In Rapture (Destined) (14 page)

“I
could not keep her inside on such a beautiful day.” Her blond head barely
turned to look at Malinda.

“You
are very good with her, Desiree.”

Desiree
turned to her with a warm glow on her face. “Thank you, my lady. She’s such a
wonderful child.”

“I
think so, too. I know her life has not been easy.”

The
maid turned away cautiously and looked back as if there were more to say. “Perhaps
not.”

“Desiree,
you may speak freely. Trust me when I say I do not scare easily.”

“Have
you seen her, then?” Fear marred her young face.

“Yes,
Desiree. I have seen Maria and I am not afraid of her.”

“But
she’s a—”

“Ghost?
I’m aware. And I assure you, I’ll do everything within my power to help her
pass on. Does Lord Timberlin know about his departed wife, Desiree?”

“Why
do you ask, my lady?” She looked away from Malinda as if she were trying
desperately to avoid talking of Lord Timberlin.

“Because
I know that Lord Timberlin has been away for the better part of the past few
years. I could see the guilt in his eyes when he looked at how much Sophia had
grown in his absence. I am very good at reading people, Desiree. What I don’t
know is why he would choose to be away from her, and what exactly happened to
Maria Timberlin.”

“That
is a something I cannot answer, my lady. I am not at liberty to discuss the
former Lady Timberlin. Lord Timberlin forbids it.”

“I
see. No worries, my dear. I will find out soon enough from Lord Timberlin
himself. I won’t rest until I do.” And it was true. She would do whatever she
could to get the truth from her dear husband. It was a secret that burned dark
holes into any kind of happiness that struggled to lighten the space between
the walls of Wickford Manor. She had felt the impending doom lash out at her
before she had even stepped forth onto Wickford grounds. She had known that she
was walking into a veritable nightmare that night, but she had never run from a
challenge and she would not start now.

Both
of the women turned to the sound of high-pitched shrieks, not because Sophia’s
cries were that of a frightened child, but because they had formed into
something that both of them could make out as a word. “Mule!” The toddler was
squirming underneath the large beast as he gave her face a tongue bath. Giggles
erupted in the silence around them and every once in a while the dog’s name
would leap past her lips.

“Did
you hear that?” Desiree looked at Malinda in wonder. “She has never said a peep
up until now. I just can’t believe it.”

“Believe
it, my dear. The world works in mysterious ways.” Malinda stood swiftly and ran
over to where the girl was trapped under Mule’s overly affectionate display. “Mule,
up!” The dog rose obediently and came to her side. Malinda held out her arms,
an open invitation for Sophia to run into them. Malinda wrapped her arms around
her and hoisted her up in the air. She put her nose to the little girl’s hair
and breathed in her innocence. She planted kisses on Sophia’s face and hugged
her again. “I love you, Sophia! Such a smart girl.”

“Mama.”
Sophia’s arms clung around Malinda’s neck and she melted into a puddle in the
little girl’s arms. Malinda turned to Desiree and was not surprised to find
tears in the maid’s eyes. Soon both of the women felt silly for the tears running
down their faces.

“It’s
a miracle, my lady.”

“Yes,
it surely is.” They all walked back to the manor with Sophia hanging onto each
of their hands. Malinda and Desiree took turns pointing out plants, trees, and
birds and were amazed at how much the child chattered after them. It was a ray
of light in the darkness that had surrounded Wickford, and Malinda would do
whatever she could to make sure it chased all the clouds away.

Chapter 19

The
days passed quickly. Many moments were saturated with images that charred the
back of her mind. Passionate nights, mornings, and sometimes afternoons with
her husband mingled into separateness from her sweetly innocent days with
Sophia, as she helped the little girl learn more about the world around them.
New memories contrasted deeply against the ones she had previously held close
to her heart.

Today
Grant was taking Malinda and Sophia for a ride in the tiny buggy. Sophia
snuggled close to Malinda as they traveled the length of Wickford, and Malinda
was very surprised to learn that the long stretch of land surrounding Wickford
went much further than she and Sophia had been able to explore. She was amazed
at the rows of dirt that had been tilled in the massive fields to the east.
Long wooden fences separated the fields from the small dirt path that the small
cart traveled upon.

Much
farther from the manor was an entire community of people, much like Tinley
Faire, but Tinley paled in comparison. Wickford was much more than a manor. It
was a veritable town, and its people were thriving. Malinda found that the
people worked the land rent-free, something Malinda felt was unheard of,
something that reflected her husband’s true depth of character. Grant cared
deeply about his people and their mutual respect and admiration was clear. He
knew every person by name, knew the age of every child. It seemed strange that
he could know so much of his people, yet so little of his own child. Malinda
would continue to promote change in this area, for surely someone so caring
could spend the same effort on his own daughter.

As
Grant introduced his wife to the people that gathered around the wagon Malinda
blushed under the scrutiny of each and every gaze. She suddenly felt like a
hundred ants were climbing up her back as their eyes pierced through her. She
had smiled politely to the crowd and thanked them for their warm welcome. All
the while they attempted to pretend that they were not so ill at ease in her
presence. It was almost as if they had sized her up and found her lacking for a
moment.

“It
is my pleasure to be able to serve you all. I am truly honored to meet you all.
This is my daughter, Sophia.” When she offered an introduction to the young
mistress, introducing her as her daughter, quite a few eyes had suddenly
changed before her. It was like the calm after a storm. Her heart was full, for
she saw that the little girl next to her smiled timidly, but kept her chin up
just as Malinda had taught her. Malinda could not have been more proud at the
courage the little girl displayed during a situation that was completely
foreign to her.

