The Highlander's Bargain (26 page)

His muscles ached by the time the clatter of the approaching oxcart reached him, and hunger set his stomach rumbling. “Cease your labors,” Rob shouted. “Our meal is come.”

Friendly banter filled the air as the men climbed out of the ditch and laid down their tools. Rob did the same and followed the crowd to the burn to wash the mud from his arms and face. By the time he returned, the innkeeper’s wife was handing out slices of beef, bread, cheese and dried apples.

“Yer wanted at the keep, milord,” she said as he reached the front of the line.

“Do you ken who has come?”

“Nay. I’ve heard naught. I’d already set out when the horn sounded. A stable lad rode out to me and bade me deliver the message. That is all I ken.” She shook her head and handed him his food.

“Humph.” He frowned. Most likely word had arrived from Liam regarding the birth of Rob’s newest niece or nephew. “My thanks.” He filled his belly first, then gave instructions to the men before departing. The sky had darkened considerably, and he wanted the ditch lined with well-secured stone before the rain began. Robley wended his way through the groups of men resting and taking their meal. He informed his men he’d return by None if he could. If he didn’t return, they were to put in a full day if the weather permitted.

Mounting his horse, he turned toward home, his curiosity piqued. The village was quiet, and the ferry gone. Whoever had arrived must have been delivered to the island, and the villagers must also be taking their noonday meal. Rob didn’t wait for the ferry master’s return. He brought his mount to the stable and handed the gelding off to a stable lad. His curiosity grew as he retraced his steps to the skiff he’d borrowed earlier, and he set off for the island.

Things were fairly quiet on the island as well, but that was not unusual. He strode from the ferry landing to the portcullis. Glancing up to the guards, he called to one of them, “Geoffrey, who is come?”

“I canna say.” He shrugged. “The earl and Malcolm bundled someone through with great haste, but I caught nary a glance.”

“No danger?”

“Nay, milord. None that we’ve heard of.”

Rob made his way to the doors of the keep. If the arrival had not been important, why had he been called from his task? Irritated by the interruption, he scowled as he swung the doors open. The great hall was empty, and his mood darkened. Beth came around the corner from the back stairway. Her eyes went wide when his scowl turned her way.

“I was told my presence was required,” he snapped. “Where is everyone?”

“Above stairs in your mother’s solar, milord. You’ll want to change first, aye?” She looked pointedly at the mud clinging to his plaid and his boots.

“Humph.” He turned toward the stairs, taking them two at a time. It couldn’t be one of their own if he was required to dress properly to receive them, could it? He froze outside his door. Someone was inside. The muffled sound of movement, of things being shuffled around came to him. His scowl deepened. Had someone sent a servant to clean—at the very time he was expected to make himself presentable? What the devil was going on?

Robley swung the door open wide and stomped inside, ready to dismiss whoever it was who’d meet his wrath. He lost his breath. His knees went weak, and he had to lean against the wall. Two large packs rested on his bed, and his wife busied herself with unpacking. She wore the same gown she’d had on the day he fell into her arms. “Tell me you are no’ an apparition. Am I going mad with missing you?”

“Oh, Robley!” Her eyes filled.

The apparition threw herself into his arms. He crushed her to him, inhaling her beloved scent and drinking in the feel of her solid warmth against him. The pieces of his heart knit back together, and his insides filled with indescribable joy and relief. “How is this possible?” His hands shook as he framed her face between his palms and gazed into her eyes. He took inventory, comparing memory to reality. Aye, she hadn’t changed one whit. “How are you here?”

“Can we discuss that later?” She blinked against the tears streaming down her face. “Would you just hold me for a few minutes? Being hurled through time with luggage is tough.”

He glanced at the packs on their bed, and laughter seized him. “What have you brought with you, my love? Your entire apartment’s contents?” Again he crushed her to him, seeking her mouth with his before she could answer. His body reacted immediately, as if finally home after a long and lonely journey. “I need you, lass. I need to feel your body against mine before I know this is real and not a dream.” He let her go and raced across the chamber to remove the packs from their bed.

She frowned and pointed to his garments. “Have you taken a vow of poverty or something? Why are you dressed in rags and covered in mud?”

“I’ve been digging a ditch.” He tore out of the filthy plaid and tossed it on the floor. Leaning over with his bare buttocks against their bed, he tugged off his muddy boots. Feminine laughter filled the room, sending his heart tumbling over itself. God’s blood he’d missed the sound of his wife’s laughter. He took it in, letting the sound fill his heart and soul. Tears sprang to his eyes, and he grinned so hard his cheeks ached with the force of his happiness. “Come here to me,
mo céile
.”

