Isla pushed the thoughts away as they entered her mind, and she focused on Jack again. The Birlet Shallows Fair had modernized over the years, and most of the performances Jack enjoyed in his time had changed.
The abolishment of the Clans and laws restricting the use of tartans and kilts had most Scots dressing like Englishmen now. Although they allowed the kilts during celebrations, they still were not commonly worn.
Isla however let him talk about his fond memories of the fair, and she enjoyed listening to him describe the scenes and dances.
She had learned some steps from him, and she intended to enjoy her time at the fair one last time before she found the gypsy.
The hours faded fast and soon night turned to dawn again. Isla had fallen asleep while they sat under the tree, and she figured Jack carried her inside the cottage while she slept.
When she sat up in the bed, he was nowhere in sight. Isla stepped outside the cottage and found him sitting on the same spot as last night. His head rested on the tree bark, and he looked like he was in a peaceful slumber.
She turned away, not wanting to disturb, but he called her name and rose to his feet. “We must continue our journey,” he said once he straightened and stretched his arms out wide.
Isla nodded, then returned into the cottage to wash her face. The saddles were ready once she returned, she mounted, and took charge of the reins.
The skies raged with the threat of an oncoming storm, but it did not rain during their final ride to Birlet Shallows.
It was her last day here. Tonight, she intended to spend with Jack. One last time she wanted to be in his arms, so that when she returned, she hoped she could live without regrets.
31
Loud music thundered around Jack and Isla when they arrived the Birlet Shallows village square. The people had gathered to watch the dancer’s performance for the evening.
During the fair, the villagers lit a bonfire and danced around it. The women served already roasted meat from the hunt earlier in the day and the children enjoyed their games.
Jack showed Isla the Birlet Shallows figure which was a symbol of worship for the ancient Birlet Shallows who existed in the sixth century.
“This is said to be a deity,” he told Isla as he showed her the wood sculpted carving that they hung near the bonfire.
“They do not celebrate with the deity in my time,” Isla said with a smile as she stared into the bonfire. Jack wondered what went through her mind as she fell silent again.
He moved closer to her because he felt the need to touch her and feel her skin next to his one last time. Last night, he left the chamber because sleeping beside her been torture he could not put himself through.
How could he hold her close and inhale her scent without craving her. Jack knew he could not have her without her permission, so he did not need to torture himself further.
Jack noticed that the crowd increased and for a second, he lost sight of the guard with him until he spotted the man standing in a corner, his eyes intent on them.
He had not gotten word from Odin yet, but he expected that in the coming days he would. Once he could identify the assassin, he would know what step to take next.
Jack looked at Isla again and saw that she fiddled with the pendant on her neck.
“Do ye have the medallion?” he asked.
She nodded. “Yes, I do.”
He nodded and fell silent again.
“Jack?” Isla called after a while and turned to him. She fixed her green eyes on him, and Jack noticed the wistful look in her eyes.
“Let’s join the dance,” she said after she dropped her hands.
Jack nodded and took her hands. He led her to the dance area and when the villagers noticed their presence, they began to chant in Gaelic.
“What do they sing?” Isla asked as they started dancing to the drummer’s rhythm. the chants grew louder, most of the women formed a circle around Isla and Jack and began the Celtic dance steps too.
“Praises to the Laird,” he answered her before grinning. “The people in this time are fiercely loyal to their Laird and Lady.”
“And I am their Lady?” Isla asked with gleaming eyes as she curtsied and started another round of dance.