Page 33 of A Matter of Time
“No. It’s just a feeling I’ve had of late. I don’t know where it’s coming from, but I believe it.”
“Are you becoming a soothsayer, Richard?” Nick questioned curiously.
Richard thought about this as he watched Angelina approach them. “I don’t believe so, but with Edna, one never knows what to expect.”
“Who’s Edna?” Angelina asked when she reached them. “You’ve mentioned her once before.”
“Have I?” Richard tried to remember when that might have been.
“Yes. When I found you that day on the Marina. You said her name and I asked you if she was your wife, remember?”
“Ah, yes. Nick and I were just speaking of the competition. How do you feel about it? Do you think everyone’s ready,” Richard said, trying to divert Angelina’s attention.
“Who’s Edna?” Angelina repeated stubbornly.
Apparently his diversionary tactics hadn’t worked. “She’s an old friend from the… from my past.” He could see that Angelina was determined to continue and he swallowed heavily.
“From your past in England?” Angelina cocked her head to one side and studied him.
“Yes.” Perhaps if he kept his answers simple, she wouldn’t persist, but he got the distinct impression that Angelina was deliberately trying to start an argument.
“Do you know her, Nick?” she asked.
“No. I’m afraid not. She’s one of Richard’s friends, he met her nae too long ago, isn’t that right?”
Was Nick trying to make matters worse? Richard glared in his direction and Nick smirked in acknowledgement, clearly enjoying Richard’s discomfort.
“If you met hernot so long ago, then how can she be an old friend?” Angelina demanded.
“Nick is mistaken.” Richard was getting quite uncomfortable under Angelina’s intense scrutiny. This was not going well. Instead of shutting down her inquiries, he seemed to have merely piqued her interest and, it appeared, an intense streak of jealousy.
“Fine then. If you don’t want me to know, then don’t tell me.” Turning away from them, Angelina stomped off towards Zeke and Wade, leaving Nick and Richard behind.
“Thanks for your help,” Richard grumbled.
“Sorry, I wasnae trying to cause trouble, just having some fun. I had nae idea she’d walk away so angry.”
Richard knew Nick well enough to know his apology was sincere and he nodded his acceptance. “I don’t know what to do, Nick. The woman baffles me. There is an obvious attraction there, yet despite everything, she keeps me at arm’s length.”
“What are your intentions towards her?” Nick asked.
This gave Richard pause and he realized he hadn’t really thought this out. “I want her, Nick. More than I’ve ever wanted any woman in my life.” The truth struck him, the words flowing from his mouth without conscious effort.
“More than Irene?”
“Yes. But, I also want to go back home, and I know I cannot take her with me. I can’t even tell her the truth.”
“You could try. She may be more open to what you have to say than you think, even if it’s far-fetched. I know Angelina – she’d prefer that to lying.”
“I agree. She is an honorable woman who’s been lied to in the past. I don’t want to lie to her. I want to be truthful, but I’m afraid it may be too much for her, and then I’d never see her again.”
“When you go back, you’ll never see her again anyway. What do you have to lose?” Nick pointed out.
“How do you tell someone you’re from the past and you’d like them to return to the sixteenth century with you?” What he needed was some sort of sign. Some divine intervention that would tell him it was all right to approach Angelina with the truth. Somehow, he doubted that was going happen. He hadn’t heard from Edna again, although he assumed she must have been keeping track of things somehow. He was frustrated with his situation, but knew he would have to let it go for now.
What on earthis he trying to hide?Richard remained a complete mystery to Angelina and she was annoyed with herself for evenwantingto know more about him. After the other night, she had thought she might start peeling back the layers, but he seemed determined to skirt around her questions. Her distrust of men had always been an issue despite the fact that her gut instincts were telling her she might be able to trustthisman. How could she though, if he was obviously hiding something? Her attraction for him had grown even stronger this past week, knocking down the walls she kept in place to protect herself from hurt and disappointment. Maybe he wasn’t any different than all the others who’d tried to win her heart, after all.
Angelina patiently awaited her opportunity, and once Nick and Richard were deeply ensconced in conversation with some of the other members of the team, she had slipped away. Being in constant contact with them – with Richard in particular – was starting to get to her. She was drawn to him like a bee to honey and seemed helpless to stop herself. She definitely needed to have some time to herself and already angry with him for avoiding her questions about the elusive Edna, she was going to slip out while nobody noticed. She seized her chance, hopping into her car for the short drive to a nearby coffee shop. She hoped Richard and Nick might not even notice she was missing. If they did… well, she didn’t want to think about that. They’d be furious with her, but she needed some time. With any luck, she’d sneak in to practice again before they even noticed.
