The overcast sky grew darker every minute as dusk loomed on the horizon. Rebecca left me hanging laundry in the side yard while she went inside to start dinner. A pleasant breeze filled with the scent of rain blew through my hair, whipping my long locks against my cheeks. I closed my eyes inhaling deeply, feeling a sense of peace fall over me.
My eyes popped open at the sound of horse hooves on the road. A giant white horse halted in front of the cottage and a large finely dressed man dismounted. He strode toward the front door with an air of cockiness. I watched him and without warning, he turned his gaze over to me. The attractive man’s dark eyes narrowed and he took off his hat revealing reddish blond cropped hair. He raised his eyebrows as if he questioned my expression and sauntered toward me as a wolfish smile crept across his shortly cut bearded face.
I paused, holding the linen sheet to my chest and waited for him to say something. “And why might I ask, ha’ I ne’er seen ye around here before. I remember a bonnie lass when I see one.” He stopped in front of me and bowed. “Grant Connell at ye’re service, lass.”
“Jillian Murray,” I said. He boldly unclenched my hand from its place on my chest sending chills down my spine. He brought my hand up to his lips and placed a soft, wet kiss on the back of it.
“Ah, ye’re part o’ Cameron’s clan. Where ha’ ye been hiding? I collect the tariffs for Cameron. I’d surely ha’ seen ye before.”
“Och, Jillian lass,” Rebecca yelled scrambling over to my side, “go inside and finish with the cooking.” Rebecca came up from behind me and lightly pushed me toward the door. “Here’s the wee monies ye’ll be wantin’ Mr. Connell.” Rebecca shoved a small black velvet bag into Grant’s hands.
“Mrs. McDougal, I’ll overlook what ye owe, if ye permit me permission ta take a ride with this bonnie lass,” he said to Rebecca, while staring at me. I paused at the back door watching the tension radiate between Rebecca and Mr. Connell.
“Take the money, Mr. Connell. She’s cousins with The Lachlan. She’s no mine ta be decidin’ what ta do with and whom she does it with. Take the monies and go,” she said coldly.
Grant’s lips thinned. He held out his hand to me. “I can escort ye ta Cameron right now. I’m headin’ back ta the castle after I eat dinner at the inn in the village.”
Rebecca hurried over to me and whispered into my ear, “Lass, Mr. McDougal and I will take ye. Please, I’m beggin’. Dinna go with Mr. Connell.”
“Rebecca, you know I’m grateful for all you and Robert have done for me, but I really need to see Cameron. It’s very important, the sooner the better.”
“We’ll take ye on the morrow, first thing, please!”
I let out a long sigh. “Okay, okay! We’ll go tomorrow, but first thing! I must see him.”
“Ye willna regret ye’re decision lass.” She turned back toward Grant Connell and said, “She’ll be stayin’ with us, Mr. Connell. Take the wee monies and move along.”
Grant nodded tightly making a curt smile. “Jillian, till we meet again.” He abruptly turned and strode over to his mount. No one moved until we heard horse hooves pounding down the dirt road.
* * * * *
I sat through a quiet dinner that night. I’d only spent one day with the McDougals, but I already missed the way Rebecca incessantly chatted. After dinner, I helped Rebecca wash the dishes while Robert chopped wood in the dying daylight. Drying my chapped hands on my apron, I said goodnight to the McDougals and headed up to get a good night’s sleep.
I just pulled the covers back to get into bed when a knock sounded and my bedroom door opened with Rebecca poking her head inside. “Jillian lass, I think I need ta be explainin’ what happened here today.”
“Please, come in,” I said, sitting up against the simple wood headboard as Rebecca walked over and sat on the end of the bed.
“Two years ago, me Mary came into her own. She turned into a bonnie lass. Every laddie sniffed around her tryin’ ta get under her skirts, but we kept a close eye on her. Her da and I ne’er let her stray too far. She was so naïve, ye see.
“One day, Mr. Connell and a few guards came by ta collect the monies we owed and he spotted Mary gardening. She sang while we worked together. I still remember the tune she carried,” Rebecca said staring at the wall while tears filled her eyes. “Weel,” she cleared her throat, “the men went over and introduced themselves. Mary grew thrilled that men from the castle took an interest in her. She flirted with them, batting her eyes, smiling every which way. It broke me heart ta watch, it did.
