To Conquer a Scot (A Time Traveler’s Highland Love)

by Gill, Tamara

  Abby nodded but wondered what that meant. Was Gwen trying to warn her of something? Had Aedan found another? Had been badly injured perhaps? “I can.” She swallowed, hoping what she’d said was true. “Twelve months later seems like a long time. Did Gwen say why she’d marked this date and not any other?”

  “There was a lot of conflict in the area, uncertainty with the clans. I think she thought this would be the best and safest time for you to go back.”

  Nerves pooled in Abby’s belly, and she wondered what she would find on her return. Had Aedan missed her as desperately as she missed him? Or had he thought her missing in time, never to return to his? The fact he would’ve known that Gwen couldn’t bring her through time changed things. Had he moved on? Did he marry? Would she find him married already? And could she take that risk, should she return, and he was with another?

  She met Kenzie’s concerned gaze and frowned. Going back was a gamble, a big one that involved her heart. She shut her eyes and thought for a moment. Could she do it? The image of Aedan, looking down at her, laughing, his eyes sparkling with mirth, twisted her stomach.

  Of course she should go back and if she found him with another, she’d fight to get him back. “When did you want to do it?”

  “We can do it now, if ye like. I’ll make sure ye land in the healer’s cottage, twelve months after ye left. I’d hate for ye to arrive right in front of a servant, I’m not sure how ye’d explain that away.”

  Abby nodded, standing as Kenzie did. The young woman clasped her hands. “It was lovely meeting ye, Abigail Cross. I hope ye enjoy yer life.”

  “So do I,” Abby said, laughing a little at both the illogical situation but also, with the knowledge that she would soon see Aedan. “Perhaps you could visit us, Kenzie. You’d be most welcome.”

  Kenzie smiled, and it was like looking at Gwen again. “I may. Time will tell.”

  The ancient language Abby didn’t understand wrapped about her, pulling her into their meaning and pushing her back in time. The room went quiet and Abby shut her eyes as Kenzie started to disappear, the room distorting and making her dizzy.

  And then there was nothing but the sound of horses outside, and the damp dirt floor beneath her bottom. Abby opened her eyes, and the unmistakable cottage of Gwen’s—although rebuilt and modernized a little—greeted her. Medicines, seeds, and dried plants were scattered about and she laughed. She was back, and now it was time to find her laird.

  She walked over to a closet where Gwen had spare gowns—should the one she was wearing become sullied after tending to a patient—and changed her dress. She threw her jeans and T-shirt on top of the small fire and set them alight, watching to make sure they burned to ash before heading up to the castle.

  She was only minutes from Aedan. Minutes from being in his arms. Her blood pumped through her veins and made her dizzy with joy. The sun had dipped in the west by the time she made the castle proper. Some of the clansmen greeted her warmly, although surprised, while others looked at her strangely, no doubt wondering what a woman was doing out this late in the day.

  Sconces hung about the castle walls, giving those who walked the battlements enough light to see. Not a lot had changed since she was here last. Abby noted a few familiar faces, and some she’d not seen before.

  Abby nodded to the guard at the door and walked toward the great hall. The sound of raised voices and laugher met her ears, and she realized everyone had congregated for the nightly meal. She entered the hall and stopped when her eyes took in what was happening up on the dais. Silence as quiet as the grave settled over the gathered clan, and she swallowed the revulsion that rose up in her throat.

  Aedan sat beside Aline, their heads bent in private conversation, a delicate, perfect flush making Aline look prettier than Abby had ever thought possible.

  She waited for Aedan to see her, lifted her chin in unvoiced defiance when their gazes met. Held. The shock that registered on his visage followed by hope gave her some of the sentiment herself. But when Aedan went to stand, Aline clasped his arm and halted his progress. Abby didn’t know what was worse, that Aline was beside him, or the fact he listened to her silent command and sat back down.

  Gwen stood, a small babe clasped against her chest as she ran toward her, pulling her into a one armed hug. Tears threatened and hearing the welcome for her friend, the joy in being back overrode the concern she felt over Aedan’s feelings for her.

