Rogue's Challenge (6 page)
"What does the lass need?” Douglas asked.
"Her spectacles, dear,” Elspeth said. “They were lost on her journey."
"Ah. Edinburgh. ‘Tis the place to find such things. Or mayhap as far as London."
"Agreed. I shall leave at first light, and if not successful, I shall venture on until I am,” Ian said.
Jenny shook her head at him. “You'd have to bring back dozens in hopes that one might assist me. No, the odds are slim to none at best that you would succeed. As I stated earlier,” she said. Why couldn't he see that it was useless? It served no purpose other than to raise false hopes? Would it kill him to agree with her just once?
"I have faced worse odds, believe me,” he said.
"I'm sure you have, but this is a fool's errand."
"I am determined in this, mistress,” he said, his voice tight.
"You won't find any,” she said through clenched teeth.
"I am sure that I will."
"And I am sure that you're a—"
"Children,” Elspeth interrupted.
The Laird chuckled brightly. “This U—S breeds spirited lassies, eh Ellie?"
Elspeth laughed softly. “Aye, that it does, love."
Jenny ground her teeth, knowing full well she would regret it later. The headache and the damage to her teeth weren't worth it, but this pious man beside her brought out her temper with full force whenever he spoke. It was so unlike her. She normally avoided confrontation, loathed it, but ever since she'd met Tuck nothing was the same. She'd changed, but was it for the better?
"Why not take the lass with ye, Ian lad? My Ellie says Amelia isna due for a while. Seems there would be enough time fer ye tae fetch her the things and be back in time."
"'Tis not necessary. I assure you."
Jenny's head swam. Go on another adventure? Did she dare? Although it would be fruitless as far as finding any glasses, she could experience so much more of the era. Even blind it would be impossible to miss the sounds and smells of Edinburgh. “I think it's a wonderful idea,” she said.
"'Tis a terrible idea,” Ian said. “You will not go."
"Why not?"
"Because I said nay."
"That's not a reason."
"'Tis good enough for me."
"Well, it isn't good enough for me."
"Your opinion in this matter is of no import,” he said with a low growl.
"My opinion is the only one that matters."
"The opinion of a mule-headed woman is worthless!"
"Mule-headed? You're the one who's mule-headed and my opinion is not worthless!"
"For the love of God!” Douglas blustered. “If ‘tis what she needs tae aid in the birthing of my grandchildren then go she must!"
Jenny jumped at the Laird's command, but regained her composure quickly. “And go I shall."
"I can retrieve her spectacles more quickly if I go alone,” Ian said, his voice strained.
Douglas sighed. “Aye, ye could travel faster alone, but ye need the lass tae do the choosin'."
"Exactly,” Jenny said with a smirk in Ian's direction. “You need me.” She could feel the heat of his temper wafting off him in low undulating waves.
"Wonderful! ‘Tis settled then,” Elspeth said.
"What's settled?” Tuck asked shuffling in with Colin by her side.
"You're supposed to be in bed,” Jenny said.
"Waddling in here can't be bad."
"Doctor's orders. Get her in bed,” Jenny ordered Colin.
Tuck swatted at her husband's hands. “In a minute. I still don't know what's settled."
"Ian and I are leaving for Edinburgh tomorrow to get me some new glasses."
Ian shot to his feet. “We most certainly are not!"
"Of course you are, dears,” Elspeth said. “Oh, you'll have such fun, lass. ‘Tis such a large city, oh the sights you'll see. Well, once you've found your spectacles."
Jenny and Elspeth chattered back and forth, ignoring Ian's constant attempts to interrupt.
A shrill whistle split the air and all eyes turned to Tuck now seated in a chair by the fire, her feet propped up on a stool. “How long does it take to get there?” she asked.
"'Tis three days at least.” Three long days and nights, Ian thought. And all with this irritating woman constantly by his side. He would either kill her or, heaven help him, kiss her again.
"Do you think you'll be back in time before I drop my load?” Amelia asked.
Jenny shook her head. “Not if you don't stay in bed."
Amelia grumbled, something obscene, Ian was certain, but could not hear it clearly.
"Look, I'm ninety-eight point five percent sure I'll be back in time,” Jenny said. “If you stay in bed. And after all, I'm not going to be much help if I can't see what I'm doing."
"True,” Amelia replied with sigh.
