Chapter 29
Angelina, Nick and Edward stood watch over Richard Jefford as he continued to sleep.
He hadn’t yet awoken from Edna’s spell, but he had started to stir, so they had gathered around the bed to wait.
The MacKenzie’s had kindly offered Breaghacraig as a place for Richard to recuperate and invited Angelina, Nick, Edward and his men to stay indefinitely.
“Do you think he’ll awaken soon?” Edward asked, hope tingeing his voice.
“Aye. He will.” Nick sounded confident.
The door opened and Ashley entered. “How is he?” she asked, closing the door behind her.
“The same, but he’s grown restless. I believe he may wake soon,” Nick replied.
“Helene was coming to tell you that the noon meal is being served, but I told her I’d do it as I wanted to check on our patient.
” Ashley had been spending increasing amounts of time in Richard’s room, helping to care for him.
Gone was the fear that Angelina had seen that first day they arrived.
Ashley seemed to have made peace with her concerns about him.
“If you’d like to go down to grab a bite to eat or go outside for some fresh air, I’d be happy to sit with him. I’ll send word the minute he wakes.”
Angelina’s gaze fell on Richard, who seemed to be sleeping deeply again, so she agreed. “Alright, that’s a good idea. I think we could all use some nourishment. Nick? Edward?” She motioned toward the door, and the two men took one last look at Richard before leaving with her.
***
A soft, cool hand brushed across Richard’s face, followed by a damp cloth.
He struggled to open his eyes and when he managed the feat, he was shocked to see it was Ashley sitting beside him.
She had turned her face away as she dipped the cloth into a basin by the bed, and when she turned back, she smiled warmly. “You’re awake.”
He opened his mouth to speak, not certain if he was dreaming. Ashley was the last person he would have expected to be seated by his bedside. He finally managed to rasp out a word, “Yes,” before he struggled to sit up.
Placing a firm hand on his chest, Ashley held him in place. “You shouldn’t strain yourself. You’ve had a bad injury, and you need to take it easy while you recover.”
He relaxed back onto the pillow, exhausted by the simple act of trying to sit up. “Where is everyone?” His gaze darted around the room, in search of another familiar face. He desperately wanted to know where Angelina was, to ensure she was all right.
“Angelina, Nick and Edward went downstairs for a meal. They’ll be back soon, I expect. They haven’t left your side for more than a few minutes at a time since you were injured.”
“Is she alright? Was she hurt?” Richard questioned anxiously.
“She’s fine, but she’s very worried about you.”
Richard assumed he was at Breaghacraig, because it seemed the only explanation for Ashley being here. “The sword? What happened to the Twin Sword?”
“Edna took care of everything, just as she always does.” Ashley proceeded to repeat the stories she’d heard from Cailin.
Richard was relieved to learn Malcolm’s attempt to obtain the Twin Sword had been thwarted.
There was a knock at the door and Ashley got up to see who it was. “Yes, Helene?”
“I came to see if you needed anything,” Helene said.
“Could you tell everyone Richard is awake?” Ashley requested.
“Aye. ’Twill be a pleasure,” Ashley closed the door and Richard could hear the sound of Helene’s feet as she hurried down the passageway.
Ashley returned to sit beside him and to his great surprise, she took his hand in her own.
“Richard, I’ve done a lot of thinking, and I want you to know that I do believe you have changed for the better.
In fact, I’m convinced of it. The Richard Jefford who was abusive to me, was a man possessed by the demons from his past and I believe you have successfully exorcised them. ”
Richard gazed up at her in wonder. “Thank you, Ashley. I do not deserve your forgiveness, but I am grateful to have it.”
The door burst open and three people tried unsuccessfully to push through it simultaneously. Angelina won the battle and ran over to him, tears streaming down her cheeks. “Richard! Thank God!” She put out a hand to touch him, but pulled back at the last instance, as if afraid to do so.
“I will not break, my love.” He reached up to grasp her hand and pulled her down to him.
The smell of roses assailed his nostrils with the most wonderful of scents.
He hadn’t thought he’d see her angelic face ever again, nor be able to run his hands through her silky locks, but here she was and he was overwhelmed with emotion.
“We’ve been so worried about you,” she sniffled, pulling back to look into his eyes.
