Through the Mist: Restoration

by C. Renee Freeman

  She placed her hand upon his arm and forced a smile. “I do not intend to travel beyond this valley,” she said. “If I have not returned to the castle by dawn, please come here and collect my horse.” Seeing the growing anger on his face, she hastily added, “If my plan is unsuccessful, then I will seek your help about a trip to Edinburgh. That is all I can tell you at this moment. Does that ease your mind?”

  “No, it does not,” he said. It was clear that he became more agitated by the minute. “Please allow me to escort you. It is not safe.”

  Tilly shook her head. “No,” she said firmly. “I have stated my requirements. This is the payment I ask for the debt you say you owe me. Will you honor your promise? Or, were those empty words?”

  She noted with some satisfaction that her remarks offended him. Right now, she did not care if she hurt his feelings. She was prepared to say whatever was necessary to get her way.

  “My words were not empty, madam,” Iain said, squaring his shoulders. “I will do as you request, though it pains me. If you change your mind, I will be glad to accompany you this evening.”

  “And, I request one more favor.”

  “Does milady want a pistol?” he asked, amused but somewhat serious.

  Tilly chuckled. “No,” she said. She walked toward her horse. “You cannot tell Benjamin.”

  “Milady, I can assure you that will not happen,” he promised. “He would be most aggrieved that I allowed a woman to travel unaccompanied at night.”

  She was grateful when Iain helped her onto her horse without judging her lack of horse skills. She looked down at him as he placed her foot in a stirrup. “Come the morning, Benjamin will be relieved to know I am gone,” she said sadly. “Do not fret, Iain. All will be well.”

  “If you are gone, many will miss you,” he said. Without further comment, he mounted his horse and turned the beast toward the road leading to the castle.

  Tilly took one last glance at the valley before urging her horse to a trot. She hoped she would be able to find it again in the darkness.

  Forty Five

  Later that afternoon, Iain walked into the castle. He remained most perplexed by Mrs. Munro’s strange request. He had spent the day contemplating it and had yet to comprehend its meaning. Lost in thought, he was oblivious to the servant who followed him. When the man was forced to step in front of Iain to get his attention, he heard that Benjamin wanted to see him in his study.

  He knew his friend was in a serious mood after taking one look at the dark expression on Benjamin’s face. Without comment, he accepted the offered glass of whisky and joined the man beside the fireplace.

  “What troubles you?” Iain asked, taking a sip of the fiery liquid.

  Benjamin recounted the tale of the old shield and the symbol that briefly flashed upon its surface. He then told Iain about the letter from his father and Tilly’s reaction. “She believed every word that bastard wrote,” he said ruefully. “She does not know the man as we do. You know everything I told him was a lie.”

  “Was it?” Iain asked. He studied his friend. “Do you wish to risk everything for this woman?”

  Sighing, Benjamin stared into his glass. He absently swirled the liquid. “I love her, Iain,” he said. “I would risk much if I pursued her, though.”

  “Aye, you would. Can you stand firm against your father?”

  Benjamin shrugged. “I do not know,” he said. “I have accomplished so much. If Tilly became my bride, would he allow me the same freedom I have enjoyed these many years? I have managed the estate well and brought him more revenue than when he was master of the castle. Would that be enough?”

  Iain shook his head. “You will not know the answer until you confront your father. You must be prepared for the worst. If he disapproves, you must be willing to walk away from the estate and start anew.” He chuckled. “Perhaps you could travel to America, where Tilly lives.”

  “She insists she is from the future. I cannot travel there.”

  “You cannot? You believe the shield is a mystical object. It could transport you to another time and place where you could be free from the cumbersome burden of your father.”

  It was Benjamin’s turn to laugh. “I would have to travel hundreds of years into the future to escape that man!”

  “You will never have peace until the questions are settled,” Iain said, turning serious. “If you believe she is from another time, and you have a link to her old life, you must offer her a choice to return. And, you must decide if you are prepared to anger your father in pursuit of her. ”

  “I do not want her leave,” Benjamin said quietly. “I wish there was some way to keep her here and satisfy my father at the same time.”

  “Of all people, you know that life is never that simple. You have a hard choice to make, my friend,” he said. Iain placed a hand upon Benjamin’s shoulder. “I promised that I would not share the information, but I feel it is important. She asked me to take her to Gleann A’bunadh this morning.”

  “Why?”

  “She told me it sometimes helps to return to the beginning. You met in that valley. You saw the symbol on the shield, and you told me that she was greatly distressed when she heard the story about it. Could she too suspect it offers her a way to her own time, if her outrageous tale is true?”

  “Did she ask anything more of you?”

  “Aye, she asked me to saddle a horse for her this evening. She also wanted to confirm that a full moon would shine tonight.”

  “The moon was full the night she appeared in the mist.”

  “Tales of fairies and strange apparitions often occur by the light of the full moon, do they not?” Iain joked.

  “This is no laughing matter,” Benjamin said crossly. “If she truly believes the shield will take her home, she plans to leave tonight.”

  Iain stared at Benjamin. “You do not want her to stay, if she is not meant to be here.”

