Page 53 of A Matter of Time
“Who’s this Richard?” Jenna tipped her head in a knowing manner.
“A friend of mine. He’s from this time, too. He was in San Francisco and I met him, I guess, when he first arrived. We never really talked about it, but now that I think of it, I’ll bet I met him the minute he dropped out of the fog.”
“So, you’re notwithNick?” Ashley asked, placing emphasis on the ‘with’.
“No! We’re just good friends. We’re more like brother and sister than anything else.”
Angelina had her back to the door, but she knew someone had entered because Ashley’s face turned ghostly white and she ran across to Cailin, taking refuge behind him. Turning, she was surprised to discover Richard had evoked such a visceral response from Ashley. But why? Did this have something to do with his odd behavior? She’d bet money on it.
Nick hurried over to her side. “Don’t jump to conclusions,” he warned.
“What’s going on? Ashley is obviously terrified of Richard – look at her! She’s hiding behind her husband!”
“No matter what you hear, you must give Richard a chance to explain himself.”
Angelina shook her head, suddenly angry. “He’s had plenty of time to do that. He had time in San Francisco and he’s had time since we’ve been here, but instead he’s been avoiding me and while I might not know the particulars, apparently I now know why.”
She watched Richard, who had come to a standstill just inside the doorway. He’d seen Ashley run for Cailin and his gaze darted back and forth between Ashley and herself. Richard visibly shook himself and entered the hall, striding across to Cailin and Ashley. He dropped to his knees on the floor in front of them. “My Lady Ashley. I must apologize to you for the terrible treatment you received, not only from me, but also from my men. As you know, Thomas and Roger are no longer a threat to you, but I want you to know that I too, am no longer a threat. I have become a new man, I hope, a much better man. I wish nothing more than to return to my home, where I will leave behind my jealousy and hatred and live my life in the company of my own family. I was on my way here to apologize to you all, when I came across Maggie and Dylan. They accepted me into their camp and treated me as a friend. I believe they saw the man I wanted to become and they were willing to give me that chance. Unfortunately, before I could come here to Breaghacraig to apologize to you, I found myself saved from certain death by Edna, and sent to San Francisco to learn a lesson or two about life and love. I believe I have learned those lessons. I will no longer pose a threat to the MacKenzie Clan. I hope that you’ll accept my apology in the spirit in which it has been given. I understand that you may never forgive me and I will have to accept that.” He continued to kneel, waiting for what, Angelina didn’t know. Ashley slowly came out from behind Cailin.
“I accept your apology and while I will forgive you, I can never forget what you’ve done,” she said, clutching Cailin’s hand.
“Cailin, I am at your mercy. I will accept whatever punishment you may wish to mete out,” Richard said in a low voice.
By now, Irene was returning to the hall. She had brought a blonde haired woman with her, who carried a tray containing tea and some food. “Richard, get up from your knees. No one is going to mete out punishment, no matter how much you may deserve it.”
He stood up and glanced in Angelina’s direction. She knew he could see the anger and confusion in her expression. He started to walk in her direction, but she held up a hand to stop him. “I have to know what you did. I cannot and will not go anywhere with you, until I know.” Everyone stood in silence and Angelina suspected they were all holding their breath. She turned to her friend. “Ashley. What did he do to you?”
Ashley looked at her feet and took a deep breath before she spoke. “I’d rather tell you in privacy, if you don’t mind.”
“Gentlemen, let us take our whiskey and go out into the courtyard. There may still be some sun which we may stand in to keep warm,” Robert announced. The men turned and left the great hall in silence. Richard was the last to go, his eyes pleading with Angelina, but she turned away from him.
“Would ye like us to go as well, Ashley?” Irene asked quietly.
“No, you know the story. I couldn’t bear retelling it in front of the men, that’s all. Please, sit down.” Ashley walked across to the chairs gathered around the fire and sat down. “Thank you, Helene,” she said, addressing the blonde woman, who was handing her a cup of tea. The other women took a seat and each accepted a cup from the tray Helene was carrying. The young woman set the tray on a small table by the fire and excused herself.
“Did he do something to hurt you?” Angelina demanded.
Ashley seemed to be collecting her thoughts. When she finally spoke, she seemed to have regained control of her nerves. “He did. I thought I had gotten past it, but seeing him today without any prior warning, it brought everything back in a rush.” Ashley twirled her hair around her fingers and lapsed into silence for a minute. “Are you in love with Richard?” she asked when she spoke again.
“I thought I was, but now I’m not so sure.” Angelina glanced at Edna, who seemed somewhat embarrassed by the entire situation.
Ashley sipped her tea before she continued. “Well, the condensed version of the story is that Richard was in love with Irene.” Angelina’s head whipped around to catch Irene nodding her head sadly. Soshewas the Irene Nick had spoken about. “He had been in love with her for many years, but she had married Robert, her true love and Richard spent years obsessing about finding a way to get her back. Eventually, he saw his opportunity, and he kidnapped both Irene and me. Richard’s man, Thomas…” when Ashley said his name, she cringed, “…he tried to rape me and his other man, Roger, choked me before Thomas stopped him. “ She paused, obviously replaying these events in her mind and Angelina felt terrible that she was the cause of Ashley having to relive the memories. “Richard may or may not have known what was going on, as he wasn’t there when we were kidnapped, but he was so focused on Irene, he really didn’t care what happened to me.”
“I’m so sorry, Ashley, but I have to know. Didhehurt you?” She hoped the answer would be a negative, but up until this point, she’d heard nothing that would make her want to pursue a relationship with Richard.
“Yes.” Hesitating, Ashley turned to Jenna, who nodded. “He hit me.”
“Oh my God. He hit you?”
Ashley nodded focusing her gaze on Angelina.
Edna cleared her throat. “I’d like to say something, if ye dinnae mind.”
“Of course not. Please, go ahead.” Angelina said, turning her attention to Edna. She wasn’t certain how much more she could deal with, as she was already feeling queasy after hearing Ashley’s tale.
“Ashley, thank ye for sharing yer story with us. I ken it was painful fer ye to relive it.” Edna inhaled sharply before she continued. “There is no excuse for Richard’s behavior, but I believe that everyone deserves a second chance in life. I gave him a nudge in the right direction and since that time, he has maintained a spotless record. Angelina, ye ken what he did with Maggie and Dylan. He wants to be a good man and he can be. When I sent him to San Francisco, I wanted him to learn what it was like to be in love. Truly in love. Not the type of love he imagined he had with you, Irene. He fell in love with ye, Angelina, and he never once thought about possessing you. He was happy just to be in yer presence. He was willing to let you go if ye didnae wish to return to Scotland with him. It would have hurt him terribly, but he learned that he cannae possess you, he wants you to be in his life because that was what ye want. Ye ken?”
“I do, but I can’t possibly be with him now. I can’t tolerate a man hitting a woman. As you said, there is no excuse for his behavior,” Angelina said sadly.
