Sorcha laughed at Iain's disgruntled expression.
"My feet arenae that big, lass."
"Humph. You'd run a good race with goofy." She snickered when Sorcha giggled and agreed with her.
Iain merely crossed his arms over his chest and tried to look offended, though they both knew he hadn't a clue who or what they were talking about.
Elsie returned with the required items just as Kris pulled out the extra-large jar of coffee she had wrapped in another sweater. She set the sweater aside, opened the lid, tore off the inner seal and inhaled the aroma before passing it to Sorcha, who did the same.
"Ahh, lass, 'tis something I never thought to smell again." She took another sniff before she passed it to Iain.
Iain took the jar, hesitantly at first, then followed his màthair's prompting and inhaled deeply. Then he sneezed. Twice. Sorcha and Kris laughed as Kris retrieved the jar. She spooned a small amount into each goblet while Sorcha added the hot water to each cup. "Iain and Elsie, you should try the coffee black first. There are many ways to serve it and though Kris and I seem to like it with cream and sugar, you may not. Kris can add sugar to hers and I'll add cream to mine and you may try that. If you don't like it that way, you can try it with both cream and sugar."
Iain nodded wisely and reached for his màthair's cup. The aroma was nothing like anything he'd smelled before. He tasted it carefully and grimaced. Not only was it very hot, it was bitter. Kris and Sorcha went through the entire process and found that Iain liked his with just a bit of cream and sugar, while Elsie didn't like it at all.
Kris and Sorcha on the other hand, savored each sip, closing their eyes with murmurs of approval.
"Now, lass." Iain said, "I'd like to see what other treasures ye have in this bag of yours. I found some kind of round object, but it made such a racket, I dropped it. I hope I dinnae damage it."
Kris pulled her cd player out of its place and tested it.
"No, no harm done. I have more music in here somewhere too. You might like it better than Shania Twain."
Kris pulled out her cd case and handed it to Sorcha. She then pulled out a small set of speakers, no bigger than a small cell phone and plugged one end into the CD player. Meanwhile, Sorcha oohed and ahhed over Kris' cd's, exclaiming over some, while dismissing others.
"I don't know a lot of these singers, Kris."
"I have quite a collection in there, that's for sure. I like all kinds of stuff, from country and rock to pop and contemporary Christian. Those are just a few of my favorites. If you go to the center of the book, that's where I have a mix of some of my favorite songs. It was easier to make my own cds' with my favorites instead of constantly changing them." She laughed.
For the next couple of hours, Kris and Sorcha went through Kris' collection while Iain looked on, perplexed and not just a little out of his element. He wasnae at all certain he liked all of what Kris called music. Some of it was verra loud. A few of the songs on her cd's, however, he enjoyed very much. Kris told him it would take time for him to understand what the singers where saying, but he wasnae so sure. Although his màthair agreed wi' her.
The afternoon passed. Kris brought Sorcha up to date on the latest news and gossip while Iain and Elsie listened silently for the most part. Occasionally, Elsie would ask a question or two, but neither she nor Iain could contribute much to the conversation, so they just listened.
Finally, Kris smothered a huge yawn.
"I'm sorry." She smiled, "It's been a very long day. I think I ought to head off to bed and get some sleep. I have quite a bit to think over, don't I?"
"Aye," Sorcha nodded. "It will be hard on you at first, but you'll come to terms with it in the end."
"I really don't have much choice, do I?" She hugged Sorcha then Elsie.
"I will show ye back to your room, lass." Iain stood.
"After ye do that, Iain, would ye come back here for a bit. I wish to speak wi' ye about a few more things."
He promised he would, then led Kris to her rooms. Outside her door, Kris shifted her feet nervously.
"Thank you."
"For what, lass?"
"For an interesting day." She smiled at him. "For taking me on that picnic and for talking with me. You're really a nice guy when you want to be you know."
Iain gave her a low bow, "I do my best."
Before she knew what he intended, Iain put his arms around her and drew her close. She cursed her traitorous body when it relaxed, sinking into his cushioning embrace.
