Page 21 of See A Highlander (A Highlander Across Time #10)
CHAPTER 21
A nnie had heard enough. She stepped into the room and made herself known.
“Tom, I didn't know you really felt that way about me,” she said, her voice soft as tears spilled down her cheeks.
Tom turned toward her, obviously surprised to see her. “Annie? What are you doing down here, love?” he said. “You shouldn't be down here on your own. What if Scathach decided to whirl you off to some other time period? Then I’d have lost you forever.”
Annie smiled. “This isn't the first time I've come seeking answers from Scathach, the same way that you are now. I'm glad I did because hearing your words has given me confidence that you really do care about me and that there is nothing going on between you and Bella.”
“I tried to tell you as much,” he said, his voice filled with sorrow.
“I know you did. I'm sorry I didn't believe you and didn’t trust you. I’ve been so hurt in the past that it colored my relationship with you. I’ve kept my heart so guarded since being here, and just when I started to trust what was between us, Bella ruined it with her games. I’m sorry I allowed it to get to me.”
Annie embraced him and he hugged her back. He rubbed his strong hands up and down her back. “I really do love you, Annie.”
“I love you too, Tom.”
He kissed her deeply with affection. She kissed him back feeling relief wash over her.
When they finally stopped kissing Annie decided it was time to tell him something else.
“I need to tell you something else that I suspect, but I’m not a hundred percent sure of yet.”
A look of concern crossed his face. “What is it?”
“I think, maybe, well… I’ve been oddly ill in the mornings, and when certain fragrances hit me… I think it’s possible that I might be pregnant.”
Shock came across his face. “Do you mean…” He waved a hand between them.
“Yes. I'm not one hundred percent sure that I am, it’s really early seeing as it’s only been a week or so since we were together, but there was that strangeness to the night, with us being down here and I think maybe Scathach wanted me aware of the possibility sooner than normal. In my time we had tests that we could take to let us know for sure, but now only time will tell. But I usually don't have a weak stomach like I have been.”
Tom’s smile grew wider. He picked her up and spun her around. “That’s great news, lass. I am so happy to be starting a family with you.”
“Really? You’re happy about it? You’re not just saying that because you think that’s what I want to hear?” "I am indeed very happy. Nothing could make me happier except perhaps you agreeing to be my wife. And no, I am not asking because of the wee bairn. The morning after we were here together, I spoke to the Laird. I knew I was in love with you and I wanted you for my wife. I needed to know that my place here was secure and that I’d have the means to care for you and a family. He assured me I would.”
"You did? Why didn't you tell me?” she said.
“I was on my way to ask you that morning. But then everything became a mess with your cousin. I want you as my wife Annie. I hope that you will have me,” he said, his hands on her hips.
“Oh, Tom, yes! Yes of course, I will marry you, I love you.” Annie wrapped her arms around his neck and kissed him as he held her close.
Annie was completely happy and glad that she would be able to raise the child with a man that she had fallen in love with.
When they were done kissing Tom furrowed his brow. “But that leaves the question of what is to be done about your cousin Bella. I am quite worried that she will harm you and the wee bairn.”
“I don't know. I will be careful around her. Maybe in time she will simply come to accept that we are together and leave us alone. At least that's what I hope,” she said.
"Let us not worry about it tonight then. Come let us return to your chambers.”
Together they walked hand-in-hand to her room. He waited for her to change out of her dress and then the two of them fell into bed wrapped in each other’s arms. Annie slept very deep and well for the first time in a long time since the anxiety over Bella was a little bit relieved for her. She felt safe in Tom’s arms and very well loved.
The next morning, when Annie woke, Tom was missing. She wondered where he’d gone, but didn’t worry that he’d left her for Bella as she rushed to the bedpan to empty her stomach. Just as she was about to get back in bed to rest, there was a knock on her door, and she called out for them to enter. Then it opened to reveal Tom, smiling and carrying a platter.
“I'm sorry I didn’t want to wake you, but I also didn’t want to open the door if you were not decently attired.”
“I was already awake. My stomach was queasy.”
“Oh, are you well enough to eat?”
“I think I can now. It’s just that initial moment when I wake up.”
“Well, I brought tea and some fresh bread and porridge with some fruit.” He set the platter down on the table.
