Highlander's Charm

by Joanne Wadsworth

  “Since my chief’s capture, I’m the only authority on this isle. Come.” He strode toward the sand dunes, fetched a sword tossed atop a plaid and belted it over his hips. It glinted razor sharp in the moonlight.

  “Knowing Nanna might have come through here after her disappearance is the best news. I have to make that call then be on my way.”

  “’Tis too late to be making calls, and ’tis now my duty to see to your welfare.”

  “But the police are available twenty-four hours a day.” Well, they were in Australia. Surely that was the same in Scotland.

  “Again, come. We’ll speak inside.”

  Yes, they would speak.

  He’d seen her grandmother and she had to get to the bottom of this.

  The way she’d arrived and these visions she’d experienced weren’t right.

  She needed to sort this. Now.

  Chapter 2

  Calum flapped the sand from his plaid and wrapped it gently around Lila’s shoulders. The so-called wetsuit she wore molded every curve of her body, and ’twas best none of his men caught sight of it. She snuggled into his tartan, and with a hand at her back, he led her up the grassy rise and into the keep. He signaled the guard to lower the portcullis for the night. Lila was here, and deep within him, he knew her, even though they’d never met before. The fortuneteller had said they were bound, and to embrace his coming visions. He would have them because of her, until all things were set right.

  “This place is amazing.” Her gaze roamed in all directions. “You said before your chief had been captured. What did you mean by that?”

  “Three days past, during a recent battle on the Isle of Islay, Lachlan was caught by clan MacDonald then handed over to the king’s men. The dungeons will be where he’ll remain while the king has his way.”

  “The king still has dungeons?” She scratched her head. “Oh, I get it. Authenticity. I realize you live here, but you don’t have to keep the act going for me.”

  “There is no act. Duart is mine to protect with Lachlan’s son still so young.”

  “Seriously, take a break.” She smiled and wagged a finger at him. “Opening hours must be over by now.”

  More of her strange words.

  “This way.” He bypassed the great hall where his clan would be enjoying their evening meal and instead escorted Lila up the tower’s side stairs and into his chamber. He closed the door, crossed the room and stoked the fire to blazing life. “I’ll have you warm soon.” He added another log.

  “This is amazing.” She wandered to his side table, set her flippers down then picked up the pitcher and poured water into the basin. “What a beautiful antique.” She traced along the rim.

  “’Twas gifted to me, but ’tis no antique.”

  “Oh, sorry. It looks like one.” She drifted to his desk, inspected his candleholder then glanced at the ceiling. “Now that’s strange. The wall sconces in the hallway were lit by candlelight, but how come there aren’t any lights or electricity? I heard Duart had gone through several restorations.”

  “What are you speaking about, lass? Do you feel well?”

  “Yes, but I’m anxious.” Her silver eyes sparkled, the most magical color. “I really can’t wait until the morning to make that call.” She nibbled on her lush lower lip. “Zayn lives in Kilchoan. I have his number.”

  “What number do you speak of?” Ardnamurchan was the enemy’s land.

  “Ah, that would be number you dial”—she lifted a brow—“when using a phone.”

  Aye, she was no’ yet of sound mind after her adventurous dip in the loch. He tucked a drying strand of black hair behind her ear, his fingers brushing her earlobe. Tingles raced along his fingertips. “I’ll call a healer in the morn if your head has still no’ cleared.”

  “My head is fine, and you’ve really got to stop acting like this is the sixteenth century. I’d enjoy it if I were a tourist, but not right now. I have people to call.”

  “’Tis the sixteenth century. The year of our Lord, fifteen-ninety.” The fortuneteller had said ’twas his duty to aid her. Whether she was confused or not, he would. “What year do you believe it is?”

  “Not believe. It’s twenty-fourteen.” She glanced around his chamber. “You’re clearly letting your work get to you. You have a quill, but no pen. You have candles, and no light bulbs. You have a trunk, yet no dresser. You’re wearing warrior attire and have a sword. You have no phone, and you’ve never heard of a wetsuit or Sydney. But in the real world, those things exist.”

