Page 23 of A Bridge Through Time
"That’s crazy. Cailin couldn’t help the way Elise felt about him!” Ashley’s head was spinning with the information Irene had imparted. “What will you do to stop them?"
"I'll leave that to Robert and me brothers. There be nae finer warriors in all of Scotland. Richard would be wise to collect up his men, go home to England, and never darken our borders again.
Ashley didn't know how to respond. This appeared to be a medieval turf war; instead of fighting over land, theywere fighting over Irene and a dead girl. Ashley hoped the MacKenzie’s would emerge the victors, but from what she’d seen of Sir Richard, he was a dishonorable man and would likely resort to whatever means necessary to get his way.
Ashley managed a watery smile. "I hope you're right, Irene."
"I am," Irene stated. "Dinnae fash, all will be well." She squeezed Ashley's fingers. "Let me help ye out of yer gown."
"Thanks. I'd never be able to get out of this on my own," Ashley admitted with a grimace. She was uncomfortable getting undressed in front of someone she’d just met, but Irene didn’t seem to mind and before Ashley knew what was happening, she was standing there, shivering in her birthday suit.
A pretty linen gown had been laid out for Ashley to sleep in, and Irene helped her slip it over her head and then tucked Ashley into bed.
"Sleep well, Ashley. I'll come and get ye in the morning."
"Irene?"
Irene turned back at the doorway. "Yes?"
"Good night and thank you again."
***
Before heading off to bed, Robert and Cormac made a stop in Cailin's chambers.
"‘Tis happy I am to see ye both. I dinnae think I need to lie abed. I nae be sick enough to need this mollycoddlin’." He had been laying there for what seemed like hours, impatiently waiting for some company. Cailin never spent much time in his chambers under normal circumstances—in his mind there was no worse torture than boredom and being stuck in his bed without the pleasure of a woman beside him was the worst kind of torture he could imagine. He would've much ratherbeen downstairs enjoying the evening meal with everyone else, especially Ashley.
"Aye. I ken your problem, but when Irene makes up her mind, there's nae arguing with her," Robert commiserated.
"Whether that sister of mine likes it or nae, I'll be up and about in the morn, and I willnae allow her to keep me here against my will for a second longer."
Robert and Cormac both laughed heartily, aware of past clashes between the headstrong Irene and equally stubborn Cailin.
"How is Ashley?" Cailin asked when their merriment died down.
"She be well, lad. Yer brother took good care of her," Robert teased.
"Dinnae be getting any ideas, Cormac." Cailin warned his brother. He was surprised by the intensity of his emotions regarding Ashley and recognized that he was jealous.
"What kind of ideas do ye think I'd be getting?" Cormac asked innocently, although he had a distinct look of mischief about him.
"Ye ken my meaning. Dinnae make me have to hurt ye."
Cormac laughed good-naturedly at his brother. They’d always enjoyed a close relationship and loved each other dearly, but fisticuffs had occurred in the past on more than one occasion, over the lasses. Cailin had staked his claim to the lovely Ashley, but that wouldn’t deter Cormac from having a little fun at his brother's expense.
"That's enough," Robert said gruffly. “I've come to hear what ye have to say about Richard's doings, but before that, I have to say, I’m disappointed that you didnae obey my orders to stay away from him."
Cailin shifted his gaze to his brother-in-law. "Robert, I was out hunting as I’d said I’d be. I cannae help it, if I ran across them during my hunt.”
Robert seemed doubtful at the honesty of Cailin’s pronouncement, but he didn’t question it. “Well, tell us, then. What have ye found?”
“I came across several abandoned campsites on MacKenzie land, and then I eventually came across them, about a day and a half's ride to the south. They seemed to be heading this way and they could be close, but they’re staying hidden in the woods."
"How many are they?" Cormac asked.
"At least twenty men from what I could see, and heavily armed. There could be more travelling in separate groups.”
"The men have been training hard.” Robert announced confidently. “We'll have them continue and when yer shoulder is well enough for ye to wield yer sword, we'll make the first move and attack. I'll send Donal and Fergus to keep an eye on them until we’re ready."
