“That being said, I did come to ken of the painting some time before ye all came to ask for me help. And I may have made some effort to insure the painting found its way to Duncan, sure that he would be led to do the right thing and return it to McMillan Castle, and that ye and yer mother would be at the castle when he did so.”
Cooper could see that Rosie was thinking over Morna’s words, so he spoke up in her stead.
“So they are supposed to be together then? Duncan and Ms. Madeline?”
Morna nodded. “I believe they would make a fine match. But I will do nae more than I have to secure it. They are well on their way to seeing that for themselves. The rest is up to them.”
Cooper laughed. “That’s not like you.”
“What can I say, lad? Mayhap I am becoming less forceful in me old age.”
“Morna, why did you say we would think less of you? I don’t see what you did wrong.”
Morna sighed, and returned her gaze to the road in front of them. “’Tis only that I kenned of the lassie’s trapped soul and did nothing until ye came seeking me help. ’Tis no’ kind. Though in the realm of souls, a few moons is nothing. The lass has been trapped there for years. I dinna think a few more weeks would do her harm if it meant two others found love in the meantime. Still, ’tis morally questionable behavior.”
Cooper was no longer listening to Morna’s explanation. He knew that Morna always had a good reason for whatever she chose to do. Instead, his attention was back on Rosie, who seemed lost in thought.
He reached out and tapped on her leg. “Are you okay?”
Rosie blinked as if pulling herself from her thoughts and turned to smile at him. “Yeah, I’m okay. Just thinking.”
Cooper said nothing, but anxiety built in him. Lately, it never seemed to fair well for him when Rosie got to thinking too much.
Rosie
Rosie knew her judgment of Duncan had been right. Straight away, she’d liked him. Now she knew why. Only problem was, Rosie knew her mother well. If there was any way for her to mess things up, she would.
Rosie didn’t understand it—her mother’s addiction to unhappiness. Rosie thought about her father every single day, but she knew that he wanted her to be happy. He would have wanted the same for her mother, too. Rosie knew it as surely as she’d ever known anything.
Duncan’s stonework at McMillan Castle was almost complete. As quickly as Duncan and Cooper progressed, Rosie didn’t imagine they had more than a handful of days left. She would have to be on high alert, for any sign that her mother was attempting to sabotage her relationship with Duncan.
Her mom needed this. And she needed her mom to be truly happy once again.
Rosie looked over at Cooper, knowing she owed an apology to the sweet boy who always did so much more for her than she ever did for him.
“Hey, Cooper.”
“Yeah?”
“I’m sorry that I’ve dragged you into stuff you didn’t really want to do lately. I want you to know that you really are pretty much my best friend at this point. I know I’m not as kind to you as I should be most of the time.”
Cooper smiled big before giving her a wink and waving a dismissive hand. “It’s okay, Rosie. Things have been weird lately. I know you’re my friend. I’ll always have your back, no matter what.”
Rosie grinned at him, hoping that those words were true and he would help her one more time. “So, you’re in on my next plan?”
Cooper sighed and crossed his arms. “Can we at least wait another month before getting in trouble again?”
Rosie laughed and shook her head. “We can definitely wait another month to get into any more trouble, but we aren’t going to get into any with this plan.” Rosie paused and leaned in close to whisper. “We’re only going to step in to make sure that all of what Morna has already done doesn’t go to waste. We’re going to do all we can to make sure Mom and Duncan stay together.”
Cooper pulled back, smiled, and gave her a thumbs up. “I’m in then. One hundred percent.”
Chapter 22
Duncan
Hours of silence from Madeline tormented him. What could he possibly have done to upset the lass so? The first car ride from the hotel to Morna’s had been difficult enough to bear, but at least then, he believed her silence was to keep from speaking in front of Rosie. But now, as the two of them rode alone on the way back to McMillan Castle, he knew Rosie had nothing to do with it.
