Page 40 of A Matter of Time
“I’ve been conscious the whole time. I’m sorry I frightened you, but I felt it best to continue the ruse.”
“So you heard everything he said?” Angelina helped Richard up from the floor and gently examined the back of his head. Her fingers came away from his scalp, sticky with blood. “Today’s not your day. Let me see if I can find something to clean that up with.” Richard watched as she left his side and scanned the room. Elaborately decorated, every last detail, down to the hardware on the doors, screamed medieval. This must be a guest room, as it was outfitted with a large bed covered in furs. At the foot of the bed was an intricately carved bench covered in burgundy velvet. The room looked as if it should be in a museum display. In the far corner was a door and she grabbed the handle, before turning back to him with a worried frown. “I’m hoping this is a bathroom. I’ll be right back.”
A few moments later, she returned with bandages, a small scissors, and some disinfectant – everything needed to take care of Richard’s wound, and she urged him to sit down on the bench at the foot of the bed.
“We must plan our escape,” Richard said when Angelina gingerly began washing the blood from the back of his head.
“While I was in the bathroom, I noticed another door. It’s locked, but if we can find a way to open it, we might be able to find a way out of here. I’ve tried to pay attention to the position of every door and window that I’ve seen, in hopes that the information would come in handy.”
“It’s smart that you did. It may be the only way we’ll escape.”
Angelina studied his head closely. “The cut’s not too big. It definitely doesn’t require any stitches and it seems to have stopped bleeding. How do you feel?”
“Aside from a damned headache, fine.” He smiled warmly at her, and could see from the way the frown creasing her forehead disappeared, that it went a long way to making her feel better about their predicament. “I’m sure Nick has noticed we’re missing by now. He’ll be searching for us, even before that fool sends him the ransom note he mentioned.”
“I hope Nick will be okay, I don’t want him to get hurt trying to rescue us.”
“Nick will be careful. Believe it or not, we’ve been in somewhat similar circumstances some years ago.”
“You were kidnapped?” Angelina said doubtfully.
“Not us. A friend,” he explained. “Nick and I came up with a plan to retrieve him, without having to pay the ransom. It was actually quite clever. I’m sure Nick will remember and if possible use the same plan again. It’s quite fortuitous that Malcolm has constructed this building into a medieval fortress. Nick will know exactly what to do and in the meantime, we will not stand idly by and wait. We’ll do our best to secure our own release.”
Angelina’s headwas spinning as Richard spoke so matter-of-factly about kidnappings and ransoms, and medieval fortresses.Was Malcolm right? Were Richard and Nick from another time?She just had to know the truth. “Richard, is Malcolm telling the truth? Are you and Nick really time travelers?”
There was a long pause before he responded, and Angelina saw the tiny droop in his shoulders that confirmed the answer before he spoke. “I’m afraid we are,” he answered.
Her shock must have shown on her face, because Richard spoke in a rush as he tried to explain.
“Please, don’t be angry with us. We kept it quiet, for your protection as well as our own. It was best that no one know the truth about us, because frankly, most people wouldn’t believe it. You can see the problems we’re facing now, after Nick’s drunken confession to Granger.”
“I’m sorry, but I’m still having a hard time believing any of this could even remotely have a chance of being true.”
Richard watched her patiently. “I give you my word, Angelina. It’s the truth. I am Sir Richard Jefford and I was sent travelling through time to your modern day San Francisco. I was born in the year 1484.
She searched his face for any sign that he was lying to her, but there was nothing but honesty in his clear gaze. Angelina suddenly had a desperate need to sit down because her legs were weak and her head filled with a strange buzzing sound. She stumbled across to the bed, and flopped down, where she sat staring aimlessly into the distance.
Richard kneltin front of her. Taking her hands in his and bringing them to his lips, he kissed the palms of both. “This is not the way I would have chosen to tell you my story. There is more to tell, if you care to hear it.” He was afraid to tell her the whole of it, but knew honesty would be best and if he lost her because of this, then so be it – it was no more than he deserved.
“Knowing you’re really from the sixteenth century is about all I can handle right now. That would make you over five hundred years old!” She exclaimed in disbelief. “Can we save the rest for another time?”
She seemed weary to her bones and more vulnerable than he’d ever seen her. Since he’d known her, Angelina had always been so strong and in control. It took every ounce of his self-restraint not to scoop her up and cradle her in his arms, but he was frightened of how she might react. “May I hold you in my arms while you rest?” He’d never felt the need to ask before, but his respect for her was deeply felt and if she didn’t want him near her, he would not force the issue.
Angelina nodded and lay down on the bed, making enough room for Richard to join her. He wrapped her in his arms and cradled her head on his chest. “Sleep if you can. Tomorrow may require us to be at our best.”
“What about Malcolm?”
“Don’t worry about him, I don’t think he’ll be bothering us tonight. It’s late and after the beating Nick and I gave him and his friend, he no doubt needs his rest as well. Close your eyes, love.” Once again, he kissed the top of her head. As he nuzzled her hair, Richard closed his mind to all thoughts of Malcolm Granger and their predicament and breathed deeply and steadily, knowing that if he was relaxed, it would help Angelina to relax. The smell of her perfume wafted around his nose and when the sound of her breathing grew deeper and rhythmic, he knew Angelina would soon be asleep. He closed his own eyes, knowing the morning would be with them too quickly.
Nick paced backand forth in front of Angelina’s truck. The parking lot of the tournament was empty, with the exception of his team. They had refused to leave him, but he was at a loss as to what he should do next.Where could they be? Why didn’t they tell me they were leaving?Their disappearance made no sense whatsoever and the fact that the truck was still here only served to increase his unease.
“What do you think happened?” Zeke questioned.
“I have nae idea, but I dinnae believe it to be anything good. Neither of them would up and leave without telling someone. When last I saw them, Richard was having his arm tended to by the EMT. I had to go and accept the award we won and when I came back they were gone. Did any of ye see where they may have gone?”
“Afraid not,” Wade answered. Kyle and Jason shook their heads.
“So, no one saw a thing. I suspect our Mr. Granger may have had something to do with this, though I cannae be sure. The bastard hates my guts, and he went out of his way to cheat during the tournament, I wouldnae put anything past him.” Nick threw his equipment into the back of the truck. “If it was him, where would he have taken them?”
