“So Elsie can switch our souls back?”
“I expect she can—if ye remember the word. However, don’t worry about it for the moment. Ye have work to do.”
“Did I ever have any real choice in this?”
“Of course ye did. Ye chose to accept the watch. Ye intended to try it. Would ye choose to go back right now if ye knew the word?”
“Nay.”
“Why?”
“Because I think I may be able to help Lady MacKenzie.”
“So there’s another choice ye’ve made. I suspect by the time ye need the word, ye’ll remember it.”
Again, Elizabeth wasn’t sure why Gertrude’s assurance gave her confidence, but it did. “So, what happens now?”
“Ye eat yer porridge.”
“Nay, I mean what are the next steps?”
“There is the chess player again. Elizabeth, for now, live in the moment. Ye’re a smart lass, and a wonderful doctor.”
“How do ye know that?”
Gertrude laughed merrily. “Do ye believe our meeting was left completely to chance?”
Elizabeth shook her head, but smiled. “I really didn’t have a choice.”
“Of course ye did—but I knew ye’d make the right one.”
Chapter 6
Cade hadn’t seen Elsie since she had followed Laird MacLennan into the keep. For that matter he hadn’t seen Laird MacLennan either. MacLennan servants had provided him and his men with food and sleeping quarters the previous evening. Now the sun was well up, the snow had tapered off and the sky was clearing. They had long since finished their morning meal. Cade would tarry a few days—if it were necessary for Elsie to help the lad. But if she was unable to do anything more than the MacLennan healers, he was anxious for them to be on their way.
Perhaps sensing Cade’s disquiet, Eric asked, “What do ye suppose is happening?”
“I wish I knew.”
“I suspect we would have heard something if there were a problem.”
“Aye, we probably would’ve. Still…we really know nothing about her.”
Eric laughed. “We don’t, but I doubt she’s gotten us into a clan war…yet.”
Cade shook his head but smiled. “We can only hope.”
They waited at least another hour before Laird MacLennan emerged from the stairs to the upper levels, smiling and relaxed. “Sir Cade, I don’t believe I’ve ever thanked the Almighty for a snowstorm, but yesterday’s was truly fortuitous. Had it not been for the storm, ye would not have sought shelter at Brathanead.”
“I take it, the Macrae healer proved to be of benefit?”
“Aye, very much so.”
“Yer son is better?”
“Not completely, but he is significantly improved and with time and care we’re confident he’ll recover fully.”
Cade was relieved to hear that. “Is she still needed here? It’s rather urgent that she see Lady Wynda as soon as possible.” This was especially true now he knew he wasn’t just relying on instinct. She had proven she had some healing skills at least.
Revelin frowned. “Well…she has taught our healer what needs to be done.”
“So we can prepare to leave?”
“I’d prefer ye stay. At least until tomorrow.”
“But ye said she isn’t needed.”
“Cade, she was awake, working to help clear the child’s lungs all night. Just after daybreak I insisted that she lie down. She’s exhausted and deserves a little rest.
“With all due respect, Laird MacLennan, it seems she’s had several hours rest already and surely ye understand it’s vitally important we get her to Carraigile as soon as possible. The weather’s clear today, but if we tarry too long, we could be delayed by another storm.”
“But she’ll do ye no good if she falls ill from fatigue.”
“She’s young and healthy—and completely unable to sit a horse. She’ll ride the whole way on my lap anyway. If we leave now we might still be able to reach the Matheson holding tonight and seek shelter there. Then if the weather holds, we can be home late tomorrow.”
Revelin did not look pleased but he nodded. “I understand yer urgency. I don’t believe one day will make a difference, but after the blessing ye brought us, I won’t insist ye stay. Excuse me. I’ll return with her shortly.”
It was easily another half hour before Laird MacLennan arrived with Elsie. Cade suffered a brief stab of guilt. Elsie did indeed look tired. He consoled himself with what he had told Revelin—she wouldn’t be overtaxed by riding on his lap.
