Love Beyond Time (Morna's Legacy Series) (3 page)

As I tried to rack my brain for something to ponder, I realized the sad truth: I had little in my life that was out of the norm to focus on. My drastic social decline since moving to Austin had me well on my way to becoming the Miss Havisham of the Lone Star State. I spent every spare second either working on my home or working on my classroom. While I loved the kiddos in my class, I was ashamed that I’d let my life get so unexciting.

I was at a point where many of the goals I’d set for myself had been met. I’d worked my way through college, I was happy with my job, happy with myself, and I owned my own home. But I was ready for my life to encompass more than just myself.

I wanted a friend, a husband, a lover. I wanted children in my life who’d call me “mom” rather than “teacher” or “Ms. Mothgomfrey.” But with my social circle filled with PTA moms rather than eligible bachelors, my chances of finding anyone were pretty dismal.

Maybe a handsome Scot will sweep me off my feet? Because that happens to teachers from Austin every day, and there’s sure to be a lot of eligible bachelors at the castle ruins . . . where no one has lived in four hundred years.

I shook my head, embarrassed at my little daydream, and tried to pull myself back to reality. “Okay, Mom. What’s the plan?”

“Well . . .” I watched as she spoke in between mouthfuls of food, “When we land in Edinburgh, we’ll pick up our rental car and drive to the National Museum of Scotland. They’ve been keeping all of the documents we found at the site. I already have clearance, so I should be able to take a lot of things with us. We’ll start there by combing through the documents we already have and see if that brings to light anything we might have missed during the first dig.”

“Ok, sounds good to me. Did you make any hotel reservations when you booked our flight?”

“No. I don’t want to stay in Edinburgh, I think we should go ahead and try to get into the Highlands, closer to the ruins. I remember a little bed and breakfast we used to pass that was on the side of the road leading to the site. It was so charming on the outside. I always wanted to stay there, but never got the chance. We always just camped out on the grounds. I have no idea whether it’s still there or not, but I’d like to take a chance and see.”

“Alright. Anything else I need to know?” My blood pressure rose slightly when I learned that our night’s accommodations were anything but certain, but I swallowed my panic and set my mind to go with the flow.

“Yes . . . you’re going to need to drive. The rental’s a standard.” The corner of Mom’s mouth pulled upward as she suppressed a grin.

“Okay, no problem.” I chuckled slightly. Mom was an infamously bad driver even with an automatic transmission. I had never intended to let her drive us in the first place.

A chime overhead warned us we were beginning our descent into Edinburgh, and the captain came over the speaker system to ask everyone to return to their seats.

“Are you ready for this, sweetheart? I’ve always wanted to take you to Scotland, but you were always either in school or teaching school when I was here. I just know you are going to love it.” She stood and motioned for me to switch her seats. “Here. I want you to look out the window. It’s beautiful.”

I obediently scooted over by the window and raised the plastic shade to look outside. I stared out over the lush landscape and immediately understood Mom’s love for this country. It was where she belonged. I knew if I didn’t live in the United States, she would have moved here permanently after her divorce.

I watched as the ground slowly came closer, and as the wheels touched down on the runway I felt a small tug deep inside. Maybe this was where I belonged as well. Excitement built as we taxied to the gate.

Scotland was going to be good to us. I could tell.

Chapter 4

Scotland–1645

Eoin heard his brother’s footsteps before he saw Arran plop down next to him and swing his feet over the side of the stone wall that surrounded the castle’s exterior. The rocky coast that encircled their home calmed him, and Eoin often escaped here when something troubled him.

“Cheer up, brother. We haven’t seen Blaire in over ten years. Just because the two of ye were determined to make each other miserable back then, doesn’t mean ye will now. After all, ye certainly aren’t the foolish lad ye were a decade ago.”

Eoin turned to look at his brother. “Perhaps, but I canna stop thinking about the young lass who shot me in the arse with an arrow because I refused to let her have my horse. I still bear the scar! I canna imagine that she could have changed enough for me to feel anything for her.”

