A Journey Out of Time (19 page)

"Is there some reason…uh…we are down here?"

Duncan looked around & grinned down at her. "Well, I could think of many reasons why."

That was it. Sonya hit him! "Get off of me!
Now!
"

"Alright, lass." He rolled off of her & she got up, glaring at him. Narrowing her eyes she thought about kicking him, but didn't want to risk what could happen! She pushed open the door & stormed out.

"Sonya, how was your practice?" Angus asked.

She stopped & looked at him. "Quite frankly, it was annoying!" She continued to storm down the corridor, muttering to herself. Angus stared after her.

Duncan stood up, putting his sword back in its scabbard. He had had a loud & robust laugh after Sonya left. When he opened the door Angus was on the other side with his arms crossed & a scowl on his face.

"Angus! How are ye?"

"Duncan…"

"Aye? What's wrong Angus? Has something happened?"

"You tell
me
lad. Why is Sonya upset?"

"She got mad at me
after
she kicked my arse in a duel."

Angus raised his brow. "Really? She got mad because she beat ye?"

"Nay."

"Ah, I see," Angus made a face at Duncan, who chuckled.

"Come on Angus. Rowan has got months on me."

"Aye & he is happy & she has been happy."

"Aye."

"Doona be hurtin' the lass, Duncan. It will fash me greatly."

"I doona wish to hurt her, Angus. Honestly."

Angus looked at his friend a moment, then nodded & they walked down the corridor together.

*

"Crap! I
knew
this would happen." Sonya couldn't help it, she picked up her boot & threw it across the room. "Damn it, why did he have to come back here? Why couldn't he have left well enough alone? Why? Why can't I just get this feeling out?" She flung the other boot letting out a frustrated holler. Unable to stay in the room that suddenly seemed so confining she ran out, barefoot down the stairs. She ran as hard as she could to the crest of the loch. She looked out, breathing hard out & then ran down the bank straight into the loch. It was freezing & it stole her breath from her. She lay back & floated taking in deep, painful breaths. When she calmed her breathing she waded back out. Sitting on the bank Sonya rested her head on her arms & cried.

Sonya felt like she had two families & she was being torn apart. Getting up she walked back towards the gardens, shivering. Anne stood at the end of the garden. She wrapped her plaid around Sonya's shoulders & pulled her to her in a hug. She didn't say a word until they walked into Sonya's room where a steaming bath awaited her. Sonya smiled though it hurt her reddened, stinging face. Anne always had everything under control.

Getting into the awaiting tub, Sonya let out a sigh. Anne sat in the chair by the fire, gazing into it. Sonya looked over at her, sitting there so regally. She would have made a wonderful queen. She reminded Sonya of everything she had heard about Queen Victoria, another strong woman.

"Well, Sonya, what will ye do now?"

"Do? What do you mean?"

"Well, ye canna stay hiding in yer room, deary. Ye can'na make the decision without the parts playing out."

Sonya looked at Anne & Anne laughed. "Ah, lass, doona look at me like that. I too wed a man, but it was'na a man I learned to love in time. Nay, I fell for him the moment I gazed at him, across a gathering of people at a festival."

"Really?"

"Aye, really. My husband, Connor, told me that I was his true mate & he knew it the moment he saw me. Then when we touched, he said he knew for sure." Anne looked over at Sonya.

Oh my God! She
knew
. She understood.

"Let it play out. They are both good men & we both know it."

"Aye, that we do," Sonya replied.

"Ye will be a proper Highland lass yet!" Anne beamed.

"But Rowan, Anne. I
do
care for him."

"Aye, deary, but is this what ye
really
want?" she asked opening her hands.

"I don't know. I just don't know."

"I think ye may, lassie, but ye will figure it out." Anne stood. "And my Rowan is a strong man. He will be alright."

Sonya smiled. "I know."

"Well, deary, get ye warmed up & come down to sup," Anne smiled with that shimmer in her eyes.

"Anne?"

"Aye, Sonya?"

"Thank you."

Anne smiled & closed the door behind her.

*

So this is how he wanted it. He wanted to play games. Fine, she could play this game. As Sonya dressed she looked into the mirror. She tightened her corset tighter than usual, pushing her breasts together & up as much as she could without them falling out! Her chemise, which normally fell to her feet, was pulled up & pinned about two feet shorter. Yup, safety pins! She had on the Amethyst Duncan had given her & fastened the brooch from Rowan just below her breasts at the top of the ties.
That
should be noticeable.
Shaking her head upside down she put part of her hair up in the back, tying it with a ribbon. On each side of her face she placed a small braid, tying it with the copper rings they used. Sonya dug out the eyeliner she hadn't worn in months & put brown eye shadow on. It made her ice, blue eyes stand out. Lip stick on, she was ready.

Sonya closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath. She could do this. It seemed louder than usual in the hall tonight & she frowned as she rounded the corner. Her first clue that something was aims was the royal announcer. Oh, no! What was going on? The man's eyes along with the young boys' opening the doors opened wider & their mouths gapped. Sonya grinned. She took that as a good thing! Whatever was going on tonight, this was not the night to back out & be coy. She nodded her readiness.

