Adventures in Time

by Annie Seaton

  THEY RETURNED ALONE.

  After an hour of frustration, Dougal had realized there was no way to follow Sofia and he made the decision to take Indigo back to Zane. On the morrow, he would return to search for Sofia, but would change the co-ordinates to arrive at Kilmarnock and work his way back to the coast looking for her. He just hoped and prayed she would not travel far and would stay safe.

  Surely when she realized she was in different time, she would go back to the castle, to seek a safe haven where she knew he would return for her?

  He had promised her—two days.

  He glanced up at Indigo, tired of being the recipient of her cold glare over the dinner Mary had quickly prepared for them. Indigo dropped her knife on the wooden table and opened her mouth to speak. Zane reached over and placed his hand on her arm and she closed her mouth. He had heard enough from this woman.

  How could two sisters be so different?

  It was hard to believe she had produced the two fine young boys he had met in the Alps. Dougal stood abruptly and left them in the dining hall without a word, before making his way up to the solar where Sofia had spent the past three months.

  He was probably being unfair to Indigo but was too concerned about Sofia’s well being to give it much thought. After all, she had come here still believing her sister was dead and then the disappointment of the travel back to the castle to find Sofia missing must have been overwhelming for her. Yet, even the soft reasoning of her husband had not stilled her shrewish tongue.

  He did not need that tonight.

  He stood by the bed and closed his eyes remembering the response of Sofia in this bed only two nights ago. It seemed like a lifetime since she had lain bathed in moonlight and joyfully responded to him. For the life of him, he could not understand why she had left knowing her sojourn on the island would soon end.

  Chapter 16

  Dougal held his cloak above his head and entered the Red Lion Inn in Kilmarnock. Despite being early afternoon, it was dark and the town was deserted. Shaking the rain from his cloak, he made his way across to the innkeeper. Dougal’s purpose was twofold—as well as seeking shelter from the torrential rain, he sought information on the whereabouts of Sofia. The innkeeper pushed a tankard of ale across the wooden bench, obviously taking pity on his wet and bedraggled appearance.

  “A filthy day, sir.”

  “Aye, that it is,” replied Dougal.

  “You have missed the fair. Although just as well, it was on yesterday and not today.”

  “Fair?”

  “To celebrate the visit of the Queen and her Prince. ‘Twas a big celebration in here last evening.” The innkeeper laughed. “There are still many sore heads abed.”

  “Ah...” Dougal nodded and took a swig of his ale. “I am looking for my ...er ...an acquaintance of my...er...wife, “ he lied. “ A small woman with unusual silver hair. She would have enjoyed the fair if she had been in Kilmarnock yesterday?”

  “Aye,” the innkeeper agreed. “She did. She was visiting with Dame Molly.”

  Dougal closed his eyes as relief filled his chest. At least he knew Sofia had got safely across the firth. Thoughts of her drowning had haunted him all night.

  “Dame Molly?” he enquired. “Would she be staying with her?”

  “Perhaps.” The innkeeper turned away, seeming disinclined to volunteer any more information.

  “Ah...where would I find Dame Molly?” Dougal persisted. “It is all right. I am the Earl of Rothmore and I seek to ensure the woman’s safety.”

  The innkeeper looked at him for a long moment before answering.

  “She lives in yonder wood.” He inclined his head to the right and Dougal assumed he meant toward the wood further to the east.

  Leaving some coin on the bench to pay for the ale and show his gratitude for the information, he pushed open the door and stepped out into the cold rain. He followed the path deep into the woods, keeping under the trees to avoid the torrential rain. Wet leaves lined the path and he slipped in the soft mud. Gradually, an aroma of wood smoke and damp peat drifted across to him and he paused. A small cottage lay at the end of the path and candlelight flickered through the windows in the mid-afternoon gloom. A brawny man stood in a wood shed to the side of the small dwelling and lifted a hand in greeting.

  “A foul afternoon to be about, man,” he said. “Can I help ye?”

  “I am seeking Dame Molly,” replied Dougal.

