Dreams of a Highlander

by Katy Baker

  Rebecca elbowed Darcy. "That's our Fraser, and Lily's beloved if only the two of them would have the courage to admit it! And that handsome fellow in front is my husband, Laird Robert."

  Quinn rose from his seat and walked over to greet his brother. They clasped hands, forearm to forearm and slapped each other on the shoulder. They conferred quickly and then both turned to stride towards the head table. Darcy shrank back as they approached but Rebecca rose to her feet and moved around the table to greet her husband.

  The big man scooped her up and gave her a long, passionate kiss. "Yer a sight for sore eyes, woman," he rumbled in a deep voice. "How's my wee one?" He ran his hand gently over Rebecca's bump.

  "Kicking and squirming and being every bit as troublesome to me as his father is," Rebecca replied. "Let go of me ye big oaf, you stink of sweat and horse!"

  Robert laughed and gave Rebecca a bow. "My apologies, my lady." He straightened and Darcy shifted uncomfortably as his eyes settled on her. He and Quinn were different in coloring. Robert had corn-yellow hair rather than dark, but they both shared the wide-shouldered physique and the penetrating blue eyes.

  "Lady Darcy," Laird Robert said. "Quinn has briefly told me yer story. Be welcome in clan MacFarlane."

  "I..." Darcy stammered. "Thank you, my lord."

  Robert, Quinn and the rest of the men who'd arrived with Robert seated themselves at the table. A serving girl brought them ale and bread which they set to ravenously. Rebecca resumed her seat and began talking with Lily about different materials and clothes she wanted for the bairn.

  Darcy listened with half an ear but her attention kept drifting to Quinn. He sat with Robert less than three paces from Darcy. He paid her no heed, instead supping on his ale and eating the food as if Darcy didn't even exist.

  Why should I care? Darcy asked herself. I don't even know him. I don't care if he ignores me. I don't.

  Chapter 6

  Quinn was glad of the meal. Eating and drinking gave him something to focus his attention on, and, Lord, did he need it. He could feel Darcy's presence like she sat right next to him, even though she was down at the far end of the table. He kept glancing, hoping to find her looking back at him but every time he did she wasn't paying him any interest at all, instead she was deep in conversation with Rebecca and Lily.

  He didn't know whether to be relieved or annoyed about that.

  When Darcy walked into the hall earlier it had taken all of Quinn's willpower not to stare. The last thing the lass needed after what she'd gone through this day was him leering over her like some drooling brute. MacFarlane men were brought up better than that. They were taught to treat women with respect, not as though they were some trophy to be paraded around.

  So, as Darcy entered the great hall, he'd been careful not to ogle her, no matter how much he'd wanted to. But it was hard. Lord, it was hard.

  She was a beauty. Those huge brown eyes, so full of wit and intelligence. That long glossy hair. That diminutive figure that hid a feisty, wild spirit.

  Quinn shook himself. What was he doing? He barely knew the lass. And she'd be leaving as soon as they found a way to return her to Edinburgh. With an effort, he forced his attention to what his brother was saying.

  "Looks as though they're getting bolder," Robert said. "A large group attacked some of the northern holdings just yesterday. Burned out Aiden and Sarah’s croft and left them for dead. It was pure good fortune that they got out with their bairns and managed to get to safety with Angus and Elspeth at the next croft."

  Quinn felt anger rising inside him. These people were cowards to victimize crofters who had no way to defend themselves - the worst kind of men in Quinn's opinion.

  "Did they take anything?" he asked.

  "Aye, both their horses," Robert winced. "But ken this, they slaughtered what they couldnae take with them - all the chickens and as many of the geese as they could catch."

  There was angry muttering around the table. Brigands stealing to survive was one thing but wanton slaughter for the sake of slaughter? That was just evil.

  "Who were they?" Quinn asked. "Did Aiden or Sarah get a good look at them?"

  Robert nodded. "Aye, they did. Enough to describe the bastards to us." He nodded to Matty who drew a rolled parchment from his cloak. "We've got their descriptions and we'll send it to every outlying village and outpost, telling them to keep watch. We'll catch these bastards, ye mark my words. Brigands and outlaws are lazy. They'll make a mistake sooner or later and when they do, we'll hunt them down like the animals they are."

