His name is spoken in the highest regard. They say he is a generous man, eager to help his people flourish.
Diary, I heard a tale last night that Lord Kyle worked the land alongside his people in order to ensure the harvest was brought in before the winter’s storm arrived last year. How generous of him to give his time and energy as such.
Elsbeth
Devin could well imagine Kyle working alongside his men. She had already seen how devoted he was to whatever he set his mind on. Still, reading Elsbeth’s words made Devin feel a bit odd, as though privy to an insider conversation she had no part in listening to. And yet, it was equally hard to just shut the book and pretend it didn’t exist.
Pulling the soft woolen blanket tighter about her, Devin snuggled down deeper in the bed and continued reading.
April 20, 1602
Diary, I have met so many kind people. They come to the castle bearing more gifts for our upcoming nuptials. I have seen gifts of livestock, breads, poultry, and even a fatted turkey.
There is another guest here at the castle. A Lord Duncan MacPherson. He has a large keep two days journey north of Castle Loch Haven. He bowed low before me and kissed my hand! I swear my whole body tingled from his touch!
He and his men are here seeking Kyle’s guidance regarding the recent marauder attacks.
They are out surveying the land and talking to the townspeople today and will be back late tonight. Lord Kyle bade me goodbye this morn, and said we will talk tomorrow.
After breakfast I made my way out to the stable, Diary. Lord Kyle has many fine war horses. So tall and strong. They are so tall I can barely reach my hand to the top of their heads, but they are also very gentle as I fed them apples from my palm.
There was a litter of newborn kittens there as well. They are orphaned the stableman tells me. Their mama left them shortly after birth. They are so fragile and weak. I took them back to my quarters in the castle tucked inside my gown. Cook gave me warm milk and I was able to get them to eat a bit. Their plaintive cries tear at my heart, as I know exactly how they feel with no mother to guide their course in life.
I made a bed for them from a blanket I found and they are now sound asleep in the bottom of my traveling chest. When they are older and stronger, I shall return them to the stables to earn their keep.
Elsbeth
Elsbeth had brought the kittens back to her bedroom? The very idea made Devin giggle. She could only imagine Kyle’s reaction to the furry bundles, knowing how fond he was of Algee. Looking down at the floor, Devin spotted Algee. Flat on his back, with all four paws stuck into the air, he groaned and waved his paws as though doing a mad dash. He must be having quite a dream, Devin thought. Reaching over, she ran her hand across his spiky fur to calm him. He gave a loud sigh, and then lay quiet. With a quick smile at the giant beast, Devin turned her attention back to the journal.
April 29, 1602
Oh, Diary today was a disaster. My Lord Kyle came to my chambers to escort me on a tour of the grounds and the kittens attacked him! Well, not exactly. You see, Diary, they were fascinated with the tassels on his boots and got quite carried away in their enthusiasm to snare one.
Unfortunately, the biggest kitten, Lucifer, as I have named him, used his sharp little claws to secure a foothold on my Lord’s thigh, quite near his private area, causing such a row.
Lord Kyle bellowed in pain, the kittens scattered in fear and took up refuge under the bed, and I, most unbecomingly collapsed in a fit of giggles upon my coverlet. My Lord was not amused for the longest time as I fought to control my mirth. His countenance was very dark, until he did in time see the humor in the situation at hand. So, it is clear I must return the kittens posthaste to the stables. For their safety as well as my Lord’s.
Devin laughed aloud at the thought. She could only imagine the kitten’s tiny razor sharp claws digging into Kyle’s nether region. What she wouldn’t have given to have seen it firsthand. What a hoot it would have been.
Closing the diary, Devin tucked it safely beneath her pillow and reached to turn out the bedside lamp. Since their shared kiss, Kyle had made himself scarce. While Devin wasn’t quite used to his popping in and out, right now, she would welcome the intrusion. Anything to take her mind off their kiss.
Their kiss.