  “Mayhap you’d rather I call a healer now?”

  “Grrreat. Let’s do that.” She sank onto the end of his bed and fisted his brown fur covers. “Maybe the healer will allow me to borrow his phone and call Zayn, unless you’re all in on this act together.”

  The fortuneteller had never said the woman would have such—his vision clouded and he grasped the wooden desk chair. He envisioned Lila sitting on his bed, speaking to him. She tugged the tight sleeve of her wetsuit up and uncovered a well-crafted piece of metal strapped to her wrist. She angled it toward him then pressed a knob on the side. It lit as if sunlight was contained within.

  He blinked and the image melted away.

  Aye, the visions had begun as the fortuneteller had said.

  On his knees, he gripped her cold hands. “Show me the contraption you have on your wrist.”

  “How did you—never mind. Of course I’ll show you if it’ll help you accept what I’ve been saying.” She lowered the plaid he’d wrapped around her then showed him the piece. “This is a watch, and don’t tell me you haven’t seen one of these before.”

  “’Tis impressive. In my vision, you lit it up.”

  “You’ve had a vision too? I’ve had them as well today.”

  “What did you see? I was told they’d come.”

  “The last one was of us wandering through a meadow. You spoke of warriors dying there. Is there a field somewhere here with an abundance of wildflowers?”

  “There is. Did your vision show you this?”

  “Yes.” She clasped shaky hands in her lap. “Who told you these visions would come?”

  “An old woman. Show me the light.”

  She pressed the device’s side and light flared. “This watch has a battery which conveys electricity.”

  “’Tis a magical device.” Incredible. He crossed the room, gathered her flippers from the side table and shook the webbed ends. “These appear as if they would aid you in moving swiftly through the water, as duck’s feet would.”

  “Yes, they do. Take a look at my mask as well.” She slid it from around her neck and handed it over.

  He pressed it against his face as he’d first seen it on her. Rimming his eyes and nose, it stuck to his skin.

  “The tube on the side goes into your mouth and allows you to swim without the need to come up for air.” She stood behind him and angled it just so.

  “’Tis clever.” Aye, her belongings were wondrous, and she’d come to him from the sea, amongst a burst of enthralling lights. He cupped her cheek, stroked his thumb across her smooth skin. “’Tis my duty to aid you, and the past must be set to rights, yet you speak of coming from the future. Certainly you have strange belongings which dinnae exist, but I’ve no’ spoken a mistruth. The year is fifteen-ninety. Do you too speak the truth?” Anything was possible considering the old woman’s words.

  “Yes.” She paced the chamber. “If what we’re both saying is true, then that means I’ve traveled through time, which would explain a few things.”

  “If you’ve come from the future, then ’tis a miracle. I was told you’d come, by a fortuneteller who gave me a charm.”

  “A fortuneteller gave Nanna a charm too. Oh, this is crazy. Incredible, but crazy.” She dug into her pocket, pulled out a coin and passed it across. “Nanna sent me this charm, along with a note telling me to never let it go. Are you the Calum mentioned on this coin? It’s a relic from this time.”

  Carefully, he
smoothed over the inscription. “Aye. My coin is identical to yours.” He fished it from his pocket and passed it to her. “Three days past, a fortuneteller gave this to me. She said the past must be set to rights. That you would come, and that I must keep you safe from the sea and never let you go. She said we are bound, and to embrace the coming visions.”

  “I can’t believe I’ve traveled through time.” She stared at it. “Yet it all makes eerie sense. How else could I have ended up here, miles from where I should have been?”

  “Gifted charms are considered lucky talismans. Ours appear to hold some kind of magical power too.”

  “Nanna’s here as well, in the past.” She bent, hands to her knees as she sucked in a long breath. “I made a wish upon my charm, not long before I tumbled into the water and was dragged under. I asked to find Nanna, alive and well. She went missing from the future, and now I finally know where she disappeared to. I have to find her.”

