The Scottish Siren

by Kirsten Osbourne

  “Most just ignore them, or if they have a healer, they will be given herbs for it. Or if they have a healer like me, I can take the pain unto meself, and it will dissipate from me quickly.”

  “You mean you experience pain when you heal others?”

  He nodded. “Aye. But only for a moment, and then ’tis gone.”

  “Please don’t heal me again, then. I’d rather you not have to experience my pain.” She wouldn’t ask her worst enemy to take even a bit of pain from her, so why would she ask it of her future husband?

  “I canna agree to that. It dinna hurt me for long. It was a flash, and then over. Only there as long as lightning would be in the sky.”

  Beth sighed. “I guess I can’t stop you, but I don’t like the idea of you hurting yourself for me.”

  “I do it for strangers. Why wouldna I do it for me wife?”

  “Do we have to marry tomorrow? Could we wait a week or two to get to know one another better?”

  “Do ye think ye might not marry me if we wait?”

  She thought about his question for a moment before shaking her head. “No, I’m pretty sure I’ll marry you, but I want to know you better first.”

  Gavin frowned. “I would rather we do it immediately. Me clan isna as welcoming as me family. If they dinna think we should marry, they may try to prevent it.”

  “Do they have a say in whom you marry?”

  “Nay, not in the way ye think. But they could refuse to follow me if I go against their will. If I have already done it, there is less chance of problems.”

  “I see.” She took a deep breath. “Could we wait to consummate the marriage, then?”

  He raised an eyebrow looking at her. “Exactly how long do ye want to wait, lass?”

  She shrugged. “Maybe a month or two. Just until we know one another better and are comfortable together.”

  “Nay. Absolutely not. That would be ridiculous. We will make love on the wedding night like every other married couple.”

  Beth sighed. “I suppose I can’t really argue with you. You’re getting me out of a bad situation.” Secretly, she was thrilled he hadn’t accepted her request, because she didn’t think they should wait. But she was nervous. And everyone in the romances she read asked their men to wait when it was a marriage of convenience. It seemed to be the required thing to do.

  “I promise ye willna be unhappy.” He put his hand under her long hair and pulled her mouth to his once again. Getting her used to his touch was the way to make her less nervous about their wedding night. He was certain of it.

  Wrapping her arms around him, she returned his kiss with everything inside her. He was the man she’d agreed to spend the rest of her life with, and that meant she needed to do her part to make him happy. In her mind, marriage meant giving up your own needs and working toward the needs of the man she married. She hoped he felt the same way about it. Divorce wasn’t an option for her in the twenty-first century. She was sure it wouldn’t be in the thirteenth.

  Finally, he raised his head. “Ye are going to have to ride on me horse with me,” he said softly. “Home is still two hours away, and we will be there after nightfall.”

  She nodded. “I have never been on a horse.”

  He frowned. “How do ye travel distances in your time?”

  “We ride in vehicles that are fueled by gasoline. They’re called automobiles.”

  He shook his head. Of everything she’d told him so far, that seemed the most far-fetched.

  Three

  An hour before dark, he gathered up the things they’d spread on the ground and carefully tied them up behind the saddle. “Are ye ready to go?” Gavin asked Beth.

  She nodded, taking a deep breath. He already accepted her, but how would his family and his clan feel? She was ready for rejection, but she hoped it wasn’t forthcoming. “I think I am.”

  He mounted his horse and reached a hand down for her to help her up, telling her to step onto his foot to use it as a way to get onto the back of the horse. “Are ye all right?” he asked after her arms were wrapped tightly about his waist.

  “I think so. I’ve never been on a horse. I didn’t realize they were so high off the ground!” She had to wonder how she could live in a seventh-floor apartment and not mind going out onto the balcony but she was petrified on the back of this horse. It was just like her.

