I catch sight of her at Myriam's wedding while I'm walking her down the aisle. It's all I can do to keep my feet moving.
"Myriam," I whisper to her as we walk.
"What is it Connor?" she responds out the side of her mouth.
"Who's that woman in the back? The one in the blue dress?"
"Connor, it's my wedding. I'm not looking at anyone but Norris."
"Right, sorry," I say, escorting her the rest of the way and handing her off to Norris. I take my seat and exert all my will in an attempt to remain facing forward. When the wedding is over and everyone is filing out of the chapel she's suddenly gone. I actually panic for a moment before remembering I'm an assassin, I can find anyone I'd like. What's wrong with me? I've never had much interest in the opposite sex before, I've always thought of them as more of a distraction. Perhaps it's different now that the war is over, my people have moved on, and my biggest responsibility, aside from the Brotherhood, is taking care of our homestead.
Or maybe it's just that I've never seen another girl like her. She had dark brown hair worn in waves down her back, and a complexion just a touch darker than Myriam's, though still much lighter than my own. Her heart-shaped face was complimented by big blue eyes and a spattering of freckles across her pert little nose. She was petite- she couldn't have been much over 5'1 to my 6 foot- and if I never see her again I will always carry the imprint of her in my mind.
It's hours later before I finally find her again. She's laughing and being spun around the tavern yard in a dance with someone I don't recognize. Not that that's uncommon today, people are in from all over to attend the wedding. I grab Ellen as she walks by my seat in the corner, the one with the best view of the dance floor.
"Hello Connor, what can I do for you?" she asks.
"Ellen, do you know who that girl is?" I ask, pointing to the one in question. Ellen is one of the few people who isn't surprised by my lack of small talk, as I very rarely attempt to make any. A smile spreads across her face.
"Has a young lady finally peaked your interest, Connor?" she asks, turning to see who I'm pointing at. "Quite a woman you've chosen there. That's Big Dave's niece, here for an extended visit."
"Her name?"
"Mahayla, I believe it was." I stare at the girl in wonder for a minute. Mahayla. What a beautiful name. That moment ends when her partner takes her by the hips once again. Mine, I want to growl. Where did that come from?
"You know, you could always go cut in, introduce yourself," says Ellen gently. I shake my head slightly, trying to loosen the sudden intensity I've been gripped with.
"Thank you for the suggestion, Ellen. Have you seen Big Dave?" I ask.
"Yes, he's in the tavern having a drink."
"Thank you," I say, heading immediately in that direction. I spot him by the bar with Lyle and make a beeline for him. "Dave, I would like your permission to marry your niece." He spits his ale out.
"Slow down Connor. I wasn't aware you and Mahayla had met. Have you talked to her about this?" This is the part where thinking things through would have helped me considerably. Achilles was always saying I spend far too much time acting and far too little thinking.
"I haven't spoken to her yet. At all, actually." Big Dave laughs.
"You might want to introduce yourself before proposing marriage, boy. In fact, here's your chance now." I turn to see Mahayla walking towards us on the arm of her dance partner.
"Uncle David! There you are. I was just telling Amos here," she raises her eyebrows at Big Dave and tilts her head slightly, "that I couldn't possibly accept his offer of a second dance, that my uncle and guardian would find it quite inappropriate. Amos then so wisely suggested we come see you so he could plead his case in person." Big Dave draws himself up to his full height and seems to suddenly exude animosity. Mahayla drops Amos's arm and takes a step back, leaving him to face Dave's wrath alone.
"Is that so? And what makes you think I should risk my poor young niece's reputation on the likes of you?" Amos seems flustered.
"I merely thought, she being a woman grown-"
"A woman grown is she? Tell me Mahayla," he says, not taking his eyes off Amos, "how old are you now? 16? 17?"
"23, Uncle," she chimes in from behind him.
"So you are, so you are. But to me," he says, leaning in close to the man that's begun to sweat, "she'll always be 17. Are we clear?"
"Yes, of course, Sir. My apologies," says Amos, hastily making his escape. Dave waits until he's made it out of the tavern before bursting into laughter.
"My, my, Hayla. You certainly know how to pick 'em!" he says, turning around to face us. She rolls her eyes.
