Chapter 6
Striding purposefully across the field, followed by a group of men seemingly armed for battle, Malcolm Granger made his way towards Nick and Richard.
Halting, arms folded across his chest, Malcolm observed Angelina holding her own against a much larger opponent.
She was magnificent with a sword and watching her lithe body as she spun away from her opponent made Malcolm’s body react in a way that he couldn’t afford at this point.
He had much more important things on his mind.
If she was still around when he had achieved his goal, then he’d think about making her his.
For now, he had to set his plan in motion and wait for the right time to make it happen.
Malcolm was a member of the Royal Academy of Medieval Martial Arts.
He enjoyed reminding Nick of this as often as possible.
He knew it rankled the other man and that’s exactly why he did it.
“Your lads are coming along nicely,” Malcolm called to Nick, who looked up briefly to acknowledge him.
“I see you’ve hired a new instructor, perhaps you’ll introduce us. ”
Nick nodded to Richard, “Sir Richard Jefford, meet Malcolm Granger, our opponent in the upcoming meet.”
Richard stopped what he was doing and walked over to Malcolm, sizing him up as he approached. “I’m please to meet you,” he said as he shook Malcolm’s hand.
“And you,” Malcolm replied. “Sir Richard Jefford. Is that name just for show?” he chuckled.
Richard furrowed his brow and stood to his full height. “For show?”
“Yeah. You aren’t really a knight, are you? So, obviously it’s a name you’ve made up to fit with the medieval theme.” Despite his light-hearted response, Malcolm’s smile never reached his eyes.
Richard did not oblige him with an answer, merely turning back to his students to continue his lesson.
“I believe I’ve insulted Sir Richard,” Malcolm laughed as Nick approached. “He’s quite sensitive, it would seem.”
“Ye certainly have a way of ingratiating yerself on everyone ye meet, Malcolm, but that is one I wouldnae suggest you rile.” Nick cast his gaze in Richard’s direction.
“Really! Is he that good?” Malcolm was delighted—he was getting all the information he needed without even having to work for it.
“He’s better than that good. Ye’d be smart to steer clear of him or apologize and hope he doesnae challenge ye.”
“Malcolm,” Angelina interrupted her workout to come and greet him. “How are you?”
“Hello, my sweet.” Malcolm reached out to take her hand and gently kiss it. “A pleasure to see you.”
Angelina smiled warmly at him and his eyes lingered on her until Nick interrupted the moment.
“Are ye here to practice, or to cause trouble, Malcolm? We’re just about done, so ye can have the field all to yerself.”
“We’re here to practice, Nick. Why would you think otherwise?” Malcolm glanced back at his men, who all wore challenging expressions and stood shoulder to shoulder behind him. “We’re looking forward to the next tournament. I hope it’s not too soon for you.”
“Nae. We’ll be ready fer ye. The question is whether ye’ll be ready fer us.” Nick called to his men and they all fell into line behind him, sizing up their competition. “We’re done here.”
Malcolm and his group brushed past Nick, making eye contact with every man they passed. Malcolm spoke just loudly enough to be overheard, “They’ll be lucky if there’s even one man left standing when we’re done with them.”
***
“Who was that man?” Richard demanded as they made their way back to the car after practice.
“That was Malcolm Granger,” Angelina offered.
Richard had observed the exchange between Malcolm and Angelina from a distance.
She was a little too friendly with him for Richard’s liking.
What kind of woman was she? He had caught her earlier kissing Nick, after openly flirting with him and now this Malcolm Granger.
She was as infuriating as she was beautiful.
“I know his name. Who is he?” he growled.
Angelina stiffened at his response. “I was merely answering your question, there’s no need to bark at me like that. I don’t know what your problem is, but don’t take it out on me.”
Richard realized he was falling back into the old habit of being unreasonably jealous.
If Angelina wanted Nick or Malcolm, so be it.
He would simply not vie for her attention.
He would not allow his heart to be turned to vengeance once again because he couldn’t have what he wanted—and he wanted her.
It had become painfully clear to him earlier and now he would have to let that go.
