The Highlander's Bargain (25 page)

With a sigh, she set her cell on the end table. She got ready for bed, her mind drifting back to Robley. Her future had been all figured out before her fifteenth-century knight had charmed his way into her heart. No entanglements, focus on her career and help others—that had been the plan. Robley had turned everything topsy-turvy, and as a result, she’d become the walking wounded.

Erin stared at Rob’s claymore, then at his plaid draped over the end of her bed. The wool also held his scent, and she planned to hold it to her face all night long. She picked up the swath of cloth, wadded it up in her arms and climbed under the covers.
Life sucks.

Tomorrow she’d look into selling the diamonds. It had been her intention all along, but she hadn’t given it much thought. Too much of her energy had been needed to deal with other things—like mourning. Selling them would solve her financial problems. All she had to do was figure out how to deal with the rest of her life.

Blinking against the sting in her eyes, she flipped off the lamp and let exhaustion take her away from the pain. Sleep sent dreams of Robley and brought her back to her happy place.

Erin walked across the auditorium stage to receive her diploma. The McGladrey family along with Mark and a few of her reenactment friends cheered for her. Even her mom had made it to her graduation. Warmth filled her heart. It had been a grueling couple of months, but she’d done it, finished her masters degree and reached her goal. She had her midwife certification and a job.

Funny. It didn’t feel nearly as satisfying as she’d hoped it would. The piece of paper she’d been coveting so badly had been nothing but a filler for the things in her life that she lacked: loving and being loved by one man and a family of her own. Her career, though satisfying, was a poor substitute. She swallowed the lump rising in her throat and made her way across the stage. She returned to her seat with her diploma clutched to her chest and thoughts of Robley filling her mind.

Turning to happier thoughts, she glanced at her mom. Jane gave her a small wave, her face shining with pride. Erin smiled back. They had their differences, but they were both trying. She’d managed to sell the diamonds, and her mom had decided to give school a try, and that made Erin happy. Her mom and George were talking too, and things were way more hopeful on that front. Stepdad number four had been shaken out of his stupor by his wife’s absence. He’d agreed to see his doctor for a complete physical and to begin couples’ therapy. He also promised to stop drinking so much beer.

Once the graduation ceremony was over, she joined her friends, and they headed to the restaurant where she’d reserved a back room for the party she’d planned, including some of her fellow graduates, women she’d done clinicals with and knew well enough to invite—especially those whose families were out of town and couldn’t make it. Everyone deserved to celebrate when they graduated, and she made sure they had the opportunity tonight.

Mark approached her, drinks in hand. “I got you a glass of wine,” he said, smiling as he handed it to her. “Congratulations. I guess this means a lot of sleepless nights for you.”

“Thanks.” She accepted the glass and took a sip. “Lots of babies are born in the early morning hours, but I don’t mind.” She scanned the room. It was filling up fast, and servers were placing chafing dishes over flaming canisters. Plates, silverware and cloth napkins were set up at the end of the long buffet table. Linen-covered tables filled the room, and the open bar had been set up in a corner.

“Have you given any more thought to my offer?” Mark’s face reddened. “You know how I feel about you.”

He’d asked her out several times, and she’d even agreed to a couple dates, mostly when she needed to talk about Rob. They went to dinner once and out for coffee another time. He’d told her he really wanted to start something with her. She’d tried to muster up some enthusiasm, but it just wasn’t there. “I think you are such a great guy. I wish circumstances were different, but—”

“It’s OK. I don’t want there to be any awkwardness between us.” His warm brown eyes gazed into her hers. “Friends?”

“Always.” Disappointment pulsed from him, and she searched the room. “You’re going to meet someone special. I know you are. In fact, let me introduce you to a few single women right now.” Taking his elbow, she led him to two of her acquaintances from school who stood chatting together. They were both attractive, really nice women, and she sensed Mark’s heart rate ramp up. His interest surged. Smiling, she made the introductions and stayed long enough to ensure a conversation started. She left them just as the McGladreys entered the room. Her mom greeted them at the door, and Erin joined them.

Connor engulfed her in a bear hug. “Congratulations! We’re so proud of you, lassie.”

Gratitude filled her, and her eyes stung. “Thank you so much for being here tonight.” Erin smiled at Katherine. “It means a lot to me that you came to my graduation. You’ve been so great these past few months, and I just want you to know how much I appreciate it.”

“We wouldn’t have missed your big night for anything,” Katherine said, grinning back.

