A Love Through Time

by TERRI BRISBIN

  "So, you know nothing about this? How it came to be arranged?"

  "None, David. I've been here with you for five years with nary a word to or from my clan. What do you think this means?" Sandy held out the letter.

  The king took the parchment back and rolled it up tightly. Handing it to a servant, David cleared the room with a sweep of his hand.

  "The MacNab is marrying his beloved only daughter to the heir of the clan MacKendimen in a fortnight. The MacNab is apparently unaware that the heir of the MacKendimens stands before me here in London and is not in... What's the name of your clan's town?"

  "Dunnedin."

  "Dunnedin. I was going to send my own messenger, but perhaps you would prefer to see to this on your own?"

  "Aye, I would. With your permission, of course." Alesander made a courtier's bow to the king.

  "You have my permission and an escort from Edward to the Scottish borders. Take several of your soldier friends with you as well, and discover what is going on at your home. I will have letters prepared to ease your way. Get to the bottom of this."

  "Aye, David, I will." Sandy backed up several steps in respect, turned, and strode for the door.

  "And, Sandy, my friend?" He paused at the raised voice and faced his sovereign. "Come back to serve me here when you have discovered the truth."

  "Shall I return with the MacNab wench at my side, sire?"

  "Nay, Sandy. There are still too many good English wenches we have not tried yet. Your wife at court may be a constraint on our good times."

  "As you command. I will return posthaste and unbridled by a wife." He winked at David and continued, "for if I do not, you'll wear out all the good wenches alone!"

  The king's loud laughter and Sandy's steps echoed through the chamber and halls as the heir of the MacKendimen left for home.

  Chapter 22

  "Stay away from her, Alex."

  The soft words of warning brought him to a halt. Rachelle stood next to the bed like a lioness protecting an injured cub. He looked past her and saw that Maggie was sleeping, her breaths coming deep and even, no frown of pain on her brow or face. Then he locked gazes with Rachelle.

  "She said ye had changed." Rachelle tilted her head in Maggie's direction. "But, from the looks of things, ye are still the bully who left here nigh onto five years ago, Alex MacKendimen." Her raised chin, crossed arms, and defiant expression were meant to insult him more than her words.

  He stepped closer to her and her answering backstep brought her legs up against the bed. This was no wilting flower; this Rachelle was every bit enough woman to protect her friend. A smile turned up the corners of his mouth.

  "Nay, Rachelle, I am different in ways ye canna even imagine from the Alex MacKendimen who left here with the king."

  She snorted in reply, so much like Brodie's sound that Alex laughed.

  "I will let ye in on our secret," Alex tipped his head in the sleeping woman's direction, "I didna lay a hand on her yesterday, nor did she feel the bite of my leather belt."

  "I do not believe ye, Alex. Maggie was overcome with pain when I found her this morn."

  "From her head, Rachelle, not her back. Her back is unblemished by my hand."

  Rachelle looked back and forth between the two, and it was clear she didn't know what to believe. But she hadn't relaxed her stance or let him closer to Maggie.

  "My only sin was in not recognizing how ill she was this morn before I left her. I came now to see to her." After a delay of several seconds, Rachelle relented and stepped aside enough for him to take a closer look, and he noticed how pale Maggie was, even in sleep. He sat on the side of the bed and leaned to her, pressing a kiss on her forehead. "No fever, that's good."

  "Maggie asked me to go to Moira for a potion. When she said the pains in her head had made her ill, I..." Rachelle paused and swallowed, "I thought ye had struck her there as well as on her back."

  Alex shook his head in denial. Damn, but the real Alex was no man he wanted to be compared with. An uncaring bully, a cruel and undisciplined lecher. A great heir for the MacKendimens. No wonder Struan had sent him away.

  "I didna strike her. I willna raise my hand to her or any other woman in anger, Rachelle."

  Rachelle stepped soundlessly to the door. "I will leave ye then. Moira said she should sleep the day and night through. Call on me if ye need anything for her, Alex."

