by Diane Darcy
He snorted again. “A fine way to avoid the subject.”
“What if I were to tell you, that I was older than you?” She couldn’t help teasing him.
She both heard and felt him chuckle against her. “Not with those teeth.”
She turned around to look at him, realizing what he meant just as she was about to ask for his meaning. It did seem that many of the people that she’d been working with the last few days, had not benefited from seeing a dentist every six months, as she had. She’d scrubbed her teeth with the twig provided, and had dipped a piece of thread in candle wax the night before to floss her teeth, with okay results.
She’d have to introduce her gorgeous new boyfriend to the practice, before he lost any of his teeth.
He caught her staring at his mouth, and smiled.
Nothing wrong with his smile, so she’d caught it in time.
She turned back around, and his arms tightened once more.
She could get used to this.
“I see Favian is thrilled to come along.”
Favian was ahead of them, riding in front of one of Wallace’s knights, asking questions, enjoying every moment. “As long as he comports himself well, ’twill be handy to have him to run errands.”
She chuckled. “Admit it. You have a soft spot for him.”
He was silent a moment, then said, “Mayhap you are right.”
“I’m right. I always am.”
He chuckled when Sir Gladwin rode up beside them. “Lady Cara, are you not enjoying the countryside?”
“Yes, it’s beautiful.”
“Where do you hail from?”
She almost said California, but remembering in time, said, “Wales.”
Wallace’s hand tightened on her.
His eyes narrowed. “I cannot place your accent.”
“I’ve spent time in Scotland too, near Stirling.”
“Ah,” he said, but looked doubtfully at her before riding on.
They took a few breaks throughout the day, and the traveling party, overall, seemed a cheerful one.
Any bickering had Wallace ordering the miscreants to separate. She might wish that she’d become more disillusioned with him throughout the day, as she still had every intention of going home at the first opportunity, but instead, his air of authority, his expectation that he would be obeyed, and his decisive manner, simply attracted her all the more.
She burrowed back into him, both for warmth, and the feel of having his arms around her, pulling her close at every opportunity.
The feeling was heady, like a drug.
And, like a drug, she was becoming addicted. To him. To the sensation of his rock-hard body, at her back, his arm about her waist, the feel of being coddled, protected by the strongest man in their company.
His air of confidence, the way his green gaze constantly scanned for danger, the way she knew he’d be ready for it if it came.
It kept her in a constant state of feminine flutters.
Which was so entirely ridiculous!
If any of her friends could see her now, how they’d laugh, and then take away her woman card.
So much for her independence, her disregard for relationships. She’d done her share of teasing her friends over the years when they’d fallen, and fallen hard.
She just hadn’t got it, had she?
Her father told her when she met the right man, she’d know it.
And if Wallace was someone she’d actually met on set, an actor playing this role, she probably wouldn’t have been interested.
He wouldn’t have been Wallace.
“Have you ever acted in a play, or anything like that? You know, for the entertainment of others?”
“You mean mummery?”
She knew the term, but had never heard it in conversation before, and it made her chuckle. “Sure, mummery, have you ever ... mummed for anyone?”
He was already shaking his head, and it didn’t surprise her. He didn’t seem the type of man who engaged in amusing his fellow man. In fact, looking back, she couldn’t believe she’d mistaken him for someone who would. He took life far too seriously.
She might have to change that.
Late in the afternoon, she was getting tired of the travel, and ready for a break.
She was hoping someone else would ask, so she wouldn’t have to, when they were hailed by two riders coming toward them in the distance.
Wallace moved them to the front of the company to join two other knights and then raised his hand. Everyone halted as they waited for the approaching riders to close the distance.
The two men, both on brown steeds, both with shields emblazoned with a black bird of prey, finally stopped.
“Lord Wolfsbane. Lord Marshall sent us to greet you and assure you of your welcome.”
As Wallace uttered his thanks, it occurred to Cara that they actually might not be that welcome as Wallace was persona non-gratis at the moment. The two men turned their horses and led the way, and it wasn’t long until a castle rose up in the distance.
It was imposing, impressive, and Cara wondered if it was still there in the future, and wished she’d had time to explore before she’d come back to this time. She could feel that Wallace was more tense than he’d been earlier, as he straightened and his arms had tightened.
They continued to follow the dirt road, avoiding potholes as best they could, and when they moved past bushes and trees, she could see a cemetery rise up on the hill in the distance, and the village laid out before the castle.
It wasn’t long before they were riding through that village and it seemed as if everyone who lived there had lined up to watch them go by.
She hated to use the word peasant, but it was what came to mind. Men, women, children, dressed in homespun, and many of them barefoot.
Most of the men had hair to their shoulders, the women wore braids and buns, aprons, and many had children on their hip.
One man held a pitchfork, and it tickled her funny-bone, with the castle so close by. Have fun storming the castle! The line from The Princess Bride, leapt to mind.
She bit her lip and forced herself to keep a straight face and looked toward the castle gates instead.
It was truly imposing, and at the same time made her realize how defenseless they were with their much smaller walls and little moat around the manor house.
