by Katy Baker
Aunt Helen sighed. "Yes, I suppose you’re right. Nathan?"
Uncle Nathan shrugged. "I'm game if you are."
Aunt Helen sucked in a big breath and then blew it out. "Well, I always said I wanted another adventure before I got too old. Seems I should have been careful what I wished for! Come on then, before I change my mind."
Lucy gave them both a quick hug and then took Andrew's hand as they followed Irene to the door. To Lucy's surprise, she didn't turn down the street towards the bandstand but instead took them into the back yard. Lucy glanced at Andrew, puzzled, but he just shook his head, as nonplussed as Lucy did.
Irene led them to the unused area at the back where Uncle Nathan saved his 'recycling' material. This was mostly junk he'd collected over the years that he swore would one day come in handy: a pile of bricks, some old fence panels, a wrought-iron gate that looked like it had once belonged on some grand mansion.
And a tall trelliswork archway almost overgrown by ivy.
Irene halted beside this. "Here we are. All ye have to do is walk through the arch and ye'll be where ye started. And if ye wish to return, ye can do so the same way."
The old archway seemed so innocuous and unassuming. Who would have guessed at its true power? Lucy glanced at Andrew who gave her an encouraging nod. She looked at Uncle Nathan and Aunt Helen who’d both gone as white as sheets.
Then she walked through the archway.
Her feet hit the flagstones of the little church, her boots echoing in the chamber. She quickly moved out of the way to make room for the others. Andrew staggered through behind her, wincing in pain as the movement jolted his damaged ribs. She helped him slump onto one of the pews just as Aunt Helen and Uncle Nathan appeared in the tiny room. They looked around wide-eyed.
A single candle was burning on the altar in the church, although it had almost burned down to nothing. Early morning sunlight was filtering through the rose window, illuminating the interior in a mosaic of colors and patterns.
"Welcome to Scotland," Andrew said to Nathan and Helen. "And welcome to my time. Come, if we hurry we should be back at Dun Arnwick in time for lunch."
Outside Snowflake was still tethered, and Andrew's Firefly beside her. Both horses were drowsing, their heads held low to the ground.
"She was as good as her word," Lucy said. "Irene sent us back to almost the exact moment we left."
"Aye," Andrew agreed. "The fae may be tricky and meddlesome but once made, they keep their word."
Aunt Helen and Uncle Nathan emerged from the church, blinking in the light. Birds chirruped up on the roof and a soft breeze made the long grasses dance.
"Oh my," Aunt Helen breathed, looking around. "This is beautiful."
“Aye,” Andrew said. “Although ye may not think so after a good Highland storm. I canna ride with my injuries. Ye three mount up and I’ll lead the horses.”
“I’ll walk with you,” Lucy said, taking his hand.
“And if you two are walking that’s good enough for us,” Uncle Nathan said, eyeing the horses dubiously.
So they set off, Andrew leading Firefly, Lucy leading Snowflake. They made their way up the path and soon topped the rise. The ocean spread out beside them, sparkling in the early morning sunlight.
It was a long walk back to Dun Arnwick but a pleasant one. The morning was glorious and Lucy took the time to enjoy it. Boy, it felt good to be back. And it felt even better having the three most important people in the world walking beside her.
Finally, near midday they came in sight of Dun Arnwick’s headland. The tide was out and there were people down on the beach picking mussels. They looked up as Andrew led the way down the trail and many waved. Andrew called for them to run up to the castle to let them know the laird was on his way back.
So, by the time they reached Dun Arnwick's gates, a party had gathered to greet them. Mona and Dougie were standing at the front, Ewan and Gretchen Murray by their side. Annis and Donal stood behind them, Annis holding tight to Jamie's hand. This did no good though. The moment he spotted Lucy, Jamie twisted out of her grip and came pelting towards them.
"Lady Lucy!" he called. "I told them ye'd come back! I did!"
Lucy chuckled and swept Jamie into an embrace.
"Oh, I've missed you, Jamie!"
He gave her a quizzical look. "But ye've only been gone overnight!"
Lucy laughed for joy and hugged him even tighter. Ewan approached Andrew and clapped him on the shoulder.
