Dawn Marie Hamilton - Highland Gardens (9 page)

After tearful goodbyes, Archibald clasped
Isobell’s hand. “Are you ready?”

“Aye.”

A grave expression crossed his handsome face.
“Forever?”

“Aye. Forever.” She smiled, and his features
softened.

Buoyed by a fated love, chief and lady-wife
retreated from the garden, hand in hand, and walked just beyond the gate.

“I am scared,” Isobell said, feeling the pull of the
knoll.

M
unn
stepped toward the gate to follow Isobell and his chief. If he didn’t hurry,
he’d be left behind. His place was with the clan in the past.

Caitrina grabbed an arm and held him put. “They
dinnae need you for their happily-ever-after.”

“But—”

“This match is complete. A wee
bairn
will
arrive in late September.”

“Ach. I need to be there to protect the chief when
he is called to war.”

“We will ensure he sends others.”

“Who can take his place?”

“Stephen will lead the chosen lads.” Caitrina
smiled. “We are off to other realms. ’Tis time to prepare for the next match.”

“Tell me who the couple is.” Munn glared at
Caitrina. “I want to help with the final match of the queen’s challenge.”

The annoying faerie laughed. “I have decided to
let you help. ’Tis Stephen and—”

“But you just said he will lead the lads.”

“True.”

Munn released a put out sigh. “With whom must he
be mated?”

“I had planned to tell you, but I have changed my
mind. I will disclose the information when the time is right.”

“Whatever.”

“You have spent too much time in the future. You
sound like the humans.”

Munn shrugged. “A match for Stephen is
impossible.”

“Really?” Caitrina peered down her nose at him.

“Aye.” Munn clenched his hands on his waist.
“Stephen will be traveling far from Castle Lachlan and the
Sithichean
Sluaigh
.”

“Who claimed there is only one time gate?”

* * *

Archibald landed in a crouch on the green grass of
the
Sithichean Sluaigh
as the sun’s rays filtered through the trees onto
the knoll. He took an unsteady breath.
Home
. He was definitely home. His
favorite horse and Dealanach Dubh hoofed the snow just beyond the mound.

He tensed with panic. Where was Isobell? He spun
around then released a relieved breath when she appeared at his side and
stumbled into him.

“Dinnae ever want to do that again,” she said as
he righted her and she brushed dust from her
arisaid
.

Thank the good Lord
. “Neither do I.”

“Do you think ’twas naught but a dream?”

“’Twas real. We must keep this secret forever.”

“Aye.” She nodded earnestly. “Look. Dealanach
Dubh.”

She ran to the stallion and wrapped her arms around
his neck. The sight warmed Archibald’s heart.

“How do you think they came to be here?” Isobell
asked when he joined her.

“I would imagine it has something to do with the
fae.” He shivered. He couldn’t help it. The thought of fae magic still made him
uneasy. “Shall we go home, sweetling?”

“Oh, aye.” She frowned. “What will we tell the
clan?”

“You were called away to care for your ailing aunt
in Glasgow where you had been living for the year before we wed. I went to
fetch you.”

“You think they will believe us?”

“They will not question their chief over such.”

“What if one of the reivers is caught and accuses
me of… You ken?”

Archibald gently squeezed her hand. “Nary a one
will believe a thief over the wife of the clan chief.”

She nodded. He lifted her onto Dealanach Dubh,
leapt onto his mount, and they navigated the trail toward home. Cresting the
final ridge, they took in the sight of Castle Lachlan.

“Beautiful,” Isobell said, her voice laced with
admiration. “Looks like one of those Christmas castles Mairi has on display at
the inn.”

“We must never mention seeing them.”

“I ken.” Her eyes misted. “I will miss them.”

“As will I.”

They rode to the stable where a signal was flashed
to the castle. Holding hands, he and Isobell descended the slope to the beach.
He helped her into a
currach
, joined her, and they were pulled over the
partially frozen slush to the opposite shore where they were greeted by the
Lèine-chneas
and escorted into the castle.

In the great hall, servants scurried to and fro,
readying the chamber for the holiday feast.

“Good Christmas morn,” Aine greeted.

Archibald eased anxious muscles. ’Twas still
Christmas. By the way Aine acted, they must not have been gone a lengthy time
so it must still be the same year.

Isobell shivered, and Aine hustled them to the
hearth where a large fire crackled.

“Great to see you, brother.” Suibhne rose from one
of the chairs. “May I return to university now?”

Archibald drew the young man into an awkward
embrace, overjoyed to see him. The lad stiffened, never having been comfortable
with familial affection. “You will stay for the feast and return to Glasgow
tomorrow.”

“As you wish.” He inclined his head then smiled
shyly at Isobell and bowed before dropping back into the chair and picking up
the book he had been reading.

Suibhne had trained in fighting, yet preferred his
studies. Frustrating. Archibald could use another strong arm with a calm head
for the insecure times ahead. War with England was certainly on the horizon.

Dark thoughts for a bright day. Fortunately, Isobell’s
gentle fingers settling on his arm brought his attention to his lady-love.

“Shall we?” He escorted her to the head table
where they partook of the holiday feast with the clan.

As the last course was served, the heavy oak door
grated open, revealing Duncan and several other lads. Duncan strode to the dais
to report. “Welcome back, my chief, my lady.” He bowed.

“What have you to tell of Maclay and the reivers?”
Archibald asked.

“We smoked them out of a hell-hole where they hid
near the disputed lands. They won’t be stealing anyone’s cattle any more. Most
of the reivers are dead.”

“And Maclay?”

Duncan shook his head. “I am damned sorry. He
escaped.”