Each time he opened his mouth to speak, he thought better of it. The stern expression on Madeline’s face made it clear she had no desire for conversation.
How could things have turned so quickly?
Mayhap she worried over what might happen once they returned to the castle? If the old witch’s spell didn’t take, there were few options left to them.
That must be it, surely. Nothing else had occurred that should’ve soured her mood so completely.
Bracing himself, he reached up to gently caress the back of her head, hoping she would appreciate his attempt to comfort her.
“I truly do believe ’twill be all right, lass. The witch seems confident she can break the curse that binds Osla here. We should be excited for this night. It means the poor lass may finally rest.”
Madeline’s brows pulled together as she glanced over at him. “Huh?”
“Madeline, ye’ve said nae more than five words to me since I woke this morn. I thought ye might be worried o’er the spell we intend to cast this eve.”
She shook her head once and returned her gaze to the road. “No. Morna’s entirely capable. I honestly haven’t thought much of it.”
Frustration replaced his anxiety and worry for her. Could she not see how hurtful her behavior was?
“Then, do ye wish to tell me what is wrong, lass? Have I done something to anger ye that I’m nae aware of?”
Again, the same curt shake of her head. If not for the unbearable confines of the jeans he found himself bound in and the heavy sweater he wore, Duncan was certain he would’ve been able to feel frigid air wafting right off of Madeline’s skin.
“No. You didn’t do anything. I’m fine.”
Duncan laughed and shook his head, shifting in his seat so he stared right at her profile.
“I doona claim to be an expert on women, lass. But I do ken enough to ken that when women deny being upset in such a way, they usually are verra upset indeed.”
Madeline sighed, and her shoulders relaxed just a little. “I’m not upset, Duncan. You didn’t do anything. I’m just sitting here trying to figure out how to tell you what I’ve decided.”
“What ye’ve decided, lass?”
“Yes. Look, I want you to know how much I enjoyed last night, how much I enjoyed our dinner together the other night. Duncan, I truly have loved every minute I’ve spent with you since you arrived at McMillan Castle.”
Duncan’s chest began to ache. He knew where this would lead. Madeline wouldn’t be the first lass to make him hope for more only to devastate him with a few wretched words. But this sudden change of Madeline’s heart, hurt worse than all the others before. He’d been so certain she felt as he did.
With every part of him hurting, Duncan inhaled and braced for what he knew was coming. “But ye doona want me, lass?”
“It’s more complicated than that, Duncan. You’re almost finished with your work at McMillan. You’ll leave once you’re done.”
“Aye, but…”
“Stop. If you’re leaving, then there’s really no point to any of this. Let’s just both be glad for the fun time we had together and part as friends.”
“Lass…”
She interrupted him once more. “No, Duncan. Let’s please not argue about it. I don’t want either of us to be angry. I really do want to be friends when you leave here.”
“O’course I am no’…”
Once more, Madeline began to yammer away at him.
He’d stopped listening entirely. As Madeline continued to rattle away, Duncan’s conf
idence returned. The lass hadn’t said she didn’t want him. Rather, her nervous speech was a sure sign she did.
Instead, Duncan simply cleared his throat, crossed his arms, and waited for Madeline’s chattering to cease. When she finally finished, Duncan spoke forcefully.
“Lass, if ye interrupt me again, I swear to ye, I shall take the wheel and drive us into the nearest tree, if only to keep ye from talking.”
He watched as Madeline’s mouth began to creep open, and he continued before she could derail the conversation once again.
“Nae, lass. Hush yer mouth. I doona ken what has spooked ye, but I’ve allowed too many good things in me life to pass because I allowed me fears to creep in. I am too old for such nonsense now. And ye are as well, whether ye realize it or no’. Now listen to me, and listen well.
