Morna's Legacy: Box Set #1

by Bethany Claire

  Once outside, we began the several miles walk to the inn. Mary spoke for the first time, “Excuse me language, Adelle, but holy bugger. Me head hurts something awful. I knew that it would from witnessing both Bri and yerself come through, but I dinna expect it to hurt quite so bad.”

  I scrunched my nose up guiltily. “Yes, I’m sorry. Morna will have something we can take, I’m certain. What do you think so far?”

  “Well, I’m surprised to find that the castle looks much the same, but ’tis lighted much more and oddly.”

  “Yes, electricity is amazing. All homes and buildings have it.”

  “Is that so? As we walk along this path, it doesna look so different.”

  She was right, besides the gravel road leading to the castle, this part of Scotland was still very much untouched by the conveniences of modern times. “Yes, unless you decide to accompany me into Edinburgh, your shocks will be less than they could be. Morna’s home will have many things to surprise you, but nothing like the city.”

  “Aye, well I canna say that I doona enjoy the adventure of it. Perhaps, I will join ye when ye leave for the city.”

  We walked in silence until we arrived at Jerry and Morna’s, and I was none too surprised to find both of them waiting for us at the front door.

  “Ach, Mary! I canna believe it! I nearly spit up me food when me vision showed me yesterday morning that ye two lassies were on yer way to see us.”

  Morna charged Mary, who blanched at the shock of laying eyes on the dear friend she’d thought lost forever. She pulled the cook into a tight embrace.

  Jerry made his way over to me, wrapping his rail-thin arms around my neck. “Adelle, it is lovely to see ye again, lass.”

  “You as well, Jerry. So Morna saw us coming?”

  Morna’s voice answered me as she led Mary toward us, their arms laced with one another. “Aye, I did and I’ve no been so pleased by a vision in some time. I’m also thrilled to know that our dear Bri is with child, is she no?”

  “Yes, and she’s close to popping. Only a few more weeks, and the child will make its appearance. I simply cannot wait.” I smiled, leaning in to give Morna my hug of greeting.

  Morna waved us inside her home before speaking again. “I’m sure ’tis true, lass. I have something I wish for ye to take back with ye. It’s an herbal potion I’ve mixed, ’twill help her greatly with the pains of labor.”

  “Oh, thank you so much. I’ve been worrying myself sick thinking about the ordeal she must go through. I thought I was going to die when I gave birth to Bri, and I let them drug me up with every medicine they had.”

  Morna laughed. As we made our way into the sitting room, Mary’s eyes bulging at every odd trinket, Morna pointed at a box in the corner, and tears immediately swelled in my eyes.

  “I also retrieved something else for ye, lass.”

  I had to keep from running toward the large box of ornaments, each a special memory of the Christmases Bri and I spent together while she was growing up. Each year our collection grew, and each new ornament was a new, precious memory. “Morna!” I hadn’t a clue how to express my gratitude.

  “’Tis what ye really wanted, is it no?”

  I nodded in disbelief. “Yes, but it never crossed my mind that I would actually be able to get them. I just planned to go into Edinburgh and buy a brand new set. All of this was in the States, at Bri’s old place. How did you…how did you do this?”

  She laughed heartily. “Did I no just make it possible for the two of ye to come here from hundreds of years in the past? Compared to that, ’twas a simple task to move these to us. Look in the other box, I also included a few other things I could sense were precious to ye.”

  My hands trembled with excitement as I moved to open the lid of the next box. I opened it to find an old CD player that could be operated with large DD batteries, packs and packs of replacement batteries, and our entire collection of Christmas music. Bri’s baby blanket, knitted by my own mother, gently padded the Christmas items. Tears fell freely at the sight of it. “Oh my God, Morna. Are you a mind reader as well?”

  Jerry interjected playfully. “Aye, she is lass and ’tis damned annoying. I canna silently begrudge her anything without her finding out about it and charming me into forgiving her.”

  Morna laughed and leaned gently into her husband. “I am no that good at it, but ye are quite open with yer thoughts. ’Twas easy to see the things ye desired most from your trip here.”