"Thank ye, as well, lass." He whispered.
Before she could ask him what he was thanking her for, he captured her mouth with his. His kiss was more persuasive than she cared to admit, and before she knew it, she was kissing him back. His lips were soft and tender, sending a flood of sensations through her body. She could not stop herself from sliding her arms up around his neck, giving in to the need to be closer to him. When he nudged at her lips with his tongue, she readily opened for him. The pleasure he evoked with each stroke of his tongue made her body grow warm. It was a different kind of warmth he was creating the longer he kissed her. If she could have, she would have crawled inside his skin.
Just when she thought she could bear no more, that the tension building inside her would explode with the need she felt, he ended the kiss. He placed a quick peck on her nose, opened her door and almost pushed her inside.
"Sleep well, Kristianna." He shut the door and she heard him walk away.
Kris sank back against the door and put her fingers to lips that still burned in the aftermath of his fiery possession. She let her backpack drop to the floor and stood there for several moments. Her lips still tingled and felt swollen by his kiss. Finally, she pushed away from the door and began to ready herself for bed. She was so tired and she had much to think about. After that departing kiss from Iain, however, she couldn't quite remember what it was she had to think on except maybe getting more of those kisses from him.
Chapter Fourteen
Iain strode back to his màthair's rooms, his thoughts focused more on Kristianna than on what his màthair wished to discuss. He vaguely wondered what was so important that it couldn't wait until the morning to talk about, then shrugged. He would find out soon enough, he supposed.
He stopped in the middle of the corridor, wondering what it was about Kristianna that enthralled him so much. Spending the day with her, hearing her laughter as she listened to his tales of his youth, listening to her as she told him tales of her siblings and her childhood, only served to intensify his need to be near her, to get to know her more. She was an enigma. Never before had he met a woman more in need of confidence, but at the same time more full of fire and spirit. She was a fighter, determined to conquer her fears and whatever ghosts haunted her.
He shook his head and continued on his way. His màthair expected him to return, so when he reached her door, he merely gave a quick rap on the door before he opened it and stepped into the room.
Sorcha sat before the hearth, staring into the flames; apparently, so deep in thought she hadn't heard him enter. He considered leaving her to her thoughts as he had more than enough to think on at the moment without adding more to the ones now racing around in his head.
Just knowing his own màthair was actually from a time so many years in the future baffled his poor abused brain. It gave him pains in the head just trying to comprehend the fact that she had seen and experienced the things he'd thought were made-up stories. That she knew of and had used many of the things in Kris' sack made him want to go lie down and not get up for a very long time. At least not until he could put it all into perspective.
Before he could turn and quietly leave, however, Sorcha raised her head and looked at him, a small smile on her face.
"Come and sit, Iain," she patted the place beside her, "we ha'e much to discuss."
Iain ran his fingers through his hair. He was well and truly caught now and would have to listen to whatever she wished to say. He only hoped he would
not have to talk her out of any foolish ideas she may have come up with. Although from the look on her face, he truly doubted he could accomplish the last.
"Màthair," he began, not moving from his spot by the door, "cannae we discuss whate'er ye ha'e to say on the morrow? It has been a verra long day. I am weary to the core and I ha'e much to think on already. I doonae know if I can take any more this night."
"Nay," Sorcha shook her head vehemently, her look turning even more determined. "What I ha'e to say to ye needs to be said tonight. It cannae wait until the morning." She waved him over, "I realize ye ha'e a lot on your mind already, Iain, but this is very important, else I would certainly ha'e waited. I know ye ha'e quite a bit of information to digest and I wouldnae wish to burden ye further, but I must."
With an exasperated sigh, he relented and took the chair beside her. "Alright then, màthair. Tell me what is so imperative that it simply could nay wait a few hours until my head clears a bit."
Sorcha took a deep breath and plunged in. "I am concerned for Kris."
Iain raised a brow, "and why is that?"