The castle rose high into the air, two turrets on either side, the raised gate with its spikes did not give an impression of warmth, friendliness, or welcome.
Quite the opposite, in fact.
Guards commanded stations up on the ramparts, and the gates, and as their party moved by, Cara was left well aware that, by entering, whoever the Lord of the castle was, held their lives in his hands. This place was built for defense.
“You said this is a friend of yours, right?”
“Friendly enough.”
“So ... an acquaintance, then.”
“You might say so.”
Cara swallowed hard.
“Do not fash yourself, my heart. I will keep you safe.”
The endearment made her feel warm, safe, protected.
They were soon passing under the gatehouse, into the inner courtyard, and as they entered, she could see what looked like a small city on the inside. There was a chapel, a blacksmith, a dovecote which she recognized because Wallace was building one at the moment.
In the main living area, people looked out open windows, watching their arrival. Soldiers looked down from battlements, chatting amongst themselves.
She could see stables and horses within.
She certainly hoped they didn’t have a dungeon.
Or if they did, she hoped that none of them became acquainted with it.
All in all, the place was grandiose and imposing.
Lord Marshall waited.
A couple of well-dressed ladies came out of the main house, the blonde tripping, then laughing as Lord Marshall caught her. They straightened and watched them approach.
/> When they were all in the courtyard, Wallace pulled on the reins and as if by prearranged signal, everyone came to a halt.
Wallace dismounted, caught her up, and pulled her down in one motion.
Very slick.
He didn’t wait for anyone else, but ushered Cara forward until they were at the bottom of a few stairs, looking up at who she assumed where their hosts.
Wallace nodded. “Marshall.”
The man nodded back. “Wolfsbane. Welcome to our home. I don’t believe you’ve met my wife, Lady Marshall.”
Wallace gave a courtly bow, and she found herself quite proud to be standing beside him.
“My Lady, Lord Marshall, might I present Lady Cara of Wolfsbane Manor.”
She could hear a tightness in his voice and wondered at it, until it occurred to her that because he’d lost all his other properties, it was the only one left for him to claim.
When the other lady dropped into a curtsy, she did the same herself.
Lady Helena and her daughters came up behind them, and more introductions were made.
“You are most welcome here,” Lord Marshall assured them all. “My lady will get you settled, and I believe she has some entertainments arranged for after supper. On the morrow, we shall travel with you to Newcastle.”
With that, he gestured toward Wallace, and Wallace gave her a nod of his head and the two of them crossed the courtyard to do whatever it was that men did in this day and age.
She turned back to see Lady Marshall looking at her, curiosity in her expression. “Have you lived at the manor your entire life?” she asked, and when she did, Cara’s jaw about fell to the ground.
“Omigosh! You totally have an American accent!” Cara exclaimed.
“So do you!” Lady Marshall smiled and clapped her hands. “California girl, if I’m not mistaken?”
“Guilty,” Cara said, and relief rushed through her at the realization that she suddenly wasn’t alone in this, that someone else knew what she was going through, and could possibly give her answers, or at least support.
Before she knew it, she was falling into the other woman’s arms, and they were laughing and both talking at the same time, even as the other women looked on.
Lady Marshall finally pulled back and gestured them all inside. “I’m so sorry to leave you standing on the doorstep. Come in, come in, let’s get you settled, I will check on supper, and you and I can catch up, and see what is what.”
Gratefully, Cara filed in with the other ladies, and they were taken up the stone stairs, and offered a bedroom to share, with a big fourposter bed, and some pallets laid out on the ground for the younger girls.
Lady Marshall bustled about, and as soon as they were all settled, she turned to Cara once more.
“Spill.”
It was such a twenty-first-century thing to say, that Cara laughed. “Cara Jones. Age twenty-seven. I’m not sure how or why I’m here, but I was on a movie set outside of Stirling Castle one moment, and the next Wallace was bearing down upon me with the horse, and I barely missed getting killed.”
Lady Marshall gasped. “Oh, my gosh, I was there! I heard all about that later. People were speculating about where you came from, and the general consensus was that Sir Rupert hired someone to shove you into Wolfsbane, so he didn’t have to fight him.”
She shook her head. “It’s a miracle you weren’t killed!”
Cara nodded her agreement. “I know, right? It was crazy! Afterward, the king told Wallace that he could take me with him, and he did, and that’s how I ended up with him.”
“Are you with him, with him?”
Cara suddenly realized that Lady Helena and her daughters and a maid as well, all payed close attention to their conversation.
Lady Marshall followed her gaze, and laughed. “A conversation for another time.”
Lady Marshall bustled about, making sure everyone had what they needed, and then asked the ladies to come downstairs after they’d freshened up.
She led Cara out with her into the hall, and down to another room, and then shut the door on what was obviously the master bedroom.
A giant fourposter with curtains, a large trunk, a chair with what looked like a polished shield that maybe served as a mirror in front of it.
“All right, Cara Jones, and please call me Gillian. Now, tell me everything.”
