by S MacLeod
*
A knock on the door shook Sonya from being exasperated with her reflection in the mirror. Why was it when you had somewhere to go your hair never cooperated? She blew the offending tendril with an annoyed huff & pulled open the door.
"Hello, lass. Are ye ready?"
There he stood. All 6 foot 6 inches of Duncan MacLeod. A bright shirt & plaid wrapped around him. A thin braid running down each side of his face & waves of dark hair flowing behind them.
"Well?" he asked.
"Well what?"
"Am I acceptable then?"
Oh, Aye! Sonya smiled. "Aye, My Lord, most acceptable." Duncan chuckled & took her arm, wrapping it around his.
"And ye are most acceptable, lass. I like your choice in dress."
She smiled. "Thank you. You don't think the outfit is too much?" Sonya looked down at her clothes. She doubted anyone else would have chosen to wear the MacPherson kilt & MacLeod kilt together. It was amazing what some safety pins & brooches could do! Sonya took the two kilts, twisted them on one side, which made her white chemise show on the side.
"Nay, I think it looks perfect."
Sonya beamed. As they began to walk she frowned a moment, but he saw it.
"What is it lass?"
"It is just unusual, the tartans."
"The Scots doona wear the tartan where ye are from?" He sounded most aggrieved.
"Oh, no, they do, but they did not have clan plaids in this time. How unusual that the plaid you have would be the same tartan that I am familiar with."
"Aye, most uncanny."
She smiled, but it faded as she heard the celebratory noises as they descended the last of the stone steps. Imagine, her going to a celebration because she was a MacPherson! Not only that, but somehow related to a king! Her mother would have loved this. She smiled at the thought. I wish you were here mum. The laughing & music got louder & louder. As they stepped into the room, a silence suddenly fell as the King stood. Angus greeted them & Sonya looked to Duncan who was smiling at her. Angus kissed her on each cheek & held her hand as he turned towards the crowded room. Although she knew Duncan was watching, that didn't help the nerves at all, but catching Anne's eye & assuring nod, did.
In a loud voice Angus announced, "This is Sonya who is welcome in our Clan as a MacPherson. She is welcome to my kingdom as a Scotsman & a Highlander. She is also of the MacLeod," he added winking at her.
She was shaking so badly, she was sure he felt it because he squeezed her hand. She smiled proudly. Who else could have put it so well, but a statesman & king? And how honored could you be than to have it announced by the king that you are part of his clan & country. Sonya felt a pride she had never felt before.
"As you can see by her dress, she represents two of our clans. This shows that not only are we made up of several clans, but we are also of one clan."
Sonya looked at Angus proudly. Her mum would have loved this man. He winked at her & she smiled. The room broke out in cheers & clapping as the King led her to the high table. Anne was seated next to Angus with Duncan to her other side. Sonya was to sit on the other side of the king. Imagine that! Duncan watched her as she sat down. She wondered if he knew how badly she was still shaking. She wonder what they use as Valium here; Whiskey? Probably. Could I order some of that? Me, who had rarely had a drink other than my grandfather's Schnapps!
The dinner was great & Sonya ate way too much. She felt like Angus suspected she was starving. He kept shoving this & that at her. She tried everything including the famous haggis. Although she would get the taste of liver now & then, she liked the rest just fine. And there was nothing she loved more than watching the dancing around the swords. It was wonderful & who doesn't love bagpipes? She always had. Perhaps those were just more reasons why she was destined to be here. After dinner Angus encouraged her to dance, but she refused as politely as she could. Were you supposed to refuse a king? Ah, well, this was Sonya. Duncan just chuckled.
"I promise to learn & will dance the next time."
"Aye. I will hold ye to that." He glanced at the pendant she wore & said, "That stone looks familiar." He turned towards Duncan, his eyes dancing. "Wasn't that the stone yer father gave to yer mother?"
Sonya felt her breath catch & she looked at Duncan who took a moment to answer. His mouth opened, but nothing came out. Did he just turn another shade? He looked straight at Angus & Sonya wasn't sure what to make of it all.