“A few days later, Robert and I traveled into the village leaving Mary behind ta tend ta her chores. We came home ta find a note. She told us she went ta live up at the castle with the high and mighties. Mary always did want more than the simple life we had ta offer her. Robert and I carried on with our lives wonderin’ if we’d ever see our sweet Mary again.” Rebecca stopped and I didn’t think she’d finish the story until she took a deep breath and continued. “A couple o’ days later a peddler found Mary’s body in the forest with her neck broken.
“We think one o’ the thieves or highwaymen hiding in the woods from time ta time came across her. All I ken is that if Grant and his friends ne’er saw her, she’d ne’er ha’ gotten those crazy ideas in her head aboot livin’ up at the castle. Grant’s a nice mon, ‘tis just when I see him, the memories of Mary and the past come rushin’ back. ‘Tis too much ta bare.” Rebecca turned to look at me and put her hand on my knee over the covers. “If ye want we can ha’ Grant escort us ta the castle, it might be for the best now that I think aboot it.”
“Whatever you think,” I said numbly. The only thing on my mind was the question of whether the foul men I ran into would’ve let me live or if I would’ve been found lying dead and cold in the woods too. “I’m sorry about your daughter, Rebecca.”
Rebecca suddenly stood up and straightened herself, patting the non-existent wrinkles from her skirt. “Weel now, why dinna ye try ta get a good night sleep lass. I’ll send Robert into town ta send a message ta Mr. Connell ta escort us on the morrow.”
* * * * *
The McDougals and I woke up at the break of dawn. Excitement to see Cameron and other relatives ran through me. “Here, Jillian lass,” Rebecca said, handing me a large whicker basket. “Put the food sittin’ on the counter for our noon day meal into this basket. Mr. Connell should arrive shortly.” The food Rebecca had prepared covered the wood counter, enough for a small army. Our ride would take most of the day since the McDougals and I would travel by donkey and cart.
I carried the basket outside and found Robert hitching the tiny wooden cart to a stubborn donkey. The so called donkey shook his head back and forth braying non-stop. The obstinate mule continued to try and bite Robert as he harnessed him in. No wonder our journey would take most of the day.
“Och, ye ornery arse,” Robert grumbled shoving the donkey with his shoulder and finishing with the last buckle. “Rebecca, Jillian, Old Lassie here, is ready ta go.”
“Old Lassie?” I asked Robert with a smile creeping across my face.
“Aye, she used ta take a likin’ ta me until I married me sweet Rebecca. Now she’s an ornery, jealous arse, but she’s still me Old Lassie, always comin’ through for me in the end.” Robert patted Old Lassie on her rump and we all climbed into the cart as Grant and two other men galloped over to us. Rebecca and I sat in the back while Robert sat on the one person bench seat holding the reins.
“Thanks for coming, Grant,” Rebecca said quietly, blushing. “I wouldna blamed ye if ye refused ta escort us. I owe ye an apology for my behavior these past couple years.”
“Dinna mention it,” Grant said with a smile. “What happened ta ye’re daughter was a tragedy.” He bent down from his horse and squeezed Rebecca’s hand. “All’s forgiven.” He turned toward me. “The cart looks cramped. Would ye like ta ride with me, lass?”
“Oh, no thanks,” I said. “I don’t do too well on horses. I always manage to fall or not go anywh
ere at all for that matter.”
“Weel then, once ye get situated up at the castle, I’ll teach ye how ta ride.”
I smiled warily as Grant kicked the sides of his horse and led the way with the two other men trailing behind us. We started off, heading through the small burgh of Tournogarg. The sun barely crept into the sky as shopkeepers set-up their goods. We passed peddlers with carts full of ribbons, fruits, vegetables, pastries, and wood carvings. We rolled by at an agonizing pace following the banks of Tain Firth until we reached a narrow enough part where a shaky wooden bridge spanned across. Once over the bridge, we traveled north toward Loch Shyn, where Cameron’s castle stood on the bank.
“Jillian lass, we canna persuade ye ta stay with us?” Rebecca asked, breaking the rhythmic sound of the wheels turning. “I forgot what a joy it is to have a lassie in our home.” She discreetly wiped her eyes with the back of her shawl.