"I accepted a single dance and couldn't be rid of him once it ended. Although, that part about me being 17 forever was genius. Thank you."
"Anytime my girl, anytime. Now, there's someone here I'd like you to meet," says Dave, turning her towards me. Her eyes travel from the top of my head over every inch of my body to my feet before making their way back up to my face.
"A pleasure to meet you, Mr...?"
"Kenway, Connor Kenway," I say, taking her outstretched hand in mine and shaking it.
"Connor then," she says with a smile. "I'm Mahayla Waltson." There's a spark of interest in her eyes that gives me courage.
"Mahayla, would you care to dance?" A bit of mirth enters her eyes.
"You know, I think I very much would." But before she can slip her arm through mine, Big Dave interrupts.
"That sounds like a wonderful plan, but they're about to throw the bouquet. You should go catch it."
"The bouquet Uncle? For an old spinster like me?" she asks, exaggeratedly.
"Old my left arse cheek. Off with you girl!" he says, pushing her towards the door.
"Fine," she sighs. "And Connor? I look forward to our dance." She sends me a smile as she walks out the door. My own hopeful smile is still firmly in place when Big Dave clasps an arm around my shoulder. I stiffen slightly. No matter how long I've lived around white men I still don't feel comfortable with all the touching.
"Connor, let's have a talk, shall we?" he says as he guides us towards a table. "I believe what you should be asking me is for permission to court my niece. Permission I never planned on giving to anyone. But you Connor, you I'll make an exception for. I know you to be an honorable man, and will give you my blessing, but that won't be enough by itself. The girl has a mind of her own."
"I believe that is just the kind of woman I would appreciate," I say. Big Dave breaks out in a grin.
"I agree. And I look forward to watching this play out. Now then, I believe I hear the band starting up again. You should go claim that dance before another man asks her for it." I get quickly to my feet and stride towards the door, hearing Dave's laughter behind me.
I reach the yard in time to see Mahayla attempting to fend off yet another man I don't know. He doesn't seem to want to take no for an answer. The voice inside me growls mine, and I don't question it this time. There's something there that wants to don warpaint and threaten this man with a tomahawk, but I settle for a menacing glare.
"Is this stranger bothering you?" I ask as I come to a stop behind him. If Mahayla is intimidated by the look on my face she doesn't show it, she simply smiles up at me.
"As I was saying, Clement, I've already promised this dance to another," she says, gesturing to me. Clement turns to see me and gives a look of disbelief.
"Him?" he asks, incredulously. I cross my arms over my chest.
"Yes," replies Mahayla, sidestepping him and taking my arm. "Him." I escort her to the line of dancers and try to focus on not making a fool of myself. Catherine and Diana have been teaching me dances for years, whenever they could get a hold of me for more than a minute or two. I remind myself to thank them later as the smile on Mahayla's face tells me I can't be doing too bad a job. I find I'm even enjoying myself. By the time the music stops we're both out of breath and I don't believe I've ever smiled so widely in my life. That is, until I see Clement waiting for us to leave the dance floor. Mine.
"Mahayla, would you like to go on a walk with me? I'd be willing to bet you haven't seen the manor house yet, and I'd love to show it to you." Her eyes light up.
"That would be wonderful, Connor," she says, slipping her arm through the one I offer. I smile down at her as I lead the was to the main road that runs to the manor, which just happens to be in the opposite direction of any prospective dance partners.
"Thank you," she whispers to me.
"For what?" I whisper back.
"Saving me from another ill wanted suitor." I smile at her.
"It is my pleasure."
"Connor!" calls a panicked voice behind us. I turn to find Terry running towards us at full speed. "Connor! My eldest boy is missing! Last anyone saw of him he was heading in the direction of Norris's mine."
"I'm sorry," I say to Mahayla, releasing her arm. "I have to go." Her face falls slightly but she nods.
"Of course you do. Go, I'll be fine."
"Can I call on you tomorrow?" I ask. She looks surprised.
"Call on me? I... I suppose so, yes."
"Good. Terry, go get Godfrey and Big Dave. I'll head towards the mine now, meet me there." I break into a run, concerned for the boy and yet filled with happiness. She said yes.