Malinda
took the hand that Grant offered her, and the smile on his face took her breath
away. Clearly this outing was much more of a test than she had first thought it
to be. After she stepped down she kissed him softly on the cheek and blushed at
the loud cheer that rang around them.

Malinda
ushered Sophia off to play with some of the children as she did her rounds
among the people, learning names and faces. If Grant treasured his people then
she was sure he would expect her to find a common bond with them as well. Grant
disappeared from her side, as she expected him to do. She assumed there were
pressing matters that he needed to deal with while she visited with the women
of Wickford. She spent the better part of her day learning about the daily
running of Wickford. Their main commerce was the wheat and barley that grew in
the fields, for Wickford was well known for its fertile soil. The town had
several cellars where they stored goods from the heat of the summer suns and
the wild winter winds. All of the people shared the load and it was easy to see
they were a close-knit community.

When
Grant returned Malinda’s head was starting to hurt, and it felt like her brain
was on overload. She had not slept very well in the past few days and it was
starting to show. It was time to return to the manor and Malinda waved a fond
farewell to the women that had shared their day with her. As the buggy took off
Sophia’s little eyes fluttered as she drifted off to sleep next to Malinda.
They rode in an easy silence and arrived at the manor just as dinner was being
served.

When
they returned to Wickford Grant had informed her that they would be traveling
to Tir Marquette in the morning. He kept their lovemaking simple that night as
he wanted them both to have enough energy for the next day. Truth be told,
Grant had gathered her in his arms to hold her as she drifted off to sleep, but
she could not stand being near him without feeling every inch of his body. He
succumbed easily to her touch and they were both quickly lost in the moment.

When
the morning sun first splintered the darkness Malinda was not surprised to find
that Grant had already risen. She quickly attended to her own morning rituals
and put on her best traveling dress, the same lilac dress she had worn when she
arrived at the steps of Wickford Manor. She carefully twisted her black hair
into a neat bun at the nape of her neck and pursed her lips in deep
contemplation. Today they were heading to Tir Marquette, the grand illustrious
city where commerce reigned supreme. She had never dreamed of entering the
beautiful city before she had become Grant’s wife, so it was still very much
like a fairytale that had come true.

Malinda
was seated next to Grant in a carriage with Desiree and Sophia seated on the
opposite side. Malinda smiled sadly as she remembered the whimpering mastiff that
they had left back home. Mule would miss them dreadfully, but he would be more
comfortable at home then he would being stuck inside a room at the inn.

It
took the better part of the morning to reach Tir Marquette and they had filled
their day taking in the scenery and answering curious questions from Sophia.
Malinda’s breath caught in her chest when she first saw the large buildings
looming on the horizon. There were so many, and all of them were different
shapes and sizes. They traveled over the bridge that led into the city in
moments. Malinda saw the wonder in Sophia’s face as she experienced the town
for the first time too. Suddenly she felt a kindred spirit with the child, for
this was a grand adventure for both of them.

The
buildings on the outskirts of the town were domiciles. There were children
playing in the streets, women walking petite dogs, and men striking up
conversations with their neighbors. When they reached the middle of the town
Malinda saw a magnificent church erected with a tower so tall she thought she
would get a crick in her neck from staring at it. Malinda had never entered the
doors of a church before, afraid that her idea of religion would not mesh well
with the people who worshipped within its walls. The church was surrounded with
a large park with the greenest grass and a beautiful, meticulously sculptured
flower garden. Malinda would certainly be more at home within that fenced-in
park than any other place of worship, for that was where her soul felt the most
comfort.

The
roads were set with many colored cobblestones and the clatter of horse hooves
clicked like the fast moving hands of a clock. They followed the roads around
the church and Malinda smirked when she saw two taverns facing the church. She
wondered how many gentlemen entered the buildings before and after a church
service to create their own sanctified libations. A laugh escaped her mouth too
quickly to cover. She refused to meet the probing eyes of her husband and
continued to look out the window. They were stopping in front of a large
building with a sign that indicated it was the Regency Inn. The women remained
seated in the carriage as Grant went in to request some rooms. When Grant came
back out he assisted them out of the carriage and led them up to their rooms.

When
she reached her room at the top of the stairs Malinda was glad to have a place
to freshen up. Grant and Malinda would share a room, while Desiree and Sophia
had the room at the end of the hall. Malinda hated for Sophia to be so far away
from them in a strange town, but understood that they had to take whatever
rooms were available. She poured water in the basin sitting on top of the water
stand and dipped her hands into the cool liquid. She splashed water on her face
and took a deep relaxing breath. She murmured softly as Grant’s lips touched
the back of her neck.

“Ready
to explore?”

“I’m
as ready as I am going to be today.” Malinda turned and faced Grant. She ran
her hand over his beard before pulling him down for a kiss. It felt good to be
able to offer part of her up to him at any time, even if it was a warm sensual
kiss.

“Desiree
is tending to Sophia. They are going to stay at the inn while we find some
furnishings for the manor.” Grant pulled away from Malinda and held out his
hand to her. They had a lot to do today and they could not afford to give in to
the fires that ignited so easily between them.

“Lead
the way, my lord.” She saw the small smirk that ate up the corners of his
mouth, and a chuckle caught in his throat as he shook his head at her.

Grant
and Malinda went to three different shops that afternoon. Each one held enough
furniture to easily fill up Wickford Manor, but their needs were simple. They
were searching for items that would be suitable for a nursery. They picked out
three small desks with tiny chairs that Sophia would fit easily upon. Malinda
had explained to Grant that they only needed one desk and chair, but he could
not be swayed. They found child sized bookcases, a large chalkboard that could
hang easily on the wall, paintings of lullabies and fairytales, and a brand new
rocking chair with a unicorn’s head carved into the back.