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 honoured 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 humour 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 few 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.