He stood waiting to see who approached and smiled when Anne appeared in the doorway. Save Jane, Morna, and Jerry, Anne was Callum’s closest friend at the castle.
“Callum, can I ask you about something? Gillian and I have been talking. We have an idea.”
Nothing made him more anxious than the thought of one of Anne’s “ideas.” While well meaning, it was sure to mean more work and time for everyone.
“I suppose ye can, Anne, but I doona know why ye would. I am but a guest in the Cagair of this time. Anything ye and Gillian decide is fine for ’tis your castle.”
“I know, but this will affect you more than most of the things we decide. We’ve been working on it for a while now actually. A party of sorts.”
“A party?” Everything in him churned uncomfortably at the thought. It would mean much more work indeed.
“Yes, a party. I don’t know if you realize it, but tomorrow will be six months to the day since the castle fire. Everyone’s been working so hard. I think we all could use an excuse to relax and have a good time. There’s been very little happening other than work these past months, and I’ve heard several of you talk of how your men at Cagair are always asking if they can travel forward to see what it’s like here. It would be the perfect excuse to give them all a thrill.”
He couldn’t deny that all who sacrificed so much in service of him were due a good time. On second thought, perhaps that wasn’t the only reason a dance wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. It might give him the perfect opportunity to seek out Grier.
Morna once told him that she didn’t believe Grier would travel forward, but as far as Callum could tell, Grier wasn’t interested in anyone that traveled into the past daily. If she was, he would have seen her since the fire. No, if she remained close to Cagair Castle, it was for Morna, and Callum knew Morna was dead set against ever returning to the time in which she’d been born. If Morna wouldn’t come to her, why was it so farfetched to believe that if they gave her the opportunity, that Grier might come to Morna? Callum truly believed none of them would find peace until whatever it was between the two witches was settled.
It would be difficult for the witch to travel forward without being noticed on most days, but if they held a party, perhaps she would be tempted to come hidden among the other workers and their families.
It wasn’t a bad idea. More than that—it was the only idea he could think of that might actually work.
“Hello? You there? Did you hear a thing I said?”
Anne’s irritated voice pulled him from his thoughts.
“Ach, sorry. Aye, I did hear ye. I think it a grand idea. I believe I’ll wait to tell my men until the end of work today, though. Otherwise, they willna get a thing done.”
CHAPTER 19
“How was your run? I must say, I was very surprised to see you up so early. You looked so tired when you arrived yesterday. I planned to leave breakfast outside your room.”
I stepped in the front door of the castle to the warm greeting of Anne. I still wore her husband’s task light and sheepishly took it off my head and extended it in her direction.
“It was great. Here you go. I should have asked someone before taking it, but everyone was still asleep. I didn’t want to wake anyone. It was laying right by the back exit door, and it seemed a pretty good idea.”
Anne laughed and waved a dismissive hand before stepping to our left, indicating that I should follow.
“It was a brilliant idea. Truly. You have no idea how many holes there are out there. We get so much rain that it’s a big problem. That’s the sort of the task we’ve left for last. Within the next few weeks, someone will be out to work on the road leading to the castle. Aiden won’t mind at all that you borrowed it. Feel free to take it with you each day.”
I followed along behind her slowly, taking deep breaths to slow my heartrate with each new step.
“Thank you. It really helped. I fear I would’ve twisted an ankle without it. This is truly a stunning property, Anne.”
By this time, we stood at the top of the stairs leading to the kitchen. Anne hurried down them, pulling me along behind her. When we reached the bottom, I was shocked to see the pastries I’d placed in the oven before my run out on the counter, dusted with powdered sugar just perfectly.
“Did you do that?”
Anne reached for one of the sugary treats and jumped up so that she sat on the edge of the counter. I didn’t have the heart to tell her she’d landed right in a pile of scattered sugar. I figured she would find that out for herself once she stood.
She spoke in between mouthfuls of food. “No, Morna did it. It seems a lot of us rose early this morning. I think she’s trying to make up for everything she put you through yesterday.”
I gave my hands a quick wash and reached for a pastry, which I held in one hand while I worked to wipe down the messy counters with the other.
“Well, remind me to thank her the next time I see her.”
“Sure. Speaking of Morna and everything else…how are you doing?”
I knew right away what her real question was. She was testing me to see if I remembered anything. She wanted to know if I took the potion.
“I’m pretty good. It’s not everyday a girl learns she’s staying in a magical castle and that witches exist.”
Anne’s smile was contagious.
“Oh, I’m so glad you didn’t take it! It will be great not to have to tiptoe around you, and I wasn’t really sure how all of that was going to work anyway with all of the men going back and forth every day. You would catch on pretty fast.”
“Yes. I suppose I would. It seemed pretty pointless to forget something that I would only have to learn of eventually anyway. I know it’s only my second day here, but I hope to stay a long time. I think I’m really going to love it. I suppose it’s best that I get used to the new normal of my life sooner rather than later, yes?”
