by Sherry Ewing
A movement drew her attention to Lady Katherine sitting near the hearth. Her quill scratched its way across the parchment causing Ella to smile knowing the lady was surely working on one of the stories that constantly filled her head.
The coverlet began to move causing a startled gasp to pass her lips. Her fingers had not been pressed against a fur pelt but she had instead been caressing Killian’s sleeping head. Their eyes met as he, too, awoke from his slumber. She swore her fingers burned where she had been touching him but ’twas nothing compared to the unmistakable heat radiating between them.
“Yer awake,” he murmured coming to a stand.
“Aye.”
“We was afraid ye might sleep the eve away,” he continued. His voice sounded gruff, and once more annoyed with her.
“As you can see, such is not the case.” Her skittish retort slipped through her lips before she could take them back, while his gaze continued to unnerve her.
Katherine came to her bedside. “I will see about getting you something to eat to break your fast. You must be starving for a hot meal now that you have rested from your travels.”
Killian headed toward the door. “Nay, I will see tae it, Lady Katherine. I am certain ye would rather have speech together after Ella’s long absence.”
Katherine nodded and went to two chairs sitting next to the hearth. Sitting, she poured herself a chalice of wine and sipped while watching her and Killian with an amused smile. “Aye, we have lots to catch up on.”
With Killian’s departure, Ella got out of bed and made her way to sit in the vacant chair. Silence stretched between the two women while Ella determined how to begin their conversation. She had so much to ask and was not sure she really wished to know some of the answers. And then there was her confusion about the situation with Killian.
Katherine perused Ella with those skeptical aquamarine eyes. “He refused to leave your side when you passed out cold in his arms,” she answered as if Ella had voiced her thoughts aloud.
“No glad greetings first, my friend,” Ella muttered while running shaking hands across her face to hopefully clear her thoughts.
“Hi, Ella.” Her tone was comical and so modern that Ella grimaced.
“Good day to you, my dear, or is it eve?”
“He refused to leave your side,” she repeated with a raised brow, not answering her question as to the time of day… or night as the case may be. “Would you care to freely give me the details of what’s going on with the two of you or do I need to force it out of you?”
“There is nothing going on with us. Killian is merely ensuring I reach my destination without coming to harm.”
“Right…” Katherine said dragging out her word with a laugh. “If you say so.”
“There is nothing to tell,” Ella attempted again.
Katherine pulled her legs up onto her chair to get comfortable before pouring a chalice of wine and passing the cup to Ella. “If you wish to deny there is something going on between you and Killian, it’s certainly none of my business, Ella.”
“’Tis best you leave the matter alone, Katherine.” As Ella said these words, she could hear Killian’s voice inside her head saying this exact phrase.
“I see you still prefer to use twelfth century speech even when we’re alone, although you know it’s not really necessary.”
“’Tis a habit hard to break. I have been careful with my speech for nigh unto thirty years. ’Twould be foolish on my part to make a mistake now that might cost me all if I am whisked back to the future.”
“Perhaps, but it’d be nice to have someone to talk to who also came from the twenty-first century. I’m always worried about the use of my contractions when I’m dealing with running Warkworth’s household, let alone letting slip a yes in for an aye.”
“Have you not seen your friend Brianna of late?”
“I’m afraid not. She pregger’s at the moment and Gavin refuses to allow her to travel.”
“I am most certain he is also afraid she may slip through Time. I know your own husband has the same concerns.”
Katherine shrugged as though her situation was not much of an annoyance. “Since you obviously don’t want to discuss Killian because you’re changing the subject, I’ll let you escape that particular issue at least for now. Just know you’re not getting off that easily. Instead, let’s discuss why you passed out at the sight of Henry de Rune. Who is he to you?”
Ella choked on the wine she had been sipping at hearing Henry’s name slip through another’s lips. That he had ridden by her with no recognition had torn at her heart. Yet ’twas only natural since they had not as yet met. Seeing him had been a shock, especially knowing how her feelings for Killian had grown in the short time they had traveled together. Her face heated at the thought of their last kiss and her own admission she had feelings for him.
