Chapter 31

31

T he laird and lady greeted him in the solar. They’d wanted these farewells done in privacy so they could talk freely.

“So, this is the night, then?” Robert asked from his chair by the fire. Douglas and Moira had come, leaving Pol with Caitlin.

“From all the signs, ’tis the night,” Moira answered.

“I wish you well on your journey, Douglas,” Anice said. “And I thank you again for the help you’ve given during your stay with us.”

“I’m glad that I could help. I will pass on your message when I see my father. My parents will both be glad to know you are alive and happy.”

Anice looked to Robert and then back at Douglas. “I am that, Douglas. I am that,” she said, placing her hand in her husband’s. His parents would be glad to know there was a happy ending to Anice’s story.

“I ken ye willna want to hear this but I am sorry to see ye go,” Robert said. “I watched ye and Caitlin work on Craig and ken that ye would be good together. Not just for each other, but for the clan as well. Yer skills complement each other’s and would be of such benefit for us in the coming years.”

“Robert, I...” Douglas couldn’t go on. This was much, much harder to do than he’d thought it would be.

“I ken, lad, ye hiv yer own life to return to in yer own time.”

“And no control over the coming and going,” Moira added .

This lack of control was beginning to grate on his nerves. He wanted to scream to the heavens but it would do no good. This was the night.

He had to get out. Now.

“Robert and Anice, thank you again for your hospitality and understanding in this.” He nodded at them and turned to leave.

“I’ll meet ye back at the cottage, Douglas. Make yer way and ready yerself.”

Douglas picked up the satchel that held his clothes and belongings he’d had with him when he arrived here. He would need to change before going to the arch tonight.

Leaving the solar, Douglas made his way through the great hall and out of the castle. A few stops to make and then he would spend his last hours in this time at Caitlin’s side, awake or asleep.

He entered Moira and Pol’s chamber to change into his own clothes. It took a few minutes and he was dressed as he’d arrived—jeans, shirt, leather boots and leather jacket. His hair was much longer but that could be handled easily enough when he got back to his own time.

The jeans felt very restrictive, tight around his waist and thighs. He hadn’t gained weight while here—he’d probably even lost a few pounds—but he’d grown used to the loose-fitting kilt. He gathered his hair and tied it back. He slipped his watch on his wrist and checked it once more. It still didn’t work.

He carried the satchel with his daggers in it and his leather jacket into the main room. Pol looked him up and down and grinned.

“Verra strange clothes ye wear in yer time, Douglas.”

“It feels strange to wear them again. I’ve grown used to the plaid.”

“Can ye move about in them?” Pol pointed at his straight-leg jeans .

“Right now, barely. They will loosen as I wear them longer.”

“Douglas, Caitlin is stirring. Ye might want to spend a few minutes wi’ her afore ye go.”

Douglas was overwhelmed by Pol’s attitude. He had taken the man’s daughter as his lover, without promise of marriage, and the man continued to be his supporter.

“Pol, I don’t understand. Why do you allow this?”

Pol laughed. “Mayhap because I believe that love is stronger than even the Fates? I was a young mon once and loved where I should no’. I understand the pain ye suffer. Now go to her. I hiv to see Ramsey for a bit; I’ll return later.”

Pol turned and, as Douglas stared in disbelief, left the cottage. He was speechless. The blacksmith was really a romantic at heart? So it would seem. He wasted no time going to Caitlin.

Her color was getting better, now ghostly instead of ghastly. He touched her neck to feel her pulse and found it stronger, too. Still erratic, but definitely stronger. She turned her cheek into his hand as he touched it to check for fever. It was then that he noticed her eyes were open and looking at him.

“Douglas,” she whispered. “I thought ye would be gone.”

“But you gave up your own strength anyway and took the chance of not seeing me again, didn’t you, Caitlin?”

Tears filled her eyes.

“No, please don’t cry. I only have a short time before I leave. I wanted to talk.” He crossed his legs and sat down next to her. “Can you sit up?” Taking both of her hands in his, he pulled her up gently to face him. Seeing her eyes begin to get glassy, he held her against him, laying her head on his chest.

“Give it a few minutes—the dizziness will pass. You’ve been laying down for a long time.”

He sat, holding her in his arms, rubbing her back slowly. He would stay like this forever if only the Fates would allow it. Soon she lifted her head and looked at him. They spoke at the same moment.

“Caitlin. ”

“Douglas.”

“Go ahead, Cait. You go first.” The smile on her face, so full of love, nearly broke his heart.

“No matter what happens tonight, I am glad ye came to this time. I’m glad we could love for a while, even if no’ for our whole lives.”

“I feel as if I have loved you for my entire life, Cait. I don’t remember a time when I didn’t have dreams of you. And now that we’ve shared this time together, I know I’ll always dream of you.”

He leaned down and kissed her mouth. She opened to him and tilted her face to meet his mouth more fully. Rubbing their lips together, he tasted her again and again. He would never get enough of this, of her. And the memories would have to last the rest of his life.