By the time Erin freed herself from Connor’s hug, Meghan had already joined the line for the food. Erin pointed to the table with the “Reserved” placard in the center. “Mom, Katherine, that’s our table. Go get something to eat and drink, and I’ll join you as soon as I’ve greeted a few more people.”

For the rest of the evening, she pasted a smile on her face and pretended to enjoy herself. Missing Robley hadn’t lessened, and the hurt hadn’t dulled. Her future stretched out before her like a deserted road. Her mom and the McGladreys said to give it time, that her grief would heal, but she didn’t believe them. Something had been torn from her, the half that made her whole, and that kind of tear could
not
be mended. So she put on her “everything’s OK” face and chatted, ate and drank.

Finally, the last guests left, and Erin settled the bill. “Are you ready to go, Mom?”

“I am now.” Jane held several containers of leftovers from the buffet in two large bags. “I can’t believe you were just going to leave all that good food to go to waste.”

Her mouth quirked up. “I’m glad you thought to have them pack it up for us. We won’t have to cook for a month.”

“Never waste,” Jane said, shaking her head. “You paid good money for that spread.”

“My party turned out pretty well, don’t you think?” Erin opened the door to the parking lot and held it for her mom.

“Oh, it was perfect. I like those McGladreys. They’re good people.” She sent her a sidelong glance. “That Mark fellow’s not bad either. It’s obvious he has a thing for you.”

“I don’t have any interest in him.” She longed to blurt out that Connor McGladrey was from medieval Ireland. How would her mother take it if she told her that she’d married a fifteenth-century knight? What would Jane think if Erin told her she had no idea whether or not Robley had lived through their last encounter with the faeries?

Keeping everything to herself while living with her mother grew more and more difficult, but no way was she going to reveal how she’d been sent back in time to the Middle Ages where she’d married a man her mother would surely never meet. Even to her own ears that sounded crazy. Why rock the boat when she and her mother were finally growing close? No matter how much she wanted to pour out her heart to her mom, she couldn’t bring herself to do it. Not yet anyway. Maybe someday she’d tell Jane that for a brief moment in time, she’d had an amazing son-in-law. Did she still? The familiar tightening rose to the back of her throat.

Not knowing whether Rob had lived or died twisted like a knife through her heart. The pain was as sharp and fresh as the day she’d been taken from his side. She blinked back the sting in her eyes and unlocked her car door. Her mom kept up a constant stream of chatter the rest of their drive home. Erin responded just enough to keep the one-sided conversation going. She couldn’t face silence right now.

Once they’d packed the leftover meatballs, miniature quiches and the other goodies away in baggies and plastic containers, Erin started rearranging the freezer for room to stow the new stuff. The memory of Rob’s first encounter with a bag of frozen peas came to her in a rush, and tears sprang to her eyes. “I gotta go to bed. Can you put the rest of this stuff away?”

“Sure, baby. You go on.” Her mom put her arm around Erin’s shoulders and gave her a brief hug. “It’s been a big day. I’m sure you’re exhausted.”

She nodded.
Heartbroken too
. She made quick work of getting ready for bed and slid under the covers, Rob’s plaid clutched to her chest. Once she turned off her bedside lamp, she let the tears fall until she fell into a dreamless sleep.

Erin woke with a start. The fine hairs on the back of her neck stood on end. Goose bumps skittered over her, and a shiver traced down her spine. Her pitch-dark room was cold enough to set her teeth chattering, and the smell of impending rain was so strong she could taste it on her tongue. Her heart beat out a staccato warning, and she could hardly breathe. She pushed herself up to sitting and turned her lamp back on, fully expecting to see one of the fae in her room.

No one was there. She bit her lip. Were the faeries spying on her now, making sure she stayed put? Already the temperature in her bedroom had risen a notch, and the scent of rain had begun to fade. She looked around her room. Nothing was out of place or missing. Glancing at her dresser, she gasped. An uncut diamond sat on top at the very edge—impossible to miss or ignore.

What did it mean? She leaped out of bed and raced to her dresser. Fear stayed her hand as she reached for the gem. Was this a message from Madame Giselle or Haldor? Were the faeries offering her a way back? It had to mean Robley had lived through the ordeal. Didn’t it? Maybe not.

Her heart soared and plummeted almost as quickly, leaving her dizzy.

