Page 35 of A Bridge Through Time
Cailin glared at them both and grabbed Ashley's arm, dragging her upstairs to her chamber. He practically pushed her through the door; his rage had built to such a point.
"You have no right to treat me this way!" Ashley cried. She turned her back on him, but he’d seen the tears forming in her eyes.
Cailin realized he was being too hard on her, but he was terrified something would happen to her. Or worse – that she might prefer Cormac's company to his.
Taking a deep breath and calming himself, he spoke quietly. "I'm sorry, lass. I’ll return to escort you to the evening meal."
She refused to answer him and Cailin left her chambers, feeling utterly miserable.
TWENTY-TWO
Helene helped Ashley prepare for the evening meal. It would be the first time she'd eaten in the great hall since preparations had begun to defend the castle against Sir Richard. Ashley had dressed in the same beautiful green gown Irene had loaned her. She only had two gowns to choose from—unlike her closet back home—which had been crammed full of clothes and shoes. Irene had sent the castle seamstress to visit Ashley earlier, so she could be measured for her own wardrobe. Ashley had tried to argue against the necessity, she wouldn't need more clothing as she'd be leaving soon, but Irene wouldn’t hear it.
Helene was finishing with Ashley's hair, when there was a knock at the chamber door.
"Come in," she called.
A very handsome Cailin opened the door and entered. His heated gaze studied Ashley from head to toe and he nodded approvingly.
"You look lovely, lass," Cailin said appreciatively.
"Thank you. You clean up nice yourself," she begrudgingly admitted. She was still hurt and angry over his mystery blonde.
"Ashley, I'm sorry for my behavior earlier. Can ye forgive me?"
When she didn't answer, he continued quietly. "Ye ken I was just worried for yer safety, but when I saw ye with Cormac… I was jealous. I behaved verra badly. I dinnae wish to share ye with anyone."
She still didn't respond.
"Do ye have feelings for him, then?" he asked cautiously.
Cailin seemed so contrite, it was pulling at Ashley’s heartstrings, but the hurt she’d been subjected to would not allow for kind words. She wouldn’t let him off the hook that easily.
"I like Cormac, very much," she began.
She watched as pain lanced Cailin’s beautiful grey eyes. "I think of him as a brother and good friend. You say you don't want to share me with anyone, and yet I’m supposed to be okay with sharing you? I don't think so."
Cailin appeared very confused. "Who exactly would ye be sharing me with, lass?" he asked.
"Don't act all innocent with me." The anger boiled up in her chest again and everything burst out at once. "I went looking for you this morning. I hadn't seen you for days and call me crazy, but for some reason I thought I missed you. I saw you in the courtyard, just as that, thatwomanthrew herself at you! I thought you might push her away, but no, you go ahead and put your arm around her and the two of you were laughing together and strolling out through the gates without a care in the world. I assumedthat’swhere you’d been spending your time, and that's when I decided I wasn’t staying here and I was going to return to Glendaloch."
Much to her disgust, Cailin didn’t even try to contain his laughter. "Yer jealous," he chuckled.
"Don't you laugh at me, you big jerk!" She swatted at him and he grabbed her and pulled her into his arms. Ashley found herself nose to nose with the handsome highlander and she couldn't wriggle out of his grasp.
"Ashley, dinnae fash like that,” Cailin ordered. “Ye have nae reason to be jealous. The woman you saw me with is Kenna. We've been friends since we were bairns; she's like a sister to me. She's married to my friend, Gavin."
The anger left Ashley’s body in a silent whoosh. She felt like an idiot. She couldn't even bring herself to face Cailin.
"Look at me," he commanded, lifting her chin with his finger.
She lifted her eyes to his and all the anger and jealousy left her as she recognized the truth of what he’d said in his eyes.
"Ashley Moore, there is no one that I want more than ye," he said quietly. He kissed her soundly and she melted into his arms. Ashley could feel his reluctance when he pulled away. "If we weren't expected downstairs, I'd be showing ye exactly what I mean."
"Maybe later?" she asked hopefully.
"Aye, later. Definitely."
