Arch Through Time: Books 1, 2 and 3: Scottish Time Travel Romances (Arch Through Time Collections)

by Katy Baker

  With that, he braced his feet and pushed with all his strength. Quinn took a grudging step backwards. De Clare lifted a foot and hooked it around Quinn’s, tripping him. It was a dirty move and Quinn wasn’t expecting it. With a curse he staggered back, sword flying from his hand.

  With a shout of triumph de Clare swung his sword.

  “Quinn!” Darcy screamed.

  His eyes snapped to hers. His eyes were filled with love. He wasn’t afraid. He seemed resigned as de Clare’s blade swung at him.

  Darcy felt something touch her palm. She looked down to see she was holding the wolf-head dagger Quinn had made her and the bonds tying her wrists had been cut. Where had the dagger come from? She glanced at Irene MacAskill who merely shrugged. She didn’t stop to question.

  “Catch!” Darcy screamed.

  She flung the dagger towards Quinn. He caught it hilt-first and rammed it into de Clare’s chest just as he began the killing blow. De Clare’s eyes widened. He stared at the blade sticking from his chest. De Clare’s mouth worked as if he was trying to form words but no sounds came out. Then he toppled backwards onto the beach and lay still.

  “Quinn!”

  Darcy scrambled across the sand and threw herself into his arms. He held her tight, pressing her against him, his strong arms around her.

  “Hush, love,” he whispered in her ear. “It’s over. Yer safe now.”

  Darcy clung to him. She never wanted to let him go. He was her home. How could she have ever thought otherwise?

  He pressed his forehead against hers. “Are ye all right, love? He dinna hurt ye?”

  “No. I’m fine.”

  “I’m glad.” He looked over her shoulder and tensed.

  Darcy turned to see Irene MacAskill approaching. She smiled warmly at them.

  “So it seems the choice has finally been made. I feel quite the proud mother hen.”

  “What are ye doing here, woman?” Quinn snapped. “I should have guessed ye’d have something to do with this mischief!”

  “You two know each other?” Darcy asked, confused.

  “Aye,” Quinn said. “She did share my campfire one night. Told me I’d have choices to make, whatever that meant. Then she disappeared. It was shortly after that I met ye, love. The clan say she may be a witch.”

  Irene MacAskill raised an eyebrow and tutted at that. “And what do ye think, Quinn MacFarlane? Have I led ye astray? Have I done aught but bring ye yer heart’s desire, just as I promised?”

  Quinn frowned. “Aye, ye’ve done that, I canna deny. I ken it was ye who sent the fog to slow de Clare and gave Darcy the dagger to throw to me. I thank ye for that.”

  Darcy looked from Irene to Quinn and back again. “Choices? Heart’s desire? You asked me the same thing. Only you asked me five hundred years away.”

  Quinn appeared startled at that. “What do ye mean, love?”

  Irene MacAskill chuckled. “Ye’ve done it now, lass. Mayhap it’s time for the truth.”

  Darcy swallowed. Where to begin? What to say? Quinn was watching her intently, a slightly puzzled expression on his handsome face. She sucked in a breath. Best to get it over with.

  “I’m sorry, Quinn. I’ve not been completely honest with you. I’m not from some land over the ocean. Well, I am, but that’s not the whole story. I’m from the future. Five hundred years in the future to be exact. I walked under that archway and was transported here. That’s why I was desperate to find this place again - it was the only way I knew to get back to my own time.”

  Quinn stared at her as if she’d gone mad. “Yer from the future?”

  Darcy nodded. “Yes. From the twenty-first century.”

  Quinn scrubbed a hand through his hair. “I knew there was something about ye, lass. Something more than just being from a different land. Yer words, yer ways. The way ye operated on Old Mac’s ewe that time and the arcane equipment ye used - it gave me pause, I have to admit. And I should have guessed at something like this when one of the fae is involved.” He fixed Irene MacAskill with a stern glare. “For that is what ye are, is it not?”

  Irene MacAskill shrugged. “Of course. What else could I be? It’s my duty to bring balance to the world. To bring together those halves that make a whole. Ye two are such, even though ye were born five hundred years apart. I gave ye the opportunity to meet yer destiny but it had to be yer choice. Now the choice has been made.”

