A Journey Out of Time (12 page)

"Come greet your ma!"

"Ma, who is that lass?"

Sonya laughed to herself & hurried down the stairs. As she turned the corner at the bottom she ran smack into Duncan! Could she have any more awkward moments today? Of course, she didn't mind this one so much though. Duncan grabbed her behind the elbows as she smacked into him, steadying her. Man he had muscles!

"Where are ye off to, in such a hurry lass?"

Sonya took in a breath & smiled up at him. "More like escaping."

He frowned. "Escaping?"

"I believe I have just met the King's younger brother."

Duncan laughed as he took her arm & they went down the walkway. "That explains a lot."

Sonya looked up at him questioningly.

"Rowan is young & likes the ladies."

"So I noticed!" Sonya had no idea where they were going, but she didn't care. She liked walking with Duncan. "Where were
you
going?" she asked.

"To find ye. I thought maybe ye'd like to go down by the loch."

"Ooh! I would love that. I love the water," she said excitedly, a smile spreading across her face. Duncan chuckled at her enthusiasm, as she tugged his arm to hurry him along.

They traveled around the gardens & across the field. As Sonya hurried down the hill she slipped off her shoes & hiked up her skirts, tying them in a huge knot at her side. She ignored Duncan's rising eyebrows & ran right into the water. It was wonderful! She sighed, content.

"I love the green as much as I love the water." She looked back at Duncan who seemed to be watching her with amusement.
Why is everyone so amused with things I do?
Was it just the differences in cultures or was she just particularly funny & never knew it before? She put her hands on her hips & then waded back out, smiling.

"Okay, come on."

"Wha…? Nay, nay lass."

Sonya grinned & grabbed his hand, pulling him towards the edge. "Boots off or on?" He looked at her for a moment & grinned, as he took his boots off, tossing them on the bank. Taking his hand they ran towards the water together. After a bit of splashing, they stood there together looking out over the water. Her hand was in his & for reasons she didn't understand, it just felt right. Like this was the way it should have been from the beginning of time until the end of time. The rippling water & the sky met. It looked beautiful. Duncan looked at Sonya & she took in a deep, ragged breath.

"Lass?"

"Aye?"

He smiled. "What if ye can'na go back where ye came from?"

She looked over at him, grinned, & looked back out over the loch. "I guess I will just have to stay & drive you crazy!"

Duncan let out a hearty laugh. As she listened to his laugh she noted that he had asked her this same question several ways now. Had she assured him this time that she didn't want to leave? She never used to be such a chicken! As they were wading back to the shore Duncan slipped & fell.

"Are you all right?" Sonya laughed. She couldn't help herself, but she started laughing so hard that she couldn't stop. There he was, the Laird of Ronin sitting on his butt soaking wet! "I am sorry," she laughed, "I just can't stop." Duncan grinned wickedly at her & before she could comprehend why, he reached up & grabbed her, pulling her down with him! She let out a yelp falling on top of him! Laughter ceased as they lay there taking in deep breaths. Now there was just the sound of the water lapping gently. Duncan held Sonya, his hands on her hips, her hands upon his chest. Rolling off, she sat next to him. There she was in this beautiful dress all wet & probably ruined. She leaned over & nudged him with her shoulder. Duncan put his arm around her & she lay her head on his chest. Her heart was beating so fast & her stomach was doing more flip flops than the fish! Duncan was trembling. Trembling? This big, strong, sturdy man, was trembling? She sighed. It was a sigh of contentment.

"Ah ha! There ye be!" The spell was broken. It was Rowan. He was standing up on the hill looking down on them, the mischievous smile on his face. Duncan pulled Sonya up, looking at her a moment before they moved. They turned & walked hand in hand. Never had she wished so hard that it had been Angus that happened upon them instead. Duncan grabbed his boots & jogged up the hill. He shook Rowan's hand, greeting him with a hearty smile & a clap on the back. Sonya looked out over the loch one more time. She took a deep breath, picked up her shoes & walked barefoot up the hill. Rowan put out his hand to help Sonya the same time Duncan did.
Great
. She took
both
hands. Duncan & Rowan grinned & she had a feeling there had just been a challenge issued, at least to
one
of them
.

"Thank you," she said trying to sound as if their help meant nothing. Just what she needed.

"Did I interrupt anything?" Rowan asked. Sonya wondered if that grin ever left. Duncan was walking so close that she could feel a ripple.

"What on earth could you have interrupted?" Sonya said sweetly. Duncan saw the glint in her eyes & grinned. Rowan laughed & took her wet arm, wrapping it around his. Duncan took her other arm. Oh brother. If these two grew up around each other, she wondered how much of this went on with innocent young girls in the middle! Then again, what girl wouldn't be happy to be in the middle of these two handsome men?

*

"Hmm."

"What?" asked Anne. She walked to the window & stood next to Angus.

"I think maybe Duncan has some competition," he responded.

Anne looked down at the three of them. "Perhaps she will be the one lass that can settle Rowan down," said Anne.

"I doubt that mother."

"And why is that, lad?"

"Ye know how Rowan is. Rowan likes to be the trouble. With Sonya, I think he would be getting trouble."

