Dawn Marie Hamilton - Highland Gardens (8 page)

A
rchibald
paced the confines of Da’s study. Aye, he was overjoyed to see Da and Mairi,
and ken they were safe, but he had what amounted to an insurmountable problem.
Isobell didn’t want to return home. She wanted him to stay here in the future.

Impossible
. She was daft. This was no place
for them. Their lives were in the past.

Da sat behind his desk, hands steepled on the
polished surface, ever patient. “Have you considered staying?”

He stopped pacing. “My first duty is to the clan.
They need me, especially with Maclay and the renegade Lamont reivers still on
the loose.”

“You make me proud, son.”

His chest expanded. “Thank you. I am glad you
approve.”

“’Tis a shame, we thought Finn killed Maclay.”

“Aye. The devil must have only been injured from
the fight and from the fall off the cliff. When our lads checked from above, he
appeared dead. I am guessing his renegade followers found him and someone
nursed him back to health.”

“You need to woo her.”

“Who? Isobell? We dinnae have time for such
frivolity. You are as daft as she.”

“Nae. Your courtship was fraught with
unpleasantries, dealing with the Lamont and misunderstandings between you and
Isobell. You ken a woman wants romance.”

Archibald ran a hand through his hair. “We dinnae
have time for wooing.”

“If the gate plans to allow you to return, a
couple of days will not matter. You cannot force Isobell to go. She must want
to join you. Take time to woo her. Convince her to leave with you after
Christmas Eve midnight services.”

“Is this a ploy to get us to stay for the family
gathering?”

Da’s lips quirked. “Of course, we would love to
have you both share the holiday meal and festivities with us, but nae, I would
not risk the wrath of the faeries or the gate. I firmly believe you need be in
accord with your wife or the gate will not work for you. And you will both
remain here.”

Archibald cursed under his breath. He and Isobell
were at an impasse. She wanted to stay. He wanted to return home. Perhaps Da
was right—

“Do you ken why she wants to stay?” Da’s question
broke into his thoughts.

“What does it matter? She is my lady-wife. She
belongs with me.”

“I am sure the reason means a great deal to
Isobell.”

Archibald scratched his chin. It probably did.
“Ach, well, look at this place. The luxury. I cannot offer such in our time.”

“I dinnae think it’s about nice things. Have you
thought that perhaps she is afraid to go back?”

“Why would she be afraid?”

“How much do you ken about her participation in
the raids?”

“She was seen at the scene of the last raid.” He
pinned Da with a questioning look. “Raids? You think she has been involved in
more than one?”

He shrugged. “How would you feel to learn she was
verra involved?”

“Do you ken something I dinnae?”

“I am only suggesting you consider the possibility
that she was more involved than you ken and fears your reaction.”

Archibald dropped into a chair. Why hadn’t he
thought of that? If they couldn’t keep her involvement a secret, he might be
forced to bring judgment against her, the penalty could be death by hanging. A
flogging and a life of laborious servitude at the least.

The image of Isobell tied to a post, stripped to
the waist. Ivory skin exposed to all. Her beautiful hair sheared. A pained
flinch and cry when the whip struck. He gripped the armrests of the chair. He
couldn’t bear it.

If that was to be their destiny, they would both
be better off if she remained with his family in this future place. “Da, what
do you ken? Please tell me.”

“I have read all the accounts available of reiver
activity in the area. I believe Maclay and the Lamont renegades were
responsible for the raids against both clans, us and the Lamonts. There is a
tale about an unnamed lass who led them. A legend of sorts. Historians question
its validity. My guess is that Isobell is the unnamed lass.”

“She would have never thieved from Lamonts.”

Da held up a hand. “Agreed. She may have only
kenned about and participated in the raids against you and our clan.”

Archibald shook his head. Could Isobell have hated
him so much?
Aye
. “Isobell was given to believe I led the raids against
the Lamonts.”

“Guessed as much.” Da’s expression turned grim.
“What will you do?”

