FIVE
                                            


                                                                 March 4, 1734
           

     The day was crisp and bright bringing promises of the new spring to come as
Duncan MacLeod departed the ship Unity stepping foot on the soil of the American
Colonies for the first time in his life. Everywhere he looked, people were busily
collecting their baggage and boarding stage coaches, ready to begin a new life in the
New World.  They chatted excitedly and noisily among themselves, their faces bright
with the late winter chill and anticipation.
   
     "Duncan!" Came the booming cheerful voice from behind. He turned around to
see his long time friend Simon Cooper standing behind him with his daughter Sarah. 
"How are you my friend?"  He stuck out his hand and Duncan shook it firmly.  "My
God, it's been a long time!"  Simon smiled broadly.
   
     "Yes, it has Simon.  It's so good to see you again." Duncan agreed.  "Thank
you for letting me stay at your home while I'm here."  Duncan gazed around for a
moment.  "Where's Hannah?"
   
    "Not a bother, my boy. Not a bother at all.  I can't wait until you see the place. 
I've done quite a bit of hard work on it, you know?"  Simons' smile grew wider as he
bent to help Duncan with his bags.  "It's the largest estate around.  Hannah is waiting to
see you.  She's made a special dinner in your honor.  Haggis, just for you.  Only you
would eat that." From behind him he heard the sound of someone clearing their throat. 
He turned to see his daughter standing there.  "Where are my manners?"  He
admonished himself. "Duncan MacLeod I'd like you to meet my daughter, Sarah. 
Sarah, this is my friend Duncan MacLeod."
   
     She smiled sweetly at Duncan as she  held out her small gloved hand to him.
"Charmed, I'm sure."  She said lightly.
   
     Duncan took the small hand which was being offered to him in his large one and
gently brushed the satin glove with his lips.  "It is I who am charmed, Miss Cooper.  I
assure you of that."  He was instantly smitten with her.  His eyes took in the redness of
her hair which was held up on top of her head and covered with a dark green satin
riding cap.  The way the sunlight caught in her large doe eyes, making them sparkle and
twinkle at him.  The rosy glow of her delicate porcelain skin.
   
    Now it was Simon's turn to clear his throat.  At the sound Duncan dropped her
hand and returned his gaze to his long time friend.  "Henny, Henny, get Mr. MacLeod's
bags."  He called to the servant he had brought with them.  "Make sure they're secure
back there."
   
    "Yes, sir."  The old black man replied as he stooped to retrieve the baggage.
   
    "I'll help with that."  Duncan said lightly as he picked up the heaviest bag and
put it in the back on the coach Simon had arrived in to bring him back to his estate. 
   
    The carriage ride from the port town of Saint Johnsbury  to Simon's country home
in Covington would be a long one, Simon warned as they climbed into the carriage.  He
handed Duncan a woolen blanket to put over his legs for the duration of the ride.  While
the ride had been cold, it had certainly been pleasant.  Duncan, Simon and Sarah  made
polite conversation as they rode in warmth and comfort inside the cab of the coach while
Henny drove the team of horses outside.  Simon spoke endlessly of his new found wealth
in the colonies and the rich land it offered.  Duncan only half paid attention to him, his eyes
kept wandering back to Sarah who seemed to receive endless pleasure from starring
through the window of the coach at the  rolling hills and mountains of the Vermont
countryside.
   
    He knew that she could not be more than seventeen, far too young for him.  He
forced himself to look away from her.  Maybe in fifty years or so he would come back here
again and see how she was.    Maybe sooner, she would have need of him before that but
until that time came, he told himself,  it was best to stay away from her.
   
    Upon his arrival as Simon Coopers estate Duncan was greeted warmly by Hannah
and her sons.   Hannah's warm face lit up at the sight of him as he walked through the front
door of the gate keeper's cottage.  "Duncan!" she cried happily as she gave him a tight
huge and peck on the cheek.  "I'm so glad you've come to stay with us.  It's been so long." 
She hugged him again.  

   Duncan hugged her back glad to be in the embrace of a long time
friend.  Especially this one. "Look at you."  He smiled as he broke their embrace.  "You still look the same,
Hannah.  Just as beautiful as always."
   
    "Charmer."  She admonished with a hearty smile.  "Between the last time I saw you
and now, I've had seven children.  I cannot possibly look the same."  She stopped for a
moment as she stared into his eyes.  "But you, old friend, you never change.  You're just
as handsome as ever." She whispered and became aware of her husband's  presence as he
entered the door way.  In a brighter voice she continued. "Sarah and I have fixed up the
cottage for you.  I do hope you'll be comfortable here."
   