“Does he come this way often?” Ella asked, instead of dwelling on her feeling that she had betrayed Henry, although, in all honesty, she did not feel as upset as she thought she would. She set down her chalice, knowing she would most likely continue to choke on her wine while they discussed Henry... or Killian.
“No. We’ve never met before. He spent only the one night with us before he said he needed to travel to another castle close by to meet with the parents of the woman he’s to marry. Warkworth was a convenient place to rest his horse. Why?”
“He is the man I crossed Time for,” Ella blurted out.
“Holy shit! Are you kidding me? He’s that man?”
“Aye,” she replied, a little shocked at hearing a woman swearing so openly. It had been some time since she had been in Katherine’s company and Ella was not used to something that would have been common in their own time.
“Sorry I implied there was something between you and Killian then. I was just certain of…” her words trailed off while she rubbed her finger across her lips.
“Certain of what?”
“You called out his name while you were sleeping,” she answered.
“Henry’s?”
“No. Killian’s.”
“’Tis nothing to jest about, Katherine,” Ella said sternly.
“I agree, but the way you two clung to one another while you slept only reaffirmed my belief you had found your match, Ella.”
“But Henry…”
Katherine held up her hand stopping her words and Ella clamped her lips together. “Hear me out, dearest Ella. While I won’t try to presume to know all the details of your story before you became lost in Time, you were indeed lost not once but twice. You told me your story, although you never specifically mentioned de Rune or your husband by name.”
“’Twas best not to reveal my past,” Ella interrupted before taking another sip of her wine.
Katherine gave her a soft smile before continuing. “Henry served his purpose. He found you and you fell in love with him. But you fell through Time again and lived a whole new lifetime, Ella. Maybe everything that happened with Henry, and even the man you married in order to stay safe in the twelfth-century, was in preparation for you to truly find the one man you actually came through Time for… Killian. Everything had to happen exactly as it did in order for you to find the happiness and love you clearly have found if you only let that love into your heart.”
“But I have spent the last thirty years loving Henry and wanting to be reunited with him again,” Ella said, even as her stomach clenched with uncertainty.
“I’ve no doubt that loving Henry is exactly what you have thought and felt. But I’m not blind and I know what I’ve seen. Don’t be foolish enough to let Killian slip from your grasp, because love will find you when you least expect it and I’m pretty damn sure you already know that too.”
“You have given me much to think on,” Ella murmured.
Katherine stood and came over to give Ella a hug. “You know how much I love you, Ella. You’ve been like another mother to me. I only want you to find what I myself have found with Riorden. He wa
s worth all the sacrifices I made so I could stay with him in this time and I’d do it all over again in a heartbeat. Now, I’ll let you get some rest. I’m sure a servant will be arriving soon with your food.”
After Katherine’s departure, Ella continued to stare into the flames of the fire hardly seeing or even feeling the heat. A servant came and went but her meal grew cold. The wine dulled her senses. She crawled once more into bed to sleep the night away. And when she dreamed, she dreamed of a man with a Scottish brogue and blue-green eyes, her arms wrapped possessively around him as she craved his kisses and the warmth of his body to make her feel whole again.
Chapter 13
Killian stumbled his way down the stone stairs and into the great hall of Warkworth Castle. The remainder of his eve after he left Ella’s chamber had been a restless one. Sleep had evaded him, for his thoughts constantly turned to the one woman who owned his heart. Frustration that Ella had been so moved to see her previous lover ran through his mind over and over again ’til he finally found solace in several tankards of ale. Drink may have aided him in at last finding his sleep but ’twas also the reason for his pounding head this early in the morn. He shook what lingered at the bottom of the pitcher he held and listened to the liquid slosh within. He had consumed far more than he had thought last eve.