“Dinnae ken.” Archibald slapped a palm against his
thigh.

“Isobell’s name is not mentioned anywhere
connected to the raids in the accounts. Either you struck it from the record or
no one ever learned of her involvement.”

Thank the good Lord
. “If what you say is
true, if she led the raids, she should be punished. What should I do?”

“Forgive her.”

He nodded. Though he wasn’t in full agreement. Her
allegiance with her clan was appropriate and she’d believed her actions
righteous. Still…

“Revenge for the sake of revenge is wrong,” he
thought aloud.

“Perhaps you can find a way for her to make
amends.”

Archibald pursed his lips and considered many
options and came up with naught.

“Go and find your wife. Convince her, gently, with
tenderness, that she belongs with you in the past.”

He wasn’t feeling particularly gentle and
certainly not tender. Archibald stalked through the back garden, through the
woods, and across the meadow to Patrick’s house. Isobell wasn’t in any of the
main floor chambers. In frustration, he searched the garden then found her in
the glass house working with Laurie, potting plants.

The glass house was an amazing place. Moist heat
kept the plants thriving though the weather outside had turned cold. He wished
he could build such a structure at Castle Lachlan. Perhaps his progeny would
someday.

If he left Isobell behind, he wouldn’t have any
progeny. No one else could take her place in his heart. Her essence burned in
his soul. He needed to learn the truth. “Isobell, may I have a word with you in
private?”

She smiled, put on a jacket, and followed him into
the garden.

“Tell me everything that happened the year you
were missing.”

Her lips curved down. “Can we just forget that
time?”

“Nae. There is much I need to understand.”

“It doesn’t matter what I have done. You will
never forgive me for my betrayal against you. Will you?”

“I dinnae ken.” He shook his head. “I just dinnae
ken.” He pivoted and left her standing in the gray garden, looking forlorn.
Perhaps she was right. Perhaps he couldn’t forgive her.

He brooded over the circumstances of his life for
the remainder of the day and evening, and when he came to a decision, he went
in search of Munn. He found the imp in Patrick’s house sitting on the floor
playing with the children. His wee niece stood, wobbled, and threw her arms
about Archibald’s legs. “Daddy.”

The one word was like a dagger to the heart. He
wanted to be a da. If he left without Isobell that would never be. His younger
brother Suibhne would be his heir.

Fine. He would harden said heart. “Come, Munn.
’Tis time to return to our time.”

He wouldn’t tell the family he was leaving. They
would attempt to stop him. He hoped they’d understand in time. He strode from
the house through the courtyard to the back and just beyond the garden gate.

There was no mist this night. A half-moon shone
brightly from a clear night sky. Archibald felt naught unusual as he stepped
onto the mound. No fae-like pull of any kind. He glared at Munn, who had
followed at his heel. “Make it work.”

“Cannot.”

“Why not?” he managed to get the question out
through gritted teeth.

“Will only work when you are ready.”

“I am ready now.” Though that wasn’t true. All he
could think about was Patrick’s daughter hugging his leg and gazing at him
through Isobell’s violet eyes. It wasn’t his twin’s daughter he imagined. ’Twas
his.

He couldn’t leave Isobell behind. He must convince
her to come home with him.

Archibald woke the next morning in the chamber
assigned to him, after a fitful night, more confused than ever. He had a
lady-wife he loved with all his heart no matter the crime she committed against
him, which he could easily forgive, and against his clan, which was not so
easily forgiven.

What should he do? He had this one day to find an
answer to the dilemma.

I
sobell
tiptoed to the window. Snow dusted the garden and continued to fall in soft,
fluffy flakes. Even being lost in the blizzard hadn’t destroyed her ability to
appreciate the beauty. Fresh snow for Christmas Eve morning. A new beginning
for Isobell.

Was it to be here in the future alone or dare she
hope Archie would agree to stay?

