"Aye, I get yer meaning. If 'twas my last night, I would make sure I worked her for all her worth." The guard moved to the door and turned the key. "Come, Brodie and wait wi' me at the door. Bring yer flask."
Maggie started toward the door when Angus stopped her with a hand on her shoulder. She paused but didn't turn around.
"And try to save a bit for old Angus, would ye, lass? I have a penny or twa to spare."
Brodie grabbed her and shoved her into the room. He pulled the door closed, and Angus removed the key. She looked through the window as Brodie threw his arm around Angus's shoulder and led him back down the corridor.
"Nay, Angus, ye willna pay for her. I have paid her for the whole night. It matters no' how many of us take her in that time." Their laughter echoed down the passageway.
Still holding the tray, she turned to face Alex.
"Robena, is it? Weel, lass, come and make my last night worthwhile."
Maggie put the tray down on the small table, pushed back the hood, and got her first good look at Alex since he'd been taken prisoner. His jaw was swollen and his lips and nose bruised and cut. Moira told her she shaved his beard to treat the cuts, so she was prepared to see his face clean-shaven again. He wore his plaid wrapped only around his waist so the bandages around his ribs were visible.
She walked slowly to him. She saw his smile as she came closer, step by step.
"You don't look like a man who could survive a night with the village whore."
"Nay, but I wouldna mind dying in the trying." He laughed and pulled her into his embrace. She tried to be careful of his injuries, but he wouldn't let her. He held her tighter and tighter against his chest. "Ah, Maggie, I think ye were right about Brodie being a true friend."
"Enough about Brodie, I came for you."
"I still canna believe my eyes, Maggie. When I heard ye both out there, I nearly died from shock. I canna tell ye how good it feels to have ye in my arms again."
"Was it bad? When they captured you?" He stood holding her for a few moments in silence. She eased her hold on his chest.
"Nay, no' too bad."
"Who did this to you? Moira would not say."
"Sandy and his cronies. The heir felt much put upon and took it out on me."
"I was shocked to see what he looks like and how he acts, Alex. He is not what I expected at all."
"He was a bit of a surprise. The clan is in a state of shock, I think. If ye had seen the look on Anice's faither's face when Sandy introduced himself, ye would have laughed yerself silly. It made this almost worth it."
"Anice. I forgot about her. How is she doing with all this?"
"Weel, I'm afraid Anice is in o'er her head wi' no escape. The plans for the wedding are in place. Now that the MacNab has arrived, they'll be married." He paused then added, "after my execution that is."
"I just can't believe that this is really happening, Alex. Do you see any way out of this at all?"
"Our only chance is to get to the arch once the moon is full. Moira tells me that happens just afore dawn tomorrow."
"But the moon won't rise until after midnight tomorrow night, Alex."
"It will reach the full phase sooner than that. Moira tells me that's all we need. Don't ye remember? We came through in the daylight. There's a chance for us if we can reach the arch."
Alex pulled away and peeked under the covered tray. He inhaled over the bowls of food.
"Are you hungry? Have they fed you?"
"I am hungry now. They gave me a bowl of porridge and a chunk of bread this morn, but I couldna eat it." He pointed at the food. "Will ye join me?"
"Can you eat all tied up like that?"
"The bandages actually feel good."
He sat in the chair and tasted the stew. Then he drank some of the ale. Maggie watched as he methodically went from bowl to bowl finishing all of the food she brought. There was something of the old Alex still inside. In a few minutes, the tray was empty.
"How long can ye stay?" He wiped his mouth, wincing when he rubbed too hard on the bruises.
"Brodie said we have about an hour."
"We need to talk, Maggie."
She walked to the cot and sat down on it. And waited.
"If I canna avoid this..."
"Alex, I came to see you so we could think of a way for you to escape." She went over and picked up the tray. Turning it over, she removed the dirk and handed it to him. "See, now you have a weapon."
