Hearts Across Time (The Knights of Berwyck: A Quest Through Time Novel ~ Books 1 & 2)

by Sherry Ewing

  “Aye, my lord Riorden,” Patrick said humbly. “My apologies.”

  “I never thought to hear you believe in ghosts, Riorden,” Gavin laughed riotously then gave his companions a nod in his brother’s direction. “I wonder what other secrets I can learn if I but listen closely enough whilst he slumbers.” Gavin nearly came unbalanced, overtaken by his own raucous laughter.

  Riorden rolled his eyes heavenward and threw his brother a scathing look. Gavin took the hint and closed his mouth although a shadow of a smirk lingered upon his lips. Younger brothers can be such a pain in the arse!

  “If you do not mind, can we get back to the important matter of finding Cavanaugh?” Danior scoffed irritably. “I would so enjoy staying in the land of the living, if you would care to help me with such an insignificant endeavor.”

  Riorden approached his horse and adjusted the straps on the saddle. Placing his foot in the stirrup, he easily swung his leg over the large animal and began donning his gloves. The others mounted their steeds, as well, and they made their way once more into the forest at a slow trot.

  “We will continue north,” Riorden commented dryly. “Keep a close lookout for the ladies who, I assume, will be keeping close to the woods and not traveling on the open road. I hate the thought of them coming into contact with undesirables, or worse yet, a band of Irish rebels.”

  Forever onward did they travel, or so it seemed to Riorden who was becoming overly anxious to meet up with Katherine. It appeared as if ’twas already late afternoon, and night was fast approaching. Truly, would it have been asking too much to be allowed more time with the lady, afore she was taken from his side? His random thoughts began to turn to ones of every imaginable horror she could encounter. If they were actually from the future, and he still had his doubts about such a farfetched idea, then they were most likely in more danger out in the elements than they could imagine.

  Did not women of her time know how dangerous life could be without a protector by their side? Did they not realize their dress could be construed as that of a witch? He did not relish the thought of someone attempting to burn his beautiful lady at the stake, along with her friends, because they were thought to be heretics. Aye, these were most perilous times and, as such, she needed him near her side to keep her safe.

  Pushing his horse to a faster pace, he and his comrades continued on their path until they heard voices and began to slow their mounts. Leaning towards caution, they watched from the tree line and espied only a small family of travelers in a small open glen. As their hearty laughter rang out, Riorden came to the obvious conclusion Katherine was not amongst those within the group. He was about to lead their group onward, staying his course to the trees, when the travelers’ conversation halted his progress, and he listened intently to their words.

  “I ne’er ’eard me such lovely singing in me life, John,” the woman said happily. “I thought to meself, ‘surely, the angels had come down to earth to hear such a beautiful melody.’”

  The man called John came up to the woman and put his arms around her, kissing her cheek. “Ye could sing just as fine, Mabel, if’n ye wanted to.”

  The woman laughed loudly and slapped the man’s shoulder playfully. “Bah! Ye know I canna carry a tune ’usband.”

  “Mama, can we follow the ladies so we’s can ’ear more of their pretty ballads?” a young girl of perhaps ten and two asked sweetly.

  “I wanna go’s too!” a tiny tot of mayhap six chimed in as he jumped up and down excitedly.

  “Now children, we canna be bothering them ladies more’n we did now. We should be thankful we were able to listen as long as we could,” their father replied, much to the children’s disappointment.

  The young girl got a dreamy expression on her face whilst swaying back and forth, as if she still heard the women singing. “I ne’er ’eard such beautiful words, Papa. Lady Katherine called them love songs. She must be a great songstress to compose such nice melodies.”

  The boy puffed up full of himself as he corrected his sister. “Lady Katherine dinnae write them silly. She said so ’erself. Who’s Barbara Celine, Mama?”

  Mabel thought hard on her son’s words and only shook her head. “I dinnae know for sure, Peter. I dinnae recall that was the name she used, though I may be wrong. Those sure were a different kind of ballad, weren’t they John? I ne’er heard music such as their’s afore.”