It had felt so good, so right to be in his arms. Yet, what future did they have? A ghost and a mortal. A very unlikely combination. Kyle was destined to return to his own time and place at some point. Yet, she couldn’t dispel the tingles that surged through her as she reminisced. Tingles she had never noticed before when kissing anyone else. Not that she had a multitude of practice, that is. But still, his kiss, his lips, his tongue…
Argh, Devin punched the pillow into a lumpy blob beneath her head. It would be a long time before she fell asleep tonight.
****
May 4, 1602
Diary, oh my, today I saw Lord MacPherson in a state of undress!! He is magnificent! So well defined and large, like Father’s war stallions.
His muscles bulged as he hefted the bales of hay from the work cart into the stables for the horses. My stomach flutters very oddly every time I look at him. The serving girls giggled at his near nakedness and made lewd comments aloud among themselves. They throw themselves at him, simpering, asking if he needed water, anything for an excuse to touch his body, to run their hands across his skin.
But he merely smiles and tells them no thank you.
Oh, Diary, why do I feel this way? It is so very embarrassing to see the girls act this way. I do not understand at all. The serving girls told me about a storeroom under the castle where they meet their gentleman callers. Diary, it is odd. They do not want to be seen. The visits are conducted during the nighttime hours, secreting themselves away with their callers. They also speak of things that are so very intimate, Diary. Talk of kissing and touching in the dark, of lovemaking without benefit of marriage. Oh, my, my cheeks flushed quite warmly at the things they said. They giggled and said I would know such things when my marriage was finalized to Lord Kyle. If this is true, Diary, I fear I will be blushing all the time. I wish Mother or even Aunt Cecilia were here so I could ask for their council on such matters. I know very little of what transpires between a man and woman in the marriage bed. Who will instruct me, pray tell?
Elsbeth
Okay, things were getting freaky. This entry was the second time Elsbeth had referred to Lord MacPherson. And now she was writing about seeing him partially undressed in the barn? Not good, Devin thought, popping a bite of buttered croissant into her mouth. Something didn’t seem right at the moment. But what, and did it mean anything in the broad scope of things? Maybe, her active imagination was taking another turn for the worse. Devin knew she should be trying to find answers for Kyle, but lately all she wanted to do was curl up and read about Elsbeth. The young woman who had captured Kyle’s heart and home so many years ago.
Reaching for her mug of tea, Devin glanced about the dining room, and was surprised to find she had been sitting there almost two hours. Closing the journal and dropping it in her pocket, she folded her napkin and laid it next to her plate.
“Good morning, milady. You are looking well this morning.”
His deep baritone broke through the silence and Devin tried not to jump at his nearness. Why did he always have to look so fresh, when she felt like yesterday’s wet dishrag? Well, not exactly, but she had been burning the candle at both ends staying up late and reading.
“Good morning yourself, Lord MacLay.” Devin nodded to him, rising from her chair.
“Have you made any progress on determining what is impeding my passing over?” Kyle inquired.
Devin guiltily looked away. “Not yet, but I’m still searching,” she answered as truthfully as possible. She was, just not that hard, and from the looks of things, probably not in the right places either. The diary had consumed the better part of her waking hours, enthralling her with the words contained within the time worn page
s.
“Milady, the Vicar is here,” Mrs. Goode’s voice carried from the Great Hall.
“Oh, my gosh, I forgot all about him coming out.”
“Why is the man here?” Kyle grimaced. “I don’t like him. He gives me the creeps, to coin one of your American phrases.”
Devin choked back a laugh. “The creeps? You have the nerve to say he gives you the creeps? Isn’t that the pot calling the kettle black,” she commented.
“Well, he does,” Kyle responded grumpily. “He was always trying to get Rollie to banish me to some far off corner of the castle and forbid me to return. At one point, he offered to perform an exorcism on the castle, if need be.”
“Really? Isn’t that interesting. I’ll have to ask him about it. Maybe he can give me a few hints as well.”
****
“Your Ladyship.” The Vicar enthusiastically pumped Devin’s hand up and down. “What a nice pleasure it is to see you again.”
“Father Byran, I want to thank you for the lovely memorial service you provided my cousin last week. It was greatly appreciated.”
