Separated By Time: Book 3 of The Thistle & Hive Series

by Jennae Vale

  “I am so proud of you, Richard. You are a good man, no matter what you’ve done in the past. You will make it right and then you’ll come back home and we’ll find you a wife to love.” Lady Catherine watched her son with a mother’s love in her eyes. Richard could see it and for the first time in a long time, he thought himself worthy of that love. He bowed very formally to his mother, a sign of the respect he had for her and the regard he held her in, and then trotted off through the gates.

  As he rode, Richard felt as if a burden had been lifted from his shoulders. Of course, he had absolutely no idea how he was going to stop Brielle, or if the MacKenzies would be able to forgive him, but it didn’t matter. What really mattered was that he had experienced an awakening of sorts and he was very happy about it. It was as if he had suddenly, and very unexpectedly, grown a conscience. He attributed it to the nightmares that had plagued him, but where once he had cursed them, now he was grateful, for they had allowed him to see the error of his ways. He had chosen to make this journey alone and he was glad he had. It gave him the peace and quiet he needed to think. He was also more aware of the beauty of his surroundings, enjoying the scenery he was passing and humming to himself as he travelled. It was a perfect day and nothing could spoil it for him.

  * * *

  BRIELLE SAT PERCHED among the branches of a large pine tree, hidden from view. From her hiding place, she watched as Sir Richard approached. Was he smiling? She did not recall him ever looking happy in their past acquaintance. If she remembered correctly, a scowl was more likely to appear on his face, than any other expression. And what was that noise she heard? Was he humming? Her face pinched as she silently observed him. This was an extremely unusual state of affairs. What could have put him in such a good mood? Her curiosity was growing by leaps and bounds, but caution dictated she should wait and observe, before she made her presence known. Until then, she would simply follow his progress.

  She was playing a waiting game on all fronts today. Brielle was also awaiting the arrival of her enemy, Maggie. I know she seeks me out, but she will only find me when I want to be found. I’ll teach her a lesson she will never forget. How dare she think she can destroy me and live to tell the tale? Anger bubbled up inside Brielle’s chest. This was supposed to have been much easier. She had no idea when she had proposed this arrangement that Maggie would be such a worthy opponent. Brielle wanted that bridge and she was determined to get it. She would destroy Edna in the process, along with anyone else who got in her way. Then she’d be respected and feared by everyone. She snickered to herself for a moment, and then transforming herself into a hawk, she soared off to find another spot from which she could spy on Richard.

  * * *

  RICHARD WATCHED the hawk sailing off into the distance. He needed to find a spot to camp for the night and he thought he had spied an area up ahead that would work for him. He needed to take some time to think carefully about Brielle and how best to convince her to leave the MacKenzie clan alone. She’d probably think him crazy for cancelling their plans, but he knew he had to try. Off to his right and through the trees, he saw the clearing he had sought, situated beside a small creek. It was a perfect place to stop for the night. He dismounted and unsaddled his horse, leaving the destrier to graze peacefully nearby while he set about making camp. Richard gathered kindling, collected some water from the creek and started a fire. Once it was blazing brightly and there was no risk it would extinguish, he went through his saddlebags in search of food. He’d probably need to do some hunting tomorrow, but for now, he had plenty to eat from his own kitchen at home. Richard found he was rather enjoying this solitary expedition. It was rare for Richard to find himself alone, his men were usually with him whenever he travelled away from the castle. Of course, there was that time when he’d travelled to the future, courtesy of Edna Campbell. He had been alone then, but that was different. There were people everywhere in the future, and the peace and quiet he now relished so deeply was nowhere to be found. There was always some sort of noise assailing his ears in the twenty first century. He sighed heavily, just thinking about it. It had been an adventure and one that not many had the opportunity to have, but he’d wanted more than anything to return to his own time, to the people he knew and the things he was familiar with. He wondered if the time travelers he had met a short time ago were still in his time; or if they had been able to return home. What would it be like to be forced to stay in a time that was not your own? It didn’t matter either way, he was back where he belonged and if they were not, there was nothing Richard could do to change their situation. In deep contemplation, Richard finished his meal and settled by the banks of the creek. He’d enjoy this time alone and as for Brielle, he still wasn’t sure how he would convince her to abandon her plans. He was determined to speak with her, but what he said would be important if he didn’t wish to end up a pile of ashes at her feet.

