by Kim Allred
"Gulls," was all she managed to say. She moaned, and something warm was placed on her forehead.
Her hair was brushed back, and a languid breath slid against her skin. His cedar scent invaded every cell of her being. It was Finn. Somehow, he'd found her.
"I know you're strong. I know you could have done this on your own." His lips nibbled at her ear as his hand stroked her shoulder. "But I will always come for you."
"Finn?" His name scratched out of her dry throat like sandpaper across fine wood. She tried to open her eyes but couldn't stop the deeper darkness that skirted her delicate consciousness. He squeezed her hand again and yelled something unintelligible. It didn't matter. The only words she'd wanted to hear had already been said. He'd always come for her.
"What took you so long?" Finn barked when Bart finally made an appearance, grumbling under his breath.
Maire followed the old man through the door. This was the first time Finn truly noticed her emaciated appearance. His focus up to then had been on AJ. He stood so Bart could exam AJ, allowing Finn the opportunity to fold Maire into his arms. Her twig-like arms hugged him tightly, reinforcing his suspicions that her spine was made of steel.
"It's good to see you, sister."
"You shouldn't have come."
He pulled away and scanned her face. "Of course, we should have."
She wrung her hands as she stared down at AJ. "At what cost?"
He shook her gently until she glanced up, her stubborn expression firmly in place. "She'll be all right. I believe that." He held her gaze. "And what cost was there to you? And Ethan?"
Maire pushed him away, her voice contrite. "It wasn't his fault."
He raised his hands in surrender. "Enough of that. There will be plenty of time to discuss the mess we're in. Right now, we need to get you and AJ healthy."
A resigned grin lit her freshly washed face that was incongruous to the rest of her appearance. Her unwashed hair hung in thick, dirt-encrusted ropes. Filth and dried blood marred her tattered dress.
She squeezed his arm, still able to read his emotions. "Let me help with AJ. I've eaten. I feel fine. Once she's settled, I'll see to my own grooming."
Finn nodded then realized she had been moving him toward the door as she spoke. When he tried to object, her fiery temper emerged.
"You'll only be in the way."
He hung his head, shaking it slowly back and forth. He didn't want to leave AJ. Not until she was stable, and she didn't appear anywhere close to stable.
Maire wouldn't be deterred. "You've done a fine job of cleaning the wound. You talked her into waking, even if it was brief. That's an excellent start. Now let us finish. See to the others. Beckworth is eager to talk to you."
Finn's jaw clenched.
"Brother, I know better than any of you the type of man Beckworth is. And now I can say I've seen worse. He may have kidnapped me, but that's between him and me." When Finn gave her an exasperated look, she waved him off. "I was in his care for almost two years. He kept me like a dove in a gilded cage. That's not how I've spent the last six months. Consider that when you're forced to work with him." She took a step closer, shaking a pointed finger at him. "And believe me on this as well, brother. As much as Beckworth has to pay for, we need him."
Bart, who had been examining AJ, stood up and, with cane in hand, limped his way to the table. He mumbled as he opened a book then glanced up at Maire. "Are you two going to chat all day? If not, can I get some help with the medicines?"
Maire rolled her eyes, a gesture AJ seemed to have taught everyone.
Finn sighed, his battle lost. "It's still good to see you, sister."
He heard her soft chuckle after she closed the door in his face.
34
When Finn returned to the main room of the cabin, he found Ethan and Beckworth glaring at each other from opposite ends of the kitchen table. Lando sat in between them as if playing referee while quietly eating a bowl of stew. It had been good to see his old friend when he'd arrived in Corsham. Somehow, he'd been only half surprised to have found him with Beckworth.
Before going to Waverly, Finn and Ethan had stopped in Corsham. They wanted to confirm if AJ was still in the area. If nothing else, AJ was predictable. She wouldn't travel to Hensley's or Hereford without stopping by Waverly. If she wasn't at the inn, a stop at one of the local public houses might provide news of Waverly.
