A Matter of Time: Book 4 of The Thistle & Hive Series

by Jennae Vale

  The woman’s eyes never left Richard as he spoke. “I understand what you’re telling me, but I find it hard not to be afraid.”

  “Let him run around until he’s tired before you ride him. That will help and I would suggest you not go riding on your own again.”

  “He’s always been so good for me in the past. I thought it would be fine to come here to ride today. When he started acting up it scared me.” She seemed embarrassed to admit this.

  “It’s a brisk day and a little wind up his nose had him feeling good. He was merely celebrating his good fortune to be here today. As I said before, don’t go riding on your own – accidents can happen even to the most seasoned riders and if there’s no one nearby to aid you, you may find yourself in a very bad predicament.

  She nodded and turned the horse, walking him around the ring without incident. When she glanced at Richard again, she was beaming. “He’s being so good!”

  “He will be. Do you mind if we stay and watch you ride?” Richard asked. It was obvious he didn’t think it was a good idea to leave the woman alone.

  “No. Not at all. I’ll feel better knowing you’re here. Would you mind helping me with some problems I’m having? With the horse I mean,” she giggled.

  Richard proceeded to answer her questions about keeping the horse on the bit, sitting the trot and flying lead changes. Angelina watched in wonder as he guided her through each answer until she seemed to swing from timid and hesitant, to completely confident and in control. When they were finished, he helped her down from the horse and Angelina suffered a twinge of jealousy that Richard’s hands were not on her waist. It was becoming clearer and clearer that Richard was a very special man.

  “Now, remember what I’ve told you and you’ll be fine, Noreen,” Richard said. He removed the bridle from the horse and handed it to the woman.

  “Thank you again. If it wasn’t for you, I don’t know what would have happened.” Noreen leaned into her truck for her purse. She pulled out some cash, which she held out to Richard. “Please take this. You spent a full hour with me and gave me some invaluable advice.”

  “I couldn’t possibly. It was not my intention to be paid for my services.” Richard folded his arms across his chest, but Noreen was determined and she tucked the money between his arms. “I’d love another lesson some time, do you have a card?”

  Richard appeared thoroughly confused by that question and he looked to Angelina for guidance. “No, he doesn’t. He’s not a riding instructor.”

  Noreen seemed surprised. “Well, you certainly should be,” she said, directing her answer in Richard’s direction. “Here. Take mine.” She handed him a business card. “If you have the time, call me and maybe we can schedule a time to get together.”

  Richard did that funny little bow thing that he always did. “Thank you, m’lady, I will.”

  Angelina grabbed his hand and yanked him away. “I think she wanted more than riding lessons from you,” she muttered.

  Richard cocked an eyebrow. “I don’t understand.”

  “Come on. You’re not going to tell me that you didn’t catch on.” Angelina was suddenly feeling very possessive of Richard and snatched the card out of his hand, throwing it in the nearest trash bin. “The nerve of her, coming on to you like that! And right in front of me! What if I had been your girlfriend, or wife, or something?”

  “What on earth are you speaking of, Angelina, and why do you seem so angry?” Richard questioned.

  Was he teasing her? She couldn’t be sure, but there seemed to be a glint in his eye and a slight curl to his lip that could be the beginnings of a smile. “Are you having fun at my expense?” she demanded.

  “Why would you think that?” He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and drew her close, tucking her head into his chest.

  And there it was again, that sensation she always felt when she was too close to him. Was he aware of what he did to her?

