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I’ve
always found the idea of travelling back in time fascinating. And the thought
of meeting up with a rugged highlander like Travis, the Laird in this book is
one of my wildest dreams. To think what it must have been like back then in the
days before transport, electricity and all the other commodities that make our
lives so easy nowadays. The Laird is Book One in my Wild Heather series and if
you fall in love with the Laird as I did in this book then you will enjoy Book
Two in the series which continues on with the handsome rogue’s story.
For
something different I have two time-travelers going back to Scotland of 1050.
Andrew is a modern wealthy Australian architect who very reluctantly answers a
plea to visit his sick uncle. Andrew takes life very seriously, whereas his PA
Elizabeth, Liz, is the exact opposite. Outgoing and a lover of fun, she is also
a lover of all things Celtic and has studied Celtic lore and language. She
inveigles Andrew into letting her accompany him to Scotland, the birth land of
his father, who left there under a cloud years ago.
Shocks and disappointments await Andrew when they arrive for his uncle’s castle is dingy, draughty, and in urgent need of repair. Of course, it proves a delight to Liz who can’t wait to explore. While in one of the attics they set off a chain of events that propel them back in time where they meet the Laird, who just happens to be Andrew’s double.
“This is a remarkable book, and Ms. McGill is an outstanding writer. There is rich historical detail of everyday medieval life, and characters who stepped right out of the annuls of history. I love time travel books, and this one is exceptional.” Deborah Brent for Romantic Times.
The Laird is available here at your favourite store: https://books2read.com/The-Laird
The Laird Excerpt:
Chapter One
Near Stirling, Scotland. Present day.
Andrew
McAlistair stared at the muddle of buildings. He’d never seen such a mess.
His
personal assistant obviously didn’t share his opinion. The moment she spied the
heap of junk, she said, “I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“Neither
have I.” Sarcasm threaded through his remark.
“It’s
fascinating.”
“Elizabeth
Parker, you’re odd.” Andrew shook his head. “Surely this can’t be the right
place. It has to be a mistake.” He’d stopped the hire car by a pair of iron
gates, once grand, but now hanging drunkenly on rusty hinges. One of the lions
perched askew atop the posts flanking the gates had its concrete nose sliced
off. “My uncle and aunts can’t live here—we’ve obviously taken a wrong turn
somewhere.”
“No,
that lady at the post office said this is the place. Drive on to the door.”
Andrew’s
insides cringed as he drove past a garden gone to weed, where motley shrubs
battled to survive against a choking tangle of thistles.
“The
house looks promising,” Liz said, her eyes still sparkling with excitement.
Andrew
groaned. Back in Melbourne, those green eyes lit up the moment he mentioned his
uncle’s castle. Liz read Scottish history as if it was the most interesting
literature in the world, and possessed an understanding of Celtic lore and
languages. She was the only person he knew who spoke fluent Gaelic.
“My
God, it looks like the house that Jack built,” he complained. “The bloke who
designed it must have been crazy. Or drunk.”
A
two-storied house stood stoutly in front of a larger four-storied structure
with turrets at the top of the two front corners. Curved steps went up to
immense double doors. Small grimy glass panes were set high in each door.
The
moment Andrew stopped the car these doors flew open and two elderly ladies
pranced out. One wore a bright tartan skirt and red blouse with frilled neck
and cuffs. The other’s black dress covered her from neck to ankle.
His
aunts, Kitty and Tilda. Andrew could only stand and stare.
“Andy,
is it really you? Ye’re here, all the way from Australia!” The plump one had a
mass of hair like corkscrews. She drew Andrew against her ample bosom, her
tartan skirt swirling as she rocked him back and forth. Her cardigan had seen
better days, as had her scuffed brown leather boots. Vermilion lipstick ran
through cracks at the side of her mouth. The scent of lavender and mothballs
made Andrew cough. As he tried to free himself from the old lady’s clasp, he
saw Liz’s grin.
As
she pumped Liz’s hand the thinner of the two old ladies twittered, “An’ you
must be Andy’s trusty companion.”
Andrew
managed to free himself from the plump one, only to be dragged into a pair of
stick-thin arms that pressed him against a breast as flat as a board.
“I’m
yer Aunt Kitty.” The bigger one stood back and beamed. “I cannae believe you’re
really here, Andy.”
Kitty
was in her early seventies. Her boots looked sturdy enough to take her over the
hills and dales and she looked fit enough to hike for miles.