They visited the mercantile and was on their way to the apothecary when Finn caught sight of Beckworth. The man ran, leading them out of town and straight to Lando. When Beckworth shared the news that AJ had been captured, Finn almost pummeled him before Lando interceded, explaining that AJ's capture hadn't been anyone's fault but Dugan's. And while Finn hadn't wanted to hear the excuses, he could do nothing to change the past.
The rescue plan had been simple, and Finn hated to admit the four of them had worked seamlessly. They had taken the guards by surprise; the mission taking less than thirty minutes. Now, he had time to determine what to do with Beckworth.
"Are you going to tell us what's going on at Waverly?" Finn went right for the heart of the matter as he dragged a chair to the table. He left the empty chair for Maire, hoping in vain she'd come out on her own to eat.
Lando glanced at Beckworth, a troubled frown creasing his forehead. This didn't bode well.
"It seems rather obvious, doesn't it?" Beckworth pointed his chin toward the stack of books and loose papers Maire had insisted on stealing from her prison and were now scattered on the table. "It's the bloody stones. Obviously, there must be something else they want your sister to decipher."
"Dugan isn't the one pretending to be the viscount, is he?" Ethan's quiet tone belied the anger beneath.
"No. That would be someone else." Beckworth stood and dug around a shelf, moving clay jars aside until he grunted with satisfaction. He pulled down a jar that looked like all the rest, then grabbed four mugs. He set them on the table and filled the cups with a clear liquid. He put the stopper back in the jar and passed the mugs around.
"Careful. This is quite strong, but I think it's appropriate for the next part of the conversation."
Beckworth took a swallow, grimaced as it went down, then shook his head like a cat shaking off rain. Then he grinned and rasped out, "Just as I remember it."
Finn glanced at his two friends, who both shrugged before lifting their cups. With watery eyes from the potent smell, Finn tossed back a long swallow, as did the others.
Beckworth waited while the homemade hooch worked its way into the men's bellies. Seemingly satisfied his audience was well fortified, he began his tale. "I was born in London to a woman who worked for the Duke of Dunsmore. The duke was a charmer in his younger days, and being the powerful man that he was, the young female servants always caught his attention. And he'd bed them whether they were agreeable or not—or so my mother said."
He waited until he saw the spark of understanding in the men's eyes.
"You're the duke's son?" Ethan asked the question, but he was nodding as if certain elements fell into place like pieces of a puzzle he hadn't realized were there.
"After my mother discovered she was pregnant and said something to the housekeeper, she was handed a small amount of money and promptly dismissed. She lived with her sister and cleaned rooms at one of the inns until I was born. It was hard times, and eventually her sister's husband forced us out, claiming too many mouths to feed. We ended up living with three other families in an old shanty just off the Thames. When I was old enough, in order to earn my keep, I learned some skills." His lips curved into a handsome and whimsical smile. "As you know.
"Though we were dirt poor, those were the happiest days of my life. I felt loved, and with my scavenging ways, we lived well enough. Mother thought I'd end up in the military or stowaway on a ship to new adventures. As it turns out, I did spend a couple of years on a ship but found it too confining."
Beckworth took another drink and waited for the burn to stop. "I never c
ared who my father was. At least not until I saw his rightful heir. Oh, Mother had told me who my father was, but I'd learned early on how it was with the rich and powerful versus those of us that weren't. I didn't question it at the time. That's just the way things were. Then one day I saw the duke as he stepped from a carriage to enter a gentleman's club. He had a young lad by his side. The boy looked to be about the same age as me and could have been my double, we looked so much alike. And just like that, I was obsessed."
"Your brother? That's who has taken over Waverly?" Ethan stared at the table, his eyes unfocused, as if continuing to connect the puzzle pieces.
"Amazing, isn't it? Almost an exact duplicate except for different blood in our veins."
"Wouldn't that make this man the heir to Waverly?" Lando asked.
"Not bloody likely." Beckworth emphasized his response with a fist on the table. "Waverly never belonged to the duke. I made sure there wasn't one iota of a link between Waverly and him. Waverly was my payment."
