by Jennae Vale
Glancing down at her hands, Angelina realized she was rapidly turning into a prune and should probably get out. She was just pulling herself up out of the water when she heard the distinct sound of a male voice and a female response. Moments later, a serving girl came in with a drying cloth in her hands.
“The gentleman asked me to bring this to ye, m’lady.” The girl handed the cloth to Angelina. “Would ye like me to help ye?”
Angelina smiled at the obviously shy girl, whose eyes hadn’t left her feet since she entered the bath. “What gentleman?”
The girl, continuing to examine the floor, shrugged her shoulders in response. “I dinnae ken. Not someone I know.”
That was certainly believable – if this girl couldn’t look Angelina in the eye, she surely wouldn’t have looked directly at whoever had asked her to give Angelina the cloth. “Thank you.” Angelina began to dry herself, turning her back, embarrassed to be seen nude by the girl who remained standing nearby. “What’s your name?”
“Elspeth, ma’am.” She dropped into a low curtsy.
“You can go, Elspeth. I can get dressed on my own.” Angelina watched as Elspeth backed out of the room and took off down the passageway towards the stairs.
She couldn’t help but giggle to herself. There were so many things she was going to have to get used to in the sixteenth century. For instance, the cloth she’d been given to dry herself, which was surprisingly absorbent. She finished drying herself off and was dressed in no time. Now to find out who was watching me, she thought.
* * *
Richard bolted for the stairs, as soon as he saw Angelina emerging from the bath. He had come down here with the intentions of speaking to her about his past, but had not thought the idea through particularly well. Once his eyes had locked onto her naked body, his own body reacted in the most natural of ways. He had groaned aloud and startled her, so he had remained hidden just outside the doorway until she relaxed again. Despite knowing it was wrong to do so, he had continued to peek at her from around the doorway until she’d decided to emerge from the bath. Spinning on his heels to leave before she discovered him, he’d practically run down the small servant girl headed toward the bath. “The lady needs a drying cloth,” he’d spat out, praying she wouldn’t notice the obvious bulge which had formed in his now far-too-tight breeches . He hurried on his way and now that he was upstairs, safe in his room, he paced back and forth, cursing himself for his foolish behavior. He was Sir Richard Jefford – or at least, he used to be, before his trip to San Francisco. Now he was thoughtful, caring, kind and seemingly, without any bad qualities he could name. Unless, of course, he considered spying on a naked woman, which he had done without thought for anything but his own carnal lust. Mayhap he wasn’t as noble as he’d thought. What he had really wanted was to join her in the bath. To take her in his arms and make her his, but he couldn’t. He wouldn’t, not until she knew everything she needed to about him and then she definitely wouldn’t. This dilemma was tearing him apart. Was there any way he could spirit Angelina from here to his home, without running across anyone who knew him? He shook his head ruefully. What a ridiculous thought. What would he do once he got there? He couldn’t keep her locked up in his castle forever. No. He had to tell her, but he feared he couldn’t work up the courage.
A knock at the door brought him back to the present. “Yes?” he called. He glanced across at Nick, but his friend didn’t move. He had always been a very sound sleeper.
“It’s Angelina. Can I come in?”
Richard went to the door and opened it. “Nick is asleep.”
She pushed past him and into the room. Glancing Nick’s way, she giggled before turning back to him. “Hey, were you just down in the bath area?”
“Me?” He gestured to himself and felt like a complete oaf.
“Yes, you. Is there anyone else here who’s awake?” She wandered closer to him and all Richard could see was a very wet, very naked Angelina emerging from the water, like a goddess from the sea. He stumbled backwards as she continued her approach. “You know, if it was you, I don’t have a problem with that. I just wish you had joined me.”
“Angelina, I…” She was pressing herself up against him. Surely, she would feel the impact she was having on him, and back away.
“What, Richard?” Her hands roamed across his chest and down to his belly and then even lower.
