Whoever You May Be
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vigorliTitle: Whoever You May Be
Author: Cesi
Rating: R
Pairing: V/O
Summary: Liv enjoys the power and pleasure of nobility, while Orlando suffers the harsh life of a commoner. The arrival of a Danish Lord may put them in their rightful place. Can you live a life, and keep a love that's destined for someone else? AU. V/O
Feedback: Yes please! This is my first fic, so I’d really appreciate constructive criticism : )
Disclaimer: Not mine, they belong to themselves.
Chapter 2- Recognition
“Your debts are cleared Bernard. I saw to it myself that your name be removed from the list. You are no longer under any obligation to repay your missed taxes.”
Bernard stared at Lord Hugo with a stunned face. He knew that the lord would be grateful for Lady Cate’s safety but even he wasn’t expecting such a handsome reward.
“My Lord, you are too generous. My debts are…substantial…,” said Bernard counting his debts and just as quickly losing count.
“To say the least,” said Hugo before he could stop himself. Bernard’s debts were far more than substantial- they were massive. It seemed that Bernard was evading paying his taxes for years when Lord Hugo looked into the records. The amount was more than enough to throw Bernard in jail for years, not to mention confiscate whatever pitiful belongings and savings he had. However, Lord Hugo decided to keep this to himself and pardoned the offense. Even a life time in jail couldn’t repay his debt, and Hugo felt a chord a pity for his niece and her son.
“It’s not enough to express my gratitude for what you have done to save my wife and daughter,” Hugo said honestly, “For your service to them, it is I who is in your debt.”
“It was an honor to serve you and your family my lord,” Bernard lied, controlling his tone carefully.
“And I’d like to offer you work here at the manor. I promise you will earn much more than you would otherwise Bernard,” added Hugo.
“My lord, I am a farmer. There is no one else to tend to my humble piece of land but myself.”
“It won’t take much time Bernard. Just tend to the horses every few days for a few hours. The rest of the time you can farm. I just wish to help you earn a bit more, especially with a grand nephew to care for.”
Bernard slowly nodded in agreement.
“If you say it in that manner I can’t possibly refuse,” Bernard said with a slight bow, “Thank you
Lord Hugo, you are very kind.” He tried his best to sound sincere without crunching his teeth.
******
“May I hold him Miranda?”
Miranda forced her eyes away from the basket Lady Cate had just presented her with. It was overflowing with toys, blankets, clothes and all sorts of pretty little things for her baby boy. Miranda was sure she never saw such fine baby things in her life, since she had only seen babies wrapped in rags and she herself never had anything to play with except what could be found on the ground. If the lord and lady saw such wonderful things as fit for a peasant baby, what sort of lavish gifts would they bestow on their “daughter”? The little girl had been left in the manor to rest, much to Miranda’s disappointment. The Lady’s visit suddenly became more of a burden than anything.
“Yes my lady?” Miranda asked, unsure of what she heard.
“May I hold your son?”
Miranda nodded as she placed the infant into Lady Cate’s arms. The boy’s faint cries settled completely as he entered into the noblewoman’s embrace. His curious eyes met her own as he reached out to touch a golden strand of hair that dangled above her cheek. Cate dwelled on those eyes, feeling a strange feeling encompass her. She found herself fascinated with the boy. She studied the shape of his eyes, the curve of his mouth, and color of his cheeks and the feel of his soft curls. She was looking for something, she felt something. But she couldn’t understand what it was or what she was searching for. So she just looked, taking in every detail she could. She began to rock him gently. This feeling was strange and terribly powerful. It was frightening how she could be so attached, so affected by someone in mere seconds of meeting. She couldn’t help but smile as he played with her hair, his chubby little fingers reaching out for more of her touch.
Cate felt a jab of heartache at the thought of all the children she had lost, of the siblings Liv would never know. Would they be like her? Or will they be like this child? Will they be as curious but gentle? Will they calm as she rocked them with softly sung lullabies? Will they draw out emotions as powerful as she felt right now?
“What did you name him?” Cate asked, her eyes refusing to leave the boy’s angelic face.
“I didn’t my lady.” Miranda admitted. She hadn’t even thought of naming the boy, it didn’t feel right naming him. It would be accepting the reality of what her uncle had done. Miranda wasn’t ready, and in her heart she knew she would never be. She looked away from the scene before her, a scene she desperately craved herself. To hold her own child, to gaze on her and rock her gently to sleep, to tell her over and over how much she was loved, and to have that child look into her eyes knowing who she really was.
“Really?” Cate briefly glanced at Miranda in disbelief, remembering how quickly she and Hugo decided on a name for Liv.
“Your son is almost a week old Miranda…”
“No name seemed to suit him my lady,”
Cate’s eyes found their way back to the baby she held, repeating a name in her mind as she stroked his soft brown curls.
“Orlando,” Cate said sweetly as the child shifted closer to her at the sound, “Orlando”. Cate’s face broke into a smile as she held him closer, the infant seemed to approve.
“Orlando?”
“Yes Miranda. I’ve had my heart set on that very name since I found out I was with child. I always imagined my child would be a son,” confessed Cate, “… Silly really…especially when I had daughter. I wish you would consider it Miranda, he seems to like it, see how he reacts when I call him?”