Caitlin lifted her mouth from his and opened her eyes. “I will remember yer kisses for the rest of my life, Douglas. They make me feel so verra hot and cold at the same time,” she said, smiling at him once more. “I dinna think that I will ever feel that again.”

“I’m sure that Craig...” The words escaped before he could stop them. Damn! This was really not the time to speak of who would take his place in her life, in her heart, in her bed.

“What haes Craig to do wi’ this?” She eyed him suspiciously.

“I shouldn’t have said anything, Cait.”

“Ye probably should no’ hiv, but now that ye did, tell me the rest.”

Douglas touched her lips quickly before telling her of his conversation with Craig. Her chin was already beginning to edge forward in protest.

“Craig came to see you while you slept. We talked about... many things.”

“Such as?” The chin moved a bit more. He ached to kiss it but this would not be a good time.

“You. Me. The night I arrived in the woods.”

Her mutinous look softened slightly. “So you did know the truth of it. ”

“Aye, I did. Craig and I talked of it while you slept.”

“Tell me your version.” She frowned at his words. “Tell me what happened.”

“I was to go and find some certain herbs for Mam that night. They are ones best harvested in the night and they must be picked in the light of the full moon.”

It was his turn to frown and look confused.

“There are such plants, Douglas. No’ many but a few that Mam and I use. That night was my last chance to get to them since the full moon was beginning to wane and the cooler air would soon damage the fragile leaves.”

He nodded as she spoke. This was interesting. When he got home, he had many topics to research for more information.

“Craig haid been here and wanted to accompany me into the woods. I wanted some small measure of peace and quiet so I made certain that Da heard us outside.”

He laughed. “You are a wicked woman, Cait. Setting your father on the puir, wee lad.” She laughed with him this time.

“Sometimes, I just canna help myself, Douglas. Da’s size and stern looks can frightened even the bravest in the clan. So thinking Craig out of the way, I set off to the place where we grow some of our herbs. I must no’ hiv been watching my steps for I looked around me and realized I was lost.”

“You went alone into the woods at night? Don’t you worry about... well, exactly what happened to you?” This time didn’t have the muggers and higher crime of his own but she must know there was danger.

“Nay, I was on MacKendimen land. I was safe. Well, I thought I was....”

He could tell by the movements of her eyes and the brief look of fear that she was remembering the MacArthurs.

“No, Caitlin,” he said, rubbing her arms. “Don’t think about that part. Tell me when Craig arrived.”

She shook her head and cleared her throat before continuing. “Douglas, if ye haid no’ come at that time...”

“Craig would have acted.” At her frown, he added, “I am certain of it now. ”

“Well, ye came screaming through the trees, throwing yer daggers like a berserker of old. ’Twas a sight to behold.” She reached out and touched his cheek lightly. “Truly.”

“Ye took out the two and approached the other who was holding me.” She paused and swallowed deeply. He took her hands in his and held them. “I didna ken ye, I could no’ see ye well in the shadows as ye approached us. I was so frightened.”

“I know. I couldn’t see your face, either, your hair hung around it. And, from the training I’ve had in handling these kinds of situations, I didn’t want to look at you.”

“Training in what?”

“I’ve worked with the police before, Cait. Oh,” he said at her scowl, “they are like your king’s men—they capture criminals.” She nodded, understanding his explanation. “In an emergency situation—in times of danger—looking at the victim or hostage can make you lose your concentration. So it’s to be avoided once you assess their condition... once you know how they are.”

“’Twas then that I saw Craig, creeping out of the woods from behind ye. He was watching ye and waiting. Then I heard more noises from the forest and kenned that the MacKendimens were coming. Craig hesitated as ye aimed yer dagger and then I screamed when I saw yer face. The last thing I saw afore fainting was Craig’s arm raised behind yer head.”

“Craig said he panicked.”

“’Tis the right of it, Douglas. Craig is more skilled as a lover than a fighter.”

He choked at her words, coughing until his throat cleared. “You know of Craig’s skills as a lover?”

“No’ his skills, just his reputation. Although now, the words of his women make more sense to me. Since ye... since we... hiv...”

“His women?” Douglas asked incredulously.

“Oh, aye. His nights are never spent alone. Suisan seems to be his favorite right now but most of the women who work at the castle hiv shared his bed.”

“He does this while trying to convince you to marry him? Is he a fool?” He didn’t know if he was more baffled by Craig’s behavior or Caitlin’s calm acceptance of it.

“’Tis just the way of it, Douglas. Craig does care for me and would never shame me on purpose as his wife, but ’tis no’ unknown for a husband to hiv lovers.”

“And you would accept this behavior from him?”

“I amna married to him.”

“If you were?”

“I would no’ like it, but could no’ stop him from doing it.”

Maybe he’d have to rethink this—Craig didn’t sound like the person he thought him to be. He didn’t want Caitlin married to someone who would be unfaithful to her for the rest of her life.

“Do all men here, now, behave like that?”