  * * *

  Richard knew jealousy when he saw it. He’d been a jealous man for most of his adult life, but he liked the way it looked on Angelina. It showed she cared and didn’t want to share him with anyone else. He wondered if she was aware of it, or if she would continue to lie to herself about her feelings. Loosening his hold, he waited to see if Angelina would move away and was surprised when she didn’t, holding on for a few moments longer. Finally relinquishing her hold on him, her eyelashes fluttered and she peeked up at him with a shy smile on her lips, her hands resting lightly on his abdomen. Richard laughed out loud and swept her up into his arms, twirling her around and around. When was the last time he had felt so light and carefree? He couldn’t ever remember a time when he had. Angelina held on tightly, her arms locked around his neck and a wide smile on her face. He couldn’t help what he was about to do, any more than he could help breathing. He drew her up closer and lowering his head, his lips met hers in a hot and passionate kiss, which Angelina accepted fully. She moaned and positioned herself so that her legs were wrapped around his waist, allowing him to kiss her more deeply, his tongue testing the crease of her lips, which she parted to give him access. Richard took a few steps forward with her in his arms, staring into her eyes with a look of desire that could not be denied. He backed Angelina into a nearby tree to hold her in place as his mouth ravaged hers. He wanted her desperately, and her answering kisses seemed to be a signal of her willingness. He would have taken her right there, but thought better of it as he restrained himself and gently lowered her to her feet instead. Breathing deeply, he threw his head back and closed his eyes, doing his best to think of anything but Angelina. If he didn’t find something else to focus on, he’d never be able to turn around – his erection was such that it was almost bursting from his pants. He thought about God, his home and his mother and finally things began to settle down enough for him to step away from her. She looked so beautiful, her skin slightly flushed and her lips red and swollen – and her breasts heaved delightfully with each breath she took. He mentally shook himself and had to again think of anything else to keep from picking up where he had just left off. Being out in the open would not have been a problem back home, but here, where there were so many people always about, it was quite unseemly. He would remain a gentleman, no matter how much he wished he wasn’t.

  * * *

  Damn it! Why did he stop kissing her again? He wasn’t running away from her, he wasn’t apologizing, but he had a rather pained expression on his face. Angelina was very confused by it all. It was hard to hide and she could certainly feel that he wanted her. What should she do? They were constantly playing a game of push and pull. She wanted him, but she didn’t want to want him. She was sending him conflicting signals and expecting him to read them. She’d never been in a situation like this before, so she did what came naturally and that was to comfort him. Reaching up, she cradled his face in the palm of her hand and he covered it with his own, caressing her. His eyes finally met hers and Angelina knew in that very instant that something had changed. Her carefully guarded heart was revealing itself. She wanted more from Richard. More than she’d ever imagined was possible.

  Richard lowered her hand and placed an arm around her shoulders guiding her back onto the pathway. Angelina didn’t care where they were going, as long as he continued to hold her close by his side. They headed out of the park and crossed the Great Highway, walking through the sand dunes and onto Ocean Beach, where they settled on a driftwood log and gazed out onto the sparkling sapphire water and crashing waves. They weren’t alone by any stretch of the imagination, but they only had eyes for each other.

  Richard stared deeply into her eyes, his gaze never faltering. “The beauty of this place, while unusual to me, cannot be denied, but it pales in comparison to the woman I see before me.”

  Angelina wasn’t sure how to respond. His words were the most genuine and honest she had heard from any man she’d ever known. It brought tears to her eyes, which she quickly blinked away.

  Richard was very observant
though. “Are those tears I see?” He brushed an errant drop from her cheek with his thumb. “I apologize. Perhaps I’ve overstepped my bounds once again. My goal was not to make you cry, but to let you know you are cherished.”

  The concerned expression on his face was not the one Angelina wanted to see. She wanted to replace it with the one she’d seen only moments before. “Not sad tears or angry tears. You’ve touched my heart. I’ve kept it well sheltered over the years, but it doesn’t want to remain shuttered away anymore. No one has ever uttered such sweet and lovely words to me.”

  Relief flooded Richard’s face and Angelina could see it in his brilliant, yet rare smile. She found herself overcome with emotion and rather than cry, she chose to laugh. To laugh at the silliness of her life, prior to this moment. To laugh at all the time she had spent hiding from the world so she couldn’t be hurt. To laugh at how good it felt, to be seen through fresh eyes.

  At first, it seemed Richard might have thought she lost her mind, but then he joined her and the two of them laughed until their sides ached. “Do you know how long it’s been, since I’ve had the opportunity to laugh like that?” He held her face between his hands. “Thank you, love. I am so very grateful to have met you on this strange journey I find myself on.”

  A burden had been lifted from both their shoulders it seemed.

  Chapter 19

  Zeke Barret was holding his own against Gabe Adamson from Malcolm Granger’s team. Richard kept a close watch and was happy to note that Zeke was employing many of the techniques he had been taught. Gabe seemed to be tiring, so it was only a matter of time before Zeke would get the better of him. So far, every one of Nick’s team had won against their opponents. Zeke was the last one to fight before Richard and Nick would go up against Malcolm Granger and Pierce Holmes. Richard couldn’t wait to get this finished. Nick would have the money to repair his warehouse, and Richard could devote his time to returning home. No matter how much he adored Angelina, he couldn’t continue to live in this strange modern world. It would be difficult to leave Angelina behind, but Richard couldn’t even think about bringing up the subject of time travel with her, let alone trying to convince her to go back with him. She’d scoffed when she’d told him and Nick about Malcolm’s desire to travel to the past, and he knew he’d never convince her that time travel was truly possible. His greatest fear however, was what would happen to her after he left. Malcolm Granger had shown a keen interest in her, and Richard hated the idea of leaving her alone to fend for herself against him.

