Page 38 of A Matter of Time
“Didn’t your mother ever tell you that your face might get stuck like that?”
Richard laughed. “Yes. She did tell me. So I take it you don’t like my scowl?”
“I’m very enamored with your face, no matter the expression.” She was flirting with him and he enjoyed it. Yesterday had been a revelation to them both. Angelina had let her walls come crashing down, and Richard had learned how to love a woman without the need to possess her. The knowledge that he had come to love Angelina was something he was only just now admitting to himself. No matter what happened in the coming days, he would always have that. He, Richard Jefford, a man known for his jealous rages, had learned how to love a woman without expecting anything in return – but he was pleasantly surprised to know Angelina had feelings for him, too. They hadn’t made love again since that night at her house, but they had made plans to explore their relationship further after the tournament was over.
“We have some time before the next round. It looks like Zeke was another winner for us. There’s no way Malcolm can take home the prize today, but he’ll be doubly difficult to defeat because he’s angry.”
“I thought you said that it was better to keep your emotions under control in battle.”
“I did. That is what works best for me and for most, but an angry bull is an angry bull. One who must be carefully watched, because their fury makes them dangerous. I believe it works against him in the long run, but that does not make the fight any easier to win.”
They walked around the Faire hand-in-hand. Richard was like a young lad once again, seeing everything from a much more optimistic perspective. Angelina had done that for him. They found a place to sit and watch the little ones, who were battling stuffed dummies with their wooden swords. Some were being led around on little ponies, the goal being to poke their sword through some strategically placed rings. They would all receive ribbons and prizes for their efforts and Richard enjoyed watching them go through their paces. What would it be like, to have a child of his own? He realized he wanted that more than anything, well almost anything. He wanted Angelina more.
“I think I was born in the wrong time period,” Angelina casually observed.
Richard nearly fell off his seat. “I’m sorry, what did you say?”
“I said, I think I was born in the wrong time period. I’ve always dreamed of living in medieval times.” She searched his face, for what, he didn’t know, but he schooled his expression so that he didn’t look as astonished as he felt. “I love the clothing, the chivalrous knights, and the castles. I know it wasn’t all sunshine and lollipops,” she added, and Richard tried not to look confused by her choice of words, “but I really think it’s where I belong. I mean,belonged.” She smiled up at him. “Do you know what I mean?”
“Surprisingly, I do. It’s where I belong as well.”
“Wouldn’t it be amazing? I wish there really was a way to experience it.”
There is, my lady fair.Richard had to stop himself from saying the words out loud. She’d never understand that he really was from that time or that she could possibly return there with him. He didn’t even know if that was ultimately a part of Edna’s plan and the maddening woman had been absent ever since that first night she’d spoken with him.
“I think that’s why I love these fairs and the medieval martial arts so much.” The wistful expression on her face had Richard thinking about what it would be like, to have her in his world as his wife. They’d live in the family castle, of course, and they’d have children together and build a sweet and beautiful family. He could live a respectable life and finally put his past behind him.
“Richard!” Nick called. “We’re up next.”
He’d have to put the dream on hold for now. He took Angelina’s hand and walked with her back to Nick’s side, where he stood with Malcolm and Pierce.
“I hope you’re both ready to get your asses kicked,” Malcolm said smugly. “Your team might have won the $10,000, but neither ofyouare going to leave here a winner.” Both he and Pierce sneered at them as they entered the ring.
Nick chuckled and patted Richard on the back. “I don’t believe Mr. Granger or his friend will be verra happy with the outcome of this event.”
“Agreed,” Richard nodded. He walked to the center of the arena, and Nick followed. The four men saluted one another with their swords and then assumed their fighting stances opposite each other. Since this was the most anticipated match of the day, the area surrounding the arena was jammed with onlookers. Richard could see Angelina and the rest of their team, standing by the gate. He focused on his opponent and deliberately put everything else out of his thoughts. Their carefully choreographed dance began. He and Nick had worked on this together and he felt certain that they would have no problems defeating Malcolm and his man. If they could get one of the men out of the competition, that would leave the other to fight the two of them alone. Richard was confident there was no possibility anyone could beat them. They had been a feared pair in their own time, but of course, no one here was aware of that. Richard believed the crowd had no idea they were in for quite the show.
The rules of the game called for no bloodshed. As Quinn had warned, Malcolm and Piercewereusing real swords. Richard and Nick had theirs as well, but they were experienced swordsmen who could wield their weapons without harm coming to any one of them. It wasn’t until they started parrying back and forth, when both Richard and Nick realized they might be the only ones following the rule to avoid bloodshed. Malcolm and Pierce seemed intent on the exact opposite. Richard quickly exchanged glances with Nick, who nodded and then began to battle in earnest. Richard did the same, engaging Pierce, blocking his every blow. The clang of the metal was dulled only by the sound of the audience, calling out to them in surprise at the ferocity of the exchange. Richard spun to avoid Pierce and nearly knocked the sword from Pierce’s hand on his return blow, but much to his astonishment, Pierce held a dagger in his left hand, as did Malcolm. That was not part of the competition rules, but obviously these two were moving far beyond competing for a prize. They were out for blood. In the split second when Richard glanced in Nick’s direction, Pierce jabbed at him with his blade, making contact with Richard’s arm and slicing it open. The crowd gasped, but Richard remained unfazed. It only served to make him focus more closely on his opponent, whom he was determined was going to go down in defeat with but a few more strokes of his blade. Richard could kill the man, if the desire took him. It would be easy, but that was not what this was supposed to be about. Of course, Malcolm and Pierce had no idea this was merely a game being played by two true medieval warriors against two men who thought they were, but who had no idea what they were truly up against..
“Are ye ready, Richard?” Nick called as they continued to fight.
“I believe I am,” Richard answered.
“Alright then, let’s finish this.”
With a fury that neither Malcolm nor Pierce had been expecting, the two friends went at them, sending them flying backwards to escape the blades slashing towards them. There was only so far they could retreat, and when they were up against the edge of the arena, Nick and Richard simultaneously flipped their opponent’s swords up into the air, where they spun for a moment, before landing with a thud in the dirt. The crowd cheered, clapping their hands and stomping their feet. Next came the daggers, which were no match for Richard and Nick’s sword skills as they were wrestled away from Malcolm and Pierce and joined the swords on the ground.
Malcolm was visibly furious as he grabbed Pierce by the arm and strode angrily from the arena. Before Richard had a moment to think, Angelina was by his side, examining his arm. “We need to get you over to the EMT. I think you might need stitches.”
Deliriously happy, Richard tapped the tip of her nose with his finger and winked to let her know he was okay.
Angelina hovered over him like a mother hen as he sat there, loving every minute of her sweet concern. He wasn’t fazed by the stitches in the least. He’d been injured before, much worse if truth be told, and he had the scars to prove it. What he felt even more keenly, was the way Angelina bit her lower lip and held tightly to his hand, squeezing a little harder with each stitch.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had a patient who didn’t at least grimace while I was doing this,” the EMT stated as he cleaned the wound one final time and then put his equipment away. “Those will dissolve on their own, but try not to get them wet while you’re showering.”
Richard didn’t respond. He was too busy memorizing every inch of Angelina’s face.
The sightof blood oozing through Richard’s shirtsleeve had Angelina stifling a scream and cursing Malcolm Granger for what had apparently been a carefully orchestrated attempt to hurt Nick and Richard. The two men had swiftly disappeared into the crowd and it was lucky they did, because otherwise she’d have drawn her own sword and challenged them.