He couldn't talk about not making it. That meant he would die. She couldn't accept that, and neither should he. Tears clouded her vision of him. She swiped at her eyes. Damn it, she never cried before she came to Scotland, and now that was all she ever did.
"Maggie, the dirk may help, but it willna hold off the entire Clan MacKendimen. Give me yer hand." She held out her hand, and he clasped it in his. "Ye must give me yer word that ye will get to the arch tomorrow." He stood, still holding her hand.
"We will find a way to the arch together, Alex. Together." She refused to consider any other option. They had to go through together.
"Give me yer word that ye will try it tomorrow wi' or without me. Ye word, lass."
She shook her head in refusal.
"Maggie, make this easier on me, I beg ye. I must know that ye will try it. Moira haes promised to find ye a safe place to live if the arch does not take ye back."
"What? What do you mean a safe place?" Her mind would not allow her to think about his not going with her.
"If they hang me, someone here and now needs to help ye. Moira has kin in another village a few days from here. Ye will be safe."
"Alex, please, I don't want to think about you dying. I love you. I couldn't live here without you." She realized what she had revealed. She looked into his eyes and saw her love reflected back at her.
"Maggie, how do ye think it feels to know that I may no' be here to protect the woman I love in these dangerous times? It grieves me to know that ye will have to make it on yer own."
"The woman you love?"
"Aye, Maggie. I have come to love you as I have no other afore ye'. 'Tis a shame that love haes come to me, to us, at a time when I may no' live to enjoy it."
She had waited to learn the depth of his feelings, and joy warred with sadness that it had to be at this moment, when the future seemed so ominous. She reached up and cradled his face in her hands. Drawing him down to her, she whispered, "And, I love you, Alex MacKendimen. No matter what happens, no matter how or when we are separated, you will always have my love with you."
Maggie reached up and touched her lips to his. He opened to her and her tongue slipped into his mouth, tasting and dancing with his. She leaned against his body, feeling his hardness against her. He tangled his fingers in her curls and held her head still, turning his face and kissing her mouth, her cheeks, her eyes, her forehead. He stopped and rested his chin on her head.
"This is a fine mess we've gotten ourselves into this time, Maggie." He did a great imitation of the Laurel and Hardy line.
"I never got into trouble at all at home, Alex. I was a normal, run-of-the-mill elementary schoolteacher who did normal, everyday things. You must be the bad influence."
"Me? A bad influence? I protest. I was just a law-abiding accountant bringing an elderly aunt to a family reunion. How could I know the trouble that awaited me here in Scotland?"
"Will we get back, Alex? To our time?" She needed something to hang her hopes on.
"I hope so, lass, I hope so."
"Ye canna be a MacKendimen, Alex. A real MacKendimen would've had the lass naked under ye by now." Brodie spoke through the grating to them.
"But, Brodie, I am a MacKendimen. I've had her naked, under me, and dressed again!"
Maggie watched as Brodie entered and Alex offered his hand to the other man. They clasped arms and then hugged.
"I thank ye for bringing her to me. I know the difficulty and the risk to yerself."
"I owed her a debt." Then he looked at her. "Ye mus
t come wi' me now, lass. The festivities in the hall are breaking up, and I fear someone may come down."
"Brodie, why don't you just knock out Angus and bring Alex out with us now?" She turned to Alex. "Hurry, get dressed. Come with us."
Brodie was strangely silent at her suggestion. His face had turned to stone before her eyes. But, it was Alex who answered.
"Brodie haes been seen by others who will know his involvement in any escape, Maggie. I canna jeopardize his life and his future wi' the clan. He would be outlawed by the clan and his life would be anyone's to take."
She looked to Brodie for confirmation of this. He wouldn't meet her eyes but nodded his head in acknowledgment.
"Bringing ye here was one thing, helping me escape the clan is another matter and no' one he can be part of," Alex added.
"I didn't understand, Alex. I was only thinking of you and saving your life."
