by Mary Morgan
She walked around him and grabbed her jacket. Hastily putting it on, she marched out of the Great Hall, leaving him empty and alone.
****
Staring out the stained-glass window from his library, the sun-filled morning made Aidan nauseated. Birds chirped in greeting, and squirrels scampered from tree to tree foraging for food. A lone deer ambled toward the stream at the edge of his property, and he found no pleasure in the scenery.
By the time he had reached Rose’s hotel last evening, the air between them waxed frosty and unsettled. Without a word, she departed the vehicle, and he watched her make hasty steps inside the building. His gut twisted with indecision and regrets. After he returned home, Aidan drank two bottles of single-malt to deaden his guilt and lust.
Sleep was elusive and when he finally succumbed, he drifted in and out of slumber.
He’d awakened with a throbbing headache and in a worse condition than the night before. His angst and guilt returned with a vengeance to add to the pain in his head. Rose had woven a thread of herself under his skin. Her scent lingered within his pores, and not even an early morning swim in the stream could douse the burning fire he felt for the lass.
Lowering his head, he blew out a frustrated breath. There was only one solution. Never set eyes on Rose MacLaren ever again. Liam would tend to her today. Did she not mention she only required one more day at the dig?
“Yes,” he uttered with disgust and lifted his head. He folded his arms over his chest and leaned against his desk. “Situation handled. Task completed.” He would survey the dig for a few more days until he was satisfied with their findings. If she came to any conclusions regarding legends and the Picts, he felt certain they would be contained within the Society.
Turning from the bucolic spring morning outside his window, Aidan sat down. Sorting out the daily ledger and accounts would keep his mind focused. When Liam returned, he would recruit him in the training list for further sparring. Exercise of the mind and body would rid him of this annoying emotion he had for the lass.
An hour later, Liam strolled into the library. Aidan’s hand hovered above the open ledger. “Don’t tell me Ms. MacLaren has finished her research?”
Liam gave him a passing glance as he pulled out a book from one of the shelves. He slumped down in an overstuffed chair by the hearth. “Did you two have a spat?”
Narrowing his eyes, Aidan resumed his work. He refused to acknowledge the irritating remark.
“I’m going to conclude you did, since you’re ignoring my question and are referring to the lass in a proper manner.” Liam continued to flip through the pages in a leisurely manner.
“Since when did your interests include Einstein’s mathematical theories?” snapped Aidan.
“It was the first book that caught my attention when I entered.” Liam held up the tome. “Interesting scholar, don’t you agree?”
“As you know, I have met Professor Einstein many times and have acknowledged my admiration for the man. In conclusion, your question is irrelevant.”
Liam slammed the book. “Then choose the topic of conversation, Aidan.”
Perplexed by his attitude, Aidan dropped his quill. “As you can see, I have business matters that require my attention. Furthermore, I have nothing pertinent to discuss.” He picked up the quill and resumed his task. “I can assume by your presence you are done escorting Ms. MacLaren. As soon as my duties are completed, I shall make my report to the Fae council and we both can return to the Brotherhood.” He paused and scribbled a note in the side margin of the ledger. “Did she mention anything about her findings?”
Liam snorted and got up from his chair.
Raising his head from his work, Aidan watched the warrior return the book to its shelf. A niggling of unease prickled along the back of his neck. “What are you not saying, MacGregor?”
“You’re assuming that I’ve met with Ms. MacLaren. You are incorrect.”
Aidan rose slowly from his desk. “Were my orders not concise enough for you? I asked you to oversee the lass at the dig.” He gestured outward. “Is she all alone there?”
“No.”
“Explain.”
Liam shifted his stance. “When I arrived to escort her to the dig, the desk clerk informed me she left on the last bus of the evening for Glasgow.”
Aidan turned away from the warrior’s questioning gaze. Isn’t this what he’d wanted? To have her gone from this place and his life? Did it matter if she decided against researching further? He started to rake a hand through his hair and paused. Clenching his fist, he lowered his arm. “Good. Problem solved,” he muttered.