Laird MacLennan saw them off. Before Cade lifted Elsie onto his horse, Revelin took both of her hands. “I’ll never be able to adequately thank ye for what ye’ve done, Elsie.”
“Ye’re very welcome. I’m glad I was able to help.”
“Well know this—I am in yer debt. If ye ever find yerself in need, please seek me out.”
Elsie nodded. “Thank ye, Laird.”
To Cade he said, “Tell yer father, I am indebted to the MacKenzies as well.”
Cade thanked him, thinking his debt was probably to Laird Macrae for giving Elsie leave to travel to Carraigile in the first place, but he held his tongue. Being owed a favor by a strong clan was a very good thing.
As they rode out of Brathanead, Cade had another surge of guilt when Elsie rested her head against his chest and closed her eyes. “I know ‘twas a hard night and ye’re very tired. I would have liked to have allowed ye to stay and rest—”
“Don’t worry—I understand. I’m anxious to see Lady MacKenzie too. There may be something I can do, so the sooner I see her the better. But ye don’t mind if I just close my eyes for a bit do ye?”
He chuckled. “I have never minded having a beautiful woman sleep in my arms.”
She huffed in exasperation. “Ye’re incorrigible.”
He leaned down until his lips almost touched her ear. “Ye have no idea,” he whispered, delighted to see a blush rise in her cheeks.
Elsie did seem to doze some, although only lightly. Not wanting to disturb her, they rode in silence. However with no other distraction, his attention remained focused on the lovely woman in his lap. At one and twenty, she would have been long married by now, if she had been born a noblewoman. Peasants didn’t marry at quite as young an age. They also could follow their desires and choose their own spouses. She wasn’t married but had she given her heart to someone? Did she leave a lover behind who pined for her return?
Cade frowned. He wasn’t sure why it mattered, but he hoped not.
After several hours Elsie stirred. She blinked her eyes open. She looked confused, even a little scared for a moment, but recovered her composure immediately.
“Ye look surprised. Were ye expecting to awaken in some other man’s arms?”
“Frankly, I’m not in the habit of waking in anyone’s arms, but if I have to, you’ll do.”
Cade threw back his head and laughed. “Elsie, ye’re unexpected.”
“Ye have no idea,” she echoed his earlier words back to him.
He laughed again.
Elsie repositioned herself several times over the next few minutes.
“Are ye uncomfortable, lass?”
“Nay. I mean, well, I…uh…need a bit of privacy.”
“We’re nearing a river and will need to stop for a while to rest and water the horses. Ye’ll have yer moment of privacy very soon.”
When they reached the river, a few minutes later, he pointed Elsie in the direction from which they had just ridden. “Go back a little, into the trees, and find yer privacy.”
As they tended their mounts, Stephan asked, “Do ye think we can reach the Matheson holding by dark?”
“Nay, I don’t, we started too late,” Cade answered.
“We might be able to reach Castle MacDonnell if we take a more westerly route,” said Eric.
“We probably could,” said Sully, “but even if we left there at first light tomorrow, we’d be hard pressed to reach Carraigile by
dark.”
Cade nodded. “Aye. With this much snow on the ground, I doubt we could. And if we’re destined to spend one cold night out of doors, tonight is the best choice. The sky is clear and it should be dry. If we stop as the sun sets we’ll have an hour or so of gloaming to make camp.”
~ * ~
Elizabeth was exhausted when Cade and his men stopped just as twilight fell. She thought they must be resting the horses again, but surely their destination wasn’t that much farther away. She stood, watching the activity around her, completely confused. Sully had gathered dead wood, brushed the snow off a wide area and was building a fire. Stephan and Eric were removing the horses’ tack and Cade was cutting and stacking boughs of fir.
“Make yerself useful, lass, gather some more wood,” said Sully.
