Portals Of Time (5 page)

“Be vigilant of your words, my lady. Ye should say that ye have
heard
of such things...nae read.”

Red-faced
, she nodded. Luckily, there had been no one present at her outburst. She must be more careful. Arianna sighed as she rose from the warm bed to go to her bath.

Lucian eyed her lithe body appreciatively, watching her stroll across the room. His cock hardened with need but he fought it back down.
Twas too soon to assault her again.

“I will send Agnes ta attend ye, Anna. Do nae dawdle. Your father will arrive this day. He will be anxious ta see ye.”

She glanced up...stunned!

“My father?” Her father was alive?

Dugal MacGregor was a bear of a man. Arianna’s mouth gaped open as he swaggered into the great hall covered in more weapons than clothing. He reminded her of a
well-armed tank
. Half-way across the room he stopped short and stared
back
at her.

Vivid blue eyes matching her own peered intently at her face and then her tattoo.

“Saints be praised!
Me daughter has been returned ta me!” His eyes misted as he approached her cautiously. “Do ye remember me, lass?”

She shook her head. How could she? Someone had spirited her away when she was only two.

“H-how can you be so certain that I am your daughter?”

“Ach! Sweet bairn...ye look at me with your maither’s beautiful face...and me own eyes. Ye could be nae other.”

She turned to Lucian
, wide-eyed. “I always thought I was orphaned! It’s strange to find out that I have a family...a father.” Arianna beamed at him and turned back to Dugal. “And my mother...?”

His face fell.

“She died three years after ye went missing, lass. After she had given up hope of ever finding ye. Twas a broken heart that claimed her...naught more.”

“Oh. I’m sorry I brought up a sad memory.”

“I have had time ta deal with her loss...do nae fash yourself, lassie.” He turned to Lucian.
“I am in your debt, m
e
lord. Ye have brought me great joy this day!”

“Thanks are nae necessary but an apology is owing.” He gave Dugal a curt nod as he continued. “I came across her at m
e
seer’s bidding and since me faither nae longer draws
breath, tis m
e
place ta apologize ta ye for doubting your word.”

“Ye did nae cast doubt on m
e
honor,
Lucian Dunbar, but I thank ye for the words just the same.” They clasped arms in new found friendship.

They sat at the table together as food and drink were served by the clanswomen. Arianna’s stomach rumbled as she watched her husband fill up their trencher with assorted items...most of which she didn’t recognize. She would have fed herself but she knew that it was the husband’s place to feed her.
Besides, he knew what it was that he placed in her mouth.

Dougal watched the young couple avidly, drinking in the sight of his daughter.
She has fared well...wherever she has been.
His throat tightened with emotion.

“Tell me, Lucian, do ye still wish ta honor the contract?”

The Earl was
surprised
.

“Did nae the runner tell ye?”

“Nae. He said ta come at once. That ye had found me daughter, tis all.”

He grinned. “
Well then l
et me introduce ta ye
the new Countess of Dunbar. We wed yester morn.”

Dougal was a bit
disconcerted
that they did not wait for his presence, but as Lucian retold the circumstances, he understood the why of it.
He nodded in agreement.

“Aye, twas best ta make haste if Malcolm was sniffing about.”

“That was m
e
thinking as well.”

Arianna
grew
restless sitting there as they talked
and wanted to check on Shalizar. He was in a strange place surrounded by people he didn’t know. She worried about him.

Not knowing the appropriate way to interrupt...she tugged on his sleeve. His attention swung around to her but he didn’t look angry...just annoyed.

“Yes wife?”

She took a deep breath then mentally laughed at herself. She had no reason to fear him. He wasn’t the bad guy in her nightmares, after all.

“I was wondering if you would excuse me while you two chat? I want to check on Shalizar. He’s used to me caring for him daily. I don’t want him upset.”

He considered her request then gave a curt nod.

“Very well. But do nae leave the castle walls, Anna. Tis much danger that ye be nae aware of yet.”

She flashed him a quick smile as she hugged him. He caught her to him and gave her a possessive kiss before releasing her. “Mind your tongue, lass.”

Nodding, she hurried out, anxious to reunite with her horse.

Dugal watched as she left the chamber.

“Is all well with her, Lucian?”

He cringed inwardly. He knew that MacGregor needed to know the facts of her life but he dreaded speaking the words aloud. Frowning, he turned to Dugal.

“Walk with me
...and I will tell ye what I ken.”

Humming softly to herself, Arianna hurried towa
rd the stable. A warm breeze ca
ressed her skin carrying the scent of honeysuckle in various tones. She could hear a
n
assortment
of birdsong drifting along with it. One particular bird sounded like it was whinneying...whinneying? Shrieking was
more like it, she thought as she
picked up her skirts and ran to the stables.

As her eyes adjusted to the dim light within
,
her ire rose. There was a man attempting to mount Shalizar! She stomped up to the offender in a fury!