"You cannot mean to say you agree with this?” Ian asked, praying Amelia would reconsider.
"You'll keep her safe,” she said off hand.
"Can you ride, lass?” Colin asked.
"The woman is afraid of horses,” Ian said, a bit more smugly than he'd intended, but it was a fact she could not deny, and ‘twould surely win his argument.
"Oh, well, um, yes. I'm afraid that's true. Not as much as I was before,” Jenny added quickly. “But I don't know how to ride."
"There then, you see? ‘Tis lunacy for her to accompany me."
"You'll just have to lead her horse,” Amelia said.
"It will likely take longer than three days at that pace, but, aye, it can be done,” Colin said.
"But—but—"
"Is that still within my time frame, Jen?” Amelia asked, ignoring Ian's pathetically sputtered pleas.
"It merely lowers the percentage to approximately ninety-five point nine percent."
"This is insane,” Ian muttered.
"Och, but the lass canna travel looking like that,” Elspeth said.
"Good point. Your dress doesn't exactly fit,” Amelia said with a chuckle. “And your jeans will be too unusual."
"Aye, the fuss those blasted trews made when you wore them, love,” Colin said with a wink to his bride.
"Why do I feel as if I am not in the bloody room?” Ian asked, but no one paid him any heed.
"Simple. Ye dress the lass as a boy,” Douglas said. “She's but a wee thing and could pass as one without trouble."
"I'll not be cuttin’ that child's hair tae stuff under a cap,” Elspeth fussed.
Ian's gaze shot to the long braid hanging down Jenny's back. Nay, he would not let them do such a thing, not even the woman herself. Not until he had the chance to see the rich tresses unhindered and about her shoulders and hanging to her tiny waist.
He shook the notion from his head. What did he care what the woman did with her hair? The trip through time must have stolen his good sense. Aye, it had addled his wits for certain.
"Fiona and I can take in a few dresses,” Elspeth said. “You'll simply have tae wait another day or two before you set off."
An odd weight lifted from Ian's chest. He suspected it had to do with them not cutting her hair, but refused to give it anymore thought. The entire thing was lunacy. “'Twould be much simpler if I went alone,” he said. “And you have added more days onto this journey. I am sure we will not be back in time now,” he reasoned aloud, praying it was true.
"Yes, it does lower the percentage a bit more, but it's still within the range of expectancy,” Jenny said matter-of-factly.
He had to think fast. This would not do! Then it came to him. Resting his arm along the mantel he addressed the mad group. “You all seem to forget that there are no inns between here and Edinburgh. The lady is not accustomed to sleeping on the ground. And in such weather as this,” he said, motioning toward the window and the falling rain.
"Hmm, true,” Amelia said with a thoughtful nod. “You're a wimp on a trip, Jen. He's got a point there. Cold, hard, wet ground, no soft fluffy pillow, no room service. It'll be tough. You sure you want to do this?"
"I happen to be a human being, not a porcelain doll,” she said with a wry grin. “I'll survive, I assure you."
"Works for me, then,” Amelia said.
"But she has no maid to accompany her!” Ian said, casting out his last and only hope. “Her reputation would be in ruins."
Amelia laughed, as did Jenny, bringing a deep scowl to Ian's brows along with a monumental headache.
"Oh, my yes,” Elspeth said with a frown, lifting Ian's hopes, but only briefly.
"Not a problem,” Amelia said. “Where we come from women travel without chaperones all the time. And that's the only place her rep matters."
"I'm no’ so sure I care for that.” Elspeth turned her hard gaze to Ian. “But I know you will be a gentleman at
all
times and protect her."
Ian could only nod, his voice lodged in his throat.
"Well then, in that case come lass, we'll go find you some things for the trip while Colin gets Amelia back tae her bed,” Elspeth said.
Ian's arm fell to his side, his mouth agape. This couldn't be happening. He was doomed.
Jenny and Elspeth disappeared through the door, while Colin and Amelia shuffled across the room. Douglas sat smiling smugly, the old dog.
"You should take someone with you in case you run into trouble, though,” Amelia said over her shoulder. “Jen won't be any help without her glasses, and she's not trained for combat."
"You could have fooled me,” Ian muttered.
Amelia paused with a chuckle. “Oh, I so have to hear the whole story."