It would not be right to place Brodie at risk in order to save Alex. Easier for her, safer, but not right.
"Well, I guess I'd better go with him then."
She ran to him and he kissed her over and over again. She was determined not to make a scene, not to cry, not to argue. Maggie put her cloak back on and pulled the hood forward, over most of her face. Brodie stepped away from the door, and she walked into the hallway. She had to force her feet to move away from the man she loved.
"Good-bye, Alex. Remember that I love you."
"Maggie, ye remember, too. I love ye."
Brodie pulled the door closed and turned the key in the lock. He leaned closer to the grating and whispered something to Alex. Maggie caught a word or two: "prepared... ready." What did it mean?
She was not given a chance to ask, for Brodie took her by the elbow and propelled her to the stairway, past the drugged guard, up the steps, and out through a side door. She followed his lead and kept her head lowered again. In a few minutes, they had left the castle and were in the woods nearby.
"Can ye make it back to the cave, Maggie?"
"Yes, Brodie, I know the way."
"Then go there now and tell Moira, when she comes, that all is ready."
"What do you mean? What's ready?"
"I canna say. 'Tis for her to tell ye. Go now and be quick about reaching the cave."
"I will, Brodie. Thank you for bringing me to Alex." Maggie stood on her toes and kissed his cheek.
"Aye, lass, I could do no less for the woman who saved my Rachelle's life. Now, run." She did.
Chapter 44
The scaffolding was a horrible sight, with its noose swaying in the breeze—a frightening imitation of the Hangman game she played as a child. There would be no amusement with this structure. Clouds covered the sun, and a cold wind blew through the courtyard. Only lightning and thunder could add more gravity to this scene.
Maggie held tightly to the edge of her cloak. No one must see her here. She didn't even know why she came except to prove to herself yet again that this was not a dream—a nightmare but no dream. The area was empty still, with time left before the execution. She reviewed Moira's scheme in her head another time. If everything went as planned, she and Alex would get their chance to try the arch today. If something went awry, either one of them or both could end up dead.
The wind tore down the pathway between buildings and threatened to pull the hood from her head. She adjusted her backpack and made her way to the alcove that Moira told her would be a safe place. Moira insisted that she not be in the courtyard when Alex was brought to the platform. She expressed the fear that Maggie would hesitate and not be able to carry out the plan. Maggie agreed silently with Moira's assessment. And nothing, nothing, was worth risking the plan to save Alex.
Soon, people began to gather in the area, young and old, men and women. They came to witness clan justice. Most knew all the details of the story—it was impossible to keep anything secret within this extended, yet close-knit family. The impostor would hang today. The man they thought they knew, the man who trained with them, ate and drank with them, was an impostor. And, if the tales were true, a spy for the damned MacArthurs.
Maggie heard the questions and the suspicions as she meandered out of the courtyard and toward the arch. Would they really support the decision to hang Alex? She could not believe that those who grew close to him during his time with the clan would call for his death. But, she had never seen Highland justice in action. And, if all went well today, she never would.
After walking toward the construction area outside the wall for a few minutes, she felt the telltale vibrations. She was near the arch, the noise grew in her head and pulsed through her body. It felt different to her today, not stronger, not louder, just different. She stood across from it and stared at it. Would it work? Would they get the chance to try it?
Her stomach clenched in fear.
The night they first found the arch again flashed into her thoughts. It took days to recover from the backlash effect it had on her. If they didn't travel back to their time, she would be a liability to Alex, trapped here in this time and unable to help in their escape.
"Please, God," became her mantra.
The sounds from the courtyard grew louder and more boisterous. The clan was gathering. They would have but one chance today.
One chance.
Please God, please God...
* * *
For one more moment before leaving on her mission, Moira paused before her hearth and gazed at the fire. The wisdom called to her, not from the flames but from the arch. The call was different with each, and she knew it would become stronger and stronger. Her plan must be carried out if Alex and Maggie were to return to their place and time.