  The rest of the men nodded their agreement but Quinn found himself shaking his head.

  "I dinna reckon it be that simple, brother."

  "What do ye mean?"

  "I've not yet told ye how I came upon the Lady Darcy today. I was tracking the brigands who attacked the south holding a few days back. They were heading south, towards the border of our land when the Lady Darcy stumbled into them. They took her prisoner but didnae lay a hand on her. They said they were taking her to their lord and mention a 'Lord John'."

  That got their attention. Silence fell and Quinn could almost hear the men's thoughts tumbling.

  "Ye think it might be John de Clare?" Robert said at last.

  Quinn nodded. "It would be a mighty coincidence if it weren't. Ye know he swore vengeance against us and the rumors say he's married Laird Malcolm's daughter. If so, he'll be laird of the Murrays in all but name. Everyone knows how frail Laird Malcolm is. John de Clare will have the warriors of the Murray clan at his disposal to do with as he wishes. It would nae be hard to have them dress like common brigands and have them harry our lands."

  The men shifted uncomfortably. Robert's hand curled around his ale cup so hard his knuckles went white.

  "That bastard," he breathed. "Aye, I see it now. That would be just the type of underhanded thing he'd do."

  "Why?" Fraser asked. The young warrior looked angry. He'd lost a good friend at the hands of John de Clare, just as Quinn and Robert had lost a brother. "Why would he raid us like this? If he wants vengeance why not just declare a feud and bring us to battle? If he controls clan Murray's warriors, he could easily field as many warriors as us."

  "John's no fool," Quinn replied. "He knows an all-out battle between us and the Murrays would result in heavy losses on both sides. He wants to avoid that. So he's raiding our lands - in all directions to try to force us into acting rashly, before we're ready."

  "We should ride out," Fraser said, his hand curling into a fist where it rested on the table top. "Take a force down to Castle Carigg and catch them unawares! If that bastard wants a war, we'll give him one!"

  The men nodded in agreement, banging their cups on the table.

  Robert held up a hand. "Peace, Fraser. I'm itching to teach the bastard a lesson as much as ye are but everything we've discussed here is just conjecture. Until we know for sure what he's up to, we canna do anything. I'll not risk a feud with the Murrays until we're sure."

  Quinn nodded. His brother was a fine warrior but an even finer thinker. He always thought things through before acting - a skill some of the younger hotheads would do well to emulate.

  "Matty, Dougal, Callum, ye'll ride out in the morning and take the description of these brigands to all the villages. Tell the aldermen there to be on their guard and to send word to us here at Dunbreggan the minute they spot anything suspicious. The farmers are to bring their animals into the lower pastures and set guards as much as is possible. I'll nae lose more animals to these bastards if it can be helped."

  The three men nodded. "Aye, laird. We'll leave at first light," Matty said.

  "In the meantime we'll need to send scouts to discover if these rumors about John de Clare and Laird Malcolm's daughter are true."

  "I'll go," Quinn said. "I can track them to where I saw the brigands last and pick up their trail from there."

  Robert shook his head. "Nae, Quinn, it canna be you. John de Clare knows ye too well. Besides, I need ye here
. Ye may be my best warrior but ye are also my heir until the wee one is born. Yer place is here, protecting Dunbreggan."

  Quinn nodded reluctantly. He didn't like to be reminded that he was currently the heir to the clan holdings. He'd never wanted the position, just as Robert hadn't. If their eldest brother had lived... Well, he'd learned you didn't always get want you wanted in life.

  "I'll go," Fraser said. "I'll get hold of some clan plaid and sneak into their lands. I'll pose as a merchant. It should nae be hard to find goodwives willing to gossip."

  "Are ye sure of this?" Robert asked. "It will be dangerous. If ye should be discovered..."

  "I'm sure," Fraser replied. The warrior was nothing if not brave.

  Robert nodded. "That's settled then. We'll begin preparations in the morning. For tonight, let's enjoy ourselves and celebrate being home."

  The men cheered at that.

