Someone to Call My Own

Chapter 6 - SIXTH

“Damn her!” Miroku cursed at the flames. He was sitting in front of the fire in his study. He had managed to slip unnoticed out of the McElroy ball. No one noticed his bruised face and bleeding nose. Lord Inuyasha was going to pay, he vowed. He had found out the identity of his attacker from his valet who got it from one of the maids. Servants always knew of the latest gossip. The infamous earl from Scotland had come to meet his fiancé and announce his engagement. He was sure the beautiful Lady Sango will love to know her future husband is defending her best friends honor instead of hers. Miroku was so focused in his anger that he didn’t notice the movement outside the glass doors that led to his garden.

“No one ever told you to lock your doors at night?” Inuyasha said smugly leaning on the glass door arms crossed across his chest. “What the hell are you doing here?” Miroku swung around a murderous look on his face. Inuyasha smiled. “I’ve come to do you a favor. It seems that the lady Kagome does not want to see you die, in spite of what you’ve done. I’ll indulge her this time. You just better keep your distance from her. If you ever try to bother her again, I’ll know about it. And it will take an act from god to stop me from killing you.” He made to leave.

“I wonder how the Lady Sango would feel about her fiancé protecting her friend’s honor so strongly. I should think she wouldn’t like it one bit.”

Inuyasha refused to be baited by him. “Just remember what I said.”

“Are you threatening me?” Miroku rising from his chair said.

“Yes.” And then he was gone.

~~

The next morning Inuyasha paid a call on Sango.

“How very nice to see you again.” She said smiling. He kissed her hand and followed her into the parlor where Kagome was sitting. “Lady Kagome, how are you feeling today?” Inuyasha asked a mischievous lon hin his face. He bent and kissed her hand as well. This sent a shiver up her spine. Composing herself she managed a creditable greeting. “I’m feeling better thank you.”

He turned to Sango and said, “We need to talk of our engagement.” He sat opposite Sango who now was sitting next to Kagome. “I want to cut it short. In three weeks time immediately after the engagement ball we will be married.” He said it so sternly it sounded like a command. Kagome was going to excuse herself. She knew that Sango hated nothing more than being ordered around, especially by a man.

“I should leave.” Kagome said. Inuyasha rose, Sango said nothing. As she left the room she looked at Sango. Her head was bowed and eyes lowered. Kagome didn’t think she should not leave them alone. She knew what Sango could be like when angry but this was a private matter and she couldn’t interfere.

Kagome went out to the garden to wait for the explosion. She placed herself just outside the parlor window, pretending to prune roses, she waited. Suddenly a shadow fell over the roses she was pretending to work on. She turned, afraid of what that shadow could be. She was relieved to see it was Lord Sesshomaru. “My lord you startled me.”

“I’m sorry my dear. I’ve come to see how you’re doing after last night.”

She blushed. The man was worried if he only knew why she had fainted.

“I am feeling better thank you, it was just such a crush last night and being out almost every night this week has taken a toll on me, I’m afraid. But I thank you for your assistance last night.”

He said nothing and just stared at her. It made her uncomfortable he had these very intense eyes that made her feel naked under their scrutiny. He finally answered. “It was my pleasure. Would you care to take a turn in the garden?”

They talked for a while making polite conversation, she asked him about his stay in town. All the while in the back of her mind she still waited for some sign from within the house. He talked eloquently, of the moors of Scotland. They strolled through the garden and after a while she said,

“Would you care to come in for a cup of tea, I believe lord Inuyasha is inside.”

“I know.” He said coolly. “He was supposed to make you leave in order for me to get you alone.”

“Really?” She was suspicious now. ‘Why would they want to do that?’ she thought.

“Why the ruse?” She didn’t think anything he could say would make her feel less suspicious.

“I am courting you.” He said it and she couldn’t believe it.

“What?” Her voice sounded so loud to her ears. “But we’ve only just met.”

“I know. I wish to marry you. I’m not a man of many words, or flattery. I see something I want and I go for it.”

She couldn’t believe it. She paced and something like fear gripped her.

“Sir please be reasonable, I have no fortune. My parents were not nobility. I have nothing to recommend me. You are an earl. You could marry an heiress.” She paused trying to think of what else to say to discourage him. “We’ve barely even spoken before today. Why would you want to marry me?”

Why did she feel like she couldn’t breathe she should be grateful such an important man wanted to marry her, and not just use her. She had never had an offer of marriage before. She was flattered but scared. Why?

“I saw you and I could think of nothing else.” Sesshomaru said plainly.

Kagome thought for a moment, and then she knew. She wanted to marry for love.

“I am sorry sir, I cannot marry you. Please forgive me.” She said quietly. She turned and almost ran towards the house. She almost collided with Sango and Inuyasha who were walking out. She stared at them and wanted to cry. She couldn’t believe Inuyasha had arranged this. Why?

“I guess it didn’t go well.” Inuyasha said to Sango.

Sango walked over to where Lord Sesshomaru stood staring at the path the led back to the house.

“I will speak to her.” She offered.

“It will not be necessary, I know what to do.” He bowed and left the same way Kagome had.

“What is he going to do?” Sango was concerned.

“Don’t worry. He always gets what he wants.” Inuyasha said with a bit of envy. For some reason he felt like he shouldn’t let Sesshomaru do this.

“Shall we?” Inuyasha motioned for Sango to continue with their talk while taking a stroll. She gladly took his arm.