Again My Love (Kaitlyn and the Highlander Book 9)

by Diana Knightley

  I agreed, with as much certainty as we could ever have. We could go. Archie was becomin’ a great grandson of Jack and Baba. Baba was becomin’ his great grandmother.

  Kaitlyn tucked him in bed and sang him tae sleep.

  I kissed him goodnight and followed Kaitlyn tae the living room. She said, “Jack, I need to Google something, where’s your computer?”

  Jack squinted his eyes. “My IBM is at the office. What is a guggle?”

  Kaitlyn’s eyes went wide.

  I stared dumbly from one tae the other, though I was used tae bein’ on the outside of conversations in the future.

  Kaitlyn opened and closed her mouth for a moment. “Wait, what? But... What do we do if we need to know something?”

  Jack and Barb looked tae each other in confusion. Barb said, “Tomorrow you could go to the library and use the reference section?”

  More indignation from Kaitlyn. “The library? What even — like an encyclopedia? How did you know anything before Google?”

  “Maybe it would help if I knew what you wanted to know.”

  “Picasso. Anything about Picasso. I assume his early years.”

  “I have a book about him, let me see...” Barb left down the hall.

  Kaitlyn said, “Jack, seriously, when Google stock goes on sale, make sure you buy it. Promise... wait, forget that. I don’t want to ruin my life.”

  “How would it ruin your life?”

  “You’d be massively wealthy.”

  “You mean in the future I’m not? I really thought this whole college professor thing was going to work out better for me.”

  Barb returned with a large book with the word ‘Picasso’ printed in gold on the front. She opened it on the table between us all.

  Kaitlyn dropped to the floor and began flipping through it. “See here, this painting, this is a lot like the one we have—”

  Barb asked, “You have a Picasso?”

  “More than one.” Kaitlyn flipped through some more. “They won’t be in this book though. They’ve never been seen before, because she got them directly from the artist.”

  “Who did?”

  “Lady Mairead, Magnus’s mother, this is where we’re going to find her, I think.”

  She drew along the page with her finger. “Here it is, his address!”

  Barb passed her a paper and pen.

  Kaitlyn copied long passages upon it. Next she asked for an atlas and we spent some time poring over the maps, discussin’ the best area tae land.

  Kaitlyn asked, “Now what kind of clothes would we need to wear?”

  Barb brought forth another book, saying, “See, who needs Goodle?” as she opened it on the coffee table.

  The next day we were driven tae what Kaitlyn called a ‘thrift shop’, tae buy a dinner jacket and pants for m’costume. Kaitlyn purchased a long skirt and a verra large hat for herself. We found everythin’ we needed for our trip and though we were nae authentic we were close enough tae pass.

  Kaitlyn joked, “And no one would suspect us of time travel, because time travel doesn’t exist.”

  We swam in the lake all afternoon, enjoyed a delicious dinner, and then we said goodnight tae Archie, explainin’ tae him we were goin’ tae be away from the house in the morn and he was tae awaken Baba for breakfast.

  He put his hand on Kaitlyn’s cheek. “Mammy be right back?”

  “Yes. I am always coming back.”

  We gave some last instructions to Jack and Barb. I spoke tae Jack about protectin’ the house, watchin’ over the vessels, and being on guard. We collected a few of the vessels and other gear intae a bag, and then Kaitlyn and I walked tae a secluded spot farther along the lake road.

  Kaitlyn said, “I’m nervous about leaving Archie and my grandparents, what if something happens?”

  “Jack has a firearm, he kens how tae use it. I spoke with him on it, they will be fine.”

  “Grandpa Jack has a gun?”

  “Aye, more than one. There is the one just over the door, ye ken?”

  “Oh, I thought that was decorative. Weird, grandpa Jack has a gun.”

  “He lives in the woods, he might need it for the bear that comes hungry.”

  “Shit, now I’m worried about bears.” I laughed, “But of course they have the pool noodles for that.”

  “Aye, that they do, they will be verra safe.” I added, “The first one of us awake will wake the other.”

  Kaitlyn said, as she pressed her face intae the front of m’coat, her fingers pressed tae the chest strap that was holding m’ broadsword down m’back, “It’s usually you,” she clenched her eyes tight. “I’ll try to wake up.” Then her voice from right by my heart, “I love you, I’ll see you on the other side.”

