“Nay,” Malcolm tossed back over his shoulder. “They’re at Meikle Geddes, mourning the loss of their youngest son.”
The words cleaved through his heart. What had he told Erin? Plans dinna always unfold as we wish. Had things gone the way he’d intended, his absence would hardly have been noticed by the time he returned. “I must send word anon, or travel to Meikle Geddes myself on the morrow.”
Erin tightened her grip on his hand. “Not without me.”
“Let us discuss the matter with my father first.” Malcolm rapped twice on the solar door and entered. “Look who I found skulking about in our halls.”
“Oh my!” His aunt Lydia covered her heart, while keeping her other arm protectively around Sky. The two-year-old sat on her granddam’s lap with two of her fingers stuck into her mouth and one of the many books True had made for her clasped in her other hand.
Sky dropped the book, and it slid to the floor. She held her arms out to Malcolm. “Da, want up,” she said. Malcolm obliged, scooping her into his arms and hugging her to his chest. He kissed her forehead.
“Rob!” His uncle leaped from his place and crossed the room. “We despaired of ever seeing you home and safe again.” William gripped his shoulders and gave him a shake. “What became of you, lad?” He held him away, his brow lowering as he took in Rob’s garments and the silent woman standing behind him. “Who is this, Rob?”
“Uncle, Aunt, I beg your forgiveness for any worry I may have caused. I will tell the entire tale, but let us wait until True joins us.” He slid his arm around Erin’s shoulders and brought her to his side again. “This is Erin of clan Durie. She’s a midwife and a healer,” he said, his words infused with pride. He was proud of her. She’d worked hard to better herself and her circumstances. Compassionate, intelligent, spirited and beautiful inside and out, he could not have found her equal had he searched the entire world over. Still, right now she was overwhelmed and uncertain. “Might we offer our guest something to eat and make ready a chamber for her?”
“Aye.” Malcolm handed his daughter back to Lydia, who had begun to rise. “Stay, Mother. I’ll see to it.”
Once he’d gone, Lydia turned to Erin. “Please, sit.” She gestured toward the seat across from her. “Welcome to Moigh Hall.”
“Down.” Sky squirmed, making her wishes known. Lydia slid the child off her lap. “This is my granddaughter, Sky Elizabeth, and I’m Lydia, Robley’s aunt. This is his uncle and my husband, the earl of Fife. Most address him as Laird.”
“Nice to meet you.” Erin sank into the chair and smiled at the curious toddler studying her with large brown eyes.
Sky picked up the fallen book and dropped it in Erin’s lap. “Mine,” she said. “Book.” she touched it with a chubby finger.
“She’s adorable.”
“Aye, and she’s grown during the months of my absence.” Rob went to lean against the wall by the hearth.
“Aye, that she has.” Lydia stared at Erin’s jacket and blue trews. “We must find you something . . . more appropriate to wear, my dear. I believe we might still have a few gowns here belonging to my daughter, Elaine. They will do nicely.”
Erin shrugged out of her jacket. “Thank you.”
“This must all be so very strange and intimidating for you. Put your mind at ease, lass,” his uncle William said. “You are most welcome.”
“True came to us through time as well. ’Tis hard to imagine such a journey,” Lydia added. “What wonders you must have seen, Robley!”
How like his aunt and uncle to accept and forgive in an instant. Affection for his kin filled him, warmed him through and through. “Aye, I’ve ridden an elephant, a camel and a Harley.”
Lydia frowned. “What manner of animal is a Harley?”
“’Tis a motorcycle, a mode of transport, no’ an animal at all, Aunt. Erin has pictures on her smartphone. Once everyone is here, we’ll share them.”
Malcolm returned, followed by Beth, the servant who had taken care of True when first she’d arrived. She held a tray in front of her, and the smell of lamb stew elicited a resounding rumble from his stomach.
Beth’s eyes widened when they lit on Erin. She curtsied. “Milady, milord, I’ve brought ye some of Cook’s stew. Once ye’ve done here for the evening, send for me, and I’ll show the lady to her chamber.” She set the tray on the small table in the corner and backed away, never taking her eyes from Erin.
