“These scars,” she whispered as her throat tightened with emotion.
“Proof of my time in battle,” he replied. “They say a man is appraised by how many battle scars he has, but a wise man knows when to avoid having those scars and—"
“Live to fight another day,” Isla completed before he could finish his sentence. A tear slid down her cheek, and she closed her eyes.
“Dinnae cry,” he told her. “It doesnae hurt anymore.”
“I’m not,” she answered and released a deep breath. “I just… it hurts me to see them that’s all.”
Her hand was still on his chest, and Jack put his over it, then gently squeezed. “It hurts me to see ye worry about me.”
Isla lifted her head and met his gaze “I have fought many battles, Isla, all of which I have won. It is the first time in my life I ken that I want somethin’ for myself, and what I want… what I really want right now in this moment, is ye.”
Her chest grew heavier because of his words. Isla should have been delighted that he wanted her as she knew she wanted him too, but the feelings sinking into her were far from happiness.
I still must return home. What happens to us then?
She said nothing of the words that bothered her, but hugged Jack tightly like her life depended on it.
Sometime later after Jack left the chamber, Isla returned to hers for a bath. When she reached the healing chamber, Moira was there singing as she prepared tonics.
Isla joined her and noticed Penelope was not on the bed. “Is Penelope all right?” she asked Moira.
“Aye. The Laird requested her presence in his study, so she was escorted there by two guards.”
“Is she strong enough to walk?”
“Aye, she is.”
Isla relaxed a bit from knowing Penelope was all right, then she continued working on the herbs as Moira showed her.
It was evening when Penelope returned to the chamber, and Moira left. Isla fed her some tonic for strength then checked her wounds.
“It will heal,” she told Penelope.
“Thank ye, My Lady,” Penelope said to her, and she smiled.
“Do you have any family?” Isla asked her. “A father?”
Penelope shook her head. “I lost my parents sometime back. My father was a rich merchant, but I lost everythin’ to my uncle after his demise and I came to work in the Castle. I have lived here eight years, My Lady.”
“I’m so sorry for your loss,” Isla said and covered Penelope’s hand with hers. She probably felt emotion for Penelope because she knew a lot more about her in a future life.
“Thank ye, My Lady,” Penelope answered. “Ye are as kind as they say ye are.”
“Who?” Isla asked.
“The servants and villagers, My Lady. They all talk about ye and say the Laird is blessed with ye. Many of us arenae used to havin’ a Lady of the Castle. Since the last Lady passed there has been nay one else around here. Even the councilmen feared that the Laird will pass with no heirs to carry on his lineage. They feel at peace now.”
Penelope’s revelation warmed Isla’s heart, but it also made it ache. When she returned to England like she had wished to for months unending now, what would Jack’s fate be then?
Isla wondered if her being here changed history in any way. They had found the treasure of Ardenhill, so that meant that had to change in the future too right?
Is it even possible to change the future?
She remembered the history books and the mention of the Humphreys Clan. They were not a rich a clan but a strong one regardless of the many battles they had fought.
Jack Lyons was a great laird who had passed in battle in the year 1651 and before then, he ruled eight years. Those were the most peaceful years the Clan Humphreys had ever seen since the previous laird his father took over.