Page 2 of A Matter of Time
“You’re quite the gentleman, aren’t you?” Angelina asked, seemingly flustered by his gesture.
“Always,” Richard said. That wasn’t necessarily true in the past, but he was a new man now and he intended to be nothing if not proper, from this point forward.
They sat on the bench and Angelina seemed uncomfortable sitting too close, making sure to put some space between them. She turned to face him, daintily tucking one leg underneath her and resting her arm across the back of the bench. Richard was completely entranced. He smiled warmly, but could think of nothing to say.
“Do you remember anything at all?” Angelina asked.
“Yes. I do.” Richard responded as he gazed out at the water. Wherever he was, it was exceedingly beautiful. There were many sails visible on the water, along with other, much larger vessels. They moved effortlessly, even without sails.
“Do you remember how you fell?” Angelina questioned.
“Yes.” Richard needed to tread carefully here. He wasn’t sure what he could tell her that might keep him from being locked up. If he’d answered no to her question it would give the young woman cause for concern and answering yes, while it was the truth, might cause him even more trouble in the long run, but he thought perhaps the honest response was the best.
Angelina sat gazing at him with those beautiful eyes. “Well, are you going to tell me?”
Time to change the subject. “What are those boats over there?” He pointed to one of the larger vessels as it cruised through the water, leaving large swells in its wake.
“That’s the ferry arriving from Sausalito,” Angelina explained, turning her focus to the water.
“Ah. I see.” He didn’t see at all. He’d never seen a ferry before and he couldn’t believe how it moved so swiftly and effortlessly through the water. He remembered many things from his time in Glendaloch, but he had not seen any boats while he was there, so this was all new to him. “And what of that bridge?” His focus was still on distracting Angelina from asking too many questions about him, but from the expression on her face, the things he was asking her were obviously giving her pause.
“The Golden Gate?” she questioned, as she glanced towards the towering structure.
“The Golden Gate – of course. It’s all coming back to me now.” Maybe that acknowledgement would satisfy her desire for answers.
Richard and Angelina lapsed into a companionable silence, which Richard was grateful for as it allowed him time to contemplate what had happened and why he’d found himself abruptly shifted into the future.
“I hope Nick gets here soon. He lives right around the corner, so it shouldn’t take him too long,” Angelina said, glancing around. “Oh, there he is. Nick! Over here!”
Richard was disappointed that this Nick fellow had arrived so swiftly. He’d have liked a bit more time alone with Angelina. Not that he wanted to answer any more of her questions - just to gaze upon her lovely face would have been enough. He turned in the direction Angelina was calling and almost fell off the bench. The man approaching them was an old friend of his.
Sir Nicholas Mackall was striding purposefully towards them dressed in modern day clothing. How on earth hadhegotten here? Richard stood up and stared in astonishment at his long-time friend and confidante.
“Richard? Is that ye?” Nick was approaching with both arms spread wide. He pulled Richard into a hug and held on to him for dear life. “Saints be praised, it’s so good to see ye. How on earth did ye get here?”
“It’s a long story, but I imagine much the same way you did. I can’t believe I’m seeing you.” Richard was trying not to appear completely astonished at the sight of his friend in the modern world, but knew he was failing miserably.
Angelina was standing off to one side, appearing baffled by this turn of events. Sir Nicholas turned to her with a warm smile. “Angelina, this is my long lost friend, Richard Jefford.”
“I wouldn’t say I was the one who was long lost, Nicholas.” Richard smiled broadly and clapped his friend on the back.
“Wait. I’m confused,” Angelina said. “I thought he was one of your medieval martial arts guys, but it sounds like you haven’t seen each other in quite a long time.”
“It has been quite a few years. Can ye imagine it?” Nick said to Angelina, his expression stunned. “Let’s head back to my place and I’ll explain it all to ye.” He met Sir Richard’s curious gaze. “Angelina has been kind enough to let me stay in her family’s home here in San Francisco as no one was residing there.”
There it was! He was in San Francisco. Now, he just needed to find out exactly where that was and how he could get back to England.
“My niece is out of town on an extended holiday and I thought Nick might like a place to stay in the city.” Angelina smiled brightly at Nick, who put an arm around her shoulder as they walked.
Disappointment and a touch of jealousy washed over Richard as he watched Nick and Angelina walking together. He mentally shook himself, determined he wouldn’t allow jealousy to overtake him. He had turned over a new leaf and left that green-eyed monster behind and he was not about to head down that same path again. “How long have you two known each other?” he asked.
“A few years, isn’t it?” Nick answered, glancing at Angelina for confirmation. “We are the very best of friends.” He smiled warmly at Angelina and pressed a quick peck on her cheek.
“He’s the only man I know who can take no for an answer,” Angelina teased.
“Well, it wasnae easy at first, but I understand.” Nick turned his attention to Richard. “Angelina isnae interested in romantic entanglements, ye see.”
They were approaching a broad street with many ‘automobiles’, similar to the ones he’d seen in Glendaloch. They stopped and waited for the traffic to come to a halt, before crossing and then heading down a side street. Richard was relieved to hear that Angelina was not Nick’s woman, but disappointed to learn she wasn’t interested in romance. “Angelina, if I might ask, why are you not interested in finding love?” Richard knew it was pushy, but found he just had to know the answer to that question.
