A Love Through Time

by TERRI BRISBIN

  "The cook said she's needed for the noon meal."

  "Thank you for coming for me, Robbie. I'm on my way." The boy smiled and was off running in the direction of the keep before she could complete her answer. Maggie looked over at Moira, who was still sorting the bounty of herbs she had collected. Maggie took in a deep breath, enjoying the many scents that filled the air of the small croft.

  "There is a ceilidh planned three nights from this night. Bring yer Alex, and we can speak then."

  "A kaylee?"

  "A gathering of song and dance. The whole village comes out fer it."

  "But that means Anice will be there."

  "Nay, Anice never comes to the ceilidh. She likes to play the noble lady too much to lower herself." A trace of bitterness entered Moira's voice. Maggie looked her in the eyes. "Anice may weel like the courtier Alex who's been living in England far better than the one who has shown up here. Yer Alex is a true Scotsman in his heart."

  "What do you mean by that?"

  Without answering her question, Moira walked over, opened the bottom of the door, and left the cottage. Maggie followed her out into the clearing.

  "If ye take this path until ye see the tanner's cottage and then go to the right, it will take ye but a few minutes to reach the keep."

  "You're not going to answer me, are you?"

  "Nay, lass. There will be plenty of time to answer yer questions at the ceilidh. Good day to ye now." Without a pause, Moira walked back into her home and closed the door, both parts, behind her.

  Just great, Maggie thought More to this mystery and more that I don't understand. And one more thing that she and Alex had to add to their discussions tonight.

  Tonight...

  Her mouth went dry at the memory of what they had just shared at the loch. Shaking off her reverie, she headed off in the direction Moira had suggested. She really shouldn't keep Odara waiting.

  Chapter 30

  The fire crackled in the corner hearth, wisps of smoke curling up into the narrow chimney and escaping out a small vent in the wall. Maggie wrapped the plaid tighter around her shoulders against the coolness of the room and continued to mend her skirt.

  August? It couldn't be August and this cold.

  The bodice lay waiting for her experience with needle and thread. She grimaced as she examined the extent of the damage to her clothes, first by Anice and then by her adventures in the woods with Alex. At this rate, she'd be bare save for Alex's shirts.

  She was so intent on her repairs that she never heard the door swing open. It was the draft of cool air entering through the opening that grabbed her attention.

  "Close the door, Alex. I finally got this room warm enough to be comfortable."

  She pulled the plaid tighter around her shoulders again and dipped closer to the candle to see the small stitches better. Alex took the fabric and needle from her hands and threw it on the table and pulled her to her feet. Then he took her face in his hands and brought it close to his.

  "Ye do not need a fire to warm ye, Maggie. I plan to do that for ye." He dipped his head and touched his lips to hers. The plaid dropped to the floor, completely ignored.

  She truly must have lost her mind, because the next thing she knew she was under Alex's long and muscular body, their legs entwined, on the bed. He continued kissing her, and the heat and passion of those kisses drew her breath and her wits right out of her. She opened her mouth as his tongue gently teased her lips.

  He continued the kiss until she finally thought to push him away. He pulled back and looked at her.

  "I'm sorry, lass. Was I a bit too rough?"

  She noticed right away that he was still on top of her.

  "Are you going to move, Alex?"

  "Like this, Maggie?" He arched his back, sliding his hardness into a deeper caress between her thighs. And, damn her, she moaned at the pleasure of that move.

  "Alex, I think we should talk about this."

  "I do not have the strength to stop and talk now, Maggie. Mayhap later?" He aimed his kisses with devilish intent all the way down her neck and into the valley between her breasts. How could she resist this? Warmth spread in and down through her body, following the pulses of pleasure that he created. Soon, even her toes were warmed.

  "But, Alex..."

  "Aye, lass, I'll touch ye there." The scoundrel! He was purposefully misinterpreting her words.

