HIDDEN IN TIME

by Longley, Barbara

  A new phase of his life had begun. He’d earned the right to marry, and the sooner the deed was done the better. Still, the choice was not his to make. His mother had warned him not to push Grayce. She’d reminded him that a fortnight was not long enough for a woman to make such a momentous decision.

  Grabbing the remains of the meal he’d shared with Beth and his grandda, he left his cottage and whistled for the dogs. The sight of their wagging tails and their enthusiastic greeting loosened the strands of worry binding him. “Here ye go, ye wee beasties,” he said, setting the leftovers on the ground. Brian petted their silky heads as they gobbled down their meal.

  “Brian.” Grayce appeared upon the path to his front door.

  His heart bounced around his ribcage, and his mouth went dry as sawdust. “I was about to join ye and my parents so we could walk together to the gathering.”

  “I wanted to talk to you first. Privately.” She held out her hand. “Your tournament medallions,” she said. “You’ll need them.”

  He took them from her and slipped them into the small pouch he kept at his belt. “I’m grateful to ye for looking after them for me.”

  A half smile appeared for an instant, then disappeared. “You didn’t need me to look after your tournament placements.”

  Her somber mood added another strand to the skein of worry in his gut. “What did ye wish to speak with me about?”

  Grayce’s gaze drifted toward the cedars and pines nearby. She’d removed the adornments from her face and ears. He knew her well enough to recognize the signs. Whatever was on her mind troubled her deeply. “Would ye like to come inside and sit whilst we talk? I can warm the tea left in the pot.”

  “No.” She laced her fingers together before her and continued to survey the surrounding landscape. “I don’t know where to start.”

  “Start with what troubles ye the most.” He braced himself.

  She drew in a long breath and let it out slowly, continuing to look anywhere but at him. “I want to talk about us before the gathering begins. I don’t want you to think for a minute my decision has anything to do with the announcements being made tonight.”

  “Aye?” The knot in his gut expanded to encompass his chest and throat.

  “I’m a mess of conflicting emotions.”

  “Hmm.” She’d said everyone knew they had feelings for each other, yet he feared he was about to have his dreams shattered. “I need to sit.” Truth be told, he could scarcely breathe, much less stand. “If we’re to continue talking, ye’ll have to join me inside.” He opened his front door and waited.

  Their gazes connected as she approached, and the deep sadness in the depths of her eyes sliced right through him. As she passed, he caught a whiff of her unique, feminine scent and took it in as deeply as he could. Might this be the last time he’d be this close to her? What had happened within the span of a few hours? Had someone threatened her, or had the ill will between he and Aiden convinced her to seek a mate elsewhere?

  Grayce looked around the inside of the home he’d built: the rag rug on the plank floor before the hearth, his rocking chair, the table where the dishes still sat from breakfast. “This is nice, Brian. Cozy.” She took a seat at his table.

  Brian moved to his table and sat on the bench across from her. “Given what ye’ve been through, I would imagine conflicted emotions are to be expected. I don’t mean to take aught away from ye, Grayce. No matter what ye decide, I’ll support your decision.” Even if it meant he’d be a broken man for the rest of his life. “What is it ye wish to speak to me about?”

  “I miss my family,” she said, her voice fraught with grief. “By choosing you, I feel as if I’m betraying them. It’s like I’m turning my back and giving up hope that they’ll find me. At the same time, if you and I had met under any other circumstances, I’d want to be with you.” She glanced at him, then away. “I’d want that more than you can imagine,” she whispered. “But … I’ve only known you for …” She bit her lip. “It’s only been two weeks. I can’t marry a man I’ve known for only two weeks. That’s crazy.”

  His mind reeled. “You’re not rejecting me?”

  “Rejecting you?” She blinked at him. “Why would you think such a thing?”

