Forced into Love

Chapter Fourteen

 

Almost three weeks have passed since Buffy found the letter that tore her heart into pieces. Willow watches as her mistress seems to be just going though the motions of her daily life. She wishes they could talk like in the past but there is no time or place. With Cordelia in the house, they do not have time for any private conversations. And now with Cordelia nearing term, she cannot be left home alone. Buffy ventures to the market each day without her. Young Colin nearly preens each time as he comes to escort her about.

Willow also notices that Liam continues to work late hours. Many nights when he arrives home, he only has time to eat before retiring. She hopes that when the promised friend from Ireland arrives, that things will improve. She also hopes that maybe her husband’s presence can bring back the spark missing in Buffy.

Willow observes one afternoon that Buffy seems to be sliding her food around on the plate more than eating. She suspects her mistress is not even hearing Cordelia’s latest complaints about the meal and how much nicer it was in New York.

Willow moves forward to refill their tea cups, when they all hear the front door open. In moments, the doorway to the dining room is filled by Liam’s presence. Willow smiles with hope that he has found a moment of time to be with his wife.

Willow: Master Liam, I will prepare your meal immediately.

Liam: No thank you, Willow. I do not have time.

He glances at Buffy.

Liam: I just wanted to let you know, I have received word that the ship carrying my friend is docking this afternoon.

Buffy: I understand. We will be sure to prepare a suitable dinner.

Liam: That is kind but I have planned to go to the Inn for dinner. We have much to discuss and I think it would be unfair to burden you ladies. I am not sure how long it will last.

Buffy: I understand and I will look forward to meeting him.

Liam: Well, I best be getting back to the office. Good day, ladies.

Buffy: Good bye, Angel.

He smiles at her use of the special name before turning to exit the house. As the front door closes behind him, Cordelia pipes up.

Cordelia: Well at least we will not be subjected to an inane business conversation.

Buffy: Liam is very thoughtful.

Buffy pushes down her disappointment at not getting to listen. She reaches for her cup of tea as they hear a soft rapping on the back door.

Willow: I believe Colin is here to escort you to the market.

Buffy: Please tell him I will be but a moment.

She slowly rises from her seat with a soft sigh.

Willow: Yes, Ma’am.

Cordelia: Don’t forget to get more sugar. I hate bitter tea.

Buffy: I shall.

Willow: With Master Liam’s friend arriving, we may need additional tea and coffee.

Buffy: I shall go by the spice house.

 

 

 

Colin holds open the door for Buffy and she enters the dark shop. The mixture of fragrances assault their noses.

Colin: This place always make me very hungry.

Buffy: It has that same affect on me. I will try and be quick so we are not tortured too long.

Colin beams at her as she walks toward the counter.

Shopkeeper: Mrs. O’Connor, how can I assist you today?

Buffy: I am in need of tea, coffee, and sugar. I also need cinnamon and mace.

Shopkeeper: I have the first three items available but I will have to deliver the spices tomorrow morning.

Buffy: That will be fine

Shopkeeper: I am sorry but the Carpathian is just coming in now. I have been waiting for a week for this shipment.

Buffy: Oh, the Carpathian?

Shopkeeper: Yes. It is just coming into port. I hope to have the spices by this evening. I will have them delivered in the morning.

Buffy nods and glances toward the door.

Shopkeeper: I shall get the coffee, tea, and sugar.

Buffy turns toward his voice and nods. As he measures her order, she looks at Colin staring out the door.

Shopkeeper: Here you are Mrs. O’Connor. Sorry again about the spices.

Buffy: Thank you.

Colin comes forward and takes the parcels and then follows Buffy from the store. She stops and looks toward the river with her hand over her eyes.

Colin: Where to next, ma’am?

Buffy: Do you see that sail in the distance? How would you like to go down closer to the docks and watch it come in?

Colin: Do you mean it?

Buffy: Yes, if you think your mother will not mind the delay.

Colin: No, ma’am. My sister Lottie is watching the littler ones.

Buffy: Well let’s go for a little look.

Buffy takes a breath and forces a smile at Colin’s excited face.

Colin: I cannot wait until I am old enough to work on the ships.

Buffy: Do you want to be a captain?

Colin: Yes, but I will do anything to be able to go out there on one.

Buffy: I see.

They arrive where they can see the large ship coming up the river.

