Her lips thinning into a line of grim understanding, Rachel nodded as she poured Harley a mug of mulled wine. “I know that my telling you that I understand what you’re going thru…probably doesn’t make a difference in how your feeling. But I really do know what you’re feeling right now….and I promise you, it will get better.”
Pulling apart a small loaf of bread, Harley frowned as she took a bite. Chewing thoughtfully, she hesitantly sipped at her wine, washing down the bit of crust before she spoke. “What did Aveline mean? About Ronan being the one destined to help me since he’d released me from this…this locket?”
Steepling her fingers under her chin, Rachel’s eyes narrowed as she studied Harley’s face. “Have you ever thought about magic…or the mysteries that can’t seem to be explained?”
Tearing off another small bite of bread, Harley paused with the bite halfway to her mouth. “Up until now…I’d think you were either crazy or one of those new age fanatics that always ranting and raving on television.”
Popping the bite of bread in her mouth, she gazed around the room, sweeping her hand to encompass all her surroundings. “But I think I’m going to have to rethink my current belief system….because my mind has been forcibly changed.”
Smiling, Rachel nodded in agreement as she poured herself a mug of wine. “A wise decision…and since you said that, I don’t mind sharing with you what Aveline meant by what she said.” Settling herself back in her chair, she propped her elbows against the arms, balancing the mug between her hands.
“I have been gifted with the ability to connect with the mystical energies. As have my three sons…and my daughter. With this ability, we are able to see…and do things…that others cannot...and it’s viewing Ronan’s destiny to which Aveline referred.”
Curling her legs under her, Harley clutched her mug in both hands as her eyes widened at Rachel’s words. “His destiny? You mean you saw his future?”
Tilting her head to one side, Rachel thoughtfully chewed on her lower lip as she searched for the words to explain. “It’s more like viewing brief snippets of thoughts and emotion. I searched the scrying mists to help him find his way.”
“And his way…..was to me?” Peering over the rim of her mug, Harley felt herself relaxing as the warm spicy wine flowed thru her veins.
“More…or less. It’s difficult to explain. What I saw was that your and Ronan’s aura’s were entwined.” Watching Harley carefully to see how she’d take this news, Rachel returned her mug to the tray.
“Our aura’s….entwined…I know what I’ve read about aura’s…but would you mind sharing your definition with me?” Hugging her empty mug to her chest, Harley could feel her eyelids growing heavy. She’d never been able to tolerate alcohol in any amount. It would knock her out quicker than the weakest anesthesia.
Noticing Harley’s drooping eyelids and the bobbing of her head, Rachel shook her head as she stood and held out a hand to help Harley from her chair. “We’ll talk of that another time. For now…I think we’d best be getting you into the bed.”
Stifling a yawn, Harley shook her head as she raised her hands in protest. “No…I want to know about aura’s…or at least about mine and Ronan’s. How could you see my aura when I wasn’t even here?”
Inhaling deeply, Rachel pulled at Harley’s arm, leading her toward the bed as she would a recalcitrant child. “We are all connected….all a part of the energies of the universe. No matter in what time we reside.”
Finally giving up and pulling her feet under the covers, Harley sank into the welcoming pillows. “So…even though I was far into the future….you still saw Ronan’s aura and mine were…connected?” Rubbing her eyes with both hands, Harley struggled to stay awake. She needed to hear more….to prepare for what lie ahead.
“Have you…ever….seen other aura’s…entwined…as you called it? Connected like mine and Ronan’s?”
Nodding, Rachel watched Harley finally lose the battle against sleep. Her eyes finally closed completely and didn’t struggle to reopen.
“Yes…I’ve seen aura’s so connected just one other time….when I looked at mine and Caelan’s.”
*******
Her hands held out before her, Aveline smiled as she watched the images flickering in the blue haze floating just above the palms of her hands. She didn’t care what the others said. She knew she was doing the right thing.
Hearing footsteps approaching from down the hall, Aveline quickly dropped her hands to disrupt her spell. She was already in enough trouble with her mother without having her spell casting with no supervision discovered.