  Her arms slipped around m’waist and held on.

  I twisted the vessel and set us intae a jump.

  I awoke with all the pain of a time jump crampin’ my muscles and achin’ my bones and opened my eyes tae see Lady Mairead. She stood straight and tall, starin’ down at me, crumpled in the grass of a public park.

  There were people everywhere, shoes passin’ on a path verra near my head, horse hooves clattered on cobblestone close by, and the city sounds of markets, yellin’ men, children squealin’, and running feet.

  Lady Mairead wore a wide brimmed hat upon her head, a long dark skirt, a frilled white shirt. She stared down at me, one eyebrow lifted.

  I groaned and rose tae sitting. “How did ye ken...?”

  “The entire world, or at least this area of Paris, has seen your storm, Magnus. I kent it was nae a natural occurrence.”

  I jostled Kaitlyn’s shoulder. She moaned. I leaned tae see her face, tae make sure she was breathin’ well and nae... “Are ye well, Kaitlyn?”

  “She needs be up.”

  “Give her a moment, her last jump was verra dangerous. She was in the hospital after.”

  Lady Mairead read her pocket watch, attached tae her waist on a delicate gold chain. “Tis worrisome that ye have arrived here, Magnus, I was nae expectin’ ye.”

  “I ken, I have come tae see if ye are well after the rescue. Also tae speak tae ye on other matters.”

  She huffed. “I am relieved tae see ye alive. I have been considerin’ going tae see if ye lived through the arena battle but I couldna raise my will enough tae learn of your fate.”

  “I am alive and the rescue brought me tae safe haven. M’apologies for yer worries. Have ye been here the whole time?”

  A couple walked by Lady Mairead jostlin’ her as they passed. She stepped from the path. “Aye, I have been restin’ and recuperatin’ here... there is something, Magnus, I need ye tae be quiet on me as your mother, twill make me older than I would like. Picasso would prefer me tae be a younger woman.”

  Kaitlyn raised her head, looked around dazedly, and noticed Lady Mairead. “Oh. I didn’t...”

  I asked, “Can ye stand, Kaitlyn? We are exposed tae the whole city of Paris.”

  She got tae sitting, patted her hair, groaned, put her head on my shoulder for a moment, then said, “I can get up.”

  I helped her to standing and we brushed grass and dirt from our clothes.

  Through all of this Lady Mairead kept a watchful eye on the crowds and also spoke in French tae passers by. “You will need tae remove your sword, ye canna wear it on the streets of Paris, tis nae...”

  “Will we be safe?”

  “I am nae foolhardy, keep it close, but daena wear it prominently.”

  I unstrapped my sword and carried it wrapped in the bag. Finally she judged us as ‘adequately presentable,’ and led us from the park.

  The streets were cobblestone, the buildings close taegether, everywhere crowds, much like London. I had visited France when I was young, crossin’ the channel in a ship tae stay at a grand house with m’uncle John and his family. Twas a blur tae me. In my youth I hadna cared much for the city, twas foreign, and I remember feelin’ verra far from home. I had enjoyed the grounds of our vacation home with th
e cousins, but the gardens had been small, and not as friendly as the gardens of Ham House. And this Paris was a couple of centuries away from the one I kent.

  We pushed through crowds. A group of boys rushed towards us. Lady Mairead urged, “Hold your bag, Magnus, they mean tae...”

  I was jostled by one of the boys, so I turned on him with a growl. He raced away intae a crowd, weavin’ across the busy street, around carts and trams, shovin’ as they ran.

  Kaitlyn was still groggy, requiring a hand on her back for forward momentum. “Paris?”

  “Aye, tis a — what are those machines?” Three vehicles rode down the street, weavin’ and careening through pedestrians. Another went the opposite direction. A fifth crossed their path, honkin’ a horn, causin’ another tae swerve away. They were small, with large spoked wheels, and open on the top.

  Kaitlyn stood gaping. “What the — what? The first cars! Holy cannoli, do you see that Magnus? Those are the precursors to the Mustang. Wow. I wish I had a camera. Why didn’t I bring my...? Oh, yeah. I left my phone in Florida during our big escape.” She sighed.