Colin: Look at her. She is a big one.

Buffy: Yes, she is.

Colin watches as the ship moves closer, while Buffy watches for a familiar face on the docks. She just spots Liam standing near his office watching the crowd down on the wharf, when Colin bubbles up.

Colin: Look at her. That is the kind of ship I want to sail on.

Buffy glances over to see the ship slip up to the dock. While Colin is watching the ship dock, she is more interested in the passengers on the deck. She glances over to see Liam doing the same. When she looks back the gangplank is in place and the first of the people disembark. She feels like she cannot breathe as she stares at face after face. And then she sees what she hoped she wouldn’t but knew she would. The vibrant blonde woman sashays down to the dock and steps in the direction of where Liam is.

Buffy: Colin, I think we should go.

Colin looks to see her already starting to walk away. He scurries up to her.

Colin: Are you okay ma’am?

Buffy nods and tries to control her overwhelming emotions and swallows hard.

Buffy: It is getting cold.

Colin: I am sorry ma’am. I will see you home quickly.

 

 

On the dock, Liam is still staring at the people disembarking when he hears his name. He looks over to see bright blue eyes peering up at him as her hands try to tame her hair in the wind.

Darla: Here I am.

Liam: Darla?

Darla: Yes darling. I made it. It was not pleasant, but I am here. I must look simply horrible. That ship was simply filthy. But I am sure after a proper washing, I will again look beautiful. If you can get my bag, we can leave this place. I never liked being this close to the water. It always smells like, well, fish.

She stops her ramble as she looks up at his intense glare.

Liam: Why are you here? You should not have come. You know I am married.

Darla: I came for you. I love you and you love me.

Liam: No, I don‘t.

Darla: You don’t what? Don’t try and tell me you don’t love me. All those nights…

She looks into his dark eyes.

Darla: Don’t tell me you want that bland ugly thing. You can’t. It is impossible.

Liam hisses through his teeth: I will not listen to you speak ill of my wife. Please leave.

Darla: What have they done to you? You can’t actually prefer her. I know you could never love her.

Liam: I do.

Darla: You do? You do what?

Liam: I love my wife.

He looks her directly in her face.

Liam: I love Buffy.

Darla: And what about our love?

Liam: It was fun, but it was never love.

Darla steps back as if slapped. She looks around quickly. Her eyes fall on the man that she had met aboard ship. She takes off toward him.

 

Willow watches with concern as her mistress rushes into the house.

Willow: Are you alright?

Buffy: Yes. No, I…..

She runs to the nearby basin and looses the small lunch she had eaten. Willow hands her a damp cloth.

Willow: Let me help you to your room.

Buffy nods and lets herself be guided toward the bedroom.

Willow: You look very pale, ma’am.

Cordelia steps out of her room.

Cordelia: Is she okay? Is she ill again? If she is, she needs to stay away from me.

Willow: I am helping her to bed.

Cordelia: She has been ill a lot lately. Didn’t her mother get sick and die?

Willow: She is not sick like that. She just has a weak stomach.

Buffy sits on the edge of her bed.

Buffy: I will be fine. I just need to lie down for a moment.

Willow: This reminds me of our days onboard the ship.

Buffy shakes her head.

Buffy: No, it will go away. I feel better already.

Willow: Are you sure, ma’am?

Cordelia: She looks fine now.

Buffy: I am.

Willow: I will make you a cup of tea.

Buffy: That would be nice.

Cordelia: A cup of tea would be very nice if there is sugar.

Willow: It is in the kitchen.

Cordelia moves to walk away.

Cordelia: I used to prefer coffee, but since I found I was with child, I cannot tolerate the smell. But tea is so soothing. It was the only thing I could drink in the beginning to stop the distress in the morning.

She turns back to look at them.

Cordelia: My sister would bring me tea and toast in bed every day.

She looks hard at Buffy.

Cordelia: Are you with child?

Buffy: No.

Then she glances at Willow’s excited face.

Buffy: I don’t think so.

Willow: My heavens, that must be it. After seeing my mother all those times, I should have realized.

Buffy: I….

Willow: Wait until Master Liam hears.

Buffy looks hard at Willow and then at Cordelia and forces a smile.

Buffy: He will be surprised.

Cordelia: I remember telling Riley. He was so sweet.

Buffy: Willow, I could use that tea.

