Legacy of Love_Highland Hearts Afire Read online

  The room was clean and pleasant enough, but the bed hardly looked big enough for one person, let alone two. She went to the porthole and peered out—in time to see Enid being led away from the ship, the guard and Collin Gower accompanying her.

  She sat on the edge of the bed, then dropped her head and cradled her face in her hands. “Oh Kyle, I miss you and wish I was there with you now instead of lost in another time and place. You must wonder what happened to me,” she sobbed. “Trust me, if I could come home to you, I would.” She considered locking the door of the cabin from the inside, but knew her betrothed would just break it down and there would be hell to pay. So she sat on the end of the bed and waited, jumping when she heard someone in the hallway outside the door.

  Chapter Eighteen

  Dressed in a priest’s robes, and crouching in the bushes only a few feet away from the ship, Kyle waited for a signal from Blair. He’d watched when Gwen boarded, and it took every ounce of self-control to keep from charging forward and demanding her release. But he knew that would get him killed and possibly Gwen as well. Blair and Rory had managed to get on the ship as planned—impersonating sailors—and Kyle was itching to join them.

  Blair had paid off the priest who was supposed to go on the voyage, so Kyle could take his place. He clutched the bible to his chest with one hand and the cross hanging around his neck with the other. When he saw Blair stand on deck and drop a linen rag over the side rail, Kyle drew in a deep breath for courage and headed up the path toward the vessel.

  A man working the rigging called out to another on deck. “Priest’s coming, tell the laird we can set sail.”

  Every step up the gangplank seemed like three, and the short walk seemed like miles. Finally Kyle stepped onto the deck, being careful not to look at Blair or Rory.

  “You are late,” the laird bellowed.

  Kyle bowed his head and stood before the laird. “My apologies. The priest who was supposed to come, Brother MacRae, took ill and Father Thomas asked me to take his place.” Blair had not only paid the monks and priests a tidy sum not to show up, but also made sure he found out the names of the man who was supposed to be on the voyage and his superior, which proved to be useful.

  “You are aware you are not only expected to deliver the parting blessing, but will be joining us on the journey?” the laird asked. “You dinna appear to have any gear with you.”

  “I am but a humble servant of God and have all that I need here. He held up the bible and stroked the Celtic cross around his neck.

  “Very well, get on with it,” the laird snapped, then bowed his head.

  Kyle swallowed hard, trying to clear the lump in his throat. He opened the bible, being careful to expose the page on which the prayer for safe voyage was listed, and not where Blair had cut out the pages and hidden a dirk. He didn’t want to risk that Kyle might be searched for weapons before coming aboard, but figured they would never think to check the bible.

  It had been a while since his first year of medical school, when Latin was still part of the curriculum, but he was surprised how quickly it all came back to him. Were he required to speak the language from memory, he’d have been hard-pressed, but given that all he had to do was read from the page, he managed to muddle through.

  Once he’d completed the blessing, Kyle closed the bible. He made the sign of the cross in the air and when he spoke the word Amen, the laird gave the okay to set sail.

  Relieved it was over, Kyle moved to the starboard side of the ship and hung over the rail, taking a minute to draw in a breath of sea air and to gather his thoughts.

  “Well done, cousin. If I dinna know better, I’d be seeking you out later to hear my confession,” Blair said. He leaned with his back against the rail, and rather than looking at Kyle, he focused his gaze on the middle of the ship and kept his voice low.

  Watching the waves lapping against the hull was soothing, but at the same time it made Kyle’s stomach churn. He was tempted to turn away, but remained focused on the water. He didn’t want to bring attention to the fact that Blair was talking to him. “When do we rescue Gwen and get off this dang ship? The farther we get out to sea, the harder it will be to get back to shore, especially if the sea gets any rougher. Have you located Gwen?”

  “Aye, she’s in the captain’s quarters below deck. The Laird put a guard on her door, not that she could go anywhere now we have set sail.”

  “How will we get her out?”

