Page 52 of A Matter of Time
“Nonsense,” Edna responded. “Ye’ll do nae such thing. Malcolm will be staying the night at Castle Fionn. I know this, because Lena has spoken with me and told me they just arrived. So, there’s no need for ye to sacrifice yerself.” Edna gave Richard a knowing glance.
Richard sighed heavily. “All right. I defer to your wisdom, madam.”
The MacKenzie’s turned their horses and headed back in the direction from which they had come. Richard and his group followed. Angelina rode between Cailin and Cormac, who dwarfed her with their size. The soft, sweet sound of her laughter drifted back to Richard as she reacted to whatever they were telling her. So far, no one mentioned Ashley, but he knew that would come. It was inevitable.
Chapter 25
Everyone but Richardseemed happy to arrive at Breaghacraig. In stark contrast, Richard looked as if he was being led to the gallows. Angelina watched him carefully. This was not the man she had met and come to love in San Francisco. This was a man about to have his secret revealed. How could she know that? She didn’t, but he had some sort of secret, she was certain of it and ever since their arrival in Scotland, he had begun to avoid being alone with her. As each day passed, he became more withdrawn and now as he sat atop his horse, he seemed the most uncomfortable she’d seen him yet.
Robert turned to speak to him. “We have your horse here. We’ve taken verra good care of him. I’ve ridden him myself on occasion. He is a fine warhorse. I’m sure you’d be happy to see him straight away.”
“I would. I appreciate your kindness in caring for him. I have missed him greatly. Arion was a gift to me from my father before his death.” He dismounted, handing the reins of his current mount to one of the stable boys. “If you don’t mind, I’ll go and see him now. I’ll join you inside later.” Richard followed the stable boy as he walked the horse away from the group gathered in the courtyard.
Angelina leaned over and whispered to Nick, “He sure was in a hurry to get away from us.”
“You dinnae understand what Arion means to him. Before coming to San Francisco, he spent every day riding and training him into a fine warhorse. I understand his need to see his horse.” Nick dismounted and came to her side. She waved him off and lithely slipped down from her own mount. More stable boys arrived to take the other horses. “Shall we?” Nick asked, extending his arm for her to take.
Angelina giggled at this show of formality on Nick’s part. “We’re not in San Francisco anymore.”
“I believe I always behaved the gentleman, even there, where others are not always on their best behavior.”
Again, she couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re absolutely right. You have always treated me like a lady.” She took his arm and walked with him into the great hall of Breaghacraig. “This is beautiful.” Angelina’s mouth dropped open at the magnificence of the hall. She noticed Edna being greeted by three women. Angelina assumed they were the ladies of the house and as she and Nick approached, they turned to her and she was both shocked and surprised to discover Ashley and Jenna standing near the third, dark-haired woman. She hadn’t recognized them, dressed as they were in their medieval clothing. All three women shrieked in delight, and the men turned to stare in amusement as they jumped up and down and hugged one another.
“I can’t believe I’m seeing you both!” Angelina said. “Sothisis where you went to on your Scottish vacations!”
“You can’t be that shocked to see us. You’ve seen Cormac.” Jenna’s smile couldn’t have been brighter and Ashley’s was a close second.
“We’ll be populating this little section of Scotland with all the women we know from San Francisco,” Ashley laughed.
“Where’s Dylan?” Angelina glanced around, expecting to see him.
“He’s in Glendaloch, with Maggie.” Jenna said, as if Angelina should know exactly what that meant. When Angelina looked at her blankly, Jenna continued. “Glendaloch is where Edna’s from. The Thistle & Hive Inn.”
Angelina shook her head. “But I thought he was here. I’m confused.”
“He was, but he met Maggie and fell in love. It was so romantic,” Jenna gushed. “Maggie needed to go back to Glendaloch, so naturally, Dylan went with her.”
Angelina smiled and nodded. “I’m so happy to see you both and to know that you’re safe and happy.”
“And who’s this handsome man?” Jenna asked, nodding in Nick’s direction.
“That’s Nick Mackall. He’s originally from this time, but for the past few years, he’s been living in San Francisco. I’m not sure how he got there, but he’s pleased to have returned here now.”
Ashley and Jenna both said, “Edna,” simultaneously. They were giggling like two excited schoolgirls.
“Did I hear you young ladies call my name?” Edna asked with a bright smile. She’d been speaking to the dark haired woman nearby. “Angelina, let me introduce you to Irene. She’s the lady of the castle. Robert’s wife.”
“I’m pleased to meet ye. Welcome to our home.” Irene smiled warmly and Angelina immediately felt at ease with her.
“Thank you so much for taking such good care of my niece and her friend.”
“’Tis their husbands, my brothers, who take good care of them. I’m blessed to have them in my household. They’ve made my life much easier with their helpful ways, so ye could say ’tis they who take care of me. I’ll go see to some tea. It seems the men already have their whiskey. Would ye care for a little something to eat? Ye must be hungry.” Without waiting for an answer, Irene hurried off. “I’ll be right back,” she called as she left the hall.”
Everyone was standing around, chatting happily together. Nick and Angus were filling the MacKenzie men in on their mission to protect the Twin Sword from Malcolm Granger’s clutches. Angelina kept checking the doorway, expecting Richard to join them at any moment, but he still hadn’t returned.
“Is something wrong?” Jenna asked.
“No. I’m just waiting for Richard. He’s in the stable visiting with his horse. I thought he’d be back by now.”