"She is a woman completely out of her element, Iain. You and I know the dangers of this age, of living in the Highlands. Of being a MacGregor in this time. Kristianna has no concept of it. We have our clan and family, she has no one. 'Tis different in the time she comes from. 'Tis nay frowned upon for a woman of that time to be on her own. Women have jobs and can support themselves, and I'm not talking of simply seamstresses or whores or tavern wenches either."
"'Tis hard to grasp that." Iain said.
"Aye, for you it is, but to the men of her time, my time, 'tis no' even considered strange anymore. 'Tis looked on as normal for a woman to have respectable jobs that are worthwhile and that they love. There is no' any need for women of that time to be under the protection of a father or brother or other male relative until they are wed or betrothed, either. They do no' stay with their families or parents until a husband has been found for them. They find their own husbands. They arenae just taken to court and nay longer rely on their families to find them good matches. They date, sometimes many different men, until they themselves find one that suits them and they suit," she met Iain's gaze, "do ye understand what I am saying to ye?"
"Aye. Though 'tis difficult for me to fathom the like, I think I understand. Women are more independent in the future, aye?"
"Aye, they certainly are. You are more understanding because ye had me as a màthair. Still, there was a lot I could no' teach ye because I had to be careful as well."
"I am beginning to see that."
"Good." She sighed in relief, "now, from what I understand so far about Kris' life before, she's been on her own for quite some time with verra few people to rely on."
"Aye," Iain nodded, "I gathered the same myself."
"She also doesnae ha'e much knowledge of life in this time except for what she may ha'e picked up in her studies. Mayhap a bit more as she'd planned a visit to Scotland some time ago." She smiled wryly, "though I doubt very much she planned on this kind of a visit."
"Nay, I dinnae think many people would plan on traveling quite so far on holiday."
Sorcha chuckled. "At any rate, ye understand dinnae ye, that Kris could be in some danger?"
Iain became instantly alert. "Why? And from whom? No one in the clan knows anything of her but that Raibert found her wandering in the woods. They wouldnae hurt her for that. And no one outside the clan knows anything of her at all. Most people doonae e'en know where we are."
"Of course the people in the clan wouldnae harm her." Her tone was indignant. "I would ne'er suggest they would."
"Then why would ye think Kristianna could be in danger?"
"'Tis a dangerous time we live in, Iain. Ye know as well as I do, that most in the clan dinnae trust strangers in the best of times. We were attacked no' long ago and that makes the clan e'en more hesitant than usual, especially about strangers. Nay to mention the fact that we are outlaws merely because of our name. But 'tis no' only that. Kris has nobody to protect her, to look out for her. She cannae remain here without raising peoples suspicions. And we cannae send her out on her own. She wouldnae last a se'nnight."
"Aye, ye are right about the clan being suspicious and mistrustful, especially now. And I understand what ye say about Kristianna as well. I am just no' sure what I can do to solve that problem. I cannae change the people's minds about strangers. And I would ne'er send a woman out on her own. 'Tis much too dangerous." He rubbed his forehead, trying to ease some of the ache between his eyes.
"Nay, ye cannae just order them to trust her and I wouldnae expect ye to. Ye cannae tell people they should no' be afraid or that they should trust someone just because ye say to."
"So what do ye suggest I do about these problems that ha'e presented themselves?"
"I suggest a betrothal." Sorcha finally blurted after several long moments.
Iain jumped from his chair so fast, he tipped it over. It skidded across the room and thunked against the wall.
"What?" he shouted. "Ye cannae be serious, màthair!"
Sorcha met her sons' belligerent gaze with a calm that surprised even her, "of course I can be, and I am. What would be the harm? As I see it, 'tis a perfect solution."
"Nay," Iain shook his head vehemently
"'It's the only way, Iain. Surely you can see that. If you are betrothed to Kristianna, it will go a lot further than anything else to help alleviate at least some of the tension that will surely arise. It will no' only help the people of the clan to at least be less wary of her, but it will also help Kristianna, offer her protection of the clan as well as your name and your sweet, chivalrous self."