“Absolutely. I’ve not actually ever been back in time myself, but it’s been my experience watching everyone else that the magic has a way of only letting people who can handle it learn of it. All of us modern women have adjusted pretty well to the oddity of it all.”
Taking the wet, crumb-filled rag over to the sink, I rinsed it and continued our conversation.
“You really have. Why haven’t you gone back?”
She shrugged. “Maybe I will someday. I’ve adjusted, but that doesn’t mean that it doesn’t freak me out a little. I’d rather not travel to a place that doesn’t give me immediate access to a flushable toilet. Besides, Aiden is here. He’s not from the past like the rest of them. I’m just happy to be where he is. What did you think of it?”
“It was hard to see much of anything, it was so dark. But I could certainly see enough to know that you all were telling me the truth. Callum sort of rushed us back. He didn’t seem to want me there very long.”
“I’m not surprised. With Laird Macaslan still missing, Callum is very protective over all of us. He likes there to be great numbers of people present there at all times. In fact, that’s the main reason I expected him to say no to the idea of a party. I still can’t believe he said yes.”
“Party?” Anne knew that she’d not told me about it, but I didn’t care that she was fishing for me to ask her more.
“Yes. I was a little nervous to tell you since you just started and everything. But don’t worry, Morna promised me that she will help. She’s quite a good cook herself. I should’ve allowed her to take over the kitchen a long time ago, but I just have too much pride I suppose.
“Anyway, we’re having a big party here tomorrow night to bring some joy and life back into this place. It’s been too filled with work and stress. Gillian and I decided that the food and dress will remain traditional so as not to completely take everyone that will be attending out of their comfort zone, but we will leave the use of all modern conveniences available for our guests to explore.”
It was difficult for me to tell if Anne was vague on
purpose or if her mind just moved so quickly that she often left out details when explaining things to others.
“So, I’m assuming theses guests will not be from this time period then?”
She smiled and slid off the counter, dragging a dusting of sugar down onto the floor. I quickly moved to get the broom.
“No, that’s the best part. Callum’s agreed to let his workers and their families attend. Shortly after the fire, when all the clans arrived and Callum could see that he would need plenty of men to help him, he shared news of the magic with his village. So they all know. They’ve been begging him to let them see for themselves ever since.”
“That seems like a risky thing to do. What if news of the magic spreads to someone it shouldn’t?”
Anne didn’t seem to share my concern.
“If the fire showed Callum anything, it’s that he can trust his people. And you have to understand that things are very different there than they are here. It doesn’t even come as that much of a surprise to them. Many believe in magic and have witnessed it for themselves.”
It all seemed so strange—that all of this could be discussed so easily as if it were commonplace for everyone. I wondered then how it would change my life outside of my work here. Would I ever look at anything the same way again? With every strange occurrence or happenchance strike of luck, would I wonder if some unseen magic was involved? Would I ever be able to tell my own family? If not, could I learn to accept the burden of keeping such a secret from them?
All of them would love it—my mom, my sister, my Dad most of all. I could just see his amusement with it all. I could almost hear how embarrassing his words would be, how he would quote movie lines and don a kilt with such glee that everyone near him would think him crazy.
Learning of the magic was just the first bit of it, I supposed. Living with it and moving forward was another. There was still much I would have to sort out in my own mind and heart before all of this seemed normal.
“So, what kind of menu do I need to draw up for this party? And how many do I need to feed?”
She bared her teeth apprehensively at me.
“I’m going to leave the menu up to you, but keep it simple. Meat, potatoes, wine, ale—everyone is really just going to want to come for the dancing. As far as the number, at least one hundred.”
I swallowed so the brief moment of panic wouldn’t show in my voice. I could handle it, but I wouldn’t be able to come up for air until the start of the party.
“All right, got it. Can I borrow the car and a map? I definitely need to get some groceries.”
1650
“I am pleased that ye are all verra excited. We will start early and work until midday tomorrow. Then I’ll allow ye all to return home and clean yerselves and prepare yer families for the festivities. I hope ye all know how grateful I am for yer help.”
Callum stood surrounded by all the able-bodied men in his village with the neighboring lairds gathered at his back. Everyone seemed delighted at the thought of a party. As excitement spread throughout the group, Callum found himself looking forward to it, as well. There was only one thing left to discuss with them, and it was the most important thing he could ask.
“Before we end our work today, I wish to discuss safety measures for this gathering. All from the village are welcome. I doona believe Macaslan is in the country. Even if he is, he willna know of the magic here. Still, we must be on alert for him and his men. Enjoy yerselves, but keep watch amongst the crowds, aye?”
The collective agreement was all he needed to hear. The party would proceed as planned. If luck befell them, Grier would join the celebration, as well.
CHAPTER 20
With Anne and Gillian completely overwhelmed with the decorating and planning, I was left to spend every spare minute making my meal preparations for the party. The castle’s kitchen was now my workspace, bedroom, and dining room as I worked around the clock to make certain everything was ready on time. Luckily, I didn’t have to do everything alone. Morna and Jerry kept me company while serving as my cooking partners.