“Beth, find whatever remains here of Elaine’s wardrobe. Our guest will make use of them. See to it that at least one of the gowns is made ready for her to wear on the morrow.”
“Aye, milady, right away. I’ve sent a maid to make ready a guest chamber.”
“I trow you will keep this to yourself.” Lydia smiled warmly and raised her gaze to Beth’s.
“Aye, milady.” She curtsied again before leaving.
“We can trust Beth.” William took his place beside his wife again. “She’s cared well for True since her arrival, and she kens her tale in full.”
Lydia reached for Sky, who yawned and laid her head on her granddam’s knee. “We’ll have to agree upon a plausible story to explain Erin’s sudden appearance in our midst—and your sudden reappearance, Rob.”
“Come eat something, Erin. You must be hungry.” Rob pulled out a chair from the table.
“I am. Thank you.” She allowed him to lead her to the table where Beth had placed the tray. “Thank you for everything,” she said, turning to his uncle and aunt. “For making me feel welcome, the food and . . .” Her voice trailed off, and she blinked as her eyes filled.
“Think nothing of it. You are most welcome, lass,” William told her gruffly. “You’ve naught to fash about. You are in our care now.”
Rob squeezed her shoulders. “A hot meal in your stomach will give you strength.”
He took the seat beside her and tore into his stew. “We can say I’ve returned from a visit with Elaine and her family,” he said between mouthfuls. “I met Erin there and persuaded her to return to Moigh Hall with me. The entire clan kens we need a wisewoman and midwife. They’ll accept the tale without question.”
The door to the solar opened, and a very pregnant True hurried through, her face flushed. Hunter followed, heading straight for Sky. The little girl fussed and held out her arms. Hunter gave her a big hug and kissed her tiny face all over until she giggled.
True’s eyes shot to Robley, taking in the leather jacket he still wore, his jeans and twenty-first-century shoes. “Nice jacket.” She shook her head. “It figures you’d take to my era like a duck to water. Welcome home, Rob. You gave us quite a scare. I was afraid you wouldn’t return to us.” Her expression solemn, she turned her gaze to Erin. Their eyes met and held.
“Oh.” Erin dropped the bread she’d just dunked into her bowl. Her gaze fixed upon True’s belly. She rose from the table and walked to True as if drawn by an invisible tether. “May I?” Her hands hovered over True’s belly.
“Of course.” True put her arms to her sides. “You have the gift? I felt your energy reaching for me.”
Erin nodded. “I can ease pain, and I get impressions about physical well-being. I’m Erin Durie, by the way. I got caught up in Robley’s drama with a faerie, and here I am.”
“It’s nice to meet you, Erin. I’m Alethia Goodsky, or I was anyway. Now I’m Lady True of clan MacKintosh. I got caught up in faerie drama too. I’ve been here for three years now.”
“I’m a midwife, by the way, and before that I was an OB-GYN surgical nurse.” Erin placed her hands on True’s belly, and a broad smile lit her face. Rob and his family went still, watching and waiting. Once again pride swelled his chest to almost bursting.
“Fraternal twins!” Erin announced. “Both your sons are healthy, quite active and eager to come into the world. Do you know how far along you are? I’m guessing between thirty and thirty-two we
eks?” Erin stepped back and rubbed her hands together.
“I told you we were having twins.” True smirked at Malcolm. “Yes, I’m around thirty-two weeks, as close as I can tell.”
“I never doubted you, mo cridhe.” Malcolm paled. “I had only hoped you might be mistaken.”
“It’s all right, mo céile.” True crossed the solar and took his hand in hers. “Everything is going to be fine. I’m not the first woman to give birth to twins, and we have a twenty-first-century midwife with us now.” She turned to Erin. “My husband worries he’ll lose me to childbirth. When I was pregnant with Sky, he even asked Madame Giselle to send me to my century to give birth.”
“Twins do carry a greater risk, and they are often born early,” Erin said. “In fact, in another week, I want you confined to the upstairs. No lifting. No climbing stairs or strenuous activity at all.”
Malcolm pulled True down to his lap and put his arms around her. “I’ll see to it that my wife takes your words to heart, lass.”
True rolled her eyes. “I’m fine.”