He’d been especially attentive when he first
arrived. Each time their gazes met, he gave her a secret smile that made her
heart beat faster. Then yesterday, he questioned her about the past year. His
frustration was understandable. He deserved a truthful answer.

Today would be the day of reckoning.

She kept busy during the morning at the inn,
helping the women prepare for the feast and decorating a large fir tree with
the children. A lovely tradition.

Archie always seemed to be nearby, and she stole
covert glances. If he couldn’t forgive her, she would probably never see him
again after tonight. Her heart ached with the desolate thought.

Loud voices outside the front door brought
everyone to a halt. The door swung open and Archie’s sister Elspeth stepped in
carrying a wee
bairn
. Mairi screeched and ran forward, enveloping the
pair in a hug.

A handsome, sandy-haired man crossed the
threshold, carrying brightly colored wrapped packages. Must be her husband
Finn. The other men approached him, one by one, grasping forearms in a warrior
greeting. Finn’s eyes flared when Archie presented his arm. Finn pulled him
into a manly embrace with much backslapping. “It’s good to see you.”

“And I, you.” Archibald turned to Isobell, grasped
her arm and tugged her forward. “Let me present my lady-wife, Lady Isobell.”

Flustered, Isobell dropped into an awkward curtsy
because of the jeans she was wearing. Finn bowed in a courtly fashion and
brought her fingers to his lips.

“We will have none of that, you scoundrel.” Archie
grabbed her hand away before the kiss. Everyone laughed good-naturedly.

He was jealous. Good.
He should stay with me in
the future
. Then she would never need to tell him about her furtive
activities of revenge.

Mairi clapped. “Come. Come. Come into the other
room.”

They headed for the chamber Mairi called the
parlor
where wee lights on the decorated tree sparkled. Gifts were given round. Laurie
placed a large box on Isobell’s lap.

“What is this?” she asked.

“A Christmas present from me and Patrick. Everyone,
including the children, will change into traditional Scottish clothing for
midnight service. This is something for you to wear.”

“I am touched.” Inside the box, Isobell found a
woman’s linen
leine
, an overdress, and a white-striped wool
arisaid
.
She wiped a tear from the side of an eye. “Thank you.”

Mugs of warm spiced wine were passed around and
the adults enjoyed playing games with the children. Just before dinnertime, the
front bell rang and Caitrina entered the inn, brushing snow from her shoulders.
A large man with long black hair joined her, carrying more gifts. He towered
over Patrick and Finn who hurried to greet him.

“Douglas, come and meet my son from Scotland,
Chief of Clan MacLachlan, and his new wife.” Iain signaled him into the parlor
where they were introduced.

Isobell shivered. The man’s direct gaze seemed to
peer inside her. As if he kenned hidden secrets. And she had an awful one she
didn’t want anyone here to ken. Especially Archie.

Silly. How could Caitrina’s friend possibly ken what
she’d done? She shook off the odd feeling.

She pressed her lips together. Archie should be
told the truth. She hated the way the secret was eating at her insides. Maybe
he would forgive her, and they could go home together. Isobell sighed.
Unlikely
.

Caitrina glared at Munn who was playing with the
children on the floor. “Who brought the wee brownie?”

“I am afraid it is my fault. I dragged him along
with me.” Archibald laughed, something Isobell hadn’t heard since he became
chief. He almost sounded happy.

Caitrina’s face reddened, but a whisper from
Douglas seemed to calm her.

Isobell watched Archie interact with the others.
The men were all powerful in their own right, though Archie was the one that
made her heart flutter. She was almost disappointed when Mairi called them to
dinner and they were seated in the eating chamber. Unlike the arrangements in
the great hall at Castle Lachlan, where the family sat in a line along one side
of the head table on the dais, looking out at those seated at the lower tables,
everyone here sat around a large table, facing each other. Archie sat in the
chair next to her. She looked away. Anywhere so as not to look at him with
longing.

