by Jennae Vale
* * *
Richard and the others rode hard through the whole day, until they were forced to stop for the night when darkness fell. Richard wasn’t particularly worried about Malcolm catching up with them, because he knew they had no horses. Setting up camp was easily accomplished with everyone’s help and when he had a moment, he stopped to speak with Edna. “Thank you for getting us back safely, I wasn’t sure if you’d hear me when I called your name.”
“Never fear, laddie. I’ve been keeping track of ye since I sent ye on yer way, always waiting to hear my name called if ye needed me.”
Nick joined them. “Edna, I’m Nick Mackall. I’m pleased to make yer acquaintance.”
Edna took his hand in greeting. “And who is this lovely young woman ye’ve brought back with ye, Richard?”
“Angelina Lawson, this is Edna Campbell.”
“Edna, I have so many questions, I don’t even know where to begin.” Angelina reached out and grasped Edna’s hand in hers.
“Well, I’m sure I can answer them all, but first, let’s get some food in our bellies, shall we?” Edna kept hold of Angelina’s hand and drew her towards the fire.
The fire was blazing and Angus pulled more food from his saddlebags than Richard thought seemed possible. Edna smiled happily while she watched him. Richard had the distinct impression that every time Angus put his hand in the bags, Edna was manifesting another item for him to reveal. If she was capable of transporting him through time to a distant land, he had no doubt she could feed them with little effort. He shook his head at the things he’d once considered unbelievable, which he now accepted without question.
“Are you alright, Angelina?” Richard sat down next to her, concerned about how she was handling this transition. Her eyes were wide with wonder as she observed the goings on of the camp. She clung to Richard’s arm tightly, a sensation he was enjoying. As she had told him on more than one occasion, she was perfectly capable of taking care of herself, so the fact that she was leaning on him to get her through this situation warmed his heart.
“I’m fine. Just a little shocked I guess. I’m happy to be here with you, though.” She smiled up at him and his heart skipped a beat.
Richard glanced over Angelina’s head, to discover Edna appeared quite happy and proud as she observed the two of them. “Where do we go from here?” he asked.
“We’ll head to Castle Fionn. After a good night’s sleep, Angus will guide us on our way. He tells me it’s only a few short hours from here.”
“Can you tell if Malcolm followed us here?” Richard asked.
“Let me see.” Edna spent a minute or two staring into the flames of the fire and then shook her head in dismay. “It appears that he did indeed come through the mist and he brought four others with him. He is on foot though, so that is in our favor. The fact that he’s here for the Twin Sword frightens me. We cannae allow him to get to it.”
“We won’t,” Angelina stated confidently.
“I like you,” Edna said, cocking her head and gazing at Angelina. “You’re a good strong woman and that will come in verra handy.”
Handy for what? Richard wondered. He was hoping to get Angelina back to his home in England without further incident. As far as he was concerned, there was no need for her to be a part of whatever was going to happen with Malcolm. He was more than willing to help, but wanted Angelina safely away from the danger. “I would like to take Angelina back to my home as soon as possible.”
“Of course, of course,” Edna said. She rose, and went to sit with Angus, but Richard had the uneasy sensation that there was something else Edna wasn’t telling them.
* * *
Angelina awoke with a smile on her face, despite the fact that she was shivering with cold. She had spent the entire night snuggled in Richard’s warm embrace, but now that he wasn’t there beside her, she was a bit cold. She wrapped herself in the blanket she’d been given the night before and sat up. The others were already up and moving about the campsite. She smiled again – this was better than the best Ren Faire she had been to. She rose and moved closer to the fire to get warm.
“Make no mistake, Angelina, this is nae a Renaissance Faire. This is verra, verra real.” Edna’s voice came from behind her and Angelina turned to discover the older woman carrying a bowl of food towards her. Had Edna just read her thoughts? “Ye’ll need to eat a good breakfast. We’ll be leaving soon.” Edna handed her a steaming bowl of stew left over from the night before, along with a thick piece of bread. “Eat. And Angelina, if ye ever decide that ye don’t want to be here, just tell me. I’ll see to it that ye get safely returned to San Francisco.” Edna turned and walked away, leaving Angelina thinking about what she’d said. At this very moment, Angelina couldn’t think of one reason why she’d want to leave. She’d imagined a world like this for so long, and now she was actually going to experience it. How could there possibly be any reason she’d want to leave?
