A Matter of Time: Book 4 of The Thistle & Hive Series

by Jennae Vale

  The riders drew closer and Richard could see Robert, Cailin and Cormac along with three others riding behind. They greeted Angus as they approached and gave a cursory glance at the others. Robert spotted him and rode his way. Richard wasn’t sure whether he should prepare himself for an attack or a welcome.

  “Sir Richard. The last time we met was not under such friendly circumstances.” Robert reached out to clasp Richard’s arm.

  Richard didn’t know what to say in response, but knew he must say something. “I extend my deepest apologies to you and the MacKenzie clan. I hope that you and your family can find it in your hearts to forgive me. I am a changed man.”

  Robert nodded his head and Richard breathed a little easier. “We hear that ye were on yer way to visit us with yer regrets, but became embroiled in battle with the witch, Brielle. We thank ye fer yer help in that matter.”

  “You are most welcome, Sir, but Maggie did the bulk of the work.”

  “Aye. And ye were dragged off and lost to us for a time. Where did Edna send ye?” Robert’s expression told Richard that he was more interested in his time travel adventures, than jealousy.

  “San Francisco, in the year 2014,” Richard answered.

  “Where our Ashley and Jenna are from! I’d love to see it with my own two eyes, but I dinnae believe I’ll ever be able to do so.”

  Angelina had ridden up to join them. “Did I hear you say Ashley and Jenna? Are they the same Ashley and Jenna that I know?”

  “They may well be, lass. Ashley and Jenna are time travelers from San Francisco. Are ye as well?”

  “Yes. Are they here? And is that Cormac I see?” Angelina was obviously very excited.

  “Aye. ’Tis indeed.” Cormac greeted her with a warm smile. “You’re a long way from home, lass.”

  “I know. I can hardly believe it myself. Where are Jenna and Ashley?” she asked again.

  “Back at Breaghacraig, of course. Ye must come and stay with us.” Robert turned in his saddle and called Angus over. “Angus where are ye off to?”

  “We’re on our way to Campbell lands. There’s a man come from the future, in search of the Twin Sword. We must keep it from him, at all costs.”

  “Ye must stop for the night. Ye’ll stay at Breaghacraig and ye can be on yer way tomorrow. Jenna and Ashley would nae forgive any of us if we didnae bring ye back.”

  “Edna?” Angus asked, “What do ye think?”

  “I think ’tis a grand idea. We cannae go much further as it is, so we may as well join our friends for the night. I’d love to see the castle I’ve been sending the ladies to.”

  Cailin and Cormac joined them. Both men leaned across in their saddles and greeted Edna with a warm hug. Richard couldn’t help noticing that Cailin was eyeing him with some mistrust. He couldn’t blame him for his reaction. “You all go on ahead,” he suggested. “I think I’ll make camp out here. That way I can keep watch for Malcolm and his men.”

  “Nonsense,” Edna responded. “Ye’ll do nae such thing. Malcolm will be staying the night at Castle Fionn. I know this, because Lena has spoken with me and told me they just arrived. So, there’s no need for ye to sacrifice yerself.” Edna gave Richard a knowing glance.

  Richard sighed heavily. “All right. I defer to your wisdom, madam.”

  The MacKenzie’s turned their horses and headed back in the direction from which they had come. Richard and his group followed. Angelina rode between Cailin and Cormac, who dwarfed her with their size. The soft, sweet sound of her laughter drifted back to Richard as she reacted to whatever they were telling her. So far, no one mentioned Ashley, but he knew that would come. It was inevitable.

  Chapter 25

  Everyone but Richard seemed happy to arrive at Breaghacraig. In stark contrast, Richard looked as if he was being led to the gallows. Angelina watched him carefully. This was not the man she had met and come to love in San Francisco. This was a man about to have his secret revealed. How could she know that? She didn’t, but he had some sort of secret, she was certain of it and ever since their arrival in Scotland, he had begun to avoid being alone with her. As each day passed, he became more withdrawn and now as he sat atop his horse, he seemed the most uncomfortable she’d seen him yet.