“This
is Tilda.” With an indifferent sniff Kitty pointed to her lean sister. Tilda’s
tight bun dragged the skin of her face back from her prominent cheekbones,
pulling her narrow mouth into a straight line. Probably sixty, Tilda looked
ancient. Like a hyperactive sparrow she jerked from foot to foot.
“I’ll
call the old bugger.” She rushed inside. Andrew blinked.
“Tilda’s
a bit slow,” Kitty put a finger to her forehead and rotated it while she rolled
her eyes. “Come away inside. The old fellow will fetch yer luggage in.” She
waved a hand in the general direction of the vehicle. “Yer car can stay there.
The garage has a hole in the roof, so it will do just as well where ‘tis.”
Andrew’s
disappointment grew in leaps and bounds as they went into the hall. Instead of
the marble fireplaces, oak panels and Persian carpets of his fancies, the large
lofty hall was starkly unfurnished, except for a few rusted weapons hanging on
walls whose plaster was peeling. The paintwork bore water stains, the stair
carpet was threadbare and the whole house seemed dilapidated, draughty and in
need of repair.
“Now,
can I get you a cup of something hot? You must be feeling the cold something
awful after coming from the tropics.” Kitty yanked on the waistband of her
skirt.
“Australia
isn’t exactly tropical, er...um...Aunt Kitty.” Andrew ran a hand over his hair,
then down his nape. Good God, the woman didn’t feel a bit like a relative. And
he wasn’t keen on the amusement Liz was failing, to conceal. “At least not in
Victoria where we come from.”
“Ah
well, once ye get settled in ye can tell me all about yer home and work...and
everything.” She rubbed her palms together.
“I’d
like a hot drink, Kitty.” Liz asked, then added, “May I call you that?”
“Good
gracious me, yes. Now then, follow me.” She started off along the wide hallway,
her skirt swaying.
“What
century was the castle built in?” Liz asked, obviously intrigued by this
monstrosity of a place. Andrew shook his head.
“The
original part at the back was built in the seventeenth century, dear, but bits
have been added on over the years. Not much has been done in the past few
years, though.” Kitty tut-tutted sadly as she opened a door beneath the
staircase then gestured with red-tipped fingers for them to enter. “We eat in
the kitchen these days, ‘tis warmer.”
She
waved for them to sit at a long wooden table with ten chairs around it, and
then went over to the huge black stove throwing out enough heat to warm the
cavernous room. “The kettle will take but a moment to boil.” She tugged on her
cardigan, rubbed her hands together a few times, and sat opposite them.
“Yer
uncle will no doubt wait until later to welcome ye himself. I’m sorry to say
he’s a wee bit obstinate, is that brother of mine. Fancy letting his own flesh
and blood go for so long without one word over the years!” Sighing, she
dramatically pulled her bottom lip into her mouth. Then she sent Andrew a coy
smile, declaring, “No doubt yer heart is softer than his, laddie. ‘Twas a
dreadful shame that yer father left after that awful row with Lawrence. But no
doubt he made a fortune for himself in Australia.” Her eyes gleamed with
curiosity.
“He
did all right,” Andrew admitted quietly. “My father always took some misplaced
pride in being the black sheep of his family, but never told me exactly what
the argument was over.” He paused, then added, “My father never spent much time
discussing anything with me, really.”
“That’s
an awful shame.” Kitty reached to pat his hand.
“The row had something to do with money,”
Kitty went on. “I think yer father had a hand in a wee bit of smuggling or the
suchlike.”
“That
would be about right.” Andrew noticed Liz’s quizzical gaze. He seldom spoke
about his father and apart from telling her he’d died four years ago, and went
to Australia in 1956 at the age of twenty-five she knew little else.
Kitty
busied herself making a pot of tea, then poured them all one. “An’ it was also
a crying shame that ye never got to meet yer grandparents, Andy,” she said as
she sat again.
It
never bothered Andrew before. But now he came to think about it, it was
depressing, to be the last in a long family line.
“Still,
an’ all, ye’ll be having bairns of yer own afore long, laddie. Then the family
will grow again like it was in the old days, when there were many proud
McAlistairs.”
Andrew
stared into his cup, saying nothing.
Kitty
asked brightly, “So, did ye have a good drive over from the airport at
Edinburgh?”
“Yes,” Liz said. “The scenery is superb,
Kitty. All that I expected. And the town looks lovely sprawled over the hills.
I can’t wait to go to Stirling Castle.”