“I wouldn’t be so confident,” professed Liam.
Aidan frowned and glanced over his shoulder. “Why?”
The warrior pulled out an envelope from his back pocket and tossed it on the desk. “This was left at the desk addressed to you.”
Regarding the missive, Aidan contemplated throwing it into the hearth. His name in flowing script beckoned him to open the document, and he brushed his fingers across the writing. Picking up the envelope, he retrieved the note inside.
Dear Mr. Kerrigan,
Aidan winced, but continued to read her note.
I’ve decided it best to return to the dig in Glasgow. It is my determination that both sites contain similar knowledge and should be researched concurrently. Whether you consider my findings to be of use is entirely up to you and the university. However, I wouldn’t dismiss the idea of another civilization assisting the Picts (or whomever) in the sharing of their wisdom. The evidence on the stones speaks for itself. If my observations are correct, the altar stone reflects a constellation. I will copy my findings to the university, but I doubt they will take me seriously.
Please inform the Professor there will be no need for a guide, since my studies and those of the Society, will be directed in the area away from the standing stones.
Sincerely,
Ms. Rose MacLaren
Annoyed with the direction of his recent thoughts on the lovely lass, Aidan crumbled the note. And as he was unable to unleash his fury, he paced behind his desk.
“Grim news?” asked Liam, leaning against the other side of his desk.
“Apparently the lass has concluded that another civilization assisted the Picts and shared with them their knowledge.”
“In just a short time? One day?” remarked Liam.
Aidan magically unfurled the letter and waved it over to Liam in the air. “Yes. In one bloody day, Rose MacLaren thinks she has unlocked the secret of the Picts being mentored by another group of people.”
Liam snapped his gaze to the letter and then back to him. “You think it’s us. The Fae.”
“I noticed your statement is not a question,” surmised Aidan.
“I am not going to ascertain the thought process of the lass. Furthermore, she can’t make a connection. There is no proof.”
“Do not be so sure of Ms. MacLaren. She believes in others out there in the cosmos.”
The warrior shrugged and placed the letter on the desk. “She cannot make the connection to us.”
“Unless she has the gift of sight,” argued Aidan.
Liam blinked. “Truly? How did you come upon this knowledge?”
Aidan had no desire to confess to the warrior what he witnessed last evening. Shock was not the emotion he recalled as she traced a finger over the carved symbol of his home world on the massive table. He was overcome with raw desire, as if she were touching the tattoo embedded in his chest. An aura of multi-colored lights swirled in a vortex around Rose, and he understood instantly their meaning. She was able to discern the past and possibly the future.
“Care to share what happened last evening? As per our last conversation, you were taking her back to her hotel.”
“Plans change,” snapped Aidan, wishing to end this current topic of conversation.
“By the hounds! Listen to yourself. You have not fully answered any one of my questions about Ms. MacL
aren.”
Clasping his hands behind his back, Aidan glared at the man. “Because it’s none of your business!”
Liam raised his hands in surrender. “Forgive me. I thought we were on a mission together. You are my leader, but I am duty-bound to point out my suspicions. Did you not profess this to all of us in our training? If two or more take up the mission together, one will lead, but the others or individual will be a conscience. Am I here to merely do your bidding?”
Aidan grimaced and closed the ledger book. “No. I do not require a slave. We had a quiet meal, and I returned her to the hotel. I informed her you would be her guide today, but apparently she reversed her decision to stay.”
“Good.” Liam sat down on the edge of the desk. “Anything else?”
Placing the quill back in its holder, Aidan could think of only one solution. An idea blossomed as surely as the river flowed into the sea. He saw no flaw in his plan. “I shall travel to the Society and squash any further thought process of another civilization. I will guide her in another direction and make sure the university does not receive her findings. You can remain here and help the students.”
Giving him a skeptical look, Liam rose slowly. “Is Rose the link we must sever? Do you really deem this a wise course of action, Aidan?”
