Chapter 7
Hamish was surprised to see Elle standing outside the soldiers’ quarters. Was she waiting for him?
“Hi,” she waved.
“Good morn to ye. Yer out early,” he observed as he approached her.
“I was hoping to catch you before you headed off for the day.”
“I’m off to the stables. Would ye care to join me while I check on Aylwen?”
“I’d love to,” she smiled and he was taken aback by the light that seemed to shine from her eyes.
As they walked, Hamish greeted those they passed. He noted that Elle seemed very shy this morning. “How is it that ye can stand up before an entire crowd of people ye dinnae ken and sing yer heart out, but ye cannae seem to make eye contact with those we pass?”
“It’s hard to explain, but when I sing it’s almost like I become this other person. Someone who can do anything. I’m generally a pretty shy person. I know it seems odd, but that’s the way it is. It’s like I’m two people inside of one body.”
“I think I understand yer meaning. I believe I am yer opposite. I can talk to anyone about anything, but fer me to play me lute in front of others is something I’ve shied away from.”
“I know. Everyone was so surprised.”
“They were and with good reason. I’ve always hidden the lute in me chambers, under me bed.” He laughed. It would have remained there if he hadn’t met Elle. She forced him to do the one thing he loved, but to do it in front of others.
“I don’t think you need to hide it anymore,” she said.
“Mayhap I dinnae.” They entered the stable and Hamish took Elle’s arm to guide her down the darkened aisle that ran between the stalls. “Watch where ye walk.”
“Don’t worry about me. I grew up on a ranch,” she stated.
“A ranch. What is that?” He wasn’t familiar with that word.
“My family owns a large piece of land east of San Francisco. I grew up around cows and chickens and horses.”
“And ye dinnae ride?” he asked, surprised by this revelation.
“No. I did when I was growing up, but I haven’t in such a long time that I think I’ve forgotten how.” She brushed a strand of hair from her face.
“Impossible,” Hamish stated. “Once ye ken how to ride, ye never ferget.”
“I’m not so sure.”
“Would ye care to try today?” he asked, hopeful she’d agree.
“No, thanks. Are you taking your horse out?” she asked.
“I was planning to. Ye should join me.” He couldn’t help himself, he wanted to spend time with her.
“Can I ride with you?” she asked.
“Aye. We’ve done it before. Aylwen doesnae mind. Do ye?” They’d stopped in front of Aylwen’s stall door. His horse nickered a greeting to him. Hamish tousled his forelock. “I must groom him first if ye dinnae mind waiting.”
“I’ll help,” she said.
“Brushes are there,” he pointed to a chest next to the stall door.
Elle opened it and took out two brushes, handing one to Hamish. “Thank ye.”
“Hello, Aylwen,” she said as she approached his horse. She gently laid a hand on his neck, scratching under his mane with her fingernails. He was in heaven. He raised his head high and swung it back and forth, much to Elle’s delight. “You like that, don’t you?”
Hamish chuckled at Aylwen’s reaction. He thought if it were him, he’d be equally as delighted to have Elle’s hands on him.
He gave himself a mental shake. It was going to be difficult to stop himself from wanting her.
He began the task of grooming his horse and Elle followed suit.
Aylwen enjoyed the attention and let them know, positioning himself in such a way that they knew without a doubt where he wanted to be scratched and when they stopped, nudging one or both of them with his nose to please continue.
“I love his personality,” Elle laughed, which brought a broad grin to Hamish’s face. He’d never enjoyed grooming his horse so much as he was in this moment. He almost hated to be done with it, but they couldn’t do this all day.
He handed Elle his brush and she took it, along with hers, and put it away. He gathered his saddle and as he walked back towards the stall, he noted Elle watching him.
“What are ye looking at, lass?” He’d caught her off guard and she hesitated.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to stare. It’s just that I’m having a hard time believing this is all real. That you’re real.”
“I’m real. Ye can be sure of that.” And if you’d let me, I’d like to prove it to ye.
“I know that you are, but … it’s hard for me to explain,” she seemed embarrassed as she looked down at her feet.
He tightened the saddle and took hold of the reins as he walked his horse out of the stall.
Elle walked beside him, out of Aylwen’s way.
Once outside, Hamish lifted Elle up onto his steed’s back and then vaulted up behind her.
He settled himself into the saddle and Elle did the same, brushing her body up against his as she did. He took in a sharp breath at her touch.
“I’m sorry. I’m just trying to get comfortable.” she said, looking back at him.
“’Tis fine,” he chuckled.