“Does Olivia react the same way when you call her?” Miranda couldn’t help herself. She had to know.
“She’s a wonderful baby, but she can be a handful. She seems to have a mind of her own already. She’s not as quiet as Orlan…I mean your son…” Cate continued to play with the boy and then noticed something she hadn’t before. A slight frown began to creep on her lovely features.
“I don’t mean to be so forward my lady…” Half of Miranda couldn’t believe she was saying this, but the other half was too desperate to care, “But may I work in the manor? I-I’m a hard worker. I promise to do whatever task you set before me. Please my lady.” She hated begging, especially to someone like Lady Cate. But she needed this last attempt. Right now she could kill if it meant being close to Liv. She watched the noblewoman’s reaction anxiously.
“Yes of course…”
Miranda breathed a sigh of relief. Her mind raced wildly with images of her child. She would watch her grow up. Watch her as she captures the hearts of noblemen and princes. To see her in all the power and prestige she was due.
“He is sick…very sick,” a distressed voice broke Miranda’s dreams.
Miranda snapped back to the present. Lady Cate was inspecting the baby with scrutiny, concern all over her face.
“He’s unusually pale Miranda” The boy’s brown eyes closed before slowly opening again. Cate hadn't realized she had been holding her breath until she exhaled in relief.
“He’s very weak.” Cate whispered as she felt his strength slowly dwindling, “Miranda you must see him to the doctor…”
“No! No, I-I can care for him…this illness is common among my family, the children are very weak…” Miranda lied, afraid that the doctor may find out that she rarely fed the child since his birth. It was by a god-sent miracle and not by care that the child survived this long.
“You have to do something to help your son! Miranda, I will let you work in the manor, but only after he has been tended too.” There was an edge to her usually kind voice.
“Yes my lady,” Miranda agreed as Lady Cate reluctantly placed the baby back in her arms.
“I wish I could stay a bit more, but I promised be back within the hour. Come to the manor when your son is healthy.” Cate said as she walked out of the dingy cottage, Miranda closely fallowing. Outside her carriage waited patiently to take her home.
“Thank you Andrew,” said Cate as the servant helped her in. Before they went away Cate glanced back at Miranda.
“Have you chosen a name?”
“Orlando. I’ll call him Orlando as you wished.”
“Take care of him…” and with that the carriage drove her away. But even then she couldn’t help but glance back to take one more look at the child that for those few strange moments, made the entire world fade away until all she could see was his face, and all she could feel was that overwhelming surge in her heart.
TBC…
Author: Cesi
Rating: R
Pairing: V/O
Summary: Liv enjoys the power and pleasure of nobility, while Orlando suffers the harsh life of a commoner. The arrival of a Danish Lord may put them in their rightful place. Can you live a life, and keep a love that's destined for someone else? AU. V/O
Feedback: Yes please! This is my first fic, so I’d really appreciate constructive criticism : )
Disclaimer: Not mine, they belong to themselves.
Chapter 2- Recognition
“Your debts are cleared Bernard. I saw to it myself that your name be removed from the list. You are no longer under any obligation to repay your missed taxes.”
Bernard stared at Lord Hugo with a stunned face. He knew that the lord would be grateful for Lady Cate’s safety but even he wasn’t expecting such a handsome reward.
“My Lord, you are too generous. My debts are…substantial…,” said Bernard counting his debts and just as quickly losing count.
“To say the least,” said Hugo before he could stop himself. Bernard’s debts were far more than substantial- they were massive. It seemed that Bernard was evading paying his taxes for years when Lord Hugo looked into the records. The amount was more than enough to throw Bernard in jail for years, not to mention confiscate whatever pitiful belongings and savings he had. However, Lord Hugo decided to keep this to himself and pardoned the offense. Even a life time in jail couldn’t repay his debt, and Hugo felt a chord a pity for his niece and her son.
“It’s not enough to express my gratitude for what you have done to save my wife and daughter,” Hugo said honestly, “For your service to them, it is I who is in your debt.”
“It was an honor to serve you and your family my lord,” Bernard lied, controlling his tone carefully.
“And I’d like to offer you work here at the manor. I promise you will earn much more than you would otherwise Bernard,” added Hugo.
“My lord, I am a farmer. There is no one else to tend to my humble piece of land but myself.”
“It won’t take much time Bernard. Just tend to the horses every few days for a few hours. The rest of the time you can farm. I just wish to help you earn a bit more, especially with a grand nephew to care for.”
Bernard slowly nodded in agreement.
“If you say it in that manner I can’t possibly refuse,” Bernard said with a slight bow, “Thank you
Lord Hugo, you are very kind.” He tried his best to sound sincere without crunching his teeth.
******
“May I hold him Miranda?”
Miranda forced her eyes away from the basket Lady Cate had just presented her with. It was overflowing with toys, blankets, clothes and all sorts of pretty little things for her baby boy. Miranda was sure she never saw such fine baby things in her life, since she had only seen babies wrapped in rags and she herself never had anything to play with except what could be found on the ground. If the lord and lady saw such wonderful things as fit for a peasant baby, what sort of lavish gifts would they bestow on their “daughter”? The little girl had been left in the manor to rest, much to Miranda’s disappointment. The Lady’s visit suddenly became more of a burden than anything.