  “I know you’re anxious, but if we rush and act before the time is right, we jeopardize our success.” Blair moved a little closer to Kyle and lowered his voice to a whisper. “We will give it a wee bit more time, then I will go below and tell the guard I am there to relieve him. While we are talking, Rory will sneak up from behind and knock him out. We’ll tie him up, gag him, and drag his sorry arse out of the way so he is na noticed. Then you can go in and get Gweneth while we keep watch.”

  “It sounds simple but how do we get her out without drawing attention?”

  “Once you have let her know you are here, you can escort her to the deck and I will follow as if keeping watch over her. If questioned, she will feign seasickness, and you can say that she asked you to hear her confession and then she took ill,” Blair explained. “Being a God-fearing man, the laird will na be concerned about her spending time with a priest. When clear to do so, make your way to the rear of the boat. We will create a diversion to draw attention, and in the commotion, you escape.”

  Kyle dragged his fingers through his hair. “How will you and Rory get away? I can’t risk your lives to save Gwen.”

  “Let us worry about that, cousin. Getting your lady off the ship is what is important. Rory and I have been in tighter fixes before and will be again. One of us will let you know when to go below.” He slapped Kyle on the back and wandered away.

  He couldn’t believe how lucky he was to have Blair and Rory on his side in this. The longer he spent with the two men, the stronger the bond he felt. It was going to be hard to say goodbye when the time came for him and Gwen to return to the twenty-first century.

  ~ * ~

  When the noises outside the door to the cabin proved to be nothing, Gwen released the breath she was holding. At least the Lord saw fit to grant her a reprieve from Duncan Gower a little longer. She was so tired, and wished she could nap, but was afraid to close her eyes. Feeling the need for some air, she got up from the chair on which she was now sitting and went to the porthole and opened it. But when she heard the door latch click, she spun around.

  “Who are you and what do you want?” The man was dressed like a priest, and when he raised his head and smiled, her heart leapt for joy. “Kyle?” she muttered, her eyes fixed on his face, not certain if he was really here or if she was dreaming. If the latter, she didn’t ever want to wake up.

  “It’s me, sweetheart.” Kyle opened his arms to her and Gwen launched herself into his embrace.

  She wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him soundly, then eased back and peered up at him in disbelief. “I can’t believe you’re here.” Tears streamed down her cheek. He was real, flesh and blood, and he was with her. “How did you find me? Better yet how on earth did you get to the fourteenth century?”

  He stroked his knuckles along her cheek, then tucked a strand of her hair behind her ear. “So many questions, when all I want to do is kiss you.” He lowered his head and captured her lips, kissing her with all the passion and desperation of a man about to draw his last breath.

  The door opened and a man Gwen didn’t recognize, poked his head in. “Best you hurry, cousin. It willna be long afore someone comes looking for the guard. If we want this to work, you need to move quickly,” he said, then closed the door.

  “Who was that?” Gwen asked. “Why did he call you cousin?” She knew she was asking too many questions, but there were so many things unanswered.

  “It’s a long story, sweetheart, and I promise to tell you everything once we get you off this ship.” Kyle lifte
d her hand and kissed each of her knuckles. “God, I love you and have missed you,” he rasped, then tugged her toward the door. “Blair is right, we need to get moving.”

  Gwen dung in her heels, refusing to move. “We can’t go out there. This ship is crawling with Laird Gower’s men. If they catch us trying to escape, they’ll kill you.”

  He placed two fingers to her lips to silence her. “Do you trust me, Gwen?

  She nodded. “But—”

  “If you trust me, then you’ll come with me. I have two men prepared to help us escape. If we can make it to the back of the ship, there is a small wooden boat waiting.”

  “Who are these men? How do you know you can trust them?”

  “I trust them with my life, and they’ll have our backs.” Kyle said. “I wouldn’t ask you to do this if I didn’t believe it was the only way. When we reach the deck, or if someone stops us beforehand, go along with whatever is said.” Before she could question him further, he opened the door. “We’re ready, Blair.”

  “I’ll lead the way,” Blair said, then started for the stairs, but stopped and looked at Gwen. “I’m sure Caol told you to go along with whatever we say. Dinna say anything to anyone unless necessary, m’lady. The less attention we draw, the better.”

