Chapter 24

CHAPTER 24

A s the morning sunlight filtered through the room's window, Mae stirred from her slumber, her senses slowly awakening to the reality of the new day. Blinking her eyes open, she felt a pang of confusion and momentary panic as she realized she was alone in the bed. Thoughts raced through her mind, wondering where Niall might be and if something had happened during the night.

Just as she was about to swing her legs out of bed to investigate, the door to the room creaked open, and there stood Niall, a warm smile gracing his face. Relief flooded through Mae as she took in the sight of him, the worry dissipating like morning mist.

In his hands, Niall carried a tray adorned with a delightful breakfast spread. Freshly baked bread nestled next to a pot of steaming tea, accompanied by a selection of sweet preserves and bowls of steaming porridge. Mae's stomach rumbled in anticipation of the meal.

Mae couldn't help but beam at Niall, her voice filled with genuine appreciation. "Oh, Niall, you're the best. Bringing breakfast to bed like this, it's such a wonderful surprise," she exclaimed, her eyes shimmering with delight.

Niall's expression softened as he set the tray down on the small table by the bedside. "You deserve the finest, Mae. A proper meal to start our day together," he replied, his voice laced with tenderness. "Besides, sharing a meal with you is a joy I cherish."

Seated side by in the bed, Mae and Niall savored the delicious morning fare. Between bites and sips of tea, their eyes locked, conveying a depth of emotion that words couldn't capture. In those stolen moments of shared intimacy, breakfast in bed became a celebration of their love, a testament to the bond they had formed.

With breakfast savored and their hunger appeased, Mae and Niall rose from their comfortable spot in bed, and shared a sense of contentment between them. Mae dressed in one of the two dresses she had with her, and Niall put on a clean linen shirt, his plaid and kilt, and then pulled on his boots.

As they descended the stairs into the main entrance of the inn, they were greeted by the innkeeper. "Did you sleep well," he asked.

"Aye, twas a good night's sleep," Niall agreed as he handed over the key to the room.

"Will you not stay another night?" he asked.

Niall looked at Mae who nodded. She would like to have a day to enjoy the town since they still had to go speak to the Campbells and who knew how long that might take. "One more?" she suggested.

"Then, aye, one more night, if'n you've got the accommodations for us?"

"Aye, you can have the same room, we'll tidy it for you an' have it ready when you return."

"Thank you," Mae replied, taking Niall's arm.

Their cart and horses had been taken to the stables, so they went there first to retrieve them. The familiar scents of hay and horse mingled, triggering a sense of excitement in Mae.

Niall made sure their belongings were secured, and they mounted the cart, ready to ride forth toward the Campbells' lands.

As Mae and Niall rode side by side, their laughter intertwined with the sound of their horses' footsteps. Finally, after traversing the few miles of winding trails, Niall and Mae arrived at Sir Kellan Campbell's estate. It was on the Campbell's grounds, but sat a distance away from the massive castle the Laird resided in. Mae had thought Fort Donald was large, but the Campbell castle was something else entirely. She was actually glad they weren't headed there, but stopping at Sir Kellan's place instead, which was a grand stone structure.

Niall helped her down from the cart after parking at the front of the home. He moved to the back of the cart and picked up the satchel of Brian's things he was delivering. Together they headed for the entrance of the home. Niall knocked and waited.

A man came to the door dressed in the Campbell colors, but he looked more like an English butler than anything else to Mae. She had a feeling that the staff in Sir Kellan's home were treated more like servants than family, like they were at Fort Donald.

"May I help you?" the man asked.

"We're here to see Sir Kellan," Niall shared. "Niall MacDonald, and Lady Mae Welles."

"Please come in. You may wait here, while I inform Sir Kellan of your presence."

Mae stood quietly next to Niall, taking in the opulence of Sir Kellan's home. It was much more posh than anything she'd seen so far in being here. She felt underdressed in her plain gown, almost as though she were a servant or a peasant in comparison, which was really just ridiculous because she obviously wasn't.

"Ah, Lady Welles, Niall, what brings you to Ballygrant and more specifically to me?" His eyes narrowed. "It doesnae have to do with young Brian arriving in a harried state yesterday morning speaking of outlandish tales, might it?"

Niall and Mae exchanged a glance, feigning innocence as Mae responded, "I'm not sure what kind of tales Brian was sharing. What on heaven's green earth was he saying?" And then she frowned and with a surprised look added, "He wasn't claiming Fort Donald is haunted again, was he?"