If Giselle had been in her room, it could be that the faerie princess simply felt she owed Erin and wanted to reward her for saving True’s life. Maybe guilt had motivated the gift. If Haldor left it . . . Wait. W
hy would Haldor give a gnat’s ass? He’d been the one to separate her from her husband in the first place. More than once he’d said time travel was against their laws. Yet there was something about his expression the first time he’d laid eyes on her that made her wonder. She frowned and stared at the crystal, trying like hell to decipher whatever message it might hold.

Did this new crystal possess the magic needed to send her back through time to Loch Moigh? Did she have the faith or the courage to take that journey not knowing whether or not Robley still lived? Life in the fifteenth century was filled with peril. Could she give up modern-day medicine, technology and creature comforts, knowing full well a single illness could snuff her life out in an instant—or Rob’s? If he still lived, that is.

What if she went back and found Robley had lived, only to have him die an early death from tetanus, the plague or influenza? She’d go through this rending grief all over again without a way back to the comforts of her own time.
I don’t know if I can face this kind of pain all over again.

She had a career, friends, and what about her mother? For the first time in Erin’s life, she felt as if the two of them were becoming close. Her insides quaked, and she twisted her fingers together, quelling the impulse to reach out and pick up the diamond. She was faced with one big fat unknown after another, and she had no clue what to do. She’d always been a survivor, a loner, goal-driven and focused on her career. Could she change that about herself, throw it all away for the sake of her love for Robley? Not without some kind of assurance he would be waiting for her on the other side, she couldn’t.

“Damn those enigmatic, game-playing, manipulative faeries!
Why not at least leave a note? Is a little bit of clarification just too damned much to ask?”

CHAPTER NINETEEN

F
ive months had passed since Erin had been taken from him, and still the wound in his heart bled like it had just happened. Five months since the faerie warrior had sent him back to Loch Moigh, when what he’d really wanted was to follow his wife—wherever she might go. The injustice burned through Robley from the inside out, and his only salvation was to throw himself into his role of seneschal for the clan. Constant physical and mental engagement were all that kept him from raging and tearing out his hair.

Robley shook off his morose thoughts as he stood in his uncle’s solar and pointed to the crude map he’d drawn. “If we create a drainage ditch here, we can turn this hectare into productive land. Once that’s done, we can settle another crofter or two into the area. Here”—he placed his finger on the map—“there is forest for swine to forage, and the hills to support sheep and kine.” He glanced at his father and then at his uncle. “Do I have your permission?”

“Hmm.” His father nodded.

Thanks to Erin, his father had recovered well. Speech took some effort and full concentration, but that was improving. His father now spoke with a slight slur, and he walked with a barely noticeable limp. Still, he worked daily, and though he tired more quickly than he once had, his input was still valuable. His father had much to teach him yet, and Robley was grateful for the guidance.

“There are men in the village wanting work,” his uncle interjected. “We can begin the ditch anon and till the land yet this spring.”

“Aye, ’tis what I’d hoped you’d say. I’ve workers ready to begin at a moment’s notice.” Rob took a seat at the table. “Once the fields are planted, we can build a cottage or two for the new crofters to set up housekeeping. The land will support two families at least. Our clan is growing, and we must think of their future needs.”

“You’ve done well, but I fear you spend too much time working and no’ enough time living.” William sent him a pointed look. “Mayhap ’tis time you turn your mind toward finding a suitable bride and marrying once again. You’ll want bairns of your own, a son to carry on in your stead, aye?”

“Nay.” His chest tight, Rob plowed his fingers through his hair. “Betwixt Malcolm and Liam there are nephews enough to take my place. I’ll be a doting uncle. ’Twill be enough, for I willna wed another.”

“You’re young yet.” His father’s expression clouded. “The pain in your heart will lessen with time, lad. Your mother and I canna bear the thought that you’ll spend the rest of your days alone without the comfort of a wife by your side and bairns of your own.”

“I have a wife.” His throat closed, and his eyes stung. “She is no’ dead, only far from me.”

“Think you she will return?” William frowned at him.

“Nay. I willna have further dealings with the fae. They took what they wanted from us. ’Twas no fair bargain after all, and I willna seek them out for redress lest the result be even worse.” Anger welled within him, and he fisted his hands by his sides. “I told Erin that once a MacKintosh gives his heart, ’tis given for life. I canna betray her. I willna betray my vows.”

William rose from his place. “Mayhap you’ll see things differently one day. In the meantime, you have my permission to see this project completed.”

