A Journey Out of Time (20 page)

"Rowan?
Rowan
taught her to dance?"

"Well, his
wife
will need to know many things."

"Aye," Duncan said absently & Angus grinned to Mary. "Perhaps Duncan, ye should try harder." Angus gave Duncan a concentrated look & Duncan looked annoyed.

"Hmph."

Sonya couldn't have been more exhausted & was certain she would have more sore spots than after a practice session with Rowan! All of the dancing amazed her. She wondered if Anne could have somehow had something to do with it. But how could she? Sonya was determined to spend as much time as she could close to Duncan, yet just out of his reach. It was a dangerous gamble she was taking. She knew he could leave again, but if he did, then she would be certain and could make the right decision. To marry Rowan. If he didn't leave, then this time he had to prove to her how he felt.

*

Sonya knew there was no way she would be able to sleep. There was way too much going on in the castle & she thought maybe she understood why Duncan preferred his home more quiet. Wrapping her cloak around her shoulders, she made her way back down the stairs & down the outside corridor which lead out to the courtyard. She strolled down the path, not in any hurry & not knowing where she would end up, just roaming.

Sonya didn't know that Duncan was watching her out of his own window. His chest seemed tight & he inhaled deeply as he leaned on the window frame. She stopped by a rose bush & as she leaned over, the moonlight glinted off of her pale skin. She stood up & smiled as she inhaled the scent of the red rose. She had such a lovely smile. She also had a nice temper! Duncan chuckled. Sonya continued to walk down the path, her back to him. He watched as her hips swayed. Those perfect hips. They would be perfect to hold with his hands as she rode atop him. Duncan clenched his fist, hitting the stones. He moved away from the window.

Just as suddenly as Sonya was at peace in the garden of flowers & greenery, it all dissolved as she rounded a corner. She suddenly gasped & turned quickly around, embarrassed.

"Oh, Your Majesty, I…I am so sorry! Please, excuse me," she quickly began walking back up the path she had traveled down. She heard Angus & Mary's laughter.

"Sonya, lass! Stop, please, doona go." They came running up behind her, hand in hand. Mary of Monath truly was a beautiful woman. She had a very lovely, kind laugh. Her face didn't just laugh, but her eyes did as well; they shimmered. She was a very happy woman. The perfect fit for Angus, the happiest man Sonya had ever met! She could clearly see the stars in Mary's eyes as well. You couldn't miss the pride in Angus' tone when he spoke of her.

"Ye mustn't be embarrassed, Sonya. His Majesty sometimes forgets where he is!" Mary said. To top off her beauty, she had a beautiful voice as well! Sonya bet to hear her sing would be like hearing an angel.

Angus laughed. "I have just asked Lady Mary to be my wife! Yer the first to know."

"Second," Mary chimed.

"Second," he smiled, kissing her on the side of her head. Mary always seemed to be smiling.

"Oh, that is wonderful news, Your Majesty, Milady. I am just sorry that I…interrupted you."

"That is of no consequence. Mary, my dear, I need a word with Sonya, if I may?" he kissed her hand.

"We will talk again, Sonya."

"I would very much like that, Lady Mary." Mary smiled at Angus, squeezing his hand. As she walked by she touched Sonya's arm & smiled.

"What do ye think of her?" he asked loud enough for her to hear.

"You know I think she is very nice. She is very beautiful too, Your Majesty."

"Aye, she is a bonny lass." he smiled broadly, looking after Mary. Angus began walking along the path & Sonya fell in next to him. "So, when do ye plan on returning to Ronin castle?"

"Return?"

"My dear, lass, yer blood is of MacPherson, aye, but yer heart is with the MacLeod's. Perhaps one MacLeod in particular? As I have said before, we are but one clan, lass, ye may return any time."

"Rowan."

"Ah, aye. My brother has grown on ye, I know, but that isn't always the best reason to marry."

"He will make someone a wonderful husband."

"I believe he will, one day."

"You do not hate me then?"

"Oh, Sonya, how could I? Rowan will not think less of ye either if that is what fashes ye. He will respect yer decision. Our women have often been the ones to make decisions. As we have said, they are strong."

Sonya smiled & suddenly hugged him. Angus gave her a squeeze & pat her on the back. "I will come again soon, Your Majesty?"

"Aye, child, aye. We would love it, as ye know. However, ye must promise me one thing."

"Yes?"

"Ye must bring Duncan with ye."

Sonya smiled, "I will certainly try!"

Angus chuckled. "Well, ye had better be off to bed!"

She kissed him on the cheek. "Thank you, Your Majesty!" she said, hurriedly curtsying. She practically ran to her room & Angus laughed behind her. Sonya couldn't help but think that people should be more like him. What a world it would be!

"Ye can come out now, Duncan."

Duncan stepped out from behind a tall, dark hedge. "How do ye do that?"

"Must have been all those years chasing the deer through the brush." They both laughed.

"And Sonya hates how quiet
I
am. She would nay get away with her sneaking about with ye."

Angus slapped Duncan on the shoulder & they continued walking towards the castle. "Ye know the lass is in love with ye, doona ye?"