  “Conflicting emotions, wanting to discuss the matter before the clan gathers, your decision having naught to do with—”

  “I choose you, Brian.” Her voice quavered, and a blush colored her cheeks. “But … do we have to marry right away? This is all so big and scary. So much has happened, and I—”

  “We can wait for as long as ye wish before we wed, but by letting our clan know you’ve chosen me, everyone will see us as betrothed.” He went weak with relief. Awash in exaltation and fierce longing, Brian moved on shaky legs to sit beside her. He took her hands in his. “Will that suit ye? If not, we don’t have to tell anyone until ye’re ready.”

  “I want to let everyone know before—”

  “Aye, before the announcement is made regarding who is to lead our village. Now I understand what ye meant.”

  She nodded, smiling at last, and his poor heart nearly burst. “May I kiss ye, Grayce of the Fading Blue Hair? Now that ye’ve made your choice known, ’tis permitted, and I’d very much like to kiss ye.”

  Her eyes sparkled, and she scooted closer. “Yes, Brian. You may now kiss me,” she said, imitating his formality.

  Torn between laughter and desire, he opted for the latter. Brian cradled her beloved face between his palms and stared into her beautiful eyes, taking in the profound changes she’d wrought in his life. He leaned in and brushed his lips across hers. As he’d suspected, hers were as soft as rose petals. Heat flared instantly. She moved even closer and wrapped her arms around his neck.

  The next brush of his mouth against hers, he lingered, nipping, tasting and teasing. She sighed, and he deepened the kiss. Then her tongue slid tentatively inside his mouth to touch his, and he lost all control.

  Groaning, Brian lifted her to his lap, drew her tightly to him and kissed her deeply, his tongue delving into the velvety warmth of her luscious mouth. She tasted of the tea she liked so much, and of honey. The sound of her breathy moan, the press of her breasts against his chest incited an internal riot of need. His heart hammered, and his breathing went shallow, rapid.

  He caressed her sides, running his palms along the curve of her waist to the flare of her womanly hips and up again to touch the underside of her breasts with his thumbs. He burned with desperation to feel her bare skin against his, her soft curves against his hardness. Grayce broke the kiss and leaned away. He followed, trying in vain to reclaim her mouth. Her deep, throaty laugh shot straight to his already throbbing, aching groin.

  Grayce placed her palms upon his chest and pressed her forehead against his. “Whew,” she said, her breath ragged.

  “Whew indeed.” He struggled to catch his own breath, though the greater battle was to bring his need to make love to her, to make her his, under control.

  “Once we make the announcement, what is allowed between betrothed couples?” she asked, tracing her finger maddeningly over the embroidery of his tunic at his collar bone.

  Their faces were still so close that they shared the air they breathed between them, and that alone was far more intimate than anything he’d ever experienced. “Once we make our betrothal known to the clan, we are as good as wed. A betrothal gives a couple the time they need to make certain they’re compatible, for once they say their vows, the union is unbreakable. All facets of discovering compatibility are allowed, including physical intimacy if we so desire.”

  “We do so desire,” she said, flashing him a teasing smile. “Don’t we?”

  The evidence of his aroused state pressed against her luscious bottom, and he continued to stroke her back and sides. He chuckled. “Are ye not an empath? Ye need to ask?”

  “Sensing your desire is one thing. Knowing how you view sex outside of marriage is another. Just so you know, I’m not a virgin.” />
  “Just so ye know, neither am I.” This was the strangest conversation he’d ever had.

  “I figured.” She pushed herself off his lap, stood up and smoothed the wrinkles from her gown. “It’s settled then. We are engaged … or betrothed.” She held out her hand. “Let’s go. I’d like to tell Ceann Carraig I’ve made my choice before he begins addressing the gathering.”

  “All right, but give me a moment.” He took her hand, but remained where he was. He needed a bit of time to bring himself back under control. Brian turned his mind to something else as he stood. “I’ve news to share along the way,” he said, guiding her to the door.

  “Oh?”

  He and his betrothed left what would soon be their shared home, and he could hardly contain his joy. “Aye. I’ve spoken with James and Dylan about Rebecca. Since Aiden is forbidden from taking a wife, the council of elders thought it best to forbid Helen and Aiden from allowing Rebecca to stay with them. They found her a new place to stay. She’s to live with a widow whose cottage is at the outer edge of the village. Nora owns an orchard, and she keeps bees. She sells or barters beeswax candles, fruit, preserves, and honey.”