As soon as the door opened and she saw the look on her mother’s face, Aveline knew she was in for an extended lecture. She’d seen that look enough times to know that the best thing she could do was to say as little as possible.
Rachel eyed her daughter with exasperation, wondering for the hundredth time how to get thru to the impossibly gifted child. “Aveline, how many times have we discussed the need to watch what we say when it comes to anything involving our mystical gifts?”
Her eyes downcast, Aveline stared at her feet as she tried to choose words that wouldn’t further stir her mother’s wrath. “I just thought that since Harley came from the future, she wouldn’t find what I said so shocking. I thought it might ease her along the way.”
Folding her arms over her chest, Rachel inhaled deeply as she shook her head. “Just because young Harley is from the year 2008 doesn’t mean she’s any more accepting of the supernatural then the people of this century. It’s going to be difficult for Harley to fit into this time. From what I gather, she was somewhat of a loner and didn’t rely on anyone but herself. In this age, very few women can assume that persona….and live long enough to tell about it.”
“But she doesn’t have to be alone! All she has to do is accept Ronan….and I know he’ll be happy with her!” Her eyes widening slightly, Aveline bit her lip as she realized she’d said more then she should.
Narrowing her eyes, Rachel crossed the room quickly, shaking her finger in time with each word she spoke. “What have you seen? And what have I told you about practicing scrying without the protection of another in the room!”
Backing away from her mother, Aveline threw up her hands as she tried to defend what she’d done. “I just took one quick look into the mists. Nothing bothered me at all….I thought I might be able to find a way to help them….sort of….move along into what’s meant to be.”
“I’ve told you the visions absolutely cannot be used to manipulate people down a certain path.” Her face reddening with irritation, Rachel paced the length of the room as she continued venting her exasperation. “You never know if what you’re seeing is what is to be…or what could be…and at what cost the action has come to be. Don’t you realize that you could unknowingly cause your brother harm without knowing what lies just outside of the border of your vision? You could send him down the pathway to complete destruction without knowing the entire effect of what you put into play. One action is like throwing a rock into a pond, the ripples are far and wide reaching!”
Swallowing hard, Aveline’s lower lip began trembling. She’d never thought about her abilities in quite that way. She’d never in her life do anything to cause her brother harm or unhappiness. She only wanted him settled so, that maybe he’d stay home more and not be constantly away at sea. She missed him terribly whenever he was gone. He left a void in the family that she found almost impossible to bear.
“I’m sorry, Mama,” she whispered, staring down at the floor. But it was too late for her actions to be undone.
Closing her eyes, Rachel rubbed a weary hand across her forehead. From the look on Aveline’s face, it must be worse then she feared.
“Tell me what you’ve done, Aveline. Maybe together we can make sure nothing goes awry.”
CHAPTER FOUR
Harley woke to the sound of someone moving about the room, their footsteps softly scuffling along the furs covering the flo
or. Opening her eyes, she studied the narrow back of an older woman setting a breakfast tray on the table by the hearth. Slowly scooting herself up in the bed, Harley wrapped her arms around her knees as she hugged them to her chest.
“Good morning,” she ventured, her mouth watering from the scent of warm scones wafting across the room.
“Ah…ye be awake! Good morning to ye, Miss.” Bobbing her head, as she barely turned from preparing a plate, the woman waived a buttery knife in the air as she spoke. “My name is Ellen and I’ll be the one to take care of ye whenever ye should be needing anything.”
Take care of her? That made her sound like either an invalid or a child. She was going to have to get thru to the MacKay’s that she was perfectly capable of taking care of herself. Easing out of bed, Harley peered around the woman at the tray overflowing with food.
“It’s good to meet you, Ellen. You can call me Harley…and surely all of this isn’t just for me?”
“Aye…every bit of it is for ye, Mistress. Ye’re entirely too thin and winter will be upon us before ye know it.” Her eyes running up and down Harley’s lithe frame, Ellen clucked her tongue in stern reprimand of what she felt to be Harley’s neglect of her health. “Your waist is so narrow, I’ll have to take every dress in by at least a full hand’s breadth! And look at those wee arms! Why for one so tall, ye’re no bigger around then my wee granddaughter of barely ten and two.”
