A Journey Out of Time (22 page)

"He was a bit delayed."

"Well, this wasn't exactly how I figured things would go."

"With Duncan I don't doubt it. Will we be having a wedding then?"

Sonya's smile left no doubt. Angus clapped his hands together.

"But not just now. I have an idea."

"Och, I am worried now."

"Hey!"

Angus was laughing when Anne walked in followed by…Brenna? Sonya spun around as she heard the chuckle she knew well. Duncan was leaning on the wall inside the other door, smiling. Sonya put her hands on her hips. "You could have told me!"

"Aye, but I've been a wee bit busy." Sonya turned red & walked over to Duncan. "Really, lass, it totally slipped my mind," he shrugged.

"Yeah, I bet. You had to have sent word for her days ago."

"Aye. Well, a man has to do all he can when the woman he wants is to wed a prince."

Sonya raised her brows. So, he
had
been scheming. Had a little plan of his own to disrupt Rowan's courtship, when he returned home. All she could do was feel pleased. After all he just said
the woman he wants
. She leaned up & kissed him. Then a voice she longed to hear yelled out, "Och, good!"

Sonya
turned, a huge smile on her face. "Ewan!" He ran over to her & she picked him up. "I am so glad to see you!"

"I have missed ye Sonya! I have letters for ye from everyone as well!"

"Wonderful!" Sonya set him down & he ran to Duncan, giving him a tight hug.

"Why did ye send for us da?"

"Because we missed ye so much," Duncan smiled, winking at Sonya. Ewan hugged his dad again, then squirmed to get down. He ran over to Angus & performed a perfect bow before Angus ruffled his hair & hugged him. He greeted Anne & Mary also giving them the perfect bow & a kiss on their hand. Sonya looked at Duncan who grinned, watching his son.

Anne put out her arms, "Brenna, come here, deary & give me a proper greeting!"

Brenna smiled & went over to hug Anne.

"She was raised here," Duncan told Sonya quietly.

"Oh aren't we a great one for secrets!"

He chuckled. "We all grew up together."

Sonya rolled her eyes. Men! Full of information until you
want
to know something! Duncan took her hand & led her outside.

"So, do you want to tell me about
your
plan, then?"

"I doona have a plan, lass."

"Yes, but you know something you aren't telling me."

"Sonya!"

Sonya turned her head to see Rowan striding towards her, grinning. "Rowan, you're back!"
Sonya
hurried toward him. As she reached him he took her in his arms, bending her back & kissing her quite thoroughly! Duncan's eyebrows rose.

"Some things doona ever change," came a voice full of scorn that broke the moment. Brenna scowled towards Ewan. Sonya feared Rowan had forgotten he held her at all & held onto his shoulders so he wouldn't drop her!

"Brenna," Rowan said flatly. "What are ye doing here?"

"I accompanied Ewan. I was hoping when Angus said ye were delayed, I would be lucky enough
not
to see ye. Apparently luck is not in the wind."

Rowan swung Sonya back up, walking towards Brenna.
Holy crap! She not only didn't like him, she despised him!

"Lucky for me, yer opinion is of no matter, lass."

Oh, yeah,
this
was going well.

"Have ye congratulated my future wife, Brenna?"

"Wife?" Brenna looked from Rowan to Sonya & then Duncan.

"Aye," he said motioning his arm toward Sonya.

Sonya watched the pair. Not exactly the time to tell Rowan she wasn't marrying him….

"Congratulations, My Lady," Brenna said curtsying. "I am glad
someone
has curbed him! I guess even the brattiest of children have to grow up
some
time."

Sonya stifled a laughed & Rowan made a face at her. They
were
like siblings!

"So, ye see, ye have misjudged me as ye always have."

"My apologies, Your Highness." Brenna curtsied low.

"Accepted." Rowan spun on his heel.

Sonya glanced over at Brenna who had her fists clenched at her sides.
She & Rowan needed to have a little talk,
now.
But before she said anything Duncan put his hand on her arm & whispered, "Perhaps ye should wait, lass."

"Are you crazy?"

"Nay lass. If Brenna sees the changes in Rowan, maybe she will be less harsh. She will'na see them without yer help." Sonya closed her eyes a moment. She was pretty sure she was going to get a headache soon.

"Great," she whispered back, "I suggest you tell everyone else then!"

As Rowan reached them, he took Sonya's hand & greeted Duncan. Sonya looked over & watched Brenna storming off. She really must feel something for Rowan even after all this time. If she didn't, she wouldn't so be angry.

"Rowan, I am so glad you are back."

"Aye, me too. Have ye missed me?"

Sonya didn't dare even look at Duncan. "Of course I did. Duncan isn't a big enough challenge for my practice sessions." She heard Duncan's chuckle, but kept her face passive.

"Well, then lass, perhaps we should have a round."

"I would like that."

Rowan & Sonya walked off toward the entrance. She glanced back at Duncan making a face at him. This could turn into a big disaster! She saw him chuckle & she rolled her eyes.