“Aye. I am nearly finished with me work for Baodan, and aye, I shall return home once finished, but only to fetch me wee cat and me mother. I’ve every intention of making McMillan territory me home. While I’ve no’ yet spoken to Baodan about any of this yet, as I ken his mind is filled with what we must take care of tonight, I intended to speak with him once Osla’s ghost is put to rest. Me hope is that rather than pay for me work, he will allow me to rent a parcel of land from him and allow me a few months to build up me work here before charging me rent on the land. I believe he will be agreeable.
“So, as ye see, there is only one real question that remains. I do want ye, lass. I wouldna uproot me life if I dinna, but ye dinna answer the question I asked ye before. Do ye want me or doona ye?”
Duncan thought he could see a tear spring up in the corner of Madeline’s eye, but she kept her gaze forward as she answered him. “Dammit, I really wish I wasn’t driving right now, and I’m squashed in the middle of Grace and Jerry, so I can’t even pull off to the side without them thinking something is the matter.”
Madeline paused and inhaled a shaky breath. “Are you sure you really like me enough to move here, Duncan? You barely know me.”
Duncan smiled and leaned across the center console in the car to kiss Madeline’s cheek before brushing away her tear with his thumb.
“I ken all that I need to, lass. Now, answer me question.”
“Yes, Duncan. Of course I want you.”
“I am glad of it. For I want ye more than I’ve e’er wanted anything in me life.”
He kissed her cheek once more before leaning back into his seat, his manhood hard as it strained against the confines of his borrowed jeans.
He groaned as he pushed down on himself, willing his need for her away.
“By God, lass. I take back all the bonny things I said last night about this time. Not a one of them is worth it if one must wear this wretchedly painful garment. My cock will ne’er be the same after the past two days.”
Madeline laughed so hard the car quickly swerved to the left and she corrected its course before glancing down at his crotch.
“To be fair, you’re not really wearing the correct size of jeans. It’s just all that Kamden had for you.”
He shook his head, unconvinced. “I doona care, lass. Any size would still be torture on one’s bollocks.”
Madeline continued to laugh at him as McMillan Castle finally came into view.
Chapter 23
Madeline
After we all crossed back over into the seventeenth century and settled into the grand hall for Morna to cast her spell, it occurred to me that my own mood stood in stark contrast with the moods of everyone else in the room.
While the rest of McMillan Castle’s residents seemed anxious for the spell and what might or might not happen as a result of it, all I could think of was how full my heart felt. For the first time in years, the possible future before me filled me with hope rather than dread.
Still, understanding the seriousness of the situation, I tried my best to hide my smile as I settled down onto a loveseat with Rosie and tucked her in close as we watched Morna begin her work.
For a while, she fiddled around in the room, scattering objects she’d packed with her, until we all sat inside the boundary she’d created. Once she was finished, she turned to address us.
“When I begin, Osla’s spirit will be called to this space, so doona let her sudden presence concern or frighten ye. She will be relieved to be called forward this time, I am sure. The curse Osla placed on herself is no’ a difficult one to break, and it shouldna take me long to release her into the next place. I only ask that ye all remain as still as ye can be.”
Without a word, Rosie reached over and sought the comfort of my hands. I gave them a tight squeeze as Morna began uttering her incantations.
Once Morna began, it didn’t take long for Osla’s ghost to appear. To my surprise, the translucent figure resembled nothing of the frightening, banshee-like creature I’d imagined after Cooper and Rosie’s retelling of their encounter with her. Instead, she appeared peaceful, relieved even, and I couldn’t help but believe that some part of her knew that the witch’s presence meant her long nightmare had finally come to an end.
Morna continued her recitation, and as Osla’s figure began to fade, the ghost quickly scanned the room. I knew she sought Baodan. When she found him, I watched Baodan’s breath catch as he locked eyes with his late wife. His eyes filled with tears as Mitsy reached for his hand. Wordlessly, Osla made her way over to Baodan, and slowly she lifted her right hand and placed it upon his cheek.
A lump rose in my own throat as I watched Baodan reach up to place his own hand over Osla’s ghostly one. He smiled at her, gave her a gentle nod, and with that, she was gone.
