by Mary Morgan
What would you say, Rose MacLaren, if I told you I was one of those warriors who assisted the great female warrior in her training of the Red Branch warriors?
And within the darkened interior of the pub, Aidan realized the journey he now faced was a path he could never have foreseen.
One of destiny or destruction. But for whom?
Chapter Seven
“Be wary of plucking a flower from the ground. You might inadvertently spread the seeds of blight to another blossoming bud.”
~Society of the Thistle
Surveying the sinfully tall, dark man over the rim of her beer, Rose tried desperately to listen to the cadence of his voice. There was an odd fluency to the pitch. Not quite Scottish, nor Irish, but a familiarity—one she had heard previously. Unfortunately, her intent to focus on his words became lost whenever she stared into his eyes.
Exotic, spellbinding, rare, and mesmerizing. One moment she detected their lavender hue and then the next, shards of silver. She was locked in this hypnotic trance.
“Are you lost after the one sip of beer you’ve tasted? Or have my words about Balleycove left you without words, leaving you bored?”
Rose blinked in embarrassment. After taking a huge swallow of her drink, she placed the glass down on the table. “I must admit your home—castle sounds intriguing. It’s a pity there have been no written records.”
“My family thought otherwise.”
“And you’re just following along?”
Aidan leaned forward, smiling. “Why the interest in Balleycove?”
She shrugged dismissively. “A link to the ancient stones?”
His good humor vanished. “The fortress was built in the twelfth century, and the standing stones have stood guard thousands of years before my home was thought of.”
Rose fingered the utensils on the table. “One never knows. Perchance your ancestors knew about those who carved the symbols on the stones.”
“Regardless, the knowledge died with them,” he offered quietly.
“What are your plans in regard to the stones?” Obviously, the man had knowledge, and Rose was intent on prying forth the information. Flirting was not in her arsenal, but she wouldn’t discount it with Aidan Kerrigan.
“To observe and study the position, relating to the stars.”
“Are you an astronomer, too?” she inquired, intrigued further by his background of knowledge.
“Yes. And you?”
“No. My expertise is with history and botany. We at the Society like to combine both. Each is an integral part to learning more about the land and people who dwelled in their surroundings.” Rose leaned forward. “Though I must profess, I have a keen interest in learning about the stars and planets.”
“It is a vast universe,” he remarked, taking another draw from his beer.
Rose smacked the wood with her hand. “Exactly what I’ve been saying for years.” Waving her hand upward, she added, “Surely we can’t be the only ones in the universe, right?”
Aidan placed his glass down. “Are you speaking of aliens?”
Rolling her eyes at his choice of terminology, she leaned back. “The word smacks of creatures with large eyes, no ears, and green skin. I tend to think of them as other civilizations that colonized other worlds.”
He arched a dark brow in amusement. “And what would you do if you came upon one of these people from another world? Show them around your bonny Scotland?”
Rose frowned. Was the man mocking her? “It’s more your land than mine. Most of my relatives came over from Ireland only a thousand years ago.”
“You have not answered my question. Would you flee? Or attempt a greeting?”
Aidan leaned his massive forearms on the maple table, studying her. Dwarfed by his close presence, Rose pressed herself farther back against the cushioned booth. His eyes shifted colors, and she refused to turn away from the intensity of his gaze. She swallowed. “You have the most mesmerizing eyes, Aidan.”
He blinked several times as if coming out of a trance.
“Care for a menu?” asked the server approaching their table and tapping a pencil to her notebook.
Aidan recovered quickly. “What’s the special today, Pam?”
Giving Aidan a wink, she replied, “Your favorite. Irish stout stew and dill bread.”
“Minus the meat, correct?”
Pam leveled the pencil at him. “I’m shocked you would even ask, Aidan.” She leaned against the table. “We always have a special menu prepared for you when you’re in the village.”
He chuckled softly. “One can never assume, lass. Furthermore, I don’t believe I’m the only one who doesn’t eat meat.”
