Portals Of Time by J. Lee Coulter Read Free Book Online Page A

new husband and this is the only thing that is mine alone. I only wish that I had a gem for the hilt. Still, it will give him an advantage over his enemies if his sword weighs less! Will you make it for me? I promise that I will find a way to pay you for it. ”
    “Nae, m’lady! I will take nae coin from ye! Twould be my pleasure ta be of service ta ye, Countess.”
    She was determined to pay him but she knew better than to argue with a Scot. That could be sorted out later. Acquiescing for the moment, she smiled up at him.
    “How long do you think it will take to finish?”
    Fergus s cratch ed his beard as he pondered the question .
    “If all goes well, it should nae be more than a sennight...once I have the shoes. I will need ta reshod your mount, as well.”
    “That would be wonderful! I will be back after we’ve had our morning exercise. You can do his shoes then.”
    Fergus shook his head as he watched her leave. She was explaining to her horse why his shoes were being changed. It just proves my point that all women are daft! Chuckling under his breath, he returned to the forge to begin crafting new footwear for the horse.

Chapter Eight
    Lucian and Dougal rode side -by-side as they approached the crofter’s hut that housed Mavis. Several of his men swiftly crossed themselves to ward off evil. They feared her above all else...thinking she was a witch.
    He brought Arianna’s father to Mavis hoping she could help him understand what had happened to his daughter. He had attempted to do just that but Dugal wouldn’t believe him.
    Cackling greeted them as they neared the darkened doorway. Dugal raised a questioning brow as he quickly glanced at the young earl.
    “Did nae believe ye did he, m’laird?” came the old crone’s voice from the darkness.
    “Nae Mavis...he did nae.”
    “Then enter, m’lairds. He will believe when ye depart.”
    Dugal’s face was ashen when they exited the hut a few hours later. He kept shaking his head as he muttered under his breath. It was too fantastic to believe and yet he could not refute the witch. He saw the proof with his own eyes.
    Turning to Lucian on the journey back, he asked, “Ye ken the auld hag ta speak true? There is nae trickery involved?”
    Lucian glanced about them before answering to ascertain they would not be overheard. Satisfied, he nodded.
    “Listen ta her speech, Dugal, and watch her mannerisms. Aye. I believe it. And the stories that she told me of where she had been! Anna could nae have concocted such tales. Jesu! She has seen the end of the world! Twas a miracle that she returned ta us when she did.”
    He mulled over Lucian’s words. “Aye. I did think her speech a bit off but I kenned it was because she had been raised in a different country...nae a different century!”
    “Regardless...we must keep this betwixt ourselves. Nae even Angus must ken. Twould put her in grave danger.”
    D ugal nodded agreement as they rode silently the rest of the way back to the keep.
    That eve, Lucian watched Angus across the hall as he shot looks of hatred at his sister. It appeared that he was going to have to talk to the man. Arianna fidgeted at his side, gaining his attention.
    “Are ye tired, wife?”
    “Tired? I suppose I am but not in the way you mean. I am tired of Angus’ dark looks.”
    He grinned. “Well ye can nae blame him. After all, he has spent his day fielding mirths about how he was beaten by a lass! Tis hard on a man’s pride.”
    She laughed . “I never thought about that...but you’re right. I suppose I should apologize to him.” She sighed.
    “Nay...let him stew. It will nae wound him overlong...if he be any kind of man at all. He will eventually dismiss it as a trivial event.”
    “Trivial! I beat him fair and square!”
    “Aye...ye did. But that is one wave ye should nae ride high on, lass. Men have very little of value these days but their pride and honor. Tis nae taken lightly. Rubbing salt in that wound will nae bring peace