  As they emerged from the hold, Gwen hesitated, overcome by a sense of foreboding. She quickly searched the area, looking for her betrothed. If he caught her up on deck without his permission, she feared what he might do.

  “Let’s go.” Kyle tugged on her hand until she moved from the doorway. “It’s alright. I don’t know what they did to you or what happened since we have been apart, but I’m here now and will keep you safe. I promise.”

  “You don’t know these people and can’t make that promise.” She knew he would never deliberately do anything that would put her life in jeopardy, but he hadn’t met Laird Gower.

  They worked their way along the rail, heading toward the back of the ship, Blair leading the way.

  “Halt!” a man shouted. “What are you doing on deck, Lady Gweneth? I thought the laird ordered you to stay below in your chamber.”

  Kyle stepped forward. “The lady asked me to come to the cabin to hear her confession. She said it had been a while and wanted a clear conscience before she was wed.”

  “I am the first mate, and the laird said naught of this to me,” the man said. “It also doesna explain why she is on deck without her guard.”

  Blair stepped forward. “I am guarding the lady.” He patted the sword at his side.

  “We were in the middle of confession when she suddenly became quite pale. She nearly passed out, and begged me to take her to the deck where she could get some air.” Kyle shrugged and held his hands out as if in question. “What was I to do? The lady was ill and I thought the Laird might prefer she take care of things over the rail as opposed to on his bed.” He leaned in closer, screwed up his nose, and whispered. “Had you come along a minute sooner, you’d know what I mean. I’d no idea a lass could consume that much food.”

  Picking up on his cue, Gwen grabbed at her belly, then raced to the edge of the ship with her hand over her mouth. She pretended to wretch, then moaned as if in distress. “I’m afraid I am not a very good sailor. My stomach has been roiling since we set sail.”

  “Perhaps you’d like to see for yourself,” Kyle suggested to the first mate.

  The man raised his hands in the air and backed away, his complexion suddenly taking on a greenish hue. “There’s no need. I’ve seen my share of seasick sailors. Assist the lady, and when she is finished, see her back to her cabin.”

  “I will, and bless you, my son.” Kyle made the sign of the cross and the man fled.

  “Perhaps you have missed your calling, cousin.” Blair chuckled. “The coast looks clear between here and the rear of the ship. Make haste and I will find Rory. It’s time for a little diversion.”

  Gwen clung to Kyle’s arm. “What is he talking about? Is he not coming with us?” she asked, then shot a questioning glance at Blair.

  “Dinna fash about my brother and me. We will be fine,” Blair replied. “Go with Caol and we will meet you back at MacKay Castle.

  Kyle reached out his arm to Blair, “Thank you for everything.”

  He grasped Kyle’s wrist and they exchanged a hardy shake. Blair glanced over his shoulder, then pulled Kyle into a quick embrace. “God speed. And take good care of your lady.” He released his hold, then trotted off toward the front of the ship. A few minutes later a loud ruckus broke out near the bow.

  “You blackguard, you stole my woman when we were in town, I demand satisfaction,” Blair’s voice echoed on the breeze.

  “She wanted me, na you, swine,” another man shouted back.

  “Fight,” one of the crew shouted from the crow’s nest, and several men raced by Kyle and Gwen in the direction of the confrontation.

  “We’d better go.” Kyle cupped Gwen’s elbow and led her toward the back of the ship.”

  Again Gwen dug in her heals. “Wasn’t that Blair? He sounds like he’s in trouble. We can’t just leave him behind.”

  “He’ll be fine. The other voice you heard was his brother Rory. They are trying to draw attention so we can get away in the commotion,” Kyle said, then urged her forward. When they finally reached the stern, he released her arm and leaned over the rail. “There it is, give me your hand.”

  “There what is?”

  “The boat. We need to reach it if we hope to get away.”

  She leaned over the side, suddenly feeling dizzy. “You’re not serious. We can’t get down there and even if we could, what chance do we have in a boat that size in this rough sea?”