  “I wished they could have stayed longer,” the youthful girl sighed. “I could ’ave listened to their voices all day long and ne’er tire of ’earing them.”

  “Ye ’eard the ladies, Mary,” her father chimed in. “Lady Katherine said they mustna tarry as they ’ad to catch up with her lord. At least we sent them off with a fine meal. Ye did well by serving them, Mabel. Ye could tell they was most grateful for the victuals.”

  “Do ye think so, John?” Mabel asked hesitantly. “’Twas such a simple meal, I wasna sure it be to their liking.”

  “Aye they was ’appy to trade their gift of song for a bite or two of yer stew, although they ate most sparingly. I think they dinnae want to take food from the mouths of the children,” John said praising his wife.

  When Riorden had heard enough of their conversation, he made a clicking noise to urge his horse forward and made his way into the meadow. Upon seeing the group entering the glen, the father stood quickly and moved to protect his family. With a wave of Riorden’s hand, the man relaxed his stance yet urged his family to drop to their knees upon espying a knight of the realm. Riorden took in the people who had last seen his lady and bid them rise then dismounted from his steed.

  Taking a coin of some worth, he handed it to the older woman. “Accept this, with my thanks, for your care of my lady and her friends. Your kindness is most appreciated.”

  “’Tis very generous, milord,” John replied on behalf of his wife.

  “She was well?” Riorden asked.

  “Aye, milord,” Mabel replied. “Lady Katherine and her lady friends repaid us fer the meal by entertaining us with their love of song. ’Twas most beautiful to listen to them sing.”

  Riorden could only hope to have such a chance as to hear their voices lifted to the heavens in song. “I am sure she was most appreciative for the meal.”

  Mary stepped forward hesitantly. “Ye are Lord Riorden de Deveraux that Lady Katherine spoke of?”

  Riorden gave the girl a small smile. “Indeed, I am.”

  Mary gave a dreamy sigh and broke into a radiant smile. “Lady Katherine spoke of ye most favorably, milord. It must be wonderful to have someone love ye as much as she loves ye.”

  “Mary, that’s enough. Ye’ll embarrass Lord de Deveraux,” John chastised.

  “Aye, father,” Mary said softly then went to stand behind her mother.

  “She means no offense, milord,” Mabel answered quickly.

  Riorden waved his hand, dismissing the matter. “When did you last see my lady?”

  “Must be at least two hours passed, milord,” John replied, pointing to the path at the other end of the glen. “They continued on in that direction.”

  “Again, my thanks,” Riorden said gratefully. “If you are ever in need, I shall be heading to my home at Warkworth soon. Do you know of the place?”

  “Nay, milord,” John said.

  “’Tis south on the seaside. If you and your family are in need of a location to live, I am sure I can find you space in the village for lodging. You have some kind of skill I presume?”

  “I been a masonry most me life and would be most thankful to find a new ’ome for me and the family,” John replied humbly.

  Riorden nodded. “Then make your way to Warkworth, and I shall find accommodations for you in gratitude for your service to the Lady Katherine.”

  “Bless ye, milord, and our thanks,” Mabel said, taking his hand as she knelt on her knees before him once more.

  Riorden took his reins from Patrick, who had been holding his steed, and vaulted up into the saddle. They once more took
up the trail of his lady. As they left the family, Riorden could still hear the daughter chattering on whilst she gushed over the handsome knight Lady Katherine had fallen in love with.

  Thoughts of Katherine and how she would soon be within his reach caused his pulse to quicken, knowing she was close. Her words to the family had humbled him. Kicking his horse into a gallop, he began to lessen the distance between them. Katherine would have been most pleased to see the smile gracing his face, for it was filled with love and, if properly nurtured, would last them until the end of time.

  Chapter 16

  The flames before her feet burned bright orange as particles of grey ash rose high above her head, disappearing into the night sky. In the depths of the fire, the flames ignited in the deepest of blue, somehow reminding Katherine of Riorden’s eyes. It was a large bonfire, larger than Katherine supposed she should have made. But Brianna and Emily had complained of being cold. Against her better judgment, she had built up the wood until it became a roaring blaze in the night. The women were warmer while they attempted to sleep on the hard, uncomfortable ground, but Katherine was more concerned the flames were a beacon, telling all and sundry where they were. They were alone…in the dark…with no one to protect them.

