"Come," Alaxandar said. "Me needs get ye to bed." He looked at Iain. "Wake me in two hours to stand guard."
He carried her to the tent that had been raised for them. Gently, he laid her on a soft pallet and pulled a cover on before spooning and wrapping a heavy arm around her waist.
Small wisps of breath rushed across her face and his scent swirled about her. He splayed his open hand across her stomach. Even now, she could carry his baby.
Kara's throat tightened.
* * * *
Upon arrival at the MacLeod keep, Kara saw the banns which had been posted for Carrick and Eleyne's wedding. Katherine rushed out the doors to greet them. Eleyne jumped from the wagon and ran to Katherine. Kara smiled at the reunion of mother and daughter.
Alaxandar helped her down and her hostess came forward. "Kara, how do you feel?"
"Much better, thank you." She glanced at Alaxandar. "I was well cared for."
He bowed and hurried to help with unloading.
Turning back to Katherine she asked, "How are the arrangements going for the wedding?"
Katherine ushered her toward the doors. "I was ready to hurl Drummond from the highest wall when he told me he would turn Eleyne over to the enemy."
Kara grinned at that statement. She could well imagine Katherine's shock and the fight that ensued over Eleyne's welfare.
"A little later, Drummond explained that a bond had already been forged." She sighed. "Eleyne says she will be fine, but I wonder."
Kara patted Katherine's arm. "They circled and prodded each other with words. I felt the charge between them immediately." She cast her gaze toward the young chief who stood instructing his men where to make camp. "Carrick is a learned man and not like his father by any means. He'll do what's best for his people." She smiled. "I think he'll do what it takes to make her happy."
"Conar MacKay was a horrible man," Katherine whispered.
Kara could only imagine what he'd really been like. From the little dealings she'd had with him, she knew he could be ruthless and heartless. That horrible man was her great-grandfather. From the tales that Glynnis had told, Kara knew things could have been worse.
She helped where needed, and chatted with the clanswomen about the kidnapping. It caused much excitement at the MacLeod keep. This would be her life now, she was certain of it. Losing the stone pretty much sealed her fate, guaranteeing she'd never make it back to her time.
At twilight, Kara heard a clatter. She dabbed her face with a wet cloth, combed her hair and stepped into the hallway. Men were carrying furniture and trunks into one of the other chambers. Those must be Carrick's temporary quarters. Venturing out into the mild evening, she saw lit torches and numerous tents outside the gates to house the rest of the MacKays.
Her stomach growled. You'd think nerves would steal her appetite, and when she first arrived, they had. She guessed even her body was adjusting to her situation in a more permanent way.
She strolled toward the castle. All the inhabitants were busy doing one thing or another. Since it was after the meal, she helped herself to bits of meat, fruit, and bread. She grabbed a cup and a flask. Finding a quiet corner, Kara sat down on the floor, out of the way, and ate.
A tall shadow darkened the spot. She looked up to find Jamie smiling. That was a sight she had not really seen since she arrived. He glanced around then knelt before her.
"How fare ye, Kara?"
"Fine, thank you."
"I be glad o' that." He hesitated. "I wanted to speak with ye about what happened."
"You don't—"
"MacLeods are a proud lot. The raids, your appearance, and Alaxandar's interest in ye, riled me. I got lost in me cups and did what I shouldna have done. I knew Alaxandar wanted ye."
"I was frightened," she admitted.
An anguished look crossed his face. "I know, lass. I have never forced a woman. I shouldna have involved ye."
"But I was an easy target."
Jamie sighed and sat down. "Since we be young, Alaxandar has always been the better o' us."
"Why do you say that, Jamie?" She set the empty platter on the floor.
"It be truth."
She started to speak but he raised his hand.
"We be blood, 'tis true, but he kin out run me, out ride me, and unhand me with a sword, dirk or bare hands." His eyes found hers. "When ye came, it seemed he had yet another way to best me."
She smiled. "Thank you, I think, for the compliment."
