“Hmm,” she said, pursing her lips. “Maybe you should show me.”
“Gladly.”
He took her in his arms and kissed her, long and slow. There was a moment of silence then Rory’s voice rang through the barn.
“Ugh! That’s gross!”
Everyone burst into laughter.
THE DAY WAS EVERYTHINGMaddy had hoped. Small, intimate, full of laughter, just how Maddy wanted it. After the ceremony, they sat around the big table that Deryn had dragged from the house into the barn and ate and drank and laughed. Craig got out the bagpipes, Sienna got out the fiddle, and they played merry tunes while the others sang along and danced.
Soon, herself, Deryn and Rory would go back to the twenty-first century for a brief time, long enough to have a second wedding with all of Maddy’s family and friends—and Helen who would be her maid of honor—before settling back here on the farm. They would visit from time to time, of course, and return if they needed anything—such as medicine or teaching materials for Rory, but both Deryn and Rory were happier in this century and that was good enough for her.
Maddy’s stomach churned with excitement as she sat back in her chair and thought about her future. She would miss some things, of course. Helen, for one. Her architect business for another. But the possibilities of what lay ahead drowned out any disquiet she might feel. For one, Callum had already requested her help in making improvements to Dun Saith, the seat of Clan Sutherland, and there were a million and one things she wanted to improve around the farm so it was safe to say her architect’s skills would not be going to waste.
The day passed in easy companionship, the sun was beginning to set and the children were getting tired when everyone began to take their leave. The Sutherlands mounted their horses and rode away and Maddy stood leaning against the barn doors, watching them go. Rory waved to her as he left with Darla, Craig, Sean and Lily, with Mara padding at his side. He was excited to be having a sleep-over with his friends.
The group dwindled into the distance and silence fell around her, punctuated only by the singing of birds before they went to roost for the night and the bleating of sheep in the fields. Thesunset lit the sky in orange and crimson off to the west and the faint scent of early summer flowers wafted on the breeze. She sighed, feeling more contented than she could remember in her life.
Deryn returned from seeing the guests off. “That’s a thoughtful look, wife,” he observed. “Should I be worried? Are ye cooking up another madcap scheme? What will it be this time I wonder?”
She laughed. “No, you’re quite safe from my madcap schemes—we still have that rainwater collection system to finish before we start on anything else. I was just thinking how happy I am, that’s all.”
He took her in his arms. “Ah, that’s all right then.” He ran his thumb over her cheek. “It’s been quite the day, hasnae it?”
“Aye,” she said, mimicking his accent. “It really has.”
He kissed her, a long slow, delicious meeting of their lips. Then he grinned. “And it isnae over yet.”
Before she could reply, he got his hands around her waist and scooped her into his arms. Maddy squeaked in surprise. “What are you doing?”
“Lady Sophie told me about a tradition from yer time. I’m supposed to carry ye over the threshold aren’t I? Although I’m not sure I’ll make it. How many of those pies did ye eat today?”
“Pig!” she mock-punched his shoulder and his grin widened.
With a laugh, she put her arms around his neck and rested her head against his shoulder as he carried her across the farmyard to the cottage door. He kicked it open and carried her inside, stooping to fit under the lintel.
“Close yer eyes,” he instructed.
“What? Why?”
“I have a surprise for ye. Dinna open them until I tell ye.”
Maddy raised an eyebrow but did as he asked. He carried her across the room and she felt him duck through another doorway. Then he gently set her on her feet.
“All right, ye can look now.”
Maddy opened her eyes and looked around, gasping in surprise. “It’s finished!”
She was standing in a bedroom—a large, richly appointed bedroom. It was an extension added to the main cottage and Deryn and Craig had been laboring on it for quite some time—following the plans that Maddy had drawn up. She hadn’t expected it to be finished yet.
To south and east, large wooden-framed windows looked out over the valley. There were thick, colorful rugs covering the tiled floor—a floor which was being heated by her own design of a hypocaust combined with the more efficient gloria system often seen in Medieval Spain. She was thrilled with how well it worked and looked forward to extending the system to the rest of the house. The bedroom walls were plastered and whitewashed and there was a chest of drawers and a washstand against one wall. A huge, four-poster bed piled high with thick cushions dominated the center.
“This is amazing! Where did you get all this stuff?”
“Dun Saith,” Deryn replied. “Laird Callum’s wedding gift to us. It was brought in by cart yesterday whilst ye and Rory were busy with Darla. I know I canna hope to compete with the twenty-first century but I wanted ye to have at least a little bit of comfort.” He cocked his head. “Do ye like it?”
“Like it? I love it!” She turned in his arms. “Deryn, it’s wonderful. But you don’t have to try to compete with the twenty-first century. You have given me things that are far more important than any mod-cons. Do you hear?”