“Aye,
an’ we have the Campsie Fells south of here, an’ then the Ochil Hills on the
other side of the Firth of Forth. An’ you’ll have to visit the Antonine Wall.
‘Tis just a wee ride away.”
Andrew
looked over to Liz. Her wide eyes shone with expectation. “Oh, don’t worry,
she’ll visit every place within a hundred mile radius,” he said with
conviction. Her zest for life and interest in all things ancient was
astonishing. She had the fair complexion that usually accompanied auburn hair
and a few of the freckles attractively spotting her up-tilted nose showed
through her make-up. A smile twitched at the corners of her generous mouth as
she looked from him to Kitty. A smile was always lurking in her eyes, and he
knew she always went out of her way to get him to snap out of his seriousness.
It had become a game they played, where she laughed openly and he held back.
Even in the well-cut suits and prim blouses she always wore to the office, with
her hair coiled at the back of her head, her vivacious spark shone through.
“D’ye
wish to go to yer rooms now, laddie, and freshen up?” Kitty was watching him
expectantly.
“Oh,
yes, sure.” He stood, pushing the rung-backed chair beneath the table.
“Come
away with me, then. I’ll show ye up.” With another tug on the raggedy cardigan,
she beckoned to them as she made for the door.
After
the warmth of the kitchen the hallway struck as cold as a tomb. Andrew
shuddered. With a bit of luck they could see his uncle, make peace with him,
then scoot back home as soon as possible.
The
upper hallway was no better than downstairs, with frayed and faded carpet on
the floor and streaks of water damage on the walls.
“Right,
this one is yers, Andy.” Kitty stopped and opened a door with a flourish. She
stood back, beaming. “And right next door is the lassies’. The bathroom is over
there. There’s hot water, but sometimes the heater plays up, so ye’d best work
it out between yourselves so one has a bath at night and one in the morning.”
Andrew
groaned. It seemed as if that was all he’d done since he first saw this
dreadful pile of bricks. Behind Kitty’s back he put a hand to his head, and
pressed his fingers to his temple. Liz’s grin widened.
“We’re
hoping ye’ll stay awhile, the pair of you.” Kitty patted his arm, and gave him
a benevolent smile. “The days are short and the winds heavy about now, but in
spring the heather covers our hills with purple. Some foreigners think this a
savage land, but we’ve hidden glens where torrents of water rush through them.
An’ there’s gently rolling hills and mighty mountains. All that a soul with
Scottish blood in his veins can desire.”
Andrew scowled at Liz’s broad grin. How the hell had he let this incorrigible history fanatic talk him into this?
Chapter Two
“I
told you everything would be all right, didn’t I?” Liz said, as Andrew put the
phone down and jotted a few notes on the pad in front of him.
Andrew
sat on the corner of the desk, drawing her eyes to the powerful leg muscles
beneath the fabric of his trousers as he began to swing a foot. With an effort
she dragged her gaze away.
In
the three years they’d worked together Liz had grown to admire and respect him,
but at times could be maddened by his arrogance. Her boss took life far too
seriously. If he would only take life more lightly he would be perfect.
What
the hell, he was nigh on perfect, with dark softly waving hair, gold hawk’s
eyes and a powerful physique he kept in well-honed athletic condition.
“Yes,
as you forecast, Ray is managing with the Dickinson project admirably. With
Paula’s help.” He raked a hand through his hair. It was cut short, so he didn’t
disrupt its neatness. He sat on the chair opposite hers at the side of the
fireplace dominating the library, the only other habitable room on the ground
floor. The castle was definitely the drabbest and coldest place either of them
had ever lived in. In the two days they’d been here both hovered close to the
fire whenever they could.
“I
still don’t know how you inveigled me into coming here, Parker,” he grumbled.
“I told you it would be bloody freezing here in March.”
“I
wanted to skulk around a castle in Scotland.”
“As
I said—mad.” He shook his head.
“Well,
if I wasn’t a bit soft in the head I wouldn’t have slaved for you with only one
holiday in two years, now would I?”
“I
was going to suggest you take some time off after we’d cleared up the Dickinson
job,” he allowed magnanimously.
“Ah
well, this is more exciting than a couple of weeks in Bali, boss.”
“Crazy,”
he muttered. “Uncle Lawrence seems quite taken with you. I’m beginning to think
he doesn’t give a carrot about me, for all he says I’m his heir.” Stuffing his
hands deep in his pockets he scowled at his feet. “I wonder what I’m doing
here.” He made a sound of disgust. “The old boy doesn’t seem to be at death’s
door at all, contrary to their letter. Aunt Kitty couldn’t give a hoot about
him or how sick he is, and from what I gather, she never goes up to his room. Personally,
I don’t think she can stand the sight of him. Tilda seems to have more time for
him. At least she spends an hour or so in his room each day.”