“Aye, we have. Angelina has barely slept, she’s been by yer side almost constantly.” Nick leaned over Angelina to place a hand on Richard’s arm, as if he weren’t convinced he was real.
“Edward. My brother. You’re here as well.” Richard smiled broadly at the sight of his younger sibling.
“When I heard you were in trouble, I joined Nick and Angelina to search for you. Mother wasn’t happy I was going, but I insisted.”
Richard smiled warmly. His baby brother was becoming a fine young man and Richard was very proud of him. “I’m happy you’re here.”
“I wanted to stay until you awoke. Edna told us you’d be all right, but I had to see it with my own eyes so that I could travel home to tell Mother that you are well. She will be very relieved.”
“When will you leave?” Richard asked.
“Tomorrow morning. I’d like to get word to her as quickly as possible.
You’ll need to stay here a while longer, I think.
” Edward moved around to the other side of the bed, where he leaned in and hugged Richard.
“I am happy you’ll be coming home Richard.
I’ve missed you greatly.” He coughed and cleared his throat, vainly trying to conceal the emotion everyone could hear in his voice.
Angelina flicked her gaze from Nick to Edward. “Would you mind if I had a few minutes alone with Richard?”
“Of course not. We’ll see you later, my friend.” Nick escorted Ashley from the room and Edward followed them.
When the door closed behind them, Angelina made herself more comfortable, sitting on the edge of the bed. Richard hadn’t let go of her hand for a moment and he was watching her warily. “Richard, I want to apologize to you for my behaviour.”
“You have nothing to apologize for. You did nothing wrong.” Richard reached up to cup her cheek against his hand. The love he had for Angelina was beyond anything he’d ever experienced in his life.
“I’ve spoken with your mother.”
Richard was surprised by this announcement. “You’ve met my mother?”
“Yes. When you left here, Nick and I thought you’d be returning home. He was determined to find you and I went along, because I didn’t feel I’d given you a chance to fully explain your actions.”
Richard listened quietly, rubbing his thumb tenderly across the back of her hand.
“Anyway, your mother is very sweet. She told me about your father and gave me a far clearer picture of you. I know you wanted to tell me yourself, but the timing has never seemed to be right. I also learned that you were afraid to tell me, because you knew how I’d react and I’m ashamed to say I did exactly what you expected.
” Vivid blue eyes gazed into his own and he had to remind himself to breathe.
“I had to examine my own feelings in order to discover why, if everyone else had forgiven you—even Ashley—why I was still so angry with you.”
Richard shook his head. “Angelina, please, this is my shame to bear. None of this was your fault. All I need to know is that you’ve forgiven me and there’s a chance you’ll start to love me again.” Richard held his breath, awaiting her answer.
Tears began to roll down her cheeks again. “Yes, I do forgive you … and I never stopped loving you.”
Richard pulled her down to rest her head on his chest and held her close. She loved him. The sweetness of her words went straight to his heart. He’d spend the rest of his days making her happy. It was all he wanted to do. “When can we go home?”
“As soon as you’re able.” Angelina sat up again. “May I kiss you?”
“That’s a question you never need to ask, love.” Richard drew her down to him and they shared the sweetest kiss. Sweeter than any they’d experienced thus far. It was a kiss that marked a new and honest beginning, a kiss filled with promise of their future together.
***
Edward and his men, along with Nick left the following morning.
Nick was returning home to his family, who would undoubtedly be shocked by his return.
He had quite the story to tell, whether they believed him or not.
He had promised Richard they would meet again soon, and Richard warned Nick he was going to hold him to that promise.
Richard was up out of bed and had managed to get himself downstairs and into the courtyard, where he breathed deeply in the cold, fresh air.
He was ready to return to his own home but had promised Angelina they would stay one more day, to be certain he was ready for travel.
She had assured him it had nothing to with the fact that she and the MacKenzie women were busily creating a genuine medieval gown and cloak for Angelina to wear on their journey.
Richard was thankful that everything had worked out and he was more than ready to begin his new life with Angelina.
The MacKenzie men joined him in the courtyard. “’Tis good to see ye up and about, Richard. The weapon Malcolm Granger used to shoot ye was like none we’ve ever seen. I feared ye wouldnae survive it.” Robert put a hand on Richard’s shoulder as he spoke.
“I cannot thank you enough for taking me in and caring for me the way you did. It means more to me than I can ever express.” Richard gazed earnestly at each of the men in turn.
