Page 9 of See A Highlander (A Highlander Across Time #10)

CHAPTER 9

“ I have news.” David said walking alongside Tom as they headed back to the training grounds so Tom could judge if his shoulder was properly healed.

“Pray tell me.”

"I’ve spoken with Ellie.”

"You’ve asked for her hand?”

“Not yet. But I believe she’ll say yes once I ask her. So that is the news,” David replied.

“That's very good to hear, my friend. I'm glad for your happiness. Now let's see if you can do sword and shield today. Then we will see if your arm is sore tomorrow and how much weight it can handle."

“I’m sure that I can handle all of that. I always heal fast and I’m always ready to fight,” David said with a stubborn nature.

Tom was used to hearing this from all the guards. Always quick to want to prove that they were indestructible no matter how injured they were. “I believe you, but let us test it to be sure.”

David moved to the rack and pulled off a large shield and heavy short sword. "So what have you heard of the new arrivals?” David asked.

Tom turned to him so quickly that he almost lost his balance. He didn’t like hearing the other men talk about the two women, especially not Annie. He felt a tinge of jealousy move through him.

“What do you want to know about them?"

“They’re quite the pretty lot, are they not?” David said with a grin.

“They are. Why do you ask? I thought you were interested in only Ellie,” Tom said.

“No harm in lookin’ is there?” David replied, wielding his sword.

“You’re asking for trouble,” Tom muttered. Thinking if he kept it up he’d be getting into a bout of fisticuffs with his friend over Annie. It seemed that after spending time in conversation with her, he found he quite liked her and didn’t like the thought of anyone else having interest in her.

"I like trouble.” David smiled.

Tom narrowed his eyes. “Why don't I help you out here and see if your arm is healed and can withstand a practice battle?” Tom grabbed a short sword off the rack and started to stretch his arms.

“Alright let us see what you’ve got, then,” David playfully said.

Tom immediately lunged at David. He had to twist his sword to block Tom's movement. Then he thrust again and again, and David was surprised but quick to clash swords.Tom didn’t know what had gotten into him, but something primal had taken over him.

The thought of David going after Annie made him fight as though he was taking on the enemy. For a moment he completely forgot about his profession and making sure this patient of his was healed. Instead he only saw another hot-blooded male wanting the same female that he did, and he’d fallen back on the warrior training he’d done years earlier before going off to Glasgow.

“Is that all you got?” David egged him on as he blocked another thrust.

It was obvious that David was enjoying every moment of their mock battle. As Tom practice fought with David, he did note that David had full range and movement back and that was good. Eventually the anger in him receded and the blind rage died down just a little. His chest heaving, Tom stopped.

“Well, what are your thoughts on my arm?” David asked, taking a heavy breath.

“Good. Very good indeed. You seemed completely healed. I would keep working it and stretching it,” Tom said catching his breath.

“Aye, I will.” David smirked and then gave him a considering look. “So where did that come from? I’ve not seen you fight like that in more ‘n ten years.” He chuckled.

“I don't know. I guess I just needed to relieve some stress,” Tom said.

“Really? Because I’ve had a thought,” David said, arching a brow at him. “You got all worked up after I asked about the new arrivals. You fancy one of them?” David asked, his tone turning curious.

Tom didn’t answer because he didn’t know how to answer that question. He grunted, hoping David would drop it.

“Well, just to let you know where my interest lay, I was speaking about the redhead. You know when she first arrived, she found me in the kitchen. I was waiting for Ellie, because she was in the garden. The redhead acted like the tavern wenches in town. Puttin’ her hands on me and the like. I was quite taken with her at first. Then of course, I remembered that Ellie has my heart. But if she’s the one you are having thoughts about, you should reconsider. She’s the one that is trouble, as you said,” David offered.

Tom was relieved to hear that his attentions were turned toward Bella and not Annie. If he had known that beforehand, he wouldn’t have attacked David in such a way in a practice fight. Now he felt somewhat of a fool. But it also let him know that he really did desire Annie, and his feelings were growing more fierce for her by the day. Why else would he have such a jealous streak inside of him?

