Everything In Its Time

by Dee Davis

  "Ah, I thought I might find you here."

  Katherine jumped, startled by the voice, and turned to find its owner. She watched as Alasdair made his way across the room to the window. He stopped in front of her, his gaze raking over her body. She got the distinct feeling he was mentally undressing her, and shivered with discomfort.

  "I've been looking for you most of the day. Where have you been keeping yourself?" He sat next to her on the small stone seat, and she edged farther into the corner.

  "I've been helping Sorcha tend to William. In fact, I ought to check on him now." She made an effort to rise, but Alasdair placed a hand on her knee.

  "Stay and talk to me. I'm sure that William can wait a bit. Besides, one as lovely as you shoudna be tending the sick. 'Tis a job for old women and serving girls. You, my Lady, should be pampered and"—he slowly stroked her knee—"well loved."

  Katherine swallowed in revulsion. Alasdair's idea of being well loved obviously was strictly carnal in nature. She moved her knee, displacing his hand.

  "I've a keep no' far from here. 'Tis no' so grand as Duncreag, but Tùr nan Clach is a sizable holding. Perhaps I could convince you to come and see it with me."

  His hand was back on her knee, then on her thigh. He moved even closer until she could actually feel his breath on her cheek. "You are so beautiful, Katherine."

  Katherine realized his position had her effectively pinned in the corner. The only way to escape would be to physically move him and Alasdair was not a small man. Tilting her chin in determination, she shoved hard against his chest, trying to push him away.

  He laughed, one hand circling both of her wrists while the other one pulled her closer. "I think that I would like very much to make you mine."

  Katherine struggled against his hold, her mind trying desperately to think of something that would make him release her. "Let go of me. What do you think you're doing?"

  He brushed his lips against hers, his tongue circling her tightly clenched lips. She trembled with anger.

  "Relax, little one, I only wish to taste your sweetness. Open to me." He renewed his efforts, one hand biting into her wrists as his other circled her breast. She tried to scream, but his mouth covered hers, making noise impossible. As she tried to wriggle farther away, his grip tightened and he yanked her back toward him.

  "Release her."

  Katherine suddenly felt herself freed. She leaned over, gulping for air, relief making her dizzy. Alasdair slid away from her, but did not vacate the seat. He gave Iain a speculative look.

  "I meant no harm. I was merely attempting to sample your lovely guest's considerable charms."

  Iain's face clouded with rage. "You have no right to touch her."

  Katherine stood on shaky feet, recovered now enough to walk to Iain. But to do so, she realized, she would have to squeeze past Alasdair, and she found she simply couldn't bear for him to touch her again. She lifted a hand to her bruised lips and looked at her husband. She had never seen him angry, and the look on his face frightened her, even though she knew the anger was directed at Alasdair, not at her.

  "Katherine, are you all right?"

  She managed a nod.

  Alasdair was either blind or a fool. He seemed oblivious to Iain's wrath. "I told you, Mackintosh, I meant the girl no harm. Besides, what do you care? You've no claim on her."

  Iain advanced on Alasdair, his fingers wrapping around the hilt of his dirk.

  "Ah, but you see, I do have a claim on her." He stepped closer to Alasdair, his voice deceptively soft. "Katherine is my wife. And I'll no' tolerate another man fondling what belongs to me."

  Alasdair froze. "Your wife? And when, may I ask, did this take place?"

  " 'Tis no' your affair. 'Tis enough for you to know that she is well and truly wed to me."

  Alasdair stood and took a step forward. Katherine, seeing the way clear, rushed past him to Iain, throwing herself into his arms.

  He hugged her fiercely, whispering in her ear, " 'Tis all right, my love, I'm here now."

  Alasdair's normally handsome face was now purple with rage. "I thought you had no wish to wed. Isn't that the reason you gave when you insulted me and mine by refusing to even consider Ailis as a bride? Did you lie to me?"

  "I spoke the truth, Alasdair. I had no wish to wed anyone but Katherine. I wasna certain she would come here, so I saw no reason to bring her name into it. There was no insult to Ailis. But the same canna be said of Katherine."