  His hands moved down past her hips and slipped beneath her buttocks. First, gliding over the sensitive area, then he used his fingertips to start the tingling. Next his hot hands slid over her skin and cupped her bottom, pressing her against his erection even more firmly.

  "Alex, your shirt..." After ripping her own clothes she was concerned that his shirt that she wore would get damaged.

  "Aye, lass, let me help ye."

  Thinking that he meant to stop, she untangled her legs from his and waited. In one brief moment, he yanked the shirt over her head, leaving her naked on the bed. He was fast, she would give him that! She swallowed convulsively as, with one more yank, this one on his belt and plaid, he was as naked and as aroused as she was. She reached her hand up to stop his body's descent to hers. She didn't stand a chance.

  His chest brushed against her breasts and she felt the tips of them harden. He knelt between her thighs, bringing the rest of him into intimate contact with her tingling flesh. The throbbing intensified in her core, and her breathing became ragged with desire. She had to try one more time.

  "Alex, please stop. Now." The words were spoken in broken syllables, her hands both clutched and pushed on his shoulders. He paused in his attentions to her trembling body and raised his head.

  "If ye mean it, Maggie, I will stop." He took a deep breath and let it out She could feel that his desire had not waned one iota.

  "I do, Alex." Her body cried out in protest when he slid off her and put his body next to hers on the bed.

  "Tell me what concerns ye?" His voice was just above a whisper, and it sent shivers through her body.

  "What concerns me? What do you think concerns me?"

  "I canna read yer mind, Maggie. I was looking forward to being with ye again this night. I was looking forward to sharing the bed with ye and keeping ye warm."

  Damn his blue eyes! He had the nerve to wink at her again.

  "Alex, I think it was a mistake. This afternoon..." she began.

  "It wasna a mistake. It felt right between us, Maggie. Nothing has felt more right in my life in a long time."

  He pulled her closer, wrapping his arms around her and anchoring her legs with one of his own. "Do ye deny that ye felt it, too?"

  She couldn't. The attraction had been growing, but she felt more than just the physical part. She cared for this man, cared deeply.

  "I can't deny it, Alex. It is more than just good physically. I feel more than that."

  "I do, too, lass. I don't understaun it yet tho'."

  "So, what do we do in the meantime?"

  "I know what I want to do and what I do not want to do." His eyes flashed and moved over her in a clear message of what he'd like to do.

  "What do not ye want to do?" she teased him.

  "I do not want to sleep on the floor anymore." He laughed when she frowned at him.

  Was her conscience soothed? Did she really not want Alex in her bed making love to her? He would stop, he had shown he would control his passion if she wanted him to. Thinking about it, she knew deep down that a door opened for them. The one time this afternoon would not be enough. She wanted him... and all that he had to offer.

  "You don't have to sleep on the floor, Alex. You are welcome in this bed." She raised her hand and caressed his cheek, feeling the growing beard that was both soft and springy to the touch.

  "Are ye certain, Maggie? I do not want to think that I forced ye to this."

  "You have not forced me to do anything but realize how important you are to me... and how much I'd like to continue your warming of me."

  She gave herse
lf up to him, and he took her with gentleness—the first time. The second time was a bit more heated. And the third time... well, she fell asleep with a smile on her face after that third time.

  * * *

  Alex peeled his body from Maggie's and climbed from the bed. She protested, grumbling about the time of day and how cold it was in the room. He laughed at her difficulty awakening. Padding around the room, he picked up the clothes he had tossed last night in his rush to make love to her. He looked down at that easy-to-arouse part of him that was warming to his thoughts of last night's loving. Better to think about something else. The sight of her mangled clothes wiped away any amorous thoughts.

  Examining the skirt and bodice, he realized that she had been wearing the same clothes since they arrived, three weeks before. The only things new to her wardrobe were the few shirts of his she wore as bedclothes and under her skirt as a blouse. Damn him! Just as he'd failed to secure her something as simple as a bath, he had also totally overlooked her day-to-day needs. His clothing had been replenished almost daily by Anice and her women, but Maggie had been completely ignored.