I wrapped my arm around her shoulders. “Rebecca, don’t cry. I’ll see you again, I’m sure of it. I’m sure you can visit me anytime you want. I know Cameron wouldn’t mind.”
“I ken lass. ‘Tis just…weel ye remind me so much of me sweet Mary. Promise me ye’ll be careful.”
* * * * *
CHAPTER SEVEN
I finished stretching from hours of riding in the miserable cart and laid down a small plaid blanket on a patch of soft grass at the edge of a passing creek. Rebecca brought over the basket of food, while Robert fed apples to Old Lassie. The sun hung brightly above us, but dark thunder clouds hovered in the distant darkening sky.
Rolling heather filled meadows surrounded us while sheep grazed on the other side of the small creek. Cameron’s castle rested on the horizon large and intimidating, but Grant still said it was at least another hour of traveling. It seemed everyone was eager to relax and be off the bumpy rutted road.
A low rumble of thunder echoed in the sky as the breeze picked up, fluttering the corners of the plaid blanket. Rebecca and I laid out an arrangement of food and set-up for lunch. The few guards came over and dished up taking their heaping plates back over to the base of a large oak tree by the creek’s edge where they laughed and relaxed.
I just took a bite of a small, delicious meat filled pie when Rebecca stood up with a plate piled high with food. I regarded her questioningly. “I’ll be right back, lass. I’m just going ta tend ta me famished husband. If I dinna keep an eye on him, no one will.” Rebecca winked at me and strolled over to Robert who stood alongside Old Lassie.
I watched her stop in front of Robert and place a long sincere kiss on his lips. I smiled as I noted the twinkle in both their eyes. They loved each other. As much as I would love to have that, I still couldn’t push the fear of losing such a special bond with someone out of my mind. I felt mature enough to comprehend I wasn’t meant to get married or as hard as it would be to accept, not have children.
“A penny for ye’re thoughts?” Grant asked, sitting down opposite me on the plaid blanket.
I shook my head. “It’s nothing. I was just admiring the pretty fall day.”
“Weel, it willna be ‘pretty’ when that storm rolls in.” Grant cut a slice of apple, slipping the chunk into his mouth. “Mmm, ‘tis very juicy, here ha’ a bite.” Before I could refuse, Grant held a slice up to my mouth. I took a small bite as he brazenly swiped the juice away from my chin with his thumb.
“It’s very good, thanks,” I said avoiding eye contact. Grant smiled a devious grin and tossed the rest of my slice into his mouth. “So, tell me Jillian, ye’re not from ‘around’ here are ye?”
I coughed and sputtered meeting his intense stare in surprise. Did he know I came from the future? I decided I’d play dumb a little longer. “I-I don’t know what you’re talking about. I told you, I’m visiting my cousin, Cameron Loch—“
Grant slid over next to me. “I ken ye’re no from around here,” Grant whispered close to my ear. I was about to argue when he continued. “Shh, ‘tis all right. I ken all aboot Cameron and the Immortals.”
“How’d you know I’m not from this century?” I asked quietly glancing over my shoulder to see who was in earshot. Was I that transparent? Did anyone else have suspicions?
“Ye’re not like the other lassies from this time. There’s something different, special aboot ye. Whatever ‘tis, it draws me ta ye like a moth ta a flame.”
I swallowed feeling Grant had just divulged way too much information. I wasn’t looking for romance. I was looking for my distant cousin and then maybe if everything fell into place….
“Dinna worry, Jillian. Ye’re secret’s safe with me. I willna tell the guards or the McDougals.” He grinned and gently pushed a stray lock of hair behind my ear.
All at once, the guards yelled over to Grant about the anticipated storm. Grant lightly squeezed my shoulder and joined the guards.
Suddenly, a loud boom of thunder echoed through the ominous sky. Rebecca hurried over to me. “Och, lass, ‘tis time ta clean up I think, unless ye want ta be sittin’ in a puddle o’ mud.” Rebecca and I hastily picked up the remains from lunch as I felt the first raindrop hit my nose, then another, and another.