Riorden was at the head table breaking his fast. Patrick, the youngest of the MacLaren siblings, had been Riorden’s squire for several years now and silently stood behind his lord awaiting orders. Killian gave the young lad a nod before Riorden motioned for Killian to take a seat. A servant quickly set a bowl in front of him along with a piece of bread. The smell of porridge assaulted his senses causing Killian to raise his fist to his mouth. His eyes watered, even while his stomach rolled at the thought of food.
“’Twill help,” Riorden offered nudging the bowl closer, “and only sleep will help you see clearly again.”
“I do not think I can stomach food, Laird Riorden,” he groaned, taking in the much younger man. He held nothing but respect for the knight who was once captain of Dristan of Berwyck’s personal guards, especially since Riorden had aided in saving the Lady Amiria long ago.
“Suit yourself but, as my Katherine would say, ‘hangovers are a bitch’. Take it from someone who knows and avoids them at all cost. You best heed my advice and eat.” Riorden chuckled taking another spoonful from his own meal.
Killian poured the remainder of his ale into his cup. “Ye will not join me for a drink?” he asked taking a swig with an attempt not to grimace as the liquid slid its way down to his empty stomach. ’Twas a mistake to think additional ale might help his plight.
Riorden held up his hand. “Nay. I cannot stomach the stuff this early in the morn and as I said, I have had my fill of overindulging to last me a lifetime but you enjoy… if you can, that is.”
Killian put down the pitcher wondering if he had offended his host by drinking this early in the morn. How could Killian have forgotten years ago that Riorden had been drugged by his father’s widow when she put poison in his drink? The daft woman had hoped to rekindle the love she and Riorden had once held for one another, as if that would ever erase her betrayal. Her attempts had left Riorden in a daze for many months and ’twas lucky she had not killed the man.
He pulled the bowl closer and took a tentative taste of his meal. The first bite barely went down. The second was much easier. “Ye may be right about eating instead of drinking, lad,” Killian said breaking off a piece of bread and dunking it into the porridge.
Laughter rumbled within Riorden’s chest. “I have been known to speak a fair amount of wisdom if one cares to but listen and heed my advice.”
“Ye have done well for yerself, my laird, since ye left Berwyck’s service.”
Riorden pushed aside his dish. “I still miss the days of old on occasion but I have no regrets. How could I, now that I have a lovely wife and a child to see to.”
“And another one on the way,” Killian added, “not that I should be speaking of such things but ’tis hard not tae notice yer lady’s condition.
“Aye, my lady is a stubborn one and would not listen when I told her she should be in confinement until after the birth. The babe shall be called Jocelyn, after my mother. Katherine insisted and I would not gainsay her in the naming of our child. My lady insists we shall have a daughter.” Riorden gave him a knowing look as though he, too, was privy to the bairn’s gender.
“’Tis a wonderful way of honoring yer mother.” Killian gave a wishful sigh, knowing he would never be so blessed as to have a wee bairn to call his own. “There have been many changes since ye left Berwyck,” Killian continued changing the subject of women and their condition. “Now with Fletcher fancying another of those future women appearing at Berwyck’s gates, Dristan fears he will not have many knights left tae train and guard his keep.”
Riorden leaned back in his chair. “Surely not everything has changed. ’Tis not every day that one has the privilege to train with the Devil’s Dragon. There was always some young fool ready to take up arms to prove his worth. Now should be no exception.”
“Lately, those who have thought themselves worthy have not held promise that would easily measure up tae yer standards, at least in the eyes of Laird Dristan.”
“I am hard to replace,” Riorden chuckled, barely containing his merriment he had obviously been missed. “But there is always a first for everything, or so Katherine reminds me on more occasions than I can count.”
“Ye seem happy and I am glad for it.”
“I am content only because of the love of a good woman,” Riorden confided. “But what of your own story with the Lady Ella? Surely ’tis nonsense of escorting her to some man she met years ago. Who is the chap? Anyone I know?”
