Page 32 of A Matter of Time
She could see Nick and Richard exchanging glances and mouthing words to each other. The sight of two grown men behaving like little girls talking behind someone’s back made her want to laugh. She giggled quietly and set plates of food down in front of them.
“Oh, I dinnae believe I could eat a thing,” Nick said, rubbing his stomach and eyeing the food uncertainly.
“You’ll feel better if you eat,” Angelina encouraged him, but Nick didn’t look convinced.
She sat down and put some eggs and toast on her own plate. She poured a cup of coffee for herself, before pouring some for the two men and then quietly went about eating her breakfast.
Nick, who had said he couldn’t eat a thing, made a miraculous recovery, wolfing down everything on his plate and heading back for seconds. Angelina smiled softly to herself – she knew him so well. Richard ate at a more sedate pace and she eyed him discreetly when she was certain he wasn’t looking in her direction. He was the one she wanted to know more about. How was it that these two had become friends? Nick was lighthearted and always talking, while Richard was the exact opposite, serious and quiet. He was mysterious and she found she liked that character trait. Angelina wanted to know more, especially after last night and hoped that by asking questions, she’d be able to make up her own mind better. “How did you two meet?”
Nick and Richard exchanged concerned glances. “You tell her,” Richard said. “You were always a much better story teller than I.”
Nick drained his coffee cup and refilled it, before he began. “Well, ye see, Richard and I are verra different in many ways – he’s English and I’m Scottish.”
“Obviously,” Angelina said in an amused tone.
“Richard has a Scottish cousin, who is a close friend of the Mackall Clan. We met at a wedding when we were much younger. How old would ye say we were, Richard?”
Angelina cast her eyes in Richard’s direction and once again was met by his searing gaze, the one that warmed her body and made her squirm in her seat.
“We were but lads,” Richard answered. “Perhaps fifteen or sixteen.”
“Richard was smitten by a lass from the MacKenzie clan.”
Angelina noted that Richard appeared uncomfortable at the mention of this girl, and Nick was watching him carefully for his reaction. “Really? Was she pretty?”
“Verra,” Nick continued. “We could hardly separate him from her side, but alas, she was in love with another and our Richard never stood a chance.”
“I’m sorry, Richard,” Angelina said.
“Why? There’s no need to be sorry.” Richard sat rigidly upright in his chair, seeming as if he’d much prefer to flee, than to continue listening to Nick’s story.
“She broke your heart.” Angelina could see the truth in his face, even if he was not willing to admit it.
“My heart is fine. Nick, continue telling howwemet,” Richard said, giving Nick a deadly glare.
“Fine then, enough about the lass. When she departed, Richard and I spent time riding out around his cousin’s lands and talking about things that fifteen-year-old boys talk about. We became fast friends and spent many years together, before losing touch.” Nick again eyed Richard warily, but he seemed relaxed once again.
“So what happened? How’d you lose touch?” Angelina asked.
Richard took up the story from here. “My behavior became difficult for Nick to tolerate. So he went home and that was the last I saw of him until I arrived here.”
Angelina was sure that there were some holes in the story, but she’d let it go for now. If Richard wanted to tell her more about it, he would. One thing was certain though – the mention of that girl had caused him to react like a man with something to hide.
Chapter 17
With only a fewmore days before the tournament, Richard made his rounds from group to group, making sure everyone was prepared. He kept a watchful eye on Angelina, as did Nick. She wasn’t happy about it, but had agreed to go along with their wishes until they could figure out who had been following her. They were all aware of the sensation of being watched now. Whoever it was, they were quite stealthy, because so far they’d been unable to catch even a glimpse. Angelina had told Estella that she would be staying in the city until after the competition ended. She hadn’t wanted to worry the elderly woman about being followed, but Richard insisted it was best to warn Estella and Harry that someone had been spotted on Angelina’s property, so they could protect themselves if need be. He knew Harry was an ex-Marine, and that despite his age, he was very capable of handling an intruder if it came to that. Harry reassured Richard that he had weapons, and he knew how to use them.
Students were coming by the warehouse to collect their medieval costumes and to do some last minute parrying practice, in anticipation of the upcoming exhibitions they would participate in. Those taking part in the tournament had been there almost constantly and had gained the confidence they would need in order to defeat Granger’s team. Richard and Nick were quite confident about their chances, but everyone continued to work long hours to achieve their goal. Where it had once been personal for only Nick, the others had all developed a deep sense of pride in their team and their abilities. They understood that Granger believed his team would defeat them easily and they were determined to prove him wrong.
They all took turns working with the children, who were adorable in their medieval costumes. Angelina had worked hard, alongside the team moms, to design authentic costumes for everyone. To keep anxiety levels to a minimum, Nick and Richard tried to keep things lighthearted and fun, encouraging the others to think only of the present and let the future take care of itself. A party atmosphere overtook the warehouse, when a dozen pizzas were delivered, along with salads, drinks and dessert. The children changed out of their costumes and everyone sat around on the floor with paper plates full of food. Laughter and excited chatter filled the large space, echoing off the rafters.
“You should be quite proud of your accomplishments,” Richard said, glancing around the room at the happy faces of Nick’s students. “Not many would be able to come to a strange place and find a way to fit in so seamlessly.”
Nick appeared suitably humble. “You haven’t done so badly yourself.”
“I’ve had you to help me. I’m hopeful that once this competition is finished, we will be able to return home.”
“You’ve heard from Edna then?” Nick asked.
