Page 9 of A Bridge Through Time
Robert sighed and Cailin knew the argument would not continue. “Do as I’ve told ye and stay away from Sir Richard! I’ve sent more of our best men off to guard our lands. He’ll nae get past them,” Robert said.
“I’ll do as ye say, but I’m still going hunting,” Cailin retorted.
Robert opened his mouth to respond, but Cailin beat him to it.
“Alone.”
So Cailin had gone. He’d nae disobey his Laird, but while he was hunting, if he happened to come across Sir Richard, he’d be honor bound to spy on him and perhaps formulate a plan of attack.
As he waited in the forest, deep in thought, he went over the things he knew about these interlopers. He was sure they must have arrived by sea, as it would have taken them many weeks to ride from England to the Highlands, and they would have been forced to cross the lands of many clans in their travels. Nae an easy task and Cailin was positive the MacKenzie’s would have been notified at once of their presence on other clan lands. He also knew they were stealing livestock to feed themselves. They’d been dining well, based on what he’d seen at their abandoned campsites. Still, it was a puzzle to him, as to where they had landed and what they planned to do next. He knew he was getting closer and was certain they were nearby. He decided to stay where he was and listen. A large group of men travelling in the vicinity would make enough noise for him to hear them, and allow him to follow behind without detection.
As Cailin waited, his ears perked up at what sounded like a woman screaming for help. He listened carefully and heard it again, this time paired with the sounds of a man's voice. Cailin spurred his horse in the direction of the screams. They grew louder as he rode and seemed to emanate from the fog at the mouth of the woods. He hoped it wasn't a trap. Nae matter what it was, a woman needed his help. As he rode through the strange fog, it cleared before him and he saw a young woman, dressed in tight fitting men's breeches. She was fighting off a man, who was much larger than she was and seemed determined to drag her away with him. The woman put up a good fight, and succeeded in knocking her attacker down. She held something in her hand, which sprayed a fine mist into the man's face. Whatever it was must be very painful, because the man rolled on the ground, shrieking in agony. She turned in Cailin's direction, and looked ready to run when the man scrambled to his feet and lunged towards her. Cailin had seen enough and took action; spurring his horse into a gallop.
The woman seemed startled by his appearance, but had the presence of mind to run to one side as Cailin rode by. With one arm, Cailin hit her attacker and sent him flying over the side of the bridge. He wheeled his horse back towards the woman, who stared at him in amazement. As he reached her, she turned and began to run away. Cailin leaned over the side of his horse, wrapped one strong arm around her waist, and hoisted her into the saddle, so that she ended up in his lap.
"Dinnae fash, lass. Yer safe now."
He held her close to his body and rode at breakneck speed, back through the fog before slowing Cadeyrn to a trot. He could feel the woman shaking and he spoke soft, soothing words into her ear.
Cailin rode a little further, before coming to a halt and moving the lass off his lap. He dismounted and reached up; encirclinghis hands around her waist, he easily lifted the young woman down from the horse.
"Did he hurt ye, lass?" he asked, examining her from head to toe.
"No, I'm fine. Thank you for saving me." She smiled up at him and he saw her expression change to one of surprise. "Grey eyes…it’s you!" she said, and then she promptly fainted.
Cailin caught her before she hit the ground. Gently picking her up, he carried her into the shelter of the trees, Cadeyrn following obediently. Once assured they were safely hidden from anyone travelling the path, he found a small clearing and laid the woman down on the ground. He touched her cheek lightly with his fingers and gently brushed her hair back from her face.
She was a beauty. Dark auburn hair and before she’d fainted, light amber eyes had looked at him with familiarity. Why had she called him grey eyes? His eyes were grey, it was true, but she’d stared at him as if they’d met before and she was shocked to see him again. He didn't know what to do, or how to wake her, so he settled down next to her and waited. It gave him the opportunity to study her unabashedly. Her clothing was unusual for a woman, exposing so much skin. The scant piece of clothing covering her breasts left little to the imagination and the gap between it and her breeches displayed soft, womanly curves. He wanted very much to touch her, to see for himself just how soft her skin was, but he forced his mind away from those thoughts. Mayhap the man had taken her clothes. He’d be sure to ask her when she woke. Until then he was happy to sit back, gaze at her, and wait for her to awaken.
NINE
Ashley's eyes fluttered open and she suffered a moment of sheer panic.Where am I? What just happened?And then a gentle touch from a warm hand on her shoulder kept her from bolting.
"Are ye well then, lass?"
He was still there. Her knight in shining armor, who wasn’t actually wearing shining armor, was gazing down at her. She wished he were still holding her against the warmth of his body. And that voice—the deep Scottish burr rumbled deep in his chest, sending pleasant vibrations rushing through her.
“Wow. You’re even better looking in person.” Ashley squeezed her eyes shut in dismay and embarrassment.Did I just say that aloud? He’ll think I’m crazy.
The man watched her with a bewildered expression on his handsome face. She had to be dreaming. Ashley closed her eyes for a second and looked again. He was still there. She quickly glanced around and spoke to no one in particular. "I can't be awake. It's not possible."
"Ye are awake, lass. Dinnae fash; I willnae harm ye." It seemed the object of her imagination sensed her anxiety and wanted to put her at ease.
"Oh my, this is really weird."
"Weird?" He looked confused by the word – as though he’d never heard it used before.
"Never mind. I'm sorry; I seem to have forgotten my manners. Thank you again, for saving me. I don't know what would have happened if you didn't show up when you did." She shuddered at the thought.
"I heard yer screams and when I saw that man trying to run off with ye, I couldnae let him harm ye."
"And I thought chivalry was dead."
He cocked an eyebrow and tipped his head quizzically.
Ashley realized she was staring at him again, as if he were an apparition, and shook her head impatiently. "It's nothing really. My name is Ashley, by the way."
She held out her hand, but instead of shaking it, he merely held it gently in his much larger one. He looked as confused as Ashley felt.
