Thomas came afore him and knelt. “I ask your forgiveness, Father, for losing our ancestor’s ring,” he said aloud for all to hear.
That damn ring has cost us much, Fergus thought, even whilst he began to finally realize ’twas not the ring that had been at fault but his own lack of faith that his son would somehow return it to the clan.
“I forgive ye, Thomas, as I hope ye can forgive me,” he answered, reaching out for his son.
They stood as one and clasped one another in a fierce embrace.
“My son returns home!” he called out, and those who were witness to Thomas standing proudly next to their laird began to cheer.
“I have something for you, Father,” his son said.
He watched when Thomas took something from his finger and handed it to him.
’Twas the ring Thomas had lost all those years ago. “But how—”
Thomas laughed, cutting off his words. “’Tis quite the story, Father, but such a tale should be retold only to family.”
“We can retire tae my solar for the telling,” Fergus stated, still staring down at the ring with its guiding star.
A squeal of feminine delight sounded through the hall, causing Fergus and Thomas to turn around and look at what was the cause. “Let me introduce you to my wife, Jade. That is, if I can get her away from mother and my sisters long enough to introduce you.”
Fergus took ahold of Thomas’s arm. “Here,” he said, holding out the ring for his son to take. “’Tis still yours, and it belongs tae ye now.”
Thomas gave him a hearty slap upon his back and laughed. “You hold on to it for me, Father. It has served its purpose and brought me the love of a good woman much like you found in Mother.”
Fergus watched as his son went to his wife and gave her a quick kiss afore he engulfed his mother in his arms. Fergus took in the scene and was content after so many years wishing for his son’s return. He gazed down at the ring that began to glow, but that was hardly what caused his eyes to widen. For as the ring became brighter, it also became transparent afore it disappeared right afore Fergus’s eyes.
He had no explanation for what he had just witnessed nor did the ring’s disappearance seem to matter. His son had returned home, and his family was complete. He would not ask for more than that.
* * *
And so the ring was gone. But would it reappear again to guide other hearts that belong together somewhere in time? Perhaps. For anything is possible when your heart is searching for that special someone and for one last kiss.
Bonus Material
The following material appeared on the Bluestocking Belles’ blog, the Teatime Tattler. I hope you enjoy these original pieces that continue Jade and Thomas’s journey to finding love and also a glimpse into Zoe’s story one day.
Her’s for the taking
Fira stomped her foot, frustration etched its way across her face. Why, oh why, whenever she started to have feelings for a man did he turn around and give his affection to another. She stormed into Berwyck’s kitchen but not before she turned back to gaze into the hall one more time.
There she was… another woman who found her way to the castle to create a buzz as several knights began vying for her attention. A lady, Fira had been told, but the stranger did not act like any lady she had ever been in service to before. Most demanded Fira’s time to fulfill their every little whim. This woman had yet to ask anything of a mere serving girl.
“He is a handsome one, isna he, Fira?” One of the women in the kitchen sighed while the rest giggled.
Sir Gaillard de Rowen was indeed a man who knew how to catch a woman’s eye. Did he not just yester eve hint he would like to get to know her better? “Oh, aye,” Fira answered with a dreamy smile. “Gaillard makes me swoon just thinking of him.”
The women broke out in laughter causing Fira to frown.
“Have ye no eyes in yer head, lass?” Cook chimed in. “We were talking about Sir Thomas.”
Fira went back to the entry to the hall. Hope lingered in her heart thinking she might still have a chance. Where Sir Thomas was dark, Sir Gaillard was fair. Her attention focused on the trio across the hall. The two men were now with Lady Jade and Sir Thomas did not look pleased. As Fira watched the woman take Sir Thomas’s hand as he led her to the raised dais, Fira’s heart soared. She still had a chance with Sir Gaillard!
“I prefer the other knight,” Fira finally replied.
One woman spoke up from the table as she kneaded dough. “Ye best stay clear of the likes of him, if ye know what’s good for ye, Fira” she said with a smirk.
“He is good for me,” Fira retorted, “and has been nothing but kind.”
“He only wants one thing from ye,” another called out, “and he can get the same from any of the whores in the village.”
Fira whirled upon the group with a raised fist. “I tell ye, he does care for me!”
“Why would he settle for a serf when he can have some rich liedy?” another asked.
“The only thing Sir Gaillard is good for is eating, drinking,…”
“…and puttin’ a babe in yer belly,” another finished while the women once more erupted in laughter.
Fira ignored them, along with their crude comments that continued to cause laughter in the kitchen. Grabbing another pitcher of wine, she put a smile on her face and went back to serving. If she played the game well, she just might find herself wed to Sir Gaillard before the new lady at the castle realized what a catch the man really was!
He belongs to me
Jade Calloway made her way into the Great Hall of Berwyck Castle still feeling overwhelmed by the miracle of her slipping through time. She saw Thomas standing near the massive fireplace with a group of his fellow knights. He raised a tankard of mead to his lips but paused when he saw her across the room. A smile reached his eyes and Jade blushed while she remembered their first kiss.