“Poor
dear. She’s definitely a bit slow. And she’s not impatient like Kitty. Did you
see how Kitty’s eyes lit up when you were talking about your business, and how
well your father had done in Australia? I think she’s of the opinion you’re her
pot of gold at the end of a rainbow. She likes the latest clothes, so she told
me.” Liz rocked back on the other moth-eaten armchair as she laughed. “She
reckons her brother is so tight he squeaks as he walks. Not that she should say
that. The poor old soul can’t walk.”
“Poor
old soul—what rubbish. He’s cantankerous and rude, and that male nurse of his
has the patience of a saint. During the short time I visited with him yesterday
he complained about the cost of running this place, the price of food, the
wages he pays to the staff.” Andrew ticked the complaints off on his fingers.
“Staff—what a joke? My God, he’s only got two old retainers. No wonder the
place is falling apart.”
“Yes,
but it’s fascinating, admit it. Your uncle told me to go up and rummage through
the trunks in the attic any time I feel like it.” Liz leaned forward in her
eagerness. “Imagine what we may find up there.”
“Imagine.”
Andrew grimaced. “He’s definitely found a soul mate in you. He thinks you’re
the bees’ knees. What were you talking about for two hours yesterday
afternoon?”
“He
shares my interest in the history of this place.” Liz looked about at the dusty
drab room, seeing images of shadows of its past inhabitants in every corner.
“Can’t you feel it? The castle is steeped in it. I swear I saw a ghost last
night as I got into bed.”
“You
would. It was probably the first McAlistair who lived here. What did you say
his name was?” Andrew sat forward, his elbows resting on his knees.
“I
don’t really know. I haven’t been able to trace your tree so far back yet. But
if he’s anything like the paintings of your other ancestors in the gallery, he
can haunt my bedroom anytime he likes. What dishes. One of them was called
Travis. I don’t really think the castle’s history goes back to the first one.
God, but there’s something romantic and dashing about a man in a kilt. And
those bagpipes really stir the soul.” She winked mischievously.
“Ha,”
he grunted. “I think you must have more Scottish blood in your veins than I
have.”
“That’s
a fact. This place draws me. I think I love it, ghost and all.” She looked
about. “I found out what the family tartan is. You’d look great in a kilt,
boss.” She leant back and appraised him through narrowed eyes.
“That
is definitely one garment you’ll never get me in. Forget it. And what the hell
am I going to do with this dump?” Once his uncle passed on, this castle would
be his and Liz knew the mere thought made him morose.
“You
could always use it as a holiday home,” Liz suggested. “Imagine what fun you
can have telling your friends that you’re off to the Highlands for a break.”
“Fun?”
Andrew shivered visibly. “It’s miserably cold and damp. The furniture should
have been burned years ago. Look at it.” He slapped at one of the cracks on the
arm of his chair. “I don’t know why I let you talk me into coming.”
“It
was worth coming if only for that porridge we had for breakfast. Only the Scots
know how to make real porridge.” She closed her eyes and purred in blissful
reminiscence. “And what about that dish Kitty called Scots Collops we had for
dinner last evening. Wasn’t it tasty?”
“Just
tasted like mince to me.”
“We’ve
been promised Finnan Haddie for dinner tonight.” She concentrated on keeping
the amusement out of her voice.
“Finnan
Haddie?” He scowled. “What the hell’s that?”
“It’s
haddock from Findon, so Tilda said. Apparently, that’s a fishing village near
Aberdeen.”
Pressing
a finger and thumb to his eyes, Andrew sighed. Liz hid a smile. “Can we visit
Stirling Castle later, please? It’s only down the road a bit. Look, I’ve got a
pamphlet.”
“Just
another one of the hundreds you’ve accumulated since our plane landed.”
Ignoring
his sarcasm, she read, “The castle was a strategically important place. It
played a major part in the Scottish struggle against the English.” She glanced
up. “Just imagine it. Great names like William Wallace and Robert the Bruce
were involved in the sieges there. And Andrew the Second tossed the Earl of
Douglas’ body from a window of the castle. He’s supposed to have invited the
earl to dine, and then stabbed him over the dinner table because he’d gone out
of his way to provoke him.”
