The Inscription by Pam Binder

she blinked it was gone. He should smile more often. On second thought, she liked him better when he was scowling. She realized where she was and fought to hide any reaction. She didn’t have time for this. Looking out over the waters, she tried to think about something else. A small ripple marred the surface. She smiled, a little, thinking of all the times she’d seen the same thing happen when she was talking to the tourists and had led them to think it might be Nessie. It was great for the tour business.
    “What amuses you?”
    “Oh, I was just thinking of the legend about a creature that is supposed to haunt Loch Ness.”
    He seemed to draw back from her, his face was lost in the shadows. “There are many legends tied to these waters.”
    That was an understatement, but she had the overwhelming feeling that somehow an ancient myth was behind her appearance in the sixteenth century. She couldn’t quite put her finger on why she felt that way, but the impression was there, nonetheless. Her aunt told and retold any story connected to the loch. Amber had heard them all. There was one that seemed relevant, if only she could remember. Maybe the answer to her return was incorporated in that tale. She stood, nearly tripping over her long skirts.
    Lachlan reached out and held her arm until she regained her balance. Her skin felt warm where he touched her. Great, he was the type who pulled out chairs, opened doors and sent roses on Valentines Day. No, on second thought, his type didn’t just send flowers, he’d have his private plane take his date to box seats at the opera and then give her flowers.
    “I’ve heard of the Loch Ness monster, but it’s a hoax.”
    “ Lady Amber, it is real. It is a creature of an ancient clan that guards the entrance and destroys all who enter its domain.”
    She shuddered, remembering her experience in the loch. Maybe hysteria was a good option for her predicament, after all. Pushing the feeling down, she straightened.
    “I don’t scare easily, and I’m not the damsel in distress type. I’ve never heard of the creature being anything but shy and curious. That is, if you believe in that sort of thing.”
    His expression was unreadable, his voice devoid of emotion. “The hour is late and our meal grows cold.”
    He was avoiding her comment. She knew the tactic, she’d used it herself. “Actually, I’m not very hungry. I think I’ll go up to the room.”
    “Una will prepare you something to eat.”
    “It’s not necessary.”
    “Aye, lass, it is. There is much we have to discuss.” She glanced at him. That was a mistake. His mouth was a straight line across his face, but his eyes held a depth of emotion that took her breath away. Her heart pounded in her throat. Amber realized she would have to slow down. She hoped that what he wanted to discuss were the political advantages of Scotland uniting with England. That, she could handle.
    The night air was still, surprisingly warm for this time of year, and the waters over Loch Ness were mirror smooth. As she turned toward the castle she heard a splash. Looking over her shoulder she saw a dark shadow move across the water. Something large was swimming just beneath the surface.
    “Betrothed?”
    “Aye.”
    Amber chewed on the corner of her lip. Her aunt’s dream was for Amber to marry, but the whole concept frightened her. It meant getting to know someone; their likes, dislikes, what made them happy, what made them sad. And then, after investing all that time with someone, you could wake up one morning and find out it was finished. Because love never lasted. Her parents were proof of that theory. After working side by side in archeological digs for twenty-two years, they’d announced their marriage was at an end. They said they no longer loved each other. Her mother had gone back to college to start over.
    Amber rubbed her arms to warm them and glanced out the window of the chamber. Despite the warm night she shivered. She was