An Enchanted Spring: Mists of Fate - Book Two (22 page)

Emma loved it.

“It’s so wonderful to have another American here!” Brianagh exclaimed. “Oh, you must call me Bri. I’m married to Nioclas, Aidan’s brother. But you probably know that already.”

Emma smiled at the infectious good cheer in her voice. “Well, yes. I’ve gotten the distinct impression that you’re a big part of this family.”

“Pshhh,” she replied with a roll of her eyes. “They all feel this need to coddle me, but everyone forgets that I’m quite independent. I even started my own business back in the States, did they tell you that?”

“Yes. I’m actually going to start doing some PR work for Colin,” Emma replied. “Well, I was. I don’t know how that’s going to work out, me being here…and not there.”

Bri nearly squealed. “Colin! You know him? How is he? Tell me he’s settled down, married. Kids. Something.”

Emma bit her lip. “Not married, no. But his house is magnificent. He bought the adjoining neighbor’s part and renovated it. The library is phenomenal.”

Bri looked at her, interested. “Colin had you in his house?”

“Yes. I stayed there with Aidan and Reilly,” Emma explained. Bri’s eyebrow raised higher. “And Cian, although I barely saw him.”

“He slept outside your room, love,” Aidan called over from where he’d settled on the couch.

Bri’s expression turned speculative at the endearment.

“Your business is thriving,” Emma rushed to inform her. “Colin’s taking it international. It’s why he hired me.”

“So you work for Colin?”

“And me,” Aidan said. “It’s so good to see you, Bri.”

Bri smiled, but it didn’t reach her eyes. “We thought you were dead.”

“Not dead,” he said softly. “Very much alive, some centuries in the future.”

Her gaze swung to Reilly. “In all the times you visited, you never said a word. Not once!”

“You know the rules,” Reilly said solemnly. He stood against the closed door, arms and ankles crossed. He directed his gaze to Nioclas. “I can’t tell you anything that might alter history.”

“And another of the rules is that you only travel when there’s a threat to the MacWilliam/O’Rourke line. So what’s the latest problem?”

Reilly gave a small shake of his head. “We can discuss that later, as it’s not a pressing matter. MacWilliam and Emma weren’t supposed to come.”

“Why did they, then?” Nick asked.

“Emma’s run into a spot of trouble with a particularly deranged ex-betrothed.”

Aidan quickly explained what happened. “…then I decided it best that we go to Colin’s for added protection. Reilly happened to be there, and we all decided to keep Emma under a tight guard.”

“That must’ve been highly annoying,” Brianagh replied, leaning over and giving Emma a sympathetic pat on the knee. “Three incredibly overbearing men ‘protecting’ you? I would’ve killed them, myself.”

“It wasn’t so bad. It all came from a good place.”

“It always does,” Bri agreed. “What did you say you were doing for Celtic Connections?”

“Public relations.”

“Ah. Well, Emma, you’re amongst friends here. No need to spin this into something positive for the sake of saving face. I’ve known Reilly and Colin my whole life. Add in a MacWilliam who’s decided you need his protection…let’s just say I’m impressed you’re not babbling because you’ve lost your mind.”

Emma blinked at her frankness, then burst out laughing. “Wow. You really do have them pinned, don’t you?”

“Like you wouldn’t believe,” Bri concurred.

A knock sounded, and Reilly allowed a line of chambermaids to enter and place trays of food around the room, and Bri added to Emma, “You’ll see that food trumps most anything.”

“Most?” Aidan asked innocently.

“MacWilliam,” Reilly warned, his voice harsh.

To Emma, Bri smirked and patted her pregnant belly. “Reilly can’t handle my married status, even when he’s the one who dropped me in Nioclas’s lap.” Bri blew Reilly a kiss and said to him, “Someday you’ll see that I’m all grown up, Ry. Since that’s not likely to happen today, come eat some food and sit with me. I’ve missed you greatly.”

During breakfast, Emma noted how relaxed Bri made everyone feel. Her warmth radiated from her, stronger even than what Emma experienced at Colin’s home. Reilly adored her, although his were brotherly affections. Aidan conversed easily with her, as though they hadn’t spent years apart, and Nioclas was quiet, watching his wife with something close to worship in his eyes.

The wistful feeling that crept into Emma’s heart was unexpected, and she was stunned to realize it was envy. She’d never seen such a close family before, and she found that, for the first time in a long time, she wanted to feel that kind of connection with others.