Elizabeth she hadn’t slept for more than a few hours in three days. She realized Elsie might have had a good night’s sleep on Friday, but even so, she was bone weary now. All she wanted was to get where they were going and find a bed. “How much wood do we need?”
“A lot more than this if we intend to have a bit of warmth through the night.”
Through the night? “We’re staying here?”
Sully looked at her as if she were a total idiot. “Aye, lass. That would be why we’re making camp.”
Sleep outside, in frigid weather, with little more than the clothes on her back?
As if reading her thoughts, Sully ordered, “Go! Ye’ll be no happier about this if the fire burns out in the night.”
Shaking her head, she walked away from them, looking for dead wood. By the time she had brought back several armloads, she was ready to drop. Cade had made piles of fir boughs around the fire. The blanket that had been wrapped around the bundle of Elsie’s belongings ad been spread over one pile. The fir branches must be makeshift beds.
She started to go get more wood but Cade stopped her. “That’s enough, lass. Ye look exhausted. Come, sit and have something to eat before ye drop.”
He guided her to where her blanket was spread and she sank onto it. The remainder of her bundle was there too, as well as another folded blanket. The boughs were springy and there were enough of them to keep her off the damp ground. Not a bed exactly, but not bad, all things considered. When she was seated, he handed her a costrel of water, a piece of dried meat and what appeared to be a dense, dry bread made from oats.
Before she had finished eating, Cade sat beside her with his food. The other men seemed to be settling down on the fir boughs too. Elizabeth realized there were only four piles. Clearly Cade intended to sleep next to her. She opened her mouth to voice an objection and shut it just as quickly. There were worse things than snuggling next to a big, strong, handsome man on a cold night.
When she finished eating, she drew her knees to her chest and rested her head on them. The warmth of the fire on her face was pleasant and she closed her eyes. Never good at doing nothing, her thoughts drifted to the cab ride from the airport. She tried to remember what the cabby had looked like. If she could get an image of him in her head, she might be able to recall what they had talked about.
“What troubles ye, Elsie?” Cade’s question startled her.
She opened her eyes to see his bright blue eyes, twinkling in the firelight and looking intently at her. “Nothing. I’m just tired.”
“I expect ye are, but tired people usually look relaxed. Yer brow was furrowed as if something worried ye.”
“I…I…well, I was thinking about…home.”
“Home in general, or perhaps someone special?”
She frowned. There’s no one special was on the tip of her tongue until she realized she wasn’t sure if there was or not. Laird Macrae had said she had no family and nothing held her there. She didn’t think she had someone special, but a vague sense of longing from deep within her made her stop. Perhaps it was one of Elsie’s memories leaking through. “Just home.”
Cade captured her gaze for a moment before saying, “Well, put whatever ye’re worrying over aside now. There is nothing ye can do about it and ye need to rest. We all do.” He turned his attention to his men. “Sully, ye take the first watch, then Eric, me and the last watch will be Stephan’s.”
“Since I’ll be sitting up, ye can have a kip here on my bed,” said Sully.
Cade grinned. “Nay, since the lass feels certain she can restrain herself, and thus I’m in no fear of my virtue, I think I’ll avail of her warmth tonight.”
Elizabeth rolled her eyes. “I’m not sure why ye find that so amusing.”
“Because ye believe it’s true.”
Elizabeth laughed. “I’m going to sleep.” She laid down on her blanket, reaching for the far edge to wrap around her.
Cade stopped her. “Nay, lass. There is a much better way to keep each other warm.” He laid down beside her, pulling her to his chest and wrapping his plaid around her. Then he covered them both with the other blanket.
She pretended to be unaffected by this intimate arrangement, grabbing her bundle and putting it under her head for a pillow. However, if truth were told, she wanted to melt into his embrace and never leave. Spooned by a Highland Warrior. She smiled to herself. It sounded like a romance novel. A hot romance novel.
Once she was settled he nearly undid her forced composure. His warm breath caressed her cheek as he whispered, “Good night, Elsie,” and then planted a kiss behind her ear.