  "Rachelle." She paused at her name. "Can ye look in on her later? Before the evening meal? I may not get back here until then."

  "Aye, Alex, I will see to her for ye."

  "Rachelle, ye have my thanks. For this and for being her friend."

  Rachelle's fair cheeks blossomed with color as she smiled and pulled the door closed. Alex smoothed back the loose tendrils of Maggie's hair and tucked the covers a bit tighter around her. He pressed his lips again to her forehead and whispered to her.

  "Sleep, Maggie. Get yer strength back. I fear ye will need it for what we are to face here."

  Straightening up, he walked to the door, and after one final check, he left the chamber.

  * * *

  The first thing she noticed as she fought to open her eyes was that she was so warm and comfortable that maybe she didn't want to wake from her sleep. The second thing was the rhythmic snoring, low and metered, that came from behind her and entered her ear. Her breathing began to pace itself with the inhalations and exhalations. The next thing she realized was that an arm and a leg were wrapped around her in the tangle of sheets and held her firmly in place. Alex's arm encircled her tightly at the waist, and his hand rested across her breasts. His leg lay across hers, anchoring her firmly at his side.

  It was when she noticed that those limbs and everything else pressed against her were naked that she really woke up.

  "Alex. Alex!”

  "Hmmm." He mumbled an answer to her call.

  "What are you doing?"

  "Weel, Maggie, I'm trying to get some sleep. What are ye doing?"

  He had not moved a muscle so, to get his attention, she did. Unfortunately, when she wiggled her bottom against his groin, he moaned and came awake, his body reacting quickly to her movements.

  "Maggie, unless it's an invitation ye are makin, I wouldna move too much more like that."

  Without regard for the condition of her head, Maggie scurried out from under the covers and knelt at the bottom of the bed. Pulling the twisted linen shirt from around her waist, she smoothed it down the length of her thighs, covering her limbs. Her hair had come loose from her braid and fell in waves over her shoulders. Alex sat up, finally awake, but thankfully, still under the bedcovers.

  "Alex, what were you thinking?"

  "Weel, lass, I do not think I was thinking at all." He dragged his hands through his sleep-bedraggled hair and rubbed his half-opened eyes. "I think I was asleep and comfortable. Were ye hiving a bad dream?"

  "No. I woke up and found you wrapped around me. I didn't expect it, that's all." She crawled back toward the pillows.

  "I am sorry, Maggie, if I scared ye. My body just haes a mind of its own when I am asleep. I'll try to stay on my side of the bed from now on."

  "You're not wearing anything."

  "I guess I got too warm and took it off." He reached over the side of the bed to the floor and grabbed at the fallen shirt. As she got settled back under the covers, he yanked the covering over his head and chest. Without glancing at her, he slid back under the covers and turned on his side, away from her.

  Silence filled the chamber as Maggie sought a new comfortable position. She was a little embarrassed by her reaction to waking in his arms. Feeling his skin, naked and hot against hers had caused an ache to form in her center. His erection, pulsing against her buttocks, stirred a heat within her. This physical attraction between them was growing. The kisses, the embraces, the caresses. They were all enhancing an increasing temptation between them. One that was becoming difficult to ignore. One that Maggie wasn't sure she wanted to ignore.

  S
ighing deeply, Maggie turned and punched and fluffed the pillow. She had told Alex that they should avoid anything emotional between them, and she believed it herself when she said it. But now, facing an even more uncertain future, she felt drawn to his strength. If they were to survive here in the past, it would have to be together. The arch was the doorway back home; she knew it for certain. If it didn't work for them, if they couldn't pass back through... She couldn't even crystallize the complete thought. A shudder passed through her, a sensation of deep dread. Her movement must have disturbed Alex. He rolled over to face her.

  "How is yer head? Is the pain gone?"

  Maggie carefully touched her forehead and then her temples. No area hurt, no painful tightening remained.

  "The pain is gone."

  "Ye sound surprised."

