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

before.
    She knew Egan better than he thought she did, and knew that he fancied to meet a young widow from the village now and again; and it did nothing to sway her thoughts towards him in the least.  Despite his sincere determination to gain her favor, there was nothing he could ever do to change the type of man he was or to change her mind.  And in the end, that was what turned her from him the most.
     
    No sooner had she reached the edge of the village, when she saw the Englishman driving his cart slowly down the narrow road just ahead.  She stopped and glanced behind her, but to her relief Egan had gone; although she knew that soon enough word would reach him that the English was here and he would be more than angry.  She turned again and slowly lifted a shy hand in welcome; feeling a warm blush spread across her soft cheeks as she did so.
    William nudged his friend with his elbow discreetly as they neared.  “Ah see, the girl has come to meet us again.   All shall be well, Phillip.”
    His friend glanced at him and scowled, then turned back towards the girl who stood there waiting for them hesitantly; knowing they were to put their very lives into the hands of a mere lass and it did not set well with him.
    William couldn’t help but smile at the beautiful young girl who stood waiting as he pulled his horse to a stop and looked down at her gently.  “Good day, lass.”
    “Aye, and to ye.  My da sent me to wait and see if ye would come this morning.”
    Without another word she glanced over her shoulder nervously, realizing that the other villagers had also noticed that he was there and had begun to murmur.  No doubt Egan would soon find out also.  She turned back and motioned for them to follow not wanting to waste a second.  “’Tis best if we go now, Egan is sure to hear of yur visit.”
    She had no sooner spoken, when Egan saw the cart—and the girl—and his face grew dark and angry as he strode towards them with intent, blocking their way and making her take a halted step back.
    “For God sake, lass, what are ye doing!  Do ye really intend to go off alone with the likes of these again?!”
    She flushed slightly at his tone, and tried very hard to hold her ground.  “I have my knife, and I know how to use it i f they but give me reason to!”
    He sneered down at her with his hand on his hips and his cold eyes never blinking as he spoke.  “Ye are a child!  And a fool!”
    “Ye shall not bring trouble on these men today, Egan!  And ye shall not tell me what I can or cannot do!”
    He paused looking down at the stubborn tilt of her chin before he continued with narrowed eyes, “If ye intend to do such a stupid thing, then go!  But—ye shall not go alone!  Does yur da know that they have come this day also?!”
    “He does.”
    He threw the two men in the cart an icy glare then dropped his gaze back on the girl once more, careful not to anger her to the point she would not speak to him again.  He drew a long breath, then purposefully tried to soften his angry look as he continued to frown down at her—if only she was already his, then things here would have been much different this day!  He stood there a long quiet moment and merely shook his head, never taking his cold dark eyes from her.  “And he leaves his only daughter to lead English dogs to his house.  If ye were mine, lass, I would not let ye out of my sight.  And—I would nigh run a man through with my sword for even looking at ye!”
    She dropped her eyes and turned then, walking past him stiffly; not knowing how much further she dared push him this day.  “Follow if ye must, Egan, but take care what ye say!  For I am not promised to any man, and owe ye not a care!”
    He threw William a dark look; then strode after the girl walking a few paces behind her, his low angry voice carrying farther than he intended it to.  “Yur da is a fool for not pressing ye to marry!  Good God, lass, what do I have to do to get ye see