Would they never capture that bastard?

Isobell gripped his thigh, her nails digging into
his skin through the wool of his
plaide
. He placed a hand over hers and leaned
close. “Nae worries, sweetling. Maclay can’t evade us forever and since we
already ken of his rebirth, there is nae reason for the man to come after you.”

She nodded then smiled at Duncan. “Please, sit.
Enjoy your Christmas meal.”

Archibald watched Duncan walk away then whispered
so only Isobell could hear, “We will get through this. All will be well as long
as we are together.”

Her relieved smile melted his heart.

Later in their chamber, after making love,
Archibald enjoyed the way she drew little circles on his bare arm. He felt more
relaxed than he had since Patrick left. Maybe it was the kenning of what
happened to his family. And the comfort of having his lady-wife with
him…finally.

“I have something for you.” He placed the ruby
ring she’d left behind in her palm.

“Oh. Thank you.” Her beautiful violet eyes misted
then she frowned. “I left your ruby in the future with Patrick. I asked him to
sell it for money to live on. I did not wish to be dependent on your family.
With all that transpired after, I forgot to ask what happened to it.”

“I have the ruby. He returned it to me.”

“I am verra glad. It will be the envy of every
warrior when it winks from your sword.”

“And the target of every thief.”

They both laughed.

“Would you like your other Christmas gifts?”
Archibald asked.

“Later.” With a sparkle in her eyes, she moistened
her lips, and stole his breath with a kiss filled with promise.

They would be together. Forever.

Just Beyond the Garden Gate

Book One, Highland Gardens Series

by Dawn Marie Hamilton

Time Travel Fantasy Romance

Determined to regain her royal status, a banished
faerie princess accepts a challenge from the High-Queen of the Fae to unite an
unlikely couple while the clan brownie attempts to thwart her.

Passion ignites when a faerie-shove propels
burned-out business consultant Laurie Bernard through the garden gate, back
through time, and into the embrace of Patrick MacLachlan. The arrogant clan
chief doesn’t know what to make of the lass in his arms, especially when he
recognizes the brooch she wears as the one his stepmother wore when she and his
father disappeared.

With the fae interfering at every opportunity, the
couple must learn to trust one another while they battle an enemy clan, expose
a traitor within their midst and discover the true fate of the missing parents.
Can they learn the most important truth—love transcends time?

Journey from the lush gardens of the Blue Ridge
Mountains of North Carolina to the Scottish Highlands of 1509 with
Just
Beyond the Garden
Gate.

Just Once in a Verra Blue Moon

Book Two, Highland Gardens Series

by Dawn Marie Hamilton

Time Travel Fantasy Romance

What happens when a twenty-first century business
executive is expected to fulfill a prophecy given at the birth of a
sixteenth-century seer? Of course, he must raise his sword in her defense.

Believing women only want him for his wealth, Finn
MacIntyre doesn't trust any woman to love him. When, during Scottish Highland
games, faerie magic sends him back in time to avenge the brutal abduction of
his time-traveling cousin, he learns he's the subject of a fae prophecy.

Elspeth MacLachlan, the beloved clan seer, is
betrothed to a man she dislikes and dreams of the man prophesized at her birth,
only to find him in the most unexpected place—facedown in the mud.

With the help of fae allies, they must overcome the
treachery set to destroy them to claim a love that transcends time.

Journey from the lush gardens of the Blue Ridge
Mountains of North Carolina to the Scottish Highlands of 1511 with
Just Once
in a Verra Blue Moon
.

Sea Panther

Book One, Crimson Storm Series

by Dawn Marie Hamilton

Paranormal Romance

2013 Golden Heart® finalist for Best Paranormal Romance

Can love mend a fractured soul?

After evading arrest for Jacobite activities,
Scottish nobleman Robert MacLachlan turns privateer. A Caribbean Voodoo
priestess curses him to an eternal existence as a vampire shifter torn between
the dual natures of a Florida panther and an immortal blood-thirsting man. For
centuries, he seeks to reverse the black magic whilst maintaining his honor.
Cruising the twenty-first century Atlantic, he becomes shorthanded to sail his
90-foot yacht,
Sea Panther
. The last thing he wants is a female
crewmember and the call of her blood.

Although she swore never to sail again after her
father died in a sailing accident, Kimberly Scot answers the captain's crew
wanted ad to escape a hit man. She's lost everything, her fiancé, her job, and
most of her money, along with money belonging to her ex-clients. A taste of
Kimberly's blood convinces Robert she is the one woman who can claim the
panther's heart. To break the curse, they travel back in time to where it all
began—Jamaica 1715.

Time Travel Fantasy Romance

Just Wait for Me

Book Three, Highland Gardens Series

Paranormal Romance

Raven’s Revenge

Book Two, Crimson Storm Series

Dawn Marie Hamilton dares you to dream. She is a 2013 RWA®
Golden Heart® Finalist who pens Scottish-inspired fantasy and paranormal
romance. Some of her tales are rife with mischief-making faeries, brownies, and
other fae creatures. More tormented souls—shape shifters, vampires, and maybe a
zombie or two—stalk across the pages of other stories. She is a member of The
Golden Network, Fantasy, Futuristic & Paranormal, Celtic Hearts, and From
the Heart chapters of RWA. When not writing, she’s cooking, gardening, or
paddling the local creeks with her husband.

Email:

[email protected]

Facebook:

https://www.facebook.com/authorDawnMarieHamilton

Blog:

http://dawnmariehamilton.blogspot.com

Twitter:

http://www.twitter.com/dawnm_hamilton