Page 6 of See A Highlander (A Highlander Across Time #10)

CHAPTER 6

T om opened the door. “Dorine?” he said, sounding surprised to see her standing on the other side of the door with a platter.

“Heigl asked me to bring this up, sir,” she said.

Annie took in the sight of the young woman dressed in a serviceable brown dress with a white apron.

“Oh, aye, put it on the table please,” Tom said.

The woman entered and set the tray on the table as she looked at Annie with wide-eyed curiosity, and then returned to the door giving Tom a bit of a curtsy. “Will that be all, sir?”

“Aye, thank you,” he said.

“You really aren't lying. I’m not in my own time. The way that woman looked at me,” Annie said.

“I’m sure she is just as curious about you as you are about her,” Tom said with a chuckle. “Dorine is aware of the fact you’re from the future, so I’m glad it was her that Heigl sent to bring you food.”

“How many people are aware of us?” she asked curiously.

“From what I understand, most of the guard, who are, in fact, all family, most of the regular staff, the kitchen maids and housemaids. Tis only those who don’t live in the castle that are not aware.” He smiled. “I think once you’re properly attired, you’ll fit right in, so you do not have to worry.”

“I really doubt that. I'm still trying to understand all of this. This can't really be possible, yet unless this is a very thought-out elaborate prank, there is no other explanation,” Annie said.

Tom chuckled. “Are you hungry?” He moved toward the tray on the table.

“Actually I am. And very thirsty.” Annie moved to the table. She was impressed by what she saw. There was a bowl of hearty stew, and it looked delicious and thick. A small loaf of bread sat beside it, and it smelled fresh. The delicious Aromas were making her stomach growl.

Tom poured her a glass of water and handed it to her.

She drank it and smiled. “This water tastes great.” It was very refreshing.

“Aye, we are blessed to have a fresh water source nearby.”

Annie noticed another decanter and pointed to it. “What’s in there?”

“Whisky, the best in all of Scotland.” He grinned. “Would you like some?”

“Maybe a little?” she said, holding up her fingers to show him about an inch. She recalled how strong it was the other night in her own time.

He poured her a small glass and handed it to her. She drank the strong liquid down. Her nose wrinkled at just how strong it was, but it did do the trick. Annie sat down and dug into the stew marveling at how delicious it was.

After eating, there was another knock at the door. Annie assumed it would be Bella but she probably wouldn’t knock. She would just barge in.

“Laird Cameron is ready to see them,” a deep voice said from the other side of the door.

“Come, I’ll go with you to meet my cousin,” Tom said, holding out a hand for her.

Annie grew very nervous. It would be now or never to find out exactly if this indeed was a trick or the truth. Moving about the rest of the castle would show her any modern technology or way of speaking. This Laird that Tom spoke of would either be the real deal or an actor. It was better to just get it over with.

“I'm ready,” she said.

Tom guided Annie out of the room and into the corridor. As they headed up the stairs they emerged into the back of a working kitchen. Numerous housemaids, dressed as Dorine had been, bustled about, preparing food for what looked like an army. In the middle of the room, another older woman stood, directing everyone. She was wearing a tartan plaid dress with a white apron and her graying hair was in a tidy bun.

“Heigl, she runs the kitchen and is in charge of the housemaids,” Tom commented.

Annie glanced at her again and the woman gave her a wink before reprimanding a young maid who was making a mess of her task at her station because she was distracted by one of the guards who was stealing a slice of the cheese she was cutting.

“Ellie, watch what yer doin’! You’re about to knock the entire platter to the floor!” Heigl said, rushing to catch the tilting platter.

Tom gently took Annie’s elbow and guided her out and into a huge hallway. There were torches on the wall, lit up to give the area light. On the massive stone walls were tapestries and all around people in period attire bustled about. It was surreal, seeing them all going about their tasks as though it was just a normal day.

“This way. Tis the Dining Hall, but also serves as a place for the Laird to handle business with larger groups. Since it tis time for the mid-day meal, many of the castle inhabitants will be within, but do not be nervous,” Tom said, leading her through another door.

Inside was a large, cavernous room. It was full of long wooden tables with benches, full of people. On the tables were platters of food, that people were serving themselves from. Tom led her deeper into the room where she noticed, at the back, was a raised section, like a stage, which held an even longer table. In the middle, facing the room were two large chairs that looked a little ornate. In the chairs sat a man and woman. On the woman’s side were a line of women eating and chatting. The same for on the side of the man, but it was men, eating heartily.

“In the middle is Laird Cameron McLeod and his wife Lady Maria. She traveled here the same as you from a different time,” Tom whispered in her ear as they crossed the room.

Annie took it all in and knew that Tom hadn’t lied. This was all real. She was in the past and about to meet a real live Laird. She was practically awestruck. Part of her wished she had Mitch with her so she could get it all recorded. She thought about pulling out her phone and filming it, but she wasn’t sure that was such a good idea, considering they might get a little freaked out about it.

Tom paused in front of the stage and said, “Laird Cameron, may I present Miss Annie Mills?”

“Miss Mills, welcome to Dunscaith Castle.” The Laird stood up and smiled. “May I present my lady wife, Maria?”

The woman next to him stood up as well, a wide smile on her face.

“Um, hi?” Annie replied.

Maria’s smile grew wider. “American?” she said as all the other women at the table looked at her with excitement.

“Um, yes?” Annie agreed, still feeling a bit in shock.

“Come, have a seat with the other women here,” the Laird directed, gesturing to the woman on his wife’s side. “They are all from your time and I’m sure anxious to speak with you.”

Annie looked at Tom, who nodded, and gave her a small smile. She turned back to the Laird. “Thank you.”