    Duncan sensed the discomfort in her voice and turned to see Simon standing
behind him.  He glanced back at Hannah and smiled and then looked around the small
cottage.   It was very homey, warm and comfortable.  Just as Hannah wanted it to be for
him.  "It's lovely.  It's more than enough.  I'm sure I will be very comfortable here." 
Duncan always had a warm feeling in his heart whenever he had the opportunity to be near
Hannah.  
    He had first met Hannah in Scotland when she was no more than fourteen, she
had enchanted him even at that young age.  She would come to see him in the village from
time to time where he kept and ran a Blacksmith's shop.  She had always been enthralled
watching him meld the metal into horseshoes or swords.  He could still remember the
summer's day when she had sat outside his shop on her way home from the days schooling
and watched him.  She never bothered him while he worked, she only sat and watched. 
He had turned to look at her, while his attentions were diverted from his work, he
accidentally gripped the molten metal of the sword he was currently working on.  Duncan
had cried out in pain and Hannah had rushed to his aid.  She had watched as the third
degree burn healed itself before her eyes.  Duncan had been terrified that she would run
home screaming telling everyone that the new Smithy was some kind of Warlock.  She had
not.  Hannah had stood there and watched in amazement as the wound healed and when
her eyes starred back at him after witnessing such an unexplainable event they were soft
and kind.
   
   As far as he knew, Hannah had never breathed a word of what she had seen. Over
the next thirty years she never once  questioned why his hair did not turn gray or why there
were never any wrinkles on his face.  Somewhere deep inside of him Duncan had the
sneaking suspicion that Hannah knew what he was, that she'd always known, even before
he'd burned his hand.   They had never spoken of it privately.  She simply accepted him
the way he was; good, bad and indifferent all wrapped into one.
   
    "Good."  She turned to her husband.  "I will leave you gentlemen alone now.
Dinner is served at seven, don't be late. " She warned with a good-natured grin.
    
    "I heard, Simon said you'd made Haggis for me."
Hannah tried to hide her smile, she had spent the last two days on this evenings
meal.  "I hope you don't mind, Duncan."
   
    "Mind?"  He asked with a broad smile.  He looked over his shoulder at Simon who
was currently beginning a fire in the hearth.  "I know you did it just for me."  He
whispered.  "Thank you."
  
     At the evening meal which Hannah had prepared for them all were full of good
cheer and happy to have a guest who had come to stay for a while.  Sarah had not joined
them for dinner that evening, Simon explained that she was being escorted into town by
her betrothed Markus Denby.  Duncan's heart had sunk instantly at the news that she was
engaged to marry someone other than him.  He dismissed the thoughts quickly telling
himself it was good that she had someone in her life; someone more her own age.
   
    After the meal Duncan was given the guided tour of Simon and Hannah's new
home. What a grand home it was!  Duncan figured it must have cost him at least two
thousand pounds to build the house and cottage, another thousand to furnish them.  Where
had Simon gotten all of that money?  He wondered as he walked around the house guided
by Hannah.  The Cooper's were a wealthy family, that much he knew was true, but this
was beyond what even Simon could afford.  He thought it might be  a wise idea for him
to get into growing crops if the pay off was going to be this good.
Hannah returned him to the main parlor where her husband was waiting at the end
of the tour.  "I am tired.  If you gentlemen will excuse me, I believe I will retire for the
evening."
   
    "Good night, Hannah.  Thank you for all you've done for me, I honestly did not
mean to be such a bother."
   
    "You're never a bother, Duncan." She smiled at him.
   
    "Good night, darling." Simon rose and kissed his wife's cheek.
   
    Hannah silently walked away from them, made her way upstairs to her bed
chambers and fell into a deep sleep.
   
    Duncan and Simon were drinking brandy in the main parlor when Sarah and her
suitor returned from their evening out.  Duncan felt the Quickening inside his body before
Markus had entered the house, felt it from at least half way down the property.  He had
sat still even though his body was brought to full alert and maintained his conversation
about the current wheat prices with Simon until they entered.
Simon promptly introduced Duncan and Markus after giving his daughter a peck
on the cheek.  The two Immortals  shook hands and said how good it was to meet each
other. Almost instantly Sarah made her excuses to the gentlemen and retired to the
solitude of her bed chambers.  The three men  sat in the main parlor of the large estate by
a roaring fire drinking glass after glass of Simon's imported brandy and making
conversation.  The whole time Duncan sat there smiling he had felt as though he were
drowning.  As though the other man's Quickening were enveloping him, body and soul,
sucking the life right out of him as he sat there smiling from behind his sky blue eyes.
   
    As the hour grew later Markus arose from his chair and bid the gentlemen a good
evening.  Duncan opened the door for him as he crossed the parlor.  Markus paused in
front of him, stuck out his hand.  As Duncan dutifully took it in his own, Markus had
pulled him a little closer to himself.  "Outside, ten minutes."  He whispered with a smile
and then disappeared into the blackness of the night.
   
