Chapter 10

Jennifer stirred from her slumber the next morning, her senses gradually returning. She sat up, shivering in the chilly air that crept through the stone walls. Clutching the blanket tightly around her, she rose from the bed and made her way toward the fireplace.

The flickering embers offered only a feeble glow. It was still early, and it looked as though Sally hadn"t been in yet. Jennifer knelt to stoke the fire back to life. She carefully added more logs and kindling, coaxing the flames to dance and grow. Soon, the hearth roared with warmth, casting a comforting light across the room.

As the fire crackled and hissed, Jennifer lost herself in contemplation. She reflected on the peculiar circumstances that had transported her from her modern life in America to this ancient land. Though filled with confusion and uncertainty, this journey through time had been a balm to her grieving heart.

Her thoughts turned to her dad, Lieutenant Dane Nellis, whose passing had left a deep void within her. The pain of his loss had consumed her, threatening to drown her in sorrow. But here, in this strange and distant time, Jen had discovered a renewed purpose, a chance to honor her dad"s memory by embracing the unknown and forging her path.

Gazing out of the frost-kissed window at the mist-covered loch beyond, Jen felt a sense of awe and wonder. The rugged beauty of the Scottish landscape was gorgeous, and she couldn"t help but be captivated by its allure.

With a sigh, Jen tore her gaze from the breathtaking view and turned her attention to the matters at hand. She crossed the room to the wash basin and pitcher, splashing her face with the cool water. The icy sensation jolted her awake, invigorating her senses.

Jennifer performed her morning rituals with a blend of familiarity and self-consciousness, still adjusting to the peculiar customs of living in the seventeenth century.

Just as she finished, a knock at the door shattered the tranquility. Jen"s heart skipped a beat, and her breath caught in her throat. She stood frozen, torn between anticipation and trepidation. She wondered briefly if it was Cam, and with a little excitement in her heart, she started toward the door. Before she could reach it, the door opened to reveal Sally carrying a silver tray.

"Good morning, Miss. I"ve brought you food to break your fast." She smiled and set the tray on the table.

"Thank you so much, Sally, but you don"t have to do that. I could have gone down to the dining hall." Jen moved to the table to see Sally had brought her a big bowl of porridge, some ham, and some fresh bread with butter and honey.

"'Twas no trouble, Miss." Sally smiled. "I was up early this morn practicing the moves you taught me, and thought you might like to have a lay-in."

"How did that go? The practicing, I mean," Jen replied as she took a bite of the porridge.

Sally poured a cup of tea; its aroma was lovely. She handed it to Jen and said, "I think it went well. I"m feelin" confident that I will know what to do when I need to."

Jennifer sipped the tea, its warmth seeping into her bones. "This is lovely, Sally. Thank you."

"You"re welcome, Miss. I will jest leave you to your eating," Sally said, then as she made her way to the door, she paused and looked back. "By the way, Miss, there be a note for you tucked under the bread plate." She grinned cheekily and skipped out the door.

With her appetite sated, Jen"s gaze wandered to the plate, and saw, nestled beneath it, the folded note. Her heart quickened with anticipation as she unfolded the parchment and read the elegant script within. It was an invitation from Cam to join him for supper and drinks with his closest kinsmen in his private office chambers. A spark of excitement danced in her heart at the thought. She was honored that he"d thought to include her.

She spent the day on her own, exploring the fort, and then in the afternoon, returned to her chambers to relax before getting ready for the evening meal. The air was thick with anticipation as Jen dressed for dinner. Cam"s invitation to join him and his closest kinsmen: his brothers—Jamie, Errol, and Murdock—for supper and drink filled her with excitement and nervousness. The prospect of sharing a moment of camaraderie with the guardsmen, especially Cam, promised to unveil new layers of their budding connection.

As the sun descended below the horizon, casting a warm glow across the Scottish highlands, Jen made her way to the gathering in his private office chambers. The room resonated with the sounds of laughter, clinking tankards, and the melodies of a lively fiddle.

Cam"s eyes lit up as he opened the door to her standing there, a broad smile growing on his face. He guided her to a seat among his kinsmen, ensuring she was welcomed into their midst. The men, a mix of rugged charm and rugged features, greeted her with nods and friendly gestures.

"Welcome, lass. As you can see, this is my strategy room," Cam said.

The large round table in the middle of the room was different than the tables in the hall. The walls were decorated with various weapons of war. In the corner sat scrolls of parchments and maps.

"This be where we talk of war," one of the guardsmen said.

"I see," she said.

Jen accepted a tankard of ale, her fingers grazing its cool surface. She sipped sparingly, relishing the taste of the rich brew. The conversations flowed around her, filled with tales of battles fought and victories won. She listened, entranced by the melodic accents and the passion that infused every word.

As the night wore on and the mead flowed more freely, inhibitions loosened. Cam"s jovial laughter mingled with the sounds of the revelry, filling Jen"s heart with warmth. She watched him, a twinkle of mischief in her eyes, as he raised his tankard in a toast.

"To Jen, the lass who knocked the ego out of Malcolm!" Cam proclaimed, a wide grin stretching across his face.

The men raised their tankards in unison, echoing their leader"s sentiment.