Peace filled the room.
Osla’s curse on herself and McMillan Castle was finally lifted.
Three Days Later
Cooper
“We have to hurry, Rosie. Duncan and I finished our work this afternoon, and he said he was leaving for home early tomorrow morning. I bet he’s already at the inn. We gotta catch him before he goes to bed.”
Cooper watched as Rosie nodded and hurriedly continued to light the candles they’d so carefully scattered around the room.
With the help of the castle cook, Rosie and Cooper had created a romantic feast for Duncan and Madeline to enjoy together—if only they could convince them to go along with their plan.
“I’m hurrying as fast as I can, Cooper. We need to make sure everything is perfect. Do you have the bag of petals?”
Cooper reached for the rose petals they’d gathered from the village and began to delicately scatter them over the table.
“Okay. Let’s go. It’s almost dark out.”
Together, they looked over the room one last time before hurrying from the sitting room. As they rounded the corner leading to the back door of the castle, they stopped short at the sight in front of them.
Madeline and Duncan were wrapped in each other’s arms, kissing—right out where anyone could see them.
“Mom…ew!”
Rosie’s voice was horrified as Cooper snickered at the sight. At least it wouldn’t be hard to get them to enjoy a romantic meal together.
With red cheeks, Cooper watched as Duncan and Madeline peeled themselves away from one another to face them.
Madeline spoke first, her nose crinkled up in an apology.
“Sorry, Rosie. You two are usually sitting down at the dining table right about now. What’s going on?”
With Rosie’s mouth still agape in horror, Cooper spoke. “We were pretty sure you two were going to mess up your relationship and you’d need somebody to help you see the way. We cooked a romantic dinner for the two of you.”
Madeline’s brows lifted in surprise. “Oh. Well, that’s awfully kind of the two of you, but no, we’re doing just fine.”
Rosie crossed her arms and furrowed her brows. As Cooper watched the two of them talk, Cooper couldn’t help but notice how much Rosie looked like her mother when she frowned.
“But you haven’t said a word about Duncan since the night we spent in the hot
el. I’ve been afraid to ask you about him for fear you might cry.”
Madeline sighed. “I’m sorry. I just thought it would be easier to talk about it with you while Duncan was away. He’s leaving tomorrow to help move his mother here and to bring back his cat. But he’s not leaving, leaving. He’ll be back.”
Cooper smiled, pleased that once again Morna’s matchmaking had come through in the end.
“So you don’t really need a romantic dinner?”
Duncan laughed and spoke up for the first time. “Nae. We’ve already eaten. Isobel prepared dinner for us at the inn. Why doona the two of ye go and enjoy the labors of your work?”
Food. Flowers. Candles. Rosie. Nothing in the world sounded better to Cooper.
“Sure! Sounds great to me.”
Rosie whirled around to face him, her finger pointing directly at him. “You listen to me, Cooper. I’m hungry, so that’s the only reason I’m agreeing to this. But it’s just a friendly dinner, you got me? There’s nothing romantic about it.”
Cooper smiled and gave her a nod. “I’ve got you. Friendly dinner. That’s all.”
For now, Cooper thought to himself as he followed along behind Rosie to the opulent meal that awaited them.
Only for now.
Chapter 24
Six Months Later
Madeline
Days turned into weeks, and weeks into months, and as time went by, my affection for Duncan—and his for me—only grew. While Tim would always be a part of me, I now knew that I was capable of loving as fully and fiercely as I had before.
It didn’t take long for Duncan to build himself a flourishing business and a reputation for fine stonework amongst the villagers in McMillan territory, and his new home on his rented land was nearly complete. Although—as settled as he’d become inside the castle—I doubted either of us would spend much time there. Still, it was nice to know we had the option to get away for a while if we wished it.
The Curse of McMillan Castle - A Novella (A Scottish Time Travel Romance): Book 12.5 Page 9