  Robert turned to speak to him. “We have your horse here. We’ve taken verra good care of him. I’ve ridden him myself on occasion. He is a fine warhorse. I’m sure you’d be happy to see him straight away.”

  “I would. I appreciate your kindness in caring for him. I have missed him greatly. Arion was a gift to me from my father before his death.” He dismounted, handing the reins of his current mount to one of the stable boys. “If you don’t mind, I’ll go and see him now. I’ll join you inside later.” Richard followed the stable boy as he walked the horse away from the group gathered in the courtyard.

  Angelina leaned over and whispered to Nick, “He sure was in a hurry to get away from us.”

  “You dinnae understand what Arion means to him. Before coming to San Francisco, he spent every day riding and training him into a fine warhorse. I understand his need to see his horse.” Nick dismounted and came to her side. She waved him off and lithely slipped down from her own mount. More stable boys arrived to take the other horses. “Shall we?” Nick asked, extending his arm for her to take.

  Angelina giggled at this show of formality on Nick’s part. “We’re not in San Francisco anymore.”

  “I believe I always behaved the gentleman, even there, where others are not always on their best behavior.”

  Again, she couldn’t help but laugh. “You’re absolutely right. You have always treated me like a lady.” She took his arm and walked with him into the great hall of Breaghacraig. “This is beautiful.” Angelina’s mouth dropped open at the magnificence of the hall. She noticed Edna being greeted by three women. Angelina assumed they were the ladies of the house and as she and Nick approached, they turned to her and she was both shocked and surprised to discover Ashley and Jenna standing near the third, dark-haired woman. She hadn’t recognized them, dressed as they were in their medieval clothing. All three women shrieked in delight, and the men turned to stare in amusement as they jumped up and down and hugged one another.

  “I can’t believe I’m seeing you both!” Angelina said. “So this is where you went to on your Scottish vacations!”

  “You can’t be that shocked to see us. You’ve seen Cormac.” Jenna’s smile couldn’t have been brighter and Ashley’s was a close second.

  “We’ll be populating this little section of Scotland with all the women we know from San Francisco,” Ashley laughed.

  “Where’s Dylan?” Angelina glanced around, expecting to see him.

  “He’s in Glendaloch, with Maggie.” Jenna said, as if Angelina should know exactly what that meant. When Angelina looked at her blankly, Jenna continued. “Glendaloch is where Edna’s from. The Thistle & Hive Inn.”

  Angelina shook her head. “But I thought he was here. I’m confused.”

  “He was, but he met Maggie and fell in love. It was so romantic,” Jenna gushed. “Maggie needed to go back to Glendaloch, so naturally, Dylan went with her.”

  Angelina smiled and nodded. “I’m so happy to see you both and to know that you’re safe and happy.”

  “And who’s this handsome man?” Jenna asked, nodding in Nick’s direction.

  “That’s Nick Mackall. He’s originally from this time, but for the past few years, he’s been living in San Francisco. I’m not sure how he got there, but he’s pleased to have returned here now.”

  Ashley and Jenna both said, “Edna,” simultaneously. They were giggling like two excited schoolgirls.

  “Did I hear you young ladies call my name?” Edna asked with a bright smile. She’d been speaking to the dark haired woman nearby. “Angelina, let me introduce you to Irene. She’s the lady of the castle. Robert’s wife.”

  “I’m pleased to meet ye. Welcome to our home.” Irene smiled warmly and Angelina immediately felt at ease w
ith her.

  “Thank you so much for taking such good care of my niece and her friend.”

  “’Tis their husbands, my brothers, who take good care of them. I’m blessed to have them in my household. They’ve made my life much easier with their helpful ways, so ye could say ’tis they who take care of me. I’ll go see to some tea. It seems the men already have their whiskey. Would ye care for a little something to eat? Ye must be hungry.” Without waiting for an answer, Irene hurried off. “I’ll be right back,” she called as she left the hall.”

  Everyone was standing around, chatting happily together. Nick and Angus were filling the MacKenzie men in on their mission to protect the Twin Sword from Malcolm Granger’s clutches. Angelina kept checking the doorway, expecting Richard to join them at any moment, but he still hadn’t returned.