"He was indeed. Spoke of Vikings and witch's curses."

Mae rolled her eyes. "You know he kept telling me of seeing ghosts, but that is complete nonsense." She waved her hand. "Fort Donald isn't haunted, is it Niall?"

Niall shook his head. "Nae, I'm not even sure where he would have gotten that idea. As to Vikings and witches, well, all I can say is he has some interesting ideas when he's been drinking."

With a dismissive wave of his hand, Sir Kellan scoffed, "I knew there had to be a reasonable explanation for his outlandish tales. Witches and ghosts donnae exist."

"Nae, they donnae," Niall agreed. "We've actually come to be sure he made it back to you safely, and to return the things he left behind."

"That is very kind of you to do so, considering he left in such a hurry without even informing the Laird of his impending arrival."

"We were quite surprised to see him leave in such a rush on Samhain. We had a feast prepared and I knew he was looking forward to it," Niall shared.

"You do realize the Laird had only sent him for a few weeks, just to be sure his interests were being looked after. It was quite unexpected when Brian wrote a few months ago to say that he was going to stay on."

Niall tilted his head. "No we were not aware that he was only meant to stay a few weeks. We were happy to have him of course, as we would welcome any Campbell to Fort Donald."

Sir Kellan's lips twitched. "I am glad to hear it. I did inform the Laird after my brief visit that his interests were well taken care of and Brian's extended stay should end, but he does like to indulge the boy… when he's not home, that is."

Mae read between the lines, taking that to mean that the Laird didn't put up with Brian draining their supply of whisky and ale, but was more than happy to allow him to do it to others. "That is probably good. I fear the whisky has made Brian see things that just aren't there," she said, "it might be best if he dried out some."

Sir Kellan nodded. "I fear you are probably correct, Lady Welles. Forgive me, would either of you care for a drink or some food before you leave? I am not used to seeing to guests, and I'm afraid I've forgotten my manners."

"Oh, thank you, but no. We've already eaten and Niall has promised to show me around Ballygrant."

"Then I will see you off," he replied, walking with them back to the door. "Have a safe journey back to Fort Donald."

Niall helped her back into the cart and they returned to Ballygrant. After dropping the cart at the stables and taking their things back to the inn and up to the room they'd shared the night before, Niall escorted her about the town. Mae was surprised to see so many places to explore.

Their first stop was in the general store where Mae found a few ribbons to buy that she could weave into her braid. She also came across some hard sweet candies called Suckets, and something called a Sugar Plate which she bought several of. The Suckets were a candied fruit that were very sweet, and the Sugar Plate was like eating fondant icing about the size of a quarter. Both were pretty tasty.

From there they visited a few of the other shops, before making their way into the dressmaker's. Mae wandered through, feeling the material and then haggling over enough to make a cloak out of, not that she actually knew how to do that, but she'd have Sally help her. She also was able to purchase a couple of dresses that the dressmaker had ready made as they fit her fairly well and only needed a few minor adjustments.

"You've the perfect figure, m'lady," the dressmaker said. "I will have these ready for you when you leave in the morning. You can pick them up on your way back to Fort Donald."

"Thank you so much," Mae replied, happy to have found some things she liked.

She and Niall returned to the inn and had supper and then made an early evening of it. The next morning, they picked up her packages from the dressmaker and set off on the journey back to Fort Donald.

"I still have coins left over," Mae said, as they made their way out of town.

"Best hold on to them for next time. I'm sure you'll want to come visit again in the spring when the weather is good."

"Most definitely." Mae grinned and then turned to Niall. "I'll need to figure out a way to earn more though."

Niall looked at her curiously. "You know you donnae need to, love. I can provide you with whatever it tis you need or want."

Mae placed a hand upon his arm. "I know that you can, but I'm not your wife, Niall, you shouldn't have to provide for me."

"Is that something you'd consider? Being my wife?"

"Is this you asking me?" she said with surprise.

He grinned. "It is." He stopped the horses and turned to her. "Marry me, Mae. I have fallen hard for you lass and I cannae imagine a life without you in it. Without me wakin' up to your sweet smile every day."

Mae wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him. "Yes, Niall. I love you too. I'll be your wife." She felt a thrill race through her. "The sooner the better."

"Then we shall have a Christmas wedding, if that is all right with you? I donnae want to wait until spring. I want you as my wife as soon as possible."

"Christmas sounds perfect." Mae could barely contain her excitement. Never in a million years would she have imagined she'd travel through time and find the love of her life, but that was exactly what she had done.