by Jennae Vale
“You do beautiful work,” Richard observed.
“Thanks. Here, let me show you what I had in mind for the finishing touches.” He pulled a piece of paper from under the table and laid it out for Richard to see. The beautifully detailed drawing showed an incredible sword, one Richard would be proud to own. The blade was etched with scrollwork, the hilt, which consisted of the guard, the grip and the pommel was spectacular. The steel guard was shaped somewhat like an owl’s head, with wings spanning either side. The grip was covered in black leather from top to bottom, with bands of etched steel breaking up the leather in two spots so it would match the sheath. The pommel, set atop it all, was a filigree ball of fine strands of steel. Richard was very pleased with the design and could hardly wait to hold the finished product in his hand. Nick had assured him that he wouldn’t need a sword here in modern day San Francisco, but Richard wasn’t quite so confident.
“That will be more than adequate,” Richard said. “In fact, it will be the finest sword I’ve ever owned.”
“Good. I’ll get back to work then, if there’s nothing else you need.” Quinn flipped the protective goggles he was wearing atop his head down so that they covered his eyes and began banging away at the piece of metal in front of him.
“Shall we?” Nick asked.
“Yes,” Richard answered, pleased with Quinn’s swift return to work. It wouldn’t be long before he held the finished sword in his hands.
* * *
The traffic getting from Angelina’s home to Nick’s place, was relatively light. It was rare that she could make her way across the city without sitting at every stoplight for what seemed like hours. She’d been gliding right along and had made it through just about every intersection without even stopping. She was excited to get to Nick’s today, which was unusual in itself. While she enjoyed Nick’s company, there really wasn’t anything out of the ordinary happening. She’d go to his place to pick him up, and they’d head off to practice. Afterwards, she’d drive him home and maybe they’d have dinner together. It was pretty routine. But today was different, she was experiencing a sense of heightened anticipation and knew that if she really wanted to consider it more closely, she could’ve identified the feeling as having a lot to do with seeing Nick’s friend Richard again. There was something about him that piqued her curiosity. He was so unmistakably masculine. His deep, rumbling voice and ever-so-dark eyes penetrated her soul, so much so, she hadn’t been able to get him out of her mind since yesterday. She’d have to be on her guard. Angelina didn’t like to show her hand too early with a guy. Of course, she didn’t plan on him being more than an enjoyable distraction, but she suspected Richard was someone who could distract her for a good long time, at least until he moved out of Nick’s place – or until Angelina decided to move on. She wasn’t one to let a man entrench himself too deeply into her life. She preferred to keep it all lighthearted, on the surface. Men were not to be trusted, she’d learned that from her mother’s mistakes and she had vowed she would never allow the same thing to happen to her. So far, she’d been as good as her word. Men had come and gone in her life and it never bothered her to let them go. Richard would be no different. That is, of course, if he actually was interested. He certainly seemed as if he was, but she’d know for certain soon enough. Angelina pulled her car into the parking space in front of Nick’s. It was her lucky day - no traffic and the best possible parking space. She wondered if her luck would hold out with Richard.
* * *
“Richard, can you get the door?” Nick called from his bedroom.
Richard headed to the front of the house and opened the door to find a vision of loveliness standing on the doorstep, smiling at him.
“Hi,” Angelina said. She cocked her head to the side and studied him with a rather odd expression on her face.
“Please, come in,” Richard said, moving out of the way for her to pass. “Is everything alright?” She was still gazing at him with that same expression.
“Fine,” she responded, straightening her head and licking her lips.
He found himself dumbfounded by her presence and unable to think of a single thing to say to her. He closed the door and followed her into the living room, where she turned and looked him over from head to toe.
“I see you found Dylan’s closet,” she announced.
“Yes, Nick said it would be acceptable for me to borrow some clothing for now. I hope you don’t mind.” Richard was uncomfortable under her watchful eye.