Jen blushed, pride and humility swelling within her. She had proven her worth, not only as a skilled fighter but as a valuable member of their sept.

She realized that she had been invited into the room as a warrior, like they were, and not as time a traveler or anything else. It made her feel proud. It almost felt as though she had been invited into a new MMA league.

Curiosity burning within her, Jen leaned closer to Cam, her voice laced with genuine interest. "Cam, why is Malcolm such a pain? What drives him to challenge you?"

Cam"s expression softened; his eyes glazed with the effects of the mead. He chuckled, and his response was tinged with fondness. "My cousin Malcolm... has always been ambitious. Before the clan fell, my father was laird as well as chief. After everything that happened, I was voted the new chief. Malcolm wanted the position, but most of the clan knew he wasn"t suited to it. He"s an outlier, a voice that only a few heed."

Jennifer nodded, absorbing his words. "So why are you not a laird as well?"

"The Campbells hold that title now, as they"ve taken over the land ownership. We"ll get it back one day, but for now, we pay our tithe to them so we can continue to work the land and live as proud MacDonalds."

"I see."

As the night wore on, Jen found herself engrossed in the stories shared by the men, their words painting vivid images of battles fought and sacrifices made. Amid the revelry, she caught glimpses of Cam"s vulnerability, a glimpse into the man behind the formidable warrior.

Their connection deepened as they laughed, shared, and savored the fleeting moments of the evening. It was in those shared confessions and the gentle touch of understanding that Jen realized the strength of their bond. In Cam, she found a soul who saw her as more than a woman displaced in time. He saw her as a companion who celebrated her victories, and he would stand by her side through the challenges.

As the night drew to a close, Jen savored the final moments of camaraderie. With grateful smiles and exchanged promises, the men bid each other and her good night.

The castle corridor was bathed in the soft glow of flickering torches, casting dancing shadows on the stone walls. As Jen and Cam walked side by side, she was intoxicated by the lingering spirit of celebration.

Halfway to Jen"s room, Cam"s voice broke the silence as he pulled her to a stop in the hall. He turned her to face him, his hands moving to hold hers. "Jen, I must admit something."

Jen studied his face in the flickering candlelight. He looked so earnest as he stared into her face. "What is it, Cam?"

"I wanted you to know that the only sight more beautiful than you knocking the ego out of Malcolm… is you."

Jen felt her cheeks flush as surprise and delight filled her. She searched Cam"s eyes, finding a depth of sincerity that mirrored her emotions. The air crackled with anticipation, the weight of unspoken desires hanging between them like a delicate veil.

Cam started to lean toward her, but before their lips could meet, their intimate moment was interrupted by the sound of footsteps echoing in the corridor. They quickly pulled away from each other, their gazes lingering as if suspended in a momentary hesitation.

Cam"s voice carried a hint of regret as he said, "I should return you to your room."

Jen allowed him to escort her the rest of the way. She was annoyed that someone had interrupted them, and if they had been in her world, she"d have said, "fuck it" and kissed him anyway. But they weren"t, and she had to play by their rules here.

When they reached her door, Cam squeezed her hand and said, "Goodnight, Jen. Sleep well."

"Night," she answered as she watched him retreat, disappearing into the shadows of the castle. She exhaled softly, her mind awash with a whirlwind of emotions.

Turning the handle to her room, Jennifer stepped inside, finding herself enjoying the room that blended history with rustic charm. The room, though modest, exuded a sense of tranquility.

It was a room steeped in the allure of the past, a sanctuary amid a world of uncertainty.

After changing into her nightgown, Jen settled onto the bed, her mind refusing to quiet. Thoughts of the interrupted moment with Cam swirled in her head, filling the silence of the room with an unspoken longing. She traced her fingers along her lips, her heart pounding with anticipation and hesitation.

Hours passed, and sleep eluded her. Her mind became a battlefield of desires and uncertainties. She tossed and turned, the wool blanket's embrace providing little comfort. The moment with Cam remained etched in her memory, a tantalizing reminder of the connection they shared.

As the first light of dawn painted the sky, Jen finally succumbed to restless slumber. Dreams danced on the edges of her consciousness, the echoes of their almost-kiss mingling with visions of a future intertwined with the enchantment of the Scottish highlands.

In the depths of her sleep, Jennifer whispered Cam"s name, her heart yearning for him.

"Goodness, Miss, I didn"t expect to find you still abed at this hour. Is all well?" Sally asked as she bustled into Jen"s room.

Jennifer offered a small smile in response, her gaze fixed on the bright sunlight streaming through the window. "Good morning, Sally. I suppose I had a restless night. I found it difficult to find sleep. But don't worry, I'll wake up and seize the day now."

Sally nodded, her gaze filled with genuine care. "Well, if you be needing anything, you need only ask."

Grateful for Sally"s concern, Jen nodded and swung her legs over the side of the bed, ready to face the day ahead. "Thanks, Sally."

"Do you have training today, Miss?" she asked.

"No, I think I"ll do some more exploring today."

"That sounds lovely, Miss. Let me jest ready a dress for you." Sally moved to the wardrobe.

As she dressed for the day, Jen felt a bit of excitement at the thought of exploring the fort and the surrounding area.