Page 3 of A Matter of Time
“As silly as it sounds, I don’t need the headache of having a man around. I like my life just the way it is. I enjoy the company of men, but not so much that I want to give up my independence. Does that make sense?” she asked.
“I suppose it does,” Richard agreed, thinking it made absolutely no sense at all. Catching Nick’s eye, Richard’s friend shrugged his shoulders as if to say that he didn’t understand it either. Richard thought it was probably just as well. He had one goal at the moment and that was to get back home to his family so he could start the process of finding a wife. A woman who would fit in at his castle, who would take charge of running his household. He had no time for a dalliance in this time and place.
Turning another corner, they came to a vibrantly colorful building and Nick led the way up the stairs to an ornate entryway. Richard had never seen such a colorful home. All of the little bits and pieces of wood were painted in different colors.
“Isn’t it pretty?” Angelina asked, obviously observing his interest. “I love all the gingerbread on the house. It’s a beautiful old Victorian.”
“Yes, it’s lovely,” Richard said.Gingerbread! I don’t see any gingerbread and what is Victorian? What on earth is she talking about?
Nick must have seen his confusion. “The gingerbread, as ’tis called, is all the wooden trim ye see around the doors and windows. Not what we’re used to, but pleasing to the eye, wouldn’t ye agree?”
Richard merely nodded in agreement as Nick opened the door for Angelina to pass through. He extended his arm for Richard to go next and then closed the door after they were all inside. Richard experienced a moment of awe as he surveyed the architecture and furnishings of this home. The places he’d seen in Glendaloch had been very nice, but they paled in comparison to what lay before him.
“Nick, I’m concerned that Richard has hit his head. He didn’t know what year it was or where he was and I don’t know if that’s changed.” Angelina placed a dainty hand on Richard’s arm as she spoke. Richard tried with everything he had not to appear affected by her touch, but deep down inside he was experiencing the most unbelievable level of pleasure. This woman had charmed him, something that had seemed an impossibility when he’d met other women in the past.
“I’m sure ’tis only a concussion. I’ll make sure that he’s okay, don’t ye worry about it, but if ye’d like to stay here tonight, ye can keep an eye on him as well,” Nick suggested in a cajoling tone.
“No, I really need to get home and besides, you two must have a lot of catching up to do, I’m sure,” Angelina headed towards the door. “Do you want me to put something together for your dinner before I leave?” she asked.
“Nae, love. I’ll take care of it. I’ll order a pizza. ’Tis my favorite as ye well ken.” Nick winked at Angelina in a familiar way that set Richard’s teeth on edge. He had to remind himself once again that jealousy was no longer a part of his life.
“I’m surprised you’re not sick of it yet,” she laughed. “Richard, it was a pleasure to meet you. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you again some time.”
“I hope so, m’lady.” Richard bowed in her direction and was pleased to see Angelina seemed impressed by the gesture.
“Ye’ll see him, Angelina. I’ve an idea to enlist Richard in the tournament at the Renaissance Faire. He’s an expert at the medieval martial arts, arenae ye, Richard?”
“I am and I’d be delighted to help in any way I can,” Richard said, watching for Angelina’s reaction. Why he cared what she thought was beyond him. He had to set his mind on getting back home, not on wooing this beauty.
“Okay. I’ll leave you two for now. Have a good night and I’ll see you for the next practice,” Angelina said.
Richard watched as Nick walked her to the door, tamping down a surge of jealousy as his friend kissed her cheek and closed the door after her.
Angelina walked to her car, thinking about Richard all the while. He was that take-your-breath-away kind of handsome that she was attracted to and she loved his English accent. Funny how they just happened to be at the Marina at the exact same time. If she hadn’t found him and he hadn’t needed her help, he might not have reconnected with Nick. Such an odd coincidence. It really was a small world, she told herself. As Angelina approached her car, she had the feeling that someone was watching her. She turned her head in every direction, but found herself completely alone on the street. Her intuition told her to hurry. Quickly unlocking the car door, she hopped in and slammed the door, hitting the lock button as she did. She’d been suffering that same unnerving sensation a lot lately and she didn’t like it one bit. It felt as if someone was following her, but there was never anyone there when she checked. It was probably just her overactive imagination at work. She started the car and headed home with thoughts of Sir Richard Jefford dancing through her brain.
Chapter 2
“Tell me what happened,” Nick said. “How did ye get here?” He sat opposite Richard in a large, overstuffed chair and waited for Richard’s answer.
For his part, Richard sat, legs spread wide, elbows on his knees and head in hands. Lifting his head, he sighed heavily. “It’s almost too unbelievable for words, but if you’re here in this time with me, then you understand that time travel can actually happen.”
“I know all too well what ye speak of,” Nick responded.
“I was a moment away from being burned to death by a witch named Brielle, when I was washed over by a wave of water that I’m sure was meant to put out the balls of fire heading towards me. And then in the blink of an eye, I was drawn into a thick fog and when it cleared…” Richard didn’t finish his sentence, instead he shook his head in amazement at his predicament.
“Where did the water come from?” Nick asked.
“A witch named Maggie MacKinnon sent it and then yet another witch, Edna Campbell, or so I believe, drew me into the fog. Do you know them?” Richard was wondering if maybe one of them had sent Nick to San Francisco.
“I’m afraid not,” Nick answered. “Do ye think one of them may have been behind my trip to the future?”
“Perhaps, but then you haven’t told me how you got here. I haven’t seen you in years. Not since…” Richard paused.
“…not since I got angry with ye fer yer constant need to ruin the MacKenzies. I’m sorry I left ye, Richard, I’d simply had enough and could see no future in tormenting a clan I had no argument with,” Nick apologized.
“You were right to leave me. I needed to stop the foolishness and go home to my own life, with my own people. Unfortunately, even losing your friendship didn’t keep me from making an ass of myself, over and over again. It wasn’t until just recently that I realized the error of my ways. I was heading to the MacKenzie holdings at Breaghacraig to beg their forgiveness and to tell them I would never bother them again. That’s when I met Maggie MacKinnon and in standing with her to defeat an evil witch, one who’s actions were directly related to my need for vengeance, I was saved by both she and her aunt, Edna Campbell. I’m not sure why she’s sent me here, but I do know that I want more than anything to get back to my home.”
“So do I,” Nick agreed. “Mayhap we can find a way back together.” He stood and went to the bar where he poured them both a generous tot of whiskey. He handed one to Richard and raising his own glass said, “To going home.”