  ***

  Darcy listened in silence to the conversations going on around her. Everyone seemed in high spirits, despite the threat Quinn and the others had been discussing earlier. Their laird had returned safely, the hunters had brought down a stag to feed the clan and their lady was soon to give birth to the clan’s heir.

  That seemed enough. These people demonstrated an uncanny ability to live in the moment.

  She picked up her spoon and ate some of the thick stew a servant placed in front of her. It had the gamey taste of venison and was delicious. There was soft white bread to go with it and an earthy ale to wash it down with. Darcy found she was ravenous and soon emptied the bowl, wiping it clean with a piece of bread.

  "That's it, my dear," Rebecca said with a smile. "There's plenty more where that came from." She signaled a serving girl over. "Bring Lady Darcy a second bowl would you? It seems she's hungry."

  "I am," said Darcy, nodding. "This stew is wonderful. My compliments to the cook."

  "I'll be sure to tell Agatha," Rebecca replied. "She'll be mighty happy to have a guest complement her food so."

  "You just wait until pudding," Lily said. "Agatha's spicy dumplings are to die for."

  Rebecca pulled a face and rubbed her belly. "Not for me. Ever since this little monster came along, I've lost all taste for those dumplings. Roasted chestnuts. Now, I could eat those until I'm sick."

  "What a lovely thought!" Lily replied. "And here's me thinking you were a lady!"

  "Whatever gave you that idea?" Rebecca replied with a mischievous smile.

  Darcy found herself laughing at their banter. She was surprised at how warm and welcoming they both were. They didn't seem at all wary of a stranger amongst them - Quinn had vouched for Darcy and that seemed enough for them.

  But their easy acceptance made her worry as well. What would they think when they discovered the truth? That she'd come from the future? Would they believe her? Or would they brand her a liar? Or worse, a witch?

  Darcy took a long swig of ale to hide her discomfort. What should she tell them? Something close to the truth but believable. Something that would enable her to get their help whilst she found a way to go home. She hated lying to them but what choice did she have?

  Laird Robert finished his meal and pushed his plate away. He leaned back in his chair, laying an arm across his wife's shoulders.

  "I hope ye've been looking after our guest well, my love," he said, nodding at Darcy.

  Rebecca raised an eyebrow at her husband. "Are ye implying that I'd do anything else?"

  "Of course not," Robert laughed. "I'm only teasing ye." He turned to look at Darcy who forced herself to meet his powerful gaze. "So, Lady Darcy. Quinn tells me yer from the Americas. Tell me, how did ye come to be in MacFarlane lands? Did the Spanish bring ye? I've heard rumors they are colonizing the lands over the ocean."

  Darcy saw her chance. "I, yes, sort of. I came to Edinburgh for a conference, um, a..." she searched for an appropriate description. "A clan gathering. I went driving, I mean, riding, when I stumbled into the brigands Quinn told you of."

  Robert frowned. "Ye went riding in the wilds on yer own? Did ye not ken it isnae safe for a woman to be out without an escort?"

  What was she supposed to say to that? These people had very different attitudes towards women's safety. "I didn't realize that," she replied. "In my homeland it's perfectly safe for a woman to go out alone. We do it all the time."

  Her tone was a little more challenging than she'd intended.

  Robert smiled wryly. "My apologies, my lady. I shouldnae assume such things. This America sounds like an interesting place. Unfortunately Edinburgh is a long way from here and with the raids, it's nae safe for us to take ye there at the moment." He shared a look with Quinn and Fraser. "But ye have my word that as soon as we are able we will escort ye back to yer kin. Until then ye'll be treated as an honored guest here at Dunbreggan."

  "Thank you," Darcy said. "Could I ask - how long do you think it will be before it's safe to travel?"

  Robert shrugged. "I canna say. A few months maybe."

  Darcy started, her breath catching in her throat. A few months? How could she stay here a few months? Her friends would be going crazy with worry! For all Darcy knew, the police were out looking for her right now.

  She didn't say any of this though. She smiled her thanks to Laird Robert and tucked into the second bowl of stew that a servant brought her.

  There was no way she was going to get stuck here for months. She had to find a way home. No matter what it took.

  Chapter 7

  Darcy didn’t realize she'd been yawning until Rebecca said, "Oh my, that was big enough to swallow me whole!"

