I would’ve lied to God, Himself, for that picture to come to fruition.
“What’s this place called?” I asked, shoving the remorse from my mind.
“Bibliothèque Mazarine. It has quite the collection, I’ve heard. I’ve not gone myself, though.” Releasing me, he sat, grabbing his fork.
Turning, I walked to my own chair. The name had triggered something in my mind, but I hadn’t quite pinned down what, yet. “It sounds familiar,” I confessed, taking my seat.
“Many members of The Order are patrons. I’m told the Templar records are stored there, in part, as well. Perhaps ye heard of it when ye were at the Temple, in passing?” He didn’t seem so concerned with why I would find the name memorable. In fact, he continued to eat as if he suspected nothing was amiss, which was good for my plans.
“No . . .” Stumped, I took another sip of my tea, brow furrowed as I tried to think of what it was that made me feel this place was so important.
Then, like a lightbulb had been lit in my brain, I remembered.
“The Mazarine Library! Of course!” I felt like slapping myself in embarrassment for not immediately recognizing the name when it was said in French. “I can’t believe I didn’t realize. It’s connected to the university here, isn’t it?”
He paused, surprised. “Ye know it?”
Nodding, excitement filled me in an instant. “It’s one of the most impressive archives in the world, if I remember correctly. People in my time still visit it. The collection is a major source of research and study. When I learned about it, I was so awe-struck. The fact that it remained open during the French Revolution, collecting banned books and priceless copies of histories—”
“French Revolution?” Tristan interrupted me, frowning. “Ye mean to tell me that not only will the New World revolt and claim its freedom from Britain, but the people of France will do so as well?”
“Oh.” Apparently, I’d never told him about that. “Yes, they will. But, not for a while.”
He shook his head, returning to eating without further comment. I received the distinct impression he hadn’t particularly liked being blindsided by that morsel of information, but the news hadn’t upset him beyond that. In the time we’d spent together, he’d come to expect me to randomly say things that were common knowledge in my century, but shocking in his.
“Anyway,” I continued, giggling at the uncomfortableness I felt from having accidentally revealed the fate of an entire nation in one quick breath. “I hear the library is beautiful. I would love to have you take me there.”
Clearing his throat, he raised his own napkin. “I’ll have the coach made ready and we can go as soon as we’re done with breakfast. There’s not much for me to do with the entire Order grounded.” He laughed once, meeting my gaze. “To be completely frank, I’m slightly worried I will lose my mind with boredom before William MacDonald decides to end this madness and release those of us who call the sea home to her embrace.”
Chuckling, I speared a piece of ham. “You need to find something else to do in the meantime. You may not be able to sail, but I bet you could find a way to occupy yourself.”
“Perhaps.”
Setting his utensils down, he called to one of the servants, requesting our carriage be ready to depart shortly. Breakfast finished quickly after, and I soon found myself standing in the foyer, staring into the courtyard with Abella.
She was wearing her typical maid uniform, the simple black dress and white apron not doing anything to mask how beautiful she truly was. I’d pleaded with her numerous times to not act like a servant in my home, but she always insisted she fulfil the role she had been originally hired to perform.
“If I do not work, you cannot pay me, Samantha,” she always replied, crossly. No matter how much I tried to convince her that I’d take care of her, maid or not, she always refused to let go of her job.
Tucking a strand of her long, black, curly hair behind her ear, she grinned, taking in a deep breath of the morning air.
“You seem to be in good spirits,” I noted, smiling as I looked her over.
“Oui. It is a glorious day.”
“Glorious?” I resisted the urge to laugh outright. “What makes it so?”
A blush crept over her cheeks, her expression the same as any other love struck young woman I’d ever seen. “Monsieur Bell has asked if I will join him this afternoon, to help with a new patient of his.”
“Patient?”
“He has decided to start his own medical service while he is grounded. His letter stated that he missed being a healer, and he would be honored if I would assist him in examining his first clients, today. He is somewhat nervous, I believe.” Her voice was filled with excitement and the nervousness that comes with truly liking someone for the first time.
Surprised, I did laugh. “Doctor Mark Bell. I admit, he was a good ship’s physician, but I didn’t think he would ever start a practice of his own here.” In fact, I’d always thought he’d do something with the sea, like Tristan. He was a pirate historian back home, not a doctor. He’d been a paramedic at one point, though, and learned many things about healing in the decade he’d spent in this era, so I didn’t see any reason why he couldn’t practice medicine if he wanted to.
“I’m proud of him,” Abella said. “He’s changed since we returned from our adventures. He seems . . . happier. Even with the troubles he’s faced since returning to Paris.”
My heart lifted at that. “I think we all found something we were searching for when we were in Atlantis,” I replied softly. “I know I did.”
“What are ye ladies talking about?” Tristan, coming down the stairs behind us, drew both our attention. He’d donned a jacket, and was carrying a hat for me, wearing a wide grin.
“Life,” I responded. “Happiness.”
“Both good discussion points.” Stopping in front of me, he kissed me quickly, offering me the cover.
The clacking sound of wheels on cobblestone signaled the arrival of the carriage. Taking the headpiece from Tristan, I put it on, and smoothed my hands along the front of my bodice.