  Katherine watched as Alasdair brought his emotions under control. It was almost like watching someone put on a mask, so completely did all emotion fade from his face.

  "Ah, well, perhaps I have o'erreacted." He turned to bow to Katherine. "I apologize for any insult I may have given you. I had no idea you were Iain's woman. Surely a man can be forgiven for stealing a kiss from a beautiful lady?"

  She rubbed a hand against her wrist. She knew there would be purple bruises to mark the place he had held her. She had no doubt that Alasdair had meant to do far more than steal a kiss. But she knew, too, that if she voiced her suspicions, Iain would have no choice but to fight Alasdair. These were violent times, and Iain had meant it when he said he would protect what was his. She had no desire to place him in any kind of danger. Her mind made up, she inclined her head to Alasdair. "No real harm was done."

  Alasdair looked to Iain. "I beg you'll overlook my transgression. I can assure you, it will never happen again."

  Iain tightened his arm around Katherine. "See that it doesn't."

  With another bow, Alasdair turned to go. His face was shuttered, revealing nothing but a pleasantly blank countenance. But Katherine could have sworn that his cold eyes glittered with hatred.

  Iain turned Katherine to face him. "Are you truly all right?"

  "I think so. Just a bit shaken up, that's all."

  Iain looked her over carefully, stopping to kiss the redness at her wrists. "If he had hurt you, I would have killed him."

  "I know. But I'm okay, I promise. Let's not talk about it anymore. Just hold me." Katherine leaned against his hard body, letting his heat sink into her, renewing her strength.

  Iain ran a hand possessively up and down her back. "We'll be rid of him in a day or so. I'll keep an eye on him until then. I dinna think he'll try anything again."

  Katherine wanted to believe that. But she could still see Alasdair's icy blue eyes. She shivered.

  "Come my love, you're cold." Iain drew her closer to the fire. She held out her hands to its warmth, relieved that they weren't shaking. Everything would be fine now. Iain would keep her safe.

  *****

  "There you are. I was wondering where you'd gotten to." Iain strode into their bedroom, and impish smile on his handsome face.

  "I thought it would be more peaceful here." Katherine watched as he walked over to the chest and began rummaging about.

  "Evening meal at Duncreag can be a bit o'ertiring, especially when everyone is trying to talk to the new mistress of the clan." His voice was muffled, his head deep in the trunk.

  "And trying to touch her. I think I have hand prints on every part of my gown." She looked down at herself with dismay.

  Iain stood up, a look of triumph lighting his face. Crossing the room, he sat down next to her on the bed, his prize hidden behind his back. "I've something for you. A gift to start our life together."

  "A gift. Oh, Iain, I've nothing for you."

  "You have already given me the greatest gift of all." His look spoke volumes, and Katherine felt herself blush.

  "Here." Iain pulled his hand from behind his back, presenting her his gift. "This was a gift from my father to my mother on the eve of their marriage. 'Tis fitting that it should now be yours."

  She took it from him with shaking hands, her eyes already recognizing the intricate carving and golden bands. Her heart fluttered and then, if she hadn't known better, she'd have said it stopped. She stared at the box almost afraid to touch it. Afraid that somehow it would snap her forward in t
ime. Break whatever enchantment held them together.

  "Dinna you want it?" Iain's eyes reflected his hurt.

  "Oh, yes, of course I do. I'll treasure it forever." She reached for the box, her fingers closing around it, relieved when nothing happened. It was after all, only a box. Her heart resumed it's steady rhythm. "It's just that I recognize it." She lovingly ran a hand over it.

  "Nay, that canna be so." He frowned, staring first at the box and then at her. "My father had it made specially for my mother. I'd wager, there's none other like it in the world. It has the Mackintosh crest on the top. See the wee mountain cat?"

  Katherine traced a finger along the lines of the cat's paw. "You don't understand. This box—your box—belonged to my grandmother, too. In my time, she gave it to me. So, in some odd sort of way, the box has come full circle."

  He covered her hand with his, his gaze colliding with hers. "Then we shall treasure it all the more."