“Aye, she is a dangerous one. Stay away from her. Keep your intentions toward Ellie. She is a good woman and will make you a proper wife,” Tom said.

“And you?” David asked.

Tom simply gave him a look and shook his head. He moved to the rack and mounted the sword back onto the wall. “I have much work to do. Keep stretching that arm and then put a warm compress upon it when you are finished."

“You didn't answer me,” David shouted at him, laughing.

Tom walked away not answering his friend. He did have work to do, after all.

To say Bella had been fuming in her room would be an understatement. Being confined to a room like a child only made her want to cause chaos in her wake.

She sat at the table in her room, waiting for a guard to arrive. She had been told that she would be allowed out this morning and she was anxious for that to happen. She thought it was dumb that she should be on house arrest simply for drinking wine. How else is one supposed to respond to the news that they have traveled back in time? The only way through something like that was to get roaring drunk. So she did. Then she was punished for it. It wasn’t fair.

There was a knock at the door that let her know the door would be opening. Keys wrestled in the lock and then the door opened. A guard stood in the doorway.

“You are free to leave your room, lass, but the Laird has sent me with a message. You are to stay within the confines of the castle proper and courtyard only, do not leave the grounds. Also, stay out of the wine and out of trouble. You may join everyone for supper this evening in the Dining Hall. Oh and you must wear proper apparel.” The guard entered and plopped down a bundle on the table in front of her.

“Thanks. Do you know where I can find the woman that arrived with me? Annie Mills?” she asked.

“Her room is down the hall. When you get to the end, turn right. Her door is the third one.” Then he walked out, closing the door behind him.

Bella listened for the keys to lock her in, but there was no sound of them. Relief washed through her.

She jumped up and moved to the door. Opening it slowly just a crack, she peeked out. There was no guard posted at her door. She truly was free.

“Finally,” she said. Then she moved to the bundle on the bed and untied it. Layers of fabric revealed an actual outfit. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” she said picking up the layers of cloth.

“Well this will be interesting to figure out. Like a jigsaw puzzle.”

She started on the ensemble, struggling until she felt she had it right. It had taken quite a while and by the time she was done, she was starving. She thought maybe she’d go visit the kitchen, but then she remembered that Annie’s room was just down the hall. Bella was ready to give her an earful for not visiting her while she was under house arrest. The selfishness.

As she made her way down the hall, she heard Annie’s fluttering laughter. She knew that tone well. She was flirting. There was a deep familiar voice that followed. Bella followed until she turned right and saw Annie leaning against the wall outside her door.

The handsome doctor that had tended to her arm stood in front of her with a flirtatious grin. Bella narrowed her eyes. How dare Annie be having the time of her life getting dick while she was locked up in a room for days.

“Well, well. Looks like you’ve been keeping busy,” Bella said snidely.

“Bella,” Annie was startled. She stood up straight and stepped away from the man.

“Good morning to you, lass,” Tom nodded to Bella.

“And to you. I noticed you didn’t come to tend to my arm this morning. I can see why,” she said starring daggers at Annie.

“I didn’t come today because as I said yesterday, it no longer needs tending to. You have healed fine,” he said.

“Well, maybe I wanted you to come,” Bella flirted, giving him her most sensual smile.

Annie immediately looked to Tom, her eyes wide and slightly hurt. Her tone changed too. “You’ve been looking in on her every day?”

Bella liked seeing her out of sorts. It served her right.

His brow furrowed, and he looked confused. “Of course. It’s my job,” he said.

Bella crossed her arms over her chest in a smug manner. She wanted to plant doubt in Annie about this new flirtation, and she had succeeded.

It was quiet for a moment.

“I see.” Annie looked down; her fingers pulled tight into fists at her side.

Then Tom said, “Well I should be off.” He nodded at Annie, and then barely glanced at Bella, much to her displeasure.