“A pity. By your strong form, I would have thought you to be a carnivore.”
Aidan pushed his glass toward Pam. “To ingest other animals is not on my menu for strength.”
Is this another conquest of yours, Aidan Kerrigan? Rose wondered. If the woman scooted any closer to him, she’d be sitting in his lap. Apparently, Pam had forgotten there was another body occupying the booth. “What’s the soup of the day?”
Pam glanced over her shoulder at Rose. “Beef vegetable.”
Scrunching her nose up at the thought of anything with meat, she stated, “I’ll take a cup of the vegetarian stew, salad with a side of blue cheese dressing, and an order of dill bread.”
Pam pointed to their almost empty glasses. “Another round?”
“Only if I pay for the additional pints,” declared Aidan.
“Deal,” announced Rose.
The woman swiftly departed, and Rose fidgeted once again with the eating utensils. “The village people know you well.”
“Generations have known me…my family.”
Rose gave him a skeptical look. “Generations? You must be ancient.”
Mirth reflected in his eyes. “Positively.”
Pam returned with two more pints, giving Aidan a beaming smile before leaving once again.
“You have an admirer,” mentioned Rose, reaching for her pint and taking a huge gulp.
Aidan sputtered on his beer. Wiping his mouth with the back of his hand, he put his glass down. “Not that I care, but do you care, Rose MacLaren?”
She swiftly directed her attention elsewhere. “Sorry. It’s one of my flaws. Speaking without reflecting first. My sister calls it word vomit and corrects me profusely.”
Aidan’s laughter echoed all around her. Finishing her pint, she placed the glass on the table and folded her arms over her chest. She angled her head to the side and glared at him. “I do not see the humor in professing a flaw.”
All traces of mirth vanished from his face. In one swift movement, Aidan grasped her hand. “Humor is good for the soul, Rose, regardless where it is found. I was not laughing at you. I find your honesty…refreshing. But you have yet to answer my two questions.”
Rose’s chest constricted. The warmth from his hand invaded her skin, sending shards of pleasurable pinpricks throughout her body.
“Rose?” He rolled her name off his tongue in a low voice.
“I have forgotten the questions,” she confessed softly.
His thumb rubbed across the vein on her wrist, causing her to tremble. “If you came across an alien, what would you do? And do you care if others flirt with me?”
Stop this instant, Rose MacLaren! You’ve just met the man. This is far too intimate. He oozed a sexual power, holding her captive with his seductive looks, touch, and charisma.
Recovering her wits, she replied, “I would welcome the conversation.” She swallowed, forcing the lie from her lips. “As for others charmed by your looks and flirting outright with you, I could care less. I hardly know you.”
Aidan released her hand as if he had been burned. His demeanor shifted, and he leaned back.
Silence descended between them like a heavy cloak. Rose eyed her empty glass, longing for something to quench the lump in her throat. What was wrong with her? Foolish girl. You’ve had too much to drink and n
othing to eat.
Rose reached for her napkin and placed it in her lap. “Food is taking too long,” she complained, searching the crowded pub for their server.
When Aidan remained quiet, Rose stole a glance at him. The intensity of his gaze on her startled her. She sensed he was battling some great decision.
Placing his hands on the table, he made to leave. “Forgive me, Rose, but I deem it would be best—”
“By the hounds, there you are, Aidan!” shouted a man strolling toward their booth. “Did you forget our meeting with the professor?” He fisted his hands on his hips, studying first Aidan and then Rose.
Her internal alarm went off with the mention of the professor. Tossing her napkin onto the table, Rose started to scoot out of the booth. “If you’ll excuse me, I think I’ll pass on the meal and head home.”
The man blocked her exit. “My apologies. I did not consider Aidan might have made other plans.” He stuck his hand outward. “My name is Liam MacGregor and you are…”
Rose lifted her head, in awe of the man whose height rivaled the giant sitting across from her. His smile lit up his entire face, and she returned the gesture. “Happy to meet you, Liam. I am—”
“Rose MacLaren,” interjected Aidan. “You can offer my apologies to the professor. I will contact him in the morning.”