  She was spot on. There was nothing more that I wished to get. Everything I thought I would be unable to find was here. As far as I was concerned, we could make our way back to the castle immediately. But as I glanced over to see Mary gleefully playing with the running water in the kitchen, I thought better of suggesting we leave right away. “I cannot thank you enough, Morna. There’s no need for me to make a trip into the city now, but would it be all right with you if we stay here tonight and leave in the morning?”

  “Of course, lass. I wouldna have it any other way. I’m anxious to catch up with Mary, and I canna wait to hear her cries of excitement when we allow her to take a hot shower.”

  Chapter 5

  Near Conall Castle

  1646

  The wind blew icy snow roughly into his face, and Hew could barely see the path in front of him. His fingers and nose burned from the pain of the harsh wind and bitter cold. With each step forward, his horse slowed his pace.

  He didn’t wish to stop for the night. He was so very close to the end of his journey, but he knew that his four-legged companion would not be able to go much further. He groaned inwardly at the thought of where he knew he must stop. Conall Castle, his sister’s place of residence, was so close that he could make it out in the distance, its grandness evident even through the storm.

  Hew knew it had been far too long since he’d paid a visit to Mary, nearly ten years by his count, possibly longer. He missed her, but he knew she would treat his arrival as a celebration. The thought of such attention caused him to cringe inwardly.

  Still, there was hardly another choice. Bracing himself for the torture he knew was about to ensue, he leaned down close to Greggory’s ear whispering words of encouragement as he nudged the old horse to the right. “Just a wee bit further, lad. There shall be a fine stable and blankets to keep ye warm just ahead. I’m sorry to have taken ye out in such a storm. I shall see ye well fed tonight, old fellow.”

  * * *

  Flames flickered in the stables, so Hew knew before he approached that someone was still at work within them. They were most likely preparing the horses for the evening, making sure they were properly tended to in the cold weather.

  He rode straight into the stables before calling out to whomever worked inside. He knew enough of the Conalls’ generosity to know that they would not protest to anyone seeking shelter for their horse on such a night.

  Hew dismounted, quickly brushing the snow off of Greggory’s coat, jumping at the sound of the voice in the stall at the end. “What sort of a fool would travel in this weather? ’Tis no so good for yer horse, sir. What be yer name?”

  Hew’s cheeks suddenly warmed. For a moment, he feared he would be unable to utter a word. He’d not spoken to another person in many moons. He swallowed, steeling himself and spoke boldly. “The fool’s name is Hew. I apologize for the intrusion, but I must ask yer permission to allow me and me horse to rest here for the night. The poor lad willna be able to go much further.”

  A strong lad as tall as him, with long, shaggy blonde hair stepped out of the stall and smiled as he walked toward him. He knew the man must be the youngest Conall brother, Arran, but the lad had been much younger the last Hew had seen him.

  “Aye, of course ye can. It would be a wretched man to turn away anyone in a storm such as this.”

  Hew continued to rub the sleeves of his covering over his horse’s coast, doing his best to dry the animal. “Thank ye, sir. I shall help ye in the cleaning of the stables come morning in payment for yer kind
ness. Ye are Arran, are ye no?”

  Arran reached for a blanket draped over the doors of one of the stalls and moved to help him in his efforts. “Nay, that willna be necessary. Aye, I am Arran. Should I know ye, sir?”

  Hew shook his head as they worked alongside each other, warming and drying the beast. “Nay, I doona expect that ye would remember me, but I believe that ye know me sister, Mary. Is she still in service to yer family?”

  The strapping lad next to him patted the horse gently on the backside before casting a rather surprised expression in his direction. “Nay, ye canna mean it? Ye’re Mary’s brother? Well, ’tis a pleasure to meet ye. And aye, we know Mary well, but I wouldna say she is in our service. This castle is more hers than me brother’s.”

  Hew laughed, it seemed his sister had changed little over the years. “Aye, lad, that sounds verra much like she would have it. I dread the fuss she shall make over me arrival, but I feel I must make me presence here known to her. Where can I find her?”