“And we want to keep it that way. Aye?” William shot her a stern look. “You carry the future earl of Fife, good daughter, not to mention you hold my son’s heart in your wee hands. You will listen to your husband in this.”
“All right. Enough. I’ll do whatever our new midwife says.” She grinned at Erin. “The men in this age are very bossy. You may as well get used to it.” She glanced at him. “Can we move on? I want to hear about Robley’s adventures, but first, Sky and Hunter need to go to bed.”
“Och, Ma! I’m no’ a bairn. Tell her I’m no’ a bairn, Da.” Hunter sent Malcolm a pleading look.
“Hunter is no’ a bairn.” Malcolm arched a brow and shrugged.
“I’m almost eight winters, and I’m a page.” Hunter shot a look of pride Erin’s way. “Da, tell Ma I can stay.”
“Nay.” Malcolm set True on her feet and stood. “You will listen to your mother. Always. There will be time enough for you to hear the tale another time. I’ll call Beth to take you both.”
Robley pushed his empty bowl aside. “Erin, come finish your stew, and if your chamber is ready, ’twould be best if you also took your leave. Give me your phone, though, so I can share the pictures.”
“See? Told you. Bossy.” True snorted. “MacKintosh men are all controlling and arrogant, and mine is the worst of the lot.” She kissed Malcolm’s cheek and laughed at his disgruntled expression as he left the solar.
“I really am beat. Plus, I know Rob’s story. I was there for the whole thing.” Erin fished her iPhone out of her purse and handed it to him. “If there’s a place ready for me, I’d like to call it a night.” She glanced at True. “We can talk more tomorrow.”
“Of course. I’ve been there. I know what the journey through time does to you.” True lifted the leather Harley jacket from the bench and handed it to Erin before settling herself in the spot Malcolm had vacated.
Sky climbed over to snuggle against her mother. “Night-night,” she muttered before sticking her thumb into her mouth.
“That’s right, Sky.” True kissed her daughter’s forehead and ran her finger along her cheek. “Our guest is going to bed, and so are you.”
“I’m sure your chamber is ready, my dear,” Lydia added. “Beth will take you to it anon.”
“Does anyone ken what a pensieve is?” Rob asked. “’Tis at the center of the tale I’m about to share, and I’ve no bloody idea what one might be.” Content to bide his time until the children and his lady were gathered up and led to their rest, he didn’t want to begin his tale with Erin present. He needed his family’s help and guidance in more matters than one.
“A pensieve is an object infused with magic,” True answered. “When you look into one, you can see the past, the future or spy on others in the present.”
The laird shook his head and sighed. “I willna ask how you ken this, good daughter.”
“Harry Potter movies?” Erin asked, glancing at True.
“Exactly.” True laughed.
“You could have asked me, Rob.” Erin shrugged. “I have all the movies on DVD. We could’ve watched them together.”
Malcolm returned, trailed by Beth. Erin and the bairns were led off to their rest, and his cousin settled himself beside his wife. “I’ve dispatched a messenger to Meikle Geddes. I’m certain your parents will be here within a few days.”
“My thanks.” Rob raked his hand through his hair, unsure where to begin. “I was bespelled by Madame Giselle to take the journey to the future. I am sure of it now. I couldn’t shake the compulsion from my mind, and she made it far too easy. That I landed in Erin’s arms when I came through time’s passage only convinces me even more she’s meant to be here. We need her, but . . .” He shook his head.
“Start from the beginning, lad,” his uncle admonished. “Erin mentioned drama with a faerie, and I gather you’re in some difficulty. May as well make a clean breast of it so that we can put our heads together and find a solution.”
“Och, aye, Uncle. You could say I’ve landed in quite a bog.” Rob launched into the story, leaving nothing out, including the part about Connor McGladrey and the job he’d been doing for the older time traveler. He passed Erin’s phone around so they could see the pictures for themselves. Finally, he shared what had transpired with the faerie who appeared in Erin’s apartment. “I have thirty days to convince Madame Giselle to return the stolen pensieve—or my life is forfeit.”
“Shite, Robley,” Malcolm bit out. “Did we no’ tell you to keep your distance from the fae? Do ye ne’er listen?”