“He was a wonderful man, very well liked by his staff and his neighbors.” The Vicar crossed himself, and then glanced about the room.
“Is something wrong, Father?”
“No, no.” The man brought his nervous gaze back to her. “I was wondering if we were truly alone.”
“Truly alone?” Devin repeated confused.
“Yes,” he nodded, lowering his voice. “Without the Laird.”
“Oh.” Everything became crystal clear in a second. “Laird MacLay, you mean. I know all about the Laird and have seen him quite a few times since my arrival.” She left out the more interesting facts about Laird MacLay and herself, for fear a thunderbolt might magically find its way into the Great Room and strike her down.
“So, you’ll be staying anyway?” he asked.
“Yes. I’ll stay as long as the people will have me.”
Father Byran sighed loudly. “Thanks be. What wonderful news it is. But I worry whether you might be tempted to sell the castle and the land.”
“Why would I do that Father? Is there something you know that I don’t?” Devin questioned.
The man shook his head. “No. It’s been brought to my attention by my parishioners though, that there are people out there still trying to lay claim to the castle and the title, even though you are the rightful heir through Lord Rolland.”
“Well, then, it’s up to my barrister to set them straight now, isn’t it?” Devin smiled, trying to set the Vicar at ease. He seemed nervous enough about Laird MacLay popping out at him at any moment.
“I’m very glad you came by today, Father. I’ve been reading through some of my cousin’s notes and I would like to continue the tradition he started with the Easter Egg Hunt. Do you think that would still be possible at this late date?”
“Of course, milady, of course. The children will be so excited. The hunt is something they look forward to all year long, myself included. I’ll send round the details to you this afternoon.”
“Good, I’m glad.” Devin was relived to hear she could have the hunt as originally planned. “I’ll have the staff help me organize everything.”
“Well, milady, I must get back and write my weekly column for the church paper. What good news it shall contain. Shall I save a seat for you at Sunday services?” Father Byran asked hopefully.
It had been a long time since Devin attended a Sunday service, but the obvious joy on the Vicar’s face made it hard to refuse.
“Yes, I’ll be there,” she nodded.
“I’m off now. And thank you again!”
Devin watched as the Vicar practically sprinted down the front steps and off to his car. With a wave and a smile, he was gone. Closing the door behind her, Devin leaned her forehead against the massive oak panel.
“Sunday service, my, my, Lady Noone. The townspeople will be keeping you quite busy, so it seems.”
Devin turned toward his voice to find Kyle lounging on the staircase. His long legs were stretched out in front of him, and hands laced behind his head. Damn the man for always looking like he stepped off the cover of a men’s fashion magazine. Those tight pants made it hard to think. She dragged her gaze away and shrugged her shoulders.
“What’s wrong with that?”
“Nothing.”
“Then your point is…”
Kyle grinned. “I remember going to church once.”
Devin snorted. “Oh, yeah.”
“There was this fair-haired lass in the front pew. Had enormous…” He put his hands out in front of his chest, drawing large circles. “You know. Kept giving me the eye. After the service concluded, we made our way up to the church loft and set the church bells to ringing, if you know what I mean.” He wiggled his eyebrows up and down suggestively.
“Please.” Devin rolled her eyes.
“We did. Are you calling me a liar, lass?” He jumped up from his lounging position on the stairs and came to stand in front of her, hands on hips and eyes blazing.
“Not at all, Lord MacLay. I think you’re a tad bit overbearing and arrogant with your own self worth, but definitely not a liar,” she replied with a laugh, trying not to notice how handsome and sexy he looked.
“She did remind me of you, lass.”
“Me? How would she remind you of me?” His words stopped Devin in her tracks.
“She was very feisty, like you, and quite vocal with her likes and dislikes. But,” he continued, “you don’t have her ‘you knows’.”
“Should I be flattered or insulted, Lord MacLay?”
“I’m not sure,” he stroked his chin and stared at her. “How about if we go to the chapel bell tower and find out.”
“In your dreams, buddy.” Devin laughed and rolled her eyes.