"Well, we shall see." Anne turned & walked back.

"Aye, that we will."

"I like her." Anne called over he shoulder.

"So do I, mother. I guess it is good she is a Highlander!"

Anne smiled.

*

"So, Sonya, ye have met my brother?"

"Yes, Your Highness, I have." Angus was grinning & so was Rowan. Anne gave her a sweet smile & started to tell Angus about the generations of Sonya's family. He seemed most impressed.

"We have many written records of family lines now."

"That sounds very wise. I think that is something we will look into mother."

"Aye, Angus. That is a good idea."

Duncan gave Sonya a smile & she smiled back.

"So, Sonya, will ye be staying in Scotia for a while then?" Rowan asked.

She was never so glad to answer. "Yes, I will be remaining at Ronin Castle." Duncan smiled in triumph & Sonya smothered her own grin by taking a drink. She wondered if it was just competition or if he understood once & for all that she wanted to return to Ronin.

"And how long will ye be staying here at Scotia Castle with us?"

"Well, I…uh…"

Rowan leaned forward addressing Angus, "Ye must make her stay, Angus, at least for a while…so we can to get to know the lass."

Angus raised a brow & Duncan looked displeased.

"That would be very nice," answered Anne. "For just a short time."

Sonya couldn't believe it! She smiled politely. "Perhaps for a little longer?" she looked to Duncan with a silent plead, but he had turned away & remained silent. She couldn't even think of any real excuse not to stay for a few more days. After all, finding out about the MacPherson's was one of the reasons she was coming to Scotland. Perhaps Duncan wouldn't speak against the Queen mother's request & would stay just a bit longer. After all Adair was at Ronin.

"Great," Rowan said & took a hardy bite of his dinner.

Sonya looked at Duncan, but he had not looked at her. She stared at her own meal, but didn't feel so hungry. This was all going wrong. They asked Sonya question after question & Duncan excused himself during one of these times. She went to her room feeling sad. She would talk to Duncan in the morning & sort it out. She would come up with a reason not to stay. She had Ewan, her friends & more papers on the genealogy to go through for Anne. Then she could come back & show her.

*

Sonya's disappointments were adding up. There was no answer at Duncan's bedchamber door. He wasn't on the grounds as far as she could see from her window & as she entered the hall she was immediately disappointed again. There was no Angus to start her day off to a cheery day & worse, there was no Duncan.

"Sonya!" greeted Rowan. He had been talking to a group of men at one of the lower tables.

"Good morning, Rowan. How are you?"

"I am well. Join me." He took her arm & then held a chair out for her. She hesitated, but took the seat. Somehow she had no appetite, but grabbed a piece of fruit.

"Bread?"

"No, thank you. Where is His Majesty this morning?"

"Oh, he had a wee dispute to handle."

"I see. And Duncan?"

Without taking his eyes off of his food he casually said, "He decided to go back to Ronin before light this morn."

Sonya nearly choked on the fruit she was swallowing. She took a quick drink from the mug the young girl had just placed before her. "He what?"

Rowan looked up. He seemed confused by her tone. "He said he was returning to Ronin."

"Is something wrong at home?" Now she was worried.

"Nay. He just said since ye were remaining here there was no reason not to return."

"Is that so?" she said standing. She knew eyes were turning in their direction, but she could have cared less. "Excuse me, Rowan." Sonya stomped down the dias & out the doors. As she left she passed Angus in the corridor. "Good morning, Your Majesty," she said, trying to sound polite.

"Is it? What is wrong lass?"

"Nothing, I just didn't sleep well. With your permission, I will return to my chamber."

"Of course, lass, of course. I hope ye will be better soon."

She smiled weakly & ran the rest of the way to her bedchamber. After she closed the door she stood there in the middle of the room., taking several deep breaths. "So! You have nothing to delay your return Duncan MacLeod. Well, that answered
my
question indeed! And to think how foolish I have been acting! What a fool I've been!
Well
, Professor Higgins, without you twirling it the world still spins!" Sonya went to the bed pulling off one of the feather pillows. She took one & proceeded to beat the seat under the window with furry! She couldn't hit Duncan, but she sure as hell could beat the crap out of this feather pillow!

Below the window, outside, Anne watched feather's falling as she sat on a bench reading her daily passages in the sun. Her brow raised & she chuckled. She could hear mutters coming from Sonya's room. "Maybe now she will give my Rowan a look."

A knock on the door stopped her in mid-swing. She looked at the mess she had made & started to laugh. "Yes?" she called out.

"Uh, Sonya, it is Rowan. I was wondering if ye would like to go for a walk."

She looked at the door & back to her mess. Grabbing a cloak, she opened & then quickly shut the door behind her. Rowan stood there looking like his self-satisfied self. Sonya smiled. You couldn't help it.

"So, where are we off to?"

"Gardens?"

"Sure. That would be nice."

He offered his arm & she took it.

"So, Rowan, where were you before you arrived the other day?"

"I had been handling a dispute in the lowlands."

"Ah, I see. Do you do that a lot?"

"When Angus needs me to."

"So, you settled it then?"