“No, of course not, Dylan wouldn’t mind. He’s very generous that way. Besides, I know Nick has made use of some of those clothes as well. And they fit you very nicely.” She was staring at him again, as if she was expecting some reaction from him.
“Is something wrong?” Richard asked.
“No. Why would you think that?”
“I don’t know. You’re looking at me with such intensity, I was wondering if perhaps I was not wearing the clothes properly.” Richard glanced down at his shirt and noted that it was buttoned properly. Everything to his eye appeared to be fine.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to make you uncomfortable. You just look quite handsome, that’s all.” She turned and walked away from him, heading into the kitchen. He was glad she did, because her departure meant she wouldn’t notice the smug, self-satisfied smile which appeared on his lips. He followed after her, in hopes that he was not misreading her.
“Did Nick make any coffee? I usually need a little pick-me-up around this time of day.” Angelina walked over to the coffee pot, apparently pleased to find that there was enough remaining for her to have a cup.
Richard watched her every move in fascination. She poured her coffee and he noted her delicate hands as they held the pot. Those hands were connected to equally beautiful arms. His gaze travelled up to her shoulders and then down to the cleavage exposed by the low cut shirt she wore.
“Now who’s examining who?” Angelina asked, placing the coffee pot back on the counter. She turned her full attention on Richard, who couldn’t help but notice the smoldering eyes gazing without shame directly into his own.
“Are you flirting with me?” Richard asked.
Angelina shrugged her shoulders, a soft, sensual smile lighting her lips. “Where’s Nick?” She hadn’t taken her eyes off of him.
“Right here, love.” Nick interrupted Richard, just as he was about to touch his fingers to those lovely lips.
Damn poor timing, Richard thought and let his hand drop back to his side.
“What are you to up to?” Nick questioned, obviously noting the sexual tension in the air. He glanced from Angelina to Richard and back again, his eyes narrowed suspiciously.
“Not a thing,” Angelina answered. “Are you ready to go?” She took a sip of her coffee and waited for his answer.
“Almost. Richard you’re going to need to change for practice,” Nick said.
“Of course,” Richard answered, noting that Nick had changed into clothing more appropriate for the sixteenth century. “I’ll be back shortly.” He offered Angelina an amused smile before he headed back to his room to change.
* * *
“Just what are ye up to, ye wee vixen?” Nick asked once Richard was out of hearing range.
“What do you mean? I’m just having some fun,” Angelina retorted, as she dumped the rest of her coffee down the drain. Changing the subject, she said, “Nick, I thought I showed you how to make a good cup of coffee. That was terrible.” She wrinkled her nose at him and shook her head. “Apparently you’re going to need another lesson.”
“I can never make it the way ye do. I’ve tried, but I’m nae an expert like ye are.” Nick took the cup from her hand and placed it in the dishwasher. “Now, back to my original question. Dinnae think I didnae notice ye trying to change the subject.”
“What? You know me. I’ve never met a man I didn’t want to flirt with. Richard is quite handsome, I’d be a fool to miss out on the opportunity to get to know him better.”
Angelina smiled coyly at Nick.
“I see. Ye may want to be careful with this one. He’s a man of strong feelings, Richard is. I’ve known him a long time and he’s only once been in love – and it’s taken him years to get over that one. I know you dinnae want to pursue anything serious, and go ahead if ye like, but be careful not to destroy him in the process,” Nick warned.
“You’ve become quite the softy,” Angelina teased.
“I am nae a softy, as ye call it.” Nick looked appropriately indignant and Angelina couldn’t help but laugh. She absolutely adored Nick. Their sibling-like banter always brought a smile to her face.