"Aye, love. I am curious myself,” Colin added with a broad grin.
Ignoring them, Ian asked, “And whom do you propose I take on this ridiculous farce of a quest?"
"Michael would be my pick,” Amelia said with a nod.
"Aye, he has exhausted the area for a gift for Fiona. Nothing seems tae suit the lad. I'll wager he would like tae see what Edinburgh has tae offer."
Ian cast his eyes heavenward. “This is utterly insane.” He was burdened with a lunatic scientist who could not see, was terrified of horses, and had no inkling of how to travel in his time, and a moony eyed lad searching for the perfect gift for his betrothed.
They had all lost their minds, and he was about to lose what was left of his.
Jenny woke with a start, not sure where she was, then in a flash, it all came back and she smiled. It took only a moment for her smile to fall, however. Her feet and hands were like ice. The romance of the age was quickly lost. The only thing that would make her current condition worth suffering would be someone to warm them.
She sighed and chastised herself for her silly thoughts. She knew what had brought them on, or rather, whom. “I am such a pushover,” she grumbled and snuggled down deeper beneath the covers. Ian's charm wasn't a complete loss on her, although he'd yet to direct any of it to her specifically. And if he ever did, she would be in big trouble.
There was a knock at the door.
"Who is it?"
The door opened and Jenny peeked out from the covers.
"Hey Jen, you okay?” Tuck asked as she waddled in. Someone followed her carrying a tray. “Over there will be great. Thanks, Fiona."
She placed the tray by the fireplace, then stoked the smoldering embers to a warming blaze. “Can I do anything else, Tuck?"
"No, that's great. Thanks.” With that Fiona left.
"So, you gonna sleep all day or what?” Tuck asked.
"I'll crawl out when it's warm. How do you stand it?"
"I've got a natural bed warmer,” she said with a chuckle.
Jenny didn't need to be reminded of that, especially when she was just thinking about one for herself. “Speaking of bed, you're supposed to be in it."
"Oh, come on, Jen. I can't stay in bed, I'll go nuts. You and I both know it. But I'll spend more time off my feet, okay?"
"Please, Tuck, you've got to take this seriously. You may be as strong as an ox, but you still need to rest. A lot."
She sighed heavily. “Okay. I promise. I'll behave, right after we have a little visit before you take off. Now, come over here, you'll be warmer by the fire,” she said as she angled herself into a chair.
Wrapping all the covers she could around her frozen limbs, Jenny joined Tuck by the fire. Something hot steamed from the bowl on the tray.
"Eat up, it'll help."
Jenny tentatively tasted the concoction and found it quite pleasant. As she ate and got warm, Tuck filled her in on things. They'd really not had a chance to just talk. Although for Jenny it had only been a day since they'd parted in the twenty-first century, for Tuck it had been almost a year.
"You know this is just a taste of what the road's going to be like. You sure you want to go with Ian?” Tuck asked.
"I don't really have a choice. He can't, regardless of what he says, find the glasses I need. And I'm not much use to you without them.” She kept her suspicions of not finding any at all to herself. She didn't want to ruin Tuck's hopes.
"Okay, if you're sure. But honestly, you don't think you'll find any do you?” Tuck asked.
Jenny giggled. “You haven't changed, not really, not when it gets down to it. You can still read me and, I imagine, everyone else."
"Hey, just because I'm married and carrying this load with me, doesn't mean I'm getting slack.” She snorted. “Heck, before I knew I was pregnant I was still tossing the guys in the lists. And I will again just as soon as these guys make their debut,” she said, rubbing her belly.
"Colin doesn't mind that you still practice hand-to-hand combat?"
Tuck laughed. “Are you kidding? Who do you think gets put on his back the most? The man is damn stubborn, but he isn't stupid. He knows better than to try and change me."
Jenny sighed. “Which is why you love him so much."
"Oh, that and a few other reasons,” she said with a chuckle that faded quickly. “You know, I have you to thank for all this. If you hadn't figured out how to get me back here, I'd probably be at the bottom of a bottle right now."
Jenny straightened, her smile gone. “No you wouldn't. You're stronger than that, Tuck. One binge when you thought Colin and all this was lost to you doesn't make you an alcoholic.” A small smile tilted up her lips. “And after the hangover you had, I doubt you'd have ever so much as looked at another bottle again, much less drink from one."