Angelina held the bowl between her hands, enjoying the warmth. Gazing around the camp, she located Richard as he returned from the forest with an armload of wood for the fire.
“Good morning,” he called cheerily. “You were sleeping so soundly this morning, I hope I didn’t disturb you when I rose.” He placed some of the wood he had brought on the fire and placed the rest nearby, before he came to sit beside her. “I see Edna got you some food.”
She took a spoonful of the stew and nodded in acknowledgement, chewing and swallowing before she spoke. “Did you sleep well?” she asked.
“Very well,” came his happy response. “In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever had a better night’s sleep.” He leaned in and kissed her temple, lingering to brush an errant lock of hair from her face with his fingers and leaving her speechless. Angelina wasn’t exactly certain when she had come to love Richard – perhaps it had been right from the very first moment she’d seen him at the Marina. No matter when it had happened, she was over the moon to be here with him and couldn’t wait to see his home and meet his family. She didn’t know a lot about Richard’s life in medieval England, but she knew him to be a kind, gentle and honorable man. She was excited to learn more.
* * *
Riding through the Scottish countryside on MacKenzie lands brought back some memories for Richard that left him ill at ease. He should really have a conversation with Angelina about his past, but the right time had simply not presented itself. What he needed was some time alone with her and then he’d tell her. He felt guilty for not telling her before they found themselves fleeing from Malcolm Granger. If he’d told her the truth, he worried that there was every possibility she would have stayed behind and he would have been the most miserable man on earth. He knew he had to tell her the truth about his past, but at the same time, he very much feared her reaction.
Angelina had spent the morning chatting with Edna about time travel and witchcraft and as one would expect, she was utterly fascinated. Richard rode alongside Nick and Angus, who were deep in conversation, and he quietly contemplated his future and hoped that Angelina would still be a part of it, after she found out what kind of man he had been for most of his life. He was comfortable with his own thoughts, having spent a good deal of time on his own. Even when he was with his men, he rarely took the time to join in on their conversations. The dark cloud that had always hung over him, got in the way of enjoying himself. So, no one, other than Nick, knew him to be anything other than a man who should not be provoked.
They were rapidly approaching Castle Fionn, Ewan and Lena MacKenzie’s home. Richard had no idea what his welcome would be, if they welcomed him at all and he suffered a pang of anxiety in his gut. Gazing back at Angelina, he saw her smile and wave to him before turning back to Edna. He worried that this might be the last time she gazed on him with such loving eyes, the last time he’d hear her sweet voice. Worst of all, perhaps this was the last time he’d see her.
Chapter 23
Two little redheaded whirlwinds ran their way, as soon as
the gates to the castle were opened. They were followed by a troop of barking dogs and then Lena and Ewan MacKenzie, who waved excitedly in their direction.
Angelina had learned from her conversation with Edna that this was the first time she had time travelled as well. And even more importantly, it was the first time she was meeting her own daughter in years, meeting her son-in-law and the first time she’d get to see her grandbabes. Angelina’s heart was full at the sight of this whole family heading their way. She peeked in Edna’s direction, only to see the older woman shedding tears of joy as she saw her family together for the first time. Lena rushed toward her mother’s horse, shedding tears of her own. Angus jumped down from his horse and went to Edna’s side, helping her dismount into the waiting arms of her daughter. The two women could do nothing more than stare at each other, crying and hugging. Angelina found her own eyes had dampened at this emotional scene. She was so caught up in what was happening that she hadn’t noticed Richard dismount and come over to her. He laid a hand on her thigh and she jumped.