  Lady Mairead asked, “Ye had tae leave Florida?”

  I said, “Aye, Roderick’s men have chased us from our home.”

  Kaitlyn said, “I really hope everyone is okay.”

  Lady Mairead sighed, “I am sure they are fine, Roderick only wants the two of ye... ye have time tae stop his—”

  I said, “We have found Archie and have him in our care.”

  Lady Mairead stopped. “You went and got Archie?”

  “Aye, he is about three years auld. He is now with Kaitlyn’s grandparents in the year 1991.”

  “Och. Well, I daena agree with your decision, Magnus. But I am glad he is safe.” She directed us down a passage, a small street, tae the door of a storefront. “This is my gallery, I live on the floors above.”

  Twenty-nine - Kaitlyn

  Lady Mairead led us through a large room with paintings all along the walls. I gawked as we walked through it and wanted to investigate, but knew Magnus needed me in their discussion. She led us up a staircase to the second floor, where a maid bustled about a room that was a mixture of Victorian decor combined with modern loft. It looked as if a bohemian queen decorated for a New York hipster out of an Anthropologie store from the early twentieth century.

  Lady Mairead pulled pins from her hat and tossed it onto the rack in the corner.

  Magnus and I sat on the pale pink velvet sofa, with our bag on the floor. He placed the vessels one by one on the coffee table in front of us. We hadn’t brought them all, only a selection, because what we really wanted was information about the extra pieces in the bag.

  Magnus asked, “How many vessels dost ye have in yer possession?”

  “I have one. I am nae happy with this fact, Magnus, I want at least three tae feel comfortable.”

  Magnus’s lips curled up in a smile. “I will take that intae account after we discuss how tae work what we have. Kaitlyn has risked her life tae have these vessels in her possession. We want tae understand how tae use them.”

  Lady Mairead sat opposite us in a floral-patterned chair. “First, would ye like some tea?”

  “Nae. We have our own tae drink.” He passed me our water bottle, having decided to never, ever drink what Lady Mairead offered us again.

  Magnus began, “You have told us there is a way tae track the vessels. Donnan was able tae turn on a vessel remotely so he could locate it and bring it home tae him. Show me which of these is for that work.”

  She leaned over the table, pulled up the piece that was alike in size to a brick and said, “This one.” She twisted a dial that ran across the middle and it activated. She picked up one of the vessels. “See this marking here?” She pointed at the bottom of the vessel. “It’s different on each. You must find the corresponding marking on this piece.” She pointed it out on the brick piece—

  “What do you call it?” Asked Magnus.

  She shrugged. “I daena ken, the locator?” She added, “Donnan only told me of things when he was feelin’ patronizing, and wantin’ tae impress me with his power. I listened tae him, kept it in my memory.”

  I said, “And now here you are holding the pieces.”

  She ignored me and continued looking down at the pieces. “Aye, after ye killed him and have now stolen the vessels, tis now our power tae hold.”

  Magnus said, “Careful...”

  She sighed. “Oh I am verra careful, Magnus. I wouldna dream of harmin’ Kaitlyn. She has saved m’life, gathered m’vessels, and is motherin’ m’grandson. She has kept ye in Florida and...”

  “We ken ye wanted me tae be king, daena pretend tae have given up on it. We ken ye are always deceiving—”

  “Magnus, it is clear that the time for my wants and wishes is past, is it nae? Ye daena have a kingdom anymore, ye have taken your son intae custody, ye winna negotiate with his mother or battle the king, so ye have decided tae live as a humble man in Florida. It daena matter tae ye about honor or duty, or my wishes, ye have thrown it away.”

  Magnus said, “I haena thrown anythin’ away. I have the possession of most of the vessels and with ye advisin’ me, I can plan what comes next.”

  She huffed, deeply. “I daena ken everything, but if you—” The two pieces she held hummed awake, surprising her. “I suppose ye daena have tae find the markings, they will speak tae each other on it.”

  Magnus asked, “If I set this one on, usin’ the markings on the other, I can locate it?”

  I said, “We should make a list of all the known markings. When we use a vessel we can mark it as being used, track it, and locate it if it goes missing.”