With a sudden urge to be near Thomas, Jade began to make her way through the hall before a serf bumped into her. Wine from the pitcher the young woman held sloshed onto Jade gown. A gasp of surprise rushed passed her lips when her garment became soaked to her skin.
“Ye best leave and return from whence ye came,” the girl said through clenched teeth.
Jade’s brow rose while she tried to remember the woman’s name. “Fira, isn’t it?”
“Aye.”
“No apology for ruining my gown?” Jade asked wondering why Fira was looking like she would have no problem thrusting a dagger into Jade’s back.
“He belongs to me,” Fira growled out.
Jade’s gaze went to Thomas who began to make his way towards her. “Who? Sir Thomas?”
“Nay… not him. Sir Gaillard. Stay away from him because he is mine.” Her eyes darted about the hall before she let out a curse and fled.
“Gaillard? You can have him,” Jade murmured watching Fira’s departure before she felt Thomas’s hand reach around her waist.
“Is she troubling you?” he whispered in her ear causing Jade to shiver with his nearness.
“No but that one is trouble, mark my words.”
“She is but a woman,” Thomas replied taking her arm.
“Said all men throughout time when they can’t see what is right before them,” Jade said with a laugh.
“Go change your gown and let us be about our day. Forget about Fira. These things have a way of working themselves out for the best,” Thomas said ushering Jade to her chamber.
And with his words, Jade forgot about the angry serf who was under some impression that Jade was after Gaillard. She had better things to do with her time here in twelfth century England than worry about a jealous woman.
Zoe and the ring
Zoe’s breath hitched. She must be dreaming. How else could she possibly be walking through an ancient hall in a medieval castle? She moved forward, or more like floated, so she knew she must have been sleeping.
She watched the scene play out before her as though she watched i
t on a flickering movie screen. She smiled when she saw her friend Jade conversing with a knight at the raised dais. The name Thomas skimmed across her mind and Zoe knew her friend had found her soul mate whether Jade knew it yet or not. But how was any of this possible?
A feeling of being watched washed over her and she suddenly turned as though a force beyond her control made her do so. Startled, she came face to face with a handsome stranger. A knight of olden days to make any fair maiden lose her heart in the instant their glances met. Tall with black hair that fell below his broad shoulders, the knight continued to watch her with sparkling blue eyes as though he knew some secret she was not privy to.
“Mademoiselle,” the knight murmured before taking her hand and raising it to his lips. His eyes searched hers until they assessed her clothing… her very modern day clothing.
Zoe suddenly felt out of place. “Sir…” she allowed her unfinished words to linger in the air between them.
“Morgan… at your service,” he replied. He looked around the room before he took her arm and placed it in the crook of his arm. A jolt of heat raced up her hand at the contact. “You appear lost. Mayhap you are one of the new ladies come here to attend the Lady Amiria?”
Zoe’s eyes widened. “Lady Amiria? As in the lady of Berwyck Castle?”
“Is there any other who could measure up to such a name?” he chuckled. “Let me escort you to her. She will be able to ensure you are properly attired. You must have traveled a long way in order to be here.”
“Sir Morgan, I need you to take me to Kenna. Is she here?” she asked quietly. Kenna would be able to explain everything… after all… the woman was her great-grandmother, several generations removed that is.
“She must still be outside. We had several men who were injured in the lists this day. Come, I can take you to her hut,” Morgan said, as he began ushering Zoe from the hall.
He grabbed at a cloak thrust into his hand by a servant and placed it upon her shoulders. She shivered when he closed the clasp at her neck. “Thank you,” she murmured, suddenly feeling shy in the presence of this very handsome knight.
“You are most welcome, Lady…” he gave her this lopsided grin that completely transformed his rugged face making him appear several years younger.
Zoe laughed realizing she had not given her name. “Zoe. It’s a pleasure to meet you, Sir Morgan,” she answered him as she thrust her hand forward for him to take.
He looked at her offering oddly before taking her hand in his calloused one. Warm heat seared straight to her heart and Zoe watched his eyes widen at their contact. He raised her hand once more towards his lips but instead kissed the inside of her wrist. Her toes curled and she swore such a sensation had never before consumed her of this magnitude.
“The pleasure is mine, dear lady. Perchance once you have concluded your business with our healer, you would allow me to accompany you to the table to break your fast.”
Zoe smiled. “I would love to, kind sir,” she said. I could get used to this kind of treatment.
He opened the door of the hall and Zoe walked outside only to stare in wonder at what she saw: snow falling upon a full-blown medieval castle in all its glory. She should have been watching where she was going but she was so preoccupied with the view and her companion that she completely missed the steps in front of her. She began to tumble forward while a scream tore from her lips.