“I’m sorry, love, it was not my intention to frighten you. Come. Let me help you down from there.” He handed her reins off to a nearby stableboy and then lifted her down easily. Her feet touched the ground for the first time in hours and it took a minute for her to regain her balance. Richard kept a steadying hand on her back as he guided her towards the others. For a moment, they simply stood and watched the family reunion, taking place in front of their eyes.
“’Tis a beautiful sight,” Nick said when he joined them. “I can hardly wait to see my own family. I hope they remember me.” And in typical Nick fashion, he chuckled, although Angelina was sure he was just as anxious to see them, as Edna had been to see her family.
The two little boys were adorable. They were wrapped around Edna’s legs as she was being introduced to Ewan, and soon enough she bent down to hug them both and to take an extra-long look at their sweet little faces. They each grabbed one of her hands and dragged Edna into the castle.
Feeling like outsiders, Angelina, Richard and Nick weren’t sure whether to join them or not, but Angus detached himself from the family and came back to get them. “Dinnae stand there, come inside. Once Edna has calmed herself, I’ll introduce ye to the family.” They followed Angus through the castle doors and into the great hall.
Ewan left the group and approached them. “Welcome. I be Ewan MacKenzie.” He held his hand out to Nick, who shook it.
“Nick Mackall. Pleased to meet you.” Nick turned to Angelina. “This is Angelina Lawson.” Ewan bowed in her direction. “And this is Sir Richard Jefford. I’m sure ye’ve heard of him.”
Richard cringed at the thought of what might come next.
“Sir Richard, I’m pleased to finally meet ye. We’re verra grateful for what ye did, to help rid us of Brielle,” Ewan said.
Richard’s face heated. “I didn’t do all that much. Maggie and Dylan were the ones who ultimately rid the world of the witch.”
“The way I hear it, you stood with them, even at the risk of your own demise.”
Richard didn’t respond, instead he gazed down at Angelina who was watching him with adoration in her eyes. It would be wrong not to tell her everything. She thought him a hero, but if she knew the truth, she’d surely loathe him. It was probably what he deserved.
“I can see I’m embarrassing you, but you are far too modest Sir Richard. Let me introduce you to my lovely wife and my two young sons.” Ewan led the way to where Edna and Angus stood with Lena and the boys. Things had calmed down a bit and Lena and Edna were catching up on what had been happening in their lives. “Lena, let me introduce you to our guests. This is Angelina Lawson, Nick Mackall and Sir Richard Jefford.”
Lena stopped mid-sentence and turned to them. “Forgive me. I’ve been so excited to have my mother here, I’m afraid I’ve been quite rude. I’m pleased to meet you all and I welcome you to Castle Fionn. You are honored guests in our home. These are my two sons, Rowan and Ranald.” Turning to the two boys, Lena said, “Behave yerselves. Dinnae bother our guests, do ye ken?”
“Aye, Ma,” both boys said in unison.
“They can be wee devils when they put their minds to it, which seems to be all the time.” Lena’s motherly smile contradicted her words.
The boys marched up to Richard and Nick and held out their little hands.
“Now which is which,” Nick teased.
“I be Ranald and he be Rowan.” The twins were identical and Richard wasn’t certain he’d ever be able to tell them apart, but he couldn’t deny the fact that they were quite the handsome little men.
“You all must be exhausted from your ride. Let’s get you settled in your rooms so you can rest before we eat.” Lena led the way upstairs to the guest quarters, putting Nick and Richard in one and Angelina in another. “You’re welcome to join us downstairs, or if you’d like to rest, I’ll send someone up for you when ’tis time to eat.”
All three opted to stay upstairs. Richard thought it was only right to let Edna spend some uninterrupted time with her family, and on top of that, they had ridden quite a distance today without rest.
“There’s a warm bath downstairs, if you’re interested. We have a hot spring underground and it makes for a lovely, relaxing bath. If ye’ve a mind to use it, I can show ye where it is.”
“I’d like that,” Angelina said. “My muscles are pretty sore from two days of riding. I’ll see you two later.” She gave the men a small wave and followed Lena downstairs.