  She turned and began walking away.

  “Wait,” Quinn called after her. “That’s it? Yer just gonna walk away?”

  “My job here is done,” Irene said. “She chose ye, ye big oaf. And believe me, that couldnae have been an easy choice. The twenty-first century has many delights.” She closed her eyes and said dreamily. “Chocolate. Cappuccino. Doughnuts.” She opened her eyes, winked at them both, and walked off.

  In the blink of an eye she was gone but Darcy thought she caught sight of a red deer bounding away across the hills.

  Quinn let out a long sigh. He placed his hands on Darcy’s shoulders and turned her to face him. "Ye have no idea how glad I am to see ye safe and well, love. I've never been more scared in my life than when I found out he’d taken ye.”

  Darcy blinked back tears. “Oh, Quinn.” She put her arms around him and hugged him close.

  “There ye are!”

  They turned to see Fraser standing on the top of the hill. "I'm right glad to see ye safe, Lady Darcy. Laird Robert sent me to find ye. The rest of de Clare's men have surrendered." His gaze fell on the body of John de Clare lying in the sand. "What should we do with him?"

  "He’ll be taken back to Dunbreggan and given the proper rights. The Murrays will be given back the body of their laird for proper burial."

  Fraser nodded. Quinn curled his fingers through Darcy's.

  “I’m relieved ye made that choice, love. To stay I mean. It must be mighty strange for ye living in my time and I know ye must be homesick. “

  Darcy bit her lip. “Sure there’ll be some things I’ll miss. My friends, mostly, and I’ll always regret not being able to say goodbye. But if there’s one thing I’ve learned in my life it’s that chances at happiness are rare. You have to seize them when you get the chance. So, yes, I made the right choice.”

  "I’m right glad to hear ye say that. It’s time we started our journey home then, love."

  Darcy cocked her head. "Home. I like the sound of that."

  "Me too. And the sooner we get home the sooner Rebecca can get her claws into ye." He winked at her mischievously. "After all, don't we have a wedding to prepare?"

  “ARE YE READY, LASS?” Robert asked.

  The laird of the MacFarlane clan was done up in all his finery and Darcy had to admit he scrubbed up rather well. He was standing by the door, ready to escort her downstairs. Darcy’s stomach flipped over. Even though she’d dreamed about this moment for the last week, she still felt sick with nerves.

  “You look like you’ve eaten something you shouldn’t!” Lily teased.

  Lily wore a fine silk gown and carried a bouquet of freshly gathered flowers. She’d agreed to be Darcy’s maid of honor - a role that would be reversed when Lily’s own wedding came around. It wouldn’t be for a little while yet as Lily wanted to wait for her family to make the long trip up from London.

  Darcy smiled weakly at her friend’s joke. She pulled in a deep breath, straightened her shoulders. “Right. Let’s do this.”

  “Yer getting married lass, not going into battle!” Robert laughed.

  He offered her his arm and she took it. They swept out of Robert’s solar, Lily walking behind with Darcy’s train.

  The walk to the great hall seemed to last forever. Surely it didn’t normally take this long? Her stomach churned. Her heart hammered in her chest. But not from fear. From excitement.

  Today was the day. The day she’d marry the man she loved. The day they’d be joined together forever. She couldn’t wait.

  Finally they reached the steps down into the great hall and Ro
bert escorted her down, seeming every inch the proud brother-to-be. As soon as Darcy’s foot hit the last step the waiting crowd turned to look at her. The great hall was filled with people and the doors had been thrown open and still more people crowded the bailey outside. Everyone wore their best clothing and MacFarlane plaid was in evidence everywhere. After all, they were welcoming a new member into their clan.

  Darcy’s eyes roved over the crowd, looking for one face. There. Quinn stood by the altar with Fraser and Rebecca. His eyes lit up as he spied Darcy and her heart soared in response. He was so beautiful. And he was hers.

  As she moved to stand beside him he filled her vision. The rest of the clan seemed to disappear and there was only him. He grinned at her and his eyes shone. He held out his hand and she took it, allowing Robert to wind the MacFarlane plaid around both their hands, binding them together.