“Do not worry, you’re safe here and welcome for as long as you’d like to stay,” the Laird added.

“Thank you. I really appreciate it,” Annie said not knowing what else to say.

The laird frowned then, and added, “One moment though. I was told there were two of you who came through the door. Is the other young woman lagging behind?”

“My cousin Bella Grantham. She is in the castle, I think, though I don’t know where she went. She was in a temper and stomped off. I don't know where she went,” Annie said.

Laird Cameron looked concerned. “Tom, I entrusted the two of them to your care, do you know where the young woman has gone?”

“Apologies my Laird, I don’t. I should have made sure she was seen to, but I was seeing to Miss Mills when she took her leave of the room and I assumed one of the guards would see to her, but I did not check to be sure.”

Annie felt a pit of regret in her stomach. She was the one that encouraged Tom to let Bella go and now she had got him in trouble with his Laird.

“Balloch,” the Laird called, looking past her and Tom.

“Aye, sir?” a burly man stepped up next to Tom.

“Gather some of the other guards and search for the other young woman who came through the door. She will be wearing similar attire to Miss Mills and has—” the Laird paused and then looked to Annie, “Miss Mills, what does your cousin look like?”

Annie glanced from the Laird to the man next to Tom. “Bella has long red hair and she’s wearing a lot of make-up, um… she’s got color on her eyelids, cheeks and lips. She’s a little taller than me.”

“Bring her here when you have found her.” The Laird said. “If I am not here, I’ll be in my office. I have business to attend to. Miss Mills, Maria and the others will see that you are giving clothing and a room. They will answer any questions you may have about being here. Tom after you eat, come me,” the Laird said.

“Yes, Laird,” Tom said. He turned to Annie, and added, “I will look for you later to see how you are settling in.

“I’d like that,” Annie replied.

“Annie, come sit with us. We have a lot to talk about,” Lady Maria motioned for her to sit beside her. “Sorry about it being sort of formal without warning. It’s kind of second nature to us all now.”

Annie took her seat, and another bowl of stew was placed before her. “That’s okay, and I already ate a bowl, but this is really good stew.”

“Yes, Heigl and the kitchen staff are fantastic cooks. So, how about I introduce everyone? I know they’re dying to get to know you.” Maria smiled.

Annie glanced around the table and smiled.

“So as Cameron said, I’m Maria. I’m from New York City, and I was police officer with the NYPD, I would have been a detective if I hadn’t gone through the door,” she said with a laugh. “I had just gotten promoted and came to Scotland to celebrate, and ended up here.”

Annie found it strange that the elegant woman dressed like she was going to renaissance faire used to be a cop. She seemed so regal now with her tall slender frame. Her wavy blue-black hair was braided with tendrils around her face. Her wide brown eyes seemed filled with wisdom and her sharp features made her seem like she could be very stern.

“So you went from being a cop to being married to a sixteenth century Laird?” Annie said, incredulous.

Maria laughed. “Yeah, pretty much. So on your left is Edith.”

Annie turned to the petite redhead. She had really bright blue eyes and a warm smile. “Hello.”

“Hi, welcome to Dunscaith castle,” Edith said, her voice had a sweet tone. She sounded as though she was from the southeast as there was a slight drawl to it.

“Next to her is Sarah, she was a private eye in Boston but her whole family were cops. Don’t be surprised if she interrogates you later,” Maria said, tossing Sarah a teasing grin.

“Maria! Geez, you’re going to scare her off before we even get to know her,” Sarah said, rolling her eyes. “Hi, Annie.” Sarah waved and tucked a strand of light blonde hair behind her ear.

Annie laughed. “I don’t scare that easily, Sarah, it’s nice to meet you.”

“Next to Sarah is Beth, our resident mystery writer,” Maria continued.

“Not that I get a lot of writing in these days,” Beth said with a laugh. “Quill and parchment are a lot slower than my computer back home.”

“Hey, you’ve got me hooked on your current story, so don’t knock it,” a woman who hadn’t been introduced yet said.

“And that’s Danielle, she arrived just before you. She was a lawyer.”

Danielle sighed. “Let’s not haggle, Maria.”

“Sorry, old habits. You know I love you.” Maria smiled.

“Hi, Annie, it’s good to meet you.”

“Hi, Annie, sorry I didn’t greet you before Danni interrupted.” Beth grinned.

Annie chuckled. It was like walking into a family party and not knowing anyone here and being introduced to them knowing you were immediately welcome and part of the group without having had to do anything to join. She kind of loved it. “Hi.” She smiled.

“Okay, so where was I?” Maria asked, looking around the table. “Right, the brunette is Carissa, she’s our resident herbalist, she works with Tom occasionally?—”

A sudden jolt of jealousy struck Annie at that, but she quickly tamped it down, not knowing where it came from.

“And next to her is Eva, she and her husband Finlay just had a baby a few months ago.” Maria smiled. “And on the end, there, is Cara, our expert on Scathach.”

“I’m an anthropologist. I studied ancient Celtic Myths and found out that some of those myths are real,” Cara said, smiling.

“I may have to pick your brain about that later,” Annie said. “I’ve done quite a bit of research on her myself, but I’d love to hear your take.”

“Sure, anytime. What was it you do? If you don’t mind me asking?” Cara said.

“I’m a vlogger. I travel and film going to various haunted places. Not sure what’s going to happen if I can’t get back there though. Is there a way back?” Annie looked questioningly at the group of women.

The woman all looked slightly uncomfortable for a moment, and then Cara said, “No. I’m sorry, but once Scathach sends you through that door, it’s pretty much a one way ticket. There’s no going back.”