  "I am. When I drank the healer's brew, I wasn't sure I would wake up. I can only imagine what was in it."

  "Bat's wing and eye of newt?"

  "From the smell and taste, something probably far worse."

  "Weel, she said it would make ye sleep, and it did. How does yer stomach fare?"

  "Good. I actually feel better than I usually do when a migraine lifts."

  "Ye scared me, Maggie. I do not know what I would do without ye." She heard the fear in his voice.

  "I didn't mean to frighten you. I've never had a headache like that before. I think that being too near to the arch intensified my headache."

  "I guess that ye should stay far away from the arch for now. If ye keep reacting to it like this, the entire clan will believe that I beat ye senseless."

  She sat up and peered through the darkened room. "Is that what they think now?"

  "I fear so, lass. Rachelle, Brodie, and Struan all confronted me about abusing ye."

  "Oh, Alex. I'm sorry. I didn't mean for this to happen."

  He held out his arms to her and she moved into his embrace. She lay against his chest, his slow and even breathing and his hand smoothing her hair comforted her.

  "The important thing is that ye are well. I know ye are disappointed that the arch do not work for us the way we wanted, but we will find out more. I just know that we will."

  "Alex, if we can't get back home..."

  "Nay, Maggie, I am not ready to even let that thought enter my mind. We will keep watching and listening for clues. Maybe this haes happened before, maybe someone else haes knowledge of this arch. We will find our way home." He tightened his arms around her.

  Pulling out of his arms, Maggie settled back on her side of the bed. She didn't have any words to answer his because she didn't share his conviction of them returning home. It looked more and more as if they were trapped here.

  Closing her eyes, Maggie took a few deep, relaxing breaths and tried to fall asleep. Another morning would be here too soon and she needed her full strength to face it. She had to watch every step she took. She and Alex could afford no mistakes. Finally, sleep began to overtake her, and she thought she felt Alex's strong arms holding her close once more.

  Chapter 23

  "Remember, Maggie, act as if yer back is injured."

  "I know, Alex. Everyone believes that you beat me. I will be careful."

  "Are ye sure ye are feeling better?" He looked closely at her face.

  "Yes, Alex. I am fine." The monotone of her voice did nothing to reassure him. She seemed low in spirits this morning.

  "By the way, Alex. I have my medications in my bag if anything like that happens again. They must be safer than whatever the healer gave me."

  He nodded at the information, but that still didn't explain her quietness. She was silent as she began to separate her hair into sections to braid it. He closed his eyes for a moment and could feel the tension emanating from her in spite of her calm appearance.

  "Rachelle knows the truth of the matter."

  "What do you mean?" Maggie walked to his side as she braided her hair.

  "I told her the truth—that I hadna beaten ye at all. That it was the pain in yer head that was making ye sick."

  "Did she believe you?" She wrapped her kerchief around her head and tied it under her long braid. He watched every move, saw every motion of her body.

  "Nay. Not at first. She claimed I hadna changed from when I left with the king." He chuckled, thinking of how different he was from that Alex. Maggie did not crack a smile. "Ye are certain ye feel better?" He lifted her chin to look at her eyes.

  "I said I'm fine. Now, I've got to get to the kitchen. Are you coming down to eat?"

  "Aye, I am following ye now."

  Alex pulled the door open and entered the stone passageway, walking next to her. She resisted his attempt to take her hand, so he walked by her side until they reached the entry to the great hall. A momentary burst of irritation occurred when he noticed that she waited for him to enter the room first. Frowning, he watched as she stepped close to the back wall and made her way silently to the kitchen, never sparing him another glance.

  Hmmm. Something was still wrong with her. Or maybe she was just acting the part of the disciplined leman. Maggie? No. Something was still amiss and he wouldn't be able to talk with her until much later in the day.

  Glancing around the room as he strode toward the dais, he nodded to those who greeted him. Their good days sounded a bit muted, but they were all respectful, as befitted his position in the clan. The last two days had altered his standing somehow. He was still thinking about the kind of man the real Alex was when he reached his destination.