"So, it seems ye found what ye went looking for, my old friend. I'm mighty glad to see it."
"Aye," Andrew replied. He gestured to Uncle Nathan and Aunt Helen. "I'd like to introduce ye all to Nathan and Helen, Lucy's kin. They are here for the wedding."
Mona and Annis shared a look then rushed forward. "Wedding?" Mona asked. "Did I hear that aright?"
"You did," Lucy said. "I will soon be Andrew’s wife!"
"I canna believe it!" Annis gasped. "It's the best news we've had in ages!" She wrapped her arms around Lucy and held her tight.
"Come on," Mona said, stepping back. Her voice took on its usual no-nonsense tone. "Dougie, see that Lady Helen and Lord Nathan are given the best guest chamber we have. Jamie, Laurie, take the horses to the stables. Donal, go inform the garrison that the laird has returned. Everyone else, follow me inside. We've got a wedding to plan!"
Aunt Helen fell into step beside Mona as they made their way into the castle. The two women were already deep in conversation—about plans for the wedding no doubt. Andrew shot Lucy a grin.
“Why do I get the feeling we’ll have very little say about this wedding of ours, love?”
“I have the same feeling.”
With a laugh, Andrew took her hand and led her up the steps to the keep.
She was home.
“ARE YOU READY?" UNCLE Nathan asked. He was wearing the Harris plaid Andrew had given him along with an ornate ceremonial dagger strapped to his side. He looked quite dashing, a refined Highland noble rather than a twenty-first century mechanic.
Lucy smiled and gave him a peck on the cheek. “Ready.”
Uncle Nathan held out his arm and Lucy took it. She ought to be nervous. After all, weren’t all brides nervous on their wedding day? But the truth was Lucy felt only excitement. It was as though she stood by a doorway that was slightly ajar. On the other side of the doorway a new exciting life waited and Lucy was just about to push the door open and step through.
Annis took up the train of Lucy’s dress. She’d jumped at the opportunity to be Lucy’s maid of honor and there was nobody else Lucy would rather have in that role. She wore a beautiful flowing blue dress a shade lighter than Lucy’s own and the two complemented each other beautifully.
“Laird Andrew willnae know what’s hit him,” Annis said. “Ye do look truly beautiful, Lucy.”
Lucy beamed at her friend. “I sure hope so. It’s taken hours to get ready! If he doesn’t notice he’ll regret it!”
Annis laughed. She knew all too well how long it had taken. Along with Aunt Helen and Mona, Annis had spent many an hour with Lucy planning the wedding down to the finest detail and helping with the making of the dresses. Lucy hoped she might soon be able to return the favor for her friend. After all, she and Donal were spending more and more time together and the talk of the castle was when the second wedding of the year would take place.
Annis pulled the door open and the three of them swept into the corridor. The path from Lucy's room to the Great Hall had been strewn with flower petals. Jamie, Laurie, and the other children had taken this duty very seriously and Lucy almost felt guilty for treading on the beautiful rose and lily petals.
As she descended the steps by Uncle Nathan’s side, the nerves finally began to kick in. Her fingers tightened around her uncle’s arm and he gave her a reassuring smile. She could hear the hum of conversation coming from below indicating that a great many people awaited her appearance. As she stepped into the hall, the crowd turned to look at her. There wa
s a murmur of appreciation.
Lucy found her eyes drawn down the aisle to its far end, to the one person, the only person that really mattered today.
Andrew was waiting under the fireplace. Ewan Murray stood next to him and the priest he’d invited to conduct the ceremony waited patiently with a smile on his face. But Lucy only had eyes for Andrew. Like all the men in the room—even Ewan who wasn’t of the clan—he was dressed in the Harris plaid. It swathed his body, leaving his legs bare below the knee and exposing the white linen shirt he wore underneath. He wore a ceremonial dagger just like Uncle Nathan's and his hair framed his face in soft waves.
His eyes found and held her. Even from this distance, she felt the power of his gaze like a magnet. Love swelled in her heart. She’d only been apart from him for a few hours but already she’d missed him. Andrew was the other half of her and today they would become one.