“Yes my lady?” Miranda asked, unsure of what she heard.
“May I hold your son?”
Miranda nodded as she placed the infant into Lady Cate’s arms. The boy’s faint cries settled completely as he entered into the noblewoman’s embrace. His curious eyes met her own as he reached out to touch a golden strand of hair that dangled above her cheek. Cate dwelled on those eyes, feeling a strange feeling encompass her. She found herself fascinated with the boy. She studied the shape of his eyes, the curve of his mouth, and color of his cheeks and the feel of his soft curls. She was looking for something, she felt something. But she couldn’t understand what it was or what she was searching for. So she just looked, taking in every detail she could. She began to rock him gently. This feeling was strange and terribly powerful. It was frightening how she could be so attached, so affected by someone in mere seconds of meeting. She couldn’t help but smile as he played with her hair, his chubby little fingers reaching out for more of her touch.
Cate felt a jab of heartache at the thought of all the children she had lost, of the siblings Liv would never know. Would they be like her? Or will they be like this child? Will they be as curious but gentle? Will they calm as she rocked them with softly sung lullabies? Will they draw out emotions as powerful as she felt right now?
“What did you name him?” Cate asked, her eyes refusing to leave the boy’s angelic face.
“I didn’t my lady.” Miranda admitted. She hadn’t even thought of naming the boy, it didn’t feel right naming him. It would be accepting the reality of what her uncle had done. Miranda wasn’t ready, and in her heart she knew she would never be. She looked away from the scene before her, a scene she desperately craved herself. To hold her own child, to gaze on her and rock her gently to sleep, to tell her over and over how much she was loved, and to have that child look into her eyes knowing who she really was.
“Really?” Cate briefly glanced at Miranda in disbelief, remembering how quickly she and Hugo decided on a name for Liv.
“Your son is almost a week old Miranda…”
“No name seemed to suit him my lady,”
Cate’s eyes found their way back to the baby she held, repeating a name in her mind as she stroked his soft brown curls.
“Orlando,” Cate said sweetly as the child shifted closer to her at the sound, “Orlando”. Cate’s face broke into a smile as she held him closer, the infant seemed to approve.
“Orlando?”
“Yes Miranda. I’ve had my heart set on that very name since I found out I was with child. I always imagined my child would be a son,” confessed Cate, “… Silly really…especially when I had daughter. I wish you would consider it Miranda, he seems to like it, see how he reacts when I call him?”
“Does Olivia react the same way when you call her?” Miranda couldn’t help herself. She had to know.
“She’s a wonderful baby, but she can be a handful. She seems to have a mind of her own already. She’s not as quiet as Orlan…I mean your son…” Cate continued to play with the boy and then noticed something she hadn’t before. A slight frown began to creep on her lovely features.
“I don’t mean to be so forward my lady…” Half of Miranda couldn’t believe she was saying this, but the other half was too desperate to care, “But may I work in the manor? I-I’m a hard worker. I promise to do whatever task you set before me. Please my lady.” She hated begging, especially to someone like Lady Cate. But she needed this last attempt. Right now she could kill if it meant being close to Liv. She watched the noblewoman’s reaction anxiously.
“Yes of course…”
Miranda breathed a sigh of relief. Her mind raced wildly with images of her child. She would watch her grow up. Watch her as she captures the hearts of noblemen and princes. To see her in all the power and prestige she was due.
“He is sick…very sick,” a distressed voice broke Miranda’s dreams.
Miranda snapped back to the present. Lady Cate was inspecting the baby with scrutiny, concern all over her face.
“He’s unusually pale Miranda” The boy’s brown eyes closed before slowly opening again. Cate hadn't realized she had been holding her breath until she exhaled in relief.
“He’s very weak.” Cate whispered as she felt his strength slowly dwindling, “Miranda you must see him to the doctor…”
“No! No, I-I can care for him…this illness is common among my family, the children are very weak…” Miranda lied, afraid that the doctor may find out that she rarely fed the child since his birth. It was by a god-sent miracle and not by care that the child survived this long.
“You have to do something to help your son! Miranda, I will let you work in the manor, but only after he has been tended too.” There was an edge to her usually kind voice.
“Yes my lady,” Miranda agreed as Lady Cate reluctantly placed the baby back in her arms.
“I wish I could stay a bit more, but I promised be back within the hour. Come to the manor when your son is healthy.” Cate said as she walked out of the dingy cottage, Miranda closely fallowing. Outside her carriage waited patiently to take her home.
“Thank you Andrew,” said Cate as the servant helped her in. Before they went away Cate glanced back at Miranda.
“Have you chosen a name?”
“Orlando. I’ll call him Orlando as you wished.”
“Take care of him…” and with that the carriage drove her away. But even then she couldn’t help but glance back to take one more look at the child that for those few strange moments, made the entire world fade away until all she could see was his face, and all she could feel was that overwhelming surge in her heart.
TBC…
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