“I’m perfectly healthy….and I’ve been this size for years…no matter how much I eat.”
Harley plucked a buttery scone from the plate then settled into a nearby chair curling her long legs beneath her. “My father used to tell me that I was a panther in a past life….and I carried the lean look into this one.”
Tilting her head to one side, Ellen nodded in agreement as she added more honey to a cup of tea. “With those golden eyes of yours, ye do look a bit like the sleek lions that are woven into the tapestry in the main hall.”
Handing the cup of tea to Harley, Ellen bobbed her head in time with every word. “But ye still need to eat. As I said, winter is coming and if there be any way to add a bit of meat to your bones…then I intend to do it.”
Sinking her teeth into the rich buttery scone, Harley nearly purred at the delicious taste. Maybe she could allow herself to be taken care of for just a bit. Sipping her tea, she wrinkled her nose as she quickly set it back on the tray. “Ellen….I appreciate your taking such an interest in fattening me up…but I think a gallon of honey is a bit much for one cup of tea.” Brushing the crumbs from her face, Harley smacked her lips as she tried to get the overly sweet taste from her mouth.
“Hmmmphf!” Ellen dismissed Harley’s statement with a shrug. Her mind firmly set on increasing the span of Harley’s body by at least a dress size or two.
“Ye’ll find a dress hanging upon the screen that Mistress Rachel thought ye might be able to wear. I’ve already filled the pitcher and left ye a towel and soap so ye might have a bit of a wash.”
Walking behind the screen where Ellen directed, Harley’s brows rose nearly to her hairline at the sight of the chamber pot setting atop the cabinet. Great. An indoor outhouse. But what did she expect from the fifteenth century? Turning, she found the pitcher and bowl that this era had designated to be her sink. Pouring some water into the bowl, Harley gritted her teeth and shivered as she shed her clothes.
Discovering just how drafty a castle in Scotland could be, Harley didn’t tarry overly long in her ablutions. Knotting her long dark hair at the back of her neck, she quickly toweled herself dry. Pulling the dress from the hook on the wall, Harley inhaled deeply as she slipped it over her head. A deep bloody crimson, the dress fell perfectly into place, accentuating each and every curve. Pulling the laces tightly across her chest, Harley frowned as her breasts swelled dangerously close to the neckline. Loosening the stays, she shoved herself down into the gown, as she tried hitching the dress farther up to hide her décolleté.
Emerging from behind the screen, Harley was intent on tying the neckline into a perfect bow. She didn’t realize Ronan had entered the room until she nearly butted him with her bent head.
“What are you doing in here? Did you ever think of knocking or is that something they don’t do until the next century?!” Her cheeks flaming, Harley took a step back as she nervously smoothed the front of her dress.
Ronan couldn’t find his voice. He’d been struck dumb as soon as she’d come from around the screen. The rich red of the garment perfectly set off her golden skin and her breasts were still a temptation no matter how Harley had tried to keep them hidden. Her silky black hair was pulled away from her face, accentuating the high cheekbones that were aflame with emotion. Her honey colored eyes were snapping like flames of a newly lit fire, stoked with her irritation. The longer he was silent, the more her chest heaved…threatening to push her firm bosoms even farther over the silken braid surrounding her neckline.
“Well? What do you want?” Stamping her bare foot in irritation, Harley finally broke Ronan from his daze.
Clearing his throat, he pulled himself up, standing his full six and half feet. “I did knock. Mistress Ellen let me into the room.” Pointing to her feet, he cocked one brow as he barely suppressed a grin.
“Ye’ll be a might chilly traipsing about the castle in bare feet. But I must say ye look quite lovely in your gown.”
“I wasn’t finished getting ready,” Harley replied thru clenched teeth. “It would seem I was rudely interrupted before I’d completed dressing.”
