Free Knight's Legacy by Trenae Sumter Page A

seen.”
    Her voice became whisper soft. “When he came to me on the stairs and took me to the tower room, he looked devastatingly handsome in the firelight, like something women fantasize about, not a real human being. That chest of his could sell millions of dollars worth of designer clothing in my time.”
    She shook her head as if disgusted.
    â€œIt doesn’t matter. I knew better. I’ve been fending off cowboys in pick-up trucks since I was seventeen, and never once was tempted to let them take liberties with my body.” Cat paused for a full minute.
    â€œLiberties. That’s a ridiculous understatement. The word doesn’t even begin to describe it, because the man took total possession. There is nothing unconsummated about this marriage. Now, if I do somehow go back through the time portal, I could very well have a child to bring up alone. All the others in the past left me cold, Kenneth. I could always pull back and put a stop to it. Yet, when Roderic touched me … I … lost all thought or reason. I’ve never felt such an intense sexual need, such desire. He seduced me, but I allowed it, and I’m not going to pretend for one moment that I didn’t want him as much as he wanted me. These feelings are scary, because I want to stay for a while, Kenneth. I want to be with him, if only for a short time.”
    Suddenly Kenneth raised his head as if alert to a sound only he could hear, and the horses became skittish. Cat reached down to stroke the mare’s neck.
    â€œWhat is it?” she whispered. She sensed the fear in her mount just as Kenneth slipped off his horse to walk around behind them.
    The men came out of the trees. She and Kenneth were confronted by three mounted warriors wearing plaids of red, yellow, and blue. Their swords were drawn and ready, and Cat drew her weapon and forced her horse in front of Kenneth. The men stared at her in surprise and lowered their arms. Cat stared back, chin raised, and the large man in the middle spoke up.
    â€œBe easy, lass. We won’t hurt the boy. I am Robert Maitland. We have come for the priest, Father MacNair. He is the only one near, and we have need of him to perform last rites.”
    â€œHe is at the Mackay keep. I am Brianna, Lady Montwain. The priest just performed my marriage.”
    Cat was quick to notice the man’s expression was one of extreme emotional distress, despite his control. Frowning, she leaned forward. “Someone has died?”
    The man sighed, and sheathed his sword. “I am Laird of the Maitland clan. My wife will die, soon, if she does not give birth to her babe. Helen has asked for a priest, and I’ll have the man there with her if I have to go to war for it. It may be the last wish I can grant her.”
    â€œHow far away is she?”
    â€œAn hour’s ride to my land, to the north, then east,” he said.
    â€œHas she a midwife to help her?”
    â€œAye. ‘Twas the midwife that has given me little hope my wife will live, never mind the child.”
    Cat sheathed her sword and pulled her cloak about her. It distressed her to think of the midwife’s methods. “I’ll take you to him,” she said.
    They turned to ride back to the keep, and Cat reached out to try to calm Kenneth. The boy eyed the soldiers with fear, but did not try to run away.
    Cat’s heart twisted for the young woman struggling to give birth under such conditions. She knew a lot about mares foaling, but had never witnessed a baby born, except in films. So many women chose to give birth at home in her own time. Natural childbirth was a popular choice, and two of her friends had taken Lamaze classes. What if it was a simple complication? What if she could help? Cat came to the conclusion that her knowledge, though hardly that of a medical expert, could be of help to others.
    Her search for the portal could very well be a futile effort. This time was her reality, and she was