  Kyle climbed over the rail, then reached out for her again. “What other choice do we have? If you’ve got a better plan, I’m listening.”

  She’d never been fond of heights and while she could swim, she preferred to keep her feet planted on solid ground. But as she pondered his request, the answer soon became clear.

  “What are you doing?” a crewman shouted and ran towards them with sword drawn.

  Kyle climbed back over the rail and picked up the bible he’d set on the ground.

  “This isn’t the time for scripture,” Gwen stammered.

  “They’re trying to escape, call the laird,” the man shouted.

  Kyle opened the bible and plucked out the dagger hidden between the pages, tossed the book over the rail, and lunged at the approaching crewman. The two men struggled until they landed on the deck. The crewman getting the better of Kyle, he held his blade above his head, prepared to deliver a fatal blow.

  Gwen grabbed an oar and swung with all her might, striking the man over the head, and he crumpled forward, landing on top of Kyle.

  “Thanks sweetheart.” Kyle rolled the man off him and stood. “We have no more time for discussion, we have to go.”

  Gwen looked down the deck and saw several men charging toward them. On the upper level, she spotted the laird, shaking his fist in the air and shouting at them. She couldn’t hear what he said, but guessed he wasn’t wishing them bon voyage. Her attention returned to the men rushing toward them and was so fixated on their approach, she didn’t notice when Kyle grabbed her wrist.

  “Time to go.” He yanked her hard, and they tumbled over the edge and into the icy water below.

  Chapter Nineteen

  Struggling with the weight of her sodden gown, her lungs robbed of air, Gwen kicked with all her might, but her struggle was futile. Her arms and legs quickly tired in the icy depths. Just when she thought she’d never make it and her life was over, a strong hand grabbed the back of her garment and hauled her upward. As her head breached the surface, she sputtered and gasped for air.

  “Get in,” Kyle demanded, his voice hoarse. He slid his hands beneath her arms and pulled her into the small boat, then grabbed the oars and began to paddle like a man possessed. “That was close. Another minute and they’d have caught us.” He continued to row extremely har
d until the boat pulled away from the ship.

  “What if they follow us and bring us back?” Gwen peered back at the ship, and the group of angry men shouting from the deck and lowering boats over the side to give chase.

  “I don’t think we need to worry,” Kyle said and slowed his pace. “Before we came for you, Blair and Rory poked holes in the bottom of all the boats but this one. The laird’s men may get in them, but they won’t get far before they fill up with water and start to sink.”

  Relieved to hear they were safe and out of harm’s way for the moment, Gwen couldn’t help but worry what would happen next. They were both soaked to the skin, the air was cold, and they were in the middle of the northern straight between Scotland and the Orkney Islands. While she had faith in Kyle and figured he knew the direction to row, they had no idea how far out they actually were.

  She began to shiver, her teeth chattering and Kyle reached out and stroked her cheek. “You’re frozen, I guess we didn’t think this through well enough. I’m sorry.”

  Grasping his hand, she gazed into his eyes. “You have nothing to apologize for. You did what you could to rescue me and I will be eternally grateful. There was no other way to avoid capture. I still can’t believe you came for me.” She glanced over her shoulder at the ship—which was now a dot on the horizon.

  “When you disappeared after the tour of MacQuin Castle, I was ready to move heaven and earth to find you. But then I met Beatha.”

  “Oh my God, you met her? And she sent you here?”

  “I have to admit, I didn’t believe her at first,” Kyle said. “I thought she was a crazy old bird trying to con me into following her into the forest so she could steal my wallet and watch. But I soon learned different. I was in a clearing behind the castle ruins one minute, then in the fourteenth century the next.”

  “That’s basically what happened to me as well. But I didn’t meet Beatha until I arrived in 1305.” Gwen wrapped her arms around her middle, trying to conserve what little body heat she could, but failed in the attempt. She was already too cold, her feet and hands numb. “Beatha told me some pretty unbelievable stuff, and if I hadn’t experienced it first hand, I would have thought the same as you about her sanity.”