by Sherry Ewing
“My thanks, my dearest love, for our son,” he whispered, holding his finger out to the baby and watching the tiny little fingers grasp his father.
“Thanks for staying with me,” she whispered.
“Ah, Kat, you have made me a most humble man this day.”
Their eyes met, and she gave him a smile, while a tear of happiness slipped down his cheek. She brushed it away and turned back to their child. Held securely in Riorden’s arms, she began to sing a lullaby until the baby fell asleep. At that moment, Katherine knew she had made the right decision to stay here, in the past. This day was a new beginning for them all. And this remarkable experience would be a memory she would hold dear in her heart for all of her days, one she would never forget.
Chapter 39
Marguerite stormed past Timmons as the door to the manor shut harshly behind her. Throwing her snow covered cape at a maid, she called for wine and moved into the small receiving room. The fire burned brightly and began to take the chill from her cold, weary bones.
It seemed the more miles she put between herself and Warkworth, the more her sanity returned to her. ’Twas a small price to pay, she supposed, but at what cost? She was still relatively young but without a husband. She did not relish the thought of petitioning the king to find someone to keep her in the manner she had become accustomed.
She saw Sir Nathaniel and Sir Ulrick enter the manor. They spoke to Timmons, and several servants began bringing in her luggage. Her gaze raked their bodies and she wondered how each might perform as a lover. They were both very handsome, and she would have attempted to catch their eye, except the looks they gave her told her she would be wasting her time. ’Twas clear they knew all too well her part in her late husband’s demise, and her drugging of Riorden. She gave a heavy sign. It could have been worse, for Riorden could have had her imprisoned, and she could be wasting away in some dungeon.
Sir Nathaniel came to stand afore her, but she was unsure of what he wanted. Their trip to Dunhaven had been silent. After several miles of attempting to strike up a conversation with her escorts, Marguerite had finally given up. She basically felt as if she were being exiled, and her anger was ready to boil over at the smallest provocation.
“Well? What do you want?” she hissed. “Is it not enough that I have been sent from my home?”
“We shall leave come the morn, my lady,” Nathaniel informed her. “I believe all is ready here at the manor, as instructed by Lord Riorden.”
“As if he truly cared what happens to me,” she murmured. “Be gone, and leave me in peace. I have no further need of you.” He barely gave her a nod as he left her, sputtering about the manners of pigheaded men.
Sitting at the hearth, she began contemplating her next steps to ensure her future was secure. She hardly acknowledged the maid as she returned with a bottle of wine that she poured into a silver chalice. Taking the cup without a word of thanks, she tasted the heady wine as it slid down her throat. She sighed in bliss, thinking of all the ways she could win Riorden back, come the morrow.
Another maid came back, bringing with her a tray of tiny cakes for her to eat. Marguerite only stared at them with no appetite. Still the servant waited there for some kind of a response from her. “Can I not have a moment’s rest in this godforsaken house? Leave me, and shut the door behind you. I do not wish to be disturbed by you or anyone else for the rest of the eve,” Marguerite bellowed.
Looking down at the tray, she picked it up and hurled it against the wall, whilst the maid made a hasty retreat from the room. The door shut, and finally, Marguerite could relax to begin planning her next steps of her life. She took another sip of wine and ran her tongue across her lips to attempt to moisten them.
Staring into the flames, she blinked her eyes as her vision blurred. Her tongue became thick, her mouth dry. Wondering what was wrong with her, she began to cough and gasp for air. She reached for the chalice to bring it to her lips to quench her parched throat only to gaze at the goblet in shock. Nay, it could not be!
Marguerite let out a muffled scream as recognition of the cup registered in her foggy mind. She stumbled to the table that held the bottle of wine and peered at it, trying to bring it into focus. As much as Marguerite wanted to deny what she held, she could not, for ’twas the very same bottle that she had put the potion in several months ago. ’Twas meant for Riorden, and she had feared she had put too much into the bottle, as she had done with the wine she had given Everard.
Her breathing became rapid. She tried to call for help, but none answered her cry with the door closed and her voice nothing more than a whisper. She lost her balance, and stumbling, she fell to the floor. Clawing at her neck, she tried to catch her breath. But she could not breathe, and she swore she saw the shadow of death coming to claim her. As her body became motionless on the rug, Marguerite’s last conscious thought was how Everard’s laughter echoed in her head. Even at death’s door, she realized she would never be free of him.
Chapter 40
Katherine gave her head a shake, feeling the length of her wavy tresses swish back and forth down her back. Her hair was finally manageable after Mabel had assisted with its washing. She had been sitting before the fire, waiting for it to dry. While she had sat there, feeling toasty warm, she had begun wishing, for the first time in a long while, for the convenience of an appliance. It seemed as though it had taken hours for the water to work its way from her waist length hair, whereas five minutes with a hair dryer, and she would have been done.
With a shrug of her shoulders, she put the finishing touch to her attire in place by putting a ribbon in her hair while gazing down at the gown she had put on. It was a beautiful creation of heavy, white cotton with silken embroidery running the length of the skirt. A rose colored sash matched what she had just put in her hair and was located beneath her breasts. The long flowing dress was high-waisted, giving her the appearance that she hadn’t gained all that much weight.