Willow: Of course. I will bring it shortly.

Buffy lies down as the two women head to the kitchen. Her head is spinning with visions of Darla and Liam. She again fights the tears and stares at the wall as she tries to decide what to do.

Buffy: A baby?

She brushed the tears away when she hears Willow approach.

Willow: Here it is ma’am.

Buffy sits up and takes the warm cup.

Buffy: Thank you.

Willow: Is there any thing else I can get you?

Buffy: No, thank you.

Willow turns to leave.

Buffy: Willow?

Willow: Yes ma’am.

Buffy: I know you would not tell Angel about…..

Willow: No, ma’am.

She smiles.

Willow: I will make sure Cordelia does not ruin your surprise.

Buffy: I am not even sure.

Willow smiles again.

Willow: I am.

Buffy nods.

Willow: Are you going to rest some more?

Buffy: Yes, please close the door. I think I will try to sleep.

Willow: I will wake you for supper.

Buffy: Please don’t. I don’t feel I could eat yet.

Willow: Then I shall keep something warm.

Buffy: Thank you.

Buffy sits staring at the door for a few more moments before walking over to the armoire.

 

 

Later Cordelia and Willow are sitting in front of the fire when they hear footsteps on the front porch. Willow stands up but before she can get to the door, it opens.

Willow: Master Liam? We were not expecting you.

Willow and Cordelia observe the stranger behind him.

Willow: We were not expecting you until later.

Liam: I know. Where is Buffy?

Willow: She is lying down until supper. If you and your friend are staying, it will only take me a few minutes to cook more.

Liam: No, thank you. We just came to see if Buffy wanted to join us. She is not ill is she.

Willow: Uh, no sir. Just a little tired. I will go awaken her.

Liam: That is alright, I shall.

He saunters down the hall and opens the door. The fading sunlight leaves strange shadows across the empty bed. Liam glances around before returning to the living room.

Liam: She is not there.

Willow: Pardon?

Liam: The room is empty.

Willow: I never heard her get up. Cordelia?

Cordelia: No.

Willow quickly checks the other bedrooms and rushes back to the others.

Willow: Where is Master Liam?

Cordelia: He went to check the privy.

The back door opens and slams.

Liam: She is not out there.

Cordelia: Where could she have gone to?

Willow: She said she was going to drink her tea and rest.

Cordelia’s face lights up.

Cordelia: Do you think she went to see Jenny?

Liam: Jenny Giles?

Willow: No, she would not have left without telling us.

Liam: Why would she go see Jenny?

Willow: She didn’t.

Liam: Then where is she?

Willow drops onto the settee and shakes her head.

Liam takes a deep breath.

Liam: Willow?

Willow: I don’t know.

Liam: Who would?

Cordelia: That boy.

Liam: What boy?

Cordelia: The one she goes to town with everyday.

Willow: Colin? Maybe.

Liam turns and marches out of the house. A few minutes later he returns.

Willow: Did you find her?

Liam: No. The boy helped her hitch the carriage up a while back. She told him she was going to check on a sick friend.

Willow: What friend?

Liam: He didn’t know. He said she loaded a couple bundles under the seat and headed up river.

Willow: Away from town?

Willow quickly rushes to the bedroom with Liam on her heels. She yanks open the armoire.

Willow: She took some of her clothes.

Liam: What?

He runs his hand over his face.

Liam: Willow. What is happening here?

Willow: I don’t know.

She then looks into his eyes.

Willow: Maybe she was just tired of being alone.

Liam: Alone? What? She was here with you and Cordelia.

Willow: And where are you?

Liam: Pardon?

Willow: She needs you, not us. You are never here. You never have time even for a cup of coffee with her. She is always so sad. And today she realized………

She stopped and looked at the floor.

Liam: Realized what?

Willow would not look at him.

Liam: Willow, I need to know.

Willow: I promised her.

She paused a moment and lowered her voice.

Willow: I thought she wanted to tell you herself.

Liam: Tell me what?

Willow: I’m sorry sir, I can’t.

Liam looks at her conflicted face.

Liam: Does Cordelia know?

Willow nods and he quickly leaves the room. By the time she enters the living room, Cordelia is alone.

Willow: You told him?

Cordelia: Yes.

Willow: Thank you.

Willow says a silent prayer as she walks into the kitchen.