  * * *

  NESTLED BELOW A ROCKY OUTCROPPING, Dylan spotted a small stone cottage with a moss-covered roof. No smoke rose from its chimney, so he was hopeful that it was unoccupied and that they could make the cottage their shelter for the night.

  “We’ll need a place to rest for the night,” Dylan announced, pointing to the cottage, “and this looks like it might be the perfect place.” Glancing Maggie’s way, he noticed that she was beginning to slump in her saddle. “You must be exhausted,” he said.

  “Me? No, I’m fine.” Maggie sat up taller, as though determined to convince him she was fine.

  Dylan knew she wouldn’t admit to being tired, so he decided to force the issue a little. “You might not be, but I am. I’d like to stop.”

  “Okay, we can do that,” she agreed.

  “This way,” he said, guiding his horse towards the cottage.

  “Do you think anyone’s living there?” Maggie asked.

  “It doesn’t look like it, but I’ll go and check it out, to be sure it’s okay for us to stay there.” Dylan dismounted and cautiously approached the doorway. He wanted to be sure this wasn’t a trap set for them by Brielle. “Hello!” he called. No one answered, so he peeked inside. He discovered a neat room, just large enough for the small table and chairs it held, along with a bed and a good-sized fireplace. He headed back to the door to tell Maggie it appeared safe. “No one’s here, but I think it will be okay for us to stay here tonight.”

  There was a cloth wrapped parcel lying on the bed and Dylan walked over to examine its contents. Inside he found a note, written in a fine hand. Ye have found a safe haven for the night. We are away for a while, but please feel free to use our cottage, we only ask that ye treat it as ye would yer own home. This parcel contains clean bedding and there is firewood to help keep ye warm. There is a river not too far from here for water. If ye would, kindly replace any firewood that ye may use. We’ll not be back until the spring, so welcome and enjoy.

  “It’s like we were meant to find this place,” Maggie said. “Do you think Brielle had anything to do with this?” Maggie appeared spooked by the note. “It seems a bit odd to find such a finely written note, as if whoever it was expected us.”

  “If it was Brielle, it just makes our job a little easier, don’t you think?” Dylan asked.

  “I suppose so,” Maggie answered. “Maybe we can stop looking and wait right here for her.”

  “I’m going to unsaddle the horses, I’ll be right back.” Dylan hurried out the door and completed his task in record time. He couldn’t rid himself of thinking about the prospect of spending the night under the same roof, and possibly in the same bed, with Maggie. His kilt was doing a poor job of hiding his rampant desires. He stood outside the door for a long moment before entering, trying to get himself under control. He had to think of something that would tamp down the rising urgency of his need to be with Maggie. He certainly didn’t want to frighten her. She had told him he would be her first and he wanted more than anything to do things the right way. He mentally shook himself. What was he thinking? She might not even wa
nt him tonight! Maggie might want to wait; these weren’t exactly ideal conditions for romance, not with the threat of Brielle hanging over their heads. With that thought in mind, Dylan walked through the doorway. It would be difficult, but he would do his best to behave and keep his lustful thoughts to himself.

  Maggie was making up the bed with the items that had been left for that purpose, including soft, warm fur throws. She also set the food Mary had given them on the table. Dylan headed over to the fireplace and Maggie stopped him. “Don’t worry about the fire; I can get it going in no time.”

  “Are you sure? I’m pretty good at starting a fire. It’s really no trouble.”

  Maggie laughed. “Get some wood and I’ll show you how a witch starts a fire.”

  Dylan obliged her and gathering kindling and firewood, placed it all in the hearth. “Okay. We’re good to go.”

