“I’m sure you can, but I prefer not to cause more trouble than what’s necessary.” She stroked his muscular arm under the warmth of his linen shirt. So strong, and all hers.
“You’ve been trouble since the moment I laid eyes on you.” He caught her hand and pressed it flat to his chest. “And I wouldnae change a thing. Is there aught more you’ve neglected to tell me?”
“Neglected?” She smacked him. “That’s not even remotely funny.”
“Never withhold from me again, whether I wish to listen or no’.” He kissed her, so tenderly she melted back against him. “I want to see your body grow ripe with my bairn. Do you understand?”
“Yes.” She touched her nose to his. “I want lots of—” Her stomach rolled and her sight dimmed. She fought the bile rising in her throat as Alex became a mere dot. She reached for him, but he’d vanished. Please, no.
The dark void spun her away.
“Damn it, nay.” Anne shimmered and faded before Alex’s eyes. He tried to grab her, but from one second to the next, she was gone. He slammed his fist into the wall. She hadn’t made another wish, and she’d been back for such a short time.
“Alex.”
A rap sounded.
“’Tis Margaret. The healer’s in the village and willnae return until nightfall. How’s Anne?”
He flung open the door and ushered her in. “Gone. She disappeared, back to the future. I couldnae keep her with me.”
“What should we do? Rory instructed me to watch over her and send you down.”
Hell. He paced the room. Why had time taken her away again?
“You’ll have to go. I’ve never seen my brother so impatient.”
“Afore I do, I need to write Anne, and then we’ll do what we must until she returns.” He’d not accept any other outcome, but to have her by his side.
Searching the corner desk, he found paper and ink. Scrawling across the thick parchment, he wrote to the woman who held his heart, to do everything she could to return to him. He wouldn’t allow her to raise their bairn alone, and he’d be waiting for her, always and forever. It was a message she’d better damn well receive. Once done, he folded the paper, sealed it and handed it to Margaret. “Ensure this remains with the missive Anne wrote for her parents.”
“I’ve stored her letter in the library’s safe box. I’ll add it straight away.”
“Thank you. I’ll never forget your aid. Anne must return, and the moment she does, come and get me.” She would return to him.
“Of course.”
He closed Anne’s door, and his Mother walked toward him from the stairwell. She tugged him into a darkened recess to the side of the passageway. “I spoke to MacLeod at length of Anne’s time with us, of how much she enjoyed herself. He was insistent those memories would serve her well after we left, that it should be a fine day for sailing on the morrow. I can fake an illness if you wish.”
“Do it. Though I’m no’ sure how long your sickness will need to be.”
“’Twill last as long as you say. I feel a deep chill in my bones.” She kissed his cheek then strode to her chamber.
He marched down the winding stairs. The precious time he’d shared with Anne had taught him a great deal. Because of a wish both she and her ancestor had made on the MacLeod’s Fairy Flag, she’d traveled through time, and not only once. She would come back to him, and if she didn’t, he would move heaven and earth to get to her. Mayhap that damn flag was the key?
Where did MacLeod keep his famed talisman? ’Twas said the magical flag had been the means to which the MacLeod clan had defeated his own clan once, although that battle had been well before his time. First though, he had to deal with MacLeod. The man was known for his incredible strength, of both body and mind, but ’twas the latter he had to sway.
In the great hall, he searched the dimmed interior. Six MacLeod men stood stationed around the hall. Alan waited at the side, speaking with James.
He marched toward them, clasped his brother’s shoulder. “Finally you show yourself. We did no’ pass you at sea.”
“Alex.” James’s expression was grave as he pulled him close. “I’ve been waiting in the village for word of the MacLeod chief’s return. Alan told me Anne is here.”
“Aye.” He lowered his voice as James had done. “Mother’s unwell. We’ll stay until she’s able to travel, and once she is, we take Anne with us.”
“I heard she repudiated the handfast.”
“It was no’ her intention.”
“Then what do you propose to do about MacLeod? Let’s no’ forget there’s only one exit, and by a well-guarded sea-gate at that.”
“My vow to her remains firm. First, I’ll speak to MacLeod and attempt to sway his mind.”
“He awaits you in the side room.” He motioned toward it. “Would you like some company?”
“Nay, I’ll deal with MacLeod, but I have a request of you and Alan. Find out what you can about the Fairy Flag.”