“It was me. I’m so sorry I didn’t announce my presence. I wanted to join you, but I cannot compromise your good name. Things are different in this time.” He backed away again, but her hand lingered and the throbbing of his shaft was making it difficult to think.
“You two should really have your own room.” Nick stretched and yawned as he sat up. “You’ve disturbed my sleep and what I’ve seen is enough to keep me awake for days. As they say in Angelina’s time, I’ll never be able to unsee that, Richard.”
Angelina removed her hand and grabbed a pillow, tossing it at Nick’s head with pinpoint accuracy. It hit him with a thud. “Ow,” he said, feigning injury.
“You could join me in my room, Richard. That way Nick could get back to his nap.”
“I’m afraid that would not be appropriate behavior. We are guests here with the MacKenzies and they’ve given us separate rooms. We must bow to their wishes.” There, that should settle things, he thought. But there was one thing it wasn’t settling. “Why is it that my breeches are suddenly too tight.” Richard pulled and tugged at them to relieve his anguish.
Nick and Angelina laughed so hard, they were practically in tears.
“I’d better leave,” Angelina hiccoughed her way to the door. “I’m just across the hall, should you be looking for me.”
The door closed and Richard breathed a sigh of relief, turning to stare daggers at Nick.
“I heard everything. I take it you haven’t told her yet, or this may have ended differently.” Nick threw his legs over the side of the bed and stood.
“I couldn’t tell her. The opportunity simply did not present itself.” He went to his bed and sat down, running his hands through his hair.
“I dinnae believe I’ve ever seen you so affected by a woman, Richard. In the past, you always saw what you wanted and took it. What’s the hold up here?”
“Love.” There he’d said it. He was smitten and he had no idea what he could do about it.
“Aye. That does make a difference.” Nick was eyeing him with a pitying expression on his face.
“I went down to the bath to tell her about my past, and instead, I hid and peeked at her like a young lad who was seeing his first naked lass. Is love always like this, Nick?”
“I wouldnae ken it.” Nick sat down next to him. “I dinnae believe I’ve ever truly been in love meself. And from the looks of it, I’m nae so sure I want to be. It seems painful.”
“It is. I thought I loved Irene, but now that I’ve experienced these feelings I have for Angelina, I know it was not love at all that drew me to Irene. But what I did because of it, could ruin the only true love I’ve ever known.”
Chapter 24
Malcolm Granger and his army of four slogged through the damp forest, heading where, they didn’t know. They’d long ago stopped avoiding the rain dripping from the trees and the puddles they found themselves plodding through almost constantly. The fallen leaves in the path made their trek treacherous. More than once a man had slipped and landed on the ground, cursing the rain that had poured down nonstop for the last twenty-four hours. They were all cold, wet and extremely irritable.
“Malcolm, is there any chance we could stop soon?” Pierce Holmes questioned. His voice was filled with resentment.
Malcolm glared at him. “And just where would you like to stop? I don’t see any place that would shelter us from the rain and cold, do you? Or perhaps you’d like to sit down right here with no fire and no shelter. Is that what you want?”
“That’s not what I meant, Malcolm. I’m just wondering if we could start searching for some
shelter? Maybe a cave, or a rocky overhang.” Pierce must have realized his mistake, because he changed his tone to one more conciliatory.
Malcolm knew Pierce was at the end of his rope, otherwise he’d never have spoken to him in such a manner. One thing he didn’t need was a mutiny on his hands. “Fine. Keep your eyes open – all of you.”
They walked on in silence, but it wasn’t long before Nash called out. “Over there! Looks like a cave.”
Malcolm spotted it. “Let’s go.” He led the way, barely able to lift his legs because he was so tired. Fallen tree branches and a slick forest floor didn’t help their situation, but determination carried them towards their goal. Pierce had been right to question him, but he’d never tell him that. They all needed to rest and get their strength back. He had no idea how much further they needed to go. As soon as they got a fire started, he planned to take a better look at the map Joel had made for him.