“I’m sorry, Nickie. You know I love you,” Angelina stood on tiptoe to kiss Nick’s cheek and he quickly turned his head so that she ended up giving him a peck on the lips. “You…”
Angelina’s response was interrupted by Richard returning to the kitchen. He was dressed once again in the medieval garb he’d been wearing when she first spied him at the Marina. Perfection, she thought, smiling warmly in his direction. The scowl on his face only added to that bad boy quality she so liked about him. Without uttering a word, he turned and headed for the door. Angelina realized too late that he had probably witnessed her kiss Nick and he didn’t appear very happy about it. Giving Nick a ‘why-did-you-do-that’ look, she grabbed her purse and they both practically ran to keep up with Richard.
* * *
Angelina waited patiently as the two men folded their large frames into her tiny little car. Richard looked particularly uncomfortable in the back seat. “Are you okay back there?” she asked apologetically.
Richard grimaced as he tried to find a comfortable spot for his legs and when he couldn’t, he simply gave up trying and appeared to resign himself to the fact that this was as good as it was going to get.
“Don’t worry. We don’t have far to go,” Angelina reassured him.
They drove to practice in an uncomfortable silence. Angelina hoped she hadn’t done something which would ruin her chances with Richard. She’d have to talk to him about it later, when Nick wasn’t around. He had no way to know that her relationship with Nick was purely platonic. She could understand how he might get the wrong idea about them.
Arriving at their destination, Angelina got out of the car and stifled her laughter as first Nick, and then Richard, pulled themselves awkwardly out of the vehicle. It was astounding how those two men could make her little car resemble the clown car at the circus. Nick saw the humor in it and couldn’t control his laughter. Richard, on the other hand, seemed none too amused. He glared at both Nick and Angelina before storming past them.
“We’re going this way, Richard,” Nick called out, pointing to his left and the area that had been designated as their practice field.
A dozen young men stood waiting for them, smiling happily as they approached.
“We were wondering where you guys were,” said Zeke Barret, a tall, blond haired man with an easy smile.
“We’re here now,” Nick said. “This is a friend of mine. Sir Richard Jefford. He’s from England and he’s an expert in medieval martial arts. He’s agreed to help with your training.”
The group of men all turned to Richard and offered a friendly greeting. Richard bowed slightly in their direction, but remained stubbornly silent. Angelina was beginning to worry about this silence. She didn’t know him very well, and hoped she hadn’t hurt his feelings too badly.
Nick divided the group into two, directing one group to work with Richard and the other to follow him. As the group walked away, Richard called out. “A sword, Nickie, if you please.”
Nick quickly turned back toward Richard. “What did ye call me?”
The smirk on Richard’s face said it all. He had waited for his opportunity and when it arrived, he took full advantage of it. “I believe you heard me, Nickie. I need a sword.”
“You can borrow mine, Sir Richard,” one of the men in Richard’s group said.
“Thank you and please, call me Richard.” He turned his back on Nick and continued, “I will be working with you one at a time and the rest of you will look on and learn.” Richard made quick work of his students. Each and every one of them found themselves flat on their back with a sword at their throat in a matter of seconds. “So, I can see we have much work to do if you wish to excel as swordsmen.” Richard stood surrounded by his group of students, who listened carefully to his speech. He explained where each one of them had gone wrong and made suggestions to correct their faults. He handed the sword back to the young man who had lent it to him. “What’s your name?” he asked.
“Wade Granville, sir,” he responded.
“Wade, pair up with Zeke and the rest of you find a partner. You will parry with each other and I will show you your weaknesses and strengths. Then you will switch partners and we’ll do the same thing all over again. Your opponent will not always be the same man, and so it is good to learn how to spar with as many different opponents as possible.
* * *
From across the field Malcolm Granger and his team of combatants observed the newcomer working with Mackall’s men. Malcolm wondered who he was and where he’d come from. He was obviously an expert with a sword and could prove to be stiff competition for his men. He preferred to view him as just one more person standing in the way of his goal. He’d need to find out all he could about this man just as he had with Nick, but he felt sure that no matter what it took, he’d win in the end. “Let’s go,” he called to the men surrounding him.
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 lighthearted 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 a
nd 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 behavior.”