“Is it difficult to wield the weapon?”
“No’ if one practices.” She tied the ribbons underneath her chin. “Having you here is wonderful. I’ve missed my daughter terribly since she left, and she never missed a hunt.”
“And I’ve missed having a mother figure.” She hugged Mary extra hard as the truth of her words hit home. “Alex is lucky to have you.”
“He’s a good son, and a strong, caring leader. This morn in the great hall, he reported word had come from Fergus. The chief has been taken by the king’s men to Edinburgh.”
“What? Why?”
“It all started in fifteen-hundred and eighty-five. Five years past, the chief sailed to visit his brother, the MacDonald of Dunnyveg. During the trip he and his men were forced to shelter in Jura. Bad weather and all. Unfortunately they landed on the MacLean of Duart’s portion of the island, and that night came under attack. We lost almost sixty men because of MacLean. ’Tis a vicious feud which rages there.”
“What does that mean for the chief?”
“Imprisonment, although Fergus continues onto Edinburgh and will send further news once he has it.”
Alex would be devastated, as would the clan. “I’m so sorry. What happens now?”
“Another of Donald’s nephews, no’ Alex, is the first to succeed should the chief’s imprisonment lead to death, but he’s still a lad. Alex will lead until Donald returns.”
Goodness, she finally had a date, fifteen-ninety, which meant the king Mary spoke of was James VI, the man who would unite the kingdoms of England and Scotland in sixteen-hundred and three. He wasn’t a king to forget.
She’d traveled to a time of war within the isles, but also to a time where history would be made. She’d come to Scotland, and Dunscaith’s ruins because her clan too had resided here. Of course, the MacDonalds had lived here for far longer. If only she’d read more within that brochure. “I don’t know what will happen, Mary.”
“It’s all right, lass. No one knows the future, but the chief is strong. He’ll return to us.”
She gripped Mary’s hands. “It can’t be his time.”
Nor was this hers, although all roads led to Dunvegan. Her letter must be delivered into the Chief of MacLeod’s hands for safekeeping.
Her parents’ future survival depended on her, and she wouldn’t let them down.
“Of course the chief willnae die. You sound like a MacDonald. Come.” She smiled and tugged her from the room. “We dinnae want the men to leave without us.”
A hunt was exactly what his men needed to clear their heads after the devastating news Alex had given them. He checked his destrier’s saddle and tightened the cinch.
“Alex, wait for us.” Mother rushed toward him, and one step behind her, Anne hurried with her hands bunched in her skirts. She’d lifted them a tantalizing inch above her ankles, displaying a sliver of delicious flesh.
“Anne, come here. Mother has her own mare.”
Her chest rose and fell enticingly under her fitted jacket. “I’m riding with you?”
He offered her his hand. “I wish to keep you close during the hunt.”
“I’d rather ride my own horse.” She squeezed his hand. “Please.”
“Nay.” He mounted then drew her up in front of him. Damn, this close, she was a total distraction, her heavenly scent firing his need for her.
She half turned toward him then slapped his chest. “Hey, you shouldn’t look at me like that. Your mother is right there.”
“You’re a temptation I never expected.”
“And you are a nuisance, even though an adorable one. Get this horse moving.”
Chuckling, he nudged his horse’s flanks. “I’ve never been called adorable.”
“Because that’s my job to state so.” She adjusted her skirts then gasped as they rode beyond the moors and into the forest. “The colors of the trees are beautiful. It must still be autumn even though winter is close. What month is it?”
“You still believe you’re from the future and dinnae know the month or year?”
“It’s fifteen-ninety. Mary told me.” Her cheeks flushed as he rode deeper along the hunting trail. “Please, tell me. What month is it?”
She was so insistent she came from the future. Last night, he’d even found himself swaying a touch when he didn’t fully discourage her talk of it. Even now, his mouth opened as if to spill what she wished to hear.
“Oooh, you’re almost there.” She rubbed her bottom against his groin. “Come on. I’ll reward you later if you tell me.”
His cock hardened. His bride was such a tease. “’Tis late October, and my reward shall be sought the moment we return to the castle.”
“You have a deal.” She eased the back of her head onto his shoulder. “Wouldn’t it be wonderful to make love outside in a secluded meadow? Since you’re so big and warm, I probably wouldn’t even feel the cold.”