“Impatient much?” She stepped closer and began to undo the laces of her gown.

Robley straightened, shaking his head. The tears spilled from his eyes, and he did naught to stop them. “My sweet wife, ’tis no’ impatience that drives me but the need to prove that you are real.” His voice broke, and he cleared his throat. “I have need of you—I must have you in my arms, or I fear I will wake, and this will all have been but a dream. I will no’ survive your loss yet again. I willna.”

Her gown dropped to the floor just before she launched herself into his arms. He kissed her, tangling his fingers in her glorious hair. With fumbling fingers he helped her out of the rest of her garments. Tenderly he scooped her into his arms and laid her upon the mattress. Feasting upon the sight of her, his eyes roamed over every precious dimple and curve. His hands still shook, but he could not keep from touching her. “Your skin is warm and silken. Is this a memory, or are you real?” He took a moment to pull off his ragged shirt before lying down beside her.

“I’m real.” Erin reached for him, drawing him into her embrace. “I’m here for good, and I need you too. You have no idea how much I’ve missed you. It never entered my mind that I’d be able to return. I didn’t even know whether or not you were still alive.” She planted kisses all over his face. “I love you. For as long as I live, I will always love you.”

“As I love you. I would hear how this all came about, but no’ now.”

Robley made love to his wife, reacquainting himself with every delectable inch of her in the process. Long after they were both spent, he held her close. Stroking her back, over the swell of her hips and the roundness of her sweet derriere, he sighed with contentment. Her hands did the same, running over his chest, his shoulders and down his arms.

“It’s good to be home,” she whispered against his chest.

“Never leave me again.” He pulled her into his arms and held her tight.

“I won’t. I promise.”

“How did you find your way back?”

She blew out a long breath. “It’s an interesting story and a mystery. I want to tell it to our whole family at once.”

He squeezed her again. Without thought she’d referred to his family as hers. ’Twas final proof that she belonged here with him, and his faith in the future was finally restored. “Let’s start a family of our own.”

“OK.” She sat up, her eyes glowing with love. “But can we gather the forces first, so I can explain everything just once? Then I want to start the inoculations.”

“The what?” He frowned, taking in her love-tousled appearance. By the Virgin, he’d sorely missed the sight. Her lips were swollen from his kisses, her hair mussed and her skin rosy from their lovemaking. She enchanted him.

“I intend to vaccinate you all against the most common illnesses that are killers in your time, like tetanus, diphtheria, measles and mumps, especially the children. Katherine McGladrey helped me put together everything I needed. It’s all there in my packs.” Erin climbed over him to get out of bed, and he got an enticing eyeful of her breasts.

“Get dressed, Rob. We’ll have the rest of the evening to ourselves, but right now I’m eager to see everyone. I’ve missed you all so much.”

“As usual, I understood but a small portion of what you just said.” Grinning, he too left the warm cocoon of their marriage bed. “But if you wish it, we’ll spend the rest of the afternoon with our kin.”

A half hour later, he and Erin were ensconced within the bosom of his family in his aunt’s solar, sans the children. Rob couldn’t keep from touching Erin, and he held her hand in his as she told the tale of the diamond’s appearance on her dresser.

“I didn’t know what it meant, but I suspected that if it could be used to get me back here, it had to mean Robley had lived through our confrontation with the fae. Before I decided to see if the diamond held power, I had a long talk with my mom.” Erin’s eyes clouded. “I told her how Robley had come to the future and how I went to the past.” She leaned closer to him. “I told her she had a son-in-law, and that if I could, I’d go back to him. She didn’t believe a word I said.” Her mouth drew down. “Mom had been living with me for a while, because she and her husband were going through some difficulties.”

Puzzled looks passed across his family’s faces. They didn’t handle troubles by separating. The very concept made no sense to them. He put his arm around Erin’s shoulders and drew her close. “Go on, love.”

“Well, I sold the other diamonds, which gave me enough money to see that my mom would be OK. She started school to become a medical assistant, and she and her husband are in counseling together. I believe they’re going to be fine.” She glanced at him as if needing reassurance.

“For certes.” He gave her a squeeze. “Who do you think left the third diamond in your room?”

“I don’t know.”

“Giselle, most likely,” True offered. “She may have intended for you to stay all along, but when her father and Haldor appeared, there really wasn’t much she could do.”

“Maybe, but I can’t shake the feeling that there’s more to Haldor than meets the eye. I keep flashing back to the way he seemed so surprised when he saw me.” Erin nudged him. “And he didn’t kill you.”