  The man nodded. “There has been a steady stream of customers today.” He stepped out of the shed and moved across to the cottage beckoning Dougal to follow him. “For a child?” he asked.

  Dougal looked at him confused. “I am seeking a young woman who was with Dame Molly at the fair yesterday?”

  “Aye. “The man nodded. “I thought you were after the infusion of the leaves for the cough. The chestnut leaves,” he continued as Dougal looked at him, unsure what he was speaking of.”

  The man opened the door and leaned inside.

  “Molly, there is a man here asking after the young lady.”

  Dougal looked up in anticipation as relief coursed through him, but it was an elderly, stout woman who came through the door.

  “She has gone.” The woman directed her words at her husband before turning to Dougal. “I did not wish her to leave as she was ill.”

  “Where? Where has she gone?” he asked urgently.

  “She said she had to get back to the shore to wait for her man to take her home. I worry that she is delirious but she would not stay. She had some strange ideas about the Queen being dead.”

  Dougal groaned and reached into his cloak for some coin. “Thank you for taking care of her. How long ago did she leave?”

  “Mid-morning,” the woman replied. “She accepted a dose of the infusion for her cough and I dried her clothes overnight in front of the fire. She told me she fell in the firth.”

  Dougal closed his eyes and cursed inwardly. If he had gone to the shore instead of Kilmarnock, he would have found her. He thanked the woman again and hurried back the way he came.

  It took him a long half hour to locate the blacksmith in Kilmarnock where he was able to procure a horse. By the time he had covered the muddy road to the shore, it was almost dark. The sky was clearing from the west and a spectacular sunset shot gold and pink hues through the sky above the firth. Dougal jumped off the horse and hit it on the rump sending it back the way they had come. If he needed to travel again, he would risk using the Astrolaberors. His heart thudded in slow painful beats and he stretched his fingers to relieve the cramps from holding the reigns. He stood at the top of the cliff and shaded his eyes from the bright light in the west as the sun dropped below the edge of the cloud. A path of golden light shimmered across the firth silhouetting his castle in the background.

  Scanning the shoreline, there was nothing to be seen and he cursed. A deserted shoreline and some lumps of kelp between the rocks. He strode along the cliff top, searching for the way down to the shore; it had obviously moved over the intervening years. Finally, a break in the gorse directed him to the path. Screaming sea birds rose in the still afternoon air as he disturbed their slumber. A sudden flash of silver from below caught his attention. A slight figured moved in the fading light and stopped beneath a rock arch near the water. Dougal paused for a moment and stared.

  It was Sofia.

  He began to run, stones slipping beneath his feet and tumbling down the cliff. Jumping down the last four feet into the sand, he regained his balance and ran across the beach to the rock arch where a small boat was secured

  The golden light framed Sofia’s head within the arch and he could not see her shadowed face until he was one step away from her. He reached out to her and she turned away, pulling the cloak around her slight shoulders. But before she turned away, he saw the coldness of her expression. A racking cough escaped her lips and she leaned on the rock for support.

  Dougal put his arm around her shoulders and she looked up at him, her eyes devoid
of any recognition. He cursed himself. It was not anger on her face, it was delirium; if any harm came to her, it would be due to his actions.

  He had to get her to the warmth of the castle.

  Scooping his arms beneath her, he carried her into the warmth of the small cave in the cliff face and quickly returned to the beach to check the boat.

  Thank God, it was intact.

  He dragged it into the water and secured the oars in the rowlocks and returned for Sofia. Pulling off his cloak, he ran quickly back to the cave. He crossed the small space to where she leaned against the rock wall. She lifted her head slowly; her face was pale and her eyes were wide.

  “Dougal?” she whispered. “Oh, Dougal. You came back.”

  He placed his cloak around her shoulders, and buried his face in her hair. It was damp and tangled and smelled of damp peat. Gently he placed her in the boat, cursing softly at the burning heat of her skin as he pushed out from the shore. He settled in behind her and leaned her back against his chest as he rowed across the narrow channel to the Isle of Rothmore.

