Lochinvar said, “If ye had a blade ye might hae been able tae fight yer way from the mess. Ye need a gun and a blade.”
Quentin said, “Lady Mairead is a perfect example, she never leaves home without a gun, three blades, and some surprise weapon, like a vial of poison or a razor blade.”
Lizbeth said, “Och tis one thing about m’mother, she is always ready for some kind of intrigue or scandal.”
I said, “I will model after her, without actually talking to her — no offense, Lady Lizbeth, but she’s kind of scary.”
“Nae offense taken, she is a formidable lady, not tae be crossed. Ye must be wary though ye want tae win her ontae yer side.”
Lochinvar said, “Och, she is a gentle auld crone, verra sweet, ye just hae tae get tae ken her, and also, never trust her and never give her any information she can use against ye.”
We all raised our glasses.
We finished our meal and then I glanced over at Lochie. He was thoughtful, looking down at his plate, guarded and quiet. I just wanted to roll up in his arms and tell him I had been wrong, this was stupid, let’s go back to being ‘married’ and... because man, he was so hot — I could just take him to bed, make this all better... couldn’t I?
What if I climbed in his lap and said, “Let’s go up to our room.” He would probably forget all of this, he would forgive me for last night, and we could actually have a ‘night two’ together, before we leapt into the great unknown. Because something could happen, anything might, you only lived once and...I mean, night one was awesome, I bet night two would be amazing.
I was eating and his hand was beside his plate, and mine was beside my plate, and he brushed the back of his hand along mine. An electric, static, charge, I sighed.
He nodded.
His nod acknowledged my sigh, but it meant a lot more, it meant this is good.
And I agreed.
He said, “Tell me when ye are tired, I will walk ye tae yer room, Ash.”
“Where will you sleep tonight?”
“I will sleep in the passage outside yer door, Ash, but daena worry on it, I winna complain."
I frowned, and whispered, “I know you won’t but I miss you, and wish I could invite you in.”
“Ye changed yer mind?”
“Kinda, I’m nervous about what’s going on and it would be nice to have you... You know.”
“Ye are feelin’ warm taeward yer Lochinvar?”
“Yes, warm.” I sighed again.
“I miss ye as well, Ash, but ye ought not change yer mind on this, tis important, the long cold nights on the stone floor in the passage hae given me time tae think, I see it now.” He drew my hand to his mouth and kissed my knuckles and then folded my hand in his, resting on his thigh.
“Besides I will need tae be on guard taenight, I canna spend the night holdin’ ye, though I might want tae. I hae tae watch for trouble.”
Quentin said, “And you’re leaving for Florida first thing in the morning, Lochinvar?”
He nodded.
I winced.
He squeezed my hand, comfortingly.
I did not like the idea of time traveling again, it hurt, man, did it hurt. I had also been growing used to this, living in this dream castle of the dreamy past, it still didn’t feel real, but it was as if I had become accustomed to the unreality of it. Like beingon vacation I supposed, protected by high walls, and medieval looking guards, and now I was expected to time jump back to Florida, but as a visitor, to check in and say goodbye, then I would return to the thirteenth century.
Quentin said, “You’re certain you don’t need me to come help protect you?”
Lochie said, “Nae, Quennie, ye stay here Liam needs ye, I can protect us well enough.”
