The Fancy (23 page)

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