  Darcy snapped her mouth shut, embarrassed, but Rebecca's eyes were twinkling with merriment. She reached over and laid her hand over Darcy's.

  "I'm sorry, here we are gossiping like fish-wives, with nary a thought for how tired ye must be. Ye've been through an ordeal and a half today and that's the truth. No doubt ye'll be wanting some rest."

  Darcy smiled sheepishly. "Is it that obvious?"

  She was exhausted. She'd been running on adrenaline since her encounter with the brigands but now that adrenaline had run out and she felt like a wrung-out dishcloth. She wanted nothing more than to wrap herself in blankets and shut out the world.

  "Alice!" Rebecca called. When the serving girl made her way over, Rebecca said, "Escort Lady Darcy to her room and see she's made comfortable for the night." She turned to Darcy. "Ye need not worry, Darcy. Ye'll be perfectly safe here with us. Things will look better after a night's sleep, ye mark my words."

  Darcy nodded and climbed to her feet. Lily rose and gave her a peck on the cheek.

  "I'll check in on you tomorrow."

  Darcy nodded her thanks and followed Alice towards the door to the great hall. She glanced back as they reached the steps, hoping that Quinn might want to speak to her. He didn't. In fact, he didn't as much as glance in her direction. He was deep in conversation with his brother, the two of them leaning close and talking in hushed voices.

  A flash of annoyance went through Darcy. Quinn had insisted on bringing her here and now he ignored her! Well fine, if that's the way he was going to be, she didn't care.

  She stomped up the stairs to her room and allowed Alice to help her out of the dress. A white night gown had been left out on the bed which Darcy pulled over her head before climbing into the big four-poster. Alice left a candle burning on the nightstand and then pulled the door closed.

  Darcy thought she'd never be able to sleep with what she'd been through today but she was wrong. As soon as her head hit the pillow, she fell into a deep slumber.

  ***

  She is walking through a misty landscape of heather-clad hills. She can hardly see anything in front of her and the sounds are oddly muffled. "Hello?" Darcy shouts into the mists. "Is anyone there?" Something moves off to her left. A shadow rears up, reaching for her. Darcy screams and scrambles away, running into the mists. But the shadow is in front of her this time. It reaches out, a hand reaching to grab her. "There's no
body to save ye now, lass." It speaks with the voice of the brigand. Darcy turns and runs. The shadow is everywhere now. Everywhere she turns it looms out of the mist. It reaches for her. "Ye are ours now, lass."

  Darcy lurched upright with a cry. It took a few terrifying seconds for her to realize she was safe in her room. The shadows in the corners weren't monsters but pieces of furniture. She wiped a hand across her sweat-soaked forehead then threw back the covers and jumped out of bed. Her heart was thumping so fast she could barely think.

  Just a dream, she told herself. Just a dream.

  It didn't help. She crossed to the window and threw open the drapes. It was just getting light and through the window she could see the Highlands stretching into the distance.

  She gulped. The enormity of her situation closed in. She was miles and years from where she should be. She must get home. There was no other choice.

  Keep calm, she told herself. Reason it through. Find an explanation. How did you come to be here?

  She thought back to the events of the day. Everything had been going fine until she hit that deer on the road. Then she'd followed it through that stone arch and everything changed.

  That's it, she thought. The arch. That must be the portal. If I can find it again, it will take me home. It's on the shore of the loch so logically all I have to do is follow the line of the shore.

  She closed her eyes, trying to calm her nerves, but images of the shadow creature from her dream formed in her mind, making her heart thump with fear. Pulse racing, she crossed to the wardrobe. She had to go now, before anyone was awake. Fear leant urgency to her steps.

  Luckily her own clothes had been stored in the wardrobe. Hurriedly she changed into her jeans, t-shirt and boots. Lastly, she swung her bag over her shoulder, lit the candle and hurried to the door.

  The corridor outside was dark and empty. She inched along it and down the steps into the main hall. She froze at the bottom when she realized people were sleeping down here, curled up in their cloaks round the fire. She crept around the edge of the hall, careful to make no sound and reached the door which she pulled open just enough for her to slip through.