He took a deep breath and ran his hand through his dripping wet hair. He walked down to the edge of the lake and tried to straighten out his thoughts. She was right; they shouldn't even think about getting involved with each other. The safest thing for them was to keep from believing in the relationship the others thought they had. But he had seen the hunger and fire in her eyes when she watched him leave the water. And, he'd felt the passion in her kisses and the welcome in her embrace.
Yes, she was right, he would need to control himself around her. That shouldn't be a problem, but it was. He turned to look at her. What was happening to him here? At home, he'd kept his life with Nancy in a separate compartment, and it had never intruded on his work or his pursuit of a partnership.
But, here and now, every time he forced this beautiful stranger out of his thoughts, she crept back in. He had to focus on finding a way back to their time and this sexual attraction would hinder that. Taking a deep breath, he mentally resolved that theirs had to be nothing more than a business arrangement: finding a way home. Anything, everything else could wait.
"Maggie, I'm sorry. Ye are right, we must focus our efforts on finding a way home. I will try not to surprise ye anymore and will try to keep the kissing for times when we need to put on our show."
"Alex, it was just as much my fault as yours. I will try to behave myself, too. Okay?"
"Fine. Now, I think we should make our way back to the keep." He could do anything he set his mind to; he knew it.
"Maybe you'd better go ahead by yourself. If Anice is watching, she won't be happy that we've spent time together."
"Ye are right, Maggie. I will go on ahead of ye then."
He turned back to her before leaving. "Be careful." At her nod, he took off running through the trees. The exercise would do him good. Another dip in the cold loch before bed would do him even better.
Chapter 15
They both jumped when the loud knock hit the door. He and Maggie exchanged worried glances, and he nodded at the bed. She ran to it and climbed quickly under the covers.
"Wheesht! Who is knocking at this time o' night?"
"'Tis I, Alex, open yer door," Struan ordered.
Alex did not hesitate to respond.
"Coming, Faither, coming," he yelled at the door, lowering his voice, he whispered, "Quickly, Maggie, take off yer shirt. Loosen yer hair."
He pulled his shirt off and walked to the door. After glancing at her to check and seeing her shocked look, he explained his strange order. "They all sleep naked here. It would look strange for us to be lovers and go to bed covered." At her nod, he gave her a moment and then shoved the trunk out of the way with his foot and opened the door.
"Weel, Faither, do ye want to come in? Should I dress?"
Struan entered, walking past Alex and stopping at the foot of the bed.
"Nay, do not dress, I am not staying. But close the door for now."
Alex obeyed and waited to discover what caused this midnight visit.
"Have ye heard that I had words wi' yer woman at the noon meal?" Alex hadn't heard. "Dougal wasna verra happy wi' me since I invited her to join me at the meal."
"Ye had her sit wi' ye at the table?"
Struan nodded. Alex was surprised. The separation between the clan and strangers, the noble and the common people was very clear to him. And a man's leman did not join the man's father at the table, especially if the man's father was laird of the clan. He looked from his father to Maggie and back again.
"Are ye trying to take her from me, Faither?"
The implications of this were staggering. He couldn't stop Struan if he laid claim to Maggie. He heard Maggie move behind him on the bed and prayed she would keep silent.
"Nay, Alex, I am not. I tell ye this because I was trying to find out more about the woman who ye would bring into yer home and before yer betrothed."
"Did ye find what ye were looking for?"
"Aye, I did. She reminds me much of yer own maither. She has the same strength as Edana when she first arrived here. And, of course, she is a beautiful woman, much like Edana in her coloring."
From the tightness about the man's lips and his tightly clenched fists, Alex sensed that Struan was holding something back.
"Ye have more to say than about the looks of the woman I sleep wi', Faither. Just say it."
"I sent ye away five years ago to keep peace within the clan. It was the hardest thing I ever had to do and yer maither, God rest her soul, fought me every step of the way. She wasna pleased wi' me and 'twas weeks afore she spoke to me after ye left." He paused and looked at Maggie. "Now ye are back, and the woman ye brought wi' ye threatens the peace of the clan once more."
Maggie gasped at his comment and started to answer his words, but Struan shook his head at her.
"It isna something ye have done. Mistress Hobbs, 'tis yer verra presence here that is creating upheaval. I know and agree that as my heir and the future laird of this clan, Alex haes the right to choose a woman as his leman. This may just not be the time for it."
"What are ye saying?" Alex prayed silently that Struan was not planning to send Maggie away.
"I like this lass, Alex, and I can see why ye want her in yer bed. And she can stay here for now. But if there is any trouble, she willna remain."
"What?" His voice was louder than it should have been, and Struan's eyes flared with anger at Alex's inadvertent challenge.
"If there is trouble, any trouble in the clan because of this woman," he pointed at Maggie without looking at her, "she willna remain in this keep and mayhap not e'en in Dunnedin."
"But, Faither, she saved my life. I owe her."
"Aye, ye do and I do as well. If she wishes to remain here, she must stay out of Anice's way. And, that includes her companions as well as her servants. Do ye understaun, lass?"
"I understand, Laird." Maggie's voice was just a whisper.