“We’ll never ken for sure where the gift came from.” Malcolm shrugged. “Suffice it to say we are all relieved and overjoyed to have you back, Erin.”

“Aye.” His uncle William nodded. “Let us have no more dealings with the fae, if you please.”

“I’m more than happy to comply with that request.” Erin huffed out a breath. “Here’s to no more faerie drama.”

“What of these inoculations you spoke of?” Rob asked.

“Oh, right.” Erin glanced at True. “I brought vaccinations.”

“You did?” True’s eyes lit up. “Oh my God, thank you. Do you have any idea how much I worry about my babies catching something fatal?”

“I also brought a plethora of antibiotics, though they will eventually expire. The time continuum be damned. We’ll do whatever we can to protect our clan, right?” Erin’s chin lifted. “Tomorrow morning I want all of you here. I even managed to get the smallpox vaccine, even though the disease has pretty much been wiped out in the United States. Also, I now have proper surgical tools.” She smiled at Rob. “And a dowry. I bought gold ingots with some of the money I got for the diamonds.”

He rubbed her back. “You’ve been busy preparing for your journey home, lass. We’re all grateful.”

“Yes, I have been busy. I finished school too. I’m now a certified midwife.”

He chuckled low in his throat. “I’m proud of you, love, and so very glad to have you home.” He stood and pulled her up with him. “I hope you will all understand, I wish to have time alone with my wife.”

“Of course,” his uncle William said. “We’ll see you in the morn for our . . . Humph. I dinna ken what you spoke of, but we’ll be here for it nonetheless.”

Robley and Erin took their leave and walked arm-in-arm back to their chamber. Peace and a bone-deep happiness filled him to the brim.

“Did you notice I brought your claymore back?”

“Did you? Nay, I did no’ notice, being so taken with everything else. My thanks. I’m quite partial to that weapon.” They reached their chamber, and he opened the door for her to precede him.

“I also brought you a gift.” Her tone turned shy.

His brow furrowed. “You’ve no need for a dowry, or to bring me gifts,
mo anam
. You have my undying love and fidelity without such.”

She sighed. “I know, but this was important to me.” She crossed the room to her trunk and opened it.

Curious, he followed, crossing his arms in front of him.

She drew out a wee box and handed it to him. Robley opened it. Inside, encased in velvet, rested two matching gold bands decorated with Celtic knots.

“I know it’s silly, but I wanted wedding rings.” She looked up at him through her lashes. “What do you think?”

“They’re grand.” His heart melted, and a wave of tenderness nearly brought him to his knees. He took the rings out and studied them. Tossing the box back into the trunk, he turned his full attention to his one and only love. “Let me put this wedding ring on you, lass.” He slid the smaller band onto her left ring finger. It fit perfectly.

“Give me yours.” She held out her hand. “I had to guess on the size. I hope it fits.”

“If it does no’, the blacksmith can adjust it. He’s a fair hand at such things.”

“Hold out your left hand, Robley,” she commanded.

He did as she bid him.

“With this ring, I thee wed,” she whispered and slid the ring onto his finger. She sucked in a breath. “It fits!”

“Of course it does. ’Twas meant to be, lass.” He put his arms around her and drew her close. “After all is said and done, it seems I made the best bargain after all.”

EPILOGUE

C
ongratulations! You have a beautiful baby boy.” Erin placed the squalling newborn on Alma’s stomach. Tears of joy filled her patient’s eyes, and her own. “He’s healthy, and he has a good set of lungs.”

“He’s perfect.” Alma stared lovingly at her son. “We owe you a great debt, milady.”

“You don’t owe me anything. I’m happy for you and Roderick. Hopefully this little man is the first of many bairns to come.” Erin turned to her young apprentice. “Mabel, I want you to cut the umbilical cord and deliver the afterbirth. Then you must bathe the newborn and swaddle him.”

Mabel’s eyes lit with excitement. She moved close and accepted the scalpel from Erin. “My thanks, milady.”

Erin stood and stretched, placing her hands at the small of her back. Her own growing baby bump added strain to the positions she took while delivering. Once she found out for sure that she and Robley were expecting, she finally agreed to take on an apprentice. Mabel, one of the miller’s many daughters, proved to be very adept and eager to learn. “You don’t mind if Mabel takes care of things, do you, Etan?” She turned to the older woman who sat at the head of the bed, admiring her new grandson. Erin nodded toward the door. “I figured you’d want to go get the new father and grandfather. While you’re at the inn, please let my husband know I’m ready to head home whenever he is.”