“My thanks.” Once again he forced his thoughts from the pain eating away at him and broached another subject. “There is one more thing I wish to discuss before you take your leave, Uncle. Malcolm, Liam and I have been talking. We feel between the three keeps, we can support a priest in residence year round. I’d like to begin building a small kirk in the village with living quarters nearby. The priest can travel between Loch Moigh, Meikle Geddes and Rait, but his primary residence will be here.” He glanced at his uncle.

“With your approval, I’ll send our request yet this day. If all goes well, before the summer is through, we’ll have our own parish, and the construction of our kirk will be well underway. Think of it, Uncle. Our clan will be able to attend mass, receive the sacraments and marry when they wish. We can have our bairns baptized in a timely manner. ”

“See it done, Rob.” William smiled. “If that is all, I’ll take my leave. Malcolm awaits me in the great hall. We’ve a number of disputes to settle in the village.”

“I’m finished.” Rob rolled up the map as he rose from the table. “I’ll head to the village with you. I wish to get the ditch begun while the weather holds.”

“Stay a moment, Robley,” his father said, gesturing to the chair. “I’ve something I wish to discuss with you.”

A look passed between Rob’s father and his uncle. William gave a slight nod before leaving. More puzzled than alarmed, Rob sat back down. “What is it you wish to discuss?”

His father shifted in his chair. “’Twill soon be May.”

“Aye?” He nodded.

“You’re doing a fine job, my lad. Our clan is in good hands, and William is well pleased.”

“My thanks. I find the work suits me after all.” Rob rose from his place again, impatient to begin his new project.

“Your mother and I intend to travel to France. We leave within a fortnight.”

“Och, aye?” He sat back down, his brow raised. “Are ye certain ’tis wise?”

His father’s mouth, the good side, quirked up. “If there’s aught this malady has taught me, ’tis that life is fleeting. Your mother yearns to see her sister. We will stay a month at the marquis’s keep near Flanders, visiting with her family. Then we’ll travel to Paris and mayhap continue on to Spain.”

“You’ve ne’er left for so long before.” Rob frowned. “When do you intend to return?”

“Within the year. I’m retiring as seneschal and plan to pursue my own interests once your mother and I return.”

Rob’s eyes widened. “You have . . . interests?”

“Aye.” His father chuckled. “I wish to oversee the breeding and training of horses and hunting dogs. ’Twould be another source of income, and I’ve always been interested in improving the lines of both. Erin said exercise and involvement are both important to my continued recovery and good health.”

Rob’s heart wrenched at the mention of her name. “She did, and you’ve proved her right.”

“Go. Begin your project, lad. We’ll talk more this eve.”

“Where will you undertake this new venture, Father?”

“Meikle Geddes, of course. ’Tis our home, and the land is well suited to raising horses.”

“I’ll help however I’m able.” Rob headed for the door, his mind spinning with this new twist.

“You’ll have your hands full enough, I trow.” His father chuckled again. “Overseeing the management of the entire earldom will take up all of your time, my lad. I speak from experience.”

“’Tis my hope and my salvation,” he muttered.

“Your lass is sorely missed by all.” His father sighed. “Your mother and I grieve for your loss.”

A lump formed in his throat. He nodded to his father and left for his chamber to change into garments more suitable for labor. He planned to lift a pick and shovel along with the villagers. Exhaustion gave him a small portion of relief. He’d tried drinking himself into a stupor when first he’d been sent back to Loch Moigh. Too much wine only added to his misery. Besides, the pounding head and sour stomach the day after made it difficult for him to do his job well. Nay, physical and mental endeavors were his only respite. As long as he was able, he intended to throw himself into the betterment of their holdings, and with his parents leaving for the continent, Rob would be needed even more.

As a youth, he and his brother had always traveled with their father as he oversaw the management of Inverness, Meikle Geddes and Loch Moigh. Rob would be the one making the rounds. The thought of journeying to Inverness sent a shudder of dread through him. Last he’d heard, the faerie’s cottage was still deserted. Mayhap Giselle had left for good after her confrontation with her father. Rob could only hope, for he had no wish to ever see another faerie for as long as he lived.

He entered his chamber, and his eyes lit upon Erin’s Harley jacket where it hung next to his on the pegs. Her satchel rested atop the small trunk where she kept her clothing. He had no heart for the task of disposing of her things. Having them near gave him comfort. Crossing the room to his trunk, he considered how he’d dig the ditch and what he and his men would need in the way of tools. He took out an old plaid and a shirt that was more rag than garment, rope for a belt and a worn-out pair of boots. He made quick work of changing, and then he headed to the great hall to break his fast.