Placing his arm around his brother’s shoulder, Arran smiled as he spoke. “Who said ye have to feel anything for her? All ye have to do is marry the lass and take her to yer bed. Blaire was quite the beauty and, from what I’ve heard, she has only gotten prettier since we last saw her. I feel sure a number o’ lads would gladly take yer place. Consider yerself lucky, brother. Ye could be betrothed to Laird Kinnaird’s eldest daughter. Ye would be, if the old toad had anything to say about it. If I remember correctly, she was just as disagreeable as Blaire but not nearly as comely.”

“You’re right, o’ course,” Eoin admitted. “It’s not as if I expect love, but I’d rather no attach myself to someone I barely know. And as for taking her to my bed, if she is even remotely as difficult as she was as a young lass, I doona think her beauty will be enough to entice me.”

As Eoin listened to Arran’s laughter at his own disdain for his fiancée, the sound of footsteps made both men turn their heads to the trail leading to the castle.

“Here she comes. Let us go find out if the betrothed is apt to be as difficult to live with as ye seem to think she will be. I, for one, look forward to having a lass about.” Arran stood and waited for Eoin to lead the way.

“As if there’s been any lack of lasses about the castle with the way you parade them in and out every night.” Eoin placed his hand on Arran’s shoulder. “But let me make one thing clear to ye, brother. Regardless of how I may feel for her, she will be my wife. Ye are not to touch her, understood?”

“I would never! I may love the company of women, but I am quite looking forward to ye having a lass of yer own. Come. Ye best get that look off of yer face before we get down to greet her, or I predict that ye will start things off with yer bride on a bad foot, no? I doona think most lasses enjoy being greeted with a look o’ pure dread and disdain.”

“Right.” Eoin plastered the largest grin he could manage as he stepped back through the side window from which he had climbed out onto the wall and made his way to the castle’s entrance. He had just stepped into the hallway in front of the grand staircase, when he heard Blaire’s voice echoing through the hallways.

“There is no use in standing here staring at me all day. Unless ye expect me to carry all my things to my room myself, and surely the laird has more manners than that. But then again, I’m having a hard time remembering very many good qualities about him. He couldn’t even be bothered to greet me upon my arrival. I doona know what he has instructed ye, but I demand to be placed in whatever room is farthest from the laird’s. We are not married yet. I will only share a room after the wedding, and even then, only if I’m forced.”

Eoin stepped onto the staircase where Blaire could see him and interrupted her before she could berate the old stable master further. “Hello, Blaire. Welcome to Conall Castle. I apologize for not being here when ye arrived. I was sitting out on the wall when I saw ye headed this way.” Reaching the bottom of the staircase, Eoin stood before Blaire and placed her hand in his. Flashing a smile that would make the most beautiful of women melt, he gently kissed the top of her hand, his dark black eyes piercing her own.

“I’m not interested in yer charms, Laird Conall.” Jerking her hand away, Blaire bent and began piling her belongings into the stable master’s arms. “Believe me, this will be a marriage in contract and nothing more. Any man who would agree to such an arrangement is obviously deranged. If it were up to me, I would be laird of the MacChristy keep after my father’s passing. I would do a fine job, most likely better than him, but everyone seems to think women are only capable of breeding and pleasing a man, so I’m being married off. Do ye no think ye and my father could have made an alliance of safety without me being part o’ the bargain?”

Eoin watched as Blaire stopped fooling with her things, only just noticing that the old man was already holding more than he could carry. He didn’t move as she walked right up to him and jabbed two of her fingers right into the center of his chest, her eyes flaring with anger.

“But no. The great Eoin is too small a man to find a woman of his own. He is happy to wed someone who does not love him, care for him, or like him.”

Eoin’s temper rose as Blaire’s fingers continued to jab into his ribs. Seething, he grabbed both of her wrists. “Ye can set the lass’s belongings down, Kip. Go see that her horse is tied safely in the stables, and show her escorts to the dining hall so that they can have a good meal after their journey.”

“Right away, sir.” The old man struggled to set the large pile down neatly, then took off as quickly as he could out the grand doors.

“As for ye,” still holding her wrists, Eoin backed Blaire into a column that lined the entranceway. With their bodies touching and his face close enough to feel the heat off her breath, Eoin continued, “Has it ever occurred to ye that I may be as reluctant toward this marriage as yerself?”