“Feel free to adjust me any way you need to if I’m not in a good spot.”
He let loose an unintentional groan.
“What? I’m hurting you, aren’t I?” She wiggled around, trying to move herself away from him, but he caught her in his arms and pulled her back so that she rested her back on him.
“There, ’tis better.” he said, swallowing hard. He squeezed his legs around Aylwen and the horse walked on. They exited the gates of the castle and headed east, away from the water and into an area of sporadic trees and rocky terrain.
“Where are we going?” she asked.
That was a good question and one he couldn’t really answer. He’d been so distracted by Elle that he hadn’t been thinking clearly as they began their ride. “East.” he said.
“Nowhere in particular? Just east?”
“Aye.” He fought hard to focus. Having Elle pressed up against him may not have been the best idea, but there she was and he was dealing with it as best he could and that wasn’t very well.
After a moment of indecision, Hamish knew exactly where he wanted to take Elle and he pointed Aylwen in that direction.
“Tell me about your life here, Hamish. What’s it like?” she asked.
“’Tis a simple life. I do what is asked of me.” He didn’t think his life was that interesting and couldn’t imagine why she would.
“But you’re a captain, right?”
“Aye.” Elle’s body pressed so close to his was making conversation difficult. One word answers and short curt replies were all he could manage.
“That seems like an important job.” He could tell she was doing her best to engage him in conversation.
“’Tis.”
“But it’s not what you want to do.”
He had no answer for that. He’d worked hard to get where he was and in his world, he couldn’t really expect much more. He wasn’t of noble blood and so there was only so far he could get. Captain may very well be it.
“If you could do anything at all, what would it be?” Elle asked.
He thought about that for a moment before answering her. “Me life is verra much the same from day-to-day. I’ve always wanted to go off on an adventure. To see places I’ve never seen, ye ken?”
“I do. What kind of adventure calls to you?”
“Time travel,” he laughed. “I told the witch I wanted to time travel.”
“What did she say?”
“She told me I would, but she didnae say when.”
“So, you’ve met her?”
“Nae. I’ve only ever heard her voice.”
“She seems pretty elusive. I’ve been hoping to hear from her, but so far nothing.”
“She is a good witch. She will help ye,” he assured her.
“I have to believe that. I can’t imagine being stuck here.” It sounded as if she thought that would be the worst thing that could happen to her.
“Would it be so bad to be ‘stuck here’ as ye say?” He didn’t want her to leave. He wanted her to stay because if she did, he might be able to make her his. Another lofty goal that would surely disappoint him. He had to get his head out of the clouds and keep his feet firmly planted on the ground.
She must have heard the hurt in his voice. “Of course it wouldn’t be bad. The people I’ve met so far have been so kind and helpful. That includes you, you know.”
“Shall we stop? Aylwen would love to graze here.”
He dismounted and reached up for Elle. She placed her hands on his shoulders as he lifted her down, leaving them there for a moment as she gazed up at him. He wanted so badly to kiss her, but knew that was not what she wanted and so instead he ran his finger along her jaw and gazed into her eyes.
She cleared her throat. “This is pretty.” She turned away from him. “Is this a favorite spot?”
“Aye. ’Tis quiet. I come here when I wish to think and be alone.” The need to touch her was almost unbearable, but he was a strong, disciplined man; he would refrain from doing so.
“Thank you for sharing it with me,” she said, her sweet, gentle voice sent a flood of longing through him.
“Come. Sit for a moment while Aylwen grazes some.” He pointed to a slope nearby that afforded them large rocks to sit upon.
Elle led the way and he followed. He smiled as she skipped the last few paces to the rocks.
She seemed happy to be here with him. He held her hand as she carefully sat down, hanging her legs over the side. Reluctantly letting go, he joined her.
He was enjoying the crisp air and bright sunshine they’d been gifted with this day. Was it his imagination or did everything seem more beautiful than he’d remembered? Perhaps it was the company he’d brought along that had him seeing this familiar place with new eyes.
“This is nice,” Elle said. “Back home, I almost never have time to just sit and relax.”
“’Tis a shame.”
“It is. I’ll have to do more of it when I get back.”
“What if ye cannae go back?” he asked.
“What do you mean?” She sobered at his question.
“What if Edna doesnae allow ye to leave?” he asked, secretly wishing it would be the case. He almost immediately regretted his question. Elle became quiet and sadness enveloped her face.
“That can’t happen. I have to go back.” She began to shake, her brow furrowed, her lips pouting.