Page 31 of Laird Of Her Heart

“Maggie?”

“I told you the truth when I said I came from a place far to the west, but that’s not all.”

He sat back. Threaded his fingers. Studied her in steady silence.

“I…” Oh God. “I’m from the future.”

His expression did not change. Not by a flicker of an eyelash. That was how she knew he was holding himself in exquisite control.

“Hundreds of years in the future. The book I told you about, The Macintoshes of Dar? It’s a history book.”

Still no reaction. He sat there and stared at her, and she stared right back.

The silence unnerved her.

“I am not crazy.”

The pulse at the corner of his left eye ticked.

“I don’t know how it happened or why. But I am glad I’m here. I’m so glad I met you. So glad I can save you—”

“Stop. Just stop.”

She could not. “If you go, you will die. You and Declan. All your men. Everyone dies there. All but one Macintosh—”

“Maggie. Stop.”

“I am not lying.” She put out a lip, although she knew pouting was pointless. “I am from the future. How else would I know you’re building a new chapel in Dar? Or of the granary fire last spring?

“Those things are hardly secret.”

“Would I know you lost your dog in a hunting accident? Or that you commissioned a tapestry in his memory?” He remained stoic and unresponsive. “Dominic, I know many things. I know a great rain will come in the fall. The flood will kill hundreds. The resulting famine will nearly destroy your clan in the winter.”

“Are you saying my people will die?”

“If you die, yes. Without your leadership, they are doomed, Dominic. Doomed.”

“It is a concerning story indeed. And impossible to prove…until it happens.” His lip curled. “Convenient, that.”

Ah lord. How could she convince him? Despondent, she opted for babbling historical facts. It was all she had, after all. “Listen to me. I am telling you the truth. Consider this. I know that with the death of Queen Margaret, Scotland has been in turmoil with no one to succeed her. I know next year, with the support of King Edward, John Balliol will become King of Scotland.” His nose twitched as though he didn’t care for this news. “But he won’t be king for long. When he revolts against Edward, a full-fledged rebellion breaks out against England, led by William Wallace.”

His brow quirked. “Wallace?”

“Do you know him?”

“We’ve met. He’s a good man.”

She sighed. “It doesn’t end well for him. But at least they made a movie of his life.”

“A movie?”

“Never mind. Point is, I know lots of things, Dominic. Things that have happened and things that are coming. And I’m not evil or crazy or touched. I have to believe God sent me here for a reason. And I have to believe it is to save your life. Please don’t go to Urquhart Castle. Please don’t walk into an ambush.”

“I willna.”

She nearly collapsed in relief. “Oh, thank God.”

“Now that you’ve warned us, we shall be on our guard.”