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Chapter 1
Marcus Beaton’s knock on Wickham’s door was more of a scrape than a thump as it opened to the laughter of his boys. “Och, lads, is yer mither about?”
Pointing toward the kitchen table, they scurried past him into the bright sunlight.
Spying Ivy bent over her computer, Marcus made his way toward her.
Without looking up, Ivy held up a hand to halt Marcus’ progression and, he was certain, his daily question.
Still studying the computer screen, Ivy heaved a sigh. “In your dogged persistence, Mr. Beaton, you’ve managed to wear both my patience and my carpet thin. But it seems to have paid off. To our mutual relief, your documents arefinallyin order.”
Marcus glanced at the floor but couldnae see that he’d marked a trail of any sort in the weeks he’d been urging Ivy to finalize arrangements for his grand adventure.
Raising her gaze to his, she couldn’t quite hide her teasing grin. “I pray theseadventuresyou’re bent on having will somehow improve your understanding of how long some things take in therealworld.”
“Beggin’ yer pardon, yer Ladyship, but grateful as I am for yer kindness, I’ve had near three centuries of bein’ patient. I fear mine is worn even thinner than yer carpet.”
“As I’ve observed,” she laughed. “And for the hundredth time, it’s just plain Ivy.” She beckoned him closer and picked up a small packet. “This contains your identification papers, your passport, and a credit card. I believe Wickham explained the use of credit cards to all of you, but I’ll go over it again, if you’d like.”
“Nae, yer Ladysh—er—Ivy. I think I ken how the thing works.”
“There’s sufficient money there to give you a solid start until you settle into a job somewhere.”
She must have read the pained expression on his face because she laughed overmuch, drawing a scowl from Marcus.
“When I said, ‘settle into’, I didn’t mean you’d be locked in permanently, Marcus. If you’re determined to be a vagabond, you only have to work long enough to fund whatever your next ‘great adventure’ might be.”
He nodded. “I dinnae mean tae imply I dinnae wish tae work. I do. ’Tis just that I hope tae find a job that doesnae keep me inside, nor tie me too tightly tae one place. I’ve had my fill of bein’ confined tae a designated plot o’ ground. But I dinnae mean tae appear ungrateful. ’Tis blessed, I am, tae be given this opportunity. I ken well enough ’tis a privilege I havenae earned.”
Ivy’s face softened. “You’ve earned it, Marcus. Many times over. Now come around here and look at some options I’ve found online based on what you’ve told me. Once you decide exactly where you want to start this adventure of yours, I can book a flight and you’ll be on your way.” She gave him a questioning look. “I know I’ve asked you this countless times over the past weeks, but are you sure this is what you really want? It’s not too late to change your mind.”
“Dinnae fash. I willnae waste the life Soni has given me. Hopefully, if the Fates are wi’ me along the way, I’ll find a deed worthy of her sacrifice. But I’ve been tied tae one spot far beyond my tolerance. I’m ready tae fly free and far.”
He moved around the table as directed, to see her screen. “I’m told there’s a world full of wonders and I’m curious enough tae want tae see ’em all. But I’ve an itch tae start in America and see what surprises it holds. If ’twas a good choice for my kin tae escape tae after Culloden tae make their fresh start, I ken ’tis a good place for me tae do the same.”
Ivy pressed a few buttons and Marcus blinked at the flashing screen as Ivy clicked through several pictures and locations.
“What are these places?”
“You said you wanted to see unique sites and varied landscapes, so these are some National Parks in the U.S. They’ve been preserved because they each contain something distinctive.”
Marcus nodded. “If they’re important enough for all that, I ken they’ll make a fine startin’ place for me.”
“Which one, then?” Ivy showed him several more pictures. “You can explore them yourself, or most of them have tour packages you might like.”
“What’s that?” He pointed to a tall plume of water shooting from the ground.
“That’s Old Faithful. A geyser in Yellowstone National Park. It’s just one of many wonders there.”
“Geyser,” Marcus repeated the strange word under his breath. “Och. Look at that. ’Tis spittin’ water straight intae the air. ’Twould be a sight tae behold, aye?”
“Do you want to start there? Or here are some others in the western U.S.” Ivy made another series of clicks. “This is Grand Canyon, Zion National Park, Bryce Canyon, and this one is Canyonlands. There’s also Yosemite and the Redwoods.” Ivy glanced up at him. “They’re all different from each other and far different from what you’ve seen in Scotland. You’re in for some surprises.”
Excitement stirred Marcus’ newly mortal senses. “Surprises are exactly what I’m lookin’ for.” If the mere idea of this journey felt this good, what might the real thing be like? “I ken I’d like tae begin wi’ that geyser. I’ve an itch tae see ground that spits at the sky. If the earth there is that audacious, it must be a magical place, indeed.”
* * *
“Ye’re goin’tae do what?” Will Fenton sat slack-jawed across the dinner table from Marcus, his meal forgotten. “Ye cannae be serious.”
