Free A Journey Out of Time by S MacLeod Page A

door behind her.
    Sonya paced around the room & finally ended up at the window. The courtyard below was beautiful with long bushes & flowers so lovely that she thought she could smell them two stories up. Yet, all Sonya wanted to know was where Duncan was. As if God read her mind, she suddenly saw King Angus & Duncan walking along the courtyard path. At the sight of Duncan her stomach flip flopped & she smiled. She wondered what they were talking about. Was it something important that was going on in their country? Maybe it was about the festivities? Could it be about her? Oh, Sonya, why on earth would it be about you? How arrogant that is! As if you were the most important thing in the world . Suddenly Duncan turned & looked up. Their eyes met & held & then she stepped back; her cheeks flaming. Going to the bed she fell back on it smiling & took in a deep breath. She had so much racing through my mind that she wondered if a person could drive themselves crazy. If anyone could, I bet I could!

    *
    "Duncan, first yer da helps Scotland negotiate peace with England & now ye have brought us a long lost relative. Where is she from again? Ye will have to tell me some time how she ended up here."
    "Of course, Your Majesty. She is from the New World; America."
    "Ah," Angus sighed. "I wish your ma & da were here. They would be so excited about all of this!"
    "Aye," Duncan smiled.
    Duncan looked up & saw Sonya looking out of the window & returned her gaze. It was like a magnet. Angus smiled a crooked smile at Duncan which Duncan ignored as they continued on down the path.

    *
    Sonya was nervous about the evening. She didn't dance. She didn't know how to do anything but curtsy! Duncan may think of Angus as a Highlander, but he was still king; the ruler of Scotia. She was terrified of doing something wrong. After taking off her riding pants & padding, she gratefully washed up & lay on the bed thinking maybe she could sleep, but she was too restless. What was she doing here? All she wanted to do was to go back to Duncan's. All she wanted was to be with Duncan. She wanted to see Ewan & Sarah, Kerry & the girls, Cami & John. Oh, I wish the others had come. I feel alone. Then there was a soft knock at the door & Anne came in.
    "Can'na ye rest my dear?" She smiled knowingly.
    "No."
    "I didn't think ye would be able to. I could'na sleep for a week after coming here!" Sonya smiled. "I have brought ye a few things ye may like to wear tonight. " Sonya must have looked terrified as Anne laughed. "Doona worry. It is'na that bad, just a lot of people at dinner."
    "I don't think I am cut out for all this excitement."
    "Few of us are really. It just happens that Angus likes Duncan a lot. Their father's were friends & Angus & Duncan have known each other their whole lives."
    "I didn't realize that."
    "Aye. Sometimes I think Angus has taken over as Duncan's father, despite how close in age they are. And he can never pass up a reason for a gathering!" Both ladies laughed. "Here we are."
    Anne lay out several things on the bed. There was a beautiful dress in a pale green & one overdress in a deep red. Sonya also recognized both the MacPherson & the MacLeod plaid. "I have never had a MacPherson tartan. What do you suggest I wear?"
    "Well, deary, I think ye will have to choose for yourself. No one can choose for you."
    Sonya searched her eyes for a moment & looked back at the choices. She got the distinct feeling Anne was telling her something other than what clothes to wear.
    "Thank you, Milady."
    Anne smiled. "Do try to rest. Angus has a bad habit of staying up late!" She turned & shut the door behind her.

    *

A knock on the door shook Sonya from being exasperated with her reflection in the mirror. Why was it when you had somewhere to go your hair never cooperated? She blew the offending tendril with an annoyed huff & pulled open the door.
    "Hello, lass. Are ye ready?"
    There he stood. All 6 foot 6 inches of Duncan MacLeod. A bright shirt & plaid wrapped