After Alex's admission to her and to Maggie, Moira felt deep within her soul that the fates would smile on them this day. With a sense of relief, she gathered a few objects in a small bag and left her cottage. She walked past the gate to the castle and walked toward the arch. The call was growing in intensity; it would not wait for the end of things. It called now, and she obeyed.
The arch was warm to her touch. She approached and touched the sacred stones, running her hands over the smooth boulders and waited. Only seconds passed before the scene unfolded before her under the curve of the arch.
Flashes of color and light and sound came from the portal. Her gaze never wandered; she saw the images moving before her. Another betrayal. Maggie in danger. English soldiers. A hidden dagger. Then nothing.
She looked around for Maggie. She should be here by now.
Here and gone?
Had she been discovered by Sandy's cronies? She could waste no more time. She must get to the arch now. Moira ran to the courtyard to avert disaster.
* * *
Alex shielded his eyes with his bound hands when they took him into the courtyard. It was not sunny but too bright for eyes accustomed to the darkness of the dungeon. His guards, new ones this day, took his arms and pulled him toward the platform in front of the entrance to the castle.
The crowd was quieter than he expected, none of the jovial behavior he thought he would see at something like this. Of course, this was his first hanging. He shook off the bad humor—it was probably the fear that grew in the pit of his stomach that caused the irreverent thoughts.
The crowd opened a path for him; some met his eyes, some spoke his name and others turned away. He walked up the steps and faced the rope noose hanging from the scaffold. The crowd held its breath as he looked up at it. No sound could be heard, none.
Struan took a place high on the stairway of the castle, where Alex had seen him and Anice for the first time. The man had aged in these past few days. He looked tired and worn down. Anice stood a short distance from Struan, with her parents at her side. Sandy was nowhere to be seen.
"Ye all know what haes happened within the clan. The impostor is brought to justice this day. He will hang this day for his crimes against the Clan MacKendimen." He paused and looked directly at Alex. "Do ye have any last words?"
Ale
x had not thought this far—he couldn't think of words to say. He opened his mouth but was interrupted.
"What are his crimes, Struan?" a man near the back of the crowd called out. "What haes this mon done?"
"Haes he stolen from the clan?" another yelled out.
"Did he kill anyone while he was here?" One of the soldiers came forward and added, "He trained us in weapons in the yards. Would a mon train his enemies?"
Alex looked from face to face.
They were defending him!
A woman who worked in the castle walked to the steps. Alex thought she was one of the women with Anice when she beat Maggie.
"He could have beaten the lady Anice to punish her for what she did to his woman, but he didna." Alex glanced at Anice and saw her blush brightly.
One of the old men called out to Struan, "Do ye really think we should hang him without proof, Laird? It does not seem fair, e'en if he is a spy." The murmuring and hissing grew louder.
"'Tis no' the MacKendimen way of it, ye know."
Struan looked as though he had been given a way out of this when another voice entered the discussion.
"Now that we have his whore, he will give us the truth."
Everyone turned at once and gasped at the sight of Sandy holding on to Maggie by her waist. He held a dagger at her throat and dragged her through the crowd. Alex could see her face as she got closer. She was furious and continued to struggle in spite of Sandy's weapon.
"How do you want to do this, Faither? Do we torture her until the impostor breaks or until she gives us what we want?" Sandy's voice was filled with anticipation.
"Struan! Ye told me she would be safe from this. Ye said ye wouldna use her," Alex bellowed in protest and began to struggle against his bonds.
"Is that what he told you?" Sandy asked him. "And, even as he held you in his dungeon, you believed him?" The man laughed while maintaining a tight hold on Maggie. "You are a bigger fool than I thought, impostor." Sandy pivoted around to face Struan. "So, shall I begin with the slut here in the courtyard so all can witness the way we treat traitors and spies?"
A Love Through Time Page 29