“Hrmh,” he grumbled good-naturedly, then fixed her with a stare. “The Vicar, what did he want with you? Am I to be banished again?”
Devin pretended to think about his question for a moment, watching the consternation build upon his features. “No, not yet. We’re going to hold the Easter Egg Hunt on the grounds, just like Rollie did. I want things to continue on as they did when my cousin was alive. At least, I hope things will be the same.”
“Lass, you are doing everything in your power to assist all of us in our times of need, and we are grateful for that. Myself included,” he executed a low bow before her, then reached out and brought her hand to his lips, pressing a gentle kiss to it.
Devin sucked in a gulp of air. She wanted to pull her hand away and forbid him from touching her, but couldn’t. It felt so nice, so warm and definitely turned her insides to mush.
“Well, I better get a move on. There are a lot of things to do to get ready before Easter Sunday.” Tucking her hand behind her back, Devin gave him a small smile and walked from the room. Her head spun, but not from what needed to be done. Instead, she found herself concentrating on his mouth. For a brief moment, she was almost willing to let herself take him up on his offer to go to the bell tower. She really needed to get a life. The Laird was becoming a full time obsession.
Chapter Nine
Kyle watched Devin depart the Great Room, his thoughts a bit jumbled at the moment.
In his dreams.
If she only knew how close to the truth she’d really come. Visions of Lady Devin Noone entered his mind quite often, interfering with his concentration and disrupting his train of thought. Even when his body was at rest, she occupied his head, causing a surge of electricity to race down his body at breakneck speed.
He reflected back to their earlier conversation, thinking once more of the fair-haired lass from centuries ago. She was a beauty, there was no doubt, and very well endowed as memory served. But she wasn’t Devin. The lass of long ago didn’t make him want to shout and throw things about, like his feisty American redhead did whenever she was near. Just being in the same room with Devin caused sparks to fly and tempers to near burst. Kyle sm
iled at the recollection. No, the blonde lass was definitely more interested in his body, and at the time, Kyle had no argument. They satisfied one another’s needs on more than one occasion, and then moved on. No ties to one another, no need for promises and most assuredly, no need for words when they were together.
Kyle sighed. If only it were that simple now. There was a lot to be said for physical attraction and Kyle was definitely attracted to Lady Noone, but all was for naught. As to his needs, well that would never happen. Not in this lifetime or any other.
It was best if he concentrated on getting out of this world and into the next before Lady Devin decided to put a pox on him with the help of the nervous Vicar. Kyle laughed aloud and disappeared from sight, leaving the sound of his hearty chuckle ringing behind in the foyer.
****
May 17th, 1602
Diary,
It was such a lovely afternoon today. Lord MacLay is gone for the afternoon to settle a dispute among the tenants over an errant sow. I met Lord MacPherson on the back lawn and we watched the sun set over Isle Lake. He is a very well mannered and well versed gentleman. He knows of so many things in this lifetime. He told of the training he and Lord Kyle received as children. They had studied under the same tutor, here at the castle, with Lord Kyle‘s father in charge. Lord MacPherson’s keep is not as vast as my lord’s, but Lord MacPherson says it is very beautiful. He talks of it with such passion; he makes me wish to see it with my very own eyes. Maybe someday Kyle will take me there.
Elsbeth
Maybe when pigs fly, Devin thought angrily, slamming the book shut harder than necessary. Elsbeth was getting just a little too cozy with Lord Duncan McPherson for Devin’s liking. Elsbeth was writing more about Duncan than Kyle, it seemed. Something was up, but what? How easy it would be to turn to the last entry, to the last page, yet she hesitated. The best way was to read the journal in order. As much as she longed to see the ending, she was afraid of what she would find. Stuffing the book under her pillow, Devin left the bedroom, intent on locating the library. Maybe something there would help. Or quite possibly she could find a book on the castle manners she so desperately needed to study up on. Either way, she needed to get away from the diary for awhile. Away from the thoughts of Elsbeth and Lord MacPherson before they completely engulfed her.
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