  “How do I know the shield will work?” Benjamin asked, tossing his hands in frustration. “Does one deliver some incantation or make a pagan sacrifice to call forth a means for her return?”

  “The story in your family’s book said nothing of those things,” Iain said. “If a goat’s slaughter was a necessary component to its power, I am sure your ancestor would have vividly described the ritual.” He paused as he remembered something from the tale. “You said a white witch gave the shield to Colin Campbell after a battle at Gleann A’bunadh. Could it be possible that the shield’s power is tied to that valley? The spell may only work at that location.”

  “Aye, that might explain why she remains here and did not return to her own time when I saw the symbol. The connection between times may only exist in that valley.” He stared into the fire for several moments before turning to Iain. “Gleann A’bunadh is an easy ride. I could take Tilly and the shield there tonight. It is the only way to settle the question.”

  “It would settle the question about how Tilly came to be here. It does not address your father’s reaction to your romance.” Iain shook his head. “We always return to that. What are you prepared to do for love?” When his friend did not answer, he continued, “You must ask yourself that question before you go further. You must also consider whether or not you truly believe her tale. Magic shields and women travelling through time? It is the stuff of fanciful stories told to children at bedtime. It is not supposed to be real.”

  “Benjamin, what will you do if you both go to that valley, and the shield does not work? What if her tale is the stuff of fantasy?” He leaned closer and stared intently at his friend. “What if she is nothing more than a confused woman who has no connections, no family or friends? Are you willing to overlook her past in favor of building a future together?”

  “What if we go to the valley, and the shield does work?” Benjamin said, a note of fear in his voice. “Do you think she will return to her own time, Iain? Do I offer anything here?”

  “You are a foolish man,” Iain said. “I believe that
she loves you very much. She only wants to hear the words from you.” He rose from his seat and placed the empty whisky glass on the table. “I will have the horses ready for you both this evening. If you wish to proceed, bring the shield and the woman to the valley.”

  He made his way to the door and paused, his hand on the doorknob. Turning, he said, “Make your decision – and live with the consequences.”

  He did not bother to stay for Benjamin’s reaction.

  ∞

  Benjamin spent the rest of the afternoon in his study, trying to make a decision. His head told him one course of action would be most prudent. His heart vehemently disagreed. When Mr. Murphy knocked on the door and informed him that dinner was ready, he was no closer to a decision than he was at the beginning.

  He slowly made his way to the family dining room. He was not surprised that Tilly did not join him for dinner. She had avoided him, choosing to eat her meals in her chambers and hiding there when not teaching his children. Based upon what Iain told him, she might be preparing for her clandestine escape that evening.

  He posted a guard at the stable and would be alerted if she chose to leave. What would he do if she did? He wished he could have more time to think about the choices that lay before him. He knew the great risk involved, yet he could not imagine life without Tilly. The last few months seemed like a rebirth to him. He felt as if the dark cloud that descended after Mary’s death had finally lifted. He even noticed a change in his children, who were once again carefree and happy. It was not from the passage of time, for he knew it never healed wounds. No, time only taught you how to make peace with the pain and resume your life. The happiness he and his family felt could only be attributed to a restoration of spirits brought on by the love and care of a mysterious woman.

  As he absently sampled the dishes the footmen placed before him, he understood that he had no choice. He must face the ire of his father. He simply could not live without Tilly, and he could not imagine telling his children that they must do the same. Like it or not, they had all come to rely on her as a member of their family. Her absence would be as poignant as the loss they felt when Mary died.

  Now, he moved to the next question posed by Iain. Did he believe her? He shook his head. It was beyond all imagining that a simple shield could be a device that transported her from over two hundred years in the future back in time to 1801. That was the story she expected him to believe, though.

  He had repeatedly analyzed her behavior and admitted nothing in her manner, her speech, her stories, gave him any indication that she was dishonest. She was unwavering in her declaration that she came from the 21st century.

  He tossed his napkin onto the table. He decided there was only one way to settle the matter.

  “My apologies, sir,” he said, noting the shocked expression on the butler’s face. “I am not hungry this evening and will retire to my chambers.”

  He quickly strode toward his bedchamber. He would collect the damn shield and take Tilly to the valley. Then, maybe they would know once and for all whether or not she came from the future.

  “This is madness,” he mumbled as he opened the door to his bedchamber. He walked to the fireplace and was surprised to see a chair in front of it. Looking up, he gasped in shock. The shield was gone.

  Forty Six

  Tilly pulled the wool cloak tighter around her to chase away the chill. She wished she had the forethought to bring a blanket that might have offered some protection against the wet grass on which she sat. Of course, it was hard enough sneaking out of the castle with a metal shield. Bringing more supplies would have been impractical. She could not have managed it without Sarah’s help and sincerely hoped the poor girl would not get into trouble.

  She glanced at the object in question, which she had placed on the ground in front of her. She hoped her theory was accurate. Otherwise, she would feel awfully foolish about sitting in the middle of a grassy field, waiting for some sign. Of course, that would also mean that she was likely stuck in the 1800s. Shaking her head, she tried to push aside that depressing thought.

