Chapter 26
Richard was doing an excellent job of pitying himself.
So good, in fact, he hadn’t noticed the five riders heading his way until they were almost upon him.
Looking up, Richard realized there was no escape; he was being surrounded on all sides by Malcolm Granger and his men.
It was too late to save himself, there was nothing he could do now, except hope that his death would come quickly.
He suspected that was all he had to look forward to, given that he did not intend to assist Granger in any way.
“Richard, fancy meeting you here!” Malcolm laughed, as if he’d said something amusing. “Where are you headed to, without your friends?” Malcolm’s mount was prancing in place, filled with energy and ready to run.
“I’m heading back to England. So, if you’ll excuse me, I’ve a long ride ahead of me.” Richard made to move his horse through Malcolm’s men, but they didn’t budge.
“You’ll be coming with us, Richard. I’ll need your help,” Malcolm said.
“I cannot help you. I don’t know where the sword is, nor do I care.”
“I know where the sword is, but I’ll need you to return us to San Francisco.”
Richard huffed out an impatient breath. “What you still don’t seem to understand, is that I have no control over the fog. I can’t call upon it to take you anywhere.”
“I disagree. It seems you were able to call it to you, just before we left San Francisco.” When Richard didn’t respond, Malcolm shook his head before he continued. “Richard, Richard. I can make you a very wealthy man, if only you’ll help me.”
“I am a very wealthy man, here in my own time. I have no wish to go back to San Francisco with you.”
Malcolm glanced around. “Why are you alone? Where’s the lovely Angelina?”
“Being the intelligent woman she is, Angelina realized I was all wrong for her. She is safely ensconced with a friend.
“Mackall?”
“He is there, also.”
“Well then, will you come with us willingly, or must we force the issue? You are a good swordsman, perhaps one of the best I’ve seen, but you are no match for five of us.”
Richard knew the truth of Malcolm’s statement. He could see no way of getting out of this alive, other than accompanying them on their quest. He’d go, but he’d bide his time until he could escape them. “I see I have no other choice but to join you.” He reluctantly relinquished his weapons to Gabe.
“I like that. A reasonable man. I’m warning you though, don’t try anything or you’ll regret it immediately.”
Richard turned his horse back the way he had come, and Malcolm’s men surrounded him once again. They rode off to the east, towards what Richard knew to be Campbell land.
***
Why couldn’t she stop thinking about him?
She’d tried everything to block Richard from her thoughts, but nothing was working.
Angelina had watched from the doorway, hidden from his sight, when he left.
She could still envision him, sitting against the castle wall, legs drawn up and his arms folded across his knees.
He had looked so sad, so terribly dejected.
She shouldn’t feel sorry for him. He’d lied to her.
Well, he hadn’t actually lied. He just hadn’t told her some very important information about himself.
Information that would, if she’d had it, have prevented her from getting involved with him in the first place.
Angelina wanted to be angry. She wanted to hate him for what he’d done, but somehow, she couldn’t see him as that awful man, the one who’d done such horrible things to Ashley.
She knew him only as kind, caring, protective, honourable Richard Jefford.
Maybe he really had changed for the better.
Didn’t everyone deserve a second chance? Didn’t he?
Nick came out of the stable with his horse saddled and ready to depart. “Good morn, to ye.”
“Hi. Where are you going? I thought we were waiting for Edna and Angus, and then we were going to head off to find Malcolm.”
“There’s been a change of plans. Edna and Angus are going to see Tavish Campbell and I’m going to see if I can find Richard.”
“And what am I supposed to do?”
“You can stay and visit with Jenna and Ashley.”
It only took a split second for Angelina to make her decision. “I’m going with you.”
Nick smiled knowingly. “Are ye sure? I’m nae sure where he was headed, although I think I might have a good idea.”
Angelina nodded determinedly. “Yes. I have to see him. I should have given him a chance to explain himself.”
“All right then,” Nick said, leaning forward in his saddle and inclining his head towards the stable. “Ye’d best hurry, m’lady.”
Angelina ran toward the stable, just as one of the boys exited with her horse, already saddled and prepared to leave. She turned to Nick and narrowed her eyes. “You …”
Nick’s smile was smug. “Yes.”
“Never mind.” The stable boy gave her a leg up and she joined Nick.
“Thank you, for knowing me better than I know myself.”
“Ye may not know this about me, but I’m a romantic at heart, Angelina. Ye and Richard are my friends. I cannae bear to see either of ye so unhappy.”
They nudged their horses into a canter and hurried through the gates of Breaghacraig, heading south.
“So where are we going?” Angelina questioned.
“To England. To Richard’s home.”
A small thrill of excitement ran through Angelina’s heart at the thought of seeing Richard again. She wasn’t sure what would happen when she did, but she needed to confirm he was all right.
They rode hard and fast for two straight days, stopping only long enough to obtain fresh horses, grab a bite to eat and get some much-needed sleep.
On the morning of the third day, they came upon a river and a beautiful castle nestled on the opposite bank.
The gates stood open and Angelina could see people moving about in the courtyard.
A tall young man on horseback exited the gates and Nick called out to him.
“Edward!” He sat up tall in his saddle and waved at the other man.
“Nick?” the young man said. “Is that you?”
“Aye. ’Tis me, Nick Mackall.”
“Follow me down the bank. There’s a shallow spot where you can cross,” the other man suggested.
They made their way about a quarter of a mile down the bank, and just as Edward said, there was a safe spot to cross in a sparsely wooded area, which led into dense forest behind them.
Nick went first, letting his horse pick his way across safely.
Angelina followed, taking the same route and they both reached the opposite bank safely.
“Edward, ’tis good to see ye.” Nick said, reaching out to grasp Edward’s hand.
