Read Online In the Time of Kings by N. Gemini Sasson - Free Book Online

front door. I only came down to let them in.” I take a quick look outside the front door, then close it. “No one there. Looks like everyone else has already headed out for the day. Just you and me then.”
    He leads the way into the breakfast nook: four small round tables draped in white linen, each with a centerpiece of freshly plucked daisies. “Will Mrs. Sinclair be along soon?”
    “ Ms . Forbes, actually. Modern woman, you know? We both agreed that Claire Sinclair sounded kind of hokey. But please, just Ross and Claire will do.” I sit at the table closest to the window to soak up the morning sunlight. “Anyway, she has a pounding headache. I thought I’d run to the chemist’s after this for some medicine.”
    “No need for that, Mr. ... Ross. First door on your left by the entrance. Just about any remedy you can think of stashed in the cabinet there.”
    “I’m sorry if you went to the trouble of cooking up something specifically for her. I’m sure she’ll be better by tomorrow morning.”
    “Ah, just a couple of thin slices of ham with an egg on the side.” He pats his round stomach. “It won’t go to waste. Nearly my lunch time, ‘tis. Been up since sunrise. The Pattersons had to be off early to catch a plane. You’re here for one more day?”
    “Two, actually. Then back to Glasgow and headed home.”
    Moments later, Dermot places a scone and bowl of fruit and yogurt in front of me, then pours a cup of coffee from a silver pot.
    “Tea for me,” I say, “but would you mind if I took my wife this cup when I’m done here? I know you probably don’t prefer guests to take food and drink back to their rooms, but —”
    “No worries! Go right ahead. Will you be relaxing here today or doing a wee bit of sightseeing?”
    I glance down at my bare wrist, realizing I’ve left my watch in the room. “What time is it, Dermot?”
    “Half past nine, I reckon.”
    “Already?”
    “Aye, ‘tis.”
    “Damn ... I mean ... I’m going to be late. I forgot our rental car had a flat and I have an appointment at ten o’clock.”
    “Where at?”
    “Oh, I’d say it’s no more than five or six kilometers from here. South of Aberbeg. A little kirk called St. Joseph’s. I’m meeting a man there named Reverend Murray. Said he might have some information on my genealogy.”
    “Ah, aye, I know the place. Stone wall about so high” — he holds a level palm to his hip —“covered in ivy? Gravestones all ‘round? Giant yew tree out back, looks like it would smash the roof in if a good wind came along?”
    “That’s right. Said he had an early appointment before that and had to be off for Dunbar for the rest of the day. If I don’t catch him at ten, I might not at all.” I take a few sips of black tea, burning my tongue in the process, devour a scone laced with walnuts and gobble down several spoonfuls of yogurt, nearly choking on the chunks of fruit I had forgotten were there.
    Dermot drifts back in from the kitchen. “I’d offer you a lift, but I have to take me mum to the doctor’s in an hour. Do you know the way? You can borrow me bicycle. Wee bit o’ rust on the frame, but I keep the gears oiled and plenty of air in the tires.”
    “Yeah, I suppose I could make it if I leave in the next few minutes.”
    “Your ancestors are from around here, then?”
    “Not exactly. They took part in the Battle of Halidon Hill, though.” I don’t bother to tell him they probably died there. That’s a given.
    “Never been much interested in my own ancestry,” Dermot muses. He hands me a fresh mug of coffee, then scoots the sugar and cream closer. “But I’m sure there are a fair amount of skeletons rattling around back there. If they could only tell their stories ...” He chortles to himself, his cheeks reddening. “Then again, maybe there are a few things we’re better off not knowing, aye?”
    “Maybe, Dermot. Maybe.” I stir Claire’s coffee and push my chair back. “I’ll just grab a few