  It was about time he took care of her.

  He strode to the door and yanked it open. Summoning one of the passing women, he asked her to bring Dougal immediately. He finished dressing while he waited and covered Maggie with the thick blanket. At the knock, he opened the door to an irritated steward.

  "Thank ye for coming, Dougal." He motioned the man inside, but his steward refused with a curt shake of his head. "Verra well." Alex stood in the doorway. "Do ye have a supply of clothing for use by the servants?"

  "Of course, Alex. Each servant is provided with two sets of clothing, a cloak, and a pair of shoes on Michaelmas Day. The laird is generous with those who serve him."

  "I would like ye to provide the two sets of clothing to Maggie now. Hers were stolen in the attack on our way here, and she has none but the ones she wore." At his hesitation, Alex yelled, "She canna go about naked, Dougal. Find some clothes that will fit her and find them now."

  He slammed the door so quickly that he never noticed the look of repugnance that covered the other man's face.

  "Well, that's certainly the way to win friends and influence people, Alex."

  She was awake and sitting up in the bed, her hair falling over her shoulders in waves. No one, no one, should ever look this good in the morning. The thought of Maggie going about naked had more appeal to him suddenly.

  "He was being unpleasant."

  "No, he was being Dougal. He doesn't like to be reminded that I exist."

  "Weel, I do not care what he thinks. Why didna ye tell me about the sad state of yer clothes?" He held out the torn skirt.

  "I've been sewing it as it needs to be fixed. I really didn't want to cause an uproar by asking for clothes. And I didn't know who to ask." She shrugged as though it was not important.

  "Maggie, yer a teacher?" At her nod, he continued, "Ye know how to go through proper channels in asking for something to use in yer classroom?" She nodded again, but her eyes took on a suspicious glint. "Here, now... I am the proper channels. Ye must tell me when ye need something. I will make sure ye have what ye need."

  "But, Alex," she began. He could see her spine stiffening at what she perceived as an insult. He had to make her understand that it was nothing personal. It was just the way things were done.

  "Aye, Maggie, I'll touch ye there again." He repeated his words from the night before. For a moment he didn't know if she would laugh or scream at him. The laughter won. "This is not personal, Maggie. It's just the way we have to do it while we're here. When we get home, ye can tell me what to do."

  "All right, Alex. I'll try to remember that it's just the way things are done." She threw back the covers and climbed out of bed, looking for the shirt she used as a shift. He let his glance linger on those legs, long and sleek. His mouth watered at the way his thoughts were moving. Only the knock at the door saved her from being thrown back on the bed with him on top of her, between those legs. She stood back in the corner and waited for him to answer the door.

  He opened the door to find Jean, the woman who showed them to this room, with a pile of clothes in her arms.

  "Dougal said to give these to ye, Alex. He was muttering something about naked women when he told me to pick out some clothes for Maggie."

  "Thank ye, Jean." He nodded at her and began to close the door.

  "I'm sorry that I didna think to get clothes for her, Alex. We treat the servants better than we've treated her." Jean whispered, shaking her head in dismay. "If any of these do not fit, tell her to come to me and we can get something that does."

  "I will tell her, Jean." Alex backed into the room and shut the door.

  Maggie walked to him and took the pile and put it on the bed. He was treated to another look at those legs and memories of them wrapped around his waist while they... He shook his head, trying to break the spell her presence wove around him.

  "I need to get to the hall now, Maggie. I will see ye tonight?"

  "Yes, Alex, I'll be here." Then the temptress had the nerve to rub her hand over the surface of the bed next to her. "Right here."

  He gulped and coughed... and ran.

  Chapter 31

  The day of the ceilidh dawned clear and stayed that way as it progressed past noon. The castle folk went about their duties with a lift in their step and a tune under their breath. Rachelle told her that most of the clan living in the castle did attend the ceilidh in the village. The biggest exception was Anice and her women. Even Struan was expected to make an appearance at the gathering. Alex told her he would join her as soon as the laird left the village.