“Thank you. Shall we go?” Wrapping my arm around his, I smiled.
“Aye.” He turned to Abella, dipping his head in respect. “We shall return later this afternoon.”
She curtseyed in response, saying nothing about Mark to him, though her eyes sparkled as she peered at me. “Have a good day, Monsieur et Madame O’Rourke. I know I will!”
The blue interior of the carriage bounced along the cobblestone road, the sounds of the city dampened by the curtains hanging across the window. Tristan smiled, seeming pleased to have a morning to spend with me.
His anger at being grounded appeared to be dissipating at last. Either that, or he was starting to realize less time at the Temple meant more with me—a fact I recognized from the very beginning.
It was thrilling, being by his side, again. When we were in Paris before, we spent many of our days separated. He had things he needed to do for The Order, and I was viewed as just another wife, left at home to do whatever it was wives did. Now, though, I woke each morning wondering what wonderful thing I would get to do with my husband, barring any short meetings he might need to attend. It felt more like a vacation than anything, but I was grateful for the change that brought us closer.
“What do ye plan on studying today?” Tristan laughed as he asked, leaning forward and pulling the curtains back to peer outside.
I caught a glimpse of one of the poorer parts of town, the people dressed in rags and walkways crowded with those trying to sell a few meager goods. The image made my stomach turn uncomfortably. I knew there had been a terrible famine here, only a few years ago. The Order treated us so luxuriously, I hadn't even noticed the dire straits that many of the citizens of Paris suffered through. However, now that I knew how badly some of them were afflicted, I felt even more guilt at the life I was leading.
Pushing the realizations of my privileged and lucky state aside, I
grinned tightly at my husband. Unfortunately, I had more immediate things to attend to than rallying for better conditions and food for all of Paris, at the moment. “Actually, I thought I’d simply browse today. See what all they offer. I'll make a list of things I want to study more in depth.”
The answer didn't seem to surprise him. “Ye’ll want to come every day, I assume?”
My smile faltered. “Yes, probably for a few hours. Will that be okay with you?”
He snorted. “Lord knows ye’ve never needed my permission to do whatever it is ye want. But, aye, that is fine with me.” He paused and then sighed. “I've been thinking about what ye said at breakfast, about finding something to do while I wait to be assigned to another crew.”
“Oh?” Pleasantly surprised, I waited for him to continue. I hadn’t expected him to latch onto the idea so quickly, or to come up with anything to do right away.
“Aye. When I was younger—starting in The Order—I did a lot of work at the docks. It wasn't much, only loading cargo and minding a few of the accounts, but I think I could do that. I could fish, too, if ye didn't mind.”
“Will Captain MacDonald be upset if you get another job that takes you to sea?”
He shrugged. “I don't rightly know. Any such position would take me from ye, though. I know ye’ve enjoyed spending time together, even with my surliness.”
“But it would give you something to do,” I stated, speaking before he could continue. “And I think that's important for you, too. You're surly because you don't have anywhere to focus your energy. A new job could be good for you.”
And it would keep you busy while I'm visiting Randall, I thought to myself. Anything that would distract Tristan from what I was doing would be good with me.
“I'll see what I can discover later today, after ye’ve seen all of the library.”
My reply was cut short as the carriage stopped, and I felt a sudden burst of excitement rocket through me. Not waiting for the door to be opened, I rose and lifted the latch, gazing on one of the most beautiful buildings I'd ever seen.
The façade was crescent shaped, the center of the structure directly across the courtyard from me. Stone pillars sat near the entrance, modeling that part of the building like a miniature version of a Greek temple, topped with a gorgeous and distinctly French dome. Long, two-story walls stretched out on either side, windows framed in every couple feet. The people passing by didn’t appear to care that one of the most magnificent and knowledge bearing edifices was literally right beside them.
There were a few people, mostly more nobly dressed men, walking to and from the building, carrying tomes and other papers, and some in groups that chatted happily.
“What do ye think?” Tristan asked, emerging from the carriage after I stepped onto the cobblestone yard.
“It’s wonderful.” Beaming, I took his arm, impatiently allowing him to guide me to the entrance.
Chuckling, he motioned for me to go ahead of him. “I doubt I’ve ever seen ye so eager,” he said. “Go in. I want to watch how ye take it.”
Giggling, and truly feeling like an enthusiastic school girl, I hurried through the double doors.
I found myself in a foyer, hallways spreading on either side and a staircase leading up directly in front of me. There was a large desk beside the steps, no one there at the moment. Picking a direction, I moved down the corridor admiring the artwork and busts that had been lined along the walkway. There were several rooms, all of which were open. I stepped through the first one, halting. Sucking in a deep breath, I felt my eyes widen, my smile growing by the second as I gazed inside.
Large bookshelves covered each wall, decorated with more sculptures and even a few coat-of-arms. Long ladders attached to the shelves, here and there, waiting for someone to slide them along the wall and climb them. Tables and chairs filled the marbled floor in the middle of the room, and more than one fireplace was crackling around the perimeter.
