves.
Orla was so startled by the amount of hair, she
crossed herself in prayer. The young girl, Aislin,
sighed deeply, rol ed up her sleeves and dived right
in, up for the chal enge.
Quinton backed out with his heart pounding