Iain stood and held up a glass of wine. “Thank you
to our family and friends for being here just in time for a Highland Christmas.
Congratulations to Archibald and Isobell on your nuptials. May you have many
years of bliss as have Mairi and I.”

“Here, here,” sounded round the table with a
clinking of glasses.

Isobell shifted uncomfortably, but smiled and
nodded at the well-wishers, as did Archie.

Iain sat and glanced at her in challenge. She
lowered her gaze not sure what to think.

During dinner Archie’s thigh kept brushing hers,
and she bit the inside of her lip to avoid reaching over and touching him.
Otherwise, dinner became a jovial affair of great food and good conversation,
ending with pastry and a hot drink called coffee.

Delectable food and drink—more reasons to remain
in this time. If only she could convince Archie to stay too. She rubbed moist
palms on her jeans. He would never forgive her. And he wasn’t staying.

“Can we make snow angels?” Scott hollered over
bantering voices.

“Yes, please,” Young Iain begged too.

Laurie urged the lads into jackets and the entire
family trudged out into the snowy garden. Patrick flicked a switch. Light
illuminated the area, making the snow sparkle. The lads fell onto their backs
in the snow, waving their arms and legs. The imprints left behind were the
images of angels. Laurie made a large one. Patrick’s even larger.

If a once powerful warrior could display a playful
side so could she. Isobell dropped onto her back to make an angel of her own.
To her utter surprise, Archie threw off his
plaide
and plopped beside
her in naught but his
trews
and
leine
. As they spread their arms
to make angel wings their fingers touched. Their gazes met. A thrill shot
through her.

Archie’s eyes flared. He must have felt it too.

She couldn’t let the moment pass without making
one last memory with him. Isobell squeezed his fingers. “Come with me. I ken a
special place.”

Archie grabbed his
plaide
and they slipped
away from the others frolicking in the snow. She guided him through the inn’s
garden, along the well-trodden woodland trail, through the meadow and into
Laurie’s garden and the privacy of the orchid room. Was doubtful the family or
guests would visit on this most special of nights—Christmas Eve.

“Why have you brought me here?” he asked.

“Why do you think?” She hoped her smile appeared
sensual.

He raised a brow. She pressed against him, grasped
his hands and pulled his arms around her, placing them on her bum. His
response, a firm squeeze, urged her on. Stretching up onto the balls of her
feet, she leaned in and kissed him as sweetly, as passionately, as her heart
demanded.

A rough sound erupted from deep within his throat,
a growl, a demand, and the kiss intensified into a meeting of mouths and
tongues, wet and wild. Isobell’s breath came from Archie and his from her. When
the fever calmed, forehead resting against forehead, they gasped for air.

“So, that is your answer, lass?”

“Oh, aye!” She melted against him.

He glanced around the small glass chamber then
stepped away. He grabbed a cushion from one of the chairs and tossed it on the
floor. Then another and another. Using all the cushions, he made a fine bed.

Archie dropped onto the cushions, tested their
comfort then offered an inviting hand. “Join me.”

She fell on knees on the cushions beside him.
Suddenly feeling shy, she tentatively touched his smooth cheek. She had no experience
seducing a man.

Archibald wrinkled his nose in the sweetest way.
“What?”

“You have been with so many other women. I dinnae
ken…”

“Nae so many.”

“But Da said—”

“He said a lot of things that were not true. Aye?”

“Aye.” She lowered her gaze embarrassed for having
believed all the lies.

Archie slid a palm over her hair and down an arm.
“I will be gentle.”

She didn’t want a sedate mating. She wanted it
wild like the serving wenches at Da’s keep described. She grasped the bottom
edge of Archie’s
leine
and ripped it over his head.

His gusty inhale made her laugh. His intense gaze
burned. She splayed fingers over his hard chest and licked her dry lips.

The throaty groan that rumbled as he flipped her
onto her back made her insides pulse. Before she had another thought, her
sweater was tossed onto a chair and Archie suckled a pebbled nipple through the
cloth of the lightweight cami top. He made her wet and needy. Urged her to the
edge. Made her wild. Being a fair sort, he switched to the other breast and she
bucked, feeling his burgeoning arousal.