  “You’re here. Tell me how it is so?” Gwen stood back, smiling.

  “Well, it was your plan, actually. Your great—too many greats to count—granddaughter has your gift and sent me back. There is a promise passed down through the family that should I turn up at Castle Druiminn in the twenty-first century, I’m to be returned to this time. It was a promise that was passed down because of you.”

  Gwen nodded, tears pooling in her eyes. “I’m so proud of her, and I’m so happy to see you again. This is very timely, as we ourselves have only just arrived to visit Aedan.” Gwen looked down at the sleeping bairn in her arms. “I had a daughter. Her name is Mairi.”

  Abby ran a hand over the fine red-haired baby’s head. “She’s so beautiful. Congratulations. I’m so happy for you and Braxton. Your descendant Kenzie, who sent me back, is an exact replica of you, absolutely lovely.” Abby paused and looked about the room. “But I fear my arrival may have come too late.” Her attention snapped to the dais where Aedan remained seated, his gaze steadfast on her. Despair washed over Abby, and had Gwen not been holding her hand, she was sure she would’ve crumbled to the floor. “I couldn’t face seeing what happened to Aedan after the clan battle with the O’Cains, other than finding out if he survived or not. I fear I should’ve looked further into his future. He seems to have settled at last.”

  “There have been discussions. I know she wishes to marry my brother, but their clan only arrived last week. There is still time, Abigail.”

  Abby cursed herself for not looking up his future. Had she done so, she could’ve saved herself a lot of embarrassment and heartache. “I suppose I should go and say something.”

  “I’ll come with you, and then we’ll go upstairs. We have a lot of catching up to do.”

  Smiling as much as she could, Abby walked toward the main table, though her heart threatened to dissolve into little pieces. The thought of Aedan courting someone else tore her soul in two. Had he kissed Aline? Did he now have feelings for her? She shut her eyes against the image of them sitting together, a laird and his lady. She shouldn’t have come back.

  She curtsied. “And so we meet again.” Aedan’s eyes stared at her with an intensity she’d never seen before. A muscle clenched in his jaw, his body stiff and unmoving.

  “Ye didn’t tell me, Aedan, that Abigail was coming. What a joker you are,” Aline said, no mirth in her words.

  Abby met the woman’s toxic gaze and read the hatred behind her beautiful angelic features. She hid her venom well, but not well enough for another woman not to notice.

  “Yes, what a joke it is.” Aedan flinched at her words, and she hoped he understood what she meant. She was being cruel, but she couldn’t help it. To her, she’d only been away from him for weeks, to see him with someone else after such a short time killed her inside. Jealousy clawed into her stomach and wouldn’t let go, no matter that she tried to remind herself that a year had passed since the battle and she must now fight for him.

  “I hadn’t expected you to accept the invitation.” His voice wrapped about her, a comforting elixir that she’d missed with every breath she’d taken since their parting.

  “What can I say?” she said, smiling. “I loved my time here. I loved everything about the Highlands, and I wanted to see Gwen’s new baby.”

  “Loved? Not love?” He took a sip of his mead, his gaze pinning her over the top of the mug.

  “That’s to be seen.”

  Aline looked at them, a confused frown on her perfect brow. Abby curtsied. “I shall see you in the morning. I’ve had a long
day.”

  She joined Gwen just as her friend handed off the babe to a servant before heading upstairs. They walked toward her old room, and Abby was relieved and yet nervous about being placed in the same chamber. Aedan had full access to this room. Would he come to her tonight? Would he seek her out and explain what was going on between him and Aline?

  The reunion with Gwen went on for some hours, and Abby was happy to have her friend back again. The thought of her being a mother filled her with excitement, and she was so pleased that something that Gwen had longed for had finally come true.

  As the sound of the revelry downstairs quieted, she yawned, the comfortable bed calling her name.

  “I’ll let you have some rest and will see you tomorrow. And please, do give Aedan a chance to explain. The past twelve months have been very hard for him.”