“Malcolm, making him feel worse is not going to help.” True rested her hand on her husband’s forearm. “We need to focus on finding a way to help him. None of this is Robley’s fault. I wondered if Giselle might have planted the compulsion within him, and now I know she did. I’ve no doubt she wanted Erin here. Maybe she’s just looking out for me and our twins. To her, Rob is nothing more than a pawn. She managed to find a way to kill two birds with one stone. Erin is here, and Giselle has the pensieve.” She turned to Rob. “You and Malcolm must travel to Inverness to confront her.”
“Me!” Malcolm’s brow shot up. “What have I tae do with this tangle? You ken how I feel about the fae. I dinna wish to be within a league of her.”
“Giselle knows you’re my husband.” True placed her hands on her belly. “Obviously, I can’t travel, or I’d talk to her myself. If she knows how much we care for Rob, maybe she’ll find a way to fix all of this.”
“’Tis unlikely,” Rob muttered. “I will no’ ask any of you to embroil yourselves further in this mess. Malcolm is needed here, and we canna put his safety at risk. What I seek from you are thoughts and ideas. Any notions of how to extricate myself are most welcome.”
He scrubbed his face with both hands, weariness pressing upon him like a millstone. “And I must have your promise that Erin will be protected and given a place of honor within our clan should I fail. ’Twill ease my mind knowing she’ll be taken care of no matter what becomes of me.” A lump formed in his throat, and he tried to clear it away. “If I somehow survive, I plan to marry Erin. She’s . . . I . . .” He blinked against the burn in his eyes, his jaw clenching.
“Of course. You need no’ even ask. ’Tis done.” His uncle pinned him with a look filled with concern. “However we might aid you in this, we will. Mayhap your ties to True and Hunter will be of some help. Mayhap we can gather together enough coin to buy the pensieve back.”
Rob grunted. “I doubt silver and gold hold much value to the fae. ’Tis unlikely I will see Candlemas this year, Uncle.” He raised his eyes to each member of his beloved family. “I leave for Inverness at dawn.” He stood and stretched. “Take care of Erin in my absence. Tell my parents I love them, and pray for me. If all goes well, I will be back within a se’nnight.”
CHAPTER TE
N
After they handed the children off to Sky’s nursemaid, Erin tried to memorize what landmarks she could while following Beth down the corridor. Without a guide she’d be lost. Her palms grew damp, and her heart pounded. Already she missed Rob’s steadying presence. More than anything, she longed to have him beside her, with her hand safely clasped in his.
Beth stopped at a heavy wooden door and opened it for her, “Here we are, milady.”
The fire burning in the small fireplace cast a warm glow over the sparse furnishings, calming her frayed nerves. A single chair sat by the fire. Several pegs protruded from the thick stone walls, and a wooden trunk sat on the plank floor beneath. Beth turned down the blankets on the narrow bed. “Do ye need aught before ye turn in, milady?”
Yes! I need Robley. “Where is Robley’s chamber in relation to this one?” She hung her Harley jacket on a peg and wiped her sweaty palms on her jeans before turning to Beth.
Beth’s brow rose slightly, and she wouldn’t meet her eyes. “He’s no’ married, milady. He’ll stay with the garrison or mayhap make use of his parents’ chamber since they’re no’ in residence.”
Great. Not like she could walk into the garrison’s barracks to look for him, and judging by Beth’s body language, seeking him out in his parents’ chamber was a definite no-no. Her stomach plummeted. Maybe he’d stop by to check on her.
Beth lifted something lying across the end of the bed. “I’ve a night rail for ye, milady.” Glancing at Erin’s clothing, she handed her the linen garment. “And there’s water in the ewer by the hearth should ye wish tae wash.” Her head canted in the direction of the earthenware pitcher. A few squares of material had been laid next to it, and a small piece of soap rested on the edge of the stone fireplace. “I put a few willow twigs on the mantel if ye should wish tae clean your teeth. I’ll leave ye now if that be all.”
Biting her lip, Erin stifled the urge to have Beth ask Robley to come to her. “Thank you. You’ve thought of everything.”
The Highlander's Bargain Page 13
