“Nothing can come of it.” Alethia shook her head, trying to convince herself. She couldn’t very well take Malcolm home with her to her own time. He wouldn’t know how to fit into the twenty-first century. His time was now. He’d been born to lead, and his clan needed him.
“What is this task you speak of?” Elaine asked.
“I’m supposed to save Malcolm’s life.”
“True,” Elaine exclaimed, “you could no’ have been sent here to save the man you love only to be ripped from his side once the task is finished. ’Twould be a cruel joke indeed.”
“No more cruel than being ripped from my own home and family. Am I never to see them again? I’ve had no choice in any of this. There is no reason to believe I will have any choice in the future.”
“’Tis a quandary, for certes. You must speak to Malcolm about this.”
“I can’t do that. Are you nuts? Can you imagine what he’d be like? As it is, he won’t let me leave the inner bailey.”
Elaine’s brow furrowed. “He’d lock you away in a turret and hide the key to keep Giselle from you, and to keep you from harm. Aye. Eat, True. You’re naught but skin and bones. There’s no use worrying yourself sick. All will be well.”
Malcolm surveyed the caravan he would lead to Inverness. He’d handpicked men to accompany the traveling party. Liam had been eager to go, and Robley had volunteered to stay behind with the rest of the garrison. Satisfied with the arrangement, he knew his home to be in capable hands.
Leading the mare he meant to give to True, Malcolm sought her in the milling crowd. He’d raised the horse from a filly, taking the time to train her himself. His favorite stallion, an Andalusian he’d won in Spain, crossed with one of their sturdy palfreys had produced this intelligent, sweet-tempered mare. Her dark chestnut coat reminded Malcolm of True’s silken locks the night she’d danced in the great hall. A smile of anticipation lit his face. She would be pleased.
Hunter had become his shadow, and even now the lad trailed behind him. Malcolm realized wedding True meant accepting Hunter as his foster son. The notion did not displease him. Hunter would grow to be an asset to their clan. Hunter was canny and brave, and he had a goodness about him that pleased Malcolm.
Just as Hunter put his small hand in his, Malcolm spotted True. Lifting the lad to sit in the saddle he’d had made for True, he led them through the crowd to her side. “True, I have something for you.” Malcolm swung Hunter to the ground and placed the mare’s reins in her hand. “She is yours.” He watched her with expectation.
“Ah…she’s lovely. Mi-gwetch, thank you.” She looked helplessly at the gift. “Malcolm,” she whispered, leaning close.
“Aye?” He leaned down to hear her.
“I don’t know thing one about horses.”
Incredulous, he straightened. “You jest.”
“No. I don’t know how to ride. The day you found me was the first time I’ve ever been on a horse. We don’t have them in my country.” That much she could say in truth. Horses had not yet reached North America in 1423.
“No horses?” Elaine asked, riding up to them on her own palfrey. “How can that be?”
“Do you know what an elephant is?” True reached out a hand to touch the horse’s velvety nose.
Elaine nodded. “Aye, we’ve seen drawings of such.”
“Are there any in Scotland?”
“Humph. I see your point.” Malcolm guided her to the horse’s left side. “’Tis time you learned to ride, lass.” He hoisted her onto the mare’s back and put the reins in her hands. “Unless you wish to walk to Inverness.” He winked at her and put her foot in the stirrup. Coming around to the other side, he did the same with her other foot. “She’s a good-natured mount and no’ likely to bolt. Stick close by Elaine’s side. Once we’re under way, I’ll come back to instruct you.”
“Malcolm, she’s lovely. Thank you.”
Her shy smile stole his breath, and joy welled up inside him. He cleared his throat, touched Hunter on the shoulder and signed, “You ride with me.” Hunter threw out his chest and grinned from ear to ear. Malcolm chuckled as he and his wee shadow set out for the head of the procession and his own waiting mount.
Alethia gasped as she watched Malcolm and Hunter walk away. Hunter imitated Malcolm’s swagger, every minute gesture and nuance of his hero’s movements. “Oh, look, Elaine.” She started to laugh, and Elaine soon joined her. When Malcolm stopped to give last-minute instructions to his men, Hunter put his hands on his hips and tilted his head exactly as Malcolm did. More people took notice as Malcolm and his mimic moved on to speak to the smithy’s family.