  Abby rolled her eyes. “It looks like it.” She wanted to pull the words back as soon as she’d said them, but every time her heart softened toward him, the image of Aline and Aedan, having a cozy tête-à-tête downstairs, soon pushed it away. “I’m sorry. Seeing him with her… I hate it.”

  “He loves ye, Abigail. Trust in that, no matter what.”

  “I’ll try.” She locked the door after Gwen left and changed into a shift. She looked through all the cupboards and was surprised to see all her old dresses and shawls were still there. In fact, when she looked about the room, nothing had changed at all. It was exactly as she’d left it.

  A heavy wooden door in the adjacent room slammed shut and she jumped, knowing Aedan had retired. A moment later the tapestry pushed back and he stood at the threshold of her room, his breathing labored, his eyes wild with something she’d never seen before. Anger? Need? She couldn’t be sure.

  “Aedan.” It was the only word she could manage as her tongue felt thick and heavy.

  “Abigail?” His voice was low, even, but she heard the slight tremor that ran through it.

  She shut her eyes, reveling in the sound of him. How she’d missed that deep baritone that wrapped about her heart and filled it with warmth.

  “Your hair is longer.” He continued to stare with an intensity that left her breathless. “Otherwise ye haven’t changed.”

  He stepped into the room, letting the tapestry fall back into place. “How is it you’re here? Gwen told me that after the fire her gifts were no longer as strong and that bringing ye back was impossible.”

  “Gwen’s great-granddaughter sent me. Your sister is quite clever. She passed the tale about us down through her family, until the one born in my time knew of us. Her name was Kenzie, and she is the spitting image of your sister.” Abby smiled, remembering the beautiful girl. “She sent me back by whatever magical gift your sister once had.”

  He nodded, but looked less than enthused by the explanation and she wondered why.

  “It’s been a year, Abigail.”

  Abby frowned. What did he mean by that? So? Did he mean things had changed? That he’d changed? Had he moved on? “I know. On the night you told Gwen you were getting betrothed to Aline, she promised that should her daughter have the gift, that she would bring me back to you. Gwen also stipulated that I return twelve months after I left, something about not being able to return to a time you’d already been in.”

  He ran a hand through his hair and cursed. “I canna marry ye, Abigail. I mean…” He paused, his face paling. “I want to marry ye. You’re all I’ve thought about these past months, but I didn’t think there was any hope.”

  A terrible feeling clutched her stomach, the type you get when something awful, an unimaginable horror, is about to be disclosed to you and you can’t stop it. “What are you trying to say?”

  “I’ve asked Aline Grant to be my wife and she’s agreed. The betrothal was announced tonight, before your arrival.”

  The room spun, and vomit rose in Abby’s throat. She stepped back, feeling for the bed for support. “What?”

  He came toward her and Abby lifted her hand, halting his progress. “You’re engaged?” She shut her mouth, feeling it gaping like a guppy fish. This wasn’t happening. This couldn’t be happening. “Why would you do that?”

  “I dinna think you were coming back. Gwen never told me of her plans.”

  “Perhaps she did and you weren’t listening, too busy thinking with your other head.” Or, as Abby suspected, Gwen had to wait for her daughter to show signs of the gift required to pass down through her own daughters.

  Anger flickered in his gaze. “Dinna be half-witted. Why wouldn’t she tell me such an important thing? I’ll be sure to ask her come morn.”

  “What does it matter now?” Abby looked toward the windows, not wanting to see the man she no longer could have. Holy crap, this wasn’t good. What a colossal mistake. “Your path is set, and you are to wed. What Gwen has to say isn’t going to change that.”

  He swore again. “Tell me again what she had done?”

  Abby sighed, but did as he asked. “She passed a message down through the women in her family about us and how to send me back.”

  “My meddling sister will never learn,” he mumbled, glaring at something over her shoulder.

  Had Abby been punched in the stomach it would’ve hurt less. “I must say, you didn’t take long to get over me. Twelve months! Hell, Aedan, that’s pathetic.” Her voice trembled, but was tinged with acid, the toxic chemical threatening to eat her alive. What was she going to do? “Maybe she hoped if I returned before the wedding you’d rethink your decision.”