In reality, she was trying her best to hide, even from Riorden, how many pounds she actually had put on during her pregnancy. He had already made mention it hadn’t mattered to him in the least, bless his heart, but Katherine knew she’d be working hard to get back into shape, just as soon as she could.
If she had a full length mirror to look into, she might be pleased with the picture she presented. Since that wasn’t an option, she’d have to assume she looked as well as could be expected. Crossing the room, she reached for a small container of her favorite scent of Japanese cherry blossom. Riorden had been a dear when he found a bottle from this century that could hold the fragrance her mother had brought for her. He had taken the original plastic bottle and burned it so none could come upon something from the modern world.
Lifting the stopper, she inhaled and sighed in pleasure as the fragrant aroma of sweet flowers engulfed her senses. She only dabbed a tiny amount at her wrists and behind her ears, knowing this small luxury from the future would have to last her for perhaps months to come. She had decided to use it only on special occasions, although her mother proclaimed that every day was special, and she should use it to her hearts content.
She wiggled her warm feet poking out from beneath the hem, and looked around for her shoes. Espying them near the bed, she placed the soft soled slippers on her feet and, for the second time, wished for a mirror. The shoes were so feminine with the laced floral bow that she squealed in delight to be wearing something so dainty and pretty. Clothing in the future wasn’t what it used to be, and she felt as though she were playing in some re-enactment guild with people who only got to dress like this on the weekends.
She twirled around the room with a small laugh. She wanted to look her best today, for she felt as though she was being released from a cage. Riorden had kept her bedridden for over a week to ensure she regained her strength after the birth of their son. Today was the first day he would allow her to be up and out of her bed to join in the company of the other men, who gathered regularly in his solar.
She had tri
ed, without any success, to make her argument that times were different where she came from. He just as firmly told her that it wasn’t her he was worried about, so much as the twelfth century men, who were still getting used to the idea of time travel and her being a woman from the future with different ideals.
She supposed she couldn’t argue with him, especially when he put it so nicely. Though she understood his point, she was tired of being confined in her room like a disobedient child. As she stifled a yawn, she could almost see Riorden giving her an I-told-you-it-was-too-soon-to-be-out-of-bed look. She went to sit down for a moment and espied the manila envelope lying on Riorden’s desk. Surely, it wouldn’t hurt to have one more look at it before she must return it to her friends.
She didn’t expect her hands to quiver as she flipped open the metal clasps to take out the contents. Peeling back the sheer film of protective paper, she slowly gazed at her future for the second time as she gently skimmed the surface with her fingertips. Chills raced down her arms as she stared into her own eyes, along with her children’s, including the two who had yet to be born. It certainly wasn’t every day that an opportunity such as this came to a person, and Katherine was unsure how to react as she witnessed what was in store for her in the years to come.
We all look so happy, even if we are much older, and why shouldn’t we? She and Brianna had found their happily-ever-after with their knights, who took their breath away every moment they were together. Katherine still couldn’t believe she wouldn’t wake up soon to find it had all been a dream. She gazed down into the eyes of her husband in the portrait and a smile escaped her lips. They were just as blue and vivid, and she was content, knowing they had a lifetime to spend together.
A small rap at the door jerked Katherine out of her musings, and she quickly put the picture and envelope away. She didn’t want to tempt fate any more than she had already done recently. A picture of this nature would be hard to explain, and no one would ever consider their story to be fact. It was just too unbelievable for most to wrap their thoughts around.
With her secret safe underneath the covers of the bed, she gave the call to enter and watched her mother slip into the room. Her mom was the last person she had ever expected to come traipsing through her door in the twelfth century, but she was glad for it. She hated the thought of her wondering for the rest of her life what had become of her daughter, or that she would turn out to be just another face on an episode of unsolved mysteries of missing people.
Her mom made a circular motion with her finger, and, with a girlish giggle, Katherine stood and twirled around so she could be inspected from head to toe. She watched the joy reach her mom’s face as she clapped her hands together in approval.
“You look lovely, Katie. I’ve never seen you so radiant.”
Katherine could feel the blush creeping up her cheeks from the compliment. “Thanks mommy.”
“It looks like you got your wish after all, didn’t you, baby girl?” she inquired.
Katherine couldn’t figure out what she was talking about. “Did I wish for something?”
Her mother laughed. “You’ve been wishing on a star since you were a little toddler, wanting to play the damsel in distress with anyone that crossed your path. How many instances at bedtime did I have to pull you from the window sill while you talked to the Man in the Moon, asking him to let you live in another era?”
“You remember that?”
“How could I forget? I suppose I’ll lay the blame at my own feet, having allowed you to watch all those Errol Flynn movies with me.”
“Even you have to admit he was a pretty handsome Robin Hood, mom.”
“At least you didn’t run away with a pirate.”
A snort escaped Katherine with her unexpected laughter. “I probably would’ve gotten sea sick and never survived.”
