Chapter Nine
CHLOE HAD NOT beensure what to make of Robert Bruce sitting her beside him until his murmurs in her ear took a very pointed turn. While he appeared to be flirting with her, he was doing anything but. Seating her apart from Aidan had been a divide and conquer that had nothing to do with him lusting after her.
Though she never gave him a direct answer, he seemed to come to his own conclusions anyway because he asked everyone to leave but her, Aidan and Cray. Then he proceeded to ask a number of questions that told them he had done a great deal of thinking since that morning.
More so, that he had come to conclusions none of them anticipated.
“So ye are precisely what da said ye are,” Robert concluded after Aidan answered his questions more honestly than she expected. In turn, the Bruce took everything remarkably well. He steepled his fingers and eyed the men with a mix of wonder and disbelief. “Ye really are wizards sent through time to help my wee brother? To help our country against Balliol?”
“Aye,” Aidan confirmed. “We are from our Lord's year thirteen forty-six.”
“So seventeen years from now,” Robert murmured absently.
As it turned out, former King Robert the Bruce and his bastard son had been far closer than anyone—including the MacLomains—knew. While it was obvious King Robert had been proud enough of his son, having knighted him after the Battle of Bannockburn, it was unbeknownst to most, that he'd spent much time with his bastard. Most especially during his last days. It also became obvious that Robert held no ill will toward his younger brother for becoming king when he could have, had he been born to the right mother.
“He told me of ye MacLomains,” Robert said. “But ‘twas hard to believe.” He shook his head. “Honestly, though I humored him, I didnae really start to believe him until yer arrival.”
Aidan and Cray glanced at each other before Aidan got to the point. “What specifically did yer da tell ye about those of us with MacLomain blood?”
“Everything.” Robert glanced from Chloe to them. “And whilst I was at the Battle of Bannockburn and saw the foreign lasses who came to our aid, my youth, I imagine, made it impossible to believe even then.” His gaze returned to Chloe. “Until today. Until I met ye.”
“Why her?” Aidan replied before she had a chance to respond. He shifted closer to her and rested his hand on the back of her chair. He was claiming his territory, wasn’t he? Making it clear to Robert she was taken even though minutes before he didn't seem to care. His steady gaze stayed on the Bruce. “Why did my wife make ye, at last, believe?”
“Is she then?” Robert looked from Chloe to Aidan. “Is she yer wife any more than other Brouns were to their MacLomains prior to traveling back in time?”
Though not crazy about being called something she wasn’t, she wanted to keep things the way they were and had no idea why. Not really.
“Iamhis wife,” she replied, saying what she sensed needed to be said. What felt right, no matter where it landed her. If nothing else, at least it let Robert and Cray know she wanted more with Aidan, whether or not she did. Which should eliminate all potential tension. “Aidan and I are married.”
Rather than look at Aidan or Robert, she locked eyes with Cray and nodded once, trying to find conviction in her lie. He, in turn, narrowed his eyes but said nothing, no doubt baffled by her behavior. Or her in general. It was impossible to tell. Either way, he backed her up, which was more than she expected. Mainly because he didn't strike her as the type to give up so easily when it came to women.
“Aye, they are married, Laird Bruce.” Then, because Cray likely couldn’t help himself, he shrugged a shoulder. “Such as it is.”
Robert frowned. “Such as it is?”
Damn Cray. What made sense? She thought fast.
“Yes, such as it is coming to the king's aid so soon after our nuptials.” She threaded her fingers with Aidan's and rested her shoulder against his. “Traveling newlyweds and all.”
Robert's brows flew up in surprise before he raised his mug. “Then, congratulations are in order!”
Cray snorted and raised his mug, swigging it down before they had a chance to raise theirs as well. In turn, Robert did the same.
Though one couldn’t tell by looking at him, she felt Aidan's mixed emotions. Thankfulness she was willing to play the part to keep the peace. Distress that despite the charade, he was somehow being unfaithful to Maeve.
Fortunately, the subject changed, and they spoke of other things.
She was surprised by how well Robert responded to confirmation that time travel existed. More so, that they would not reveal the future. Because like any Scotsman in his right mind, he was curious about the fate of his beloved country.
“I can’t believe he took everything so well,” she commented later after they bid Robert goodnight. She was grateful for the blanket Aidan had put around her shoulders as they headed back to their tent. The rain had stopped, but it was still raw and gusty. Tall pines creaked in the wind overhead, and the flickering light from Cray's torch cast spooky shadows through the trees.
“Robert is much like his father,” Aidan said. “More open minded than most.”
“Aye,” Cray agreed. “I know verra little about him from history other than he battles well and loves his country.”
“Aye, he does that, lad,” came a male voice out of nowhere. “’Tis good he knows of you, but ‘tis verra important he remains in the dark about why you are here.”
She stopped short, confused, and more than a little alarmed. “Where did that voice come from?”