He bowed his head slightly in response. "I have never seen him behave with a woman as he does with ye."
She bit her bottom lip. "Never?"
"Nay, never."
For a second time, Jamie actually smiled at her. It spread across his handsome face and went all the way to his twinkling eyes. She didn't believe Jamie had trouble with anything, especially females.
"Ye be good for him."
"Sometimes I don't think that's true," she said.
He started to rise and she placed her hand on his arm. "Jamie, I never meant to cause trouble between you two."
"Bah!" Jamie scoffed. "You be in the Highlands, woman. If there 'tis not some sort o' uprising, 'tis cause we be all drunken sods. Unrest thrives in our homeland."
The two were laughing when Kara heard thundering footsteps. She peeked around Jamie's shoulder to see Alaxandar stalking toward them. His long, powerful stride ate up the distance. She stiffened when he stopped. His hand rested on the hilt of his sword.
Jamie rose to stand before him. "This doesna concern ye, Alaxandar. I be talking to Kara."
Kara heard the iron tone in Jamie's voice.
"Well, ye be done talking to her. Ye be speaking with me now." Alaxandar's voice was like steel, hard and cold. He inched closer. "Stay away from her, or by all that is holy, the next time we will meet in battle."
Jamie stood, shifted his sword, and left his hand on the grip. "It wouldna be the first time."
Kara held her breath fearing what might happen next. Both men were stone still and that frightened her even more. Alaxandar's hand flexed against the hilt of his sword.
She rose from the floor, and moved between the two men. "Stop it, both of you." She shoved them in the chest and they broke eye contact to stare at her. "You're like two children fighting over a toy," she said in a stern voice.
Jamie snorted at that and Alaxandar cast a droll look her direction.
"I've decided something."
Alaxandar crossed his arms. "Now, what has your addled brain conjured?"
"My what?" she said.
"Ye heard me," he replied in a dry tone.
Both men now stood with their arms crossed. Kara stomped her foot. "Ooo, you arrogant, selfish, bullheaded brats."
Alaxandar's brows rose and he turned to Jamie. "I think she be casting insults at us, cousin."
"Aye," Jamie said. "I havna been called a braut since I was ten summers."
"Was that the time ye put the horse dung under the rushes in me máthair's solar?"
"Trying to catch a rat."
The two men faced each other and carried on their conversation as though she were no longer of interest, or in the room.
"Men," she screamed, and pushed through them to leave.
Alaxandar and Jamie shook their heads as they watched her storm out of the hall.
"She seems miffed, Alaxandar."
"Aye. She does that."
"Mayhap ye should follow your woman and calm her."
Alaxandar gave him a crooked smile. "I shall."
CHAPTER TWENTY TWO
Alaxandar left the chamber. Kara threw herself onto the mattress after their wild bout of love-making.
Her body ached.
Her soul ached.
In love with a Highland warrior, meeting her great uncle as a young man, entrusted with an ancient family relic, which she'd lost. Could things get any worse? It was too late to even contemplate keeping Alaxandar at a distance.
Did she want to? Her feelings for him had grown
. Denying that she was in love with him would just be stupid. She'd become so used to having him near, waking next to him. She didn't want to go back to a solitary life.
Carrick and Eleyne's wedding was scarce more than a week away.
Time was running out. If she knew anything about the whole time travel scenario, which was very little, the portal or bubble or doorway would not stay open. It may have closed already. She rested her head in her hands.
Years of Scottish history whirled in her mind. Her Grams' stories were at the forefront. Distrust, betrayal, and bloody. She shivered. If she was destined to stay, she needed to learn how to better protect herself. It was plain that no matter how capable she thought she was, these last days had proved her wrong. She needed help.
She knew exactly who to talk to.
Bursting with anxious energy, she cleaned up, dressed and cracked open the door. Thankfully, no one was in the hall, so she hurried to the stairwell. Eleyne bounded down the stairs and Kara caught up with her at the bottom.
"Eleyne," she called.
"Aye?"
