Dristan of Berwyck sat next to his wife Amiria watching the wedding celebration before them. His great hall was filled with the sound of the minstrels playing their instruments for the dancer’s enjoyment. He should be happy for Killian of Clan MacLaren, along with Lady Ella recently of Hull. So why did he feel so uneasy?
Amiria’s hand patted his arm before she rested her head upon his shoulder. “Stop frowning, my love, or you shall scare our guests away thinking they have once more awoken the Devil’s Dragon,” she said with a laugh. “What troubles you so that you must frown on such a festive occasion?”
“I only ponder how many more of these women not born of this time shall invade our gates,” he mused aloud. He reached for his chalice of wine and took a large drink before continuing. “How many more of my knights will be taken in by their charms?”
She lifted her head and placed her hand upon his cheek. “Surely you wish your men to be as happy as we are, Dristan. Does it truly matter if they find love with a lady born in this time or from the future?” she asked.
“Nay, I would not deny them. But why does Time seem to take the best of my knights?” he grumbled.
Her laughter rang out and the sound was pleasing to Dristan’s ears. “Killian is hardly leaving, my lord, and mayhap Riorden and Fletcher will return for a visit soon.”
“I am not so certain they will return for any length of time. Who do you suppose will be next to find wedded bliss?” His eyes ran over the crowded room.
“We can always ask our healer. You know Kenna can give us the answers you stand in need of,” Amiria replied before taking a sip of her own chalice.
“Nay! I may be curious as to which of my knights I will lose next, but I will not mess with Time in such a way. Let everything fall into place without Kenna’s help,” he said before standing and taking his wife’s hand. “Let’s dance. We might as well join the celebration.”
Amiria laughed again before taking his hand. “I am just as certain we shall have many such celebrations in this hall in the years to come.
This original piece is part of Bluestocking Belle Sherry Ewing’s MacLarens and Knights of Berwyck, A Quest Through Time series. Read on for an excerpt from her latest novel Love Will Find You where Killian and Ella have a date with Time!
Excerpt:
Ella’s nerves were on edge. That must be why she was feeling so anxious when she noticed Killian making his way across the hall. She reached for her chalice of wine, her fingers trembling before she managed to wrap them around the cup to take a sip without the heady red liquid spilling all over her gown. Perchance she should excuse herself and seek her chamber to rest. That was all she needed. She just had to go and rest before she left Berwyck forevermore to finally meet her destiny.
“He favors you,” Amiria’s voice was a soft whisper barely heard above the lutes playing in her hall.
There was no point in denying that she knew whom Amiria meant. “You are mistaken,” Ella replied taking another sip from her goblet before setting it upon the table. She clutched her hands together upon her lap, her knuckles quickly becoming white. Her heart tapped a ferocious beat inside her chest. This was not happening! Not when she was this close to being reunited with the one man she had crossed time for.
Amiria reached over to clasp her hands, giving them a slight squeeze. Ella turned to look upon her friend, who had given her shelter more times than she could count over the years. Amiria was a beautiful woman with flaming red hair and eyes of violet. She reminded Ella of a Viking shield maiden of old, since Amiria could wield a sword as no other woman of Ella’s acquaintance.
“I have waited many a year for some woman to catch his eye,” Amiria replied, her tone conveyed all the love she felt for the man who had watched over her like her father would have done if he yet lived.
Ella saw Killian’s progress was interrupted when he began having speech with Gregory, another of Dristan’s knights. “I have not caught his eye, my lady. Besides you know my fate lies in another direction.”
Amiria sighed, leaning over towards her husband when he whispered in her ear. She began to rise but bent over to kiss Ella’s cheek. “Be kind to him, Ella. I do not wish to see him hurt.”
Before Ella could make any reply, Amiria left to dance with her husband. They were an impressive pair, the two of them, and she was happy the couple twirling across the floor had found true love. Everyone deserved to find the person who called to them, soul to soul, Ella included.
Killian stood in front of the table clearing his throat, bringing her back to the challenge before her. “Mayhap ye would favor me with a dance, Ella?”
He appeared nervous, but the smile she gave him was genuine when he willingly dropped the whole lady business and called her only by her first name. “Aye, of course, Killian.”
His faced showed the briefest glimpse of relief before a mask of indifference fell into place. He came around the table, gave a courtly bow, and then offered his arm. Hesitant, but curious if she would have the same reaction as when she had touched him earlier, she placed her hand in the crook of his elbow. Her breath hitched at their contact. How could this be happening? She did not understand what was going on with the man who began ushering her through the patterns of a lively tune.
The other dancers upon the floor became a blur, her partner the only one who remained in focus. Each time they came together and touched, small sparks flowed like the sweetest nectar through her body. The sensation warmed her entire being, making it hard to remember the steps of the dance. Her wits surely must be addled as she continued to gaze into the hypnotizing eyes of her partner.
Killian was an accomplished dancer, of that there could be no doubt, despite him always showing the outside world a gruff appearance. He took her by the waist and lifted her high while the dance continued, his arms of steel more than capable of easily picking her up as though she weighed nothing at all. As he lowered her back to the floor, her eyes widened as she slid down his body. Her hands remained on his shoulders as they just stood there, the dance all but forgotten.
Love Will Find You:
The Knights of Berwyck,
A Quest Through Time (Book Four)
By Sherry Ewing
Sometimes a moment is all we have…
Ella Fitzpatrick is a woman with a secret. As she comes and goes from Berwyck Castle, seeking refuge within its gates, she yearns to be reunited with the one for whom she crossed time from the twenty-first century. She has lived another lifetime in the twelfth century waiting for the date of their reunion and it is almost upon her. But how could she have known the man she believes she loves is not the person she needs?
Killian of Clan MacLaren has been infatuated with Ella for many a year but has guarded his heart, knowing her affection lies with another. When Ella must flee Berwyck, Killian vows to escort her to her encounter with destiny. But passion flares between them and there is no doubt the bond they have is far greater than either of them expected.
Their time together is running out. Killian has a decision to make that might give him and Ella a future together. If you could change someone’s past, would you seize the moment?
Love Will Find You can be read as a standalone novel. If you love action-packed time travels, adventurous medieval romances, and swoon-worthy characters then you’ll love Sherry Ewing’s Knights of Berwyck series.
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About Bluestocking Belle Sherry Ewing:
Sherry Ewing picked up her first historical romance when she was a teenager and has been hooked ever since. A bestselling author, she writes historical and time travel romances to awaken the soul one heart at a time. When not writing, she can be found in the San Francisco area at her day job as an Information Technology Specialist.
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