A Matter of Time (The Bridge Through Time #4)

Chapter 1

Richard landed with a thud on the hard ground of an unfamiliar place.

“Where the hell am I this time?” he asked of no one in particular.

Noting the smell of the ocean and the sight of a large orange bridge spanning a bay to his right, he assumed he was somewhere other than Scotland.

“Or, should I ask, when am I?” He was just about to pick himself up when the sound of a lovely, sweet and concerned female voice broke through his self-absorbed thoughts.

“Are you hurt?” she questioned.

Richard looked up to find a dark-haired beauty with vibrant blue eyes staring down at him. She was by far the loveliest woman he had ever laid eyes upon.

“You took quite a tumble from the looks of it,” she said.

“And you are?” Richard stood and dusted himself off.

“Angelina Lawson,” she replied, holding out her hand.

Richard wasn’t quite sure what to do with her proffered hand, so he did nothing more than hold it gently in his own. “What year is it?” he asked, wanting to confirm his suspicions.

“Seriously! You don’t know what year this is? You must have hit your head hard when you fell.” She examined him carefully, walking around behind him and then back again. “Do you know where you are?”

The concerned expression on her face was both touching and enchanting.

Richard realized he was going to have to remember this definitely wasn’t his time and therefore he would need to behave differently.

“I’m afraid I don’t. Am I in England, perhaps?

” Too late he realized he shouldn’t have asked, but he really had no way of knowing what England of the future might look like.

“I’m going to call 911,” Angelina announced, taking one of those cell phones he’d seen on his last trip to the future from her pocket. “I think you need some medical help.”

“No!” Richard almost yelled. “Please, I’m fine. Just a bit shaken up. That’s all.”

“Are you sure? I don’t like the fact you’re so fuzzy on a few important details.” Angelina tipped her head and was eyeing him with a slightly furrowed brow, which he found irresistible. “Your clothes are unusual. Are you involved in medieval martial arts?” she asked.

Richard saw his opportunity and grabbed it. “Yes. Yes. Medieval martial arts.” He had no idea what that was, but if it caused her to view him with less suspicion, he would agree to it.

“Well, that’s one thing you know. The guys were here earlier today practicing, you must have been here with them. Although I don’t remember seeing you.” She was smiling at him now. “Do you know Nick?”

“Nick?” Richard was trying hard to avoid her questioning his presence here. “Yes! I do know Nick.” Whoever he is.

“Oh, good. I’ll just give him a call. I’m sure he’d be happy to help you get back home.”

“If only he could,” Richard muttered.

“Excuse me? I didn’t catch that,” Angelina responded.

“Nothing.” If he knew what was good for him, he’d just be quiet or he might find himself in one of those jail cells he enjoyed on his last visit to twenty-first century Glendaloch. “Edna,” he said aloud. He grimaced when he realized he’d done it again.

“Who’s Edna? Is that you wife?” Angelina asked, her focus on the cell phone she held.

“I’m not married,” Richard said. “Edna is an old friend.”

“There it is,” Angelina announced poking at the buttons on the phone. “I’ll have Nick on the phone in just a sec.”

Richard had no response to that announcement, so he took the time to examine Angelina Lawson from head to toe.

She was dressed in extremely tight black breeches and a matching jacket, which showed off her enticing figure.

The women of his own time didn’t wear clothes anything like this.

She wore unusual shoes on her feet, with tiny white bits of fabric peeking up from the top.

Her ankles and lower legs were shapely and the fact that they were bare would be considered scandalous in his time.

Her hair was long and loose and black, hanging nearly to her waist and her skin held a beautiful golden tone.

Angelina’s eyes, an icy blue, were set off by thick, long eyelashes.

She had full, rose-coloured lips and Richard found his thoughts wandered to thoughts of kissing them.

“Nick? This is Angelina,” she paused and Richard assumed she was listening to the man on the other end of the line.

“Hi. I need your help with something.” Another pause.

“Yeah. I came across one of your guys here by the Marina. It looks like he fell somehow and hit his head. He doesn’t know the year or where he is, but he does know you.

” Again she listened. “What’s your name? ” she asked Richard.

“Sir Richard Jefford,” he replied and hoped he hadn’t said the wrong thing, because she raised an eyebrow as though sceptical of his claim.