"Your payment? That's what this is all about. Your due as the bastard son of a duke?" Finn's anger flared.
"Not payment for being his bastard. His payment for the things he made me do. The things his spoiled, worthless heir either couldn't or wouldn't do. Oh, he had Dugan to do his interrogations and beat downs. But he needed someone who could get close, get inside the doors to listen and learn, and sometimes…" Beckworth's gaze shifted down as if in embarrassment. "Sometimes to be a silent assassin. My payment was a title and an estate."
Beckworth glowered at them and took another long swallow. When he could speak, it was with a more humble tone. "I know what you're thinking, and you're partly correct. I saw the riches I could have, but it was my mother who encouraged me."
Ethan scoffed, and Lando looked doubtful, but Finn understood. Not from personal experience, but he'd heard stories from enough Irish bastards to know the tale. "Your mother wanted you to have what should have been yours."
Beckworth met Finn's gaze and appeared heartened that someone understood if not agreed with his actions. "She worked so hard to give me a life. When she saw my half-brother, she got angry. Up till then, I'd never seen a mean-spirited bone in her body. Not until that moment. She knew the duke would never accept me as his, but she thought I might be of service to him. So Mother encouraged me to learn more skills—deadly skills. Eventually, the duke saw it as a bonus."
"How did your brother know about Waverly or the stones? He wasn't at the monastery." Ethan downed then rest of his mug then shook his head. "Never mind," he rasped out. "It must have been Dugan."
Beckworth nodded. "The question I have is why? As far as I knew, my dear brother has been in Austria, living what I'm sure is an aristocratic life. His mother is a blue blood."
"Then what is Maire transcribing?" Lando lifted a corner of one of the books and looked inside. Seeing nothing of interest, he dropped the cover.
"If you want to know more, come back here," Maire called from the doorway. "AJ is awake."
35
AJ didn't think she'd seen anyone more precious when Finn barreled his way into the room. She flinched as she pulled herself up to greet him. He stopped short. His forehead wrinkled as he stared down at her. He took another step, his arms rising then dropping to his sides. She held out her arms, not caring if it jarred her head. All she wanted was to feel his arms around her.
He dropped to his knees next to the cot and brought her gently into his arms. She held on for all she was worth, breathing in his scent, reveling in his strength. Feeding off it. Tears broke through; she'd thought she'd never see this man again.
Knowing everything they were up against, nothing mattered more than having Finn by her side.
He pulled back and wiped her tears away. His signature smile made her heart beat faster. He rested his forehead against hers and spoke in a hushed whisper, "I missed you, wife."
She kissed his ear, her voice just as low. "And I missed you, husband."
He ran a gentle hand over her head. "Does it still hurt?"
"Of course, it still hurts." The reply coming from Bart rather than AJ. "She got a good hit to the head, probably when she fell off the horse. Then it seems someone kept abusing her head whenever this false viscount didn't like her answers. She has some bruising, but it's her head I'm most concerned with."
"Explain," Finn barked, and his jaw clenched.
"I've worked up a tonic." The old man scratched his backside before glancing at Maire. "Well, I suppose I had a little help." When Maire nodded her appreciation, he continued. "She's been sleeping more than she should, even under the circumstances. Now, that could either be the body trying to heal itself, or there could still be swelling. Either way, she needs to stay in bed until her headaches are gone."
AJ fidgeted under the blanket. "I feel fine." When everyone gave her a disappointed glare, she decided now wasn't the best time to fight that battle.
"How long before she can ride?" Finn squeezed her hand when she tensed. "Or maybe a carriage?"
"Didn't you just hear what I said?" Bart's face reddened. He took two steps as if moving closer might help Finn understand him better.
"We heard you, old man." Beckworth sighed. "No one's questioning your skill, but the longer we stay here, the more danger we're putting you in." Beckworth touched Bart's elbow, guiding him toward a chair. "Sit before you fall down."
Once the old man sat and pushed Beckworth away, he mumbled, "They leave me alone. For the most part."