  She stared into the deep green of his eyes, her own filling with tears. "Thank you."

  "Open it." His voice trembled with emotion.

  Katherine opened the latch with trembling fingers and lifted the lid. There inside, nestled against rich brocade, was her cairngorm earring. She lifted her head to look at Iain, her expression questioning.

  He reached into the box and retrieved the small stone. "I thought it was time for the earring to return to its rightful owner. I wore it so that I would never forget you. Now that you are here with me, I've no longer a need for it."

  She reached to take it from him, a jolt of excitement racing up her arm as their fingers met. She carefully threaded the fine wire holding the cairngorm through her ear. Iain reached for the gold chain around her neck and slowly drew the other earring from her bodice, allowing his hand to linger for a moment at her breast. She shivered with the stirrings of her desire. He unfastened the earring from the chain and handed it to her. She deftly slipped it into place on her other ear. Reverently, Iain pulled her to him, slowly kissing first one ear and then the other.

  Katherine felt tears fill her eyes again, as she cupped his precious face in her hands. "I love you, Iain Mackintosh."

  "Then show me, my love, show me."

  Chapter 14

  "I THINK WE should tell Mrs. Abernathy." Elaine held out her wineglass.

  Jeff picked up the wine bottle, then refilled her crystal goblet, trying to weigh the merits of her suggestion.

  "Thanks." She sipped the wine and leaned back in her chair, the firelight catching the copper highlights in her hair. The overstuffed armchair was almost big enough for both of them. If the situation had been any different he would have—he pushed the thought aside and focused on her words.

  "Jeff, she has a right to know. After all, this is her home. Besides, as I've said before, she might know something. I mean maybe this doorway or whatever has opened before. We'll never know if we don't ask. And we can't ask unless we tell her what we think has happened to Katherine."

  Jeff added some wine to his own glass and settled back on the sofa. They'd been over this and over this. Tell the Abernathys. Don't tell the Abemathys. They had spent the better part of the afternoon and evening arguing about how to explain Katherine's absence. He suddenly felt incredibly tired. Maybe Elaine was right. Maybe Mrs. Abernathy could help.

  He sipped slowly, staring into the fire. "All right, I agree."

  "Finally." Elaine heaved a sigh of relief. "Shall we do it now?"

  "Now, as in right now?"

  "No time like the present."

  Jeff frowned into his glass, then brightened suddenly. "We don't know where Mrs. Abernathy is."

  Elaine rolled her eyes. "Hardly an insurmountable problem, Jeff. We'll just go down to the lobby. If she isn't there, I'm sure someone will know where she is."

  "She might have gone to bed already."

  "This is a working hotel, so I doubt she gets many early nights. Besides, its not that late."

  Accepting defeat, Jeff swallowed a mouthful of wine and set the glass on the table. "Okay, let's get it over with."

  Elaine smiled as he reached out to pull her up. "You won't regret it."

  He casually draped an arm over her shoulder. "I already do."

  *****

  "I see."

  For someone who had just heard that a guest had possibly disappeared through a doorway to the past, Mrs. Abernathy was reacting remarkably well. Jeff watched as she fidgeted with a small silver pin shaped like a leaping cat. She seemed to be mulling something over, trying to make a decision. They sat and waited.

  They had found her in her office. The small, cluttered room had the comfortable, lived-in feeling of a family den. There were photographs everywhere, on her desk, on the mantel of the small fireplace, decorating the walls. There was even one of a smiling Mrs. Abernathy and what looked to be the Queen.

  Elaine sat on Jeff's right, both of them facing Mrs. Abernathy as she sat behind her desk in a big leather chair. It had taken them an hour or so to explain Katherine's disappearance and what they thought was behind it. Mrs. Abernathy had said very little throughout, just an occasional word of encouragement or nod of agreement.

  Jeff sat waiting for the other shoe to fall. He glanced at Elaine, but couldn't read her expression at all. She seemed to have gone into attorney mode, all businesslike, emotions played close to the vest. He, on the other hand, felt like a basket case. First and foremost he was worried because Katherine was missing, but running a close second was his concern over the fact that she seemed to have wandered into another century.

