Page 54 of A Matter of Time
“Well, I’m sorry to hear it, but I cannae force ye to do something ye dinnae feel right about.”
The men were heard entering the hall again. Cailin hurried to Ashley’s side and searched her face. “Are ye well, Ashley?”
She nodded and buried her face in his chest, as he wrapped his strong arms around her and held her tightly.
“Where’s Richard?” Jenna asked Cormac.
“He’s outside, saddling up Arion.” Cormac poured himself another whiskey before settling next to his wife by the fire.
“He’s leaving, Angelina.” Nick had come to Angelina’s side and spoke softly, so only she would hear. “Go to him. He’s miserably unhappy.”
“I can’t. I know what he did and I don’t want to see him again. It’s better that he leaves.”
Without a word, Nick turned away from her and strode back out through the door.
Angelina suspected her heart was broken. She had thought she’d found her man, but he had turned out to be no different from all the others. It was time to pick up the pieces of her shattered dreams and put her heart on lock down, once again.
Richard was slumpedagainst the castle wall. Arion was snuffling his hair and face with his nose, but while he was obviously happy to have Richard back, he couldn’t seem to understand what was wrong with him.
“Richard,” Nick called to him as he approached.
Richard stood and adjusted his saddle. “It’s done, isn’t it?”
“I think she just needs some time to digest it all,” Nick said, rubbing his hand across Arion’s shoulders. “It’s been a shock for her. Stay. Give her some time. She’ll come around, you’ll see.”
“Thank you for trying to help, Nick, but I think it’s best if I leave. I cannot bear to be around her when she looks at me with such disdain. To know I’ve disappointed her so.” Richard vaulted up onto Arion’s back and turned him towards the gate.
“At least stay for the night, Richard!” Nick grabbed the reins, in an effort to get him to stay.
“I cannot. Take care of Angelina and keep her out of harm’s way. It has been good to see you again, my friend, but perhaps you were right to have ridden away from me those many years ago. Perhaps one day, I’ll see you again.”
“Where are you going?” Nick demanded.
“I don’t really know.” With that, Richard urged Arion into a gallop and took off like a shot through the gates and out of sight of the castle.
Chapter 26
Richard was doingan excellent job of pitying himself. So good, in fact, he hadn’t noticed the five riders heading his way until they were almost upon him. Looking up, Richard realized there was no escape; he was being surrounded on all sides by Malcolm Granger and his men. It was too late to save himself, there was nothing he could do now, except hope that his death would come quickly. He suspected that was all he had to look forward to, given that he did not intend to assist Granger in any way.
“Richard, fancy meeting you here!” Malcolm laughed, as if he’d said something amusing. “Where are you headed to, without your friends?” Malcolm’s mount was prancing in place, filled with energy and ready to run.
“I’m heading back to England. So, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve a long ride ahead of me.” Richard made to move his horse through Malcolm’s men, but they didn’t budge.
“You’ll be coming with us, Richard. I’ll need your help,” Malcolm said.
“I cannot help you. I don’t know where the sword is, nor do I care.”
“I know where the sword is, but I’ll need you to return us to San Francisco.”
Richard huffed out an impatient breath. “What you still don’t seem to understand, is that I havenocontrol over the fog. I can’t call upon it to take you anywhere.”
“I disagree. It seems you were able to call it to you, just before we left San Francisco.” When Richard didn’t respond, Malcolm shook his head before he continued. “Richard, Richard. I can make you a very wealthy man, if only you’ll help me.”
“I am a very wealthy man, here in my own time. I have no wish to go back to San Francisco with you.”
Malcolm glanced around. “Why are you alone? Where’s the lovely Angelina?”
“Being the intelligent woman she is, Angelina realized I was all wrong for her. She is safely ensconced with a friend.