  Father Michael, the local priest, stepped forward and began the ceremony. It passed in a blur. All she could think of was Quinn’s hand over hers, his eyes fixed on her face.

  Then it was over and Quinn was kissing her. Kissing her so deeply it curled her toes and sent the watching clan into a chorus of whoops and cheers.

  Quinn pressed his forehead against hers and looked into her eyes. “Hello, wife,” he breathed.

  Darcy grinned. “Hello, husband.”

  Robert threw a hand around both their shoulders. “Come on now, both of ye. They’ll be plenty of time for mooning over each other later. Don’t ye know ye belong to the clan for today? Come on, we’re going to have the biggest feast this clan has seen in many a year!”

  Laughing, Darcy allowed Robert to lead her and Quinn down the steps into the bailey where an enormous pavilion had been set up. There would be feasting and drinking and dancing and games until the small hours and the whole village had been invited.

  Darcy held tight to Quinn as they took pride of place at the head table, Robert and Rebecca seated to either side. All around the pavilion large trestle tables had been arranged and out in the bailey straw bales had been placed for the others.

  As a quartet of musicians sprang up, Darcy sat back, taking it all in. Her new family and friends surrounded her. Her new husband sat by her side. She could hardly believe it was real.

  "Are ye all right, love?" Quinn asked.

  Darcy nodded. "Oh yes. I'm more all right than I've ever been."

  Quinn grinned at her. "Me too, love. Look, they're bringing the first course round. We'll be expected to eat before the rest of the clan get served."

  Darcy patted her stomach. "I'm not sure I can eat anything. I've been so nervous all morning!"

  "None of that, love. Ye have to keep yer strength up - for all the day's festivities but especially for what I have planned for ye when I get ye back to our chamber."

  That mischievous grin was on his face again - the one she loved so much. She found herself grinning in response.

  "Well, when you put it like that I'm sure I could manage something."

  AS QUINN HAD PREDICTED, the celebrations went on late into the night. Darcy had the time of her life. It seemed everyone in the village wanted a word or a dance or to give her their congratulations. Darcy had never felt so valued or so at home.

  They were sitting at a table, finally getting some time alone when Quinn leaned over and whispered, "I reckon we could sneak out now, love. What do ye say?"

  A little thrill of anticipation went through Darcy. "Let's do it."

  They'd almost made it to the stairs when a cheer went up behind them. Darcy turned to see the remaining guests whooping and clapping. Her face flushed red.

  Quinn though, merely grinned. "I thank ye for yer encouragement, ye scoundrels! Now if ye'll excuse me, I have a bride to take care of."

  He bent and swept a startled Darcy into his arms. The sounds of good-natured suggestions and banter followed them up the stairs.

  Quinn kicked open the door to their chamber and then nudged it closed behind them. Robert had given them a magnificent suite right at the top of the castle. It had its own sitting room and a large balcony that gave a stunning view of the vista beyond. The place already felt more like home than Darcy's apartment ever had.

  Quinn carried her through the sitting room and into the bedroom. He laid her down carefully on the bed and stood for a minute, looking her over.

  She raised herself onto her elbows. "What are you thinking?"

  "I'm thinking of how lucky I am," he replied. "Of how beautiful my wife is."

  "Well stop thinking and come here," she chuckled.

  He obliged, climbing onto the bed and straddling her, his hands to either side of her face. He looked into her eyes for a moment and then leaned down to kiss her. His lips were warm and soft as they gently brushed hers.

  “Are ye sure ye wouldnae rather just go to sleep?” he teased. “It’s been a long day.”

  “It has,” Darcy agreed. “And it’s only going to get longer.”

  She reached up and tangled her fingers through his hair, pulling him down for a kiss. Quinn obliged. His mouth caressed hers hungrily and his strong hands found the laces of her dress and pulled them free, his hand slipping inside her bodice to cup one of her breasts.

  She moaned as he began to caress her, one thumb rubbing her nipple, the other tracing a line of fire down her side.

  She grabbed the brooch that held his plaid at his shoulder and unclasped it. Quinn ducked his head, allowing her to deposit the material on the floor. Darcy's eyes roved over his bare torso, watching how the candlelight caught the contours of his muscles. She ran her fingertips over his skin.