There were so many books! They filled every ledge, practically shouting for anyone and everyone to come and learn what secrets they held. There were scrolls and leaflets, pamphlets, and novels with cracked spines and leather coverings that had been opened so many times they seemed like they might fall apart if anyone touched them. However, it was so distinctly obvious that the works here were well cared for. Everything I saw was in good condition and ready to be read, despite some of the wear and tear they sported.
Inhaling deeply, I closed my eyes, savoring the smell. That had always been my favorite part of working at the Arizona State University library—the scent of paper and ink all around me. It was a comforting and joyful feeling that instantly brought many memories of my own era and the discoveries I’d made between the covers of every tome I gathered.
Tristan’s soft chuckling caught my attention and I gaped at him.
“What?” I asked, blushing with exhilaration. “I really like reading, okay?”
Taking my hand, he kissed it. “I know ye do. It makes my heart glad to see ye so content.”
“And to think, this is only one room!” Turning back, I tried to ignore the itch to run right in and take an item off the shelf.
“Would ye like to stop here or see the rest first?” He was teasing me, laughter still present in his tone, his eyes shining.
“Everything,” I replied. “I want to see everything.”
The longer I took to explore, the more grateful I became for my patient and loving husband. He watched with a wide smile as I leafed through small volumes, snickered as I practically skipped through the halls, and waited tolerantly as I sat at tables, running my fingers over the spines of just about everything available. Finally, after almost two hours, I turned to him, somewhat breathless.
“It’s incredible,” I said for the millionth time. “All of it. There’s so much here to discover, and it’s not even gathered some of its most impressive volumes yet! I can’t imagine what it will be like over the next couple hundred years, as the collection grows and flourishes. I wish there was a way for me to go and see it in the future, just so I could know how much it changes.”
He took my hand in his, kissing my fingers. “I haven’t seen ye this excited in a while, lass. It’s good to watch yer eyes light up.”
“Thank you for bringing me here,” I gushed. “I can’t wait to return and read. I feel like this is a part of me that was missing. I have it back now. It’s amazing!”
“Why don’t ye stay? I don’t mind leaving ye to yer work, if ye like.” His expression was sweet and loving. “I’m sure I could find a task to occupy myself with while you are gone.”
The idea made my breath catch. I’d almost forgotten that my main motive in coming here was to betray him by going behind his back to see Randall. He was so unsuspicious that I almost confessed my entire plan right then and there.
Sucking in a silent breath, I nodded, trying to clear the lump from my throat without him noticing. “That would be nice,” I replied, somewhat stiffly, feeling like my grin was a fake he would recognize from a mile away.
However, he accepted my answer without question. Leaning forward, he kissed my forehead, squeezing my fingers lightly, and then released me, glancing toward the window. “I’ll come and get ye in an hour, aye? Is that long enough for ye?”
Nodding, I bit my lip, struggling to shove my guilty conscious to the side. “What will you do while you’re gone?”
“I thought I might go down to the docks and see if I could be of any assistance to anyone there,” he confessed. “Unless ye want me to wait?”
“No,” I replied, hurriedly. “That’s fine. I know you’ve been restless ever since MacDonald cut everything and put it on hold. Finding work will be good for you, especially if it involves being on the water.”
“Aye, I think so, too.” He frowned. “Ye’ll be fine while I’m away? I know ye don’t like it when we’re apart. I don’t, either. But I need something to distract me from . . .” He gestured to nothing in particular, and a short, gruf
f chuckle broke from him. “Everything.”
My heart sank even further. It was going to be harder than I imagined, keeping this secret.
It’s for the best. For our future, I reminded myself sternly, attempting to reaffirm my commitment to my plans and their place in the life I’d arranged. For Tristan. Do this one thing, and it can all be over. Forever.
“I’ll be great,” I muttered. “Your well-being is just as important as mine. I have a whole building full of books to distract me from our problems. You go and find your peace.”
His lips turned up and he stepped close, pressing his lips against mine as he held me in a sweet embrace. “I love ye, Samantha,” he stated quietly. “I knew it the moment I saw ye, and I’ve only come to adore ye more each day. Thank ye for understanding, truly.”
He released his hold, his tall figure quickly fading from sight as he walked through the double-doored entrance and disappeared into the mass of people on the street.
“I dinna think ye were going to come.”
The man sitting across from me in the carriage was clearly related to William MacDonald somehow. He had the same gruff manner and no-nonsense stare, as well as a matching kilt and tartan wrapped around his body. Where Captain MacDonald was bald and sporting an impressive beard, my current companion had a headful of dark brown, wavy hair, and was clean-shaven. He was younger, too, probably around Mark’s age, but his eyes were as wise and all-knowing as the new Grand Master.
“I’m sorry, what did you say your name was?” I asked, attempting to place who he was to MacDonald.
“Rowan,” he replied, reclining in his seat and studying me. “Rowan MacDonald.”
He’d arrived at the library unexpectedly, his expression bored as he watched me approach. I hadn’t realized anyone would be escorting me, having gotten word to the Grand Master a week ago that I was willing to go through with his deal. But, there he was, ordering me inside and climbing in after me, as if I should have known who he was all along.
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