  He smiled, happy she couldn’t see it. “Ye just hold on tight, lass.” He kept the pace slower than he usually would to keep her from becoming frightened, and they headed toward his McClain lands and home. He was ready to be home, but he found he was just as ready to be married to the beautiful woman sitting behind him.

  When they reached the stable hours later, he helped her down before unsaddling the horse himself. The stablemaster was already in bed for the night, and he knew most of the clan would be. That’s why he felt it was safe to bring her home now.

  “We should be quiet as we head to the keep. Hopefully me parents are already abed, but if not, they will help. I will tell them the truth about ye, but no other.”

  She frowned. “I’m not sure even telling your parents is a good idea.”

  “Me parents have dealt with things that are strange their entire lives. They will understand in a way no one else will.”

  “All right.” Together they hurried across the land, and when he opened the door to the keep, he heard voices. It sounded like it was only his parents, so he led her to them in the sitting room, where they were spending the evening together.

  She held back as he greeted his parents.

  “Ye were gone longer than expected,” his mother said, jumping up and embracing him. “I was worried.”

  “I am sorry, Mother. After riding to the Campbells, I heard of a sickness with the McDougals, so I headed there. And then the Stewarts. I was in many clans. And on me way home, I found a lass lying in the grass.” Gavin caught Beth’s hand and pulled her into the room with him, refusing to let her hide. “This is Beth. We are to be married on the morrow. She is from the future and has no clan to keep her safe.”

  His mother eyed Beth for a moment, a grin on her face. “From the future, eh? What time exactly?”

  “I come from the year 2019 and a land across the ocean called the United States of America. The area where I live won’t be discovered until 1492.”

  His mother frowned. She obviously hadn’t expected such a quick answer. “And these clothes ye wear?” Her eyebrow went up.

  His father stood. “Gilly. Let the woman breathe for a moment before ye ask her all of your questions. Beth, welcome to our family. Ye will have to tell us tales of the future when ye have a chance.”

  Beth smiled. “Thank you, laird.” She wasn’t certain if she should curtsey when meeting him, but she decided to observe how others treated him. Some books had women curtseying before lairds, and some didn’t. The truth was, she was afraid if she tried, she’d end up on her butt on the floor, and wouldn’t that make a good impression for his parents? “And, Lady McClain, I wear clothes that are considered very modest for my time. I will adapt and wear whatever I should for your world.”

  Gilly studied her for a moment. “Then welcome to our clan.” She stepped forward and embraced Beth, though she still seemed hesitant.

  “I will tell you everything you want to know about the future whenever you would like to know it.” Beth realized she should probably skate over the future of Scotland, though. Knowing their country would someday be under English control would not please a Highlander.

  “Thank ye,” the laird answered. “I am Kennan, and I hope ye will use me name until such a time when ye feel like ye could call me Father. And ye may call his mother Gillian or Gilly. I usually call her Gilly.”

  Beth nodded. “And please, call me Beth.”

  Gilly smiled. “I will take ye to your room and find ye appropriate clothing to wear. On the morrow, ye will wear the McClain colors when ye marry our Gavin.”

  Gilly led her toward the stairs, and Bet
h looked over her shoulder, almost afraid to be leaving Gavin. He was the only person she knew in the entire medieval Scottish world, and she was being led away from him.

  “Thank you for helping me to find clothing,” she said softly.

  “That is no problem. Tell me what a day is like in your time. I am fascinated to hear about the future of the world.”

  It was obvious to Beth that the woman didn’t believe her, but she still carried her purse. She’d show her the bottle of Tylenol and see what she made of it. “I usually wake up early, and I go to a room where I exercise on a machine. It’s a moving walkway type thing. I live in a big city, bigger than you can probably imagine. Millions of people live there.”

  “And after ye exercise on this machine of yours?”

  “I dress and ride something called a subway. It’s a way to move people from one place to another underground. I take the subway to my office, where I work to help people with their money all day long. It’s work with numbers, and it pays the bills. Then I go home, and I read books.” Books about ancient Scottish lairds. She couldn’t show her future mother-in-law the book she had with her. That was for certain.