“Yes to both your questions. I shall return in a couple of days.” As Aidan moved away from the desk to pack a few items of clothing, Liam’s words made him pause.
“Rose MacLaren is a temptation. She’s a luring siren, and you’re blind if you don’t see what she’s doing to you.”
Aidan kept his back to the warrior. “And as the leader of the Fenian Warriors, I know my boundaries.” Clenching his jaw, he stormed out of his library, sealing all emotions for the alluring female.
Chapter Twelve
“Gather the flower seeds on the first day of spring and toss them out in a wide arc before the light of dawn graces the ground. You will be rewarded with a carpet of wildflowers come Midsummer.”
~Society of the Thistle
Splashing the cool water from the well onto her face, Rose shivered and whispered a prayer. She shook out her hands and then braced them on the stone ledge. Looking inside, her image wavered in the watery depths. “Help to banish his touch from my skin, Brigid.”
Minutes ticked by in agonizing silence. She waited patiently for some sign the Goddess had heard her plea and would remove his scent, face, touch from her senses. Rose wanted the man gone from her thoughts. If only she could wipe away the memory of being in his arms. He had haunted her dreams after she’d returned to the Society and when dawn arrived, Rose left the warm comfort of her bed in search of spiritual meditation.
She laughed nervously. “If only…”
Turning away from the holy well, Rose wandered to her favorite oak tree and settled herself against its rough bark. “What a fool you were last night,” she mumbled and retrieved a small package inside the pocket of her coat. “Foolish, brazen—a harlot. Ready to give away your virginity to a stranger.” Her shoulders slumped. “What were you thinking?”
She had not thought it through. Instead, she embraced the moment and desire to be with Aidan Kerrigan.
As she opened the material surrounding the scone, a squirrel scampered near her.
“Yes, I will share. But only a wee bite. Sugary treats are not always good to eat.” Breaking off a piece, Rose tossed the bits of food outward.
She watched in quiet contemplation as the small animal gathered the morsel and dashed away. “You lead a simple life, my friend.” Rose nibbled on the other portion of the scone, yet, the food did little to wipe away her foul mood and anguish.
Remorse settled around her like dark clouds. An unwanted companion, and Rose didn’t know whether to scream or cry. The man had given her exquisite pleasure with his touch, and her face burned from the recollection.
“It’s not fair!” she shouted, frightening a bird in a nearby tree. Crumbling the rest of the scone, she flung it to the side. She squeezed her eyes shut to stop the tears from falling once again. It was lunacy to weep over the situation. The man was gone forever from her life, and she prayed she’d never set eyes on him again.
After wiping her nose on her sleeve, she inhaled deeply and then released the breath slowly. “I’ll never attend a class at the university. I’ll have Lily or Maeve sit in on the meetings for the Society. Seclusion, studying nature, meditation, and taking care of the animals are my priorities.” Silently ticking off other items of interest that would keep her far away from encountering Aidan lifted Rose’s spirits somewhat.
Yet the niggling thorn of doubt returned with a vengeance, and she lowered her head onto her bent knees. She became someone else in his presence. He commanded the land, sun, and stars it seemed, and she yearned to explore more with him. “Time, Rose…give it time for the memories to fade.”
“A thimble for your thoughts,” announced Aelish coming up the path toward her.
“Nothing important,” she mumbled, praying the woman would keep on walking past her. She hadn’t even spoken to Lily when she came home last evening. Solitude was her only desire.
Aelish sat down next to her and patted the ground. “Bah. The energy around you swirls in a tempest from what you keep bottled inside.”
Rose bit her tongue in an effort to keep from spouting a harsh retort.
“The land cannot accept this grieving and anger. The fresh buds will refuse to blossom forth,” proclaimed Aelish. She lifted a dead leaf and waved it in front of Rose.
I hate it when you talk in gibberish, Aelish.
Lifting her head, Rose stared at the woman. “When I leave, the plants will return.”
“Unless they wither and die.”
