Lost in the Mist of Time

by Karen Michelle Nutt

  “Good day, milady.” Teige smiled at her as Dougray hurried her along. “Good day, Teige,” she said as she passed by. “Will you slow down?” she hissed at Dougray. “You’re pulling my arm out of the socket.” He slowed his pace but refused to let go of her hand. She could have easily kept up with him, but she purposely lagged behind. She didn’t see the point in making this easier for him.

  “Milady.” Dermot fell in step beside her. “Ye are looking well.”

  “I feel better. Thank you.”

  Once they were outside, Dermot went on his way and Hamish came forward with just Dougray’s mount. She looked at him wondering what was going on. He didn’t acknowledge her questioning gaze, but instead took hold of her waist and before she could object lifted her onto the horse’s back. What else could she do? She sat sidesaddle and he was upon the mount behind her. He wrapped his right arm securely around her waist and took the reins from Hamish.

  “Have a good ride, milady…and milord,” he added at the end.

  Dougray clicked his tongue and his mount immediately set into motion. “I could have ridden my own horse.” She made the obvious known. “Aye, that ye could have, but I much prefer it this way.”

  She opened her mouth to give him an unladylike retort, but seeing him grin down at her as though he expected it, she decided not to give him the satisfaction. She immediately snapped her mouth shut and looked away.

  They rode only a small distance from the castle, and Aislinn began to relax. They didn’t say much, but surprisingly the silence didn’t seem to bother either one of them. It was a cool day that still threatened to give them rain, but it felt wonderful to Aislinn to feel the fresh breeze against her face.

  Dougray didn’t want to keep her out too long for he feared that she might have a relapse if he overexerted her. He made a wide sweep and headed back. Before going back to the keep though, he stopped his mount in front of Padrig’s home. Murrough was visiting Rhiannon and was the one to open the door to let them enter. Aislinn realized then they had been expecting them. Obviously this was a well-planned out excursion.

  Rhiannon made a wonderful sweet bread and warm herb drink that Neala had shown her how to make. It was relaxing and comforting and she was beginning to actually enjoy the day.

  “Would ye like some more?” Rhiannon was already there with her kettle to refill Aislinn’s cup.

  “Thank you. I don’t mind if I do.”

  “Anyone else?” She started filling her father’s empty mug.

  Dougray moved his closer. “What did ye call this warm liquid ye made?”

  “I do not have a name for it, but Neala showed me where to pick the herbs.

  It takes away the cool wind that seeps into yer bones, does it not?”

  “Aye, that it does.” Dougray reached for another piece of bread. “The bread goes well with the drink.”

  “The woman is a wonderful cook.” Murrough helped himself to a healthy portion.

  “The other day Keefe was saying the same thing,” Padrig spoke up.

  Murrough stop chewing, his eyes bore into the old man’s. “Who did ye say?”

  Padrig was good enough to repeat the name. “Keefe. Handsome devil that Keefe, sharp too.”

  “Keefe?” Murrough still could not believe he was hearing this. “Keefe has been here?”

  Everyone else had remained silent sensing how close the man was to losing his temper, but this did not stop Padrig in the least. “Aye. Haven’t I been saying as much? He seemed very interested in a woman that could cook.”

  Murrough threw a thunderous glare toward Rhiannon before he again addressed her father. “Keefe thinks he can take my woman?”

  Rhiannon had her hands on her hips. She had about enough of Murrough’s attitude and she was going to set him straight once and for all. “I belong to no man, Murrough O’Donoghue, and ye’d do best to remember it.”

  He slammed his hand on the table causing everyone’s cup to rattle in its place. “Ye deny that ye are with me? Ye deny this to all present?”

  “With the attitude ye hold, I will be sure to deny it.” Even though Rhiannon’s voice was defiant, Aislinn couldn’t help but notice her hands were trembling. “Please excuse me.” She nodded to her guests before she left the warmth of the house.

  Everyone was silent until Padrig decided to speak again, addressing Murrough, “Are ye not going after her then?”