She pulled Eleyne into a small alcove. "Can I ask a favor of you?"
"O' me?"
"Yes."
"Aye."
Kara glanced around to make sure no one could hear her request. "I would like to learn how to use a sword."
Eleyne stepped back. "Why bring this request to me?"
Kara grinned. "Because I've seen you practice with your small sword when the men are doing their exercises in the yard." She crossed her arms. "Don't try to deny it."
Eleyne relaxed a little. "Iain gave me the sword some time ago. Had the smithy make it special for me."
Shocked, Kara said, "Iain? The one who puts you over his knee, and pulls your braid? That Iain?"
Eleyne nodded. "Aye. Dunna let him fool ye. He still be me bráthair and protects me at all cost." She smiled. "He has shown me many times how to use it." She tensed. "Me máthair would beat him seven ways to the kirk should she ever find out."
"Don't worry," Kara assured her. "Your secret is safe with me."
"A thing for a thing. Mayhap a barter, ye ken?"
"What's your proposal?" Kara asked.
"I have seen ye reading me máthair's Bible."
"Yes, I manage through."
"I canna read."
Kara caught the drift of Eleyne's suggestion. "So, if I teach you to read, you'll teach me to handle the sword?"
"Aye."
"Deal," Kara said, and offered her hand to shake on it.
Eleyne shook and the deal was set.
"On the morrow, first thing come sunrise, meet me in the bailey."
Determined in her course, Kara set out to help in the bake house. A strange excitement filled her when she thought of hoisting the sword through the air and connecting with another. A dance of death for some, and triumph for others. Her body trembled.
Death.
* * * *
At sunrise, Kara met Eleyne in the yard. Eleyne had her smaller sword and one larger with a finely-crafted silver handle.
"I picked a lighter sword for ye. The broadsword would be too heavy."
Kara grinned. "I've had the pleasure of trying to heft one of those. No go."
"First, ye need stand thusly." Eleyne placed her right foot slightly ahead of her left. "Balance your weight evenly on both feet."
Kara followed suit.
"Good. Now, raise your right arm with the sword and hold it in front o' your face."
Eleyne showed her and Kara did as she bid.
"Carefully, maneuver your hand in this motion utilizing both sides of your body. Be sure to keep your left hand about the waist."
Awkwardly, Kara began her figure eight. It took several attempts before she got used to the weight of the sword and allowed it and gravity to help with the movement.
"Ye must get the feel o' the weapon to be effective, ye ken?"
Kara had her doubts about really being effective, but she'd set her mind on this task and she would succeed. I hope.
Her right arm grew tired. "I can't do this anymore, Eleyne. My arm is aching."
"Aye, 'tis enough o' that." Eleyne repositioned to stand in front of Kara. She held her sword out toward her. "Now, use both hands on the hilt, like this." Eleyne showed her by placing her left hand at the very bottom and her right hand just above it.
Kara followed her directive and took the stance.
"When I swing and hit your sword with mine, ye step back and brace arms to take the blow. Then, ye swing the sword, step forward, and hit me sword the same way."
Kara nodded.
Eleyne swung the sword on her right then lunged toward Kara and brought the blade toward hers. The ring of steel reverberated all the way up Kara's arms, but she didn't drop it. She brought her blade around and hit Eleyne's.
"Aye." Eleyne smiled. "Again."
The women went on for another half-hour before quitting. Eleyne hid the weapons in her secret place then met Kara in the solar to practice reading.
Kara wrote several sentences in Gaelic on parchment she'd borrowed. Her Gaelic was rusty. They studied until the morning meal and made plans for the next day.
* * * *
Alaxandar, Cuilén, Iain and Jamie were absent from breakfast. Drummond and Carrick discussed plans for the renovation of Strathnaver and the clan. The young man took note of the chief's vast experience in leadership, and would hopefully learn from it. Every time Eleyne tried to interject, both Carrick and her father shushed her. Fury built in the depths of her eyes. Kara wondered how long before she blew. Carrick was definitely in for an ear full this evening.