* * *
“Would you care to join her?” Nick asked, with a glint of humor in his eyes.
“Not at the moment,” Richard said. Despite how well things had gone so far, he was still worrying about what he should tell Angelina and when.
The men entered their quarters and Richard sat in a chair beside the fire. Nick sat across from him. “I’m happy to see there are two beds,” Nick chuckled.
Richard didn’t respond, he was deep in thought and not paying any attention to his friend.
“Richard are ye with me?” Nick said, hitting Richard on the knee.
Richard jumped and rubbed his hand across his jaw. “I’m sorry, I was just thinking.”
“About what? Only something verra good, or verra bad, would keep ye from being fascinated by what I’ve just said.”
“Bad.” Richard didn’t offer anything else. He didn’t think he had to. Nick knew him well enough to know most of Richard’s misdeeds. It’s why Nick had ridden away from him all those years before. He hadn’t liked the person Richard had become.
“Does it have something to do with our Angelina?”
“Yes.” Richard sighed heavily, leaning back in the chair. “I’m afraid to tell her about my past. She’ll be very disappointed and I think she’ll want nothing to do with me. I don’t know what to do. It’s only a matter of time before she finds out the whole truth.” Richard closed his eyes, as if doing so would block out the reality that was now threatening to ruin the one good thing he’d had in his life. “Every time I meet someone who knows about my past, I’ll be worried that they’ll let something slip and she’ll hate me.”
“I ken yer fear, but ye must tell her before she hears it from someone else.” The fire crackled in the hearth and the two friends sat in silence as Richard mulled this advice over.
“I haven’t had a moment alone with her, and I cannot tell her in front of everyone else.” His eyes roamed the room, taking in the furnishings, the small wooden swords, and two rocking horses taking up positions beneath the windows. “I believe they’ve given us the twins’ room,” he remarked.
“Yer just noticing? Ye must be in a bad way, my friend. If ye wish to be alone with Angelina, now might be the perfect time. Why dinnae ye see if ye can find her? I’m going to take this time for a well-deserved nap.” Nick rose and went over to one of the beds, and he flopped down, placing a pillow beneath his head. “Dinnae wake me until the evening meal is being served.”
After a fe
w moments, the slow, even sound of Nick’s breathing told Richard that he had indeed fallen asleep. Unfortunately for Richard, the war going on inside his head did not cease. Should he go to Angelina? Should he wait? Fear, not an emotion that was familiar to him, lay heavy upon his shoulders. Trying to be a good man and do all the right things, was leaving him both worried and overwhelmed. Eventually, he made the decision to seek out Angelina and bear his soul, no matter what the outcome may be.
* * *
The warm water soothed Angelina’s sore muscles from the minute she sank into the large bath, enjoying the sensation of the water all the way up to her chin. This room was unlike anything she’d seen before and certainly, unlike anything she’d expected to see in medieval Scotland. Lena had explained it had been created at her request and to her specifications. To Angelina, it resembled a spa, carved into the rock walls beneath the castle. A large rectangular pool of heated water filled the room with steam, and stone shelves for sitting had been carved into the interior. The atmosphere was serene and meant for relaxing.
A noise alerted her to the fact that she was not alone and she spun to see who was there. “Hello?” Her voice echoed off the stone walls. “Is someone there?” Suddenly, her warm, soothing bath no longer seemed relaxing. She waited, holding her breath, but heard nothing else. Angelina swam across to the other side of the pool, so she could see if anyone was about to enter. The move helped to calm her frazzled nerves and before long, when no one appeared, she was able to get back into her peaceful mindset.
Naturally, her thoughts turned to Richard. A humble hero. It was so like him, to downplay his part in whatever it was that happened when he’d assisted the MacKenzie clan. She’d have to ask him about it. Angelina closed her eyes and imagined his smoldering gaze on her, his lips kissing hers – at first soft and then with passionate ferocity – his hands stroking her skin. Why hadn’t she thought to ask him to join her? That kind of thing was probably frowned upon here, which made it seem so much more enticing.
