Chapter Thirteen
Sheer terror ran like a vicious torrent through Daimh’s veins. He was on the training field, striking at one man after another in mock battle, honing his skills and theirs and releasing some of the tension that tightened the muscles in his neck. Revealing his deepest secret to Harper was perhaps the most difficult thing he had ever done in his life. Admitting he was madly in love with the lass, he had no choice but to tell her the truth. How could he commit to her and continue to hide his brother? Lying was ne’er a part of a good relationship.
She had said she was fine with it, even anxious to meet Thomas, but how would she feel once she actually saw him? There was no doubt as to his origin. The idea of Harper walking away in disgust was almost more than he could bear.
Ian entered the training field, and none too soon. Daimh knew the laird would offer good advice. Desperate for a rope to hang onto, he approached his friend and indicated they should move to the side of the pitch. Ian, puzzled since he had come to work on his own skills, followed.
“Did ye not wish to challenge me and lose?” Ian teased.
“I need but a moment of yer time.”
“Is it advice ye be seeking? About yer love life?” Ian asked, grinning. “Since clearly I am the most knowledgeable.” He squared his shoulders in pride.
“I love her.”
“Ye must be speaking of Skye’s friend, Harper, aye?”
Daimh dropped his gaze. “I hae ne’er felt like this. The lass consumes me every thought. And when she is near…”
Ian smiled “I well know the feeling. ’Tis exactly how I felt when I first laid eyes on Skye.” Ian angled his head in question. “Well, Harper did nae take her vows and I understand her husband is dead, so why do ye hesitate?”
Daimh lifted his gaze and sucked in a deep breath. “Thomas. I told her about Thomas. And other than ye, no one else knows. Except the widow and Iona, a course.”
Ian leaned forward and pressed his index finger to his chin. “How did she take it?”
“She acted relieved. I hae no idea what she thought I was going to say, but haeing Thomas as my brother did not ruffle her feathers in the least.”
“So that’s good, nay?”
“I trust her. I just…”
“…hae ne’er been in this place afore. I ken,” Ian said. “Does she say she loves ye?”
Daimh nodded. “Aye.”
Ian reached over and slapped his friend on the shoulder. “I believe the fairies have tormented ye enough and it is yer time for happiness. I say grab it with both hands.”
“And if she is repulsed by Thomas?”
“Daimh, no one could ever be repulsed by him. He is a sweet lad. Did ye ever think the fairies brought him to ye knowing ye would be kind to him and care for him?”
“Yer saying they did this not as a curse?”
“It is possible. So far, has he ever done aught to bring ye harm or trouble?”
“Nay, ne’er.”
“Then maybe the fairies meant him as a blessing.”
“But me da left and my mother…”.
“…might have misunderstood and thought the worst.”
Daimh thought about this. “’Tis possible I ken.”
“And if yer Harper is not accepting, then ye need to put the desire aside and move on to another. But, I have a strong notion that she would nae be friends with Skye if she was less than you hoped.”
If it wasnae so unmanly, Daimh would have hugged the laird.
“Thank ye.” Ian had eased his fears and Daimh was filled with relief instead of worry.
Suddenly, the urge to strike at something or someone dissipated and Daimh left the field to gather goods to take to Eilidh and Thomas, ready now to introduce his brother to his love.
***
Harper and Skye approached Neasa, who looked suspicious at their approach.
“Is there something amiss?” Neasa asked.
“Oh, nay. We just had an idea and hoped you would think it a good one.”
Neasa lifted a brow and waited.
“I know you saw what happened to Conall,” Harper began. “So, we…” she looked over at Skye who nodded encouragement. “…were wondering if you—ye—might be interested in letting me set you up a separate space for healing.” Deciding not to wait for a response, she hurried on. “We could take all the sewing instruments and herbs and anything else like that and organize everything in one place so that if there is need, we would be ready.”
“Hmmm. We already hae a space in the kitchen,” Neasa said.
“True, but this would be out of the way and you would have help. I could use some of what I learned in the future, and it would not be so visible if we needed to use techniques that are new here.”
Neasa dropped her gaze and then lifted it, a smile lighting her face. “And if it were not so visible—as ye say—we could do more to help the wounded without being named…”.
“…witches.” Skye finished the thought.
Neasa’s smile grew broader. “It makes sense and maybe I could get some rest.” She angled her head. “You know more tricks, do ye?”
Skye and Harper exchanged a look, then turned to Neasa. “We do.”
“But we don’t wish to take anything that is yours,” Harper added.
“Oh, ne’er hesitate aboot that. But I would have one condition. Ye must teach me.” She turned to Harper. “What ye did with Conall was amazing.”
“We will gladly teach you—ye—all that we know,” Harper answered, gaining a nod from Skye.
“There is a space down this way,” she said pointing down the corridor. “We could easily move the few things out of it and have the men build us some shelves. Come, I’ll show ye.” Neasa’s enthusiasm was encouraging.