Robley always accompanied her on the late-night births. She suspected he feared a faerie would snatch her away from him again if he wasn’t nearby. He insisted it was only because he couldn’t sleep without her anyway, so he may as well see to her safety himself.

“Och, aye! I’ll go fetch the menfolk anon.” Etan leaped up from her stool and clasped Erin’s hands in hers. “Thank ye, milady. If it weren’t for ye, we’d ne’er ha’ seen this joyous day.”

“I’m just glad I could help.” Erin grinned.

Etan hurried out the door and headed across the street to the inn where the men awaited news. Once Erin had returned to Loch Moigh and the fifteenth century, she’d given Alma and Roderick a course of antibiotics known to be effective against
Streptococcus
. Maybe True’s tea had worked, or maybe it was the twenty-first-century medicine. It didn’t really matter, so long as this happy day was the outcome.

She gathered her things. “I’ll stop by tomorrow to check on you and the baby.” Alma already had the newborn to her breast. “You’ll be all right without me, Mabel?”

“Aye. I ken what tae look for.”

She’d already cut the cord, and Erin handed her the embroidery silk to tie it off.

“Push once more, Alma. We’ve yet tae see the afterbirth,” Mabel instructed. Her apprentice did her job efficiently, and began cleaning.

Mabel spared her a glance. “Go to yer rest, milady. I’ll take care of everything here. On the morrow, I’ll bring yer wee satchel back tae the clinic.”

“I know you’ll take care of everything. You’re doing a wonderful job.” She grinned and pulled her warm cloak around her shoulders just as the men burst through the door. Robley stood outside, patiently waiting as Roderick and Thomas thanked her.

Erin stepped out into the crisp autumn evening and drew in a deep breath. “I’m beat. Should we stay at the inn, or do you want to return to the island?”

“The moon is full to light our way, love. Let’s go home.” He took her hand and led her toward the shore. “After an evening spent with an anxious father-to-be, I long for the peace and comfort of our own chamber.”

“Roderick had reasons enough for his anxiety. Do you remember what happened the last time?”

“I do, and ’tis surely a blessing that we have you to care for us all.” He raised her hand and kissed the back of it. “Though I’d prefer no’ to be inoculated ever again.”

She laughed. “Who knew such a brave and worthy knight would swoon at the sight of a few tiny needles?”

“Humph.” He helped her into the skiff and pushed it into the water before jumping in and settling himself at the oars. “They were no’
tiny
.”

She yawned and gazed over the lake reflecting the full moon’s light. “Beautiful.”

“Aye, you are.”

“I was speaking about the view.”

He winked at her. “As was I.”

Grinning, she drew her cloak tighter. Soon Robley was dragging the dinghy onto the sandy beach on the island. He helped her disembark, and then he turned the boat over. They made their way to the keep in companionable silence. She couldn’t wait to fall into bed. “Don’t wake me when you get up. I want to sleep in.”

“If it pleases you.” He led her to the postern gate, which had been left unlocked for their return.

She climbed the back stairs with a single candle held high to light their way and reached their door with her husband right behind her. The moment she opened the door, Erin was assaulted by a wave of cold air and the scent of rain. “Oh, crap.” She stepped back, and the candle she held went out. Her heart thundered, and she was instantly on full alert, all her fatigue forgotten. A shiver of dread wracked her. “Do you smell that?”

“Och, aye.” Rob scowled and drew his claymore. “What now?”

“I don’t know, but I don’t want to go in there.” She clutched his arm. “Let’s go sleep in the room where I used to stay.”

“Nay, lass.” He shoved her behind him. “Stay here until I call for you.”

“Don’t go in there!” She grabbed his arm again.

He leaned his sword against the wall and reached for one of the unlit torches from the hall sconces. He thrust the torch at her, forcing her to let go of him. “Hold this while I light it.”

Groaning, she took it and held the oil-soaked end out to him as he struck the flint and steel together. The torch burst into flame, and Rob took it from her hand and lit the candle she still held.

“Stay,” he commanded, putting his flint and steel back in his sporran. He took up his sword and moved silently into their chamber.

Her heart in her throat, she bit her lip and waited as he disappeared inside. Torchlight from inside the room sent shadows flickering into the hall, and she strained to hear what was going on inside. Seconds turned to an eternity before he called her name. Relief swamped her, and on trembling legs she entered their chamber.

Rob crouched by the hearth and lit the fire that had been laid for them. Candles burned where they stood on the mantel and on the table, and he’d set the torch in a bracket on the wall. “You’ve a letter,
mo céile
, and a scroll.”

“Gah!” She wrung her hands together. “What do the fae want now?”