“Not possible,” Blaire muttered under her breath.

“Aye, tis very possible. This betrothal was arranged between my father and yers. I was informed of it as a young lad and was as helpless in the matter as ye. As for yer other demands . . .” he tightened his grip and leaned in even closer, his lips brushing her ear as he whispered huskily, “yer belongings are to be brought to the room directly across from mine, and upon our wedding night, ye
will
move into my chambers immediately, that I can assure ye, Lady Blaire. This will be a real marriage in every sense o’ the word. Ye will bear my children, and ye will quickly see just how capable I am of wooing any lass of my choosing.”

“Ahem . . .” Arran cleared his throat as he walked into the room. “Well hello, Blaire. Had I known the two of ye were going to get along so quickly, I would have given ye some privacy and welcomed ye in the morning. I apologize for the intrusion.”

“Do not make the mistake of assuming this is how it appears, brother.” Eoin released Blaire’s wrists and faced his brother. “Please help me take Lady MacChristy’s belongings to the Lavender Room.”

“But I have not yet had the chance to properly greet yer fiancée.” Arran stepped to take Blaire’s hand, but she quickly jerked it away.

“Doona bother. I’m sure beneath yer welcoming façade ye are equally as lacking in manners as yer brute of a brother.” She snarled her upper lip. “I have often heard it said that ye were the fairer of the two Conall brothers, but I would have to disagree.” She quickly whirled to face Eoin once again, “Now. I have had enough of both of the legendary Conall brothers for one evening. If ye can simply point me in the direction of food, I can assure ye that I can find the way myself.”

Beyond stunned, both brothers pointed to the double doors to her right, staring wide-eyed as she stormed out of the entranceway and through the doors to which they’d pointed. Arran was the first to speak. “By all the saints, brother! I do believe ye were right about the lass. She is quite the beauty, but I’d be wary of taking her to my bed as well.”

“Aye. I told ye so.” Bending, Eoin began lifting Blaire’s belongings, leaving half for his brother, and nudged his head to the staircase so that Arran would follow.

“I know just what ye need, brother. Let us ride out in the morning and spend the fortnight before yer wedding enjoying yer last few days of freedom! It would do ye good to get drunk and tup a lass or two before ye’re strapped down with the wench now sleeping across the hall from ye. Mary would be more than happy to help with the wedding preparations, and if what I have seen of yer future bride tonight is any indication, she willna be wanting yer help even if ye are here.”

“Nothing sounds better, but I doubt that would do anything to improve the lass’ mood.” Before he could get another word out, the doors out of which Blaire had gone burst open once more as Blaire stepped back into the grand entranceway.

“If ye call that slop that was waiting in the dining hall ‘food,’ I shall starve to death during my imprisonment here! I refuse to eat one bite of it. I expect much better out of the morning’s meal. Now if ye don’t mind, I will follow the two of ye to my chambers, where I will spend the rest of my night.”

As they trudged up the staircase, balancing the loads of her belongings, Eoin leaned over to catch his brother’s ear. “Ye’re right. It’s just what I need. We will ride out at first light.”

* * *

Miles away Ramsay Kinnaird stood before his large stone fireplace, downing yet another goblet of whisky, when his personal messenger entered the room.

“I’m afraid tis true, sir. Blaire MacChristy moved into Conall castle this very evening, and they are to be married within a fortnight. It was arranged between the laird’s father and Donal MacChristy himself. From what I hear, neither Eoin nor Blaire are looking forward to the marriage.”

“I doona give a damn about their feelings toward their marriage!” roared Ramsay, slurring his words as he continued. “How dare Alasdair make such an arrangement? Donal MacChristy is laird over the smallest keep in all of Scotland, while my territory is by far the largest. With both Donal and myself having daughters of the same age, it is an insult of the deepest accord that Alasdair would pass over arranging a marriage with my daughter for Blaire MacChristy.”

“I . . . I believe, sir, that the arrangement was made so that Alasdair could ensure protection for his good friend. As ye know, the MacChristys have been facing difficult times for years. Their land is too scarce and their people too poor to provide adequate protection should their territory be in danger. I do not believe Alasdair meant any disrespect to ye, sir.”