  That was all the red-haired giant needed for encouragement; he was out the door within a few strides behind Rhiannon.

  The old man just smiled and took another large helping of the sweet bread. Aislinn glanced at Dougray from across the table and he too couldn’t help but grin. “I think ye are trying to get rid of a daughter, Padrig.”

  “Only giving it a push. I am not a young man now. I would like to know me grandchildren have a ma and a da to contend to.” The moment Padrig said the words he wished he could have bitten his tongue. “I apologize, milady.” He looked worriedly at Aislinn. “I should not have….”

  “There is no need to apologize. Please do not treat me like I’ll fall apart.

  I assure you that I will not crumble.” Padrig still didn’t look convinced. “Really, Padrig, I’m okay. I also hope to have children of my own one day.” “Neala says there is no reason that ye can’t.” Dougray reached across the table to take her hand, but she pulled away. Padrig witnessed this, but was good enough not to make a comment.

  Just when the silence was becoming unbearable, Rhiannon and Murrough burst through the door. Their beaming faces were enough to know they had already made up. “Padrig, a word with ye please.” Murrough’s voice boomed through the air.

  The old man turned in his seat. “What is this, Murrough? Have we not been conversing all afternoon?”

  “I want to ask ye for Rhiannon’s hand. We want to be wed no later than Beltane. We have waited long enough.”

  Beltane, Aislinn thought to herself as her dark eyes met Dougray’s. In just little over three months it would be their first-year anniversary. She looked up and found that Dougray was studying her. The time had finally come to decide if their marriage would continue or if they would simply go their separate ways. She dropped her gaze. When she did, Dougray couldn’t help but feel a sense of defeat. She was retreating from him. What could he hope to accomplish in a few months that he had not been able to accomplish in all the others? He would be wise to just give it up and let Aislinn move in with her uncle. Aengus had already made it perfectly clear that she would have a place with him if the marriage failed. Failed? What a horrible unforgettable word that seemed to him. He turned his attention to the happy couple. “Congratulations.” He tried to smile even though he knew his own marriage was falling apart. He rose from his seat and gave Rhiannon a hug and then to Murrough a slap on the back, which the man gratefully returned before they decided to embrace. “I am truly happy for ye, my friend.”

  Murrough looked over Dougray’s shoulder to where Aislinn was still seated. Even though Dougray was wishing him well, he could hear the anguish in those words, and by the pained expression that Aislinn wore, she was just as miserable. He knew it was not because they didn’t care for each other, but rather it was just the opposite.

  Long after Dougray and Aislinn had left, Murrough and Rhiannon went for a walk to have a moment alone. “Could ye not feel their pain?” Rhiannon began. “They care so much for each other and yet they seem to not recognize it.”

  “They have always been at each other’s throats. Maybe it will be for the best that they part company.”

  Rhiannon stopped in her tracks. “Ye do not mean it surely. They have been through so much. It is not time to give up. Is this how ye see a marriage?”

  “I wasn’t referring to how it will be with us.”

  “Really now. Do ye think that it is easy to share yer life with someone? Ye have to work at it, take the bad times with the good. It will not be all games and laughter. It will be the hardest thing ye will ever do. Only if ye have th
e courage to see it through will the rewards be granted. If ye do not know this, Murrough, then I have no wish to….” In one full sweep he brought her to him and covered her lips with his, immediately silencing her words.

  After a moment, her tirade had slipped away to be replaced with something more meaningful. She melted against him. He ended the caress, only to look at her.

  “I gladly accept the challenge,” he told her. “I do not run away from anything, Rhiannon. I love ye and I don’t take the declaration lightly. Ye will be wise to do the same.”

  “Murrough….” She seemed stunned by his outburst of devotion but most certainly pleased.

  They were nearly to the stables when Dougray decided that he could no longer remain silent. He needed some answers from Aislinn and knew he could not wait for her to be settled in her chambers. He pulled back on the reins bringing their mount to a halt.