Her groan was louder than Archie’s, and they both
laughed.

“I want you so much it hurts.” Her breathy
admission made his eyes flare.

“Me too,” he said.

They stripped off the rest of their garments and
dove back onto the cushions together, falling in a tangle of limbs. Happiness a
visible aura around them.

She had thought she wanted wild, but Archie’s
tender loving awed her. Teased her. Drove her off a precipice into a wondrous
place of vibrant pleasure.

“What about you?” she murmured after her heartbeat
slowed to normal.

“I am with you, sweetling.” He stretched over her,
slid between her thighs, and thrust. Her cry of joy was captured by a kiss.
Their pace became frantic. In a quick move, he rolled them over without leaving
her. “Ride me like you ride Dealanach Dubh.”

Passion spiraling, she did. He panted, dug
clenched fists into the cushions, cords bulged in his neck. Still she rode him
hard. The coil within her tightened, snapped, and she tumbled over the
precipice once again. His scream as his seed pulsed deep within her womb shook
the glass windows.

Isobell dropped, limp, over Archie’s chest, their
hearts racing together, a secret smile on her lips. She would never forget this
moment. When alone in this future place, she would hold the memory close to her
heart. She blinked several times so not to shed a tear.

Archie covered them with his
plaide
and
they cuddled for the longest time. “Isobell, I want you to come home with me. I
ken that I cannot give you all these beautiful things.” The wave of his arm
encompassed the wee chamber, but she kenned the meaning—the luxury of this
time. “But I will love you all of our days and nights.”

“I dinnae want
things
. I want to go home
with you, but I cannot.”

“Why? Make me understand.”

“Please. Just stay here with me.” She used her
eyes to sway him.

“Tell me why you believe you cannot come home with
me.” Archie thumped a finger against his chest.

“Because you will never forgive me.”

“I already have.”

“Nae. You dinnae understand.” She sat up,
clenching the
plaide
to her chest to cover her nudity. “You dinnae ken
the extent of my activities with the reivers.”

“Make me understand.”

“I was the one who tended Maclay after his fall
from the cliff and brought him back to health. I was the leader of the
reivers.” There she said it. She spoke the truth.

Archie’s impassive stare made her feel clammy.
Torturous moments passed. Finally, he pulled her into strong arms and tucked
her head against his shoulder. “I am verra sorry you felt the need to hurt me.”

What?
“Why are you not yelling? Pushing me
away?”

“You did what you believed you had to do—though it
was based on lies. Because you thought I had done the same against your father
and your clan.”

“Aye.”

“Your father has a lot to answer for.”

“And you are willing to forgive me?”

“I already have.” He pinned her with an intense
look. “You will give up your thieving ways.”

“Those days are over.” She glanced at her lap. “I
cannot tell you who or where the reivers hide.”

“Honor among thieves, aye?”

She raised her gaze to his. “Aye.”

“You will come home with me.”

The sweetest command she ever heard. “Aye.” She
felt his smile against her hair.

“You will need to make amends to those you
wounded.”

“How?”

“Perhaps through works of charity.”

“I can do that.” And she would. “I can help those
who were hurt.”

He pulled her down beside him and they snuggled
close. “I love you with my heart, my soul, my life, forever.”

“And I, you.”

He kissed her, and everything within Isobell
calmed. She was home in his arms.

Archibald shook her awake several hours later. “We
have company, sweetling.”

A grinning Munn stood over them with Caitrina at
his back. The faerie held the gift box from Laurie. Munn carried her sword and
Archie’s claymore.

“You missed midnight services.” Caitrina gave them
a kenning smile. “It is time for you to return home.”

The two fae creatures turned their backs so
Isobell and Archie could dress with dignity. Isobell donned the gifted
garments. Their family and new friends were waiting in the garden when they
emerged from the orchid room.