  Mary was waiting on the shore on the island.

  “I heard the birds and when I looked, I saw ye carry her into the boat.” Her voice was anxious. “Ach, puir wee lassie, is she hurt?”

  “She has taken a chill from the icy waters of the firth,” he replied. “Is the fire going in her room?”

  “Yes, I dinna let it die. I knew you would find her.”

  Dougal paced all night as Mary ministered to Sofia. He allowed himself one visit into the solar and when he finally saw she was asleep and breathing normally, he stayed away. On the morrow, at midday, he would take her back to the present and to her sister.

  Whatever happened then would be out of his control.

  He closed his eyes.

  Chapter 17

  Sofia woke alone the next morning and looked around.

  Had it been a dream, the row across the firth and the sojourn with Dame Molly?

  Back in the solar at the castle once more and she had no recollection of getting there. Putting her hand to her head, she struggled to sit up, before reaching for the tankard on the small table beside the large four-poster bed.

  Closing her eyes, she sighed as the cool liquid eased her burning throat. She thought back to yesterday. A recollection of a conversation tugged at her thoughts and drops of water fell on the bed linen as she began to shake.

  The old woman had said eighteen forty-two.

  Indigo and their father had travelled through time to the Amazon on several occasions to source the passion flowers for their research. But never had she needed to travel to another time.

  But obviously Dougal had seen the need and it kept her safe from those who sought to harm her.

  Warmth shot through her body and she wondered how long before he came to her. He was in the castle and she assumed it was he who had found her on the beach. The last thing she recalled was making her way down to the cliff and waiting in the cave. She had known he would come looking for her there.

  Whatever, he had done. He was a good and righteous man and had saved her life.

  She was beholden to him.

  No matter how he had gone about it. He had saved her from the Knights.

  The door creaked and Sofia looked up anticipation shooting through her chest. But it was only Mary.

  “Ach, lassie,” she crooned in her musical voice. “You’re awake and a fine color ye are.” She put her hand out to Sofia’s forehead and clicked her tongue with satisfaction. “And as cool as the waters of the firth.”

  “Where is the Earl,” asked Sofia.

  “Pacing in the halls of the castle.” Mary chuckled. “I told him it was only a wee chill, but he had ye dead and buried.”

  “Can you tell him I wish to see him, please?”

  Mary smiled and patted her hand before leaving the room.

  “I think he will be delighted to see you, Ma’am.”

  A few minutes later the door opened and Sofia turned from the window. She had left the bed and stood looking out over the firth as she pondered the events of the past few months. The morning sun was bright and the brisk wind had whipped up small waves on the gray water. Gulls and kittiwakes circled ahead, occasionally dipping into the water to catch a fish in their beaks.

  Peaceful. Very different to the busy streets of Vienna.

  Now Dougal stood in the doorway looking at her, his brow wrinkled in a frown.

  “Come in,” she said softly.

  He crossed the room to her and she sat in the small alcove in the window and patted the seat next to her. Dougal hesitated, before sitting beside her; the space was small and his arm and his leg pressed against hers.

  “So, Dougal,” Sofia began. She turned to him and grasped his strong jaw in her hand. “What you did was very brave. Once my anger passed I realized you truly saved my life.” She sensed his body relax next to her and he exhaled.

  “For a time, I was angry that you made it look as though I were dead. Angry you made such a decision and did not tell me.” She waited for him to respond.

  Finally he took her hand from his chin and held it tight in his grasp. “I pondered on the matter for many nights, my love.” Warmth shot through her as the endearment came from his lips. “To hide you nineteen years in the past, using the Astrolaberors was the only way I could be sure the Knights would not find you. Even thought they resided at Kilmarnock and were beholden by the restrictions of Scottish law, their influence spread far and wide and they had access to much technology.” He lifted her hand to his lips. “You do recall how they sent me to Vienna with the automatons? The airship supplied to me that night was sleek and fast.”