  “Do ye enjoy your work?” Gillian asked, seeming to believe Beth for the first time.

  “I do not. I would much rather be doing something else, but as an orphan, I knew I needed to use my mind to do well.”

  Gillian frowned. “Ye are an orphan?”

  Beth nodded. “My mother died in childbirth, which is very uncommon in the time I come from. And my father died when I was a little girl. I barely remember him.”

  “So ye lived with family?”

  “I have no family. I lived in what were called foster homes.” Beth quickly and concisely described the foster care situation. “Most of the people I lived with were very kind.”

  “But ye never had a family of your own?” Gillian couldn’t seem to comprehend that.

  Beth shook her head. “I never did.” She shrugged. “Life wasn’t easy, but in some ways, it was easier than your life here, even as an orphan.”

  Gillian nodded. “Ye will have to explain that to me someday. For the time being, we need to find ye a nightgown. And a plaid to wear for the ceremony tomorrow.”

  “You don’t mind that I’m marrying Gavin, then?”

  Gillian frowned for a moment. “Mind? I suppose I canna say I mind. I just . . . well, it is a bit hard to believe ye come from the future to marry me son.”

  “I could show you some things that may convince you. They convinced Gavin.”

  For a moment, it seemed that Gillian would agree. “I dinna think that is necessary.”

  Beth was relieved. She would rather be believed on her own merit. “Thank you.”

  “Let us get ye dressed for sleep, and then we will talk about the ceremony on the morrow. I will assign one of me other daughters to stand with ye and help ye.”

  “Your other daughters? I haven’t met any of your daughters yet, lady.”

  Gillian laughed softly. “Ye are about to marry me youngest son. If that doesna make ye me daughter, then what does?”

  Beth felt a warmth rush through her at the words. As much as Lady Gillian had seemed to disbelieve her, she was now accepting her wholeheartedly. As a daughter. It made Beth want to cry.

  Within minutes, Beth was dressed in a floor-length white nightgown. She wore nothing under it, and Gillian had seemed greatly interested in her bra when she took it off. “This doesna look comfortable.”

  “Trust me, it’s not something you ever want to wear.”

  “Does every woman in your time wear one of these things?”

  “Most do. There was bra burning in the 1960s, and I almost wish I could have been part of it.”

  “I think I would feel the need to burn this,” Gilly said. “Mayhap we will start a fire with it when no one is looking.” Her eyes were filled with mischief as she made the suggestion.

  Beth laughed. She knew she was going to like Gilly. “Sounds good to me.”

  “We will work on moving to our new cottage on the morrow,” Gilly said. “I will miss this place.”

  “Wait . . . new cottage? Why aren’t you just staying here?”

  Gilly shook her head. “Nay. Ye and Gavin will need time alone together as newlyweds. Ye really do not want his parents around.”

  Beth frowned. “But I feel like I’m kicking you out of your own home!”

  “’Tis the way of things in Clan McClain. When I married Kennan, his parents moved out, and I felt badly about it. I had known them since I was a small girl, and I hated it that they didna feel like they could stay. I realized later that it was for the best, though.”

  “Will you live close by?”

  “Aye! We will be in the village, next door to Kennan’s parents. Dinna worry about that, lass.”

  “So if I have questions, you’ll answer them?” Beth wasn’t ready to live in the thirteenth century, let alone ready to be the lady of a clan.

  “Aye, child. I will always be close. Remember, ye will be me daughter as much as Gavin is me son. Any questions ye have will be answered by me. Day or night, ye can knock on me door.” Gillian smiled sweetly. “I know how overwhelming it is to suddenly find yourself the lady of a large clan.”

  “I appreciate it.” Beth climbed into the small bed. “Thank you for welcoming me as you have. I hope we’ll be close.”

  “Aye, we will. Because we both want to be.”