Liam ignored Aidan, taking a firm hold of her hand. “What a lovely name, Rose.” Mischief glittered in his eyes. “How did you meet this old man?”
Laughter bubbled up within Rose as he released her hand. “He rescued me from falling flat on my face.”
“Do tell,” encouraged Liam, sitting down beside her in the booth.
“Don’t you have somewhere or something else to do?” Aidan asked brusquely.
Liam winked at Rose before turning his attention to Aidan. “Actually, no. Since you’ve missed the meeting, I have nothing on my agenda this evening. Is this a date?”
“No,” blurted out Rose and Aidan in unison.
“Excellent.” He beamed. Raising his hand, he shouted, “Pam, bring me a round of pints and two drams of your finest whisky!”
The woman waved in acknowledgement from the bar area.
“You’re not staying.” Aidan’s statement sounded more like a growl.
Liam shrugged. “Why not?” Turning toward Rose, he leaned his head against his hand. “You must share how this old man saved you from harm. Sounds like a story told in faery tales.”
Rose spared a glance at Aidan, noting the fury in his gaze when he stared at Liam and pondered his behavior. Liam was pleasant, charming, and sexy. You need food, MacLaren. Not men to gape over.
She returned her attention to Liam. “It’s simple. I was looking at the solar eclipse and not paying attention. Aidan broke my fall.”
“Intriguing,” mused Liam. “A spectacular eclipse, so I was told.”
Pam arrived, carrying a tray with more drinks. “Whose tab is this on?” she asked, placing the pints and drams in the middle.
Liam pointed to Aidan. “His turn this evening.”
Pam frowned in obvious confusion. “But last evening Aidan paid.”
Lifting the dram, Liam gave Pam a wink. “We do everything in threes.”
Great Goddess. What’s with all the winking? Rose placed her hands around the cool glass to temper the rising heat in her face.
Pam rolled her eyes and tucked the tray under her arm. “Unless you have any objections, Aidan, I’ll add everything on your tab.”
Rose lifted her hand. “I will pay for the first round.”
“No.” Aidan speared her with a look of steel. “You can pay the next time. Yes, Pam, put the entire bill on my tab.”
Rose narrowed her eyes at the man. “That was not our agreement. And what makes you think I’ll meet with you again?”
Aidan’s smile came slow and seductive. “Because you will.”
Liam tossed back his dram. After placing the glass down, he glanced at both of them. “How long have you known each other?”
“A few hours,” admitted Rose, keeping her gaze on Aidan.
“Sounds to me like you’ve known each other far longer,” he teased, reaching for his pint. “Sláinte Mhath!”
Rose lifted her pint to the toast and took a hesitant sip. What she craved was food, not more drink. Furthermore, she was beginning to regret her decision to have a pint with Aidan Kerrigan. The man was a dominating brute—behaving like a medieval barbarian.
“Do you live nearby?” asked Liam.
“She works at the Society of the Thistle,” stated Aidan.
Liam sharply assessed Rose. “I hear the Society is interested in the surrounding dig, currently being excavated.”
“Rose has a keen interest in the standing stones,” added Aidan. “She plans to further her studies with the stones in Corridon, as well.”
Liam’s gaze widened. “Oh…interesting.”
Slamming her glass onto the table, Rose glared at Aidan. “Do me the honor of allowing me to answer the questions.”
Aidan held his hands up in surrender. “My apologies.”
Since her secret was out, she no longer cared and prayed her explanation would suffice and not get back to the professor. “Yes, the Society is examining the foliage around the dig, but sometimes there might be an additional clue or marking to indicate what type of plant or flower grew in the area. My sister and I are staying for a couple days to take samples. She will photograph the surrounding area.”
Liam guzzled deeply from his glass. After placing his glass on the table, he shook his head. “There’s nothing on the stones that can be of value to your research.”