  Maggie walked across to the fireplace and gave Dylan a wink. She passed her hand over the wood, and instantly, a crackling fire appeared in the hearth, the warmth quickly spreading into the small room.

  “Impressive,” Dylan admitted. He was glad he hadn’t made a fool of himself, trying to do what Maggie had just managed to do in a split-second.

  “Just a little something I learned from Edna,” Maggie replied. “Shall we eat?”

  “I’m hungry. What did Mary give us?” Dylan poked his nose into the saddlebags he’d brought inside and finding them empty went to the table to see what Maggie had set out. Mary’s specialty was bridies. These meat pasties were Dylan’s favorite and he was excited to discover she’d included enough for dinner tonight with some leftover for breakfast in the morning. She had also packed cheese, bread, bannocks and fruit. They were definitely not going to go hungry. He held up the bottle of whiskey. “For later,” he said.

  Maggie took a seat and he joined her. With a snap of her fingers, Maggie lit the candle in the middle of the table and between that and the fire a nice cozy glow filled the cottage. Dylan thought it was very romantic and he wondered if Maggie would agree.

  “I certainly would agree,” Maggie said. She laughed and he assumed it was because of the astonished expression, which had no doubt spread across his face.

  “Did you just read my thoughts?” he asked in disbelief.

  “Aye,” she answered, “I believe I did.”

  “I’m going to have to be careful about what I’m thinking, I guess.” Dylan cocked an eyebrow, secretly worrying that she had read all of his recent thoughts, including his errant desire which he struggled hard to control.

  “Don’t worry. I cannae seem to do it all the time,” Maggie reassured him. “I just catch bits and pieces.”

  “So, you haven’t been inside my head all day then?”

  “No, of course not. It wouldnae be polite to read people’s thoughts without their permission.” Maggie eyed him shyly when he raised a questioning eyebrow. “I’m sorry. I guess by my own standards, I was impolite because I read yer thoughts. I won’t do it again.”

  “Good. Because I wouldn’t want you to know what I’ve been thinking all this time.” He offered her a dazzling smile.

  “I don’t have to be inside yer head to ken what ye’ve been thinking, Mr. Sinclair. It’s written all over yer face.” Maggie giggled and it soon morphed into uncontrollable laughter.

  Dylan surmised it must be his expression that had her in stitches. He hadn’t known his emotions were so transparent. He’d been doing his best to hide his desire and apparently had failed miserably.

  “Okay, okay, you can stop laughing at me now. I can’t help how I feel about you, you know.” Dylan rose from his chair and pulled Maggie up to join him. Suddenly he was feeling very warm. The close proximity of Maggie’s body was certainly heating things up. Lifting her chin with his finger, he held it there while he placed several small kisses on her very soft and inviting lips. Before he could stop himself he had her securely anchored in his arms and was kissing her senseless.

  * * *

  HIS KISSES WERE EXACTLY what Maggie had been craving all day. How lucky that they had found this wonderful little hideaway in the woods! It was the perfect place, as far as she was concerned. She wasn’t sure exactly what to expect, but she knew what she wanted and what she wanted was Dylan. She hoped she wasn’t being too forward, but she desperately needed to get that shirt off of him. She undid the laces at the neck and pulled it from his kilt. She ran quivering hands up beneath the silky material, relishing the feel of soft warm skin over rock hard muscle. She let herself drift into a place where nothing mattered but what she was feeling. No thoughts interfered with her actions. This was where she wanted to be and Dylan was the man she wanted to be with.

  Dylan pulled his shirt up and over his head, revealing a sight that took Maggie’s breath away. Her hands had a mind of their own as they traced every inch of him – chest, shoulders, and perfect washboard abs. A sensation resembling butterflies furiously beating their wings filled her belly and a pulsing ache spread between her thighs. She reached for the belt that held his kilt in place, but Dylan gripped her hands in his, stopping her movements.

  “Maggie, are you sure?” He looked deeply into her eyes, searching for her answer.