On the other end of the table, Leelah sat next to Katherine and talked non-stop. Ramsey sat beside her, still, as if he were made of stone, watching the chief deal with Carrick. His quiet intensity spoke to Kara. She couldn't explain it, but she felt him a kindred spirit.
After the meal, Kara went in search of Ramsey MacLaren, who'd made quick his exit. Finding him in the stables, she approached. "May I speak with you?"
His intimidating glare sent tremors through her, but she closed the distance anyway. "We have spoken so little since I've been here."
He continued pitching hay to the horses.
"Alaxandar speaks so highly of you, I thought—"
"Ye thought what, milady? That we be friends?" he asked in a deep-timbered, silky smooth voice.
Kara placed hands on her hips and glowered. "No. I thought I'd introduce myself since we hadn't really met."
A half-laugh escaped his lips. "No doubt others have warned ye away from me."
"And should I listen to others?"
"Aye." His clipped tone said more than the words.
"Well, I trust Alaxandar and he trusts you. What more should I listen to?"
"Why?"
"Why what?"
Light gray eyes with bits of amber in them gazed at her with incredible clarity. "Why do ye trust Alaxandar?"
Confused by the line of questioning, she contemplated how to answer. "Because I do. I can't really explain why. I just do."
"At least ye be truthful."
Offended by that remark, she said, "I'm always truthful."
A soft brown brow lifted. "I dare say ye dunna always tell the truth, milady."
His certainty made her nervous. Did he know something about her true identity?
"I was raised to tell the truth above all else, sir, and I do my very best to hold true to that teaching."
He inclined his head. "Me apologies."
In slow, steady strokes, Ramsey brushed his massive horse. The evenness and rhythm with which he did it was hypnotic.
"Be there anything else?"
"I would offer my congratulations."
"For?" His attention on the horse.
"For your engagement to Leelah."
Ramsey's hand stuttered across the horse's flank causing said horse to kick his hoof out, almost getting Ramsey in the groin.
She thought it odd. He seemed
shaken by the news. Perhaps it was wishful thinking on Leelah's part, and Kara had stuck her foot in her big, fat mouth.
"I'm sorry, I thought—I mean. Leelah said..."
His gaze locked on her face. She could swear the amber flecks turned to flames and danced in their gray depths. "I be aware of what the lass thinks."
"But you don't feel the same?"
He frowned. "Me feelings be me own." He said no more.
"I'll bid you good day then, sir." Kara left the stables in a hurry.
CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
Kara continued training with Eleyne and the reading each day. She didn't tell Alaxandar about her deal.
"Ye be anticipating me next move," Eleyne offered in praise.
"It is becoming more—familiar." Kara stopped a moment to catch her breath.
"I must take leave o' you."
"What about your studies?"
"I have been told to meet with Carrick this morn to discuss matters of great import." Eleyne's eyes twinkled. "Me thinks he gets restless with the preparations and 'tis ready to be done with it."
Kara laughed. "I can't blame him."
"Aye. Mayhap we kin meet this eve."
Kara agreed.
Eleyne departed. Kara picked up her belongings and the sword on her way back to her room. Someone made a sound behind her. She swung around raising the sword.
Alaxandar caught the blade between his hands, hissing from the slice into his skin. "What the bloody hell are ye doing out afore the sun rises carrying a sword?"
"Training."
Drawing the sword from his hands, she turned away from him.
"Training?"
"It's not your concern," Kara said, and started in the opposite direction.
"Give me the blade, Kara. Ye havna need o' this."
She swirled around, her eyes shining with anger. "I think I do. I'm learning to take care of myself."
"Why for saints sake have ye decided to arm yourself? There be men to protect ye and the women and bairns."
"I can't always expect you to protect me, you overgrown barbarian."
He did his best to contain the amusement he got from her words. Who'd thought the Lord would send a fiery piece of fluff like her to him? Somehow along the way, he'd fallen for her. He knew that should she find the object she sought, she'd leave him, and that he could not bear.
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