  After Gillian had left the room, Beth lay in bed, staring up at the ceiling. She already loved her new mother-in-law. Hopefully, they really would be close. The McClains seemed like an odd bunch, but if they could do all Gavin said they could, it would be an interesting family to be a member of. Of course, for Beth, any family would be interesting.

  As she closed her eyes, her last thought was about how Gavin’s lips had felt on hers. In just a few hours, they would be married. And she would be a wife. And the lady of a historic Highland clan. It hadn’t been what she expected when she’d woken up that morning, but how could she complain? Her life was a dream.

  Beth was awoken the following morning when two servants carried a big tub into the room where she slept, while a stream of other servants followed behind with buckets of water. She sat up in bed and held the covers to her chest, feeling vulnerable.

  The servants left without a word, and Beth looked around for a chamber pot. She needed to go, but . . . ewww. She used the thing and undressed, slipping into the water. She leaned back in the big wooden tub, feeling as if she could get used to the feeling. It was so different than baths she’d taken in the past, of course, but it wasn’t bad.

  She’d been soaking for only a few minutes when the door opened again. A woman she’d never seen stood looking down at her with a smile. “Gilly sent me to help ye with your bath. May I wash your hair?”

  “Umm . . . I’ve always washed my own hair.”

  The girl grinned. “I am Morvan. I have been Gilly’s personal maid for many years. I am happy to help ye.”

  Finally, Beth nodded. It felt strange to have someone help her bathe, but she understood that she would have to get used to things like that. As Morvan washed her hair, she chattered away happily. “I was there for the birth of all seven of Gilly’s sons. When they discovered that Gavin had the healing touch, there was much rejoicing in the household.”

  “Does everyone know about his healing touch?”

  “Nay. Usually, he gives people a pinch of herbs in a glass of water, and then he heals them with his touch. People assume the herbs are healing him, but ’tis really Gavin’s power. His grandfather has always done the same with his growing power. He will spread something on the crops, and then use his powers to grow them. Only the family and servants know the truth about how they do what they do.”

  “That makes more sense,” Beth said, shaking her head. “It really is a strange family.”

  “Aye, it is. And I can hear a strange accent in your voice. Ye dinna speak Gaelic?”

&nb
sp; “No. I don’t.”

  “I didna think so. Are ye a Sassenach?”

  Beth sighed. “No. I’m from a place you’ve never heard of.” Because it wasn’t a country yet. Or a discovered continent . . . or . . .

  “’Tis all right. Secrets are meant to be kept in this household. Ye dinna need to tell me a thing.”

  “Are you moving with Gilly to the cottage she mentioned?”

  Morvan shook her head. “I dinna live here. I live with me husband and our children. Me oldest daughter will be coming to live here as your maid. It has already been arranged.”

  “How many children do you have?” That topic seemed like a safe one to Beth. In every century, women loved to talk about their children.

  “Only five. I have three daughters and two sons.” Morvan grinned. “I was certain I would never have a girl after two sons in a row, but then Kirstine was born.”

  “Is she the one who will be helping me?”

  “Aye. She has observed me with Gilly so many times over the years that she should do the job well. She is betrothed to a young soldier in the clan, but she will continue to work for ye after she is married.”

  Beth smiled. “I like the idea of working with a girl who is just starting out in married life as I am.”

  “I will introduce the two of ye later. She will live here until her marriage, when she will move in with her husband.”

  “That will be wonderful. Thank you for helping me to feel comfortable here.”

  “It is me job.”

  After her bath, Morvan helped her to dress in a Scottish dress, complete with a plaid over it. It felt strange, and Beth wished there was a mirror. She had never been a woman who enjoyed dressing up, and she couldn’t remember ever wearing a floor-length gown.

  “How does it look?” Beth asked, looking down at herself.

  “It looks lovely, lass.” Morvan walked to the door. “I will be back in a short while with some porridge. Ye will usually take your meals belowstairs with the family but not on your wedding day.”