In truth, Jerry didn’t help much—he mainly provided conversation and poked around sticking his fingers in this or that to test out the quality of my cooking—but his company was very welcome all the same. Morna, on the other hand, was taking Anne’s wish to have an “authentic” feast to heart and was teaching me how to prepare things exactly as our guests would be used to cooking every day.
I found everything I learned so fascinating. It was ridiculously hard work and in turn resulted in much simpler, less extravagant dishes in terms of ingredients and techniques. Although after my first day in the kitchen with Morna, I found that simpler didn’t mean bland by any stretch of the imagination. I felt much like I had when first attending culinary school, with each new bit of information a revelation that would change my cooking forever. I truly couldn’t believe how great things could taste when prepared without modern tools. All that was required was nature, a bit of fire, elbow grease, fresh herbs and seasonings, and patience. By the way things smelled in the kitchen now, it would be a feast to please everyone regardless of the century they came from.
With only a few hours remaining until what was now being termed by Anne as “Scotland’s take on a ball” rather than a dance, and at Morna’s insistence that she had everything under control in the kitchen, I left to go change into the stunning period gown Gillian delivered to my room this morning.
I couldn’t wait for the festivities to begin.
Callum looked on with horrified amusement as his clansmen and neighboring lairds piled into the castle. Never for a single moment would he ever consider hosting such a spectacle on his own.
To see the men of his own time, dressed in their traditional garb, walk through the castle’s main doors with their wives and children as they gawked and awed at the wonder of every little thing was a wonder to be sure.
“Morna, I look like a wrinkled fool. Even with the shirt, ye can see my legs. No one but ye has seen my legs in near twenty years. Let me go and change. Anne and Gillian willna mind. I beg ye.”
Callum smiled even before he turned in Jerry’s direction. Of course his old friend would try to squirm out of tonight. He would expect nothing less.
“Jerry, what are ye talking about? Ye look verra striking in yer kilt. The lassies willna leave ye alone. It makes me feel young just looking at ye.”
Callum clasped Jerry on the shoulder as he turned to face the couple.
“Ye look quite handsome, Jerry. I’m sure Morna is right. Ye needn’t change.”
Morna smiled at him in thanks. “That’s what I’ve been telling him, but he’s acting like an old man. I’ve never thought of him as such.”
“I’m tired, Morna. I doona feel well.”
Morna waved a hand in the air dramatically. “Ye shall feel ill in bed, as well. Ye might as well feel ill at the party. I’ll not hear another word about it. Now, stand here and speak with Callum or come and help me in the kitchen, but doona ye dare retire to our room.”
Callum waited until Morna was gone to shrug at his friend. “My apologies, but I doona think ye’ve any hope of changing Morna’s mind on the matter. If she says ye must enjoy the party, then ye must.”
He expected Jerry to argue. Instead, it worried him when the old man reached out to lean against the wall for balance.
“I’d love to enjoy it, lad. I’ve not seen my wife dressed in such a manner in ages. But I meant what I told her. I doona feel well. Not at all. I need to lie down before I fall down.”
Callum moved to support Jerry immediately, glancing to make sure no one could see as he hurried him to the back staircase so he could lead him up to his room. He could tell by Jerry’s face how bad he felt, and he knew the old man well enough to know that he would not disappoint his wife unless he had no choice.
It didn’t take long to get Jerry settled in bed, and within moments, his eyes began to flutter shut.
“Are ye all right? Let m
e go get Morna, Jerry.”
“I’m fine. I just need to rest. Wait until the festivities begin to tell Morna where I am.”
Callum nodded but made haste to the kitchen in search of Morna. His friend looked very ill. He didn’t think it wise to wait until the feast began to let Morna know. Perhaps there was some way she could help him.
The only person inside the kitchen was Sydney. Even with her back turned to him, her beauty took him aback. Her hair was pinned to one side, a long sweeping trail of black he desperately wanted to grab onto and pull as he wrapped his arms around her.
It took her turning toward him and speaking to remind him why he was in the kitchen.
“Callum. Is everything okay? You look…you look weird.”
He swallowed and gathered his thoughts before speaking. “Aye. Do ye know where Morna is? I need to speak with her.”
“Oh. She’s gone to light a bunch of candles around the dining tables upstairs. You’re better off just waiting for her here. I’m sure she’s running all over the place right now, but she’ll be back in just a few minutes.”
“Aye, fine. I’ll wait for her. Can I help ye with anything?”
From what he could see, there was nothing else to help with—all of the food was already in to the dining hall. He wondered if perhaps Sydney stayed down here sometimes because it was where she felt the most comfortable.
“No, everything’s done. I just…I wasn’t really sure where to go once I was dressed. I didn’t want to be in the way. You look very nice, Callum.”
He felt like a troll standing next to her, but if she thought him handsome, he’d take the compliment any day.
“Thank ye. Ye’re stunning, lass. Ye’ll put the rest of the lassies to shame.”
Love Beyond Belief (Book 7 of Morna’s Legacy Series) Page 10