  “We shall, as soon as it is safe to do so. War rages, and far too close to our shores.” He tipped up her chin and traced along her lower lip. “It appears charms and wishes have brought you to me. You understand you cannae speak of this? Claims of such would be considered witchery and lead you no’ to your grandmother, but the stake.”

  “I understand.” She rested her forehead against his chest then wrapped her shaky hands around his waist. “Sorry, a little shock is setting in.”

  “We’re bound by these charms and by a fortuneteller’s decree.” He pulled her closer. “I willnae fail in my duty to you.”

  “Thank you, and regardless of whatever magic brought me here, I’m glad it was to you.”

  “As am I.”

  Relief coursed through him.

  She was his, and she was back.

  * * * *

  Lila snuggled into Calum’s embrace. She’d made a wish and something magical had happened, except she’d arrived at a time of great feuding between her clan and Calum’s. Nanna had also told those here she was a Cunningham and not a MacIan, a wise move. Doing so would give Nanna the protection of another clan’s name, a clan who weren’t deeply immersed in this particular war. A precaution she needed to take too.

  A wave of emotions tumbled through her, shock and fear, as well as apprehension over what lay ahead, and relief at being so much closer to finding Nanna. Overcome, she shuddered and tangled her fingers in his damp shirt.

  “Are you all right?” Calum stroked her back, his touch warm and firm.

  “I wished for this. I’ll be fine once I’ve had some time to take it all in.” And once she’d armed herself with as much information as she could. “Does John MacIan hold Mingary?”

  “Aye, and the MacIans and MacDonalds are at war against my kin.”

  “Can you tell me about it?”

  “The feud has raged for years. Lachlan MacLean, along with Donald and Angus MacDonald each received a missive from the king requesting they present themselves at court to atone for their actions. The king wished a discussion with all three chiefs, but Lachlan had no intention of traveling to Edinburgh. That choice is now out of his hands. He was captured during a battle with the MacDonalds on Islay. ’Twas a grave fight that took many of my men’s lives.”

  “What of the other two chiefs?”

  “Donald and Angus were captured afore that battle. With all three chiefs now at the king’s mercy, it appears those discussions will occur whether Lachlan wished them to or no’.”

  “I’m sorry.” She couldn’t have arrived at a more difficult time. “You mentioned Margaret before, that the chief’s wife spent time with Nanna. Can I speak to her?”

  “In the morn. She’ll be tending her bairns this eve.” He released her and crossed to his trunk. He snagged a white tunic and passed it across. “A nightrail, or as close as I can offer.”

  Yes, she’d stay the night, and however long her wish kept her here in the past.

  “I’ll leave so you may change.”

  “No, don’t go.” She clutched his arm. “Stay, but turn your back. Please, I don’t want to be left alone.”

  “Aye, mayhap ’tis for the best. I’ve no wish to leave you either.” He turned and the longer strands of his dark hair brushed his shoulders.

  “Thank you.” She laid her charm on his nightstand then wriggled out of the clingy wetsuit and pulled his tunic over her head. “Where should I sleep?”

  “My bed. I’ll sleep afore the fire.”

  “Are you certain?”

  “Take my bed, lass.”

  “Okay, but if you want it back, just yell out.” She scrambled across his huge bed and dived under the covers. Near the fire, he tugged his damp shirt off and slung it across the corner wooden chair. His chest held a smattering of hair, the same dark shade as his head, and his arms and shoulders were packed with muscle. Contoured abs rippled as he dipped a cloth in the water basin and wiped it over his glorious golden skin. A thrill chased through her. Clearly a warrior who fought by the sword, and a wonderful distraction from her turbulent thoughts.

  “Another vision.” He seized the edge of the table and closed his eyes.

  “Are you all right?”

  “Aye.” Slowly he straightened and smiled. “Interesting. You, my charm, have a beautiful heart shaped mole on your belly.”

  “What? Do you care to explain?”

  “In my vision, I saw you lying afore me in a darkened cave.”