"Just because there is a betrothal, doesnae mean the clan will trust her, màthair. 'Tis nay that simple as ye well know." He studiously ignored her last statement.
"Of course it won't be an automatic thing. I realize that, more than even you know. But it will go a long way in quieting a lot of the clans' fears of her just because she is a stranger. At least then they will give her a chance. Otherwise, there are many that will ne'er give her the chance too even earn their trust. They will simply look on her as a stranger. That could be dangerous, Iain."
Iain sighed and ran his fingers through his hair. He knew what his màthair said was true. He also realized that she was right that Kristianna could be in some danger. The villagers, though well meaning, could try to harm her if they e'en suspected her of some kind of treachery, whether real or imagined. And Heaven forbid they e'er discovered aught else about her sudden appearance.
"There has to be some other way to ensure her safety, màthair."
Sorcha shook her head. "I can think of nothing." She reached out and put her hand on his arm, "it's what saved me, Iain."
He looked up in shock. "What?"
"I married your father for protection."
"Ye mean ye dinnae love each other? What of all those tales ye told us of how love was the most important thing to find in a marriage? Are ye now telling me they were fiction?"
"Nay, of course no'. I loved your father deeply and he loved me. It's just, it took us a bit of time to realize it. In the beginning, when I first met him, I thought he was an arrogant jerk."
"I take it 'jerk' is no' a complimentary term."
"Nay, 'tis no'. And that's the least of what I called him. Don't forget, I'm from a different time. Men from my century, well, they don't behave as your father did." She shook her head, "that's not the point anyway. The point is that if ye don't betroth yourself to Kristianna, she could be in danger from a well-meaning clansman. Not to mention the other things we spoke of."
Iain rose from his seat and strode to the fire. "I doonae know, màthair. 'Tis no' as simple as that." He turned and faced her. "I will gi'e ye this, I will think on all ye have said. Until I do and I ha'e come to some conclusion about it, I wish ye to remain silent. Doonae say anything to Kris. I doonae think she would understand. I will speak wi' her when I ha'e made my decisio
n."
Sorcha could only nod in agreement. She knew she would get no further on the subject.
* * *
Iain returned to his own chamber and collapsed on his bed after removing his boots. Saints what a day. He pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to ease the pains in his head. He had much to think on, but he was bone weary. Not that he would be able to sleep much this night, with all the thoughts rushing about in his head, each one demanding attention. He prayed silently that some clarity of mind would be forthcoming.
* * *
A week later, after much thought, Iain finally came to a decision. He would speak to Kristianna about the betrothal. His màthair was right about it being the most logical solution. Kristianna couldnae return to her time, and had no one in this time to protect her or care for her, outside of himself. Aye, 'twas the most sensible, logical way to proceed.
Now he just had to convince her. He headed out of the hall to find her. On his màthair's advice, he'd left her alone to come to terms with her situation. He'd heard her weeping the day before and had wanted to comfort her, but wouldn't even know where to begin. Now, he would see how she fared and mayhaps if she would like to join him in the hall for dinner.
* * *
Left on her own for the better part of the preceding week, Kris again paced her room. She'd seen neither Iain nor Sorcha for several days and was beginning to get bored and lonely with only herself and her thoughts for company.
Elsbeth had appeared several times throughout the week, bringing food, or seeing to a bath for Kris, but she'd seen neither hide nor hare of anyone else. Three days ago, Elsie had come in with Kris' meal and produced several skeins of wool, telling Kris they were from Iain.
When Kris had pushed and questioned Elsie about where Iain and Sorcha were hiding themselves, Elsie had shrugged and told her they wished to give her some time alone to come to terms with the situation in which she now found herself.
Kris was grateful for it at that moment. She'd put that time to good use, too. Digging a crotchet hook from her sack, she'd used the wool and made several pairs of socks, as well as begun work on a sweater for Iain. She'd thought over her circumstances, she'd wept, she'd slept uncountable hours of the days away and when she'd done all of that, she'd finally come to grips with it all. At least as much as she was able to for now.
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