Badly.

The three of them brought Bri and Nioclas up to speed as to the events that led them there as they feasted on a breakfast unlike any other Emma had experienced. The fare was delicious—another surprise. From all her research, Emma believed medieval palates were not so sophisticated as to use many flavors. But she tasted a light saffron flavor in her eggs, and wondered at how many other modern marvels Brianagh had incorporated into her medieval life.

When the plates had been cleared, Aidan turned to Nioclas and got down to business. “I’m not sure how long Emma will need to stay.”

Emma froze.
Didn’t you mean
we
?
she wanted to ask, but held her tongue. Maybe that was unintentional.

Unless, of course, Aidan planned to remain in the past.

Sometime between gaping at the great hall, the trek through a very-much-used castle, and sitting across from Nioclas MacWilliam, who definitely had a strong resemblance to his brother, Emma began to accept that perhaps time travel was a possible thing. To start, Nioclas had an air about him that couldn’t possibly be acted; the man was leashed power.

He intimidated the hell out of her.

Everything else was too real to be fake—the fire, which was definitely peat, needed to be stoked every so often, and a chambermaid scurried in to do so. The benches, as she’d already noted, were made from stone, and were cold, though the cushions did help with the chill. Even the parchment on the desk in the corner sat in a slightly haphazard pile, as though someone had recently used the quill in the inkpot for jotting down a letter.

A muffled clang sounded, and Nioclas rolled his eyes. “Monaghan. The man is not graceful.”

“Monaghan?” Aidan asked in surprise. “But his lands are on the other side of the country! What does he want from you?”

“Not me,” Nioclas replied. “My wife.”

“He’s looking for a wife,” Brianagh supplied.

Reilly snorted. “Don’t tell me you’ve made a name for yourself as a matchmaker here as well.”

“She certainly has,” Nioclas responded proudly. “She’s quite sought after. Monaghan is here for his son.”

“It’s kept me busy,” Bri said modestly. “And we haven’t seen war since you left, Aidan. It’s been very peaceful.”

“Even so, Em will need a guard.” Aidan swallowed the last of his breakfast. “We’re going with the noblewoman story.”

Bri nodded. “Good plan.”

• • •

When Emma fell asleep on Aidan’s shoulder, Brianagh took pity on her. “I’ll bring her to her room.”

“She stays with me,” Aidan said firmly, half rising as the women made their way toward the door.

Brianagh stopped suddenly, her mouth open in surprise. “But…you can’t! You’re not married!” She glanced at Emma apologetically. “We’re not prudes, but truly, your ladyship is at stake. If you sleep in the same room as Aidan, your reputation will be shattered.”

“Do I need to worry about a reputation?” Emma asked, raising a brow.

“Oh, very much so,” Nioclas said, stroking his chin. “With the current guests we have, added to a large number of guards looking for their next conquest…”

Emma bit her lip. “Oh.”

“She stays with me,” Aidan repeated forcefully. “No harm comes to Emma.”

“My guard wouldn’t allow such a thing!” Nioclas replied, bristling.

“I don’t think he means to be insulting,” Bri said calmly, holding out a hand. “He wants Lady Emma protected at all costs. Which she will be…in the chamber directly next to yours, Aidan.”

“Is there an adjoining door?” he asked.

“No,” Brianagh replied with a roll of her eyes. “What would be the point of separate chambers, then?”

Emma opened her mouth, but Nioclas opened his at the same time. She snapped hers shut. The man somehow silently commanded deference. She wondered how he obtained such a skill.

“She’ll be safe, Aidan. I vow it,” Nioclas said, leveling his brother with a stare. “No one will touch her inside of the castle, or on castle grounds. We’ll inform the guard together that she’s here under your protection, and also mine. They’ll honor that.”

“I’ll have a chambermaid sleep in her room, and post a guard in the hallway,” Brianagh added. “Our castle is the most secure it’s ever been, and our guards are true.”

Aidan looked undecided.

“Aidan, please. I don’t want to make any waves while I’m here,” Emma broke in. “I’ll be fine.”

He sighed and nodded, and Brianagh ushered Emma out of the solar before he could change his mind.

• • •

A few twists and turns later, Bri pulled the impressive key ring out again and waved toward the door on the right.