  After the workers cleared the evening meal from the tables and cleaned and dismantled the tables, Maggie watched as they gathered with family and friends and hurried to the village. At their invitation, she joined Brodie and Rachelle on the short trek to the center of the clan's town. Drawn by the music and the soaring flames of a bonfire, the clan gathered.

  The melancholy lilting of a pipe captured her attention. Maggie left her friends and followed its call. A lone piper sat, not with bagpipes, but with a small instrument that resembled a flute. She sat on the ground nearby and let the soul-touching melody pour over her. The music soothed her soul, and she took in the comfort it had to offer. After a few minutes, the song ceased, and the piper was rewarded with plentiful applause. A man with a drum placed himself next to the piper and joined him in the next song.

  As the crowd gathered and the music quickened its pace, the villagers began to dance around the huge fire. Maggie clapped to the beat and laughed as the young and old, married and single, male and female, circled around and around. Brodie and Rachelle swept by and waved to her. She gasped in surprise as Pol pulled her to her feet and swung her into the steps of the dance. He laughed and kept hold of her hand until she imitated his movements and kept pace. In spite of his size and strength, the blacksmith could dance! He moved in synch with the rest of the dancers, and his steps were sure and fast. Maggie was puffing deeply when the music stopped.

  "Thank ye for the dance, mistress." He gave a slight nod, but Maggie was mesmerized by his blue eyes and warm smile.

  Maggie curtsied before him and returned the smile. "And, I thank you for taking pity on an outsider... again, Pol."

  "'Twas not pity. Definitely not pity." Pol winked at the admission.

  "Well, I thank you for doing it... whatever the cause." She winked back at him.

  "Moira said she will speak to ye when Alex arrives. Join her near the food tables." His voice lowered a bit as he gave her the message.

  She nodded in response, and he walked away. Before she could sit, a man, a stranger to her, reached out his hand in invitation to her. Looking around, she saw no one discriminating in their dance partners. She accepted his offer and enjoyed the music and the movements of another dance. The dances moved quickly, and the whole of the village joined in. Maggie even saw Struan kicking up his feet
and clapping his hands during the last song. Then the piper and drummer were presented with huge mugs of ale, and the musicians took a break.

  It was then that Maggie caught a glimpse of Alex making his way through the crowd. Watching his movements and the greeting given him by the villagers, Maggie knew that he had been successful in playing his role. Young and old, villager or castle folk, they shook his hand, patted his shoulder, slapped his back. From the gossip already heard, she knew that this was not the way the real Alex was treated before he left Dunnedin. Everyone marveled at how the lad had grown up and matured. Little did they know!

  He reached the place where she stood and held out his hand to her. Scanning the gathering, she saw Struan striding up the path to the castle. Giving him a smile first, she then accepted his hand. Alex pulled her close and tucked her arm under his.

  "So, this is a ceilidh?" His voice was low and whispery as he asked his question. Her body shivered as his breath tickled her ear.

  "Apparently so."

  "Ye have been dancing?"

  She pushed a few sweaty tendrils of hair from her forehead and shook her head. "It's been fun."

  "Weel, the piper is starting agin. Come, fit the flair wi' me."

  "Did you just ask me to dance?" She turned to face him as couples formed around them, tapping their feet to the beginning strains of the music. The drummer joined in and the reel started.

  "Aye, lass, I'm asking." With that short notice, he wrapped his arm around her waist and swung her in a circle.

  The rest of the dance took all her concentration, so small talk was out of the question. They changed partners several times during the lively jig but ended together, both out of breath.

  "And I thought I was in good shape." Alex panted as he forced out the words. "Ye are no' breathing hard at all."

  "I must be in better shape than you are, Alex. Come to think of it, you have difficulty keeping up with me in other things." She smirked at him as comprehension of her challenge showed on his face.