    Duncan made his excuses to Simon Cooper.  The night was crisp and chilly, he
could see his own breath rise from his lungs and exit through his nostrils as he walked
down the lawn looking for Markus Denby.  He could feel the other Immortal around but
he could not see him.
   
    "Over here, MacLeod."  Came the Irish baroque from behind him.  "Come this
way."  Markus turned from where he stood on the side of the mansion and walked around
to the back end of the property to a small ring of evergreen trees.  Duncan followed at a
safe but moderate distance. "I am unarmed."  Markus said without looking at him.  "I  want to talk, MacLeod,
I don't see a need for a fight, do you?"
   
    "I don't know."  Duncan replied.  "Talk."
   
    Markus sighed and rolled his eyes.  "Very well.  How have you been, MacLeod? 
It's been a long time since I last saw you.  I must say, you clean up well."
   
    "So do you. Cut the chit chat, Markus."  Duncan said in a strong voice as he felt
the muscles in his neck stiffen.  He had not expected to run into Markus Denby again, not
after all these years.  "What do you want?"
   
    "Sarah of course.  What else?"  Markus raised his sky blue eyes and looked into
Duncan's dark ones. "She is all I want. You stay away from her and we will not have a
problem.  Agreed?"
   
    Duncan  mulled it over for a moment.  The moon was full and shone its silvery light
on Simon's property, the fields were covered with snow as far as the eye could see they
glowed in the moons light.  Even though it had been well over a century since the last time
they had met, Duncan was still very aware of the mans deceptive ways. "Is this a trick?"
   
    "No.  I know you've no reason to trust me, MacLeod and I'm not asking you to. 
But it would seem that a leopard can change its spots after all."  He said in a dark tone as
he looked Duncan up and down.  "Wouldn't you say?"
   
    "I suppose some can."  The doubt was clear in his voice.
   
    "I've heard a lot about you since we last met.   Tell me, what made a promising
young warrior like yourself turn into such a wimpy chivalrous footman?"  Markus sighed
loudly.  "Don't you remember the fun we had?"  His eyes lit up with impish delight. "You
showed such promise, MacLeod!  Too bad.  Pity."
   
    Duncan felt the drowning sensation return to him as he remember his days with
Markus.   He had no wish to be reminded of the Dark Time in his life, especially not by a
man who had been there to witness some of it.   While it was true that he had left his
warrior self behind only a few decades ago he did not consider himself to be anyones
footman.  There was something in the Markus' words, or maybe it was in his tone,  that
said Markus knew more than what he was letting on.  Duncan, lost in that feeling of
drowning, was unable to grasp for the information he sought.
   
    "Your head doesn't interest me at this point in time, boy.  You're still  not old
enough for me to really give a damn about.  What does interest me is a lifetime with
Sarah."
   
    "If that's really what you want, I won't stand in your way."
   
    "Since you seem to be so committed to your newly noble path, give me your word
as a gentleman."  Markus demanded suddenly.
   
    "You have it." Duncan stopped before he could actually say the words, they
appeared to stick in his throat and he was unsure of why.  "On my honor as a gentleman,
I will not go near Sarah."  He said finally.
   
    "Very well then."  Markus smirked.  "I take you at your word, Duncan MacLeod
and I will hold you to it.  If you ever do touch her, I will take your head as sure as we are
both standing here, boy."
   
     "Don't call me that!"  Duncan shot.  "I am not a boy."
   
    "Compared to me that's exactly what you are."  Markus replied slyly.  "Don't you
ever forget it."  With that Markus turned on his heels and left him there.
   
    Duncan stood  in the cold night air watching him go, glad to be out of Markus'
presence.  The feeling of drowning left with him and Duncan's lungs once again began to
fill with the fresh air of the late winters night.  Slowly Duncan made his way down to the
cottage which would be his home for the next few months of his visit, as he walked he
wondered why Sarah Cooper was so important to Markus Denby.  
   
    For weeks after their conversation, Duncan had to continually remind himself of
the vow he had made to Markus whenever he was in Sarah's company.  She was beautiful
and spirited and smart as a whip, he could see why Markus wanted her so much.
He wanted her for his own as well. Duncan stayed true to his word to not go  anywhere near Sarah although his heart
begged him to.   He  watched Markus and Sarah very closely when they were together. 
Markus came almost every day to the main house to take Sarah away into town.  Neither
of them ever actually said where they went, Duncan supposed it was only time alone  that
they sought rather than a destination.  That idea never sat well with him.  He did not care
for it at all. 
   
    On the occasions that Markus dined with the family, his gaze would go to Sarah
and then back to Duncan repeatedly as if to say: "I know you want her.   Look but don't
touch."  Duncan would feel his heart sink and look away from both of them.
Sarah hardly ever spoke to Duncan unless Duncan spoke to her  first. If Markus
were in the room it seemed to him that she simply pretended not to hear him if she could
get away with it.  She was  always under Markus watchful eyes, somehow even when
Markus was not around he always seemed to know exactly what she had done that day
without her ever telling him.
   