"Oh, I forgot something back in the garden's, Rowan. Go ahead & I will meet you in a bit."

"Aye, but doona keep me waiting!" He smacked her on the butt & Sonya let out a surprised gasp. Rowan laughed. He had never done that before! Oh this was going to be
so
much fun.

Duncan took a seat in the gardens. He wondered how Sonya faced her roll as match maker now & he chuckled.

"I canna see much to be jovial about," Brenna said, appearing before Duncan."

Hearing her, Sonya stopped just before she rounded the corner. She had hoped to see Duncan on his own for a moment & was surprised to hear Brenna's raised voice.

"Why is that Brenna?" Duncan asked.

"I doona understand ye. When ye returned without Sonya ye were nay the same. Ye let Adair run Ronin."

"That is his purpose."

"Ye, ken that is'na the point at all! Ye rode that poor horse day & night so hard I thought one of ye would end up dead! Even Ewan worried about ye. Adair worried!"

"Well, as ye can see, I am fine."

"Nay, something is amiss. I though when ye came back here it was to bring her home again. It had been the first time in months ye seemed almost like yerself again. I doona understand any of this, Duncan."

Duncan stood, concern apparent as he looked at Brenna. "Are ye angry about my not bringing her home or that Rowan has asked her to marry?"

"Of course I am angry he has asked her, if ye are going to go back the way ye were!"

"Perhaps, Brenna
ye should let go of childish memories. Like ye, lass, Rowan is nay a bairn."

"Perhaps that is so," she said, calmer. "But the fact remains, Duncan, ye were a miserable mess when ye left Sonya here. Ye paced the wall & barely slept."

"Doona worry over me, Brenna. I have'na said that I have
given up
on the lass yet, have I?" Brenna raised a brow. "But, I want ye to think on this. If ye are so certain that Rowan is the same as the lad who teased ye when we were bairn, why don't ye get to know him as if ye had never met him before & find out. Remember, Sonya has been living here, in his home, for some time.
She
is very aware of what he is like. Do ye think the lass would marry him if he was so bad?"

"I shall think on what ye have said, Duncan."

"Good." He took Brenna's arm & headed toward the entrance. "Now, how about we go see the lass practice her sword on Rowan?"

Brenna grinned. "I hope she kicks his arse!"

Duncan laughed.

Sonya came out from behind the bushes, her eyes glistening with unshed tears. Duncan
had been as miserable as she had been. What a pair they were! Stubborn & foolish. She hurried back to her room to change her clothes for practice. Perhaps she could give Brenna her wish & kick Rowan's arse!

*

Rowan laughed hardily at whatever Sonya said to him, but as she took her stance, her smiled was gone. Rowan's eyes glittered green & Sonya wondered if Brenna had really ever looked into his eyes. Somehow, she had to convince her to look there. Sonya focused & became oblivious to their increasing audience until sweaty & tired, she put her sword down. She was pleased with how well she had done & Rowan kissed her on the side of the head. As he went over to talk to Duncan, Ewan ran up & hugged her.

"So, what do you think, Ewan? How am I doing?"

"That was great, Sonya!"

"Why thank you!"

Brenna stood behind Ewan & smiled genially. "That was quite a match, My Lady."

"Thank you, Brenna. Do you know how to use a sword?" she asked as she put her blade away.

"As a child we play fought, but I haven't since."

With her back turned Sonya said, "You should have Rowan show you. He is a good teacher & then you & I could practice without all these men around." As Sonya turned back, she smiled.

"I doona know. Rowan…"

"Oh, that is no problem. Besides, I think a lady should know how to protect herself, don't you?" Sonya put on her most serious face & called out, "Rowan?"

"Aye lass?" He walked towards them & Sonya said, "Brenna would like you to teach her to use the sword as well."

Rowan looked amused. "Is that so? Ye want to learn Brenna?"

Brenna nervously replied, "I…uh…aye, I would like to learn." She looked at Sonya who smiled encouragingly.

"And who better to teach her than you? She hasn't tried it since she was a child."

Rowan looked at Sonya & smiled. "If that is what she wishes. I will be here tomorrow morning & we will begin."

"Oh, that is great!" Sonya said with enthusiasm. She looked at a grinning Ewan & ruffled his hair, winking. Turning towards the door she thought,
Score one for me!

Answering the knock at the door was preferable to thinking of a dinner of pretense & possible squabbles or mess ups by her. Sonya just did not wish to go down.

"Duncan!"

He quickly entered the door & shut it. "You shouldn't be here if we are doing this pretense. Which, by the way, I really dislike you for." Sonya went to the mirror & started untying her hair.

"Me? It was nay my idea, lass, but yer own."

"Oh yeah, with a whole lot of information left out." She looked over at him,
leaning against the door. He had the most mischievous grin as he folded his arms.

"Oh, Duncan!" She hurried over to him kissing him & he hugged her to him.

"I want to throw you on that bed, lass &…"

"Oh, please don't say it! I don't think I can handle it."