“This is your chamber. I’ll have a bath sent up straight away, unless you’d prefer to sleep first?”

“Thank you for being so kind,” Emma replied. She grimaced, thinking of their silent walk to the chamber. “I’m normally much more social than this.”

Bri leaned forward and spoke so low Emma strained to hear her. “Time traveling will do that to a girl. Trust me. Firsthand experience.” She leaned back and said, only slightly louder, “And any amount of time with my family in close quarters couldn’t have been good for your mental state. Sleep, bathe, and eat again. I’ll fetch you later. For now, I’ll send Camille in. She’ll be your personal chambermaid. Her entire purpose will be to serve you—if you’re anything like I was when I first arrived, and I suspect you might be, you’ve never asked anyone for help. Enjoy the attention; there’s something very special about being important enough to a person that they’d willingly give their life for yours.”

“It’s an unfamiliar concept,” Emma admitted.

“Despite popular opinion, men don’t just give the vow of their life for another’s lightly. It’s only given for a close clansman…or love.” Bri waved her into the chamber. “Relax here, Lady Emma. You’re safe under Aidan’s eye.” After she closed the door, Emma heard her give the command to one of the guards who’d been following them to remain outside her door.

Emma surveyed the room. It wasn’t large, but it was stunning. Her inner historian was in a state of awe, and after a moment, she decided to ignore her need for sleep for a bit. She ran her hands over the smooth, cold stone wall, marveling at the castle’s solid construction. She dragged her fingertips against the wood of the door, awed by its durability. She glanced down and noticed the solid wooden beam propped against the wall, and the metal brackets on the door.

A strong, secure bolt.

She turned her attention to the fire grate before her gaze fell onto the bed and her body took over. She kicked off her boots and climbed into the bed, its softness surprising her as she sank into the coverlets. She fell asleep immediately.

• • •

Brianagh slipped back into her solar, where Aidan and Nioclas were having a heated discussion. She sidled up to Reilly, wrapping both her arms around one of his and laying her head on his shoulder.

“I’ve missed you,” she sighed. “Why did you stay away for so long?”

Reilly’s smile was full of tenderness. “Bri, you know the rules.”

“Still. I’m your most favorite cousin…” Her sapphire eyes assessed him. “I wonder, then, if you’re only allowed to travel when the line is in danger, why you’re here now.”

“Trust me. We will discuss it later. Instead, why don’t you tell me about this matchmaking?” Reilly encouraged her. “Monaghan traveled all the way across the island for your services?”

She nodded. “We’re allowing visitors by invitation only. After the first few successes, we had lairds camping outside castle grounds. It became too much, so Nioclas called a council meeting.”

Reilly raised an eyebrow. “And he made it out alive?”

She smacked him on the chest. “Yes. Anyway, at this meeting, most of our allies were in attendance, and he laid out the rules for this operation. Inquiries only to start. Once the case is presented, either by parchment or messenger, we would let them know about a date when they were welcome to come to the castle. Or, in rare cases, we would travel to them. Eligible maidens from the clan, as well as their allied clans, are then invited to attend a ball and a skills tournament.”

“A ball?”

“Yes. A ball. We have great musicians—”

“Och, aye. I remember those ‘great musicians’ well,” Reilly said with an exaggerated wince. She laughed; the last time he’d heard music in the castle was when she was first married, and she convinced Nioclas to obtain entertainment for her first matching. Everyone’s ears had paid the price that night.

“We no longer employ the services of that bard. We have a wonderful trio of musicians and a very pleasant singer. I must warn you, the ball for Monaghan’s son is quite soon. Everyone is arriving tomorrow and the next day.”

“I thought Nioclas didn’t like having anyone know about his prosperous little village?” Reilly replied, looking at the man in question.

“He hates it. But the coin we are given for a successful matching is not insignificant. The success rate has been such that lairds are willing to pay handsomely to see their clansmen happy, and the alliances formed…it’s so much better for both clans if the parties involved in the marriage are willing and eager, instead of
forced into it
.
” She gave him an arch look.

“All I did was return you to your family. I had no part in forcing your marriage…which seemed to work out well,” Reilly said.

She grinned. “It really did. And Kathryne and Kiernan visit once per year; it’s about as much as Nioclas can tolerate, really. But they adore the grandchildren. I’m happy I have them, but I do miss Colin, James, Evelyn, and Connor.”