Free A Journey Out of Time by S MacLeod

Sonya looked up & must have appeared terrified because he smiled reassuringly. His beautiful smile of white teeth. Leaning down to her ear he said, "Relax, lass. Everything will be fine." Now besides her knocking knees she felt warm & week at the brushing of his lips & the warmth of his breath on her neck. Oh to die right now & be happy! Yup, I could do it.
    Duncan bowed & she curtsied low as he said, "Your Majesty, may I present Sonya MacLeod who is also blood of the MacPherson Clan."
    King Angus stood & walked towards them. Sonya thought he looked amused, but she wasn't sure why. He reached for her hands & his brow rose as he saw her remove her hand from Duncan's. As he took her hands she immediately felt at ease.
    "MacLeod and a MacPherson !" He had a jovial spark in his eyes & smiled kindly. She returned his smile.
    "My great grandmother's name was Marie MacPherson, Your Majesty." She was fairly certain her voice trembled.
    "I see. Marie MacPherson."
    "Yes, but I am a MacLeod," she added too nervous to turn & look at Duncan. There were mummers behind them & as she looked people in the crowds began to bow & curtsy. Duncan & she turned & did likewise as a woman walked forward. Sonya didn't mean to, but as she glanced up she let out a gasp, bringing all eyes to herself. Don't you love it when you want to be invisible & make a spectacle of yourself? Duncan looked at her concerned.
    "Lass, are ye all right?" he said in a low voice.
    A picture that she had brought of her mother for courage, slipped from her hand. It had been the one thing that kept her from fleeing. Her mother wasn't the fleeing type & she didn't think her grandmother would have been either. The Queen Mother stopped in front of her. She touched her head & Sonya rose up. She pointed & one of her lady's maids picked up the picture, handing it to her.
    "This is an unusual portrait."
    "Yes, Your Majesty."
    The Queen mother looked at Sonya a moment. "Come."
    Sonya followed her, stopping next to the seat the Queen mother took next to the king. His mother handed him the picture of Sonya's mother, Ruth. Her mother who looked so much like his mother, that she had gasped out loud. She was nearly a twin to her grandmother in her youth. The king took the picture, looked at Sonya & smiled.
    "There is quite a likeness," Angus said, handing the picture to Duncan. He stepped forward & took the 'painting'. He looked at the picture & automatically to the King's mother. He looked down again & then looked at Sonya & smiled. She smiled nervously back & shrugged her shoulders.
    "I didn't know," she confirmed helplessly to him.
    The king stood, "We will have a feast to celebrate!" Suddenly, the whole room came alive as if everyone had been hanging on every word. Sonya looked at Duncan, she just couldn't escape this celebration thing!
    "Come, my dear," said the King's mother, who rose. Sonya glanced back at Duncan who nodded & she followed the Queen mother through a heavy, burgundy curtain that hung behind the throne & out a door. After they left the noise behind she said, "As ye have probably surmised, I am Angus' mother. My name is Anne."
    Sonya smiled. "That was my mother's middle name."
    "Was?"
    "She died recently."
    "I am sorry, my dear." She truly looked regretful.
    "Thank you. She would have loved to have met you."
    She smiled kindly. Sonya followed her up some stairs & down a corridor, entering a room with a large bed in the center. There was a huge window with a seat that overlooked a courtyard. Sonya could see a loch further beyond, off to the right. The curtains were a deep purple of velvety material. The satin bed covering was the same colour.
    "Do you like it?"
    "Oh, yes, Your Majesty. It is very lovely."
    "It was my daughter-in-laws room."
    "I am honored."
    Anne smiled at her. "I am sure you would like to rest after your long journey. I will send one of my ladies with some things for you that you may like to wear this evening."
    "Thank you, Your Majesty."
    Anne closed the