  Sofia pulled her hands away from his and stood staring out at the lock. “I am beginning to understand. But I need to be sure of just one thing. Have the Knights gone? Did you and Edward succeed in your quest?”

  She turned back to him and held his gaze as deep blue eyes looked deep into hers.

  “Aye, the cowardly curs have run and sought refuge in Edinburgh. We shall see no more of them in Kilmarnock.”

  “But what of Vienna?”she asked. “Will they send others to try to stop my research?”

  Dougal pushed himself up from the seat and looked long and hard at her before replying. “There is no Vienna research left. The laboratory was destroyed by fire.”

  She gasped and grabbed for his hands. “What of Ernst? Is anyone hurt?”

  He wound his fingers through her before lifting her hand and placing it against his cheek. “All is well. No one is hurt and the professor is in Cornwall at your sister’s manor. As are Johann and Genevieve.”

  She sagged with relief. “But Dougal, I do not understand. How have you come by such information? How is it you know my people?”

  A low chuckle came from his lips and the laughter lines fanned out around his eyes.

  “Not only do I know that, I have two visitors for you when we return.”

  “Return?”

  “To my castle.”

  “But we are in your...oh...I see.” She shook her head. The remnants of her fever clouded her brain and it was too confusing to think of traveling between times and still be in the same castle.

  “We must leave at midday or we shall have to wait for another day.” He smiled down at her. “Could you stand to stay in this...ah...let me remember...‘draughty pile of stones’ for one more night? It is just as cold and draughty in 1861 as it is now in 1842. Are you ready to return? To come back with me to our present?” he asked.

  Sofia shook her head.

  Was it the experience of travelling back in time, or was it her fever? Or more likely it was her love for this man creating the whirling confusion in her mind.

  She looked up at Dougal. He had placed his arms around her when she had been lost in thought. Now his lips were lightly parted and a nervous pulse fluttered in his neck. The warmth of his body against her raised goose bumps on her skin and her heart began to race. She closed her eyes and n
ervous thrills ran to her fingertips.

  It was definitely the man beside her.

  Raising her lips to his neck, she murmured against the pulse point. “Wherever you go, I will follow.”

  Epilogue

  Jory and Jago, Ruan and Kit ran across to the lawn to the landing pad, whooping and cheering. “Here they come.”

  Sofia looked down from the airship as their excited cries floated up to them. Indigo and Zane followed at a more leisurely pace along the path, although Sofia could see the excitement in her sister’s step.

  Dougal stood beside her and chuckled. “Who is the little lady running behind the children?”

  A stout woman wearing an apron waddled after the boys, her little legs working furiously to catch them.

  “That, my dear is Mrs. Grimoult.” Sofia looked across at Mary, who passed the tiny white bundle in her arms to Dougal. The baby began to whimper and Sofia looked up at her husband of one year and smiled.

  “I think the heir apparent to the Earldom of Rothmore is keen to meet his cousins,” she said softly.

  Mr. Grimoult turned the airship and it descended to the ground with one final hiss of steam. Sofia hurried out into Indigo’s waiting arms; she had not seen her sister since her last visit to Salon de Sofia before she had handed it over to Vivienne.

  “Now show me my nephew.” Indigo gave her a final squeeze and stepped back. Dougal gently placed the baby in her arms.

  Dougal and Indigo had yet to make their peace. Sofia had begged Indigo to be forgiving before she had married Dougal last spring in the Belvedere Gardens in Vienna. “He saved my life.”

  Indigo had snorted. “There were other ways to protect you than imprisoning you in that ancient castle and leaving us to think you were dead for three months.”

  Now Sofia smiled as Zane pushed his wife toward her new brother-in-law.

  Indigo looked first at her younger sister and then down at the baby in her arms, before raising her eyes to meet Dougal’s. “I am sorry, Dougal. For those weeks I had thought my dear sister had been taken from me...as our father was.” She brushed crossly at the tears welling in her eyes. “Thank you for bringing her safely home...and welcome to our home...brother.”