"Yes, but after they've exhausted all other possibilities, they might make an exception. We can't take the chance."
"We came for your expertise." Maire laid a hand on the man's arm, and he patted it. "Now that we have the tonic, I can monitor AJ. If the strain of travel is too difficult, we'll stop."
"I still don't like it," he grumbled. AJ noticed the spunk leave the old man and wondered how long Bart had been trapped in this cabin with only Lincoln for company.
Ethan dragged in a chair from the other room, and Maire seemed relieved to sit. Lando followed with more chairs. They gathered around AJ, but they turned their gazes toward Maire.
AJ couldn't remember seeing her so nervous. "They need to know everything, Maire."
Ethan scooted closer to Maire. Now that AJ knew Ethan's part of withholding Maire's interest in the druid book when he jumped to the future, the two of them appeared to be on trial. AJ had no doubt Ethan would be more than willing to take the fall for all of it.
"Just spit it out. It has to do with the stones, right?" Beckworth's earlier comforting tone with Bart disappeared, replaced by impatience.
AJ had overheard the story he'd shared with the men in the other room. She wondered what would have happened to him if he hadn't been caught in the fog and transported to the future. Would Dugan have come to Waverly anyway and taken over the estate? Maybe killing Beckworth to keep him out of the way? There was obviously no love between the brothers.
"The stones are an important piece, but not all of it. There is a slim possibility the Heart Stone may be of importance."
"What else?" Finn asked. AJ squeezed his hand. This next part was going to irritate him, and she wanted him to stay calm.
Maire sighed and stood to pull the kettle from the fire. She made herself busy preparing tea, her posture rigid as she ignored the group. While she poured the tea, she replayed the story she'd told AJ in the cell, starting with her travel to Peterstow in search of the druid's book. She glossed over the part of Ethan's knowledge of the book, but based on the tic in Finn's jaw, AJ knew he hadn't missed that piece. If Ethan had bothered to tell them about the book when he'd arrived in Baywood, their investigation might have moved faster. But Ethan required Finn and AJ's assistance for more than just finding Maire. He'd known that he would probably require assistance in rescuing her. For a moment, AJ felt her own irritation with Ethan though she understood why he did it. Finn, however, would require more than a few words of apology.
"When I learned the druid's book
was real and had been found, I couldn't resist."
"And this Mórdha Stone Grimoire is the druid's book?" Lando turned a little gray. "Grimoires are filled with black magic."
Maire returned to her seat, her stoic resolve back now that she'd revealed her secret. "Not all, but you're right. Some can be dangerous, or at least that's what I've been told. But any book that speaks of magic spells and incantations would be accurately called a grimoire."
No one asked how Maire came to know about grimoires, though everyone knew her ability to transcribe old Celtic. AJ had learned about Maire's socialization with the Irish Travellers when they had unknowingly wandered into a Romani camp in their failed escape from Dugan. AJ didn't know much about the Travellers, but she knew some Romani had knowledge of old magic.
"I was only given one page at a time to transcribe. Someone had copied the original text onto the individual pages. Sometimes the writing appeared hurried, making it difficult to read, and one misplaced letter can lead to a different meaning. I'd only seen the book once before." She glanced to Beckworth, who kept a straight face, either not wanting anyone to know he'd once had the book in his possession or he didn't want to derail her. "From what I remember of the book, I've transcribed maybe a third of it. And from what I've seen so far, the druid suggested the possibility of time travel by use of the smaller stones, but I don't know how."
"But we've used the smaller stones to travel from the start." Ethan scanned the group who were nodding in agreement.
Maire shook her head. "All the travel up to this point has been a direct relation of the smaller stones and their connection to the Heart Stone. The incantations were used to bring the stones together—to find each other. This druid's experiments were to use an individual stone to travel through time."
The sobering silence summed up the group's thoughts. Their understanding of the stones to this point assumed the Heart Stone was the required element for time travel. If it was true that each stone had such power on its own, and there were five smaller stones, the druid's book could prove more dangerous than The Book of Stones.