Killian cleared his throat. “Ye have met him.”
“I have?”
“Aye, ’tis the gent who was leaving yester eve when we rode up. ’Tis the reason Ella passed out. Apparently seeing the knight got the best of her.”
“But Henry de Rune is already spoken for, although he made mention of his first wife who passed away that he had never gotten over. He goes to make the final arrangements with the parents of his intended.”
Killian’s brows furrowed at the thought of de Rune and Ella together. He still had a hard time trying to think of her living her life all over again just to be with a man she barely knew. “And therein lays the problem, I suppose, and something Ella is certainly aware of.”
“I thought perchance the two of you had come to some understanding.”
“Nay… unfortunately for my sorry arse, there is nothing tae settled between us. She still insists she must needs meet the man on some country road.”
Riorden scowled. “And yet Katherine made mention you stood vigil at Ella’s bedside and refused to leave ’til you were assured she would be fine.”
“I do not think even Ella knows what or who she really wants tae share her life,” Killian said attempting to hide his disappointment. He brushed his hand across his eyes as if to clear his vision.
“You care for her, that much is obvious,” Riorden surmised.
“Of course, I care for her. How could I not?” Killian groaned. “However, ’twill not do me much good if she continues tae pine away for another.”
Before Riorden could reply, the Lady Katherine came into view. She stopped at the foot of the stairs gazing around her hall, a look of confusion marred her face.
She made her way to her husband, kissing his cheek. “Good morning, my love,” she murmured in his ear.
Riorden took his hand and placed it on her protruding belly. “How fare thee this morn, my lady?”
“We are both fine, my lord, but where’s Ella? I expected her to be here having breakfast since she wasn’t in her chamber,” she asked looking around again apparently on the off chance she had missed her. “Patrick… you rise earlier than any of us. Have you seen Lady Ella?”
“Nay, my lady. I have not seen her thi
s morn,” Patrick replied.
“Riorden?” Katherine asked turning toward her husband.
“I have not seen her as yet and I have been here for some time.” Riorden answered before turning to Killian. “Have you had speech with your lady this morn?”
“Nay, I have not. Where could she be?” Killian stood ready to search the castle stone by stone if he must.
“Let’s not panic,” Katherine said taking her seat. “I’m sure she’s close by and wouldn’t leave the castle grounds.”
“I wouldnae be so certain of that, Lady Katherine. Ella’s a stubborn woman when she has an idea in her head. If she wanted tae leave the castle, I have no doubt she would find a way.”
“We take no chances with the lady’s safety given she took flight from Berwyck to escape capture,” Riorden replied before calling out to one of his knights. “Caldwell!”
Leaving his place at one of the tables and working his way to the front of the hall, Caldwell gave a low bow. “Aye, my lord?”
“Search the grounds for the Lady Ella and report back while we organize a search of the keep.”
“’Twill be done, my lord,” Caldwell answered before running off to do his lord’s bidding.
Killian began making his way to the stairs. “I shall search her room and floor tae see if she is about.”
“Finish your meal, Killian, while we check with the servants to see if they have seen her,” Riorden urged as he waved his hand at Killian’s vacated chair.
“Nay. I cannae rest ’til she is found and I know she is safe,” Killian replied taking the steps two at a time.
Upon reaching the floor where Ella’s chamber resided, he first went to Lady Katherine’s solar but found the room empty except a servant tending the fire. Leaving the room, he passed a garderobe and decided to check there as well. He swung open the door with nary a knock, not caring if he would embarrass Ella if she were about her private business. Still, the room was as vacant as Lady Katherine’s solar.
He began to panic and ran the rest of the way down the passageway. He gave the briefest of knocks before entering Ella’s room. His eyes scanned the interior and his brows furrowed. Nothing appeared out of place ’til he noticed the cloak she had worn when the traveled was nowhere to be seen. He swore. How could the woman be stupid enough to leave the castle without him or at the very least a guard for her protection?