“It’s good to see you, as well. Where are you coming from? And who is this lovely lady you’ve brought with you?”
“This is Angelina Lawson. Angelina, this is Edward Jefford, Richard’s brother. We’ve travelled from MacKenzie lands to the north.”
“I am very pleased to meet you, m’lady.” Edward reached out to Angelina and when she took his hand, he brought hers to his lips for a brief kiss, all the while examining her with his soft green eyes.
Angelina smiled, although she thought Edward looked nothing like Richard. He was blonde, fair and had a lightness to his personality, where Richard was dark and brooding. The thought that she might see Richard soon set a rush of butterflies free in her belly and a blush spread across her cheeks.
“We’re here to see Richard,” Nick said.
Edward reined in his horse, and they headed through the castle gates together. Once in the courtyard they dismounted, leaving their horses in the hands of a young stable boy.
“Richard isn’t here, but I know Mother will be happy to see you, Nick. You were always one of her favourites.”
Angelina was in awe. Unlike Breaghacraig and Castle Fionn, this castle seemed much more like a home.
As they entered the castle, she noticed beautifully woven rugs strewn across the floors and brilliantly coloured tapestries covering the walls.
Light poured in through large windows on the lower portion of the walls and smaller, circular windows higher up.
Cathedral ceilings gave the room a sense of grandness, but everything else about it was cozy and warm.
The large hearth was set into an interior wall, and the fire blazed, warming the room to a comfortable temperature.
“This is beautiful,” Angelina whispered.
“I’m sorry. What was that? I didn’t quite hear you.” Edward came closer and took Angelina’s arm, guiding her further into the room.
“I said that this room is beautiful.”
“Mother has a talent for decorating. She has made this cold, utilitarian castle into a home. Speaking of Mother, I’ll go and see if I can find her.
Please, make yourselves at home.” Edward exited the room and Angelina turned to Nick, who was observing her with a huge grin plastered across his handsome face.
“What?” she asked.
“I can read ye like a book, lass. Ye love it, dinnae ye?”
Angelina shrugged. “What’s not to love? It’s just like every fairytale castle I ever dreamt of as a little girl.
” Angelina would never tell anyone, but this really was her dream come true, right down to every little detail she had envisioned as a ten-year-old.
“I can’t believe it.” She wandered the room, imagining Richard growing up here.
What must it have been like for him? She couldn’t imagine it being anything but wonderful.
The sound of a woman’s voice approaching caught their attention. Both Nick and Angelina turned towards the sound as a tall, blonde-haired woman entered.
“Nicholas! I am so pleased to see you again!” The woman glided across the room and placed her hand in his. Nick offered her a short, formal bow.
“Lady Catherine, it’s been many years since I’ve seen you and you haven’t changed a bit.”
“You can’t fool me with your charm, Sir, but I thank you.” Lady Catherine turned to Angelina, lifting one delicately arched eyebrow. “Who have you brought with you, Nicholas?” she asked, smiling warmly at Angelina.
“This is Angelina Lawson, Lady Catherine. A friend of Richard’s.”
“Quite a lovely friend, I would say. Where have you both been?” She examined their clothing, and Angelina suddenly felt extremely underdressed, as she was still wearing her competition clothing.
The people at Breaghacraig hadn’t mentioned the way she was dressed and Angelina assumed it was because they knew she wasn’t from their time, but here she stood in front of Richard’s mother, in a pair of dusty, dirty leather breeches, knee high boots, and a once-clean white tunic and leather belt.
While she’d bathed at Irene’s castle, she had yet to find an opportunity to locate some new clothes.
What must Lady Catherine think? “Are you good with a sword, Angelina?”
“I am.” Angelina had forgotten she had her sword sheathed and strapped across her back. “Please excuse the way I’m dressed, Lady Catherine. We’ve ridden for the past two days to get here.”
Lady Catherine looked from Angelina to Nick and back again. “Have you? But why?”
“We’re searching for Richard,” Nick interjected.
“He’s not here. He left several weeks ago to head to the MacKenzies and we’ve not seen him since. Is everything alright?” Lady Catherine sounded distressed.
“He was with us, up until a couple of days ago. He was well, but he left Breaghacraig and I thought he would be returning home.”
“Perhaps he has stopped somewhere along the way and is enroute now. You must stay and wait for him.”
Nick exchanged a worried frown with Angelina.
“Please, at least join me for the evening meal and stay the night. I would enjoy the company.”
Nick inclined his head in agreement. “Very well. We’d be happy to, m’lady.”
“Good. I will have baths drawn for you both, and Angelina, I will find a suitable gown for you to wear.” Lady Catherine exited the room in a gentle glide, much the way she had entered.
Angelina was fascinated by the way she managed to walk across the room without appearing to take a step, almost as if she were being drawn on a hidden track.
Angelina decided it must have taken her years of practice to perfect such a regal air.
Once Lady Catherine was safely out of earshot, Angelina turned to Nick. “Where do you think Richard could be?”
“I’m nae sure. I would’ve bet my life he was on his way back here. I hope he hasn’t run into any trouble.”
“We have to find him,” Angelina was suffering a rising sense of panic.
“We will, but some fine food and a good night’s sleep will do us both good.”
“Richard’s mother must think I’m odd, with the way I’m dressed.”
“Ye’d have no way of knowing this, but she is quite good with a sword herself.
She felt if she were to be left here in the castle when her children were young, she wanted to be able to protect herself and her family.
Richard’s father saw to it that she had the best instructor he could find. So, I doubt she thinks yer too odd.”
A servant entered the room and bowed deeply before speaking. “Lady Catherine has asked me to show you to your baths. If you’ll follow me, my Lord and m’lady.”
As they made their way down the passageway leading to their rooms, Angelina couldn’t help but wonder once again where Richard was—and if he was all right.