  Well, perhaps that was not completely true. There were two that kept to the outskirts of their camp, keeping watch. Although she was grateful to have Tiernan’s men keeping an eye on them, they were still strangers. She wasn’t so sure Riorden would be pleased to know that rebel forces were in the area, no matter their good intentions for the women’s safety. She was on edge, sensing something hovered in the darkness beyond her sight. It wasn’t a good feeling.

  No sound could be heard in the darkness surrounding them other than the snapping and popping of the dry, ignited wood. The eerie silence set Katherine’s nerves on the brink of panic, causing her to keep a constant vigil on the shadows beyond her vision. She was definitely antsy and kept waiting for something to jump out at them from the night. Emily would have said to be on the lookout for a zombie invasion. It was about the last thing they needed right now.

  Juliana stirred beside her and opened her eyes. She sat up and stretched, insuring her knife was still close at hand. “You’ve been up all this time?” she asked sleepily, seeing her friend nod. “Get some sleep. I’ll keep watch for a while.”

  “No. It’s okay. I’m wide awake anyway and couldn’t sleep if I tried.”

  “You never did sleep well away from home, even when you were camping, did you?”

  Katherine only shrugged in response. Taking up a stick next to her, she began poking the fire. “I’m sorry I got you into this mess, Jewels. I know you don’t like the outdoors any more than Emily.”

  Juliana gave a small laugh. “As if you could have known what would happen to us. Besides, there must be some reason for the rest of us to be here. Aren’t you always telling us that everything happens for a reason?”

  Katherine gave a heavy sigh. “I suppose,” she said, letting her words linger in the air.

  “At least I’m not as big of a paranoid as Emily. She’s such a germ-a-phobic.”

  “Oh, don’t kid yourself, Jewels,” Katherine smirked knowingly. “You’re not too far behind her, not that I blame you, working with patients all day long.”

  “At least you and Brie seem to be in your element, Katie. You were both born for this time period.” Juliana lifted her foot up, showing off her high heels. “I just love these shoes.”

  “I don’t know how you can stand in those things, let alone walk in them.”

  “They’re just so darn sexy. Besides...they’re comfortable.”

  Katherine gave a muffled laugh. “I’ll take your word for it, dear.”

  “You should get a pair when we get home,” Juliana suggested, but Katherine’s face fell at her words. “Sorry, sis.”

  “Don’t worry about it.” An awkward silence momentarily filled the space between them as Katherine continued prodding the red hot coals. “Who would have thought it would be possible we’d be thrown back in time? At the moment, I’m trying to remember why I’m even here,” Katherine said, ever so softly.

  Juliana reached out and grabbed Katherine’s hand. “My dearest sister of my heart, you know why you’re here. If you could have seen the way he looked at you from our perspective just a few days ago, you wouldn’t even begin to question the reasoning behind this miracle.”

  “But he’s not here,” she whispered with a slight tremble in her voice.

  “He will be,” Juliana said confidently. “Don’t lose your faith in him so readily, when you’ve not yet had the chance to really learn to love him fully. That, too, will come only with time.”

  “Next you’ll be telling me to just have some patience,” huffed Katherine.

  Juliana quietly laughed. “Patience is a virtue, or so I’ve heard before.”

  “Ugh! That was never one of my strong points!”

  “Yes, well, I have to admit, it’s not mine either,” Juliana said as she reached out once more and patted Katherine’s arm.

  Placing the stick next to her, Katherine leaned upon the log she had been using as a support for her aching back. It was a poor substitute for a cushioned chair, but it was all she had at the moment. She drew her legs up with her arms and put her forehead to her knees. She would just rest her eyes for a minute or two.

  Katherine jerked awake with a start. Alarmed she had fallen asleep, she wondered what she had subconsciously heard that disturbed her slumber. She listened intently to the noise of the forest until a man’s voice was harshly raised in an earsplitting roar of pain. It was followed closely by the distinct sound of steel sheering off steel and loud manly curses coming closer to their campsite.