  Lady Mairead’s eyes glinted as she leveled her gaze. “Ye already possess the list of markings.”

  “What?” My brow drew down under her gaze. “Oh.” I gulped as it occurred to me the list was in the book.

  “Aye, ‘oh.’ Ye ken where the list is, because ye have the book.” Magnus looked from her face to mine.

  I shrugged. “Think what you want.”

  Magnus intervened, “Kaitlyn daena have the book, she daena have the list. I will make the list from what we ken and we will gather all the vessels around us.”

  “Except for mine. I winna allow for ye tae ‘locate’ me. I have things tae do, business, and need my secrecy.”

  Magnus said, “Fair enough.”

  I said, “Our other question is about this ring, most of these vessels have a ring around the middle, except this one, it’s like the one Magnus was using in the beginning.”

  “Aye,” she picked up that vessel. “When ye twist it,” she showed me the glowing lights, “it’s missing the middle system. It canna be directed on its own.” She pulled up the brick-sized ‘locator’. “From this locator you can see this vessel has been activated, the markings across here have the numbers and symbols that are bein’ used. Ye can add tae them and misdirect the jump tae a different time or place. As I pulled ye here that time tae negotiate with ye.”

  “Tae put the shackle upon her throat.”

  She asked with a faked sweetness, “And where are those, Magnus, there should be three?”

  “I dinna bring them.”

  “Pity, I would have liked tae shew ye how tae work them. I believe ye might have use for them. Bella, for instance, could have used—”

  I said, “God, you are so freaking evil—”

  Her brow raised. “My daughter-in-law daena think her husband’s mistress deserves tae have her freedom curtailed? What about as the woman who deserted Archie? You daena want tae see her suffer?”

  I shook my head. “No, I mean, yes, I would love to… but no, no way am I going to harm her, she...”

  Lady Mairead said, “She would put it upon your throat in a second.”

  I tried to keep my voice steady. “Well that’s one of the many ways I am a better person.”

  “A deceased person, perhaps.”

  Magnus groaned. “Lady Mairead, dost ye se
e that I am visitin’ with m’wife nae a full hour and already ye have threatened her life? How dost ye want me tae deal with this? I tell ye, I have tried tae be civilized. I have told Kaitlyn that ye are only expressin’ yerself, that ye daena truly mean it, but it causes her, and therefore me, a great deal of worry tae have ye threaten her.”

  He shook his head. “I ken ye winna kill her, because tae draw a weapon on her would be the last thing ye do, and ye prefer yer life tae nae life at all. Why else would ye be scramblin’ so tae live it? I have threatened ye tae behave. I have tried tae compromise and negotiate, but ye are seemin’ tae be unmoved in this matter. Kaitlyn is my wife. You are tae speak tae her with respect. I have nae patience for discussion on it and will do what comes next if I am pushed.”

  “Very well, Magnus, I have heard ye on it. Kaitlyn, my apologies.”

  A bell rang. There was a clattering of footsteps up the stairs. Magnus shoved the vessels into the bag and still had two to hide as three men sauntered into the room. Their clothes were simple: wool pants, linen shirts, vests, and coats, like many of the people I had seen on the streets, dingy and dirty.

  The man in front, with greasy hair, dark over his forehead, smirked. He spoke in French to Lady Mairead and she answered him languidly, with a flirtatious smile I hadn’t seen before. He kissed her cheek while keeping his eyes on me. “Who is this, Lady Mad?”

  She said, “Friends, Pablo, this is my friend, Magnus, visiting from Scotland, with his wife, Kaitlyn, an American.”

  “Ah, Monsieur Magnus!” Magnus and Picasso shook hands.

  Then Picasso said, “And the beautiful Madame Kaitlyn.” He kissed me on both cheeks. He reeked of alcohol. There was a hotness to his breath and an insistence on being the only one in the room that mattered that made me worry Magnus might kill him and then where would the modern world be?

  He straightened after leaving a bit of wet on my cheek and announced, loudly, a little slurringly, “Mes amis, Guy and Max, this is Magnoose.” He drew the name out long. “And Madame Kaitlyn, his beautiful wife.” He added, “Nous adorons une belle femme.”