Cara laughed. “Where did I leave off.”
“Lord Wolfsbane took you with him.”
Cara looked into Gillian’s dancing blue eyes. “Well, he kidnapped me, saved me from an attack, turned out to be a pretty cool guy, and now I’m sort of falling for him.”
Gillian put a hand to her heart. “Oh, my gosh, I know, right? These guys are just so hard to resist. Kellen is super protective, and it drives me nuts sometimes, but it’s also, you know, attractive.”
“Lord Marshall does seem crazy about you.”
“Call him Kellen.”
Cara nodded. “So, what’s your story? And have we really traveled through time?”
“Hard to believe, right? I came to England on my honeymoon, by myself, because my fiancé cheated. I traveled through time and ended up here. Met Kellen who thought I was his betrothed. We worked it all out, fell in love, married, and now I’m expecting a baby.”
Cara’s eyes widened and she couldn’t help but glance down at Gillian’s stomach.
She giggled. “I’m not showing yet. And a good thing too, or I wouldn’t have been allowed to go to the joust where you met Lord Wolfsbane. He’s a scary looking dude, by the way.”
Cara smiled. “It’s Wallace. He is kind of a beast, but he’s a pussycat.”
Gillian smiled in return. “I know exactly what you mean. So, California girl?”
“Born and raised. Though Wallace thinks I’m Welsh for some reason.”
Gillian laughed. “Kellen thinks the Welsh are psychos, worse than the Scottish, so, that would explain it.”
“Hey! I seem crazy?” she crossed her eyes and stuck out her tongue.
They both laughed.
“If anyone dares to mention my accent, Kellen usually stares them down. If I’m pressed, I just say I’m from Scotland near Inverdeem. I have a friend who lives nearby and I’m pretty sure he’d back me up.”
She giggled. “And then Kellen would try to kill him again.”
Cara grinned. “Okaaay. Definitely a story for another time. So, where are you really from?”
“Seattle.”
Cara was just so taken in by all of it, she shook her head. “What are we doing here?”
Gillian giggled again. “Well, I don’t know about you, but you couldn’t get me out of here now for all the money in the world.”
Cara bit her lip and gave a slight shrug. “I’m not exactly there, I’m missing my mom and dad, and I —”
There was a loud thump on the door and both women jumped, and Gillian laughed. “Just don’t let my husband hear you speak, all right? Just until I can explain the situation to him.”
Cara’s brows rose. “Okaaay,” she drew out the word.
Gillian unlocked the door and Kellen came inside and looked suspiciously between the two of them. He gave them both a long look, and then inquired, “Is anything amiss?”
Gillian smiled widely. “No, just girl talk.”
“I see,” his smile was indulgent. “Cook had a few questions for you, so if you are ready, I will escort you down.”
Gillian sent Cara an arch look and shook her head. “So protective.” She leaned forward and gave Cara a hug, and said, “We’ll chat more later.”
They dropped Cara off at her bedroom down the hall, and the two of them went on their way, leaving Cara both confused and hopeful.
It was nice knowing she wasn’t the only one this had happened to, but the fact that Gillian was still here was a little worrisome.
Hopefully, she’d get some answers sooner rather than later.
Supper was an interesting affair.
There were a lot
more people at the castle then there had been at the manor, and it had a large hall set with tables and benches.
There seemed to be a pecking order, and since Gillian insisted that Cara sit beside her, that meant Wallace, his mother and sisters were invited as well.
That displaced some people, who moved with ill grace to another table, shooting glares and petulant glances in their direction.
This in turn, displaced some others, and so it went until everyone was comfortably settled at what Cara designated as table one, two, three and so on.
Interesting set-up. They were immediately served wine.
Kellen was on Gillian’s other side.
“Am I allowed to speak yet?” Cara asked softly.
“Let’s keep you on the down-low for now. Kellen really doesn’t react well to bad news.”
That amused Cara no end. “Wallace’s mom called me a mistake that needs fixing. So, now I’m bad news?”
“The worst.” Gillian’s giggle made the statement a joke.
At a signal from Gillian, platters of food were brought forward, and, after the long day of travel, it didn’t bother Cara in the least that she needed to keep quiet.
Chapter 19
Wallace spoke to Lord Marshall, but kept an eye on his lady.
She seemed awfully quiet, which was unusual for her, but she seemed to be getting on well enough with Lord Marshall’s new bride.
“How was the ride out?” Lord Marshall wanted to know. “You encountered no brigands or thieves?”
“Only from a distance.”
They discussed how many people would be in their party, how many horses, wagons, and the like. His gaze drifted back to Cara and he wondered if she was feeling herself, or struck with a case of shyness, something he’d never seen in her before.
“I’m not looking forward to seeing the king again so soon, and dealing with his courtiers, but I don’t wish to offend by missing his niece’s wedding.”
Lord Marshall shot him a curious glance. “I would think with circumstances as they are, that you don’t have the need to be there, and might not be welcome.”
Wallace didn’t know Lord Marshall well, but he’d heard the man was blunt, and this certainly proved it.