  "I can't really say that I'm surprised by what you've told me."

  Elaine's brow furrowed. "Are you saying you actually expected something like this?"

  Mrs. Abernathy nodded. "More or less. When I first saw Katherine I suspected something might happen. But when I saw the cairngorm I knew for sure."

  Jeff studied Mrs. Abernathy, trying to make sense of what she was saying. "You knew? Knew what?"

  Mrs. Abernathy smiled cheerfully at Jeff. "Why, I knew that she was the lady in the legend."

  Elaine leaned forward, resting an elbow on her knee. "Mrs. Abernathy, I'm not following you. What legend?"

  "Why, the legend of the cairngorms, of course." She looked at Jeff. "I imagine you know the story, don't you, Jeffrey?"

  Jeff felt bemused. "You mean the tale about the lady and her lost love? How do you know that story? I thought it was a family legend—my family." He pounded his chest with one hand in an effort to underscore the importance of his last words.

  Elaine looked totally confused. Mrs. Abernathy just smiled again, as if this conversation were about everyday, mundane things rather than legends and time travel. "Ah, well, the story was told in my family, too. I suspect that we must be related somewhere along the line."

  Elaine interrupted, musing aloud. "Dow—that's what you said your maiden name was, didn't you? Your family's actually a sept of the Davidson clan." She smiled suddenly as she found the answer to the puzzle. "And Jeff's grandmother was a Davis, also a sept of the old Clan Davidson. Your ancestor, the one who first owned Duncreag, was he a Davidson?"

  Mrs. Abernathy nodded. Jeff struggled to follow the strange turn the conversation had taken. "What is a sept?"

  "It's a branch of a clan, usually a blood branch formed by a second or third son. They often took a name separate from the original clan to help differentiate themselves from everybody else. Sometimes the name just got anglicized, as with Davis."

  "How come you know so much about this clan stuff?"

  Elaine shrugged. "I am half Scottish. But more to the point, I've been interested in the clan system since I was a kid. I've studied it a lot." She turned to look at Mrs. Abernathy. 'Tell me about this legend and how it relates to Katherine."

  Mrs. Abernathy sat back in her chair, her elbows resting on its arms, her fingers steepled. "Shall I tell it, Jeff, or would you like to do the honors?"

  Jeff threw a dazed look at both women. "By all means, be my
guest."

  "Well now, it was a long time ago. According to the legend, there was a young lady who was forced to marry into the Davidson family. It was not uncommon in those days for a woman to marry for something besides love. They often did it for protection or financial gain. Anyway, in this case, the lass in question had already given her heart to another. But fate had intervened, and he died. She married a Davidson, but she always remembered the first man and, according to the legend, she never loved anyone else. In his memory, it is said, she always wore a pair of cairngorm earrings. And as further tribute to him, she bequeathed them to her daughter. The cairngorms were then passed from mother to daughter down through the ages, a symbol of undying love."

  Elaine looked startled. "Jeff, you know this story too?"

  "Yeah, Gram told it to us a thousand times."

  "So the cairngorms in the legend are the same ones that your grandmother gave Katherine?"

  "Supposedly. But it's just a story." Jeff waved a hand in dismissal.

  Elaine turned her attention back to Mrs. Abernathy. "You said something earlier about Katherine being the lady in the legend. What were you talking about?"

  "Well, as I said, I didn't know for sure until I saw the cairngorm earring she wears around her neck. I recognized it immediately."

  Jeff snapped out of his daze. "Wait a minute—how could you recognize something you've never seen?"

  "Oh, but I have seen the earrings. Not the real ones, you understand, but a painting of them. My grandmother used to show us the wee picture and tell us the tale. I always thought it so romantic. And then, when I saw Katherine, well, it was like the legend coming to life."

  Jeff struggled to hold on to his patience. He felt as though he was being led down the proverbial garden path. "Mrs. Abernathy, are you saying you are in possession of a painting of the lady of the legend wearing the cairngorm earrings?"