Annie huffed and turned to her door, but not before she rolled her eyes at Bella and walked into her room. Bella followed her in to pester her.

“I can’t believe this. You’ve been flirting and preoccupied with dick while we’re stuck in this nightmare? How could you, Annie?”

“Nightmare? I don’t think any of this is a nightmare,” Annie said, her tone matter-of-fact.

“Are you insane? How could you not? We’re stuck in a place with none of the basic necessities we’re used to. There’s no running water! I have to take a bath, you know I can’t stand them! There’s no phones. It’s awful. I hate it.”

“I’m not thinking of it like that. This is just someplace very different from where we’ve lived. Yes, it’s crazy that we’re here, I acknowledge that, but I’m not mad about it anymore. I’m making the best of it. We both can.”

“Oh yeah, I can see you’re hard at work at making the most of it with that guy. This is why Billy cheated on you, you know? Cause you made everything about him and smothered him. You’re so clingy. You needed to get a life. Then you come here and immediately latch on to another man, the first man you actually met,” Bella said. “How cliché!”

“First of all, that’s not true about my relationship with Billy. Second, Tom isn’t the first man I met here, that would be Barclay, the guard who pulled us apart. Besides, I don’t want to hear anything from you, of all people,” Annie said. “Get out of my room.”

“Whatever. You’re an idiot. I’m going to go find something to eat and then do something that isn’t so damn boring,” Bella walked out of Annie’s room, in a huff.

Bella stomped down the stairs and out to the courtyard completely bored out of her mind. She had no interest in learning anything about this time period or what went on in the castle. Nothing was as she thought it would be from the fairy tales she’d been told as a girl. She thought that if she ever ended up in a castle she would be treated like a princess with beautiful clothing and lots of food and men adoring her.

Instead she was roaming aimlessly through the courtyard feeling like a shell of a person. The only fun she thought she might have was flirting with men here and she found the men of this time to be very attractive. They were warriors with broad shoulders and strong arms. Both things she liked.

"You? What is your name?” she asked a guard who had caught her eye as he was heading back toward the castle doors.

"Me?” He seemed surprised that Bella was speaking to him. “I’m Evander,” he said.

"Well, Evander, I’m Bella. I would love some whisky if you have any,” she said seductively.

"Aye, I know where we can have a nip, join me,” he said he tilted his head for her to come with him around the side of the castle.

He looked around scanning the area. Then he led around the corner. He took out a flask of whisky and took a drink and then handed it to her.

"I’ve not seen you before,” he said.

“No I’m not from here. Have you not heard? It doesn't matter. It only matters that I'm very bored."

He gave her a look up and down. “Well, I’m sure that I can entertain you, lass."

"You can? How?"

Suddenly he pushed her up against the wall. Thrilled, Bella encouraged it. He kissed her hard and deep. His hands roamed over her body.

"Evander. How dare you, you foul, despicable man!” a shrill voice shouted.

They stopped kissing. A pudgy woman with red hair stood with her hands on her hips.

"You Jezabel! Get off my husband,” she said.

Bella laughed. Evander looked stunned as his wife led him away by his ear.It was just too bad he’d taken the flask of whisky with him as she dragged him away.

Bella sighed again and wandered aimlessly.

She went into the kitchens to find something simple to eat, but saw the pudgy woman as she entered. The woman scurried to the other staff and started whispering. All eyes turned on Bella and gave her a glaring look.

“You are disrupting my staff,” a stern looking woman said. “What are you doing in here?”

“I’m hungry,” Bella replied.

The woman looked at her with disdain. “Supper will served shortly, you’ll have to wait until then. Please leave my kitchens.” She pointed toward the door.

Bella felt very small for the first time in a long time. Such behavior back home didn’t mean that you didn’t have access to food. This was the first time she was feeling consequences for her actions and she didn’t like it. She turned around and left the kitchen. She would have to wait until supper to eat, as the woman said. Everyday grew more tedious and awful the longer she was here. Now that she couldn't even have any fun with the men without causing such a scene. It was enough to drive her crazy.