"If Anice continues to take exception to ye, I will arrange for yer return to England or find a mon here to wed wi' ye. It will be easier that way. And it will keep the peace in the clan."
Struan looked at both of them before walking to the door. Without another word, he pulled the door closed behind him.
* * *
Maggie searched under the covers for the shirt she had stuffed there at Struan's appearance. Shaking it out and pulling it over her head, she tried to still her trembling hands, her racing heart, and her heaving breaths. This was not good. Not good at all. She waited for Alex to finish securing the door.
He turned back to the bed and grabbed his shirt from the floor and put it back on. Then he started pacing. She watched as he walked back and forth in front of the hearth.
"I never thought we would have this problem. Ye know the need to stay out of Anice's path. What happened?"
She didn't particularly like his tone, accusing her of something.
"Nothing happened."
"Something must have happened for Struan to disturb us in the night. I warned ye of Anice's women."
"Yes, you did," she answered him, her voice cold with anger. "I had no idea that one of them would show up here while I was hiding my backpack."
"And?"
"And? And, she called me some filthy names and brought you more clothes to wear. Then she left." At his upraised eyebrow, she snorted. "That is what happened. She must have gone right back to Anice to tell her I was in your room during the day."
"I'm sorry, Maggie, that was uncalled for. I do not think ye are starting the trouble. We must watch our step until we find our way back home."
"It's just hard, Alex, really, really hard. I've done what I've been told to do and followed all the customs I know about. I am trying to fit in. At least you have the easier part of it."
"I do?"
"Yes, you get to play around with the men and romance Anice and everyone thinks you're the clan darling returned home. I have to put up with the insults and sly comments behind my back. And the fear. I am so afraid of so many things here,
and I don't like living in fear."
"I can tell ye that my part isna any easier than yers, Maggie. Did ye say 'play around wi' the men'? Believe me, they are no' playing with those weapons! And, I have to keep up the same pretenses as ye. Pretending that I know everyone here, and that I am willing and even eager to marry Anice. 'Tis hard for me, too, lass."
Alex had put out the candles and was now standing next to the bed. She pulled the covers back and patted the mattress.
"Come to bed, Alex. I think we have both been pushed to our limits today."
He settled under the covers and folded his hands under his head. He was silent for so long she thought him asleep. His voice in the dimness startled her.
"Share yer fears wi' me, Maggie. Mayhap it will help."
She turned on her side and propped her head up on her hand. "The thing that makes me most uncomfortable here is the physicalness of this time."
"What do ye mean?" She felt him turn toward her in the bed as he waited for her answer.
"Well, you kind of mentioned it yourself. Everything here is settled with force, or maybe strength is a better word. I saw one of the servants in the kitchen get hit today for not doing something fast enough. And those two who bothered me in the hall? It was all about them being bigger and stronger. In our time, I teach kids how to settle problems without force or violence. Here, it's the way of life." Gosh, it felt good to talk about the feelings that had haunted her the last few days.
"I know what ye mean, Maggie. I'm used to making my way in the world wi' a laptop and a cell phone. Here, I'm using a sword, a staff, and my fists. I pride myself on my restraint and self-control, but in this world, I'll survive better without it."
She nodded, understanding well what he meant, too. "All our rules are gone, and it's tough to learn how to play the game."
"The rules are gone and so is my cell phone! I am not sure which I miss more."
She chuckled at his attempt at humor.
"Weel, lass, we had better get some rest. Each day here is more a challenge than the last one, and we need to be strong and well-rested to face them."
"Good night, Alex, and thank you for listening."
"Good night, Maggie, and, thank ye as weel."
She rolled over to her other side, rearranging the covers and getting comfortable. Thinking about the coming day, she decided to take a tour of the area surrounding the keep, if she got the chance. She needed to get a look at the village one day soon, too. She could feel sleep pulling her into its control as she made her plans. Another day here, and the unbelievable nightmare continued.
Chapter 16
She happened upon it completely by accident. A few days after Struan's midnight visit, Maggie took a wrong turn on her way from the gardens. Instead of leading back to the main gate of the keep, the path she chose led her to the perimeter of the outer wall that was being expanded. When the basket grew too heavy, she rested in the shade of the wall for a few minutes.
She swatted at the air around her when she first heard the noise. A bee? A fly? She couldn't see an insect, but she could hear it. Brushing the loose strands of hair from her face, she picked up her basket to leave. The noise got louder: buzzing and fading, buzzing and fading.
She walked through the stone archways and cocked her head to listen. It was getting stronger, pulsing its signal to her. The air around her felt electrified, and the hairs on the back of her neck stood. She felt dizzy, the scenery before her spinning in front of her eyes. She tried to slow her breathing, tried to get control over the myriad sensations passing through her. Stumbling, she reached out, resting her hand on the arch in front of her to get her balance, and was taken aback by the vibrations.
The archway! It must be the same one! But, this was new, freshly built, hardly finished. She tested it again, using her palm. The noise grew louder and she could feel waves of heat coming from the stones. Dropping the basket to the ground, she stepped closer without entering the arch.