“Unless you know the work we do, your statement is incorrect,” argued Rose.
“Have you already studied the stones?” asked Liam, yet his gaze was fixed on Aidan.
“Yes,” she acknowledged, already regretting the affirmation. You should have lied!
“And were your findings any help in your research?”
Not in my research, but my visions. “Yes,” she lied. “Of course, I will examine them further when we return to the Society.”
She picked up her glass, studying Aidan over the rim. His penetrating gaze made her nervous. Could he read her thoughts? She took a sip of her drink.
Aidan folded his arms over his chest. “You must share your knowledge with the professor.”
A tremor of fear crept down the back of her neck, and she set her glass down. Now that her secret was out, their chances of being able to examine anything were finished. Her hands twisted the napkin in her lap, and her sister’s words earlier came back to haunt her. What if they denied the Society access to any more research? Rose refused to be a coward or to ruin an opportunity for the Society.
She lifted her head high. “Until I have studied everything further, I don’t believe my findings will be acceptable to the university. Therefore, there is no need to concern yourselves or the professor with what we are researching.”
Aidan arched a dark brow at her. “Perhaps in time, you will share your knowledge with me.”
“Only if you consider offering yours as well.”
He leaned his forearms on the table. “When we meet again, Rose, I shall.”
“So sure of yourself.”
His laughter caressed her skin. “Always,” he responded.
Rose stole a glance at Liam. The man had an odd expression on his face as he stared with intent at Aidan.
Pam approached, bringing a tray heavy with plates of food. “Did you care for anything, Liam, or is the drink going to be your meal?”
Rubbing a hand over his face, he smiled. “Bring me the same as they’re having and an additional round of drinks.”
“Good,” the woman replied and skirted to another table to take an order.
Rose inhaled the delicious aroma from the cup of stew, eager to dive into her meal. After taking her first bite, she let out a soft moan. The combination of stout mixed with the potatoes and vegetables was delic
ious. As she continued to savor her meal, she closed her eyes on a sigh with each bite. When she lifted her sight to the other men, they were gaping at her like a specimen.
Quickly wiping her mouth with her napkin, she asked, “Did I splash some on my face?”
“No, lass,” uttered Aidan softly. “I have never witnessed anyone enjoy a meal with…such relish.”
“Nor I,” affirmed Liam and reached for Aidan’s half-finished pint and downed the remainder. “I think I’ll go help Pam with our additional drinks,” he offered, slipping out of the booth.
“I was hungry,” she blurted out, dropping her spoon into the cup. Reaching for a slice of dill bread, she tried to mask her embarrassment as she focused on buttering her piece of bread.
Aidan grasped her hand, stilling her movements. “It was only a comment. There is no need to be defensive. I enjoyed watching you.”
Rose swallowed, unable to form any words. Even with Liam’s absence, once again, the space in the booth was too confining. Aidan’s massive presence dominated the small enclosure. She merely nodded.
When he released her hand, Rose took a bite of the warm bread, aching to sample the man across from her.
Chapter Eight
“When emotions cloud your viewpoint, encase them in a sphere of protection, and toss them outward to the winds.”
~Edicts of the Fenian Warriors
“What were you thinking?” demanded Liam, blocking another blow from Aidan.
“Now why would you profess such a question? And I do not favor you calling me an old man in front of Rose.” Aidan thrust forward with his sword, attempting to unbalance the warrior.
Liam swiftly deflected the blade. “Because she is not the reason we’ve been sent here. Your fixation on the lass does not pertain to our situation. And you are old,” he mocked.
“We have yet to determine what action to take with the stones. Rose might hold the key.” He leaned to the side, narrowly missing an attack from Liam. Swiftly rounding on the warrior, Aidan slammed his hilt onto his back. “I might be old, but I will ask you to refrain from mentioning my age in front of the lass.”
Stumbling forward, Liam then turned around. “You should have visited the Pleasure Gardens. Your lust is impeding your thoughts, great leader.”