Page 6 of Love Set Apart
“Why do ye do that?” Edna huffed. She knew the answer. They thought it was good fun to throw everyone off with their show of magic power, and in Edna’s mind they knew how much she hated it.
“Just practicing in case we ever need to spy on someone,” Melusina said. “I doona ken why it bothers ye so.”
Edna rolled her eyes heavenward. They’d had this conversation before and no matter what Edna said, they would continue topracticetheir disappearing act.
“Come, join yer husband and stand here in the middle of the room.” Daire pointed to a spot on the floor right by Angus.
“Have ye got everything ye need?” Melusina asked as she and the others circled around Edna and Angus, who stood facing each other. There was just enough room for the five of them in the small empty space surrounded by desks.
“Aye.” Edna looked up at Angus to be sure he was prepared. He nodded, letting her know he was ready to go.
“Ye look the part of a noblewoman of the time,” Daire said, eyeing her up and down with approval.
“It’s the exact look I wanted.” Edna had conjured up the appropriate attire for the time for both herself and Angus. Her dress was of the softest forest green velvet with a dark brown cape and hood. She’d removed the blue streak from her hair. It was her trademark, but it wouldn’t do for the time period they were traveling to. It was now all the most brilliant shade of white.
Angus wore a kilt of the time. It was much the same as the kilt he’d been wearing on the day she first met him at the bridge. Where had the time gone? It seemed only yesterday that they’d met on the very bridge where she would transport many a twenty-first century lass back in time to meet their love.
That was Maggie’s job now. She would see to the bridge and to the couples. Edna let out an impatient sigh, wishing this whole process would hurry along. She was excited to be on the way as she grasped Angus by the hands and looked up into his handsome face.
The witches three moved around them in a dance of arms and scarves, undulating as they circled. Edna wished she could just use a bridge. That was what she was familiar with, but she understood that things were different now and so she waited. Before long felt herself being lifted into the air, twisting and turning and all the while holding tight to Angus. She didn’t want to lose him.
As quickly as they’d lifted off, they landed. Edna felt a bit wobbly on her feet, swaying a little as Angus put a strong arm around her to keep her from falling.
“Well, here we are,” Angus said. “Are ye all right now?”
“Aye. Thank ye, love. I can stand now.” Edna glanced around trying to get her bearings, but was confused as to why they’d landed where they did. They were in the close. The very same close where the Council of Witches had their offices, but none of the familiar signs or the flower-filled boxes were in sight. “I’m no’ sure where we should go.” It wasn’t like her to be this out of her element. Edna always took pride in being in charge and in control. This time she’d had to give up that control to the council, allowing them to transport her through time.
“To France,” Angus said.
Edna pondered this pronouncement and began walking out of the close. She could feel Angus following along right behind her. “I hope they at least got us to the correct time period. We’ll ken more as we start our journey. First, we’ll need to find a ship to take us.”
“To Leith then,” Angus said, taking Edna’s hand and placing it in the crook of his elbow. “This way.”
“Ye’re verra calm,” Edna noted, gazing up at her husband.
“I’m with ye. As long as we’re together, there’s naething to be nervous about.” His quiet confidence was just what she needed.
Edna took in a deep breath to chase away her irritation with the council and force her nerves to stop jangling about. Angus was right. They had each other and together they were a fierce twosome. She held her head high and strolled proudly through the streets with Angus, her rock and her protection.
“I’ve no’ been to France,” Angus said. “I’m curious about it.”
“We havenae had time to go anywhere. Between the bridge and the inn, we’ve been quite busy. Somehow I thought the first time we traveled to Paris, it would be in our time.”
“’Tis an adventure we’re on,” he reminded her.
She had to agree. “That it is.”
They made their way to the port and after asking several men along the docks where they might find a ship sailing to France, they were directed to one calledThe Mallardthat was leaving for France that day. Once they found it, Edna turned to Angus who seemed to be having the same thought she was.
“Do ye believe it to be safe?” he asked.
“If need be, I can keep it from sinking, but it leaves a lot to be desired.” She looked over the ship’s sails that seemed to have been repaired numerous times. The ship’s deck was worn with an occasional hole here and there.
The man in charge eyed them both as they approached him. He didn’t seem inclined to allow them aboard. “This is no’ a passenger ship,” he said.
Edna reached into her drawstring purse and pulled out two silver coins, waving them in front of the man’s face. His eyes went wide as he put out his hand and once the coins were deposited there, moved aside so they could access the gangplank. “Welcome aboard!”
“How many do ye have?” Angus whispered in her ear referring to the coins.