  “How did Helen react to that? The council has taken away her minion.”

  “’Tis certain she’s livid now that her ambitions have once again been thwarted.” Whatever trouble Helen and Aiden might stir up next bore careful scrutiny by all. “Rebecca is working for Nora to earn her keep, and she’s learning a useful trade. ’Tis the council’s hope Nora’s good influence will have a positive effect. The widow has needed help for some time. She lost her son and her husband to illness a year past. This is the perfect solution for all involved.”

  “So, are both Dylan and James interested in Rebecca?”

  “Nay. James doubts her nature can be altered. Besides, he bides in the upper village with his family and wishes to return within the next day or so. Dylan is willing to give Rebecca a chance. He believes with care and guidance, she might prove herself an asset to our clan. If so, he’ll offer for her.”

  “I’m glad. I hope she and Dylan get along well.”

  “As do I. If anyone can bring out the best in her, Dylan can.” They were in sight of his parents’ cottage.

  “We were about to go fetch ye,” his da called from the front door. “Brianna, love, they’re here. Let us be on our way.”

  His parents joined them on the path, and Brian put his arm around Grayce’s slender waist. “We’ve news.” He beamed. “Grayce has declared that I am her choice. She and I are betrothed.”

  His mother squealed and tugged Grayce away from him to give his betrothed a hug. “I’m so glad you’re going to be my daughter.” She let her go. “Oh, Grayce, you have no idea how happy this makes me.”

  Brian laughed. “Ye’ve no idea how happy this makes me.”

  “I know how difficult all of this has been for ye.” His father took both Grayce’s hands in his and kissed her cheek. “Welcome to our family, daughter. ’Tis proud we are to have ye.”

  Grayce’s eyes misted as she smiled. “Thank you. I couldn’t ask for better in-laws.”

  “We’d best be on our way,” Brian said, grinning like a love-drunk fool. “Grayce wishes to tell Ceann Carraig of her decision right away.”

  From this point forward, the four of them were a family, and eventually he and Grayce would add one more. His feet seemed not to touch the ground as he and his family made their way to the gathering grounds.

  Already the area teemed with people from all three villages. Old friends greeted each other. Families staked out patches of ground where they put down blankets and ate their suppers, and boys played ball games just beyond the edge of the woods.

  “We have a bench reserved for us,” he told Grayce. “Shall we seek Ceann Carraig?” Grayce nodded. His parents had already headed off to join Brian’s grandda and Beth. He led Grayce to the path into to the ceremonial circle. As usual, Nevan was occupied with preparing the ceremonial fire. The elders, druids and two village chieftains stood in groups, talking amongst themselves.

  “There he is,” Grayce said, nodding toward Ceann Carraig.

  She turned to him, and the vulnerability he glimpsed in her eyes brought a lump to his throat. “Are ye certain ye wish to do this now? We can wait.”

  Her wobbly half-smile tore at his heart. “I don’t want to wait, Brian. I’m just wishing my family were here. It breaks my heart that they’ll never get to know you, and that you’ll never know them.” She sighed and blinked a few times. “They’d love you,” she choked out a laugh. “Hell, after what I put them through in my teens, they’d be thrilled that I’ve ended up with someone like you.”

  “Someone like me?” He arched a brow.

  “Yes, a wonderful man who accepts and supports me.” Grayce cleared her throat and started out for Ceann Carraig. “You’re the real deal, Brian MacSloan: considerate, ethical, honorable, loving, compassionate, responsible, and hot.”

  He followed. “Hot?”

  “Yep. Sexy.”

  “Ah. I find you all of those things as well.” He searched for something to take his mind off bedding her as they headed across the clearing. Speaking to their head druid ought to do the trick. “Ceann Carraig, might Grayce and I have a word?”

