Free Enchanted Cottage (Avador Book 3, Books We Love Fantasy Romance) by Shirley Martin Page A

first time in her life, Alana went to a back room to try it on, finding it a bit too long and too big in the waist. “If you make these adjustments, I’ll come back for it in a few days.”
    “We can adjust it today, if you don’t mind waiting.”
    Alana nodded. “Thank you. I would appreciate that. And I’ll also pay for the dresses and cape I ordered last nine-day.”
    The woman frowned in puzzlement. “Dresses? I don’t recall that you ordered any dresses.”
    Alana frowned, too. A hint of anxiety crept into her voice. “Don’t you remember?” Suddenly, the problem resolved itself. “I had a terrible face rash at the time.”
    “Oh, yes, I’m glad for your sake it’s cleared up. Just a minute.” She headed for a back room and returned moments later. “Here you are. We’ll hold these for you and have the other dress ready … say, within a couple of hours.”
    Leaving the store, Alana walked out into the bright sunlight. She tried to put an optimistic outlook on her life, the awareness that she had her looks back. Yet the loss of Colin weighed heavily on her. She would remember him for the rest of her life. Sighing, she headed for the shoemaker’s. After picking up her shoes, she decided on a whim to visit Radegunda at her toiletry shop.
    She reached the shop two streets away on Perfume Lane, its hanging sign in front featuring three bars of soap. As on the last time, a bell rang as she entered, and Radeguna emerged from a back room.
    Alana leaned on the wooden counter and smiled. “Radegunda, do you remember me?”
    Radegunda frowned. “Sorry, can’t say that I do.” A look of comprehension captured her face. “I remember your voice. Is it you, the same lady whose face was so—“
    ”Ugly, yes. It’s me. Something happened to clear up my face. I don’t know, don’t understand….” Her voice trailed off, then she brightened. “I can’t tell you how happy I am that I’m my old self again.”
    The older woman gave her a knowing look. “Someone must love you very much.”
    “Why? What makes you say that?”
    “Unless the witch lifted the curse —and I doubt if that’s the case—then a lover’s affection will cure you of the spell.”
    Alana thought for a moment. Brendan? If so, her face should have cleared up long ago. Brendan had harbored warm feelings for her for a long time, his affection going back years.
    Radegunda smiled. “Maybe you have a secret lover.”
    She laughed. “If that’s the case, then it’s a big secret, for I know of no recent person who cares for me.” Not Colin, that she knew. If he had loved her, he would have said something. Even if he wanted to return to his family—and she understood his desire to see his family again—he would have told her he loved her before leaving, with a promise to return to her.
    “Well, with you havin’ your looks back, I’m sure lots of men will notice you now.”
    “Thank you, Radegunda.” She purchased a jar of hand cream and left the shop, mulling over the woman’s words. The one man she wanted to notice her was gone from her life forever.
     

 
    Chapter Ten
     
     
    Colin crested the hill that overlooked his family estate in Ulaidh. Ah, how good it was to be back in Ulaidh again, to see his father and older brother Leith, to see his home again. Its sandstone glistened in the bright sunshine, its many windows reflecting the light. The hundreds of acres surrounding the manor, all part of the Duffrey estate, appeared well-tended, as he remembered.
    With a satisfied sigh, he eased the horse down the rock-strewn hill, past the maples and oaks that bordered the property, the thick bushes that fronted the house. Danu’s balls, how he’d missed all of this and seeing his family again. The stable, a wide stone structure, stood several yards behind the house, its windows open to the fresh air.
    Inside the stable, ten horses of various breeds stood inside their stalls; the pleasant aroma of horses and hay wafted throughout.