“He says his name is, Sir Richard Jefford.” Angelina didn’t have to wait long for a response. “Okay. We’ll wait right here for you.” Angelina slipped the phone back into her pocket. “That’s a relief. He says he knows you and he’s on his way here right now.”

Richard shifted nervously wondering how someone he didn’t know had accepted his presence so easily. Who could this be and how could he possibly know me?

“Let’s go sit over there.” Angelina pointed towards a bench positioned near the water’s edge.

“Of course,” Richard said. He placed her hand in the crook of his elbow and escorted her.

“You’re quite the gentleman, aren’t you?” Angelina asked, seemingly flustered by his gesture.

“Always,” Richard said. That wasn’t necessarily true in the past, but he was a new man now and he intended to be nothing if not proper, from this point forward.

They sat on the bench and Angelina seemed uncomfortable sitting too close, making sure to put some space between them.

She turned to face him, daintily tucking one leg underneath her and resting her arm across the back of the bench.

Richard was completely entranced. He smiled warmly but could think of nothing to say.

“Do you remember anything at all?” Angelina asked.

“Yes. I do.” Richard responded as he gazed out at the water. Wherever he was, it was exceedingly beautiful. There were many sails visible on the water, along with other, much larger vessels. They moved effortlessly, even without sails.

“Do you remember how you fell?” Angelina questioned.

“Yes.” Richard needed to tread carefully here.

He wasn’t sure what he could tell her that might keep him from being locked up.

If he’d answered no to her question, it would give the young woman cause for concern and answering yes, while it was the truth, might cause him even more trouble in the long run, but he thought perhaps the honest response was the best.

Angelina sat gazing at him with those beautiful eyes. “Well, are you going to tell me?”

Time to change the subject. “What are those boats over there?” He pointed to one of the larger vessels as it cruised through the water, leaving large swells in its wake.

“That’s the ferry arriving from Sausalito,” Angelina explained, turning her focus to the water.

“Ah. I see.” He didn’t see at all. He’d never seen a ferry before, and he couldn’t believe how it moved so swiftly and effortlessly through the water.

He remembered many things from his time in Glendaloch, but he had not seen any boats while he was there, so this was all new to him.

“And what of that bridge?” His focus was still on distracting Angelina from asking too many questions about him, but from the expression on her face, the things he was asking her were obviously giving her pause.

“The Golden Gate?” she questioned, as she glanced towards the towering structure.

“The Golden Gate—of course. It’s all coming back to me now.” Maybe that acknowledgement would satisfy her desire for answers.

Richard and Angelina lapsed into a companionable silence, which Richard was grateful for as it allowed him time to contemplate what had happened and why he’d found himself abruptly shifted into the future.

“I hope Nick gets here soon. He lives right around the corner, so it shouldn’t take him too long,” Angelina said, glancing around. “Oh, there he is. Nick! Over here!”

Richard was disappointed that this Nick fellow had arrived so swiftly.

He’d have liked a bit more time alone with Angelina.

Not that he wanted to answer any more of her questions—just to gaze upon her lovely face would have been enough.

He turned in the direction Angelina was calling and almost fell off the bench.

The man approaching them was an old friend of his.

Sir Nicholas Mackall was striding purposefully towards them dressed in modern day clothing. How on earth had he gotten here? Richard stood up and stared in astonishment at his long-time friend and confidante.

“Richard? Is that ye?” Nick was approaching with both arms spread wide. He pulled Richard into a hug and held on to him for dear life. “Saints be praised, it’s so good to see ye. How on earth did ye get here?”

“It’s a long story, but I imagine much the same way you did. I can’t believe I’m seeing you.” Richard was trying not to appear completely astonished at the sight of his friend in the modern world but knew he was failing miserably.

Angelina was standing off to one side, appearing baffled by this turn of events. Sir Nicholas turned to her with a warm smile. “Angelina, this is my long-lost friend, Richard Jefford.”

“I wouldn’t say I was the one who was long lost, Nicholas.” Richard smiled broadly and clapped his friend on the back.

“Wait. I’m confused,” Angelina said. “I thought he was one of your medieval martial arts guys, but it sounds like you haven’t seen each other in quite a long time.”