  Their small haven erupted into chaos as at least half a dozen men swarmed into the vicinity. Katherine yelled at her friends, who quickly got to their feet and prepared to defend themselves. She watched in horror as one of Tiernan’s men was brutally slain right before her very eyes. His gaze met hers across the flames as a long saber protruding from the man’s chest was removed from his back. His dead body tumbled to the ground in a heap.

  Emily screamed, and the sound pierced the night as it echoed off into the distance. Katherine threw the knife she had held in her hands, tossing it towards her friend. It landed but inches from Emily’s feet where it stuck into the dirt. Emily didn’t hesitate as she quickly picked it up and, with a firm grip, brandished it in her hand. Now, the only weapon Katherine had available to her was a cast iron skillet. She reached down and picked up the heavy iron. She had no problem with whacking a few heads, if this was her only alternative.

  The filthy men who advanced towards them grinned devilishly, showing their rotting and missing teeth. They came closer into the fire light, making obscene gestures and lewd remarks that caused Katherine to flinch, despite her knowledge and language of modern times. The women tried to keep themselves back to back, but it was soon apparent the men’s objective was to split them up. They were clearly outmaneuvered before Katherine even realized what they had planned.

  All hell broke loose as Brianna began her movements from her self-defense classes. It was obvious the two men, who had hoped to overtake the smallest of their group, had not planned on her putting up much of a fight. Since they were at such close range, Brie’s bow and arrows were of no use, but at least she was holding her own.

  Katherine struck one of the men in the head with the heavy skillet and was satisfied when he fell to the ground moaning. She turned to help Juliana. There was no need as it seemed that Jewels was doing her best by slashing out with her knife and inflicting cuts to her assailant’s skin. She was fast as lightning and it was an impressive sight. Now if she would only quit her inappropriate laughter that seemed to be consuming her as this only appeared to egg on the goon bent on doing her harm. It was a terrible habit of hers whenever she was nervous.

  A scream resounded in the air, and Katherine turned again to see where the newest th
reat to them lay. Her own shriek resonated when she yelled Emily’s name and watched as two of their attackers were dragging her friend into the woods. Emily was cussing and kicking up a storm, but the two brutes that had her captured were the biggest of the lot. She watched in terror as her friend was backhanded and Emily became still. With her senseless, their burden had been lightened, and they had no difficulty disappearing into the night.

  Katherine was about to run after Emily when suddenly her own ankle was grabbed, and she fell roughly to the ground. It was just her dumb luck to have underestimated the villain she had hit over the head. His gruff laughter rang out, giving her cold chills.

  “My yer a pretty lil thing, aren’t ye, me dear,” he drawled. “I can ’ardly wait to ’ear ye a moaning beneath me.”

  “Dream on, buddy,” Katherine cried out as she hurled the skillet at the man’s arm in a downward plunge. A sickening snap, along with the man’s cry of pain, was heard as she met her mark. She scooted her legs beneath her and stood staring at the bone piercing his limb in a gross display of oozing flesh and blood.

  “Ye bloody bitch!” he bellowed in rage, making a grasp for her with his good arm.

  “Go ahead and try it, you jerk, and I’ll break the other one,” she taunted menacingly.

  Fury blazed in his eyes as he made a sweep for her, narrowly missing the skillet that was once again aiming for any part of him Katherine could reach. She watched in terror as he picked up a log of considerable width and now easily knocked the iron from her numb hands. He continued pursuing her until she unknowingly backed herself up against a large oak tree.

  She felt his breath on her neck as she tried to kick and punch her way out of the predicament she now hopelessly found herself in. It was no use and, from the sounds she heard, Brianna and Juliana weren’t fairing any better than she was. They were completely and totally outnumbered.

  Her assailant was using his body to keep her pinned to the tree until she felt the man’s uninjured hand on her. Dammit! She’d rather die than be raped by such a vile specimen of vermin who was already fumbling with his hose, knowing the prize had been won.