  “Is something wrong?” Jenna asked.

  “No. I’m just waiting for Richard. He’s in the stable visiting with his horse. I thought he’d be back by now.”

  “Who’s this Richard?” Jenna tipped her head in a knowing manner.

  “A friend of mine. He’s from this time, too. He was in San Francisco and I met him, I guess, when he first arrived. We never really talked about it, but now that I think of it, I’ll bet I met him the minute he dropped out of the fog.”

  “So, you’re not with Nick?” Ashley asked, placing emphasis on the ‘with’.

  “No! We’re just good friends. We’re more like brother and sister than anything else.”

  Angelina had her back to the door, but she knew someone had entered because Ashley’s face turned ghostly white and she ran across to Cailin, taking refuge behind him. Turning, she was surprised to discover Richard had evoked such a visceral response from Ashley. But why? Did this have something to do with his odd behavior? She’d bet money on it.

  Nick hurried over to her side. “Don’t jump to conclusions,” he warned.

  “What’s going on? Ashley is obviously terrified of Richard – look at her! She’s hiding behind her husband!”

  “No matter what you hear, you must give Richard a chance to explain himself.”

  Angelina shook her head, suddenly angry. “He’s had plenty of time to do that. He had time in San Francisco and he’s had time since we’ve been here, but instead he’s been avoiding me and while I might not know the particulars, apparently I now know why.”

  She watched Richard, who had come to a standstill just inside the doorway. He’d seen Ashley run for Cailin and his gaze darted back and forth between Ashley and herself. Richard visibly shook himself and entered the hall, striding across to Cailin and Ashley. He dropped to his knees on the floor in front of them. “My Lady Ashley. I must apologize to you for the terrible treatment you received, not only from me, but also from my men. As you know, Thomas and Roger are no longer a threat to you, but I want you to know that I too, am no longer a threat. I have become a new man, I hope, a much better man. I wish nothing more than to return to my home, where I will leave behind my jealousy and hatred and live my life in the company of my own family. I was on my way here to apologize to you all, when I came across Maggie and Dylan. They accepted me into their camp and treated me as a friend. I believe they saw the man I wanted to become and they were willing to give me that chance. Unfortunately, before I could come here to Breaghacraig to apologize to you, I found myself saved from certain death by Edna, and sent to San Francisco to learn a lesson or two about life and love. I believe I have learned those lessons. I will no longer pose a threat to the MacKenzie Clan. I hope that you’ll accept my apology in the spirit in which it has been given. I understand that you may never forgive me and I will have to accept that.” He continued to kneel, waiting for what, Angelina didn’t know. Ashley slowly came out from behind Cailin.

  “I accept your apology and while I will forgive you, I can never forget what you’ve done,” she said, clutching Cailin’s hand.

  “Cailin, I am at your mercy. I will accept whatever punishment you may wish to mete out,” Richard said in a low voice.

  By now, Irene was returning to the hall. She had brought a blonde haired woman with her, who carried a tray containing tea and some food. “Richard, get up from your knees. No one is going to mete out punishment, no matter how much you may deserve it.”

  He stood up and glanced in Angelina’s direction. She knew he could see the anger and confusion in her expression. He started to walk in her direction, but she held up a hand to stop him. “I have to know what you did. I cannot and will not go anywhere with you, until I know.” Everyone stood in silence and Angelina suspected they were all holding their breath. She turned to her friend. “Ashley. What did he do to you?”

  Ashley looked at her feet and took a deep breath before she spoke. “I’d rather tell you in privacy, if you don’t mind.”

  “Gentlemen, let us take our whiskey and go out into the courtyard. There may still be some sun which we may stand in to keep warm,” Robert announced. The men turned and left the great hall in silence. Richard was the last to go, his eyes pleading with Angelina, but she turned away from him.

  “Would ye like us to go as well, Ashley?” Irene asked quietly.

  “No, you know the story. I couldn’t bear retelling it in front of the men, that’s all. Please, sit down.” Ashley walked across to the chairs gathered around the fire and sat down. “Thank you, Helene,” she said, addressing the blonde woman, who was handing her a cup of tea. The other women took a seat and each accepted a cup from the tray Helene was carrying. The young woman set the tray on a small table by the fire and excused herself.