Arms of steel wrapped around her to break her fall and her arms automatically went around his neck as though holding onto Morgan was the only thing that kept reality and her dream from colliding. His lips parted and she watched when his head began to bend forward to steal a kiss. She had never wanted anything more in her entire life.
“Zoe!”
Their lips were but a breath away. Quickly they broke apart but Zoe still clung to Morgan’s arm, afraid that if she were to let go she would lose him to Time.
“Zoe… you must needs go home!” Kenna’s voice rang out in the inner bailey.
Morgan pulled her close, even while Zoe knew she was beginning to return to her own place in time. “Stay with me…” he murmured against her ear. “I just found you and cannot let you leave me so easily.”
Zoe reached up to cup his cheek, rubbing her thumb against his five o’clock shadow. “I would stay if I could,” she whispered. “Remember me…”
“Always.” He took her hand and once more placed a gentle kiss into her palm. “Come back to me, Zoe,” he said before leaning forward to kiss her.
It was everything she would ever want in a first kiss and as she tightened her arms around this handsome knight she gave herself into the moment… that was until her eyes snapped open and she found herself staring up at the ceiling in her apartment. A sob tore from her throat while she flung off the covers to sit at the edge of her bed.
“Why!” she yelled out in frustration only to see a vague vision of Kenna standing before her. “Why? Why would you show me him and then not let me stay?”
“Dearest granddaughter… I showed you nothing other than what you desire but you are not finished with your work in this time and until you are, you must stay here.”
“But what about Morgan?” she asked while tears ran down her face.
“You will know when it is the right time and place for you to find each other again. He will be waiting for you to come home…”
Zoe reached out for the woman who had been a constant in her life yet lived century’s ago. Before her grandmother faded from view, a soft golden glow began shimmering in her hand. She blew a kiss and a twinkling trail like starlight went towards Zoe’s bedside table. Zoe stared in wonder when a golden ring took shape. She reached over to clasp the ring to her chest and smiled knowing she would one day see Morgan again.
* * *
And in another place in time, Morgan awoke to still feel the lips of Zoe upon his own. He reached up to feel them still tingling from the contact. He began to dress to seek out Berwyck’s healer knowing Kenna would have the answers he stood in need of. He needed to find Zoe no matter the cost. Even Time itself would not keep them apart!
Afterword & Acknowledgments
Dearest Reader:
Thank you for your continued support by purchasing this novella. Originally in the box set Follow Your Star Home: A Bluestocking Belles Collection, I jumped at the chance to write one of my medieval/time travels for your reading pleasure. I must admit I really love writing in this genre and I hope you enjoy reading these stories as much as I love writing them.
Coming soon will be Love Will Find You featuring Killian of Clan MacLaren and Ella Fitzpatrick. You first met Killian in my debut novel If My Heart Could See You and most recently in To Love A Scottish Laird: De Wolfe Pack Connected World. You were first introduced to Ella in Only For You and also got a brief glimpse of her in To Follow My Heart. Those pesky secondary characters tend to have a mind of their own but I admit I have no issue giving them their own happily-ever-after stories.
I still have several manuscripts at various stages so I’ll have more coming your way. The day job still has to take priority to keep that roof over my head but my passion is still my writing. I enjoy the emails that I receive from you asking when a certain character will get their story. It makes me smile each and every time to know you are as invested in them as I am! So much writing to do… so little time. I’m sure you can understand.
I would like to thank the Bluestocking Belles for allowing me to keep the “vision” of their characters while Jade slips through time and also for their continued support. I’m happy to be associated with such an incredible group of authors.
As always, I must also thank my family for their support as I try and keep this all together. Life tends to get in the way sometimes but their understanding when I have deadlines doesn’t go unnoticed. Really… I swear we’ll have some sparkling conversation soon at some point.
And thank you to my loyal readers. Your patience waiting for me to write that next book means the world to me,
along with the time you take to write such wonderful reviews. I continue to read them all. I am humbly grateful to each and every one of you.
All the best,
Sherry Ewing
Other Books by Sherry Ewing
Medieval & Time Travel Series
To Love A Scottish Laird: De Wolfe Pack Connected World
Sometimes you really can fall in love at first sight…
Lady Catherine de Wolfe knows she must find a husband before her brother chooses one for her. A tournament to celebrate the wedding of the Duke of Normandy might be her answer. She does not expect to fall for a man after just one touch. Laird Douglas MacLaren of Berwyck is invited to the tournament by the Duke of Normandy. He goes to ensure Berwyck’s safety once Henry takes the throne. He does not expect to become entranced by a woman who bumps into him. Yet, nothing is ever quite that simple. Not everyone is happy with the union of this English lady and a Scottish laird. From the shores of France, to Berwyck Castle on the border between their countries, Douglas and Catherine must find their way to protect their newfound love.
One Last Kiss: The Knights of Berwyck: A Quest Through Time, Book Five Page 8