She should have scolded him for his inappropriate behavior but all she could muster was, “Good night, Sir Cade.”
Wrapping his left arm around her, he pulled her even tighter against him, then casually rested his hand on her right breast. Elsie was beginning to understand why no lass had ever said no. He was a tsunami of scorching masculine sexuality. If they had been alone, she’s not sure she would have turned him down.
She closed her eyes and for just a moment thought about what it would be like to make love with him. Even as she reveled in the delightful imaginings, she realized she could never give in to those desires. She wasn’t Elizabeth Quinn the independent, responsible, twenty first century woman. She was a twenty-one year old, unmarried, medieval girl.
If the pocket watch had worked as it was supposed to, Elizabeth would have been less worried. No harm could be done, Elsie’s life would have been over anyway. But now it appeared that wasn’t the case. Once she had taken care of Lady MacKenzie—and remembered the word—she and Elsie would switch places again. It would be irresponsible and morally wrong to make a decision of that magnitude, and risk pregnancy, when she wouldn’t be the one to have to deal with the consequences.
That thought was sobering enough to quench her rising desire. She sighed and gave into sleep.
Chapter 7
The sun was setting at the end of their third day of travel. While riding horseback, on the lap of a drool-worthy warrior, had its appeal, Elizabeth was ready for the trip to end. They had risen before dawn, eaten a breakfast of oatcakes and cheese, and were on their way as the first rays of daylight breached the horizon.
Elizabeth had slept surprisingly well. Cade had kept her comfortably warm most of the night. She smiled thinking back to her college days when the other girls—all significantly older than Elizabeth—had said that the best heater for a chilly dorm room was an “Armstrong” heater. Then they would laugh and say: two strong arms to keep me warm. That variety of Armstrong heater had kept her warm as they rode as well. By midmorning the skies had turned leaden and the damp cold wind penetrated her many layers of clothing.
She had been too tired the previous day to form cogent thoughts, much less carry on a dialog. But a little earlier in the day, in an attempt to pass the time, she had tried to engage Cade in conversation. She found it somewhat one-sided as she asked questions and he gave short answers.
“Where exactly is Carraigile?”
“It is on the west coast of the Highlands.”
“Is it actually on the coast?”
“It’s on a mountain loch but ye c
an see the ocean from the upper battlements.”
“I’d like to see that.” Elizabeth loved the ocean and she missed it. She had grown up in Maryland, but did her residency in Cincinnati, and—at least for the time being—had decided to stay there.
“Is this the first time ye’ve left the Macrae village?”
“Aye.” Very technically it was the first time Elizabeth had left Macrae land because two days ago was the first time she was ever on Macrae land. But deep within her, she knew that Elsie had never travelled beyond her clan’s territory.
He said no more. After several minutes, she tried again. “So, I am assuming the current Lady MacKenzie in not yer mother.”
“Nay, she isn’t.”
“How old were ye when ye lost yer mother?”
“Three.”
“And how old were ye when yer father remarried?”
“Twelve.”
“How old is Lady MacKenzie?”
“Thirty-five. Ye are very full of impertinent questions today.”
She went silent, realizing that she had been firing off questions like a doctor gathering information and it might have seemed rude. It reminded her of the cabbie who drove her from the airport.
Holy cow, that’s it. The cabbie had asked tons of questions and Elizabeth had tried to shut him down with one word answers. She just needed to remember the things he had asked. One of the answers had to be the return word.
“Lass, ye are very bold, but I was teasing. Ye can ask what ye wish.”
“Nay, that’s fine. I’ll find out what I need to know from Lady MacKenzie.” She didn’t want to talk anymore anyway. She wanted to think about the cab ride. She remembered telling the man she was a doctor and hoping that telling him she was an OB-GYN would make him stop asking questions.
She had been lost in thought when Cade whispered, “I truly didn’t mind answering yer questions.”
The Midwife: The Pocket Watch Chronicles Page 6