  “Why have we stopped?” She turned to look at him. “Why do ye push away from me?”

  Her eyes widened for a moment and he thought she was going to deny it, but instead she danced around the question. “What do you mean?”

  “Back there, at the house, I reached for yer hand and ye pulled it away as if ye felt my touch diseased.”

  “I didn’t mean to…I didn’t realize I had.” She looked away. She was tired and didn’t want to discuss this. So much had happened and nothing seemed to make sense, nothing felt secure. And now in a few months of time, she would have to tell him if she still wanted to remain married to him. What frightened her more was the fact that he could also decide the fate as well.

  She knew he was there now trying to make her well, but she was also not foolish enough to think it was anything more than an obligation, his responsibility to her. His sense of honor went beyond the call, but he didn’t understand that she didn’t want his handouts or his pity. She wanted his love. She realized that Dougray was speaking again but she hadn’t registered the words. “What?” She looked at him again.

  “Ye are unhappy and I am at a loss how to change that. When the Brehon comes to ask if ye want the marriage dissolved, I will not fight it. Ye are free to go to yer uncle’s whenever ye wish.” She just stared unblinkingly at him with those dark penetrating eyes and all he could see in their depths was a lost soul. She had retreated from him as surely as if she had returned through the mist to her own time.

  She dropped her gaze before she answered him, “As you wish, my lord.” They rode the rest of the way back in silence.

  Moira had hoped the outing would have done Aislinn some good, but the woman looked simply exhausted beyond words. She helped her undress and tucked her into bed. “Is there anything ye need, A.J.?”

  “No,” she sniffled back her sob. “No, thank you,” she repeated. “A.J., what happened today?”

  “He’s going to send me away.” She turned her head into her pillow and let the tears flow. Moira rubbed her mistress’ head trying to give her some comfort. She couldn’t believe it was true. Why would milord send her away?

  “That is what she told me.” Moira repeated what Aislinn had confided in her.

  Teige and Cormac stared at each other not accepting that this was true. “Surely ye are mistaken,” Cormac decided.

  “Nay. She wept last night over the fact.”

  “It doesn’t make sense.” Teige ran his hand through his hair. Moira had stepped forward and placed her hand on his arm. He felt his body responding to her innocent touch forcing him to swallow the lump in his throat. “Ye will speak to him, will ye not?”

  Cormac was completely aware of the effect the young woman was having on his friend. He could barely keep from laughing.

  Teige stood a little taller. No matter what Moira asked of him, she had a way of making him feel like he could accomplish the impossible. “I will try.” When she smiled her blue eyes lit up with pure unadulterated devotion. He patted her arm.

  As soon as Moira had left them alone, Cormac couldn’t help but tease. “Ye will speak to him, won’t ye?” he mimicked Moira’s plea with a high- pitched voice. Teige nudged him quite annoyed with his behavior. “Teige my lad, ye must admit it.”

  “What?”

  “Ye are in love with the lass and still have done nothing about it. Why do ye wait?”

  “Moira is still young.”

  “Nay. Are we still at that again? She is of age. Me own sister was married by then expecting her first child. And let me tell ye, my friend, ye do not look at Moira as if she were a young lass.”

  Teige had the decency to blush. “I am that obvious then?”

  “Anymore obvious and I would have to protect the woman’s honor.” “Get on with ye.” He nudged him again.

  “My question is are ye going to ask milord for Moira’s hand before or after ye scold him about A.J.?”

  Teige forgot for a moment about his promise. It would not do well to make the man angry. “I don’t even know if Moira would want to marry me.”

  Cormac burst out laughing. “Surely ye jest? She only has eyes for ye. I felt near invisible, I did, when she came to make her plea.”

  Dougray looked up from his work. “Do ye remember the invitation my grandfather sent to me a while back to attend his small gathering at his place he holds in the Pale?”

  “Ye told me ye did not wish to attend.” Murrough sat forward in his seat.

  “I have changed my mind.”