  Arran fidgeted uncomfortably. For a moment Hew worried that perhaps his sister was unwell, but the lad recovered quickly. “Well, it seems that she herself has gone on a bit of a journey, but doona worry about the weather, we know that she is quite safe and out of the storm. I shall let her explain to ye where it is that she has gone once she returns.”

  Hew didn’t understand what the lad meant, but he wasn’t disappointed to learn that he would be able to rest before reuniting with his sister. “Ah, well, I’m certain she will be pleased to tell me all about it. She used to talk a great deal. I doona imagine that has changed.”

  Arran laughed and motioned at him to lead his horse into one of the empty stalls. “Nay, sir, she hasna changed. She’s talked a lot for all the time that I’ve known her. Now, let us get yer horse settled, and ye shall follow me inside so that ye can have a room of yer own.”

  Hew stiffened and stopped moving forward. He would not be comfortable staying inside the castle. It was not where he belonged. He’d rather stay in the stables, with only the horses for company. “Nay, lad, I shall stay here with the horses. It would no be proper for me to accompany ye inside.”

  Arran insisted. “Nay proper me arse. I willna be letting ye stay out here in this weather. If Mary learned I’d done so, she’d kill me herself, I’m certain.”

  Hew didn’t wish to be impolite to his host, but it was something he knew he had to insist on. He wouldn’t sleep a wink in the presence of so many people. “I doona wish to offend ye, lad, but I simply canna stay in the castle. If ye willna allow me to remain out here, I’m afraid that Greggory and I will have to be on our way and take our chance with the snow.”

  Guilt filled Hew at the look of shock on Arran’s face. If only the thought of company didn’t paralyze him so.

  “Nay, lad, please doona leave in this storm. Mary would rather me allow ye to sleep in the stables, I’m certain. But perhaps, I can provide ye with something a little more comfortable than stable floors.”

  “Truly, lad, ’tis no trouble for me to stay here. I’ve slept in worse many times before.”

  Arran shook his head as he draped Hew’s horse with coverings. “Just listen to me before ye say nay to it. We have a cottage no far from here. ’Tis empty, no one stays there, and ye are welcome to stay there if ye wish. Ye can build ye a fire, and there is a proper bed. Please, sir, at least stay there.”

  Hew couldn’t deny how pleasurable a warm fire and a soft bed sounded to him. As long as it was truly separate from the castle as the lad said, he thought he could find rest for the night there. “Aye, lad. I shall gladly stay in yer cottage. I’m sorry to be a bother to ye. I appreciate yer kindness.”

  Arran clasped him tightly on the shoulder. “Nay, sir, ’tis no trouble. I apologize for saying so, but ye’re rather a strange fellow, are ye no?”

  Hew laughed at the truthfulness in Arran’s words as the young Conall showed him the way to the tiny cottage. “Aye, lad, that I am, verra strange indeed.”

  Chapter 6

  Getting back to the seventeenth century was mildly tricky, but we managed. Because we brought with us two boxes of belongings and the precious vial I hoped would provide Bri with much relief once she went into labor, we were forced to sit on the floor of the spell room while we balanced the boxes in our laps. We chanted the words aloud together and reached over our boxes to link hands right before the spell began to work.

  When we arrived back, we nursed our aching heads for a few short moments and then made our way up to the kitchen where we could hear Bri and her lookalike sister-in-law, Blaire, working together.

  “We’re back! What are you two girlies up to?” I sat the box I carried down just past the doorway and went to give both of the girls a quick hug, lingering an extra second so that I could press my hands against Bri’s stomach to see if my grandbaby would give me a quick kick. For the moment, it seemed the infant slept soundly.

  “Trying to cook, but it isn’t going so well. Eoin and Arran will be thrilled that you’re home, Mary. They’re convinced that if they have to go another day with us as cooks, they shall starve to death.” Bri winked at Mary and then bobbed her head in the direction of the box. “What did you get?”

  I grabbed her hand and anxiously dragged her over so that I could reveal all of the precious goodies we’d returned with. “Morna knew what I wanted. She gathered up our ornament box. Isn’t it wonderful?”