  “Even if I wanted to, I canna. I made a promise to Aline and her family.” He came and stood before her and kneeled, taking her hands in his.

  The pull between them was electric, and Abby wanted to say to hell with Aline and her nastiness, but she couldn’t. “You should leave my room. When Gwen leaves for her own estate, which I’m assuming should be after your handfasting, I’ll go with her. I’ll think of some way to fix my colossal mistake.”

  “I can’t let ye go. Och, Abigail. I’m sorry.”

  Tears pooled in her eyes and she blinked them away, refusing to cry in front of him. The last thing she needed was for him to pull her against him, touch her more than he was already. That wouldn’t be good at all. She’d likely turn into an adulterous woman hell-bent on breaking up an engagement. “It’s not your fault. I should have known that in this time things move quicker than my own. I’ll be fine with Gwen and maybe, when her daughter is old enough, I’ll have her send me back to the twenty-first century.”

  Aedan cupped her cheek, swiping a thumb across her jaw. “You’re so beautiful. I’ve missed ye.”

  She bit her lip, nodding. “I’ve missed you, too.” Abby’s breathing increased as he pinned her with his determined, hungry gaze.

  “I dinna know how I’ll go on, knowing you’re only a few miles away. It’ll be the veriest torture.”

  He leaned closer, their lips but a whisper apart. “But one we’ll have to endure,” she said. “You can take comfort in the fact you’ll have a wife to warm your bed here and give you heirs.” He pulled back, and she was thankful for it. She didn’t need him close, touching her, looking at her with so much love and pain that her heart yearned and broke at the same time.

  She needed him to go. “Leave, Aedan, and don’t come back in here again. I should’ve looked up what your future held. I should have realized that since Druiminn is still within your family that you’d had heirs. Had I pushed past my own fear of what I would find, I would’ve saved us both a lot of heartache.”

  “Ye never studied to see what became of me and my clan?” He stood.

  “I looked up the battle and found out you’d survived the night, but I never looked beyond that. I thought Gwen would bring me back, but when she didn’t, I assumed she’d perished in the fire but I couldn’t find anything to confirm that.”

  “If I could change my circumstances I would, ye must know that. But I canna do that to Aline. I’ve given her and her family my word. I cannot dishonor her or mysel
f by breaking my oath.”

  Abby took a deep breath, the tightness in her chest as painful as the knowledge that he’d never be hers. “Of course.” She shrugged. “I’ll try and stay out of your way as much as possible and please tell Aline that I’m sorry if my appearance here makes her uncomfortable.”

  “Ye don’t need to do that, Abigail. I’m sure we’re mature enough adults not to succumb to our emotions.”

  You may be. “Of course,” she said. “Good night, Aedan.”

  “Good night, lass.”

  As soon as the tapestry settled, Abby let go of the emotions she’d been holding at bay. What a mess of things she’d made. And now she was stuck in a time for who knew how long, and around the one man she loved, who she could no longer have.

  She crawled into bed, not bothering to pull the blankets up. What could she do? Knowing all the while, there was nothing she could do. Aedan was lost to her, would never wake up next to her, nuzzling her neck and whispering the sweetest Gaelic words in her ear, not that she ever knew what they meant in the first place, but still…it had been sweet.

  The thought of becoming the scarlet woman flickered through her mind, but she pushed it aside. She could never do that to Aline, or any woman, no matter how much she may want to, or thought Aline deserved such treatment.

  That option wasn’t a path she wanted to go down. She’d bide her time and wait for Gwen’s daughter to send her home. She’d be older when she went back to her time, but that’s what happened when mistakes were made.

  Foolish, foolish mistakes that resembled a living nightmare.

  ...

  Aedan stood on the opposite side of the tapestry and listened to the sobs that wracked Abigail’s body. He cursed himself to Hades for wanting to go to her. Wrap her in his arms and comfort her. To kiss the sweet lips that had haunted his mind for the past twelve months.