Page 36 of A Matter of Time
“I did, but he really believes it. He wants me to help convince the two of you to take him back in time, so he can get hold of some sword he thinks has been lost to history.”
“Did he tell ye what sword?” Nick asked.
“The Twin Sword,” Angelina answered and gave them a brief description of what Malcolm had told her about the sword he sought. “He said it has never been recovered and he wants to go back in time to get it, before it’s lost forever. So, since he thinks you two are time travelers, he wants you to help him go back and forth.”
Neither man said anything. Richard stared at his feet and Nick stared up at the ceiling. She didn’t imagine they’d find the answers they were looking for in either place.
“He said he’ll talk to me more about it after the competition. Maybe the two of you should have a conversation with him. I don’t like being stuck in the middle of this nonsense.”
“She’s right,” Richard said. “Let’s intervene after the competition. Keep him away from Angelina.”
“Agreed,” Nick stated. “In the meantime, Angelina, please dinnae wander off on yer own again. Poor Richard’s heart cannae take the strain.” He glanced Richard’s way and chuckled at the look of outrage on his face. Nick apparently knew exactly how to push Richard’s buttons and Angelina was more aware than ever that Richard had strong feelings for her. What she was going to do with that knowledge, was still an unknown.
“Ineedto go for a walk, a long walk,” Angelina stated. “I’m feeling claustrophobic after being cooped up all day. One of you is going to have to go with me, or I’m going to head off alone.” She knew that would get an immediate response and sure enough, it did.
“I’ll go,” Richard volunteered.
“What a surprise,” Nick added, with his usual chuckle. “Keep in touch, so I know yer alright.”
“We will. I have my phone.” She happily grabbed her coat from the hook by the door. Angelina took long walks almost every day and when she missed a day or two, she got to the stage where she was ready to crawl out of her skin. Donning her coat, she glanced to the door where Richard was already waiting for her. “Let’s go.”
They closed the door behind them and started down the street. Angelina figured this might be a good time to see what else she could discover about him.
“The tournament is tomorrow. Are you excited?” she asked.
“Excited? No. When meeting another man in combat, whether it’s a real battle or a mock one, I prefer to remain as even-tempered as possible. Some like to get themselves all worked up into a frenzy, but I prefer to let the battle guide my responses.”
“Real battle? When have you ever engaged in real battle?”
Richard hesitated briefly before answering. “A time or two.”
She could see he wasn’t going to volunteer the information she was seeking. She’d have to dig for it. “Only a time or two?”
“It was nothing of interest. I wouldn’t want to bore you with the details.” He took her arm and escorted her across the street.
Why was it that every time he touched her, she could think of nothing but the sensation of having his hands on her? It threw her off her thought processes and she took a moment to regain control. When she did, she continued to pepper him with questions, which he adeptly evaded. She got the impression he was very good at it.
“Isn’t it beautiful today? The air is crisp and the sky is so blue - I love the autumn months.” They entered Golden Gate Park and they were walking briskly past the riding arena, when Angelina heard a woman shout frantically. Richard took her hand and they rushed toward the source, only to discover a woman who seemed clearly out of her depth with the horse she was attempting to ride.
“May I assist you?” Richard asked the startled woman. Without saying a word, she handed the reins over to Richard. He spoke softly and soothingly to the great beast. “He reminds me of my own horse, Arion. He needs some exercise to work off some of his energy, before you attempt to ride him.” He deftly escorted the horse into the riding ring and mounted without any trouble. The horse seemed to be thinking about misbehaving, but when he realized that Richard was no novice, thought better of it. Richard put him into a full gallop and raced around the ring. He put him through his paces and worked him until the horse had quieted considerably. Angelina was enthralled by what he was doing and incredibly impressed by his skill. Coming to the side of the ring, Richard dismounted and held the reins out to the woman, who seemed nervous. “He’s quite tired now. I doubt he’ll give you any more trouble.” He gave her a leg up and once she was settled, he said, “Don’t be nervous. He can sense your anxiety. You must be a strong leader for him, as it’s what he needs. If you’re nervous or frightened, he’ll follow suit.”
The woman’s eyes never left Richard as he spoke. “I understand what you’re telling me, but I find it hard not to be afraid.”
“Let him run around until he’s tired before you ride him. That will help and I would suggest you not go riding on your own again.”
“He’s always been so good for me in the past. I thought it would be fine to come here to ride today. When he started acting up it scared me.” She seemed embarrassed to admit this.
“It’s a brisk day and a little wind up his nose had him feeling good. He was merely celebrating his good fortune to be here today. As I said before, don’t go riding on your own – accidents can happen even to the most seasoned riders and if there’s no one nearby to aid you, you may find yourself in a very bad predicament.
She nodded and turned the horse, walking him around the ring without incident. When she glanced at Richard again, she was beaming. “He’s being so good!”
“He will be. Do you mind if we stay and watch you ride?” Richard asked. It was obvious he didn’t think it was a good idea to leave the woman alone.
“No. Not at all. I’ll feel better knowing you’re here. Would you mind helping me with some problems I’m having? With the horse I mean,” she giggled.
Richard proceeded to answer her questions about keeping the horse on the bit, sitting the trot and flying lead changes. Angelina watched in wonder as he guided her through each answer until she seemed to swing from timid and hesitant, to completely confident and in control. When they were finished, he helped her down from the horse and Angelina suffered a twinge of jealousy that Richard’s hands were not onherwaist. It was becoming clearer and clearer that Richard was a very special man.
“Now, remember what I’ve told you and you’ll be fine, Noreen,” Richard said. He removed the bridle from the horse and handed it to the woman.
