Chapter 9 — Grandfather
BPOV
The significance of the events I was living through wasn't lost on me, but what they meant concerning the future of the clans wasn't clear. The only clear thing was the fact the future hadn't been written yet. What I did today, tomorrow, and the next day wrote the actions for the future. If I changed my path, so did the future. How many times had Alice told me that? I had lost count… or would lose count. I laughed at myself. I was in the past to observe and learn.
I still didn't sense the mages and I was tired. They had spotted me during my last sojourn and started chasing me. I couldn't be sure if it was the jeans that I was still in or if they knew who I was and my mission.
"It hours yet until nightfall," Carlisle said. "Try and sleep."
A long, loud yawn escaped me. "I will try. Could you do me another favor?" I asked as I closed my eyes. "I could use a dress befitting of this time."
"The mages?" he questioned.
"Yes," I replied on another yawn.
"I will see what I can obtain for you. Sleep." I could hear the future doctor I know and love in the gentle command.
Even though I had fallen asleep before arriving in this place and time, I followed Carlisle's command. In no time, I was obvious to the world around me.
When I woke I found myself in the last place I expected—in my bedroom at McCullough Castle.
It was strange. The only thing I didn't know was when I was in time. The room was decorated as it always had been since before it became mine, and I hadn't felt like it should be changed.
I was sitting up in bed when the door opened.
"My lady," my maid said, startled and nearly dropping the basket of clothes. "Where did you come from? I thought you would be gone for a few more days with your grandfather."
I was astounded. How strange! Then it hit me. It was days after we buried Grandmother. Why I was sent here was a mystery and one I needed to solve. I searched my memory for a plausible explanation. "I wasn't feeling well and asked to come back."
"Is there anything I can get you?" she asked, concern evident.
I wasn't often sick, thanks to my magic, and when I was, it was time to be concerned. All the castle staff knew of my magic, though not the full extent of what I was.
"Not right now, but thank you for asking. I took some aspirin when I got in last night. I'll venture down to the Great Hall for breakfast shortly." I had to contact Grandfather and let him know I was safe. Crud! The reason I disappeared back then was because I was mad at him for not telling me of the plans the clan had made for me in regards to my future husband.
"Isabella, thank goodness you are safe," Grandfather said, racing into my chambers before I had even reached for the phone next to the bed.
"Yes, Grandfather, thank goodness," I responded curtly slipping off the bed and heading to my closet. My maid was still in the room putting my clothes away. "Did you even look for me?"
"Of course I did. Do you think I agreed with what your mother and the council decided upon when you were still in diapers?" he asked. He didn't wait for me to answer. "I didn't. Your grandmother and I pleaded with your mother, trying to convince her not to take away your rights to choose. Your mother would not listen."
"And I should believe you did nothing to terminate the arrangement after her death."
"Your grandmother met with the council and the Gillpatrick's when word reached us. They reached an agreement. Both you and Garret can date but if either of you developed feelings for another or proof is presented of betrayal then the arrangement will be terminated."
I shrugged and opened the closet door. I reached in with my left hand and saw Edward's ring. Hopefully, Grandfather didn't see it as I wouldn't be able to explain.
I heard the bedroom door close and braced myself.
"You don't have anything to say about running away and disappearing. You've been gone for three days." He was furious and had every right to be at his fourteen-year-old granddaughter, not me, the seventeen-year-old. He didn't know that, though.
At random, I grabbed a dress and turned to face Grandfather with it in my hand. Looking him right in the eye, I said, "I am not who you think I am, my laird. I can take care of myself."
"Oh, you can, can you, lassie? And, just who do you think you are?" He crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back against the door not that there was another exit from the room. A frown marred his face and his eyebrows were drawn tight together as he waited for my answer.
I swallowed hard. Should I answer his question honestly or try to divert?
Isabella Marie! Grandmother admonished in my mind. He's Ewan and your grandfather. He can help you. Tell him the truth.
"Okay, I'll tell you, Ewan," I said, carefully.
His eyes widened and his Adam's apple bobbed. "Who are you?" he asked in a whisper his arms falling to his side. He remained leaning against the door.
"I am your granddaughter from three and a half years in the future. And I need your help."
Pushing off the door, Grandfather walked to my bed and sat down. I joined him and put a silencing spell on the room.
"What help do you need?" Not the question I was expecting, but heck he was a wizard.
A long sigh escaped me. "First, clothing from another the time you married Maribella."
He scrubbed his face and beard with his hand. "I can provide you with a few things. What else?"
With my right hand, I drew the sigil that looked a little like a flamboyant capital "F." It glowed a minute or two before vanishing. "Do you know the meaning?"
Grandfather stood and paced the room with his hand cupped behind his back. It was what he did whenever he needed to remember something or was puzzling something out, and I knew it might take him a while before an answer was found.
Silence was not my cup of tea, so I stood and moved toward the ensuite bathroom. The shower called to me. I turned on the water before striping. The warm water was a godsend, and I stood under the spray for several moments before washing the I-don't-know-how-many-days dirt off.
I was surprised twenty minutes had passed when reentered the bedchamber fully dressed. Grandfather was gone and a note was on the bed where he had sat.
Picking it up, I read: "Eat breakfast and then came to my study. Be careful of what you say. You might be in danger here."
