Adele's Stories

The bonfire roared higher as I stared into the embers. The music crescendoed as the flames licked the night sky, almost like it was trying to set the moon ablaze. The minstrels were tapping their feet aggressively. They looked about ready to throw down their instruments and join the dancers. They might even have taken their instruments with them.

I sat to the far side watching the dancers with envy. I was nearly invisible in my dark hiding place under the willow tree. No one had asked me to dance. No one had ever asked me to dance.

At this point in my life nearly everyone I knew was already pared up. They were either courting or betrothed or married. But I was alone.

I believed in God’s timing, and trusted him, truly I did, but it was hard not to get jealous sometimes when all I wanted was someone to love me. My parents had died of disease nearly two years ago and though I still had all my friends around me and of course the family shop to run, I still felt incredibly lonely.

I know God was still with me and has a plan for me, but sometimes I can feel so impatient. I sighed as the minstrels started up another song.

The harvest festival this year was bigger than it’s ever been. Probably because the harvest was the best we’d had in years. Everyone believed it was because of the new Lord Riener. Lord Lucas Riener had ruled over his demesne with and iron fist and everyone rejoiced when he finally grew too old and sick to rule, so his son, Markus Riener had taken over the lordship.

He was the complete opposite of his father. He cared more about, us, the people who lived under him, than the money we gave him. He comes into town at least once a week to meet with his villains and talk with them in an informal manner. It’s his way of learning about our needs and one time I heard him ask someone what he could be doing better.

The people love him dearly, and I’ve heard some of the young women tittering about his looks. The elderly women like to call him ‘a right handsome young man’.

I even met him once at the market. It was only for a brief moment and his eyes stared into mine like he was searching my soul. I had felt as if I’d known him all my life. My heart fluttered at the memory.

The willows leaves stirred as someone entered my hiding place. I held my breath and peeked around the trunk of the tree.

The stranger wore a cloak that covered his face and simple clothing that seemed almost too small for him. His eyes met mine under the hood and I gasped. I had seen those eyes before. He lowered his hood and smiled at me. I gasped again and retreated behind the tree.

I heard his footsteps approaching and I was frozen to my seat, my heart pounding. Lord Riener rounded the tree and sat next to me. He didn’t say anything for a moment just sat next to me watching the festivities with a smile.

I didn’t to mean to stare. But I couldn’t seem to look away.

“It appears we are the only two without a dance partner.” The sound of his voice shocked me back to reality.

“Yes. I suppose so.”

He finally turned to me with a smile and a raised brow. He stood, bowed and held out his hand to me.

“May I have this dance, my lady?”

My breath caught in my throat and I feared I’d never speak again. My only answer was to place my hand in his.