  The old druid peered at him from beneath his bushy brows, and once his gaze shifted to Grayce, his eyes took on a definite sparkle. “A moment is all I have to spare.”

  Grayce raised her chin. “I want you to know I’ve chosen Brian to be my husband, only we don’t plan on getting married right away. We’re betrothed.”

  “This pleases me more than I can say.” Ceann Carraig placed one hand on Brian’s shoulder, and the other on Grayce’s. “Blessings upon ye both. I shall make the announcement this eve.”

  “Would you make the announcement before you reveal who is to be our chieftain?” Grayce asked. “Er … please?”

  Ceann Carraig chuckled. “If ye wish.”

  “Also, I’ve given my situation a lot of thought, and I’ve decided I’d like to train with Anna to become a healer. I think I’d be good at that, and I’d have something of value to offer our community.”

  “Glad tidings indeed. Anna will be pleased, since she is oft called upon to visit the other two villages. Once I speak with her, she’ll arrange things with ye.”

  “I won’t have to become a druid to become a healer, will I?”

  “Nay.” Ceann Carraig’s eyes lit with amusement. “Be at ease, Grayce. We’ll talk more soon, but now ’tis time to call the clan together.” With that, he turned to the council members and walked off.

  Brian’s chest swelled with an intoxicating combination of love, pride and desire. Like his father, he’d been blessed with the perfect mate. “Come. Let us find our bench. My marker will have been set upon the one reserved for us.”

  The ram’s horn sounded, calling the clan together. Many had already settled on those seats that were available around the fire pit. Others sat or stood on the ground beyond the ring of benches, and others had been forced to find spots between the trees within the forest. Every family from all three villages had at least one representative present, and that person would carry the news home with them after tomorrow’s feast.

  “Do you think Aiden will be here tonight?” Grayce asked.

  “’Tis unlikely. He’s been keeping to his farm, and only his mother ventures into the village.” He squeezed her hand. “Rebecca is here.” He jutted his chin. “Talking with Dylan and his parents.” She had dressed more demurely, eschewing the belt she usually wore to draw attention to her figure. Could that be a sign of her willingness to adapt to their society’s expectations? He hoped she’d sit with Dylan and his parents, but instead, she moved away and sat with Nora a few rows behind Dylan.

  “Mmm.” Grayce’s eyes narrowed as she stared at Rebecca.

  “What do ye glean from her?”

  “She finds Dylan attractive.”

  “’Tis good, aye.”
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br />   “Maybe. She’s unhappy and I detect resentment. Could be the reality of her situation is finally sinking in. No more clubbing. No more manis and pedis for her.”

  Manis and pedis? Dare he ask? Nay. He had more pleasant things to think upon. The ceremonial fire had been lit, and the sun hovered above the western horizon. Conversations hummed throughout the clearing, and air thrummed with speculation. Much would be decided this eve, including his role in his clan’s future. He trusted the wisdom of the druids and the council of elders. If one of the other lads became their chieftain, he’d be content to help him in any way he could. Perhaps he was not meant to lead after all.

  Ceann Carraig, the elders and the druids filed into the clearing, taking their customary places. Brian found his bench. He picked up the wooden marker with his name burned into it and looked around for his kin. “Have a seat, Grayce. I’ll remain standing so our family can find us.” He caught sight of them and held his hand in the air until they saw him.

  “Here we are,” his mother gushed as she slid past him to take her seat.

  Brian’s father patted his shoulder as he passed, and his grandda slapped his back. Beth was the last of his kin to take her place, and she patted his cheek. Brian sat beside Grayce and reached for her hand. Not only would they learn who would lead their village, but the druids would also share how they planned to deal with the waning magic hiding their valleys.

  Once again, the collective mood grew somber, and the sacred fire crackled and sent embers into the gathering dusk. Ceann Carraig looked out over the clan and raised his hands for quiet. “Greetings, na Baiscne,” he called out. “Let us begin with happy news. The tournament is finished, and the young men in the top four have done our clan proud. Please stand, Neill, James, Dylan and Brian.”