Duncan stopped & looked at his friend as if he had lost his mind.

"Well, she is. Isn't that why ye were lurking behind the bushes?"

"I was'na lurking,
Sire
."

Angus laughed. "Well, the lass is coming home with ye, so ye doona have'ta worry, lad."

"I was nay worried I assure ye."

"I see," Angus said sardonically.

Duncan looked at him. "What?"

"I doona suppose ye are in love with the lassie? A soul knows. Like with Mary & I. I knew the moment I set eyes on her & she has told me she knew the same."

"Ah. So, ye asked Mary then?"

"Aye. I must have told Sonya before ye started
lurking,
" Angus chuckled.

"I was nay lurking!"

"Nay, not at all. Ye still did'na answer my question. Are ye in love with the lassie or was it just too much for ye to let Rowan have her?
Rowan told me about the little dip in the loch betwixt ye.”

“Did he now. Aye, he was trying to make an impression.”

“So I gather. That is Rowan for ye.”

“Aye,” Duncan said in an annoyed tone. Angus smiled again.

After a bit of silence Angus said, "There are times Duncan lad, when ye meet the perfect mate. There is naught ye can do about it. It is different than choosing someone to marry. Anyone can do that, like Rowan, like ye & Aaralyn, but a true mate is for life & beyond that. If ye are lucky enough to find it, ye would be a
fool
to let it go."

Duncan recalled the vivid thoughts & dreams he had of making Sonya's body one with his. His need to feel her beneath him. His longing to kiss her & feel her tongue with his. He had had a burning desire to enter her, making her his. It was true, he had never felt that power surge through him before at a mere touch, or the pull that he felt with Sonya, with any other woman before. And the feelings had never subsided even while he was away from her. In fact they seemed to have strengthened.

"What of Brenna?" Angus asked breaking Duncan's thoughts.

"They seem to like each other well enough."

Angus shook his head. "I meant that Brenna has stayed all this time hoping ye would marry her."

"I ken that. I told Brenna long ago that I will'na. She still pines for Rowan. Besides, if I ever wed I would prefer a woman that can hold her own." Angus watched as Duncan unintentionally looked up at Sonya's window.

"Like Sonya?"

Duncan gave Angus an annoyed look as they had entered the castle archway. "Aye, she can hold her own." They stopped in the passage way that split, each of their rooms in the opposite direction. "Good nigh, Angus."

"Good nigh my friend. Good nigh."

Angus went one way & Duncan went the other.

*

Angus & Sonya had been playing chess until she beat him for the third time. He appeared grateful when the messenger came in bearing a couple of messages. Handing one message to Sonya, he took a seat across the room near Duncan, who had been watching them play their game. Duncan was thinking about what Angus had said to him the night before. Sonya
was
the perfect mate for him, as he knew before. No, it hadn't just been about being jealous of Rowan, although he had been. He also knew his foolishness had been in part due to fear. His fear of rejection. Now what?

Angus' voice broke his thoughts, saying in a low voice, "We aren't a little possessive now are we lad?"

Duncan sighed, looking at Angus, who had the irrepressible grin on his face. "What are ye talking about now, Angus?"

"Ah, no
Your Majesty
today?"

"It depends on how much ye fash me." Angus laughed hardily, making Duncan laugh too. Sonya looked over at them & smiled, looking back at the parchment. "So, Angus what are ye talking about now?"

"I was referring to the glare ye were giving as Sonya read the message from Rowan, my friend."

"Glare?"

"Aye,
glare
."

"Well, he is nay settling down with my woman! I'll tell ye that!" Duncan didn't even need to look at Angus to know he was grinning. "Aye!" Duncan raised his voice. "Ye heard me, just fine!"

"Well, it is about time ye admitted it, lad. There is nay a better mate for ye."

"Aye, there is nay," Duncan smiled. "Now, if ye will excuse me, Angus, I have something to attend to."

"Aye, lad, aye," Angus was still grinning from ear to ear.
Finally!
Duncan could be happy. Angus was thrilled.

Well, Duncan had said it & that was that. She was his mate & he would be havin' her.
Now
.

Sonya couldn't believe her ears!
His woman! His
!
I am Duncan's woman! He does care for me!
She couldn't believe it
. How did I get so lucky? This tall, dark haired, muscled, handsome, kind, caring man, said I was his woman!
Sonya wanted to burst inside. She couldn't breathe. The darn threads running up her front were way too tight! Suddenly, Duncan was right there beside her & Sonya felt a thrill run down her neck & he held out his hand.

"Lass, we have something to attend to.
Now
!"

Sonya took his hand feeling the lightening course through her. She could hardly breathe as Duncan pulled her up the stairs & she went hard all the way down! "Duncan?" Sonya queried.

"Aye lass?"

She suddenly could say no more. Duncan slammed open the door to his bedchamber & pulled her in. He shut the door & pushed her up against it, his body hard up against hers. His breathing labored.

"Duncan?" she whispered. Her voice was barely audible to her own ears. Her chest was heaving & she knew it.

"Aye lass," he said in the affirmative. "Aye."