  “Did he do something to hurt you?” Angelina demanded.

  Ashley seemed to be collecting her thoughts. When she finally spoke, she seemed to have regained control of her nerves. “He did. I thought I had gotten past it, but seeing him today without any prior warning, it brought everything back in a rush.” Ashley twirled her hair around her fingers and lapsed into silence for a minute. “Are you in love with Richard?” she asked when she spoke again.

  “I thought I was, but now I’m not so sure.” Angelina glanced at Edna, who seemed somewhat embarrassed by the entire situation.

  Ashley sipped her tea before she continued. “Well, the condensed version of the story is that Richard was in love with Irene.” Angelina’s head whipped around to catch Irene nodding her head sadly. So she was the Irene Nick had spoken about. “He had been in love with her for many years, but she had married Robert, her true love and Richard spent years obsessing about finding a way to get her back. Eventually, he saw his opportunity, and he kidnapped both Irene and me. Richard’s man, Thomas…” when Ashley said his name, she cringed, “…he tried to rape me and his other man, Roger, choked me before Thomas stopped him. “ She paused, obviously replaying these events in her mind and Angelina felt terrible that she was the cause of Ashley having to relive the memories. “Richard may or may not have known what was going on, as he wasn’t there when we were kidnapped, but he was so focused on Irene, he really didn’t care what happened to me.”

  “I’m so sorry, Ashley, but I have to know. Did he hurt you?” She hoped the answer would be a negative, but up until this point, she’d heard nothing that would make her want to pursue a relationship with Richard.

  “Yes.” Hesitating, Ashley turned to Jenna, who nodded. “He hit me.”

  “Oh my God. He hit you?”

  Ashley nodded focusing her gaze on Angelina.

  Edna cleared her throat. “I’d like to say something, if ye dinnae mind.”

  “Of course not. Please, go ahead.” Angelina said, turning her attention to Edna. She wasn’t certain how much more she could deal with, as she was already feeling queasy after hearing Ashley’s tale.

  “Ashley, thank ye for sharing yer story with us. I ken it was painful fer ye to relive it.” Edna inhaled sharply before she continued. “There is no excuse for Richard’s behavior, but I believe that everyone deserves a second chance in life. I gave him a nudge in the right direction
and since that time, he has maintained a spotless record. Angelina, ye ken what he did with Maggie and Dylan. He wants to be a good man and he can be. When I sent him to San Francisco, I wanted him to learn what it was like to be in love. Truly in love. Not the type of love he imagined he had with you, Irene. He fell in love with ye, Angelina, and he never once thought about possessing you. He was happy just to be in yer presence. He was willing to let you go if ye didnae wish to return to Scotland with him. It would have hurt him terribly, but he learned that he cannae possess you, he wants you to be in his life because that was what ye want. Ye ken?”

  “I do, but I can’t possibly be with him now. I can’t tolerate a man hitting a woman. As you said, there is no excuse for his behavior,” Angelina said sadly.

  “Well, I’m sorry to hear it, but I cannae force ye to do something ye dinnae feel right about.”

  The men were heard entering the hall again. Cailin hurried to Ashley’s side and searched her face. “Are ye well, Ashley?”

  She nodded and buried her face in his chest, as he wrapped his strong arms around her and held her tightly.

  “Where’s Richard?” Jenna asked Cormac.

  “He’s outside, saddling up Arion.” Cormac poured himself another whiskey before settling next to his wife by the fire.

  “He’s leaving, Angelina.” Nick had come to Angelina’s side and spoke softly, so only she would hear. “Go to him. He’s miserably unhappy.”

  “I can’t. I know what he did and I don’t want to see him again. It’s better that he leaves.”

  Without a word, Nick turned away from her and strode back out through the door.

  Angelina suspected her heart was broken. She had thought she’d found her man, but he had turned out to be no different from all the others. It was time to pick up the pieces of her shattered dreams and put her heart on lock down, once again.