Malcolm and William were already gone by the time Rob made his way to the table. True sat by herself before a bowl of porridge. “Good morn to you.” Rob settled himself beside her and tore off a piece of dark bread. He placed a thick slab of ham atop it and took a bite. “Where are the bairns?”

“In the solar with their nursemaids, Lydia and your mother.” She smiled. “They ordered me to have my morning meal unencumbered. It feels weird not to have one twin or the other in my arms, with Sky climbing onto my lap. How are you?” She glanced askance at his rough plaid.

“Well enough.” He took another bite and waved toward the door. “I’m off to the village to assemble men for my latest project. We’re digging a ditch this day.”

Her gaze pierced him. “How are you really?”

He averted his gaze, and his heart wrenched. “No’ a day goes by that I dinna miss my wife. Everyone says time will lessen the pain, but I dinna believe it is so,” he answered, shrugging.

“I’m sorry. I feel as if I’m partly to blame. I should have stopped you from traveling to the future.”

“Nay, lass. Your two lads are hale and hearty. We have Erin and the fae to thank for that, and for my father’s recovery. As much as I detest the fae, I canna find it in me to regret the journey or the outcome.” He wolfed down the rest of his meal and stood. “Give my niece and nephews a hug for me. I’ll see you at the evening meal.”

“Rob—”

“I do well enough and dinna wish to speak any more on the subject.” God’s blood, he needed to remove himself from all the pity aimed his way inside this keep. Once the ditch was completed, he’d travel to Meikle Geddes to stay for a month. “I’ve work to do.”

He had no intention of waiting for the ferry to return from the mainland and took one of the many skiffs upturned along the shore. Morning was fast waning, and he’d already wasted too much time. Setting a rapid pace, he rowed across the loch to the village and thought only of what needed to be done in the immediate future.

Once he’d secured the small boat, he set out for the stable to have a wagon hitched. Next he visited the inn and arranged for a meal to be brought out to the field, and finally he gathered the lads.

By midmorning, Rob was knee-deep in mud and positioned at the head of the line of men wielding pickaxes and shovels. His muscles strained with each load of earth he heaved, and he welcomed the fatigue sure to follow. Sweat covered his brow and chest from the exertion. Behind the lead, others arranged rocks along the sides of the newly formed ditch. He and the men aimed for the burn that ran at the bottom of a slight decline. The waterlogged fields would empty into the burn, and the land would be dry enough to plow by planting time.

Lads brought them ladles filled with water from a nearby spring, while others too young to dig gathered stones for the sides. Rob drove the edge of his shovel into the dirt and straightened. He stretched and surveyed the activity going on all around him. “Water,” he called. The miller’s son hurried over and offered him a wooden ladle filled to the rim. “My thanks.” Rob took it and slaked his thirst.

“We’re making good progress, milord,” Kenneth, the strapping brother to their blacksmith, remarked.

“Aye, that we are.” Mayhap after a full day’s labor, he’d be able to sleep this night. He handed the ladle back and lifted his shovel, just as two tones sounded from the village horn.

“Who’d be coming home?” Kenneth wondered aloud. “Do ye know aught of any who be gone of late, milord?”

“Nay, but I expect we’ll learn of it once the innkeeper’s wife brings our midday meal. Until then, let us be about our task.” He sank the edge of his shovel into the heavy, rocky soil and put his muscle into lifting the pile up and over the rim of their ditch. “If the rain holds, we’ll be able to put in a full day.” He glanced at the gathering clouds above. “Put your backs into it, lads, and hope for naught but mist,” he called. To those nearest he said, “We’ll dig only to yon pine. Then we’ll help with the lining of what is done thus far. It will no’ do to have our efforts washed away in a single rainfall.”

A chorus of agreement echoed around him, and Rob set himself to his work. Mayhap someone from Meikle Geddes had arrived, or his brother Liam from Rait. Liam’s visits had become more frequent once winter was behind them. He, Liam and Malcolm oft planned for their villages and clan late into the night when his brother came for a visit. Liam would depart the next day, eager to get home to his wife and their wee lad. Would Liam venture forth when Mairen was so close to birthing their second bairn? “Mayhap my brother sends word that Mairen gave birth. Last he was here, he did say it could happen any day.”

“’Tis certain you are right, milord.” Kenneth nodded, wiping the sweat from his eyes.