Looking around the site, she saw workers carrying stones, buckets of mortar, and tools, but no one was near this arch, and they didn't see her. The other arches were the same size and shape, but they were in a different color stone. It wasn't much different, yet it stood out in the bright sunshine. The boulders were an odd shape, smoothed in a manner and texture that the others were not. Running her hand over their surface was not unpleasant, not after the initial contact. And it was just like when she and Alex had sat beneath it at the festival.
She had to tell him! Looking up at the sun's position, she decided it was about an hour till the noon meal. Alex would be working in the yard with Brodie. She had to get to him. This was their way home. Turning away from the arch, Maggie ran in the opposite direction. She couldn't take the chance of walking through it without Alex at her side. Taking a deep breath, she ran faster.
Weaving through the workers, she found the main gate and hurried inside. The stitch in her side grew stronger, but she tried to ignore it. Holding her hand against her side, she headed for the exercise yard. Brodie's form and voice was unmistakable. She paid no heed to the gasps of the warriors as she entered the area. She had to find Alex.
"Brodie," she yelled, still gasping for air, "where is he?"
"He left for the village, lass. Can I help ye wi' anything?"
She saw the twinkle in his eyes and finally realized that this was Brodie's natural state—a born flirt. He meant no harm or insult to her. Besides, Rachelle would kill him if he did anything more than flirt.
"I need to talk to Alex, Brodie. I'll find him in the village." She had nearly caught her breath when she took off running again, back toward the gate again.
"Wait, Maggie. He's...." Brodie hesitated in his answer.
"Thank you, Brodie," she yelled, not looking back.
She raced down the path to the village, slowing only around some cumbersome carts making their way up to the gate. Looking up as she approached the first group of crofts, she could see Alex's head in the crowd. Holding her side against the pain pulsing in it, she made her way over to him. When she broke through the villagers, she could only gasp for air again. She finally forced out the words.
"Alex, I've found it." She waited for his response. Silence greeted her announcement. "Didn't you hear me, Alex? I found it."
She finally caught her breath and looked at him. His eyes were wide and the shaking of his head was barely noticeable. But she saw it and then heard a loud gasp from somewhere near Alex. The crowd parted to reveal Anice and her companion, both gaping at her.
"Alex, what is she doing here?" Anice's voice was sugary sweet as she spoke to him. She walked over to him and placed her hand on his arm. "She should be in the kitchens carrying out her duties." Anice's eyes flared with anger and it was directed at her. "Servants canna simply take off to wherever they like, whenever they like." Her point was well made, her insult on target.
"I will handle this, Anice." His voice was pitched low and bland, even to her ears.
"Wynda, go back to Odara and tell her I will deal wi' this one when I return." Anice pressed the issue. She smiled at Maggie, like a cat breathing down the neck of a canary. Maggie shivered at the malice in that smile.
Alex turned to Anice and raised his voice, "I said that I will handle this, Anice. Wynda, stay with yer lady." Wynda nodded at Alex and moved closer to Anice.
"Maggie, go back to yer duties," he paused, then shouted, "Now."
His voice was stronger and louder now, and he was angry. She was paralyzed for a moment before nodding in reply and turning away.
Walking back to the keep, she wondered at his tone. She had only one thought in her mind: to share with him the news about finding the arch. Their way back home! She had not even thought about what he was doing or who he was with. Now she understood the hesitation in Brodie's voice. He had known! And she had not stopped to listen. She reached the main gate and was about to pass through it when she thought of the task assigned by Odara.
The basket! Damn! She reme
mbered dropping it when she found the arch. Just great! Now she would have to get it and get back to Odara before news of her confrontation reached the castle. Hurrying her pace, she retrieved the basket of herbs without getting close to the arch and made her way to the kitchen. She paused to straighten her hair and replace her scarf before entering. It was then she heard the voices, conveniently in heavily accented English.
"Just as proud as can be, she went right up to him in front of the lady Anice."
"Can ye imagine? As if she haes a right to his time and attention, outside of his bed, that is!" Those inside laughed at the comment.
"Weel, she is a Sassenach, ye know."
"We know she's a Sassenach, Gertie. What haes that to do wi' anything?"
"Mayhap she does not ken the way we do things here?"
"Weel, from the look on the lady's face, she'll learn right quick. Anice wasna pleased. No' pleased at all."
She peeked around the doorway and saw that they were all shaking their heads over the last comment. Unease crept up like icy fingers on her back at their expressions. It seemed as if they were all thinking about the lady Anice's displeasure. Maggie entered the kitchen with the basket on her arm. Odara broke the uncomfortable silence.
"Come, lass, give me those. I have been waiting for ye."
"I am sorry for the delay." She tried to sound apologetic. Odara had treated her fairly since her arrival into the hierarchy of the kitchen. She never insulted her or allowed the others to when she was present. Maggie walked over to the place where she usually worked and lifted a large lump of dough from a covered basket. Spreading some coarse flour over the table's surface, she began to kneed the dough for the noon meal's bread. The usual kitchen chatter started after a few minutes, and since it was now in Gaelic, she knew she was the topic of conversation.
A Love Through Time Page 11