“Yer one of us now, Richard,” Cormac said.
Richard was confused by this pronouncement, and it must have shown in his face, because Cormac continued to explain.
“Angelina is my Jenna’s auntie, ye see and because we are wed, she is my auntie as well.
When ye marry me auntie, ye’ll be me uncle. ” Cormac chuckled at this fact.
“I hadn’t thought of that. You’re right. I will be your uncle.” Richard chuckled.
“Welcome to the family,” Cailin said, offering him his hand.
“Thank you, Cailin. I’m quite sure you’d rather pummel me than welcome me,” Richard smiled.
“Aye. That would’ve been the case not so long ago, but my wee wife has forgiven ye and as long as she’s happy, I am as well.
I will say, if ye ever do anything to hurt her again, I willnae be responsible for what happens to ye.
” Cailin seemed quite serious, which made Richard a little uncomfortable, but then Cailin broke into a wide grin, to reassure Richard all was well.
“We were about to ride out to visit with some of the nearby tenants, if ye’d care to join us. It might be useful to see how ye’ll fair tomorrow, when ye leave us.”
“That seems like an excellent idea. I’d love to,” Richard agreed.
***
“When you set your wedding date, you’ll let us know, won’t you?” Ashley asked, as Angelina tried on her new gown.
“You’ll be the first to receive an invitation. Of course, he hasn’t officially asked me, but I think it’s pretty clear we don’t plan on being away from each other, ever again.” Angelina slipped the gown over her head and Irene laced up the back.
“The blue is a perfect match fer yer eyes,” Irene stated.
The women had taken one of Irene’s gowns and modified it to fit Angelina.
Their efforts had paid off, and it fit like a glove.
Angelina admired herself in the mirror. Irene was right, the sapphire blue was perfect.
Now they just needed to put the finishing touches on her cape, made of an even deeper blue and lined with fur to keep out the cold.
“This is the most luxurious piece of clothing I’ve ever owned.
When I get to my new home, I’ll have to find out where I can buy fabric and supplies to make more gowns. ”
Jenna crossed to the corner of the room and retrieved a beautifully wrapped package, which she handed to Angelina with a warm smile.
“What’s this?” Angelina demanded.
“A starter kit,” Jenna laughed. “We put this together for you. There’s fabric, ribbons, needles and threads. You should have enough there to make two or three more gowns.”
Angelina was overcome with affection for these women.
She kissed each of them on the cheek and then announced, “Group hug!” They giggled and laughed and held onto each other, enjoying the bonds of sisterhood they all felt.
“The only thing that would make this more perfect, would be if I were to live closer.”
“We’ll make time to come and see you, and if you do the same, I might even see you more often than I did in San Francisco,” Jenna said.
“That sounds really good. And Ashley, I don’t want to miss seeing your baby when it’s born.
” Angelina grinned happily. “This is so nice! I never thought I’d have a family like this.
I had gotten so used to being on my own, I didn’t think I needed anyone, but now I know that’s not true and there’s nothing wrong with needing other people in your life. Right?”
“Right!” they replied in unison.
***
Robert and Irene happily hosted a farewell banquet for Richard and Angelina on their final evening at Breaghacraig, and now, everyone stood on the steps of the castle, waving goodbye.
Richard and Angelina were mounted on their horses and ready to ride through the gates, but before they did, they both took one last look at the smiling faces wishing them a safe journey back home.
They both waved and exited the courtyard to start the long journey back to England.
Richard couldn’t take his eyes off Angelina. She was a beautiful woman by any standards, but somehow, the sight of her in her new gown and cloak, cheeks rosy from the cold, had completely taken his breath away. As they rode, soft snowflakes began to fall.
“It’s snowing!” Angelina cried in delight. She lifted her face to the sky, letting the light flurries land on her face and eyelashes.
Richard couldn’t help but laugh and watched adoringly.
“It never snows where I’m from. This is so beautiful! Do you think it will snow any harder?” Her face glowed with happiness.
“I hope not much harder. We will need to stop for the night, and I have the perfect place in mind. The snow, no matter how beautiful, will make our journey more difficult, so let’s hope it stays like this.”
Angelina scooted her horse a little closer to Arion and Richard reached for her hand. They rode that way for many miles, both of them happy and at peace.