They sat down together and started eating. Annie was swallowing a spoonful of the porridge when Tom said, “There is something that happened last night while we slept. In my dream I heard a woman's voice telling me to bring Bella to them and they will judge her,” he said as he lifted up a piece of bread and broke it in half.
“That is a very strange dream. What do you think it means?” Annie asked.
“I don't know. I might have thought it meant I was to turn her into the Laird, but she has not committed any crime that we know of. And it t’was a woman’s voice, not my cousin’s.” Tom frowned.
“Maybe it means bringing Bella to the Scathach?” Annie said. “We’ve been asking her for answers, maybe she answered in your dream?”
“Aye, that could be the case. But how do we get Bella to go back down to the door?” Tom asked.
A smile crossed Annie’s face as she knew exactly how to do it. “I know. Bella has been stalking me, trying to get you alone, or just to cause us chaos. I say we act sneaky, like we’re trying to get away with something, and she’ll follow us. She’s not going to be able to resist, thinking she can use it to blackmail us, or break us up or whatever she has in her head.”
“Lass, that is rather devious,” Tom said. “I like it. Shall we try it tonight?”
When evening came around, they stuck to the plan. They waited for Bella to come out of her room, and then enacted the plan. They didn’t look in her direction, but quietly whispered, loud enough for Bella to here, but not too loudly to draw her suspicion.
“I really believe that Scathach could come to us like she did before. I know we didn’t see her, but we both felt her presence. Maybe if we bring her this offering, she’ll actually appear and speak to us?” Annie said to Tom.
“It may work, lass. I’ve spoken with several of the ladies from your time and they did say she has appeared to them. She brought you here, so it’s possible she will appear for you, but we must keep this quiet. We don’t want our activities to be reported to the Laird.” Tom smiled, his back was to Bella, but Annie caught sight of her at the edge of the hall listening.
“No, we’ll have to avoid the guards,” she replied.
“Let's go now. The guards will be partaking of the evening meal, and the gathering room should be empty,” he said and then leaned down and kissed her.
Annie pulled his closer and kissed him deeply, knowing it would infuriate Bella. “Mmm, you give the best kisses. I’m so glad Scathach brought me here to you.”
“And I as well,” Tom replied. “Come, let’s head down there and give her this offering.”
Grinning, Annie took his hand, and they moved down the hall toward the stairs. Annie listened hard to see if she could hear Bella following, but she didn’t want to give the game away by turning to check.
Tom had already spoken to the Laird earlier that day and arranged for the guards to be away from the area. He told Annie that the Laird was anxious to hear how their plan worked. Annie hoped she’d have good news to report to him by the time this evening was over.
They arrived in the gathering room and Annie spread out the blanket as she had before. The guards had kept only a few of the torches lit, so the area around the room entrance was shrouded in dim light, to give Bella a place to spy upon them. Annie lit the few candles she had brought, as she’d done the last time. Annie heard movement at the entrance of the room and knew it was Bella attempting to be stealthy, but her shoes scraped along the stone giving her away.
“Scathach, oh great witch of Dunscaith, show yourself to me. I am in need of answers that only you can give. Tom and I wish to be together, but my cousin Bella continues to try to keep us apart, what should we do?” Annie said.
Annie heard a loud gasp from the corridor. She knew that it was from Bella and not Scathach.
She continued, pretending that she hadn’t heard Bella. “We need your help, Scathach. Please come to us. We are in love and Bella isn’t to be trusted. How can we get her to leave us alone and in peace?”
“How dare you talk about me like that!” Bella shouted, stomping into the room.
“Bella, what are you doing here? Why can’t you just leave us alone? Go away!” Annie said.
“Don’t tell me what to do. I can’t believe that you’re down here asking that stupid witch or ghost or whatever she is to do something to me. Do you know how crazy you are?” Bella shouted.
“Crazy? You think I’m crazy? I’m just trying to acclimate and live my life here. Tom and I both are. You’re the one who is messing things up! You’ve done nothing but try to make me miserable since we got here. Before that even, honestly! You might be my cousin, but I don’t like you and I don’t want to be around you anymore.”
“It is time you leave us be, lass. Annie is the one I love. I will never fall for your trickery, nor your games. You are but a child acting out in a temper. Stop trying to throw yourself at me, stop spying upon us, and stop following Annie. We do not welcome your company.”
Annie loved everything he said, but as he spoke, Bella’s face got redder, and Annie could see she was ready to explode. The question was, would Scathach do something before it was too late?