“What in the hell do you think your doing to my horse?”

She took a step back when the man swung around to face her, gasping as she felt recognition surge through her. Arianna knew this man...feared him. He was in her dream
just
last evening.

“How dare ye speak ta me in that manner wench!” He drew back his arm to strike her but never got the chance. The man bellowed as Shalizar sunk his teeth into his arm.
He swung his other
fist
at the Arab’s muzzle but he released him in time to avoid the blow.

Arianna forgot her fear as rage filled her pores!
How dare he try to hurt Shalizar!
Infuriated, she picked up the nearest bucket and repeatedly beat him in the head with it while Shalizar stood back laughing at him...at least that’s how he appeared as he bared his teeth and curled his lips.

An arm of steel wrapped about her waist and lifted her from the ground. She swung the pail without thought as she kicked his shin. Her steed rea
red up in a threatening gesture, his hooves thrashing the air.

“Hold wife! What goes on here?”

Lowering the bucket, she slowly turned her head to see who held her...and cringed.

“I didn’t hear you come in, Lucian. Sorry that I hit you...and kicked you.”

“Twas naught.” He replied through gritted teeth. His head was throbbing and he was sure that his shin had been
bruised. She was stronger than she appeared. “Now answer me.”

“This
man
was trying to steal Shalizar!”

The man rose from the stable floor wiping blood from his face. “The bloody beast bit me!”

“Only because you tried to hit me!
And then you tried to hurt him as well!” She turned accusing eyes on him. “Did you think that I didn’t notice the knife you held when you turned on him? I’ll be damned if I’m going to stand back and let you butcher my horse! My best friend!”

Tears began to fall as the shock of the assault seeped into her. Lucian hugged her trembling body tightly to him as he considered their tale. His green eyes narrowed on
a
glint of metal in the straw
.
Arianna spoke true.

Lucian’s powerful body stiffened in anger as he glared at the man...deciding his fate.

“Who are ye? I do nae recall your face around here. Why were ye trying ta take her steed?”

Dark eyes challenged him as he met his stare. “Me name is Angus MacGregor. I rode in with me faither. As for the nag...I admired him and thought ta ride him...naught more!” He spit blood from his mouth, feeling a tooth shift. “Damn wench! Ye loosened a tooth!”

“Hold your tongue afore I remove it! Ye will nae speak ta m
e
wife in such manner!” Lucian was at the end of his patience this morn and would like nothing better than to beat some sense into this man.

“Your wife? That means that she is...my...sister. Jesu!”
Their eyes connected
in unison
as realization hit them both.

This pig is my brother? Well ain’t that just dandy! Brother or not...
he still tried to take my horse and I won’t soon forget
that! I suppose I have to be nice to him, too. Hmmmff! Not in my lifetime!

Angus scowled at her as if he had read her mind.

“My apologies...
Sister
. I was nae aware of who ye be. I will take my leave, my lord.” He gave a cursory bow to them both and left.

Arianna hurried into the stall to inspect Shalizar for injuries. Reassuring herself that he was well, she began saddling him.

“What are ye doing, lass?”

She glanced at him.

“I’m saddling my horse...what did you think I was doing?”

“Ye can nae leave the walls...I have told ye this.”

“I know. But surely your castle is large enough
for me to exercise him without leaving it!”

“Aye, tis that.” He arched his dark brow. “Very well. I would go with ye but I have business ta attend. Remember what I said and...avoid your brother for awhile till he cools off.” Lucian’s green eyes sparkled with mirth
as he envisioned her beating Angus.

The si
ght
s in the bailey fascinated her as she wove her mount through an array of villagers going about their daily chores. She had never dreamed that she would ever see
an authentic working castle. When she happened upon the smithy she had to stop and admire his work.

Arianna found him inside pounding out a new blade on his anvil. He didn’t look up as she approached to get a closer look.

“You do nice work.”

He glanced up in surprise. He had thought he was alone.

“Thank ye, mistress.”

“May I?” She asked, indicating the unfinished sword.

His brow arched in question but he nodded agreement.
“Tis verra heavy, m’lady. Be cautious with it.”

Picking up the sword, she agreed with his assessment.
It must weigh at least twenty pounds...maybe more. If Lucian’s is this heavy then he must tire quickly in battle. Well, that just won’t do!
Handing the weapon back to him, she thanked him.

“What is your name?”

“I be Fergus Dunbar, m’lady.”

She peered at his face as beads of sweat ran down his cheeks, disappearing into a thick red beard. His brown eyes held a kindness in them
that she was certain she could trust. Reaching a decision she called to Shalizar, beckoning him to enter the lean-to.

“Who do you make this sword for, Fergus?”

“Nae one, m’lady. It will be sent ta the armory when tis finished.”

Arianna smiled. “Good! Then it is available to me. I want to show you something then you can tell me if it will work.” Walking to her steed she lifted his hoof pointing to the shoe. “Can you mix this metal with the iron in the sword
?”