  “Verra sure,” she whispered into his chest as she peppered it with little kisses and flicks of her tongue. She went back to work on the belt and this time Dylan helped her, dropping the kilt to his feet. He kicked it out of the way and his boots came off next. He was totally and completely naked and Maggie just stared at him in wonder. She’d never seen a completely naked man before. Well, that wasn’t completely true. She’d seen Dylan at the waterfall that day not so long ago, but it had been a brief view and he’d been soaking wet and cold. This was different. Her eyes travelled over him from head to toe. She had to admit she was a little embarrassed, but Dylan didn’t seem to mind one bit.

  “Your turn,” he said as he began removing her clothes, all the while kissing her. One hand twisted into her hair while the other hand drew her shirt off. Next came her boots and pants. The cool air sent gooseflesh spreading across her skin and she pressed herself up against Dylan seeking his warmth. He picked her up and reverently placed her on the bed, his eyes burning a sensual path from her eyes, down to her lips, on to her breasts and further. She could hardly breathe for excitement and nerves, and she nearly groaned when he lowered himself to lay atop her. The sensation of having every inch of him covering her own body was sheer ecstasy. It seemed every single part of him was touching some part of her.

  “Maggie,” Dylan’s voice sent shivers of delight rippling through her limbs. “This is your first time, right?”

  She nodded shyly.

  “It might hurt for a moment or two, but I promise I’ll make it up to you. Are you okay with that?”

  She nodded again.

  “Don’t worry. We’ll work up to it.” He ran his hand down the side of her face, lovingly caressing her cheek. Shifting his weight to the side, he sought out her breasts with his mouth and tongue, slowly driving her crazy. A moan escaped her lips and she could feel Dylan’s mouth turn up into a slow smile as a low chuckle erupted from his throat. She closed her eyes and enjoyed the moment, the touch of his mouth on her and then he moved again, focusing his attention on her belly. He circled her navel with his tongue, and she bucked beneath him. It tickled a little, but in a wonderful way and she stifled a giggle. As Dylan continued kissing and licking her belly, he lowered his hands to a different part of her body. The spot between her legs, which had been aching so badly for him, now enjoyed the gentle caress of his fingers. His thumb found a particularly sensitive spot and she jumped. “Does that feel good?” he asked, continuing to circle that very sensitive nub.

  Couldn’t he tell? It felt better than anything ever had before. “Mmm…” she moaned helplessly. “Mmm…”

  Dylan pulled himself further down her body until his mouth was where his hands had been and his hands grabbed her buttocks, holding her still. “Dylan,” she cried.


  “Don’t worry, I’ve got you,” Dylan said, sounding very certain as his tongue did things to her that she had never anticipated. An unusual sensation started building inside her body. Part aching, part tingling – her breathing quickened, and while she didn’t have a clue where this was all leading – she wanted to get there with every fiber of her being. Dylan was an expert it seemed. All sense of time and space left her as she floated in ecstasy with his touch. The sensation continued to build and she could scarcely bear it, and suddenly, when she thought she could take no more her body shook and bucked, and she experienced a release she had never experienced before. She thought it was over, but still Dylan continued licking and suckling against her, and she tangled her fingers in his silky soft hair holding him against her. She thought she might expire right there on the spot, and then it happened a second time. Maggie was certain she was having an out of body experience, and she moaned in delight at the sheer pleasure coursing through her body. Dylan’s fingers continued to massage her gently, but he lifted himself back up over her body, his mouth on hers, his tongue probing. She responded by throwing her arms around his neck and holding him close. Her body arched up to meet his as his kisses left her mouth and headed to her throat and then his mouth was next to her ears. “Are you ready?” he asked. “I’ll go slow, but you let me know if you want me to stop, okay?”

  “Yes.” She wouldn’t ask him to stop. She wanted to feel him inside of her and nothing was going to get in the way of that.

  Dylan moved to cover her with his body again. The hard shaft of his penis poked her as he positioned himself between her legs. He moved again, this time inside of her and then in one swift movement, he slid all the way in and she experienced a sharp, burning pain. “Are you okay?” he asked. He stopped moving, watching her face worriedly for her reaction.