“I apologize, Angelina, I had no right to speak to you that way. I let my irritation at Granger get to me. There is no excuse for my behaviour.”
Angelina appeared to soften. “Apology accepted.”
Nick, who was seated in front once again, peered back at Richard with a questioning look.
“Malcolm Granger is a very wealthy man who is fascinated by anything medieval. He has one of the largest collections of medieval artifacts in the world. Rumour has it that more than a few of them were collected illegally, but he has more than enough money to prevent anyone from investigating their true origins. He’s currently searching for a sword from the time of James IV, apparently with no luck, as it has nae been uncovered in any archaeological digs to date.
He’s obsessed with finding it and will spare no expense to get what he wants. ”
Richard sat stone faced in the back seat, absorbing all of this information and building up a huge dislike for Malcolm Granger.
“He’s also our chief competition in winning the Northern California Medieval Martial Arts Finals Championship. He’s trained his men well and several of them are experts in other forms of martial arts,” Nick explained. “They’ve won every year since the competition began.”
“They’ll not win this time,” Richard stated as he stared balefully out of the window. “I’ll see to it.”
“That’s what I like to hear,” Nick said. “Now, where are we going for dinner, Angelina?”
“Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m going home. You two are on your own.” Angelina pulled her car into a parking spot in front of Nick’s.
“I hope you’re not leaving because of me,” Richard said, recovering from his momentary anger. “Please, join us for something to eat. I promise to behave myself.”
Angelina gazed back at him, and his heart skipped a beat. Damn it, why does she have to be so beautiful? He tipped his head to the side and did his best to look as sorry as possible.
“Well, when you look at me like that, how can I refuse?” Angelina pulled the key from the ignition and opened the door to get out. “I’m hungry, let’s figure out where we’re going. Somewhere close by would be good.”
Richard noted that her whole demeanour had changed.
He knew it was because of his apology, and he was pleased with himself for recognizing his own bad behaviour and correcting it.
He pulled himself out of the infernal back seat and did his best not to curse as he did so.
He was happy they would be walking to their next destination, because he really didn’t think he could take another minute in that car.
“Shall we go to the diner around the corner?” Nick offered.
“Sure,” Angelina responded. “Although all that greasy fried food you like to eat is going to catch up with you, sooner or later.”
Nick laughed. “Later, I hope.”
***
The three walked off down the street, Angelina, between the two men, as they discussed the day’s practice and Malcolm Granger.
“I’ve known Malcolm for a few years,” Angelina said. “He’s nothing, if not intense.”
“Yes, that would be putting it mildly. I’d say Malcolm and I started as friends, drinking buddies ye might say, but shortly after he realized that I was teaching medieval martial arts, he became confrontational and belligerent.
The man doesn’t like to lose. Granted he never has, as long as I’ve known him, but he looks at me as a particular threat to his standing in the community.
Now that yer here, Richard, he may become even more ruthless.
We’ll have to wait and see.” Nick opened the door to the diner, ushering his friends inside.
They settled in the first empty booth, Nick on one side and Angelina the other.
Richard opted to sit next to Angelina, and a thrill ran through him at the touch of her leg against his thigh.
Nick handed menus to them both. “I dinnae need a menu. I know exactly what I want.”
Richard stared at the laminated card in his hand wondering what it was for, until he realized it listed the various foods available in this establishment.
He wasn’t sure he’d made a wise decision sitting next to Angelina.
Having her so close was making it uncomfortable for him, but he couldn’t exactly get up and walk away and Nick was entirely taking up the other side of the booth.
He would simply have to suffer through the pain and pleasure of her nearness.
“I know what Nick is going to have,” Angelina said with a laugh. “What about you, Richard? What would you like?”
Richard cleared his throat to stop himself from saying, you. “I’ll have whatever Nick is having.” He glanced away from her penetrating eyes and took in the diner. It was a rather unusual place, but he assumed it operated in much the same way as the eating establishments he had seen in Glendaloch.
“Well, that’s not very original. I’m going to have the Ahi Tuna Salad. Nick doesn’t eat nearly enough veggies.”
“Nonsense, Angelina. I’m having french fries. They’re made with potatoes,” Nick stated with authority.