  “And I somehow pulled up my shirt and you caught sight of my belly?”

  “There was no shirt, though you were otherwise covered with my plaid.”

  “I’ve never shown anyone that mole, and exactly what do you mean by otherwise covered?”

  “’Tis best I leave it at that.” He removed his sword belt, loosened the ties of his leather pants and gripped the waistband.

  “Wait.” She slammed her eyes shut. “Make sure you put on lots of clothing, layers and layers of it. No matter what you’ve seen, we are still setting some boundaries.” And what were these visions all about? She’d never had them until today.

  “I prefer to sleep as I was born.”

  “And I prefer you don’t. Just keep your pants on mister.”

  “Move over, Lila.” His voice was husky and far too close. “We sleep together.”

  She shoved her eyes open. He towered over her, but thankfully, he’d donned a new pair of soft cotton pants. “You said you’d sleep before the fire.”

  “I’ve changed my mind.”

  “Because of that vision?”

  “I need to remain close to you. The urge to do so is strong.” He slid in beside her. “Your arrival was foretold, and these visions prove we shall be close.”

  “No, they prove we’re seeing visions.” Except a niggle told her he was right. She wriggled over to make room for him. “I can handle sharing a bed, but no more heart shaped mole peek-shows for you.” She yanked the covers up to her nose, and his fresh outdoor scent trapped within the cotton drifted around her. He smelt sooo good, like the wind and sea, an intoxicating mix. “And stay on your side of the bed.”

  “Both sides are mine.”

  “They aren’t tonight.” Did that mean he was single? He certainly better be or else he could get back out again. “You don’t have a woman somewhere, do you?”

  “Nay.” One firm word. “It appears there is only you.”

  A hundred butterflies abounded in her belly. “That’s a nice one-liner.”

  “I need to hold you. I’ve no desire for distance.”

  “I’m here for Nanna. I made a wish to find her, not end up in bed with you.”

  “Tell me about your grandmother.” He rolled toward her, wrapped an arm around her waist. She should pull away, only she couldn’t.

  “She’s the most amazing person and raised me singlehandedly. When I was five and old enough to understand that most children had parents, Nanna took me to a memorial statue near the ocean where one can lay flowers for those lost at sea. I crawled onto Nanna’s lap and she told me a
ll about my father. John had been a great man, one who’d led others, but he’d sailed on a vessel that had been caught and gone down in a storm. Nanna said she was without any images of him, but she took her notebook out of her purse and drew a picture for me. She sat him on a horse with a sword in his hand.” That memory filled her heart and made her smile. “Nanna’s always been into all things historical. She even sketched my mother standing next to him in a long-flowing gown with flowers braided in her hair. It was the prettiest picture and I kept it pinned to the wall above my bed.”

  “Was your mother with him? Was she too lost at sea?”

  “No, she died giving birth to me. I arrived very early and well, she died. Nothing could be done. She battled though, for two days through labor.”

  “You said at the loch you had no other kin?”

  “Yes, though Nanna decided to return to Scotland so she could try to find family, even if remote. It’s been twenty-one years since she was last here. We were even going to meet up and travel the Highlands together just a week after she went missing. I couldn’t come straight away because of work.” A job she’d been given extended leave from since she hadn’t a clue how long the search would take. “What about your kin? Have you always lived here?”

  “Aye, my father was a warrior as I am, and my mother a seamstress. Eight years ago during my twentieth winter, a deadly sickness of the lungs took the lives of many on Mull. They both perished, along with thirty others.”

  “Do you have anyone else?”

  “My brother is away but should return soon. I also have an entire clan. I’ve never been without kin.” He played with her hair, winding it around his fingers. Her scalp tingled in the most delicious way.

  “I sure would have loved a sibling.” She wriggled closer and rubbed her nose against his warm skin, right over his heart where the beat pounded strong. “The strangest thoughts are going through my mind.”

  “Aye, ’tis the same for me. We are bound, as the fortuneteller foretold.”