Chapter 14
“Maggie, I’m going to Dunaill.” Edna came down the stairs dressed in medieval finery. “Dr. Ferguson is accompanying me.”
“Is Uncle Angus okay with this? I’d think he’d want to go with ye,” Maggie appeared to be worried.
“Yer uncle is just fine with it, or he will be.” Edna hadn’t actually told him she was going, only that she thought she should.
“When did you decide to do this?” Maggie asked.
“Last night. I’ve been keeping an eye on Sara and Logan, as ye know, and realized that there was a way I could help them.”
“And … ”
“Oh, I’m sorry, Maggie. I ken yer nae mind reader, are ye?
I must find a way to save Rory so he and Aisla can be married.
Then Logan will be free to be with Sara, if he so wishes.
” She gazed at herself in the mirror and was quite happy with what she saw.
Her dress was an iridescent blueish black with hints of peacock when the light hit it just right.
She noted that Maggie had a puzzled expression on her face and turned back to her.
“Wait. I thought you said you couldn’t interfere with Logan and Sara.” Maggie said.
“I am not going to interfere with Logan and Sara, I am going to try and save Rory. He is sick and no one knows what to do. Sara has tried giving him the antibiotics I provided, but it doesn’t seem to be helping.
If he lived in this time, Dr. Ferguson would have him up and around in no time.
So I am going to take Dr. Ferguson to him.
” She smiled and there was a twinkle in her eye, “See, it has nothing to do with Logan and Sara.”
Maggie laughed. “Okay, Auntie. If you say so.” Maggie shook her head, “And if Rory and Aisla are together, it would make things much easier for Logan and Sara. That is just a coincidence, is it?”
“Aye. That’s it in a nutshell, my darling niece.”
“But yer leaving so soon. Is there anything ye need me to do from this end?”
“Time is of the essence. As it is, we may be too late to do any good, but we must try, mustn’t we? As for the Thistle & Hive, keep an eye on Uncle Angus and the inn. I’ll keep in touch so ye ken where we are.”
“I’ll make sure everything runs smoothly in your absence.”
“I ken ye will. Yer my star, Maggie.” She gave her a squeeze and a kiss on the cheek.
“Will ye see any of the others while yer there?”
“I hope to see them all, with the exception of the Jeffords. That will have to wait for another time.”
“Give them me best,” Maggie said.
“I will do that, love. Don’t worry. If I need ye, I’ll be sure to be in contact.”
“Edna, what’s going on here?” Angus asked as he entered the lobby.
“Angus, love, I told ye last night that I thought I would be leaving for Breaghacraig and then Dunaill.” Edna could see Angus’ irritation with her and she hoped to convince him she was doing the right thing.
“Ye said ye were thinking on it, not that ye’d made up yer mind,” he barked.
“Well, it went from the thinking to the doing stage verra quickly. I hope ye willnae mind. I won’t be gone long and I’ll have Dr. Ferguson with me. I promise to be safe.” She gave him her best I-love-you-dearly look.
She didn’t like the way Angus was looking at her. It appeared his head may explode at any moment. He wasn’t saying anything and when Angus went totally silent she knew she was in trouble.
“Come, my love. Let’s have breakfast together and I’ll explain things to ye. Arthur has gone to Mrs. MacDougall’s to get the horses and he’ll be here in a bit, but we’ve still time to sit and talk.”
Angus scowled in her direction and then stalked into the dining room. Edna smiled to herself. Angus was very predictable when it came to her. He’d be angry, he’d scowl, he’d argue and then he’d give in. She was certain he would this time, as well.
“Why am I nae going with ye?” He pulled out a chair for her to sit.
“Angus, there’s nae need fer ye to come. I’ll be fine, and if anything comes up, there are plenty of highlanders available to help.”
He pouted a bit at that. “I’m perfectly capable of taking care of ye, Edna. I should go with ye.”
He’d nearly died during his last trip back in time and she wasn’t about to let that happen again. He’d be safer here with Maggie and Dylan. The problem in telling him that would be his reaction. It would undoubtedly make him more determined to go. So, she’d keep that to herself.
“My darling man, are ye saying I cannae take care of meself? Because if ye are, I’m offended.” That should take him one step closer to acceptance. As she gazed at him, she saw his face softening from angry scowl to soft eyed love.
“I ken yer a verra capable woman. A force to be reckoned with. I’ve seen it with me own two eyes. ’Tis just that I dinnae wish to be away from ye. Ye ken how much I love ye. I’ll miss ye, Edna.” He gazed at her with puppy dog eyes.
Now who was playing who. He was on to her game, trying to soften her stance with his sweet words and even sweeter face. “Angus, I’ll miss ye as well, but this is something I must do on me own.”