“I canna say. ’Tis addressed to you.” He pointed. “You’ll find both there on the table.”

The sound of her racing heart buzzed in her ears, and her palms began to sweat. She wiped them on her gown and inched her way over to the table. Maybe she should throw the letter and rolled parchment into the flames Robley had just lit.
She stared at the table. Both items that had been left for her had been sealed with wax imprinted with a crest, and her name was written in a flourishing scrawl on the letter. “What should I do?” Her gaze flew to her husband.

“Open it, I suspect. Bring it here and sit in my lap. We’ll read it together.” He reached out for her. “It willna bite, lass. If the sender meant you harm, the harm would already have befallen us.”

“You’re right.” She relaxed a fraction. “Of course you’re right,” she repeated, reassuring herself. Carefully she lifted the letter and crossed the floor to the safety of her husband’s waiting arms. She handed the message to him. “You open it.”

“I canna. I tried, lass.” He shot her a wry grin. “’Tis warded.”

“Bummer.” She glared at the letter still in her hands. “Well, here goes.” She held her breath, lifted the sealing wax and opened the folded parchment.

Robley peered over her shoulder. “I see naught but a blank page.”

“Really? Hmm. I’ll read it out loud then.”

My Dear Erin:

First and foremost, we are not “enigmatic, game-playing, manipulative faeries.” We are
Tuatha Dé Danann
, children of the goddess Danu, and you, child, are of my line. We are demigods, and were once revered as such by mortals throughout Eire, Scotia and Northumbria. Many eons ago, I took a mortal to wife. She was a Durie, and I recognized you as my kin from the very start. I regret the circumstances under which I found you, but I cannot regret that you are found. You look so very much like her. Lo, I have missed my love for so long! I could not reveal you to my king, nor could I send you back to your mate. The best I could do for you both was to give you the means to return and place the decision in your hands. Know that I will look after you and yours. Should you need my help, call to me and I will come to your aid. Kin is everything, my dear girl. I wish you happiness, and I am well pleased by the choice you have made.

Yours,

Haldor

“Wow. I suspected the diamond came from Haldor. I felt the link when he looked at me in my apartment, but I didn’t know what it meant.” She folded the letter. “You couldn’t see any of that?”

“Nay. ’Twas meant for your eyes alone.” Rob hugged her close. “Do you wish to look at the scroll?”

“Do you think I should? Didn’t we swear off the”—she glanced around the room—“children of the goddess Danu?”

“He’s your kin and will keep you safe. That puts my heart at ease.”

“OK.” She rose from her place on his lap and crossed to the table. She set down the letter and opened the scroll. Laying it flat on the table, she gasped. Ornately illustrated with deep reds, greens and golds, it was a family tree. “Come see if this is visible to you, Rob.”

He came up behind her and put his arm around her waist. “Och, lass. That I can see. ’Tis your lineage, your patents.”

Erin traced her finger from the top, where the goddess Danu’s name presided over all. She followed Haldor’s line all the way to her own father, and then to her. “Why is our clan so tangled up with the children of Danu? Did it start with True?”

“Nay. The tie began with Hunter, and as to why, I believe the link to our clan began by chance.”

She sighed. “I don’t want to think about this now. All I want is to go to bed with my husband’s arms around me. I always feel safe when I’m in your arms.”

“As you wish, my lady.” He bowed. “I believe that scroll proves you are above me in rank. After all, you are descended from Danu.”

“Other than the circumstances of my birth somehow leading me to you, the tie doesn’t mean a whole lot to me.” She brushed a kiss against his mouth.

“Aye, and for that alone I am eternally grateful.” He helped her out of her clothes and tucked her under the blankets before snuffing out the candles. “Dinna forget that because of your ancestry, you are gifted in ways that will help our clan.” Robley undressed and slid under the covers to draw her into his arms.

“True. I’m glad for that.” Just then her baby turned, and she sensed their growing link. Somehow, she knew her son was smiling. The sound of Haldor’s laughter echoed through their chamber, and the slight scent of rain haunted her senses. “Did you hear that?” Erin propped herself up on her elbows.

“Aye, but I’d prefer to pretend otherwise.” Robley drew her back down. “In-laws,” he huffed. “I would prefer those of a mortal bent, but as long as I ken Haldor will see to your safety, I can tolerate his presence.” He wrapped his arms around her. “From a distance, that is,” he called out into the darkness.

Once again the sound of laughter resounded, fading as if her ancestor were moving away from them. “So be it.” Erin sighed, stretched and snuggled up against Robley’s warmth, content to be home for good.