  Bri moved to her knees instantly, her belly getting in the way, but I knew nothing would keep her from rummaging through the boxes. Each item was as special to her as it was to me. “Oh, Mom. You’re joking! This is amazing, truly.”

  “Yes, it is, dear. She gathered a few other items for us as well, but I’m going to wait until later to show those to you. It can just be a surprise for everyone.” I placed my hand on her shoulder as I squatted down next to her as we lifted each tiny memory out of the box.

  Blaire walked across the room to stand next to us. “The storm has slowed a bit. ’Tis still impossible to go too far from the main building, but nay much is falling right now. Mayhap we should all go out together and find a tree to cut down for the decorations.”

  Bri leapt to her feet with more energy than I’d seen her exert in the last two months. “Yes, that’s a perfect idea. I’ll get Eoin. Blaire, you find Arran. Mom and Mary, go get Kip and meet us out back. Stat!”

  She scurried off quickly, Blaire following suit. Mary and I laughed together, walking out of the kitchen so that we could prepare for our outing.

  * * *

  Both girls had apparently already decided that we would go tree hunting today if we returned from Morna’s. The gathering of everyone went entirely too smoothly, as if they all waited on pins and needles for us to get home. The excitement of Christmas was starting to move through our merry little group.

  The snow was beautiful, covering every inch of the castle grounds. I found myself wishing more than once that I’d enlisted Morna to cast us all a pair of sturdy snow boots as well, but we were all having such a wonderful time, none of us thought much about our ice-cold toes.

  It took us some time before we found a tree that everyone could agree on. Many that held the perfect shape proved far too large. Some of perfect size were not the right shape. Eventually, the perfect tree stood before us. While Eoin, Arran, and Mary’s husband, Kip, worked at chopping it down, all of us girls stood huddled together watching.

  The landscape remained silent, save for the crack against the wood as the men took their turns driving the ax into its base. For a moment, I thought I’d imagined the soft whining sound coming from somewhere behind me, but as I listened I felt certain that I had not.

  An animal, of that much I was sure, and a young one at that, made the noise. I couldn’t tell what kind of creature it might be. My heart squeezed uncomfortably at the thought of anything so tiny and helpless being trapped out here in the snow.

  Afraid that too many people approaching would cause it fear, I slowly crept away from th
e group and went off in search of the soft whine.

  * * *

  Hew stepped out in front of the small cottage, frowning as he looked out over the landscape drenched in snow. He’d hoped very much that he would be able to leave today, but it would be impossible. Even though snow no longer fell, he feared his horse might break a leg if he forced him to trudge through snow so deep.

  He threw his arms up above him stretching and groaning at his frustration. In response to the noise he uttered from his throat, something whined not far from him. Compassion compelled him to go in search of the creature.

  Turning, he draped himself in thick coverings. The chill from his ride yesterday still set deep within his bones. Grunting, he took off in the direction of the noise. He stepped only a few trees away from the cottage before he caught the dark, whimpering ball of fur at the base of the tree.

  Hew bent, picking up the puppy gently as it shivered uncontrollably in his large hands. He wrapped the pup up in his own furs, rubbing his hands back and forth over the small creature to warm it. It was a miracle the creature still lived, for it must have spent the previous night out in the storm as well.

  He held it closely to his chest, waiting for the puppy to stop trembling. When he felt its warm tongue start to lap at the inside of his fingers, he knew the pup was only cold, not injured. He uncovered the tiny animal, smiling as he took in its handsome features.

  Hew raised him to check the gender and, finding him a boy, sat him back into the cradle of his hand. The dog was fluffy with thick hair that made him look much bigger than he seemed. Dark hair covered his back but a beautiful mixture of spots of gray, brown, and black fur covered his chest and feet. Warm brown eyes oozed kindness out of them. Small patches of light brown hair sat above his eyes, standing out on his black head, giving the illusion of brows.

  “Why, ye are a handsome pup, are ye no?” He pulled the creature in close to him once more, reaching down to pick the clumps of icy snow from between the pup’s paws. He stilled when another small whine caught his attention near him. “Ach, it seems that ye have another wee friend close to ye. Let’s go find him together.”