“I dinnae care for it, but if that’s the way ye want it, then I’ll respect yer wishes.”
“Thank ye, love. I’ll be as quick as I possibly can and back here before ye can miss me too much.
” She hopped up from her seat and into Angus’ lap, where she clasped his face in her hands and kissed him.
Angus, never one to miss an opportunity, held her to him and kissed her soundly, leaving Edna wishing she didn’t have to go.
“Dr. Ferguson is waiting fer ye out front with the horses, Auntie.” Maggie peeked her head into the dining room and smiled when she saw what was happening there.
“Tell him I’ll be right with him,” Edna said, a little more breathless than she was earlier.
“Will do.”
“I must go, Angus. I promise to be careful and I promise to return to ye.”
“If yer nae back soon enough, I’ll come looking fer ye. Maggie can send me.”
She certainly couldn’t stop him if he made up his mind to follow her. “Fair enough, but I can tell ye here and now that won’t be necessary. Come, see me off.” She took his hand and headed for the door.
Dr. Ferguson looked quite handsome in his medieval attire. “Well look at ye, Arthur,” Edna said. “Ye’ll fit right in.”
It was obvious he was excited to go on this journey with her. After meeting Catherine Jefford last Christmas, he’d been asking her constantly when he could go visit her. He now would have his chance.
Angus helped Edna mount her horse and he and Maggie walked with them to the bridge.
“Good luck, Auntie,” Maggie said, when they’d arrived.
“Remember what I told ye,” Angus said.
“I will,” Edna answered. “I love ye.” She blew him a kiss and then waited with Dr. Ferguson for the fog to take them back to the sixteenth century.
***
As expected, when the fog cleared, Wallace waited for them with his wagon. He doffed his cap and waved, then went on his own way.
“Are ye ready fer this?” Edna asked.
“Aye. More than ready,” Arthur replied.
She’d never seen him smile this much. He was a very serious man and a good doctor. It was good to see this side of him. “Then let’s go.”
Their journey to Breaghacraig was uneventful, as Edna assumed it would be and when they arrived, it was to much surprise and elation.
“Edna’s here!” Ashley shouted as they came into view of the castle doors. “And Dr. Ferguson!”
They dismounted and walked the rest of the way to greet Ashley, who was joined by Jenna. They hugged Edna and Dr. Ferguson.
“I’m so happy you’re here,” Jenna said. “I’ve been getting nervous about the baby.”
“I’m here fer ye both,” Dr. Ferguson said. “Dinnae fash. All will be well. I’ll take good care of ye.”
Jenna held the little dog Cormac had given her for Christmas. It barked excitedly at the newcomers. “Shhh … ” she said, holding the dog up and kissing her nose.
“Where is everyone?” Edna asked.
“They’re here somewhere. Come inside.” Ashley led the way into Breaghacraig, where one by one the rest of the group joined them. Edna explained their presence without giving away the details about Aisla and Rory, but it seems they all were well aware of what had happened.
“I’d like to see Aisla if possible. I’ll want her to join us when we go to Dunaill.”
“I’ll send word for her to come to the castle,” Robert MacKenzie said. As laird of the Mackenzie Clan, a summons from him would be viewed as being very important.
“Good. In the meantime, tell me how ye’ve all been.
” Edna made herself comfortable by the fire and the others joined her to share stories of life at Breaghacraig since they’d last seen her.
The most obvious being that Jenna was pregnant.
She’d been so worried it would never happen and yet here she was looking the picture of health.
“I’m happy to see that yer wish came true,” Edna said, placing a gentle hand on her belly. “Oh! The babe moved.”
“He’s been verra active,” Cormac said.
“She,” Jenna corrected.
Cormac chuckled as he propped himself up alongside the hearth. “What do ye think, Edna? Lad or lass?”
“I’m not in the business of predicting that sort of thing,” she said. “And I dinnae wish to be on anyone’s bad side.”
Dr. Ferguson asked Ashley and Jenna many questions about their pregnancies and seemed happy with the answers he received.
“Since ye both be healthy, happy mothers-to-be, I am quite sure ye’ll be having happy, healthy bairns.
I’m to travel with Edna, but when we come back I’ll be staying until the babes are born.
I hope that somewhere in that time period I’ll be able to visit with the Jeffords. ”
“We’ll see to it that ye do,” Robert said. “Mayhap we’ll invite them to Breaghacraig and then ye’ll nae have to travel so far.”
“That would be perfect,” Edna said. “So, is everything else well here? I’ve nae heard from ye since Dougall and Helene returned.”
“All is well.” Dougall entered the hall and immediately went to Edna. “Thank ye ever so much, Edna. We’re verra happy and ’tis all yer doing.”