She looked away. “It is the circle of life.”
Aelish touched her arm, and Rose flinched. “Please do not.”
“What causes this pain for you to lash out at the land and me?” urged the woman.
Hysterical laughter bubbled forth from Rose. For several moments, she let the tide of melancholy seep out in this manner. After regaining her wits, she wiped a hand over her face and once again leaned back against the tree. “I’m sorry, Aelish. It’s only foolish nonsense. My regret over recent actions.”
“Sweet Brigid. Did something happen at the dig site in Corridon? Is there a ban on the Society from entering near the area?”
“No. No. Nothing that serious.”
The woman snorted and crumbled the dead leaf, discarding the tiny pieces. “What could possibly be worse?” She raised her hand. “The sun is shining, spring is abundant, and the Society is doing well.”
Rose stood abruptly and brushed the crumbs and dirt from her clothing. “I misjudged a man.”
When the woman remained quiet, Rose stole a glance at her. Aelish appeared to be in deep thought. She finally blinked and stood.
“I was unaware you were seeing anyone. The heart can be a fragile vessel.”
“It’s nothing like that, Aelish,” she reassured. “I only met him recently. I made a grave assumption and it left me in a nasty mood.” More like a grave mistake.
Aelish moved in front of her and tapped a finger to Rose’s heart. “He made an impression on you.”
“Definitely,” Rose blurted out.
“Running does no good either.”
She waved the woman off and moved away from the tree. “I have no desire to set eyes on the man again. I’ll let Lily deal with him or his assistant.”
“So he works for the university?” inquired Aelish.
“Yes. He was able to get permission for Lily and me to examine the standing stones here and those that are similar in Corridon.”
The woman frowned. “But you are supposed to study the area away from the stones and take samples for botanical purposes.”
She shrugged. “You know my curiosity with the ancient people who dwelt here and their writing, Aelish. I could not pass up this opportunity.”
She studied Rose intently.
“You had an attraction to this man.”
“Over and done,” acknowledged Rose and went to embrace Aelish. “I won’t see him ever again. It was a silly lapse of judgment. I think I’ll take Daisy for a ride.”
The woman gave her a weak smile and started along the path back home.
Rose opened her arms wide, heading for the stables. “A good ride through the hills will wipe all traces of my encounter with this man.” Though she doubted she would ever get rid of Aidan completely.
“You never mentioned his name!” shouted Aelish.
Rose’s steps stilled, and she glanced over her shoulder. What did it matter if the woman knew his name? She would never divulge their conversation to anyone. One of the traits Rose admired in her friend.
“Aidan. His name is Aidan Kerrigan.”
Fury flitted briefly across the woman’s features, and then she quickly masked the emotion. “Good riddance,” she hissed out and then stormed away, continuing with a litany of words Rose did not comprehend.
****
When Rose entered the back entrance of the Society, her nerves had calmed. The ride with Daisy had been a soothing tonic on her frayed emotions, and the fresh air helped to clear her despondent thoughts. Maybe she was destined to be alone for the rest of her life. Her sister was correct. She craved men that were different. Elusive. Mysterious.
“Aidan Kerrigan,” she whispered his name on the breeze.
She bent and picked up a branch and tossed it into the shrubs near the dense copse of trees. “Nope. Not even him.”
Strolling through into the kitchen, she spied her sister. Lily raised her head from the current cookbook that had captured her interest these past few weeks. “Care to explain why you’ve returned home so soon from Corridon? And don’t tell me you’ve been riding Daisy in a dress?”
Glancing down at herself, Rose fingered the material. “It’s long enough, and I didn’t want to trek back inside to put on jeans.”
Lily closed the cookbook and folded her arms across her chest. “And the answer to my other question?”
Crossing the kitchen, Rose grabbed a mug and poured a hefty amount of coffee. “My work is done there. It was late, and I didn’t want to bother anyone, so I hopped on the bus back home.” She could feel her sister’s skeptical glare against her back.