“Nice
people in those days.” Andrew’s mouth twisted wryly.
“Mm,
and parliament decided Douglas deserved it because he resisted the king’s
persuasion. So he got away with that one nicely.” She waved the leaflet. “Mary,
Queen of Scots, spent her childhood there, too.”
“Okay
we’ll go this afternoon. Just as long as we don’t have to take the two old
biddies along with us. I know I’m not being very gracious, but honestly, I’ve
had just about all I can take of them today. Where are they now, by the way?”
He glanced about as if expecting them to jump out at him.
“I
think Tilda’s reading the daily newspaper to your uncle. And Kitty’s preparing
our lunch, I believe. She loves food. I must say her shortbread is the food of
the gods. I think she’s trying to charm you with her creative cooking. She’s
heard that the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach.” He grunted and Liz
closed her eyes, humming blissfully. “I think I’ll need to go for a run round
the grounds later or I’ll end up with a spare roll of fat around my middle.
“Tilda
told me Kitty lost her one true love over fifty-five years ago when he went off
to war and never came back. She was talking about this Robert as if he was
visiting this afternoon and Tilda put me straight. Poor Kitty hasn’t seen him
since she was a teenager. Isn’t that sad?”
“Yes,
it is rather,” Andrew agreed.
“Come
on then, let’s go up to the attic and see what we can find. What do you say?”
She got up and tugged on his sleeve.
He
looked up at her, obviously amused by her eagerness. “God, Parker, you should
have been born in another century. You’re too weird for this one.” With a sigh
he pushed himself upright and followed her out.
The
house seemed to be all passages, corridors and twisting turns. Climbing the
main staircase up to the first floor, they went to the end of the wide upper
hallway, and then opened a door that brought them out to a narrow staircase. It
wound so tightly the steps were narrower on one side than the other.
“Guess
this must lead to the part of the house that looks like the original bit. This
house is a maze. I wonder where those little turrets with the curved windows
are. They must be up this way somewhere.” Liz shivered in expectation.
“Cold?”
Andrew touched her on the shoulder.
“No,
just excited at the prospect of what we might find up here.” She strove to
ignore the thrill that trembled through her at his touch. “This reminds me of a
time when I was a kid. We went to visit an old aunt of my mother’s and she
swore her house was haunted.”
“You’re
the only woman I know who gets excited about the prospect of meeting a ghost.”
At
the top of the staircase a narrow door blocked their way. Liz tried the rusted
handle. “I can’t turn this.”
“Here,
let me try,” Andrew offered.
She
glanced over her shoulder. There was barely room for the two of them to turn in
the small space. “Come on, back down a bit.” He placed his hands on her waist
and lifted her. For a moment he kept his hold on her as he lowered her slowly
to the lower stair. Her face was on a level with his chest, as he said, with a
strange gruffness in his voice, “You’re as light as a bag of feathers.”
Liz
bent her head as he turned his attention to the door. A stupid blush rushed to
her face, and his very masculine smell surrounded her, mingling with her own
perfume; a heady mixture.
He
seemed oblivious to her moment of confusion and awareness. “There, that’s done
it.”
The
door creaked on its hinges as it swung inwards. Stepping up the last stair
Andrew turned to offer a hand, letting go once she’d joined him. The door
opened into a large room, and at the far side was another small staircase. At
its top yet another door swung open with a squeak and a groan, and Andrew led
the way into a dim room where a small amount of light filtered in from one
small filthy window high up on the wall.
“This
isn’t a turret.” Disappointed, Liz brushed a cobweb from her cheek.
“It’s
as filthy as hell in here.” Andrew sneezed as they stood side by side, peering
into the gloom. “I suppose there’s a light switch somewhere.” His arm brushed
her breasts as he ran his fingers up and down the wall and Liz jumped.
“You’re
very touchy today.” His tone, as smooth as melted honey, sent feathery shivers
right up to her nape. “Aha, here it is.” He flicked a switch and the attic was
illuminated by a single light bulb hanging from one of the beams. “At least
there’s a light, such as it is. This place is like something out of the Dark
Ages.”
As
her eyes grew accustomed to the dimness, Liz looked around. Cobwebs festooned
the room and inches of dust covered every surface. Great oak beams sloped down
to one side of the room. Dust motes floated in the dim light. They sneezed
simultaneously and laughed as both said, “Bless you.”