In a husky voice he said, "Aye, aye. She put it into the pendant herself," he pointed. Was that pride she heard in his voice?
"How lovely it looks, too," Anne commented & smiled.
"Thank you."
"Come, Duncan," said the King's mother. "I wish to dance." Duncan rose without hesitation, took her hand & led her down the dais. Sonya watched & smiled.
Sonya said, "My mother loved to dance as well."
"Ah, but ye do not?"
"I never really learned too much. My generation of dancing was simply moving around." She certainly wasn't going to show him the polka that she learned as a little girl or a two step where you held someone close. But wait, she did know something. One, two, three, & one, two, three; that she knew! God bless The King & I & my mother for loving musicals! "I do know one dance," she exclaimed a little too enthusiastically.
"Wonderful! Let us go." Sonya took his arm & he led her down to the floor. Everyone moved to the side like a wave on the beach. She about lost her nerve again, being the center of attention. "Just look at me, lass. Forget they're here. I try to most of the time."
Sonya smiled trying to put them out of her head & only looked at Angus' jovial face. She explained the beat & Angus directed the musicians. "We count one, two, three, & one, two, three, and..." Angus seemed to like it because she didn't lead for more than 30 seconds! He spun her around the room. It was such a lot of fun. Couples watched for a bit & quickly joined them. Some added their own kicks as they went. The one dance she knew she just taught a king! How funny to know she learned it from a movie where an English woman taught it to the King of Siam!
Sonya laughed & was happy. At the close of the first dance she was out of breath, but the king seemed to be having a great time. He wasn't even winded! He whispered in her ear & she smiled. As they turned he handed her off to Duncan in a swirl & she hit his body just a bit too hard. Angus in turn took the hand of a lovely woman. There wasn't even a pause in the dancing. Now she was in Duncan's arms spinning around the room. The one place she wanted to be.
The shock that went through her at his first touch seemed to settle into a thrumming. One hand closed around her hand & one around her back, she couldn't help but wish they were alone & he could pull her even closer, then it was as if they were alone. When the song ended & a slow tempo played, Duncan slowly pulled her close, not letting her go. She still wasn't able to slow her breathing even at the slower pace. She felt his warm breath on her neck & her hand seemed to inch up his neck under his hair. It was so soft. She heard his intake of breath & his hand seemed to instinctively pull her even tighter into him. Her body quivered at the touch of his body. Oh what I wouldn't do to feel his naked body against mine. Oh my! What a thought! What am I thinking? Laying her head on his shoulder with her face towards his, she inhaled the smell of him & it was wonderful. She could just curl up in the smell of him & stay there forever with his arms tightly around her. Her fingers curled in his hair & she could swear she felt a bulge in between them & heat soared through her, an aching want in between her thighs. How long could she handle this? Whoa! That was quite a bulge!
Suddenly, Duncan pushed her away from him. She untangled her fingers, embarrassed that she had allowed herself to do such things & in an open fashion. What on earth is my problem? This man & his very manly body is my problem! Okay, so it wasn't really a problem, my not having sex for ages was! Duncan grinned at her & they continued to look at each other as they continued around the room. Why did he move her away? Perhaps it was that it was just a woman's touch, not her touch. Fli
rting didn't necessarily equal more than flirting, or curiosity in someone that came from somewhere else. Or for that matter a man's on switch. Sometimes they just flicked on! She wanted to tell him she was sorry, for how she acted at Ronin, but this wasn't the time. Besides, even if he didn't feel the same, she just wanted to stay there looking at him. To look at the tightly woven braids that went down each side of his face, framing it. The waves that went over his broad shoulders. She must be nuts. What would a man this gorgeous see in a woman like her? She had nothing to offer, especially in this time. She hated to cook & although she could sew, it wasn't that good. Great.
At one point they literally ran into the king & they all laughed & started again.
"She is very lovely."
"Aye."
"Does she come to court often?"
"Nay. She is from very far north, but I think maybe Angus can persuade her."