She thought about it before speaking. “No’ all, but surely most.”

“Your father?” She grimaced and shook her head. “Robert?”

“Oh, nay, no’ Da or Robert, of course.”

“Would you know?”

“There is no’ much that remains a secret from the clan. We protect our own but no’ a thing goes unnoticed or unknown by some one or another.”

“So, if you married Craig and he took a lover, ye would know?”

“Aye,” she answered softly. From her quick reply, he knew she’d thought about this before.

“And the clan would know of it?”

“Aye,” she said with a sigh. “The clan would ken. But I amna marrying Craig, so it doesna matter.”

“He still wants to marry you, Cait, after I leave. We talked of it.”

“He is persistent.”

“He would be good to you, Cait. I do get that feeling from him. And your own mother said he will be a good leader when he takes his place as laird. Will you think on it after I’ve gone?”

The reality of his leaving brought back, she sighed and looked at him, sadness etched in her features. “Aye,” she whispered. “I will consider his words.”

“Cait, this is not easy for me, either. I really don’t want to think about you marrying someone else or being with someone else. But, I need to know you’ll be taken care of.”

“The clan will—”

“No, I mean you, as a person. I want to know that someone will be there for you, to care for you, to love you.”

She looked at him with tear-filled eyes and touched his cheek again. “I will think on his offer, Douglas. But yer no’ gone yet....” She draped her hands over his shoulders and, pulling him closer, pressed her breasts against his chest. Lifting her mouth from his, she gave him a quizzical look.

“As we’ve been talking, I’ve been trying to understand the clothes ye wear. What is this?” She rubbed her fingers over his shirt, outlining his tank top underneath.

“This?” he asked pointing to his shirt. She was changing the subject—it was obvious she didn’t want to talk of Craig any longer.

“Nay,” she shook her head and unbuttoned the top three or four buttons of his shirt to get inside. His skin tingled at her touch. She traced the outline of his tank shirt on his neckline and on his chest, tickling the hairs as she moved her finger lightly over it. “This.”

He shivered at her touch. “This is called an undershirt.”

“And do ye always wear it in yer own time?” She continued the maddeningly slow motion of her fingers, over his collarbone and into the hair on his chest just above the line of the shirt.

“I, ah, do wear one most of the time, Cait.”

“Why?” she asked as she leaned over and licked the place where her fingers had just traced.

He forgot what the question was, he forgot that he was leaving, he forgot to breathe. All he could feel and think about was her warm, wet tongue gliding over his skin. She pulled more buttons opened and lowered her head to reach more of his skin.

“Caitlin, yer father...” was all he could force out.

“Is gone and will be gone for a while.” She laughed as she said it and now her warm, moist breath added to the heat building within him.

“Caitlin, you are not well...” he tried again.

“I feel just fine, Douglas. Here,” she said, placing one of his hands on her breast, “does no’ this feel fine to ye?”

Waves of heat now pulsed through him. He was trying to be good—even honorable—since he’d pretty much turned her over to Craig’s care. But his body wasn’t behaving at all. The tightness of the jeans became even tighter as his erection pulsed inside them.

He caressed her breast and was rewarded with a sweet moan. Her mouth stilled on his neck as he stroked her until he could feel the nipple through the thin blouse she wore. His own mouth watered with the need to taste her once more. She arched into his palm again. Sitting as they were, he could not get closer to her. He sat back in spite of her groan when he let go of her.

“Caitlin? Are you sure about this?”

“Oh, aye, Douglas. ’Tis verra certain I am. Please love me once again afore ye leave.”

He stood and pulled her up with him. Her hands moved quickly to open the remaining buttons; when she reached his waist she simply pulled the shirt free of his pants. Then she stood back and gazed at him in his own clothes.

“I could like these, Douglas. Look how this fits yer body.” Her hands moved over his chest and stomach and then over his thighs and legs. Not content with just the front of him, she moved around him, letting her hands lead the way on his body. By the time she stood in front of him again, he was rock-hard and breathing heavily.

“Although the plaid haes its own benefits, these do as well.”

He tried to shift himself within the jeans but it was impossible. Caitlin seemed to know he was uncomfortable and tugged at his belt, opening it and exposing the button and zipper below. She looked to him for guidance. Douglas unbuttoned his jeans and slid the zipper down, freeing his erection .

“More clothes?” she asked, pointing now at the briefs he wore under the jeans. “’Tis normal to wear this many layers of clothes in yer time?” Her eyes sparkled with humor. “I think I prefer our plaid and shirt to all these clothes.”

He stood with his jeans unzipped and shirt unbuttoned and laughed. “Why don’t I take these the rest of the way off?”

Her face took on a hungry look that spurred him to hurry in ridding himself of the recently placed clothes. He leaned back against the wall and tugged off his boots; his pants, briefs, shirt and undershirt followed quickly. Douglas reached for the laces of her blouse but she stopped him.

“Nay, Douglas, just stay for a moment and let me look at ye.”