“Quick, climb inside and ye can wrap this plaid o’er ye both,” Grant yelled handing a plaid to me. “It should help ta keep ye dry.” Once Rebecca and I got inside the cart, we snuggled close together and wrapped the plaid around us, leaving it droop over our heads just as the downpour began.
Old Lassie fell into a slow trot, as the cart lurched back onto the dirt lane, which quickly turned to mud. No one said a word, even if they did, I couldn’t hear them over the thunder rumbling and pitter patter from the rain. The essence of damp earth filled my senses.
We were almost to the castle when the rain stopped. I noticed more and more travelers along side us including peddlers, guards on horses, and a few beggars. It seemed so unreal to me. I experienced a living, breathing history book about a life and time people I knew only dreamt about.
I still sat in awe when we arrived at the entrance of the enormous castle. Two towers flanked each side of the portcullis adorned with yellow flags with red lions which flapped high above the turrets on the towers. Large tan stones formed the castle walls appearing to have been in a few battles with crumbled pieces and indentations pitting the walls.
Grant came to a stop at the end of a line waiting to enter under the portcullis. He turned his horse around, stopping right by the cart. “I’ll be back in a moment. I ha’ ta go talk ta the guards at the entrance.”
As we waited in the long line, a loud pounding came from behind. I glanced over my shoulder and abruptly sucked in a breath. Four enormous war horses galloped past with four extremely handsome men commanding them. They resembled hardened warriors returning from battle in leather vests and breeches with broadswords riding at their hips.
“They’re no lettin’ anymore carts or wagons in,” Grant said pulling up next to the cart again. “The bailey is too full since guests for the ceremony are arriving. Ye’ll ha’ ta ride in with me Jillian if ye want ta enter.”
I turned to look at Rebecca. “Go,” Rebecca said, “we’ll head back home, lass.”
“Angus and Callum will escort ye home,” Grant said to Robert and Rebecca. Grant held out his hand as he sat atop his huge horse.
“Ye take care, Jillian. If ye need anything, ye’re always welcome at our wee home,” Rebecca said, giving me a big hug with tears in her eyes.
“Thank you, for everything!” I kissed her cheek and gave her one more big hug. I glanced over at Robert.
“Dinna forget us, lass,” he said winking at me. I smiled and reached out for Grant’s hand as he pulled me up in front of him with one swoop. He wrapped one muscular arm around my waist and grabbed the reins with the other as his horse jumped forward impatiently. I glanced back over my shoulder just in time to see Robert guiding Old Lassie back down the road flanked with Angus and Callum.
Serfs, lords, guards, beggars, and anyone trying to sell wares filled the lower bailey
. I struggled to stay on the horse as I turned in my seat trying to look at everything. Grant chuckled when I almost slipped off.
“Careful, lass, ye’d be trampled by the crowd,” Grant said squeezing me tighter around the waist.
“There’s just so much to look at. I’ve only ever read about this way of life. I’ve never seen it for real!” It was nice to be able to openly talk to Grant about who I really was. Once he realized how interested I was, he began pointing out certain areas describing what they were used for and what people were working on.
We moved slowly through the crowd as people parted for us, creating a small path toward the five story keep looming up ahead.
We passed under the arched entrance of the gateway to the middle bailey which was much less crowded. Besides lords and ladies walking around, men and women made candles, worked on carpentry and dyed fabric under tents to the sides. Grant pulled his horse to a stop as we came to the entrance of the keep. He jumped down from his horse and held out his arms for me. “That wasna so bad was it? Ye didna even fall off,” Grant said smiling as he lifted me off the horse and set me on the ground leaving his hands linger at my waist for a long moment.
“So,” I said breaking the awkward situation taking a step back, “this is Cameron’s home.” Grant cleared his throat and dropped his hands from my waist.
“Aye, let’s go find him.” Grant led the way through a huge wooden arched front door which stood wide open leading into a dark foyer. The foyer felt more like a large hallway with a stone floor and a huge doorway leading down into an enormous two story great hall. A massive hearth filled a vast area on a side wall of the great hall while a very long table raised up on a dais sat at the far end of the room. I imagined the table could seat thirty comfortably. Eight long wooden tables with bench seats filled the rest of the hall. Banners and tapestries hung on the walls in-between the lit torches on all four sides of the hall.
Immortal of My Dreams Page 7