"Ah, I see," Sonya smiled. "Do you think maybe we could rest?"
"Aye, of course, lass." Duncan took Sonya back to her seat & sat down himself. She couldn't help but wish she had worn her tennis shoes! Imagine the questions that could pose! She smiled & clapped to the music. It was a wonderful time with Duncan sitting next to her. When he looked at her she could feel it & it would set her heart to racing. As if it really slowed, sitting this close to him. She finally turned in her seat to face him more. "Duncan, I am sorry for the way I acted before. At Ronin."
"I should have explained it all better, lass. I did'na mean to offend ye. I did'na mean it to sound like an order."
"I know you didn't. I am glad I came. It is just so strange being here."
Duncan laughed. "It is like that every time I come! Angus is nay an ordinary king!"
"I can see that he is not." Sonya paused a moment & then asked, "Would it be rude to go to my bedchamber? I am so worn out."
"I will walk ye, lass. We will tell His Majesty goodnight." Duncan pulled out her chair & took her hand leading her to where Angus & Mary of Monath stood.
"Ah, Duncan, are ye trying to escape with my young friend here?"
"I am afraid her day has been very long, Yer Majesty."
Angus leaned forward & kissed Sonya on the cheek. She smiled & curtsied as best she could on a floor flooded with people.
"I trust I will see ye in the morn, Sonya?"
"Yes, Your Majesty. Goodnight.
"Good nigh, Yer Majesty."
"Good nigh," said Angus & Mary smiled.
Duncan led Sonya from the room that was still in full swing. Hand in hand they walked toward the stairs. They seemed to be doing a lot of hand holding & Sonya smiled, hoping that would never stop.
"Thank you. I am still not sure how to handle all of this," she said.
"Doona worry about it, lass. Ye will catch on. Angus was no' always a king, ye know, he understands."
"He seems to have learned quickly."
"He united the clans. They like how he works. They trust him."
"He was a born leader."
"Aye, that he was. His father was a good man & taught him well."
As they started up the steps & Duncan still had a hold of her hand, Sonya wondered if this would turn out like it always did for her. As a girl she was always the guys' best friend & the one that fell in love with them. They never fell in love with her. It wasn't until she was 'set up' that a man supposedly 'fell in love' & married her. It was a marriage she quickly learned to regret, & took too long to leave. So was this the friendship trip or maybe just maybe…?
"His mother said that you have known him your whole life."
"Aye. When my father left us, Angus was always sending people to check on me. I think he thought I was going to run off."
"Did you want to?"
"Aye."
They continued down the corridor to the room she was staying in. "I understand. My mother died shortly before my trip." Duncan stopped & looked at her.
"I am sorry, lass."
She smiled faintly. "I am too. She would have loved all of this."
Duncan laughed. "Are ye sure?"
"Oh, yes, I know she would have. She would still be on the dance floor!"
"Well, I am glad there would have been one of us!" They laughed.
As they reached Sonya's bedchamber door she felt very unsure of herself. She looked down at her feet. She wanted to tell him that she longed for his touch. That she wished he would kiss her. That he warmed her from her head to her toes & all the places in between. She wanted to tell him that she could just die happy every time he called her 'lass'.
"I will be going back to Ronin in a few days."
"You will?"
"Aye, but I will see ye on the morrow."
"Aye,"she whispered back.
Sonya didn't know what could possibly have taken her over, but she suddenly took one of Duncan's braids, letting it slip through her hand. He looked down at her, his eyes bright. This could be a big mistake.
"Good nigh, lass."
"Goodnight, Duncan."
Her body ached so she wasn't sure she could move. She thought maybe she was stuck to the door. She didn't think she was holding her breath this time, but she certainly felt light headed. Man, what was she going to do with herself? I needed to carry a cold loch around with me!