* * *
Angelina leaned on the castle doorframe, watching the rain as it fell in the courtyard. It had been coming down nonstop for hours, but she’d always loved the rain, so it could continue indefinitely as far as she was concerned.
“Angelina!” Edna called. “Come join us.”
She closed the door and went inside where the others were all seated around the fire. Some were drinking whiskey, some had tea and some had whiskey in their tea. She took a seat near Richard, who’d been acting oddly ever since they’d arrived. Maybe he’d changed his mind about her, although that didn’t seem likely, but she could see that her presence was making him uncomfortable and she suffered a pang of anxiety. Maybe when they’d settled this issue with Malcolm, she’d have to ask Edna to send her home. Not that she wanted to go, but she wasn’t about to stay somewhere she wasn’t wanted.
Elspeth poured her some tea and at Edna’s urging, added a tot of whiskey.
“It’ll warm you up from the inside out, my dear.” Edna was smiling in that motherly way she had.
“Thanks,” Angelina replied, sipping the tea and enjoying the warmth of the whiskey wending its way down to her belly.
“Now that we’re all here and relatively comfortable,” Edna started, “I’d like to talk about Malcolm.” She gazed around at the others, and Angelina noted that everyone was paying very close attention. “He’s on his way here. Dinnae worry. He won’t make it for a few more days. His men are tired and wet, and their progress has been slowed by the rain.”
“You say they’re on the way here?” The concern on Ewan’s face was completely understandable. He had a family to protect.
“Aye, but there’s nothing to worry about. When they arrive, Angus and I will have escorted the three of ye away from Castle Fionn.” She waved a hand in the direction of Angelina, Richard and Nick. “Ewan, ye will entertain them as guests. They will only stay for a day and then they’ll be on their way. Give them whatever they need to complete their journey. If they want horses, see to it that they get them. We dinnae wish to be waiting for them forever to come for the sword. I’d like this over with as quickly as possible, so I can come back and spend more time with all of ye. Just as I’m sure you, Nick, would like to go home and Richard would like to take Angelina back to England to meet his family.”
“That sounds reasonable. We’ll be gracious hosts.” Lena glanced at Ewan and he nodded in approval.
As for the rest of us, we’ll leave in the morning. Our journey will take us to Campbell land. Angus will see to it that we are welcomed there.” She glanced at Angus and furrowed her brow in concern. “They havenae seen you for quite a long time. I hope they’ll recognize ye.”
“Dinnae fear, I’m sure they will. We’ll need their help in finding the location of the sword. Hopefully, someone there will be able to guide us.” Angus sipped his whiskey. “Ewan tells me my Uncle Tavish is the Campbell laird now. I always had a good relationship with him, although I’m sure he believes me to be dead. ’Twill come as quite a shock to him, when I ride into their stronghold.”
Angelina listened intently as the plans were made. She wasn’t sure what her part would be, but she wanted to help in any way possible. “I have my sword, and I’m prepared to use it,” she announced. Ewan and Angus sent a skeptical look her way. “I’m quite good with a weapon,” she added, “Richard and Nick can attest to that.”
“She is very good with a sword. I would hope she wouldn’t need to be involved in the fray, but if she is, it would be invaluable protection for her and for Edna.” Richard glanced Angelina’s way and she smiled stiffly at him. He was trying to protect her, when he knew good and well there was no need. Hadn’t he been there when she took down Nash Roydon at the Faire? She knew this and was aware of the fact that any fray they entered would be a real one.
“I won’t need a sword, dear. I’ve my magic.” Edna proudly sat up a little straighter.
“So you’ll use your magic to fight Malcolm,” Richard stated.
“I don’t foresee any trouble, but one never knows. Malcolm cannot fight my powers, but if he gets his hands on that sword, well then, we’ll have a problem. It’s best we stop him before he ever gets to it.”
Murmurs of agreement came from the group. Angelina glanced Richard’s way and as she suspected, his eyes were focused on her. They were going to have to get a few things straightened out, but all that would have to wait until after the Twin Sword was safely secured.
