Page 51 of A Matter of Time
“Well, ye heard him say that Ewan informed him about his uncle, Tavish. Ewan is familiar with his clan and while some are no longer with us, there are others who are and Angus will surely be glad to see them.”
Angelina adjusted her position in the saddle and Nick smiled warmly at her. He’d known from the instant he’d seen her with Richard that they were meant to be together. He wished he could help, but it was up to the two of them to sort this mess out. He’d be there if either one of them needed him.
The clip cloppingof the horses hooves sounded at a steady pace as they travelled along a road framed on either side by the greenest of pastures. Wagon ruts along their route were filled with water from the previous day’s rain. The horses cautiously stepped around them. Richard, coward that he was, rode alongside Angus and adeptly avoided Angelina. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to be with her, on the contrary, that was the only place he wished to be, but he was working out a way to tell her about his past mistakes – one that wouldn’t end up with her walking away from him. This was something he needed to settle soon, before his avoidance did more damage than his actual misdeeds. She was losing patience with him, of that there was no doubt.
Richard noted Nick riding alongside her and hoped that he would put in a good word or two for him. He’d find out soon enough, because Nick was moving forward away from Angelina, leaving her in the capable hands of Edna. As Nick approached, he nodded his greeting.
“How is m’lady?” Richard asked, worry etching his features.
“She willnae be yer lady fer much longer, if ye dinnae speak with her. Her patience is wearing thin.” Nick cast a glance back in Angelina’s direction and turned to Richard, shaking his head. “Dinnae let this one slip away from ye.”
Richard knew Nick was right and he nodded. “Yer right. I’ll speak with her and whatever she decides, it’s out of my hands. I love her, Nick, and I don’t want to lose her, but the decision is ultimately hers to make.”
Richard was preparing to turn back to Angelina when a line of riders appeared in the road up ahead of them. “Damn. The MacKenzies,” Richard muttered. “I don’t believe this will end well for me.”
“They’re no longer angry with ye, Richard. Ewan said as much.”
“They may not be, but they do hold the key to my secret.” His heart sank as he watched their approach - his future would surely end before it even had a chance to begin.
Angus held up his hand for them all to stop and wait as the MacKenzie’s approached. There appeared to be six of them as far as Richard could tell. He couldn’t see who was in their group, but he had a bad feeling in the pit of his belly. Nothing good could come of this unexpected meeting.
The riders drew closer and Richard could see Robert, Cailin and Cormac along with three others riding behind. They greeted Angus as they approached and gave a cursory glance at the others. Robert spotted him and rode his way. Richard wasn’t sure whether he should prepare himself for an attack or a welcome.
“Sir Richard. The last time we met was not under such friendly circumstances.” Robert reached out to clasp Richard’s arm.
Richard didn’t know what to say in response, but knew he must say something. “I extend my deepest apologies to you and the MacKenzie clan. I hope that you and your family can find it in your hearts to forgive me. I am a changed man.”
Robert nodded his head and Richard breathed a little easier. “We hear that ye were on yer way to visit us with yer regrets, but became embroiled in battle with the witch, Brielle. We thank ye fer yer help in that matter.”
“You are most welcome, Sir, but Maggie did the bulk of the work.”
“Aye. And ye were dragged off and lost to us for a time. Where did Edna send ye?” Robert’s expression told Richard that he was more interested in his time travel adventures, than jealousy.
“San Francisco, in the year 2014,” Richard answered.
“Where our Ashley and Jenna are from! I’d love to see it with my own two eyes, but I dinnae believe I’ll ever be able to do so.”
Angelina had ridden up to join them. “Did I hear you say Ashley and Jenna? Are they the same Ashley and Jenna that I know?”
“They may well be, lass. Ashley and Jenna are time travelers from San Francisco. Are ye as well?”
“Yes. Are they here? And is that Cormac I see?” Angelina was obviously very excited.
“Aye. ’Tis indeed.” Cormac greeted her with a warm smile. “You’re a long way from home, lass.”
“I know. I can hardly believe it myself. Where are Jenna and Ashley?” she asked again.
“Back at Breaghacraig, of course. Ye must come and stay with us.” Robert turned in his saddle and called Angus over. “Angus where are ye off to?”
“We’re on our way to Campbell lands. There’s a man come from the future, in search of the Twin Sword. We must keep it from him, at all costs.”
“Ye must stop for the night. Ye’ll stay at Breaghacraig and ye can be on yer way tomorrow. Jenna and Ashley would nae forgive any of us if we didnae bring ye back.”
“Edna?” Angus asked, “What do ye think?”
“I think ’tis a grand idea. We cannae go much further as it is, so we may as well join our friends for the night. I’d love to see the castle I’ve been sending the ladies to.”
Cailin and Cormac joined them. Both men leaned across in their saddles and greeted Edna with a warm hug. Richard couldn’t help noticing that Cailin was eyeing him with some mistrust. He couldn’t blame him for his reaction. “You all go on ahead,” he suggested. “I think I’ll make camp out here. That way I can keep watch for Malcolm and his men.”
