Page 21 of A Bridge Through Time
"Please, if I'm to call you Robert, then it's only fair that you call me Ashley."
"Ashley, ye are welcome here among our clan and ye will stay here under my protection for as long as ye wish." With that pronouncement he came around the table to Irene and leaned over, lovingly kissing her cheek and taking her hand as he took his place beside her at the center of the table.
A parade of servants brought food to the tables. There was pheasant, venison, rabbit, and an assortment of vegetables and bread. The delicious aroma caused Ashley’s mouth to water. Wine was poured into goblets placed in front of each person along with trenchers for their food, which was served family style. Trays were laid on each table and everyone helped themselves to their favorites.
Cormac must have noticed that Ashley was a bit overwhelmed. He started filling her plate with an assortment of various items. He explained what everything was, and then he handed her a small knife. "I almost forgot. Cailin told me to give ye this Sgian Dubh."
She accepted the jewel-encrusted knife and glancing around, noticed everyone was eating with a combination of their hands and their knife. She did as they did, thinking of the time she’d gone to a medieval dinner and show in Las Vegas. This was kind of fun, but it would be more fun if Cailin was sitting beside her.
From the corner of her eyes, Ashley could see Irene and Robert were deep in conversation. They watched each other adoringly as they spoke. It was apparent they were very much in love. Ashley was a little bit envious. She’d never been fortunate enough to enjoy the gift of an adoring mate. No one had ever looked at her in the way Robert and Irene did. Not even Dax.Of course, he’d never looked at her that way, because he was a complete idiot and a cheater, she thought sourly.
"Those two are like a couple of moon-eyed puppies when they’re together," Cormac chuckled, seeing where her attention was concentrated. "Married ten years, can ye believe it?"
"They've been married for ten years?" Ashley exclaimed. Irene couldn't be much older than she was. Then Ashley remembered where she was. It wasn't unusual for a girl as young as fifteen years to wed. Life could be short and certainly difficult in this era. People took happiness where and when they could find it.
"What of ye, Lady Ashley, do ye have a husband where ye come from?"
"Please, call me Ashley and no, I don’t have a husband."
"Are ye a widow then?"
"No. Women don't marry until later in my…country." She caught herself before she said ‘time’.
"America?"
"Yes. That's right."
"Tell us of America, Ashley." Their conversation had caught Robert’s attention.
"Okay." She wasn't sure what to tell them, but thought as long as she didn't get too specific, it should be alright. "I live in a small apartment in the city of San Francisco, California."
"San Francisco, ye say?" Robert asked.
"Yes. It's a big city. Like London. Thousands of people live there," Ashley explained.
"Thousands… The laird of San Francisco must have a very large castle," Cormac chimed in.
"No. No castle and no laird," Ashley said.
Cormac looked puzzled at this.
"We have a mayor and a city council. They all live in their own homes or apartments," she quickly explained.They have no clue what I'm talking about.
"Who lives in yer home?" Robert wondered aloud.
"Just me. It's a small apartment. Only room for me."
Robert sounded shocked when he responded. "What of yer family? Do they approve of this?"
"My family is all gone. I mean, they’re all dead."
"I'm so sorry, lass. So who protects ye, if ye have nae family?" Cormac questioned.
"I take care of myself. It's not unusual where I come from."
Laird Robert obviously couldn't believe his ears. "A young lady, such as yerself, needs to be protected. I am verra happy ye found yer way to Breaghacraig. We will protect ye."
Ashley thought better of telling him that women didn't need the protection of a man. She knew that in 16th century Scotland, women were treated differently than they were in her time, so she merely thanked him and took a sip of wine. What she wouldn't give for a good shot of tequila right now, but the wine would have to do.
