Free Dawn Marie Hamilton - Highland Gardens by Just in Time for a Highland Christmas Page B

light our chambers with…special lamps. Switches just
inside turn them on and off.” She reached inside and pushed a wee knob up.
Light drenched the chamber afore them.
    Isobell jumped back. Then she stepped forward,
reached inside the door, and pushed the knob down. The chamber went dark. She
flicked it up—light. She felt her grin all the way to her toes. What a
marvelous place—faerieland.
    “’Tis a lovely chamber.” Like naught she’d ever
seen. The walls were pale yellow with curtains that had flowers on them. A rug
of blue and gold wool graced the polished wood floor. Such a luxury to have
wood floors instead of cold stone. The large bed took up most of the room and
had many plump pillows, and puffy linens that matched the curtains.
    There was no fireplace yet the chamber was warm.
How could that be?
    “There is a bathroom—a bathing chamber through the
other door. Come I’ll show you how it works.”
    Laurie placed the tray on a table next to the bed
and led the way into the bathing chamber. Isobell trailed fingers over the
bedding in passing, looking forward to sleeping in the big bed. In the bathing
chamber, she had to cover her mouth with a hand to muffle a gasp. Everything
was white, except for fluffy yellow and blue drying cloths. And shiny silver
spigots.
    “You’ll get used to it.” Laurie chuckled. “The
knobs on the right are for cold water, left for hot.”
    Isobell watched the demonstration in awe. She
doubted she’d ever get used to such wonders. Such luxury.
    Laurie reached an arm behind a glass wall. “The
shower works with a twist of this knob. Part way is cold. All the way is hot. I
usually prefer it in the middle like this.”
    Water rained from a large square spigot just above
head level. Wondrous indeed.
    “This is the toilet, like in the garderobe at
Castle Lachlan, but better. After you, you know, press this knob and, you know,
everything flushes away.” Laurie demonstrated.
    Isobell giggled. “May I use it now?”
    “Of course. I’ll wait out there until you’re
done.”
    When Isobell returned to the bedchamber, Laurie
looked up from her perch on the bed. “I hope you’ll let me be your friend. I
understand that the MacLachlan men can try your patience on occasion. I don’t
believe Archie is the monster your father made him out to be. From my
experience, he is a good man.”
    Isobell nodded, but could she trust the woman?
    “I’ll leave so you can eat.” Laurie rose and
walked to the door then looked back. “I’ll bring you a clean nightgown.”
    Isobell plopped onto the bed and devoured the
fruit and cheese. Before she finished the cider, Laurie returned.
    “Here. It’s hardly been worn.” The woman blushed.
    Heat scorched Isobell’s cheeks  too. “Thank you. I
appreciate your kindness.”
    “I know what it’s like to find yourself in a time
not your own.”
    “But faerieland…”
    “Iain told the truth. This is not faerieland. It’s
the future where I came from before I landed in your time and met Patrick.”
    “Oh.”
    “Sleep well.” Laurie left her alone.
    Isobell doubted she’d be able to sleep. The
future… Was it possible?
    Using the shower in the bathing chamber was a
delight. She donned the borrowed nightgown and slid between crisp sheets.
Patrick must be very wealthy in this time to afford such luxury.
    The thought of Patrick brought thoughts of
Archibald. Had she been wrong to believe Da? Would Archie forgive her if she
returned to him? If she could return to him?
    Did she want to return to him?

CHAPTER NINE
     
    I sobell
woke slowly, rays of sunlight warming her face. Then she startled. She was in a
strange bed. In a strange chamber. In a strange house. She trembled with a
flash of memory—faerieland. Or was it the future?
    A gown of sorts draped a wooden chair in the
corner. Isobell padded to the chair barefooted, surprised to find the floor
warm to the touch. Standing in front of an incredibly clear looking-glass, she
donned the drab