They were silent for a few minutes as they were each lost in their own thoughts. She had been so blessed to have a mother who was also her best friend that thoughts of never seeing her again were almost Katherine’s undoing. How would she go without talking to her every day? Mom must have felt the same emotions, since she reached over and gave Katherine’s hand a gentle squeeze three times. It was their secret way to say I love you since she was a child. She returned the gesture as tears ran down both their faces.
“Be happy, Katie,” Mom whispered honestly. “That’s all I’ve ever wanted for you, and it’s plain to see you and Riorden are madly in love.”
“I will,” Katherine said, feeling her emotions beginning to choke up inside her.
“I’m sure he’s more than worth the sacrifice of the modern world.” Mother and daughter embraced, perhaps for the last time. “I can tell he’s a good man.”
“He is, mom,” Katherine declared brightly.
“Then everything is right in the world and meant to be.”
Opening the chamber door, Katherine pondered her mother’s words as they made their way down the passageway. Everything was so right in her world, knowing she was exactly where she was supposed to be. Smiling, Katherine knew her life with Riorden was indeed going to be the grandest adventure she could ever have wished for. She would be forever thankful she was still here, in the past with him, to enjoy the journey.
Chapter 41
Riorden sat quietly in his solar, holding his tiny son. He was so overcome with emotions, knowing this innocent babe was completely dependent on him, for ’twas only by a miracle from God that he had not lost them both. Oddly enough, he was calm with the thought of being a father. He must do something right in the years to come, for he was already aware that he would sire two more girls. Heaven help him when they came of marriageable age. No man would ever be good enough to wed with a daughter of his and would need to prove himself in the lists. He would ensure his sword was always sharpened in the years to come.
His solar door opened, and in walked Katherine and her mother, holding hands as they shared a laugh together. Looking at the two of them, you would never know they were mother and daughter, since they were as different as the sun was to the moon. His gaze leisurely slid down the length of Katherine’s body. He swore she was even more beautiful in his eyes than she was afore she had gifted him with his son.
Their eyes met, and a slight smile lit her lovely face, as if she read his thoughts. Her mother went to sit with the others gathered here. But Katherine sauntered over to him as if they were alone in the chamber.
“Hello, my dearest love,” she whispered softly in his ear. “I’ve missed you.”
Not caring that others watched their display of affection, her mouth landed on his in a searing kiss afore he knew what she was about. The babe stirred and broke their concentration, afore Katherine gave the child a gentle caress and took a seat next to her dame.
He pondered the group of people who lounged here in his solar. ’Twas a peaceful setting and one he had longed for in the deepest recesses of his heart. ’Twas good to have Warkworth feel like home, again. Thanks to his wife, she had made it so, along with his sire, who hovered near at hand.
He watched as there was a silent exchange between his wife and Fletcher. Katherine had told him all of how his friend had been a support to her in the months since her disappearance. ’Twas clear that Fletcher had feelings for his wife, not that he could blame the man. She had assured him nothing had happened between the two of them, but that had not stopped Riorden from having a private word with Fletcher. At least, they understood one another, and they would be able to remain on good terms and continue to be friends.
No trace could be found of the scoundrels who had attempted to abduct his wife, leading to her jump into the river. Since it had been months since her supposed demise, there was nothing that could lead him to capturing the men. Riorden assumed they thought their job was a success with his wife’s presumed demise. But he would remain diligent with his guards to keep a constant lookout for anything that appeared suspicious.
In the days that followed Riorden’s son’s bi
rth, Nathaniel and Ulrick had returned from Dunhaven with the grave news that Marguerite was dead by her own hand. They had given coin over to ensure she had a proper burial and had returned, seeing no reason to stay. But even her death could not dampen the good cheer that had settled on Warkworth and its people.
Perchance, everything was not as cheery as he would like. Katherine had been extremely emotional after their child was born, but, mayhap, that was understandable. After all, ’twas not every day that her mother crossed time to see her, and it may be the last time they would be together. Riorden could tell mother and daughter were very close, and tears threatened to spill continually from both women whenever they were together.
Danior and Juliana, along with Tiernan and Emily, were bound to return back from whence they came as soon as they could travel safely to Bamburgh, after the storm’s passing, or so was the plan. Katherine’s mother would go back, as well. She had spoken only once about the nastiness of the garderobe and apparently this was reason alone for her to return to her own time, no matter how much she loved her daughter.
“Nay! You will not follow them,” Fletcher firmly declared, breaking into Riorden’s musings. “You have just had a child. Merciful heavens, how does Riorden deal with such stubbornness?”
“It’s because he loves me so, isn’t that right Riorden?” she asked brightly, batting her eye lashes at him and flashing a beautiful smile in his direction.
“Of course, I love you, but do not think you shall get your way with that pretty little look you are giving me,” he replied with a roguish grin of his own. “You will not go traipsing about the countryside in the snow. You must needs say your farewells here.”
“But, Riorden─” she pouted, sticking out her lower lip.
“Nay. My mind is made up. Besides, your son and I need you,” he said meaningfully.