The musicians—the same ones who had originally played for Laird Garrick and who Lucy had played with at the summer fair—struck up a tune. Uncle Nathan began walking her down the aisle. People murmured their good wishes as she swept by and blessings for her and Andrew's future. Aunt Helen, Mona, Dougie and Gretchen Murray sat in places at the front of the gathering. The women, Lucy saw, already had tears in their eyes. She gave them a smile as she passed.
They finally reached the end of the aisle. Uncle Nathan gave her an encouraging smile then handed her over to her husband-to-be. Lucy took her place beside Andrew. He gazed down at her with shining eyes.
The priest stepped forward. "Are ye ready?"
Andrew took Lucy's hand and squeezed it. "Ready.”
Lucy squeezed it back. "Ready."
The ceremony passed quickly. Each word she said felt like a cord binding her and Andrew together, bonding them to each other for all time. She listened intently as Andrew said his words, promising that he would never leave her side, always protect her, always honor her.
Then it was done and the priest was announcing them married and Andrew was leaning down and kissing her deeply enough to make her toes curl. The crowd burst into rapturous applause.
Andrew finally broke the kiss and pressed his forehead against hers, "Lucy Harris," he breathed. "My wife. I like the sound of that."
“Lucy Jennings-Harris,” she corrected with a smile. "Hmm. I like the sound of that too.”
He gave her one of his heart-stopping grins. "Ye are mine, love. We are each other’s. I canna believe it. I feel like this is a dream and I’ll wake up in a minute. Do ye have any idea of how much I love ye, Lucy Jennings-Harris?”
"I think maybe I do. But that doesn’t mean you can stop showing me."
“I’ll show ye all right, love. Just ye wait until I get ye into our marriage bed tonight.”
The hunger in his gaze sent heat washing through her body. She wished they could retire to their chamber right now but it would be many hours before the clan was done with them. Aunt Helen and Mona rushed over to congratulate the new couple and Lucy found herself deluged by hugs and kisses and congratulations.
Mona formally curtsied to Andrew and Lucy. "My lord, my lady, if it please ye I would like to invite ye to yer wedding feast."
Andrew laughed and startled Mona by giving her a kiss on the cheek. "Aye, Mona. That would please us very much!”
The castle cooks outdid themselves. The feast was truly one to remember with traditional and more modern dishes that Aunt Helen had introduced. Lucy and Andrew sat together at the head table flanked by their closest family and friends.
Uncle Nathan and Dougie were engaged in a heated debate about the best way to catch trout. Andrew and Ewan were reminiscing over a dram of whisky. Annis, Mona, Gretchen and Aunt Helen were discussing how to introduce twenty-first century sanitation and medical techniques to the clan. Lucy sat back and took it all in. Her heart swelled with joy. These were her people now. Her family, her friends. She was home.
"What is it, love?" Andrew asked. "Ye are looking thoughtful."
"I was just enjoying the moment. And thinking that even though Dun Arnwick is so far removed from my own time, it's not so very different after all."
He smiled. "No, not so very different. People are people. Family is family, no matter what time and place ye come from.” A look of sadness swept across his features.
“Your family would be proud of you," Lucy said, guessing what he was thinking. "You know that, right?"
He nodded. "Aye. I wish they could have been here though. My mother would have enjoyed organizing today and my father would have been proud to welcome ye into the clan. He always wanted a daughter.” He gave her a wry smile. "Although I'll soon have my own family filling this room willnae I? Our bairns will be the strongest and healthiest in the Highlands.”
“Steady on!” she laughed. “One step at a time!”
But she was only teasing. In truth, nothing would make her happier than bearing Andrew's children. She was a little surprised by that thought. Back in the twenty-first century, although she had enjoyed having children around, she’d never considered having her own. All that changed when Andrew won her heart.
He gave her a roguish smile. “And we can begin making them tonight.”
Lucy’s cheeks flushed. “Andrew Harris, you need to learn to behave yourself!”
“Not when ye are around, love. Ye knock all the sense right out of my head.”
Someone cleared their throat and Lucy looked up to see Samuel, the leader of the musicians standing there holding his lute. He bowed.
"My laird, my lady," he said. "I would like to add my congratulations on yer special day." Then he smiled at Lucy. "And to make a request. Would ye care to play with us, my lady?"