Slightly bowing at the waist, Ronan spread his hands in apology. “Forgive me for intruding.” Bending to one knee, he picked up a pair of soft leather slippers and held out an inviting hand.
“Allow me to help ye on with your shoes and then I’d be most happy to give ye a tour of the grounds.”
Holding out her hand, Harley shook her head as she haughtily marched to stand in front of him. “Give me the shoes. I don’t need your help.”
His turn to shake his head, Ronan held the shoes just out of her reach with a sly glint in his eye. “Nay, Lass. Ye must allow me this retribution. For ye think me some unscrupulous cad. Allow me to fit the wee slippers upon your feet and then we’ll be on our way.”
Clenching her teeth, Harley huffed in irritation as she flounced down upon the couch at the end of the bed. Holding out her foot, she fixed him with a venomous glare as she folded her arms across her chest.
Staring straight into her lethal stare, Ronan kneeled at Harley’s feet. Cradling her tiny foot in his massive hand, he methodically swirled his thumb in a mesmerizing circle around her ankle. Sliding the shoe on her foot, he hypnotically held her gaze with his own. He continued barely touching the back of her leg, his fingertips leaving a burning trail wherever they touched.
Slowly lowering that foot to the floor, Ronan’s eyes never left Harley’s as he slid his hand in a soft caress along the top of her other foot. He smiled to himself as he watched her lips part, the tip of her tongue wetting her lips as her breath quickened.
Picking up on his amusement thru the haze of his mesmerizing touch, Harley snatched her foot out of his hand. “Thank you. Now, I believe you promised me a tour of the grounds?”
Leaning forward to rest his hands on either side of her, Ronan drew his face closer to hers. Noticing the color growing even darker on her cheeks, he held his mouth a hair’s breadth away from her face. “Aye…I promise I’ll keep ye close to my side….as lovely as ye look right now.”
Suspicion flickering in her eyes, Harley’s lips pressed tightly into a firm line of resolution. Pushing against his shoulders, she placed one of her feet meaningfully on the ground between his legs as she slowly dug her thumbs into the soft indentations just above his collar bone.
“Don’t even think about it, MacKay. You’ll find I’m not a helpless wench.”
His lips slowly curling to one side in amusement, Ronan slightly bowed his head as he lifted his hands from her sides. “As ye wish….but I promise ye,
Harley. I’d never make the mistake of considering ye helpless.”
Pushing past him to the door, Harley jutted her chin in the air. How dare he treat her like some female that only existed to melt in his arms! She’d made the mistake of being vulnerable once. She’d never go down that road again. Patting her foot impatiently, she crossed her arms over her chest. “Well…are you coming or not?”
With a smug glint in his eye, Ronan proffered his arm, waiting for her to take it. He could tell by her angrily flashing eyes that she’d much rather break his arm then join it with her own. It appeared this woman from the future was going to be a challenge….a test not only of his patience…but of his ability to overcome her suspicious mind.
Inhaling deeply to gain a handle on her mounting irritation, Harley grudgingly hooked her arm into his. She only had to play this game for a short time. Just until she was out on her own. Perhaps while Ronan was showing her around this morning, she’d figure out a way to push him off the top of the wall.
*******
Ronan led Harley all over the castle and then out onto the grounds. Perhaps if he showed her how life really was in the 1400’s , she’d come to realize that his family’s offer of protection was something she should strongly consider. His gaze settling briefly on the tantalizing mounds of her bosoms swelling at the neck of her gown; Ronan was also determined that she remember she need never be alone.
“My eyes are up here.” Said eyes were narrowed as Harley caught Ronan appraising her chest for the umpteenth time during their tour of the keep. Apparently, the century didn’t matter. A man’s eyes always landed on a woman’s chest first, no matter how many times he looked at her.
“And beautiful eyes they are.” Ronan didn’t miss a beat, smiling his most disarming smile. “Here we have the stables of Clan MacKay. Have ye ever ridden a horse?” Changing the subject to a more neutral topic, Ronan held open the door as Harley stepped inside.
A Heartbeat Back to the Highlands Page 7