* * *
Luck was on their side as the sun broke through the clouds and blessed them with sunshine for their journey. They said their goodbyes to Lena, Ewan and the boys, with the intention that they would see them again soon and rode off towards the Campbell lands.
“The two of ye have hardly spoken,” Nick observed as he rode up beside Angelina. “Would ye care to tell me about it?”
“There’s not much to tell. In the last day or so, Richard has distanced himself from me. I don’t know why, but I’ve seen this before with other men I’ve spent time with and it’s not something I will tolerate. If he doesn’t want me around anymore, then he should just say so.”
“Richard is a complicated man, Angelina. I’m nae sure even he kens what goes on in his head at times. Don’t give up so quickly. I feel the two of ye were meant to be together.”
“He’s hiding something, I know the signs. I just don’t know what it is.”
“There are some things… things that he wishes were long forgotten, but they cannae be. He wishes to speak with ye about them, but fears yer reaction. ’Tis why he’s been acting so strangely.”
“If we’re to even stand a chance at a life together, then he’s going to have to trust me. Do you know what he’s hiding?”
“Aye. But ’tis not my place to tell ye. He’s the one you need to ask.”
“How much further do we have to go?”
“We’re still traversing MacKenzie land. Once we cross the hills you see off in the distance, we’ll be on Campbell land. Then ’twill be up to Angus to find the location of the sword.”
“Angus hasn’t been back here in decades, from what I heard. How does he know that anyone from his past is still alive?”
“Well, ye heard him say that Ewan informed him about his uncle, Tavish. Ewan is familiar with his clan and while some are no longer with us, there are others who are and Angus will surely be glad to see them.”
Angelina adjusted her position in the saddle and Nick smiled warmly at her. He’d known from the instant he’d seen her with Richard that they were meant to be together. He wished he could help, but it was up to the two of them to sort this mess out. He’d be there if either one of them needed him.
* * *
The clip clopping of the horses hooves sounded at a steady pace as they travelled along a road framed on either side by the greenest of pastures. Wagon ruts along their route were filled with water from the previous day’s rain. The horses cautiously stepped around them. Richard, coward that he was, rode alongside Angus and adeptly avoided Angelina. It wasn’t that he didn’t want to be
with her, on the contrary, that was the only place he wished to be, but he was working out a way to tell her about his past mistakes – one that wouldn’t end up with her walking away from him. This was something he needed to settle soon, before his avoidance did more damage than his actual misdeeds. She was losing patience with him, of that there was no doubt.
Richard noted Nick riding alongside her and hoped that he would put in a good word or two for him. He’d find out soon enough, because Nick was moving forward away from Angelina, leaving her in the capable hands of Edna. As Nick approached, he nodded his greeting.
“How is m’lady?” Richard asked, worry etching his features.
“She willnae be yer lady fer much longer, if ye dinnae speak with her. Her patience is wearing thin.” Nick cast a glance back in Angelina’s direction and turned to Richard, shaking his head. “Dinnae let this one slip away from ye.”
Richard knew Nick was right and he nodded. “Yer right. I’ll speak with her and whatever she decides, it’s out of my hands. I love her, Nick, and I don’t want to lose her, but the decision is ultimately hers to make.”
Richard was preparing to turn back to Angelina when a line of riders appeared in the road up ahead of them. “Damn. The MacKenzies,” Richard muttered. “I don’t believe this will end well for me.”
“They’re no longer angry with ye, Richard. Ewan said as much.”
“They may not be, but they do hold the key to my secret.” His heart sank as he watched their approach - his future would surely end before it even had a chance to begin.
Angus held up his hand for them all to stop and wait as the MacKenzie’s approached. There appeared to be six of them as far as Richard could tell. He couldn’t see who was in their group, but he had a bad feeling in the pit of his belly. Nothing good could come of this unexpected meeting.