  “But is it wise to be so close to where nearly all of England resides? It could be dangerous now that ye have made yer suspicions known. Even yer grandfather heard whispers and not in yer favor. Ye could be walking right into a trap.”

  “Possibly, but what better way to find out what the English are up to than

  to be right among them?”

  “But what of the threats? Do ye not fear it is from those that fancy yer loyalty lie beyond our shores? Spending time with those they do not trust will only strengthen their convictions.”

  “Maybe this will prompt our conspirator to come out into the open.”

  Teige entered the room in such a rush that Dougray came to his feet. “Has something happened?”

  “No, milord. Begging yer pardon but might I have a word with ye in private?” Teige glanced at Murrough. This was going to be difficult enough without another intimidating figure eyeing him.

  Dougray and Murrough’s gaze met with a shrug. “I was on my way out actually.” Murrough was polite enough to offer an excuse. He was already heading to the door when Dougray called after him.

  “I trust that ye will make all of the arrangements for my departure and also see to the coach for Aislinn.”

  Murrough was rather surprised. “Ye plan on taking her with ye then?”

  “Aye. It is time she come out of hiding and join the living.”

  Murrough bowed slightly and left the room, leaving Teige to face the man who could decide the outcome of his future.

  “Well, Teige, why must ye speak to me in private?” “It is about A.J…I mean Lady Aislinn.”

  “Has she become ill again?”

  “Nay, but she is under the impression that ye wish to be rid of her.” Dougray was silent for a moment wondering where she would have gotten such a ridiculous idea. He sat back down with a sigh. “I have no wish for Aislinn to leave Dunhaven, but my wife seems most unhappy here. I fear for her well being. If letting her go would make her well again, then I will grant her leave. She may not wait until the year is up to end the marriage. I will not bind her to the contract.”

  “I don’t understand why ye would let her go.”

  “We have been united for so long and nothing has changed. If anything, I have helped destroy the spirit that I had learned to love. Do not worry, Teige.

  I know ye care for her and I would never see her without someone to look after her welfare. If she so chooses, her uncle has already made the offer to take her.”

  “Pardon me for saying so, milord, but did ye not inform Murrough that ye were taking milady with ye when ye leave for
the Pale?”

  “Aye, Lord Aengus will be there and I can make all the necessary arrangements. It will do her good to be with family. Now if ye will excuse me….”

  Teige knew he was being dismissed but still he couldn’t believe what he had just heard. “Milord?”

  Dougray looked up. “Ye had something more to discuss with me?

  “A.J. is with family.” He shrugged his shoulders not willing to back down on this matter. Dougray knew it was taking great courage for the young man to speak his mind and he admired him for it.

  “I will ask ye to let me worry about Lady Aislinn’s welfare. Now if that is all ye wished to speak to me about I….”

  “There is one more thing.”

  “Go on.” He was beginning to become impatient with all this talk. “I wish to ask permission to join hands with Moira.”

  “Moira?”

  “Aye, milord. She has no one that I can speak to on this matter.”

  “She wishes this union also?”

  Teige blushed and he tugged his tunic feeling that it was beginning to choke him. “I have not asked her as of yet.”

  “I see. How old is Moira now?”

  “She is six and ten. Cormac’s sister was already married and with child by that age,” he quickly added.

  “Hmm. And ye are?” “Ten and nine, milord.”

  “Old enough to know if ye would want to take a wife. If the lass is willing, then I see no reason why the union should not take place.”

  He nearly beamed. “Thank ye, milord.”

  Teige went straight away to find Moira. He spotted her leaving Aislinn’s room. Hurrying to catch up to her, he grabbed her arm bringing her to an immediate halt. She turned a startled look at him, and he instantly dropped his hand to his side. “Sorry, Moira…I just wanted to have a moment with ye.” She looked over her shoulder at the closed door where Aislinn was resting. She supposed that a few moments would not matter. “Aye, but ye must make it quick.” She looked at him then and noticed for the first time he seemed to be gazing at her in a strange manner. “Is something amiss? Ye look distressed.”