"My Lady, Sonya MacLeod," he announced to the room.

She entered to some gasps from some of the women & a great many stares. She was pleased to note just how many men grinned & several woman just shook their head. It was the first time she saw Angus' smile fade & his eyes grow so large that she wanted to laugh. Next to Angus Anne patted her son's hand & chuckled.

"Ma?" he said in a strangled voice.

"Aye lad. He started it. Now close your mouth."

Angus looked at Anne & then at Duncan who audibly clicked his mouth shut. As Sonya stepped before the dais she curtsied, being
very
aware not to go too far!

"Your Majesty. It would seem we are having a special occasion." Sonya could hear the whispers behind her. She still wanted to laugh & resisted just by smiling.

Angus cleared his voice. "Aye, lass, Mary is visiting." Sonya looked at Mary who was sitting to the side of Angus.

"My Lady," Sonya inclined her head. Mary inclined her head back & smiled, looking amused, but Sonya wasn't sure who she was amused with. Her or Angus. Sonya stepped up on the dais & as she passed Angus she whispered, "Thanks for the warning!" Angus chuckled & Duncan stood, tripping over the chair leg. Oh my God! Sonya thought she may burst if she couldn't laugh soon, but she probably couldn't with her corset that tight anyways! She glanced away & Duncan righted his misstep as he looked Sonya up & down.

Angus grabbed her hand before she got to her chair & whispered, "So we have declared war then lass?"

"Aye," she replied firmly.

Angus grinned. "It serves him right!" he replied.

Now she finally had her chance to laugh & she did so, loudly as she took her seat. Duncan retook his seat next to Mary, but didn't take his eyes off of Sonya. She lifted her spoon & glanced him.

"Duncan?" Angus asked.

"Aye," he said in a deeply guttural voice.

"Are ye alright, lad?"

He cleared his throat. "Aye. I am well."

Angus couldn't hide his amusement, but Duncan wasn't paying him any mind. Sonya had looked away & started to eat her meal. Duncan couldn't have told you what he ate if he tried. The only thing he focused on was Sonya, who didn't seem to be paying him any attention at all!

After the meal was cleared & Angus took Mary to the floor, Anne asked Duncan if he would be so kind as to accompany her. He did, glancing at Sonya several times to which she just turned away, as if something much more important was taking up her attentions. Sonya wondered how on earth she was to bounce around with her chest like it was!
Ye brought it on yerself, Sonya
, she told herself.

It didn't take long before a young man came to ask Sonya to dance. As they glided around the room & she laughed & enjoyed herself she saw Anne's smile. Angus would chuckle & Duncan went from surprise to outright scowl. Sonya couldn't believe how the time flew by & she was dancing with so many people! Some she had come to know during her stay & others just curious about the lass from over the ocean that was at court.

Each time Duncan started Sonya's way another took her hand. At the sign of slow music she would excuse herself to the garderobe. Finally, Angus caught her at one of these times, with another scowl from Duncan.

"Well, lass, I am not sure what to make of ye some times," Angus said, smiling.

"To tell you the truth, neither do I." After a bit Sonya asked, "Angus, do
you
believe what they say about finding your true mate?"

"Aye, I do. Do ye?"

"I have had such a wonderful time here. Rowan has shown me such a wonderful time. He is a
good
man."

"Aye, lass, I do know this, but I think I have ye to thank for some of that."

"Me?"

"Aye, lass. He has finally started to grow up."

Sonya smiled.

What on earth possessed the woman to dress that way?
Duncan was furious & captivated & he was struggling to reconcile the two. Never had he seen her look like this & he had longed for her
before
. When she had presented herself to Angus his brows rose wonderingly at her breasts which barely seemed to be contained by her bodice. He saw the pendant she still wore with the Amethyst he had given her, around her neck.. It hung high around her pale throat. A throat he so wanted to touch & kiss. Duncan looked down at that Celtic cross just above her breasts & then he saw it. The brooch Rowan had gifted her the night before he left, just below her breasts. That was when Duncan had stumbled over the chair as he tried to stand. Idiot!
Am I alright
indeed!
So, I was looking at her, how could one not?
Duncan turned to eat food that he never tasted & then Anne asked him for a dance.

"She is quite a young woman, Duncan," Anne told him.

"Aye, well, she is stubborn & hardheaded, and…"

"Aye & those are great qualities in a lass who will be married to a prince," Anne had smiled innocently.

Duncan made no reply, but Anne swore she heard him growl as yet another man went up to speak to Sonya. Anne smiled with admiration as Sonya laughed & never looked Duncan's way once.
A MacPherson she be!

"Angus," Duncan hissed as Sonya danced again. "I can'na get a word with the lass."

Angus opened his hands & said, "Well, lad, she has hardly stood still all night. Even I was hard pressed to get a dance with the lass. You know, it is nice to know that Rowan has broken her out of her shell, teaching her to dance."