  Unfortunately, it could not be so easily dismissed. If she had not read that damn letter, she would not have been troubled by the prospect of staying. She knew she had fallen in love with Benjamin and believed he felt the same way. It was a silly fantasy. His true feelings were right there in print.

  Tilly looked up at the sky. She could not remember seeing so many twinkling stars in the inky black canvas of night. In her time, light pollution blurred the evening sky unless she travelled into the country. Smiling, she remembered that was one of the reasons her husband and she picked their farmhouse. It was inconvenient to town, yet gave them an opportunity to raise the children in an environment that provided natural surroundings.

  She giggled despite the gravity of the situation. Gleann A’bunadh definitely offered the rustic splendor Alex and she wanted back home. She had grown accustomed to the sounds that filled the air, all the familiar noises of life in the 19th century – red stag running through the forest, insects whizzing through the air, an owl hooting in a tree. She did not miss the sound of airplanes overhead, the roar of car engines, or the ringing of cell phones that plagued modern life. She felt far more relaxed in this environment.

  She looked across the pasture and saw nothing. She should stop thinking about the things she liked in this time. She wanted to leave, right?

  What did she miss about the 21st century? She closed her eyes and thought of all the modern conveniences. She planned to take a hot bath and soak for hours as soon as she returned. What a luxury it would be to switch on the tap and instantly have water! Oh, and she had never considered a toilet to be a thing of beauty until she had spent months using a chamber pot. What else?

  Maybe she would order a pizza and enjoy it right there in the tub. Mozzarella cheese and mushrooms with crushed red pepper flakes sprinkled on top, all on a thin crust lightly covered with fresh tomato sauce. Her mouth practically watered at the thought.

  Beth. She missed her friend so much. It would be wonderful to be with her old friend again, someone with whom she could discuss anything. Beth was always there to offer help whenever she needed it. They had been through dark times together. Beth never left. She was a faithful friend.

  Unlike Benjamin, she thought resentfully. She trusted him. All that time, he wooed another woman and considered her to be nothing more than a servant, one who would be replaced soon.

  Stop it, Tilly! she commanded herself. She must not think of him. Why did it matter? She would be gone, and he could marry someone who suited his father. His new wife and he would raise the children and manage the estate.

  To her chagrin, she admitted the idea of another woman raising the children and enjoying Benjamin’s bed deeply hurt her. He would carry on just fine without her. In fact, if he picked the right woman, he might be better off. His new wife might bring a bit of money to the marriage, which would satisfy Malcolm Campbell. Hell, Benjamin might even fall in love with her.

  She gritted her teeth in frustration. She must stop thinking about him and turn her mind toward her own time. Focus, she thought. What will you do when you go back?

  She took a deep breath. Her life had been on hold for the last year. This trip was meant to be the first step toward restarting her life. With the sale of the restaurant and house, she had some money to start over in another town. Beth and Randall had a cottage on Sullivan’s Island. They probably would not mind if she stayed there for a while. Teaching Benjamin’s children had reignited her love of education. She could find a job at one of the schools in the Charleston area. She would have a fresh start. Yes, she could build a new life. In time, she might even be happy.

  She opened her eyes and watched the moon as it slipped from behind a fluffy white cloud. It cast a pale, silvery light upon the cold metal of the shield. One by one, the symbols slowly appeared in each quadrant of the battered armament - a fish, an infinity symbol, triangles, and a caldron with legs protruding
from it.

  She squinted through the soft, white mist that drifted across the valley. Stumbling to her feet, her mouth fell open at the sight. Mrs. Douglas’ slate-roofed cottage emerged from the mist. The windows were ablaze with electric lights. Cars filled the parking lot. If she listened carefully, she could hear canned laughter from a show playing on a television inside the inn.

  “I am not crazy!” she shouted with glee as she jumped to her feet. “It is real!”

  “Holy mother of God!”

  Tilly spun around at the exclamation. She found Benjamin standing three feet behind her, his face ghostly pale and eyes wide. “What the hell are you doing here?” she asked, quickly closing the distance between them.

  “Can you smell the bread?” he asked. He pulled his gaze away from the scene and stared at her in shock. He seemed eager for proof that he too was not insane.

  Despite her previous thoughts about him, she could not help feeling a twinge of relief that he was here. Finally, she could show him the truth. “Yes, I do,” she said. “Mrs. Douglas makes it every evening.” She took a moment to inhale deeply. “It smells like banana bread.”

  “It is an intoxicating aroma.”

  “Well, she is a great cook.”

  He shifted uneasily. “Tilly, I….” he began.

  She pressed her finger to his lips. “Don’t say anything, Benjamin,” she said. “I will leave. You can return to your life.”

  “I do not want to return to my former life,” he said, grabbing her hand. “You have brought me a happiness that I never thought I could experience again.”

  “The letter –“

  “The letter was a lie! I had to say those things to my father. I did not want him to come to Castle Fion.”

  Tilly wrenched away her hand from his and turned her back to him. She looked longingly at the cottage. All she had to do was walk across the pasture and leave Benjamin forever. He would just be another page in a history book. She did not need this anguish again. She hesitated. “Nothing will change if I stay,” she said. “He will still come.”