not to flee now while she could. Would Iosbail stop her? Hard to tell. Iosbail didn’t seem that cordial. Then again, she hadn’t been with the MacLomain clan either. Arms still crossed over her chest she continued. “Where’s Adlin. Again, what’s going on? Why am I here?”
Iosbail lay back on the bed and crossed her legs. With a shrug she said, “It’s hard to ever tell where Adlin is. Typically, he’s with his precious clan. What’s going on? I’d think that is obvious, you’re back in time again. I already told you why I was here.”
Mildred banked her irritation and took a deep breath. Iosbail was a far different creature than her brother. Purposely eying Iosbail up and down she asked, “So why did you marry into this clan?”
A small smirk crawled onto Iosbail’s lips then vanished. “Let’s just say I came into this clan from a different angle than Adlin.”
It didn’t surprise her in the least that Iosbail now acted more like a twentieth century female than one born in this era. The woman was devious and manipulative amongst many things. Iosbail stretched and cinched her hands behind her head, eyes somewhat on Mildred. Naturally, she said nothing but left the conversation loose.
Honestly, this wasn’t Mildred’s cup of tea. Nobody in her family acted this way. In fact, the closest personality type to this pre-meditated sort of nonchalance could only ever belong to Jim. And she knew how to deal with that.
Leave.
With a smile and gracious nod she said, “Thanks, Iosbail,” and left the room.
With no real direction, she walked back down the hall. She’d made it all of twenty steps when…
“Brazon. I see why he likes you.”
Mildred slowed at the sound of Iosbail’s voice but didn’t stop. Why who liked her? Adlin or Bruce? Who cared! As she started to walk down the stairs she wondered where she’d go from here. Truth told she’d hoped Iosbail would have stopped her before this. Apparently the woman had too much pride. Halfway down the stairs she noted how near-empty the hall was with scattered clan’s folk here and there. Though a few had turned their heads when she entered minutes before, now they seemed oblivious. Were they that used to strangers?
“Mildred, yer going in the wrong direction.”
She looked up. Iosbail leaned against the wall at the top stair and grinned. “You really should let me show you around.”
Though not particularly fond of the idea of exploring this place on her own she said, “Honestly, that’s not the most appealing idea.”
Iosbail shrugged, nearly indifferent. “No, I’d imagine not. But you should, lassie. After all… we have something in common.”
Mildred contemplated the woman with raven dark hair and perfect features. A woman with cunning eyes and arrogance so slippery many must have already broken themselves on it. However, despite her reservations, she clearly saw a woman hiding her desperation and masking well blatant fear.
With an obvious look between the hall and Iosbail, Mildred asked, “Will you show me everything?”
Iosbail’s eyes narrowed slightly but still she smiled and nodded. “At the very least.”
Translation, Mildred wanted answers and Iosbail would give them.
She slowly walked up the stairs. Iosbail’s expression remained the same save the unmistakable flicker of relief in her eyes. So now, Adlin’s sister no longer held the upper ground. They were equals. They both needed something from one another. What that was on Iosbail’s part, Mildred had no clue. Regardless, she was moving in the right direction… or at least a better direction.
Iosbail led her right back into the same room and plunked down onto the bed. “I wish there was more to show you but—” She cast a grim eye around the space. “There’s not much to show beyond this room.”
“There’s always more to see,” Mildred said. “Especially for someone from another time.”
“I suppose.” Yet the look Iosbail shot her was nothing less than incredulous.
“If you don’t want to show me around how about showing me how to get home?To my time that is.”
“I’d like nothing better.” Iosbail stood, a touch restless. Almost as if she rethought her words she said, “Not that I dinnae want you here.”
“Of course.” Mildred leaned against the doorway. “When is Adlin coming? Is he coming?”
“You know he is.” Iosbail nodded toward the slit of a window and shrugged. “Soon.”
Though she said as much, Mildred wasn’t inclined to believe Iosbail, mainly because she didn’t trust her. She’d known the MacLomain siblings for less than a day but sensed the two had vastly different personalities.
“So what do