Lucy's eyes lit up. "Would I? Just try and stop me!" She climbed to her feet and hurried around the table to the area at the back of the hall where the musicians had set up. Samuel handed her his lute and she took her place.
"How about some rowdy tunes to get them worked up?" Samuel asked.
"Perfect!" Lucy grinned.
There was a brief discussion and then they struck up a tune. Everyone in the hall stopped talking to listen. Some seemed a little bemused by the bride joining in with the entertainment but most laughed and clapped along with the music. Samuel sung the first few verses but Lucy, having learned most of these songs during her time in Scotland, took up the song half way through.
As the song finished the audience began clapping. Lucy grinned at her fellow musicians. She stepped to the front and said in a loud voice, "You all know this next one. It's called Auld Sweet Rosie. And I expect to see you all up and dancing. Bride's orders!" She lifted her chin and called, "Dougie, Rory—get up here! We're reforming our band!"
Dougie and Rory needed no further encouragement. Rory borrowed a fiddle from one of the musicians and Dougie gathered up his spoons. When everyone was ready, they launched into a rendition of Auld Sweet Rosie.
It had the desired effect. Mona was the first to her feet, pulling Uncle Nathan up with her. To Lucy's surprise, Andrew followed, offering his hand to Aunt Helen. Ewan and Gretchen joined them and then people were rising from tables all around the hall and making their way to the dance floor.
Jamie came pelting over from where he'd been sitting with Laurie's family. "Will ye teach me to play, Lady Lucy?" he cried over the sound of the music. "I want to be a musician like ye!"
Lucy laughed. "I'd love to. But you have to practice every day. It's hard work learning an instrument."
Jamie fairly beamed. "I promise!" Then he sped off to join in the dancing.
Lucy watched him go. The usual contentment when she played her music began to ease through her system. But this time it was different. This time it brought a satisfaction she'd never experienced before. And, she realized, she was having the time of her life. It was fun to watch Andrew dancing with Aunt Helen. It was satisfying to see Jamie and the rest of the children enjoying themselves. It was fulfilling to be able to bring such enjoyment to her people.
She
found herself laughing as she played. Laughing for the sheer joy of it. This was right. This was where and when she was meant to be.
Thank you, Irene, she thought. I owe you one.
Later in the evening, after they'd played several more numbers and Lucy had danced with just about everyone in the hall, Andrew caught her on the dance floor with Uncle Nathan and gave a bow.
"Would ye mind if I borrow my lady for a wee while?" he asked.
Uncle Nathan smiled. "I wouldn't mind in the least, son. In fact, these old feet of mine are sorely in need of a rest!"
As Uncle Nathan stepped away, Andrew took Lucy in his arms. They swayed gently to the soft ballad Samuel and the others were playing.
"Have ye enjoyed yerself, love?"
"It's been the best day of my life. I couldn't have wished for anything better."
"I'm glad, love. I wanted ye to have a day to remember." He winked at her. "And perhaps, if ye are ready, a night to remember as well?"
She gazed up at him. God, he was so gorgeous. The most amazing man she'd ever met. And he was hers, all hers. Forever.
Desire flashed in his eyes. Then, before she could utter another word, he scooped her into his arms and carried her to the stairs. A chorus of whooping and cheering followed them as Andrew carried her up the stairs to his chamber. To their chamber.
He kicked the door open and carried her over the threshold. Then he put her down gently. Lucy rested her palms against his broad chest and gazed up at her husband. Andrew stared back with an intensity that made her pulse hammer in her throat. There was a world of implications in that gaze.
Without a word, he began to undress her. He moved slowly, deliberately as he untied the laces on her dress. His fingers lightly brushed her skin and Lucy shivered with anticipation. He stepped behind and pushed the dress off her shoulders. The soft fabric slid down her body and pooled on the floor at her feet.
Andrew shifted closer. His arms circled around her pulling her hard against him. A low hiss escaped Lucy as she felt his manhood pressing against her backside through his plaid. Oh Lord, he was as ready as she was. Andrew’s lips brushed her skin, laying tiny kisses across her shoulders and the nape of her neck. At this touch tingles of something like electricity sent goose bumps riding over her skin. Lucy’s eyes slid closed as she lost herself in the sensation.