Ach, lass, what ye do to me! Duncan had to escape before his erection gave him away like he was certain in had while they were dancing. The woman made him ache. He wanted to shove her up against that door, plunging his tongue into her mouth, thrusting like he want to thrust himself inside her. How was he to know what she felt for him though? After Aaralyn…but Sonya touched him in ways that were different. Nothing like Aaralyn. When he took Sonya's hand in his, she never tried to remove it. If only she would say something to him, so he would have no doubts. They had only just met, how was he to know what she thought of him? She did apologize to him. She didn't seem to shy away the day after he awoke to find his arm around her. Perhaps she didn't know. And when they danced & she lay her head on his shoulder it felt as if it all fit just right. When he felt her breath on his neck & her hand curled up in his hair he felt as if he were stretched tighter than a bow! Oh man. He needed some fresh air!
*
Sonya hurried down the stairs to eat breakfast. She had slept well & was excited to see what would happen today. Okay, so she was excited to see Duncan.
"Ah, Sonya lass, good morrow to ye," Angus opened his hands wide & wore a contagious smile. She returned the smile & joined him at the high table.
"Good morning, Your Majesty. You look very happy this morning."
"Well, of course! What is there not to be happy about?"
"That is a very good point, Your Majesty. Will your Lady Mother be joining us?"
"Nay, she prefers to eat in her chamber in the morning. She has a habit of rising very early. However, she has instructed me to ask ye to join her later." Sonya grinned at the thought of the King of Scotland still being told what to do by his mother & doing it! Angus guessed her thoughts. "Aye, I know," he said sardonically.
"Are there always this many people here?" Sonya indicated to the full tables in front of them.
"Oh, aye. There are always people about."
"You seem to like it."
"Aye! I do, I do." He took a bite of bread with honey. "It also helps keep all the clans apprised of what is going on at all times. There is always someone here from each of them." Sonya looked around the room. There were so many people in there. Did they all do something? "Half the time I am not sure why they are here either," Angus whispered & then laughed heartily. Sonya laughed as well. His merriment was contagious. "They want something. They visit. They travel here & there carrying messages. There are requests & disputes to handle."
"I see."
"Are ye going to tell me how ye & yer people really got here?"
"I thought Duncan had explained that, Your Majesty."
"Not exactly."
"Oh, I see."
A man came up & whispered in the Kings
ear. "I am sorry, Sonya, there is a matter I must attend to. Nay, nay, doona get up. I am sure we will see each other later."
"Yes, Your Majesty. I look forward to it."
Angus left quickly with the most serious look she had seen him have. As soon as the king left the room, so did Sonya. She was more interested in seeing his mother, Anne, since she saw no sign of Duncan. Navigating through the curtains & up the stairs Sonya knocked on Anne's door. A young woman answered the door.
"This way, Miss."
"Thank you."
"Sonya, I am glad ye have come to see me."
Sonya curtsied. "Good morning, Queen Mother." Anne waved her hand as if to dismiss the greeting. Sonya smiled. She liked her; she felt like family. They all made her feel like family. Well, they were!
"So, my deary, what shall we talk about?"
"The MacPherson's?"
Anne brightened. "Ah! Aye, the best topic of all!" They smiled at each other. "My son tells me that ye come from across the ocean."
"Yes, America, Highness."
"And yer Grandmother was a MacPherson."
"Yes. G. Marie MacPherson. They shortened the spelling of it to just M-c P-h-e-r-s-o-n. I don't know why. Many people shortened their names when they came to my country."
"After seeing the picture, there is little denying the relation! But the question is, can we figure out how they link?" she asked.
"Aye," Sonya replied & Anne laughed.
They talked past lunch time. Her ladies brought in meat, cheese & fruit to eat & still they talked.
"A doctor?"
"Yes, Your Highness."
"A doctor."
Sonya had to laugh. Her son was the king & she was impressed that Sonya's great-great-great grandfather was a doctor!
"So, now," Anne said, "we have your grandmother Marie, her da was Charles Edward. His da was William James. His father was John M, the doctor. His father William MacPherson. We've gone five generations back. And this is written down?"
"Yes, your highness. I have some of the parchment back at Duncan's. Uh, at Ronin Castle, but I haven't yet finished working on them."