Page 44 of A Bridge Through Time
“He was waiting for me by the bridge. He attacked me, he grabbed me and knocked me down. I fought him off, and then Cailin appeared and rescued me.”
“Do you think Teddy might have been trying to stop you from crossing the bridge?”
Ashley shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe. He kept yelling ‘no’. I was so frightened, even if Cailin hadn’t been there; I was ready to run across the bridge just to get away from Teddy.”
“All part of the plan,” Lena announced.
“But did Edna think I would bring you back with me? Is she going to help me return to Glendaloch?”
Lena thought for a moment. “Do you still have the backpack, Ashley?”
“Yes. It’s in my chamber.”
“May I see it?”
“Sure. Do you think there’s some sort of message in it, for you?”
“Maybe.” Lena stood up and held out her hand to Ashley. “Let’s go have a look.”
***
Cailin was frustrated beyond reason. He had lost his chance to truly make Ashley his. He was angry with his brother, and with Gavin, for dragging him away from what surely would have been a memorable night – but he was even angrier with himself. How could he have been such a fool? He cared deeply for the lass and given the way she’d distanced herself from him this morning, he wasn’t certain he’d have another opportunity to win her affections. He didnae want her to leave. Of that, he was very certain.
“Cailin, ye’d best get yer head back on the field.” Dougall announced casually, as he knocked Cailin’s claymore from his hands yet again. “What’s on yer mind, that’s causing ye to be so easy to disarm? ’Tis not like ye.”
“Aye. Yer right. I got it in me head that ye might be tired of being knocked on yer arse, so I thought to let ye get the better of me this once.”
Dougall laughed loudly. “I dinnae believe ye. Yer saying ye took pity on me and let me best ye? Why would ye do that after all these years? Are ye not well then?”
“I be fine. Dinnae worry yerself, ye’ll be back on yer arse soon enough.” Cailin muttered testily. He retrieved his claymore and stomped away. He was met by Cormac, Robert, and Ewan, who had all been watching his exchange with Dougall.
“Surely I did not see Dougall beat ye?” Robert queried.
Cailin didn’t answer, embarrassed by his performance on the field this morning. Dougall was one of Cailin’s best men, equal in size and strength to Cailin, but in all the years they had trained together, Dougall had never been able to best him during training. Cailin knew the reason Dougall had managed it this time. Cailin had someone on his mind and it was a very big distraction for him. He was also still suffering the effects of the previous night’s drinking binge. Cormac had been smart enough to avoid putting himself on the training field – instead he worked with his men from the sidelines. Cailin wished he had done the same, but he’d really needed to work off his anger, disappointment and raging desires.
“Ye’d best get yer mind back where it belongs. We’ve a battle to plan,” Ewan warned.
“Come then, let us go inside. We have much to discuss,” Robert turned and walked away, with the three men following in his wake.
Cormac put a comforting hand on Cailin’s shoulder. “Dinnae fash, my brother, all will be well again.”
“I dinnae think so, Cormac. Ashley wouldnae even look at me this mornin’ when she walked away.”
“I’ve nae known ye to give up quite so easily on anything before. The lass is already yers. Ye know it and she knows it, but I think she nae be sure of yer intentions and mayhap a bit afraid of stayin’ here.”
Cailin shrugged away from Cormac’s hand. “What makes ye an expert on women? I dinnae see ye using that expansive knowledge tae find one of yer own.”
Cormac laughed. “The right lass hasnae appeared to me yet.”
They entered Robert’s private chambers and sat around the large wooden table in the center of the room. There was nothing warm and cozy about this place. It was strictly utilitarian, only used by Robert to meet with his men and for conducting clan business.
“Ewan has made a good point to me this morn and I wish to share it with ye. He suggests that rather than sitting and waiting for Richard to make his move, we seek him out and bring the battle to him,” Robert announced.
“Aye. I agree.” Cailin stated. “’Tis been verra quiet these last days. We’ve had nae word from our scouts of any activity and they’ve found no sign of any more men aligned with Richard, travelling in other parts of the MacKenzie lands. I believe ‘twill be safe for everyone to go back to their homes soon. They should stay here a wee bit longer, for safety’s sake. Ewan is right; Richard keeps us prisoners in our own castle. If we take the fight to him, we are the ones in control.”
“’Tis true. We cannae keep the whole clan here forever, while we wait on him tae make a move,” Cormac added.
Robert nodded. “’Tis settled then. I expect each of ye to get yer men prepared. We ride in a sennight. We’ll leave Ewan’s menhere, to guard the castle in our absence. I dinnae ken what game Sir Richard plays, but ’tis done.”