  Mine, she thought as she looked at him. This beautiful, amazing man is mine.

  “Here, love,” Quinn said. “Ye must be hot in that dress. How about I relieve ye of it?”

  He roughly began untying the rest of the laces in her dress. In only moments he was pulling it free, exposing her skin to the cool night air.

  Quinn gasped lightly as he looked at her and his manhood bulged between his legs, eager and ready. Darcy ran her fingertips along his length and his eyes slid closed, a deep moan escaping him. She stroked him gently, bringing him to utter arousal until, with a growl, he grabbed her hands and pinned them to the bed by her head.

  He was in control. She was at his mercy. She loved it. She lay compliant as he gazed down at her, his breathing already heavy. He nudged her knees apart, the tip of his manhood brushing against her sensitive spot. She tilted her hips, rising up to meet him, inviting him inside, but he didn't give her what she wanted. Not yet.

  He teased her, gently caressing her until she moaned with pleasure and need.

  "Quinn," Darcy gasped, unable to form any other words. "Oh my god, Quinn."

  Sensing her desperate need, Quinn dropped his hips and with one strong thrust, penetrated her, deep and hard. Darcy cried out in bliss, bucking against him. He began to move inside her, driving into her with hard, deep movements. Darcy tilted her hips to meet his thrusts, taking him deep into her core each time.

  Fire raced along her nerves. Liquid ecstasy made her skin tingle. She moved in time with Quinn, their breathing becoming ragged, gasps of pleasure filling the air.

  The inferno inside Darcy grew and grew, it burned along every sinew in her body until finally it consumed her, and she cried Quinn's name as her climax took her. A second later Quinn jerked as he too, reached his peak.

  Quinn looked down at her, his eyes dark with lust. "I love ye, Darcy MacFarlane, do ye know that?"

  "Aye, Quinn MacFarlane," she whispered back. "And I love you too."

  Quinn rolled onto his back, pulling her into the crook of his arm. After a moment she propped herself on an elbow and tangled the fingers of one hand in his hair.

  "There’s no time for resting. What were you saying about keeping your strength up? When I'm finished with you you'll need it."

  He laughed, then wrapped his arms around her and kissed her. Yes, it was going to be a long, long night.

  CHOICES, LAS
S, a voice whispered. It sounded like the wind whispering in branches. Did ye make the right one, Darcy Greenway? Come, so I may speak with ye.

  Darcy woke with a start. It was dark, sometime in the deep night and moonlight was streaming through the window, illuminating the rug-covered floor. By her side Quinn snored softly, one arm wrapped protectively around her.

  Careful not to wake him, Darcy extricated herself from his embrace and climbed out of bed. She pulled on a robe and padded across the floor to the balcony. Opening the door, she stepped out.

  The moon hung low in the sky and the Highlands stretching out before her looked like they’d been dusted with icing sugar. Darcy sucked in a deep breath, savoring the clean air in her lungs. Around her, Dunbreggan slept.

  “Well? Do ye ken the answer to my question, dearie?”

  Darcy spun to find Irene MacAskill standing on the balcony beside her. The small woman stood in the shadows, only her eyes gleaming in the moonlight. Darcy had learned not to be surprised by anything this woman might do although it was still unsettling the way she appeared from nowhere.

  “I heard your voice in my dream,” she replied. “But I didn’t expect to see you again. You said your work here was done.”

  “Almost but not quite. My kind are bound by rules and I must obey them. Anyone given the choice must also be given a chance to change their mind.” Her gaze sharpened. “One chance and one chance only. So I ask again: are ye sure ye made the right choice? Or will you run away once more, Darcy Greenway?”

  Darcy glanced through the door to where Quinn was sleeping. He’d turned over and now had one arm and one leg dangling over the side of the bed. She smiled fondly.

  “I’m done running,” she replied. “I think all my life I’ve been running, searching for him. Now I’ve found him. So yes, of course I made the right choice.”

  Irene MacAskill’s eyes twinkled. “Quinn said exactly the same thing.”

  Darcy’s eyebrows rose. “You’ve already spoken to him?”

  “Aye. Didnae I say everyone is given one chance?”

  Darcy paused. “And what would happen if one of us had changed our minds?”