“Hey,
there’s four trunks here.” Liz knocked cobwebs out of the way as she went over
to the huge metal-bound containers. She tried the rusted lock of the nearest
one. “Damn—it’s locked. We’ll have to ask your uncle or aunts if they know
where the key is. What do you suppose could be in it? I wonder if there are any
old diaries, books or ledgers.” Trying the next one to find the lid lifted a
fraction, she cried eagerly, “Look, this one’s open.”
“Here,
let me.” Andrew gently pushed her aside. After a small struggle he managed to
force the lid up. “It’s full of old rags.” He brushed his palms together as Liz
blew at the dust and cobwebs around the inside of the lid.
“Rags,”
she snorted, picking up the top article. It was a plaid scarf. Rummaging about
beneath a layer of yellowed tissue paper, she cried, “This, sir, is a set of
highland dress. Look, here’s a kilt. It’s magnificent.” Holding it aloft, she
shook it, sending dust flying, which set them both sneezing again. “It’s in
your clan colors, too. Don’t you just love this green and red plaid? Try it
on.” She held it in front of him.
“Like
hell I will.” He turned away.
“You
haven’t an ounce of romance in your whole body.” With a click of the tongue,
she bent to sort through the clothing again, producing a black jacket with gilt
buttons, then a sporran. “Look at this.”
“I
can be as romantic as the next man,” he assured her, “but my idea of romance
isn’t tied up with wearing a dirty old kilt that reeks of mothballs and dust.”
“You
can put it on over your trousers. You don’t have to strip off. Come on, just
slip it around your waist.” Before he could stop her, she wrapped it about him.
“Go
and look in that mirror.” She gave him a gentle push then wiped a piece of rag
over the mottled cheval mirror standing in a corner. “See how proud and
Scottish you look. Why, if your hair was longer you’d be the image of old
Travis in the portrait downstairs.”
Liz
bit her lip. She’d revealed too much, after her declarations about how handsome
she thought Travis. Quickly, she bent over the trunk again.
“Here’s
a funny sort of cape. It looks like it’s made of animal hide.” Liz forgot her
dismay as she lifted her find, struggling to give it a shake. Its rolled collar
ended in a tag caught together by a clasp. “It sure is heavy. I don’t recall
ever reading about anything quite like this. And I’ve never seen a picture of
one of these cloaks. Have you, Andrew?” So engrossed was she in her find that
only when it was out of her mouth did she realize she’d used his name. That was
something she never did around the office.
He
peered at it. Any other man wearing a kilt over a pair of trousers would look
ridiculous, but not Andrew. Because they’d been feeling the cold, they’d gone
into Stirling yesterday to buy warmer clothing. He now wore his new fleecy work
shirt under a warm Shetland sweater, and a pair of heavy leather walking boots
with thick woolen socks folded over their tops. Liz loved her new ankle-length
tartan wool skirt. Black tights, calf-high suede leather boots, chunky red
sweater, and plaid shawl matching her skirt sure kept out the chill that was
really foreign to them.
“Try
it on, it’s got a funny looking sort of brooch clipped at the front,” she said,
touching the two inch by four-inch sheet of flattened metal.
There
was an inscription on it. “What does it say?” Andrew asked, leaning over as she
took it nearer the light bulb and rubbed at it with the scrap of cloth.
“Translated
it says: ‘Commit thy work to God’. Hey, that’s your family motto. I saw it on
one of the portraits downstairs. And this squiggle about the edges must be wild
heather, the same plant as on your family crest. Put it on, boss.” Liz
struggled to lift the cloak. She was average height but it was still a long way
up to his broad shoulders. “This thing’s sure heavy.”
“Steady
on.” As she fell against him, Andrew took a step back. He managed to pull the
cloak in place with one hand and hold her steady with the other. “You’re not
kidding. It’s heavy all right.”
Liz
clung to his upper arms, and the strange clasp pressed against her breasts. She
was hit with the oddest sensation—as if it was branding her.
The
floor shuddered violently beneath them, sending vibrations up her legs. A
draught of ice-cold air whirled about them.
“Did
you feel the earth move?” His tone was gently mocking, and Liz buried her face
against his sweater, shivering.
Wrinkling
her nose at the smell coming from the pelt she whispered, scared, “Actually I
did. I thought it was my imagination. Do they have earthquakes in Scotland?”
“I’m
not sure.” Liz barely heard him, for a strange buzzing filled the air, and she
felt as if her eardrums were going to explode as everything about them seemed
to vibrate and shudder. Wrapping her arms about his middle, she screamed, the
noise burbling from her throat.
Then
the light went out.
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