“Aye. Why did James find you outside?” He closed the wooden shutters over the narrow window then lit a candle from the fire blazing in the hearth.
“Now that’s a whole other story. I think I hit my head. It feels a little fuzzy. You don’t mind telling me what year this is, do you?”
He snorted, almost extinguishing the candle before he set it into its place on the corner stand. “’Tis the year of our reckoning, one where you and I must live together as man and wife. Pray tell it can occur between a MacDonald and a MacLeod.”
“So it’s like what? The fourteenth? The fifteenth? The sixteenth century?”
“Lass, we should speak of our ceremony. I’d like your word you’ll honor your vows as I will honor mine.”
“How do you intend our handfast to work?”
With a quizzical look, he closed in on her. “Your accent is more that of the Lowlanders, and you speak odd words. Were you no’ raised with your cousin, the Chief of MacLeod?”
“I’ve been around a bit, which adds a flare to my accent.” She’d have to take care and watch her words. And she was now cousin to the MacLeod chief? Strange didn’t even begin to cover this.
“Clearly, and without a guard. You’ve abided within my walls with none of your own clansmen about, and aye, ours willnae be a typical handfast. I’ve no intention of”—he clasped his hands behind his back—“getting too close.”
At least Alex seemed honorable. “Thank you. That’ll be one less thing for me to worry about, and trust me, I currently have a few issues.”
“Neither of us wished for what’s befallen us. We’ll cope as we must for the next year and a day.”
“Will this handfast truly end the feud between our clans?” She’d heard of such things when she’d studied Scotland’s history. A handfast wasn’t as binding as a marriage and could easily be undone. It would probably suit a ton of people in her time.
“’Twill end the feud for longer should we make the effort.” He crossed the room and stood before her.
“Could you expand on this effort?” She glanced at the bed. “I thought you just said—”
“I did.” He cupped her cheek, brought her gaze back to his. “I meant it when I said we willnae be getting too close, but we still have to live with each other.”
She stared into his eyes. Specks of gold flickered brightly within the brown. “You have the most beautiful eyes.”
“I think no’.”
“Your lashes are so long with sweeping golden tips.” It wasn’t like her to notice such a thing about a man. Yet it was as if a fairy had waved her wand and sprinkled a magical color over them.
“Anne.” He shut his eyes then opened them.
“There’s something about—” She covered his hand. Oh, so warm. She curled her fingers between his. Deep inside, something about him niggled with familiarity. “I must be hallucinating. It’s as if we’ve met before, but that’s entirely impossible.”
“We have.” He frowned. “You seem rather confused. Mayhap you need a rest after your wandering this eve.”
“Yes, rest, and some time to myself.” Great. Time. She was currently a few centuries out of that, but a little more wouldn’t matter.
“Is there aught you need afore I say goodnight?” He turned his hand until their palms lay flush together.
That niggle exploded and she itched to get closer still. “No, I’m good.” She rubbed her hand against his, his toughened skin rough yet so soothing. Her worry eased. She was in the past, but he was here. All would be well. This was more than strange.
“Then I’ll see you in the morn. Goodnight, Anne. Sleep well.” He pressed a kiss to the inside of her palm, stepped away with a curt bow and strode to the door.
Before she could call him back, he shut it with a resounding thunk.
Gone. Her heart squeezed tight. “Alex, you promised you’d never leave me.” Her whispered words made no sense, and the honesty ringing within them made her shiver.
“Anne MacLeod?” A young woman rolled out from underneath the bed then slapped the dust from her long navy skirts as she stood.
She jumped back and clutched her chest. “Good grief. Where did you come from?”
“Under the bed.” The woman smiled apologetically. “Sorry, ’tis no’ the time to jest. My name’s Anne MacLeod too, but my closest call me Annie. I didnae mean to frighten you.”
“You’re too late for that.” Unbelievable. This woman had long hair, a shimmery shade of white-gold that swayed to her waist. She had the same shade and length, only her hair was wound up into a bun for the day. “Please tell me I’m hallucinating. Why do we look…identical?”
“You’re one of my direct descendants.” The woman edged closer. “Our lives are now tied together.”