Page 16 of Love Beyond Words
The Castle of Eight Lairds—1651
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There was hay everywhere. It stuck out the top of my shirt, poked me in the bum, and I suspected it would take me hours to get all of it out of my hair. I was disoriented and I hurt all over. I blinked slowly as I strained to try and focus my vision. Large, beautiful brown eyes stared down at me. As I tried to push myself up and out of the giant mound of hay, the horse to my right neighed happily. If I didn’t know any better, I would’ve said he looked rather amused. I was sure it wasn’t every day that strange women fell from the sky and into his hay.
“Marcus?”
He grunted in response. Reaching for the stable door, I pulled myself up and looked over at the other side where Marcus lay balled up on the floor.
“Are you okay?”
He lifted his head to look at me.
“I’m alive.”
“Well, get up and get in here with me. If someone comes in, at least we can hide in here. We need to figure out what to do.”
Marcus was angry. I could tell from the way the muscles in his jaw were bulging as he ground his teeth.
“My head is splitting, Laurel. What did that damned witch do to us?”
My head hurt, as well, but I had too much on my mind to pay the pain any mind.
“She did exactly what she told us she was going to do. She sent us back in time.”
Lifting the latch on the stall, Marcus opened the door and stepped inside with me and the horse.
“We’re stuck here, Laurel. I heard what Jerry said to her. He said there was no way for us to get back.”
I couldn’t allow myself to believe that was true. I knew Morna through the story she’d shared with me. She wasn’t evil. She wouldn’t upend someone’s life so completely without a reason. I would say nothing to Marcus about the book and his portrait inside, but I suspected the reason we were here had everything to do with him. If I had to guess, I assumed I was here for moral support and maybe—as she’d said—to regain some inspiration for my writing.
“I don’t believe that. And you can’t allow yourself to wallow in that hole, either. She said that we were meant to be here. Maybe there is something we are supposed to do, some role we are meant to play, and when we’ve completed it, we will be able to return home.”
Marcus didn’t appear to be convinced.
“And what role is that? We know no one here. We will both stand out like sore thumbs. We have nowhere to stay, no way to earn money. Heck, I don’t even know how money works in this time. We will be lucky if we survive a week here.”
“I don’t know.”
As if she’d heard his worries from centuries ahead, there was a loud, sudden thump on the other side of the stall wall where I’d found Marcus. I leaned over to find a pile of folded clothes with a letter on top.
“You’ve got to be kidding me.”
Marcus retrieved the items and ripped open the letter as he leaned against the side of the stall. I reached out to stroke our new equine friend as he read the letter aloud.
Laurel and Marcus,
I am truly sorry for the scare I’ve given you. While I’ve been known to surprise others with the travel, never before have I sent someone through when they believed me capable of ill intent. I promise that I mean you no harm. I know you must have many questions. Firstly, put on these clothes straight away. Unless ye wish to be burned for witchcraft, doona let anyone see you dressed as you are now.
Laurel, you are in the stables of the castle you wish to visit. Had you traveled back tomorrow, I would’ve placed you on their front steps, but since you made me send you in the middle of the night, I thought it best you hide out until morning. Some of The Eight travel down to the village every third day to check on their tenants and to see to the needs of their people. Tomorrow is just such a day. Best be out of their stables by sunlight lest you wish to be accused of trying to steal their horses.
When you approach the castle, tell whomever greets you that you are here to see Laird Allen. He’s familiar with me. He’ll know what to do with you.
Marcus, I’ve never been one to mince words, so I’ll not dance around something I’m sure you already know. Things may not be easy for you here. The color of your skin may subject you to unfair prejudice, and I am sorry for it. What I can promise you is that the men within this castle are different. While you are among them, they will protect you and treat you as the equal that you are. When Laurel gains entry to the castle, insist that you would never allow Laurel to enter without an escort. They will expect to know what you are to her, and a friend simply won’t do. Say you are adoptive siblings. They should allow you to stay at the castle, as well.
Once there, try to relax and enjoy. Get to know the men. Get to know the castle. It won’t take long for the reason I’ve sent you here to be clear.
I’ll be watching. If you ever truly need me, I’ll be there.
