The Inscription by Pam Binder Page A

freezing, sitting by the blazing fire.
    “Exactly how far do we play this game?”
    He regarded her seriously. “It shall be in name only, but will give you a position in the castle equal to Lady Marcail, and my sister, Elaenor. The inhabitants will respect you out of loyalty to their laird.”
    “And what would be you?”
    He paused. “Aye.”
    “Perfect.”
    “You do not sound pleased. It is an honor to be my betrothed and will afford you much freedom.” He arched his eyebrow. “Or is it that you already have a man to which you belong? You need only mention the name, and we shall send word of your arrival.”
    Amber felt tears burn her eyes and shook her head. “There is no one here.” The words struck her hard and she clutched the folds of her dress to keep her hands from trembling. She would never see her family again. Amber had taken it for granted that they would always be there for her.
    She tried to control the rising panic. On top of everything else, Lachlan’s package deal would rob her of her freedom. In Seattle she had all the independence she wanted. She had her own apartment, a job teaching high school, and her own mint condition-VW bug convertible. And her chance to become a principal. Back home she had the knowledge that she didn’t need anyone. She was independent, self-sufficient and completely on her own. It would be different in the sixteenth century.
    At Urquhart castle she would be completely dependent on the goodwill of a Highland laird. She forced the tremors from her voice as the word “survival” surfaced in her mind. Amber had to find a way back to the twentieth century. She had to. She just needed time to figure it out.
    “How… how long do I have, before we’ll be expected to get married?”
    “We shall follow the custom of handfasting: a year and a day.”
    Amber straightened. She knew all about the custom. “I thought you said our betrothal would be in name only?”
    “And it shall be. However, the Highland clans are familiar with this ritual and there will be fewer questions.”
    She felt her nails cut into the palms of her hand. He must think she was an airhead. “I know all about handfasting. A couple live together for a year and a day in a sort of trial marriage, and if, by the end of that time, a child isn’t conceived, they are allowed to either marry or go their separate ways.”
    She could feel the panic rise. Amber knew herself too well and was already physically attracted to Lachlan. If she allowed him into her bed and she became pregnant… her heart would be lost and inevitably crushed.
    “We can’t sleep together.” Her voice seemed too loud. “Won’t your people think it odd?”
    “They will not concern themselves with such details.”
    “Really? Then why are we bothering with this elaborate plan?”
    She saw the corner of his mouth turn up in a smile. “There does not appear to be much that escapes your notice.”
    Amber did not see the humor. “Not much.”
    He crossed the distance that separated them. “Very well, lass, after the passage of one full moon we shall have a formal betrothal and an engagement of unspecified length. My family is noted for such. As well as separate living quarters.”
    “Maybe I don’t need your protection. Maybe there are people searching for me as we speak.” The words rang true. Aunt Dora would be frantic and would have called her brother, parents and the entire population of Inverness.
    “You have already stated there was no one. Besides, you would have mentioned them when first you awoke. Do not be concerned that I shall take advantage of our arrangement.”
    “It’s not you I’m concerned about.”
    He paused, raising an eyebrow.
    Her face burned. “That didn’t come out right.”
    Her comment had surprised her as much as it did him. It was not that she felt he would force himself on her. Honor radiated from him as constant as the warmth from the fire. It was this betrothal thing. It would connect the two