  "Good day to ye, Alex." Anice's soft voice reached him from the raised platform. Clearing his thoughts, he moved briskly up the steps to his designated seat at the high table. No one else was present.

  "Good morn, Anice." He motioned to one of the servants to begin serving them. Bowls of steaming oatmeal were placed before them. Loaves of warm bread, wedges of dark yellow cheese, and crocks of honey and butter were added to the table to complete the meal.

  Anice began to chatter amicably, and Alex's glance and thoughts drifted back to the woman making her way into the kitchen. God, he hoped she'd make it through the day. Her lack of spirit worried him. They had to stick together and figure out this puzzle. He needed her sharp mind to find answers to the obvious questions about their situation. How? Who? More importantly, why?

  He reached out to the platter closest to him and took a small loaf of bread. Tearing it in two, he handed one piece to Anice. He was learning his place, his role in this place and time, as impossible as that sounded. But what if they could not leave here? What if he had to stay in this barbaric place and never return to his real life? What would happen to them? To Maggie? To Anice? To the real Alex? He shook his head in denial. He could not stay here. He had a life to get back to: his job, his career, his goals.

  Anice's frown and worried voice pierced through his reverie.

  "Did I say something to displease ye, Alex?"

  "Nay, lass, ye didna. I was just lost in my thoughts."

  Her lips began to curve into a timid smile. He remembered how young she was and smiled back. "Tell me, Anice, about yer plans for the wedding."

  * * *

  How could they survive here... now? If they couldn't find a way back through the arch and were stuck here... Maggie shook her head at the mere thought of spending her life here.

  "Mistress Hobbs, do ye have trouble with what ye are supposed to do?"

  Maggie snapped out of her daydreaming and realized that Odara was speaking to her.

  "I beg your pardon, mistress. I didn't hear what you said."

  "Ye havna completed even yer first task, and ye were shaking yer head at me. Do ye know yer duties for the day?" The older woman spoke quietly and everyone working in the kitchen shamelessly listened to the conversation.

  "Yes, mistress, I understand what I have to do."

  "Then, do it, lass." With a curt nod of her head, Odara turned back to her own duties. Maggie looked around her at the audience of kitchen workers and picked up another ball of dough. Once
she started the familiar push-pull of kneading the mixture, her thoughts cleared. She worked hard at not letting the desperation that lurked on the fringes of her consciousness get too close or too strong.

  It was then that she spotted Rachelle entering the room. The pretty blond negotiated her way around tables and hearths and workers and soon stood next to Maggie. Rachelle's furrowed brow revealed her concern. Maggie's heart lightened a bit when Rachelle placed her hand over Maggie's in a gesture of friendship. Not just a gesture, but one that she made in front of the entire group of kitchen workers—and none missed it.

  "Are ye well?" Rachelle's voice was a whisper as she picked up a knife and selected vegetables from the basket before her.

  "I am well, Rachelle. My head no longer aches, nor my back."

  "Did Alex tell me true?" Rachelle did not turn to look at her, but Maggie could see the tenseness in the woman's body as she waited for confirmation or denial.

  "Yes, he did. But you must not tell anyone else. It's important."

  Rachelle did look at her then, with eyebrows upraised in question.

  "It was not my place to question or offend the lady Anice. I know that now."

  "If ye were of the clan, ye could have done what ye did without fear of punishment. But ye are not MacKendimen."

  "No, I am not. I am a servant of the MacKendimens. An outsider, and Alex's leman at that. I should have known not to approach Alex while Anice was present."

  "But why will ye let the clan believe that Alex beat ye?"

  Maggie looked around at the nearby women who were also assigned to the kitchen. Most were of the clan and did their work in exchange for their keep and their place in the extended family. Although a few were servants like her and clearly not treated as family, she had seen none that were openly abused or beaten. She let out a deep sigh as she pieced together an explanation for Rachelle.