Thirst for vengeance, deeper and more profound than any he’d harbored for Etteridge all this time, suffused Finn. “When I find out who harmed my children, there will be nae mercy for them.”
“This time, ye’ll get nae argument from me. Ye’re welcome to kill whoever it was with my blessing.” Her words were flat with conviction. “I have my suspicions who might have done it, but I need proof.”
“Do ye believe the answer is here?” He cleared this throat and clarified. “In this…time?”
“Nay, we need to return to yers. This way.”
They made their way to the far corners of the lush garden. Behind a full juniper, Aila drew from her pocket thethingshe’d shown him before. It looked like a flattened egg and as harmless.
Until it glowed under her touch and dread clawed at his chest once more.
“Close yer eyes,” she suggested. “It may go better for ye.”
Finn took one last look at the castle he’d helped to build and the gardens around it. Itwasa sight to behold, one he wouldn’t mind seeing again with a clearer mind and lighter heart. He closed his eyes to the sight. White illuminated even the darkness behind his eyelids.
Then….
“Gah!” Aila cried in surprise as cold rain and wind buffeted them. “Shite, that’s cold!”
Like a startled rabbit, she sprang away from him and sprinted toward the castle. The old castle with its squared towers and defensive grey stone walls. Turning to his left, Finn studied the foundations he and his men had been laying for the past year. They’d only just begun on the walls. No hint of turrets or the false drawbridge the duke wanted to mark the castle entrance.
Which would come to rest on the castle’s backside at some point. A reluctant smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. Good to know his opinion about such foolish suggestions had been proven correct in the end. Even if he hadn’t been right about removing the village….
Bollocks, the village. He would have liked to see that.
“Finn, come on!”
* * *
Inveraray, Scotland
Late September 1748
Despite his soaked clothing, Finn went directly to the nursery and kissed his children. Even with everything he’d had thrown at him that day, he embraced what mattered most. If she hadn’t already loved him, that would have done it for her.
Aila only wished she knew if she were part of what counted.
Finn knew everything now. Once he’d had time to process all of it and once they were able to put the mystery of the millstone behind them, there would be time to unearth that final secret. What might be the greatest treasure of them all. She smiled at the thought. Tris had been right. If everything worked out, perhaps she wouldn’t wring Donell’s neck after all.
“This message came for ye while ye were gone, m’lord.” Jean pulled a folded square of paper stamped with a red wax seal from her apron pocket and handed it to him. To Aila, she cast a curious side eye that Aila well deserved, considering her wet, and improperly modern, clothing. Kindly, she also offered a blanket for Aila to warm herself.
While Finn opened the letter, she wrapped the blanket around her shoulders and greeted Niall and Effie enthusiastically, smothering them teasingly with her wet hair when they asked why she was wet. Their giggles erupted. She’d missed the wee troublemakers as well over the past two weeks. Their hugs and kisses warmed her heart. More of them could be hers if things went her way. An instant family unlike any she’d ever known.
Everything hinged on Finn.
Petting Rab who’d crawled into her lap and chucked his head under her chin, she watched from the corner of her eye as he opened the letter, his frown deepening each second. Poor man, he really didn’t need another surprise today. Although, she was impressed by how well he bore the reality of time travel. Tucking the note into his pocket, he patted his other pockets before realizing he wasn’t wearing his waistcoat and looked at the clock on the mantel. “Thank ye, Jean. Has Mr. MacKintosh been around?”
“He was here earlier looking for ye, though no’ recently.”
“Hmm.” He glanced at the clock again. “Would ye be so kind as to see to the children for the remainder of the evening? I have some unexpected business to attend to.”
“Of course, m’lord.”
When he bid Niall and Effie goodnight, Aila took the opportunity to do the same. Finn gestured to the door and followed her out.
“So, what’s it to be? A stiff drink first?” she asked him, bending to stroke Rab’s head when he joined them.
“I’ve been summoned by the duke,” he told her. “He asks that I put in an appearance with the drawings of the new castle to entertain his guests since the rain prevented them from touring the site this afternoon. Should I modify them to add the additional story, do ye think?”