The two followed Neasa into a dingy room down a short hall to the right of the pantry. It wasn’t very large, but it could accommodate shelves and a table in the middle. And it was so tucked away, no one would pay any attention once it was set up. Most of the clan would be happy to remove the sick and injured away from where their food was prepared.
“I’ll ask some of the men to start today,” Neasa said.
“Thank ye,” Skye and Harper said together.
“I need to thank ye both. Anything that improves the care and reduces my work is appreciated.”
“Well, we’ll still need you to help us with all the things you use for cures.”
Neasa smiled. “Of course, but, as I said, more knowledge is always welcome.”
As Harper and Skye walked away, Harper did a little twirl.
“Ye seem quite pleased. Is it only the makeshift clinic that’s lifted your spirits?” Skye asked.
“Can we go for a stroll along the loch?”
The two passed through the main hall and out into the bailey. Greeting people as they went, clan members waved and returned smiles. Harper was filled with a sense of family and peace, something she had never before experienced, and she was loving it. She couldn’t wait to share her news about Daimh and his brother and get Skye’s take on all of it.
Rumbles portended that the sky was angry and intended to douse them before long. Harper stole a glance upward. It did seem to always be raining or about to. But she was growing accustomed to the weather. And when the mist settled on the land, it was like a soft curtain protecting them from the world.
“Talk to me.” Skye must have decided they still had some time before the rain forced them back inside.
“It is a secret, so you cannot repeat this. Although Daimh said Ian knows.”
Skye’s brow furrowed with concern. “Of course. What is it?”
“Daimh has a brother.”
Skye dropped her gaze, pondering this, then looked up again. “I did not know, but I cannot see a problem.”
“I think he was born with some kind of challenge. Whether it’s physical or mental, I don’t know. But Daimh seems to believe his brother is a changeling. Given the age difference, I am thinking he might have Down Syndrome.”
“I see. Well, I know you. You know that changeling stuff is just superstitious nonsense, and you don’t care about that. You and I both know those children are loving and kind. But I can see how he would wish to keep it a secret from the clan. They don’t understand such things and I’m afraid those who are born—different—don’t usually survive.” She instinctively stroked her belly.
“Your babe will be fine. And I agree wholeheartedly about the secrecy, but Daimh seems to think it might bother me and it’s been his reason for holding back on his feelings. I am to meet Thomas this afternoon.”
“That is exciting.” She reached over and squeezed Harper’s arm. “Where is this child?”
“He stays with the widow Eilidh and Iona, which explains why Daimh would have been visiting them and bringing that basket.”
“You see. I knew there was a logical explanation.”
“I know, but now I’m nervous.”
Skye’s brow furrowed. “About what?”
“You know, meeting the family. The fifteen hundreds aren’t like the twenty-first century. Elaborate courtship didn’t kick in until the Regency period. Once I meet his brother, he might want to—you know—get married.” Harper couldn’t contain her smile at that thought.
Skye grinned back. “And then you can’t go back. Win—win.”
“You’re enjoying this,” Harper said, half teasing.
“What’s not to like? You get to stay, and you’ve found a man who will care for you and love you and value you for all that you are. As I said, ‘win-win’.”
“After Richard, I swore I’d never marry again. And this happened so fast.”
“You’d deny yourself happiness because your ex was a horrible, selfish ass? Don’t you think that’s giving him a little too much control?”
“I suppose you’re right. But Skye—my entire life and everything I believed has changed in such a short time. It’s almost too much to take in.”
“I get that. So take it in like you’d eat an elephant.”
Harper scrunched up her face in confusion. “What?”
Skye laughed out loud. “You know, a bite at a time.”
“Funny, but I see your point.” Harper chewed her lower lip. “Okay, I have no choice but to accept the time travel thing… unless we’re both drugged and hallucinating or something.” She scanned the countryside with its thick forest, rolling hills, and the citadel Eilean Donan rising from the lochs. “I mean, to quote The Wizard of Oz, we’re certainly not in Kansas anymore.”
“Exactly.”
“So there goes that belief—that it wasn’t possible.”
Skye stood quietly, waiting for Harper to continue.
“Daimh is like no one I’ve ever met, and I really believe I’ve fallen in love with the man—which also makes no logical sense since I’ve only known him for such a short time. The time thing again.”
“What you’re saying is that the reality does not fit into your preconceived ideas. Which doesn’t make it less real. You just have to be more flexible.”
Harper laughed out loud. “Flexible? Me? That’s like asking you to stop believing in fairy tales.”
Skye grinned and nodded. A growl of thunder caught their attention. “So, let’s go back before we get drenched, and you can get ready to go with Daimh to meet his brother.”
Harper threw her arms around Skye’s neck and hugged her hard. “I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
And together they ran to the castle just as the skies opened and poured rain.