Debra Kay Leland by From Whence Came A Stranger... Page A

and if he had any regard for thee, he would not have left.  But then perhaps ‘twas for the best for he shall not inherit Whittington.  So, best h e gets on with his own life.”
    “But if ye fail to produ ce an heir, James, then what?”
    The man only laughed.  “Oh I shall, father, Whittington is mine and mine alone.  And alas, I am only twenty-three summers and shall soon take my betrothed to the altar.  And though the girl is sweet, she is not my first choice.”
    “She was chosen to form an alliance between Greycliff and Whit tington, and ye know it well.”
    “Aye, I do; but ’tis not for love I wed the girl, nor she, I.  We shall wed when I am twenty and five; I promise ye that, and then ye shall have thy heir.”
    “Nay, James, not my heir, but thine…”  He looked at his son, not able to help the thought that swept through his head again— if only William had been his first born… if only …  He sighed and turned back towards the windows with saddened eyes once again not letting himself say the things that lingered in his mind…
     
     
    A nother trip to Chadwick?!”   Phillip frowned, not even trying to hide his concern.  “Do ye think this is wise given the way the men of the village were already angered by our first visit?!”
    “Aye, they were; but the more we go, the more they shall see we wish them no harm.  Come now, Ph illip, help me load the cart.”
    “Aye, I shall; but I am not pleased to do so…!”
    Thomas looked to th e two and merely shook his head; knowing that nothing he said would sway William’s determined mind even now.
     
    The cart loaded, the two men headed towards the neighboring village to the west.  All the while William kept talking to his uneasy friend, discussing the things that needed to be done before winter was upon them, as they traveled—mostly to try to put his friend at ease, though it did not work.  It was a slow uneventful journey that took them to the outskirts of the village again; yet despite the calm of the day, Phillip felt none of it!
     
     
    “ G ood day to ye, lass.”
    Miranda looked up at the man who now stood in her path.  She glanced towards the cobbled huts to her left; glad that they weren’t alone as she drew a long sigh.  “Good day to ye, Egan.”
    He relaxed his stance and cocked one long leg, crossing his strong arms over his barrel chest as he smiled.  Yet, even though he smiled, his face did not soften but remained hard, his long hair hanging recklessly to his shoulders.  “Would ye go for a ride with me, lass?”
    She blushed and looked down uncomfortably not wanting to anger the man after what had happened the other day. “Ye know ye are to ask my da.”
    He sighed and glanced around them in frustration.  “And ye know I have done so and yet I am turned away!”
    She felt like she was walking on thin ice with him, for once he knew why she was really in the village he would be angry all over again.  She swallowed hard as she looked away uncomfortably.  “Egan, ‘tis not right for me to stand her e and talk with ye like this.”
    He glanced around them at the few curious faces that dared to look their way; then turned back towards her with annoyance.  “No one would dare speak ill against us.  I merely want to know if ye’ll ride with me, lass.”
    “Nay, I shall not.”
    His face grew dark and he shifted again; his nostrils flared and she knew he was angry though he worked to keep his voice from rising and she could see it.  “Is there another then that has caught yur eye?”
    She stepped back and turned aside, in truth there wasn’t, but even if there was she would do well to keep it to herself.  “Ye know there is not, nor do I wish there to be—now, Good day to ye, Egan Wallace.”
    Before he could answer again, she walked away.  She knew he was staring at her, she could feel is cold dark eyes against her back; but she wouldn’t let him intimidate her and make her r un away as she had done