Page 40 of A Bridge Through Time
“Ye have a most unusual accent, Ashley. Where are ye from?” Lena asked curiously.
“I’m from America, Lady Lena.”
Lena stared at Ashley for a split-second too long, before she spoke again. “Please, it’s just Lena. No need for formalities.”
“Lena, I’d introduce Ashley to the boys, but I don’t see them often enough to tell them apart,” Cailin said with a roguish grin.
“Of course. Yer holding Rowan and Cormac has Ranald.” Lena laughed. “Yer not the only one who cannae tell them apart. We’ve given them wee bracelets, so everyone at home kens which is which. Ranald’s bracelet is blue and Rowan’s is green.”
“Let us go inside, ye must be hungry after yer long journey.” Irene hooked her arm through Lena’s as they headed inside, whilst Robert and Ewan each put an arm over the other’s shoulder and followed their wives. Cormac carried Ranald inside, tickling the little boy until he shrieked with delight.
Cailin kept his arm around Ashley’s waist, even as Rowan was tugging on his hair to get his attention. “Why are ye pulling me hair, Rowan?” Cailin winced in pain, but still smiled good-naturedly at the little boy.
Rowan giggled uncontrollably and hid his face in his chubby hands. Cailin tickled him, which produced even more laughter.
“How old are you, Rowan?” Ashley asked.
Rowan stopped laughing just long enough to hold up three fingers.
“Three? You’re such a big boy!”
Rowan nodded enthusiastically and then went back to pulling Cailin’s hair and laughing. Cailin was so sweet with him, just as he had been with all the children she’d seen him interact with. There was no doubt about it; she was falling hard for Cailin. She looked up at him and gave him an adoring smile, which was answered with a kiss on the cheek. She could feel her resolve rapidly melting away. She wanted him and didn’t think she’d be very successful at keeping her distance for too much longer.
***
It was still early morning and the great hall was buzzing with activity, everyone talking and laughing together as they caught up on news and gossip since their last meeting. The twins, now down on the floor, were running circles around the adults and playing peek-a-boo behind their mother’s skirts. Food was being served on the long tables and Ewan’s men entered the hall, adding more bustle to the already busy room.
“We were not expecting you so soon, Ewan,” Robert said.
“We erred on the side of caution, and rode through the night. I didn’t feel it was safe for us to camp overnight and risk possible attack from Richard and his men. ‘Tis why we’re here so early this morn,” Ewan explained.
“Ye must be verra tired after such a long journey and the bairns should sleep. Helene has prepared yer chambers,” Irene offered.
“Aye. We could stand to sleep a wee bit, but first we’ll break our fast with ye,” Ewan said, as he stifled a yawn.
Despite the threat of attack, the meal was filled with lively conversation and laughter. Ashley sat between Cormac andCailin in what had become her spot. Both men were a little subdued this morning after the celebrations of the previous evening. While they had initially seemed fine when everyone arrived, the noise surrounding them inside seemed to be making them increasingly uncomfortable.
“You both look a little worse for wear this morning,” Ashley teased.
Two heads turned her way, and neither responded.
“If I didn’t know better, I’d say you were both suffering from a hangover.”
Still no response. Maybe hangover wasn’t the right word in medieval Scotland.
“Do your heads hurt?” Ashley questioned.
They both nodded and winced in unison, as Ranald and Rowan shouted vigorously. Ashley hid a smile.
“Is the noise making it worse?” Again, they nodded with pained expressions.
“You need to hydrate and maybe take some aspirin. I still have some in my backpack.”
“Will that work, lass?” Cailin asked hopefully.
“It should. I can go get it for you, if you’d like.”
“We’ll come with ye.”