    While he had kept his word he had stayed in the back ground  he had watched, he
had listened.  He discovered that Markus Denby was almost thirty years Sarah's senior (or
so he had told Simon and Hannah), he was heavily involved the slave trade, he owned
three ships that were ported in the Carolinas, they made one run each year to Africa and
brought back more than one hundred slaves per ship who were then sold in the southland. 
Duncan found it a most disgusting business, something he would never be part of himself. 
But it was legal and it was not frowned upon in the new colonies.  Duncan understood that
it took a harsh man to make his way in such a loathsome trade and Markus was a harsh
man.  That much he already knew from the Dark Times.  Then Markus had not made
money at all, he had stolen it from wherever he could.  Just as Duncan had. 

       He could not say that Markus treated Sarah badly (and he wished very much to
be able to say such a thing it would give his newly noble self the correct opportunity to
break his gentlemanly word to Markus) he could say that Markus did not treat her well. 
He was always ordering her around.  
   Get me this. Get me that.  
   I don't care for that dress, go and change darling.
   Why do you bother with that person?
   Sarah, don't be such a silly child.
   No, Sarah, you cannot do that.
   
    Things of that nature.  Sarah would dutifully do as he told her to without
questioning him or hesitating in the least.  Duncan found himself wondering how much
worse his behavior toward her would become once they were married.  Another thought
he did not care for.  To him she seemed a beautiful exotic bird living inside a golden cage. 
He wished  nothing more than  to open the door of that cage and give her her freedom.
Just when it seemed he would never be given that opportunity  a most amazing
thing happened.  

   Duncan had been unable to sleep and decided to take a walk in the night
air in an attempt to clear his head from all the thoughts of Sarah which were constantly
rolling around there.  The moon was high in the sky shedding its fully silvery light down
over the last of the thawing snow, the stars sparkled brighter than he had seen them in a
long time. As he came around the corner of the gate keeper's cottage there stood Sarah
in barefeet, nightgown and robe.  She was sitting on the large rock bathed in the
moonlight.
   
    "Good evening, Mr. MacLeod."  She did not turn around to look at him.
   
    "Good evening, Sarah.  What are you doing out here at this late hour?"  He took
a few steps nearer to her.
   
    "I couldn't sleep.  You?"
   
    "I couldn't sleep either."  Another step closer.
   
    Slowly she turned to her  slender body in his direction. "Chilly tonight."
   
    "Yes, it is."  He sat on the rock next to her.  He wanted to draw her close to
himself it was so cold tonight, for her to be out here in nothing more than her sleeping
apparel, she must be freezing.
   
    "When will you leave?"  Her voice was low as her face tilted upward she gazed
into his eyes.
   
    "Come spring. Why?  Anxious to see me go?"  He smiled for her.
   
    "No.  I will miss you when you are no longer here, Duncan."  Her lips quivered but
not because she was cold.  Her heart fluttered inside her chest every time he looked at her,
now being so close to him she thought it would flutter until it burst wide open.  She had
no desire of her own to see him leave.
   
    "I will miss you as well."  Duncan?  Had she said Duncan? She had never called
him anything other than Mr. MacLeod.  Gently he reached out his hand to cover her own,
she did not pull away from his touch.  Her hand was so tiny, delicate and cold inside his
own, without thinking he pulled her close to himself wrapping one arm about her shoulders
in an attempt to bring her warmth.  Still, she did not pull away from him.  Rather she laid
her head upon his shoulder as she gave out a small sigh.  Duncan closed his eyes, did his
best to just hold on to that one single moment in time, capture it, enjoy it fully.  The feel
of her body  covered only by the sleepwear against his own, the intoxicating scents of her
hair, the softness of her skin.  He wanted to freeze that moment forever and never let it go. 
Was it even possible that she felt the same for him as he did for her?
  
     "It's late, Duncan.  I should go."  She raised her head from his shoulder but did not
release herself from his hold.  "Will you really miss me?"  Her voice as her question was
genuine, from the heart.
   
    "Yes, I will."  He traced his fingertips along the outline of her face.  "Very much."
Sarah averted her eyes from his gaze, he felt her shake slightly inside his hold.  "Are you
all right?"
   
    "It's cold," she whispered as she rose on unsteady legs.  "Good night, Duncan." 
She did not turn to look at him as she walked off into the chilly late winters night.
   
    That night Duncan realized the vow he had made could not be kept.  





Well, guys and gals, that's all for now!  I hope you've enjoyed my little musing.  
If you'd like to see more just click on Duncan and drop me an e-mail!  I am still 
considering adding more chapters of this novel, if enough of you want to read more
then I will gladly add it here!




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