  “You’re deep in thought,” Angelina said when she approached him. She had been the only woman in their group to go up against one of Malcolm’s men and she had taken his sword out of his hand in record time.

  “I was thinking about how well you did today,” he answered.

  “Then why the scowl?” She tipped her head to one side, and her beguiling smile melted his heart.

  “I’m very proud of you, Angelina. My scowl was not for you, but for our adversary.”

  “Ah, yes. Malcolm. Then it’s a justified scowl after all, but I’d hate to see you adding wrinkles to that pretty face of yours because of him.”

  Richard cocked an eyebrow in question. Sometimes, he simply had no idea what Angelina was talking about.

  “Didn’t your mother ever tell you that your face might get stuck like that?”

  Richard laughed. “Yes. She did tell me. So I take it you don’t like my scowl?”

  “I’m very enamored with your face, no matter the expression.” She was flirting with him and he enjoyed it. Yesterday had been a revelation to them both. Angelina had let her walls come crashing down, and Richard had learned how to love a woman without the need to possess her. The knowledge that he had come to love Angelina was something he was only just now admitting to himself. No matter what happened in the coming days, he would always have that. He, Richard Jefford, a man known for his jealous rages, had learned how to love a woman without expecting anything in return – but he was pleasantly surprised to know Angelina had feelings for him, too. They hadn’t made love again since that night at her house, but they had made plans to explore their relationship further after the tournament was over.

  “We have some time before the next round. It looks like Zeke was another winner for us. There’s no way Malcolm can take home the prize today, but he’ll be doubly difficult to defeat because he’s angry.”

  “I thought you said that it was better to keep your emotions under control in battle.”

  “I did. That is what works best for me and for most, but an angry bull is an angry bull. One who must be carefully watched, because their fury makes them dangerous. I believe it works against him in the long run, but that does not make the fight any easier to win.”

  They walked around the Faire hand-in-hand. Richard was like a young lad once again, seeing everything from a much more optimistic perspective. Angelina had done that for him. They found a place to sit and watch the little ones, who were battling stuffed dummies with their wooden swords. Some were being led around on little ponies, the goal being to poke their sword through some strategically placed rings. They would all receive ribbons and prizes for their efforts and Richard enjoyed watching them go through their paces. What would it be like, to have a child of his own? He realized he wanted that more than anything, well almost anything. He wanted Angelina more.

  “I think I was born in the wrong time period,” Angelina casually observed.

  Richard nearly fell off his seat. “I’m sorry, what did you say?”

  “I said, I think I was born in the wrong time period. I’ve always dreamed of living in medieval times.” She searched his face, for what, he didn’t know, but he schooled his expression so that he didn’t look as astonished as he felt. “I love the clothing, the chivalrous knights, and the castles. I know it wasn’t all sunshine and lollipops,” she added, and Richard tried not to look confused by her choice of words, “but I really think it’s where I belong. I mean, belonged.” She smiled up at him. “Do you know what I mean?”

  “Surprisingly, I do. It’s where I belong as well.”

  “Wouldn’t it be amazing? I wish there really was a way to experience it.”

  There is, my lady fair. Richard had to stop himself from saying the words out loud. She’d never understand that he really was from that time or that she could possibly return there with him. He didn’t even know if that was ultimately a part of Edna’s plan and the maddening woman had been absent ever since that first night she’d spoken with him.

  “I think that’s why I love these fairs and the medieval martial arts so much.” The wistful expression on her face had Richard thinking about what it would be like, to have her in his world as his wife. They’d live in the family castle, of course, and they’d have children together and build a sweet and beautiful family. He could live a respectable life and finally put his past behind him.

  “Richard!” Nick called. “We’re up next.”

  He’d have to put the dream on hold for now. He took Angelina’s hand and walked with her back to Nick’s side, where he stood with Malcolm and Pierce.

  “I hope you’re both ready to get your asses kicked,” Malcolm said smugly. “Your team might have won the $10,000, but neither of you are going to leave here a winner.” Both he and Pierce sneered at them as they entered the ring.

  Nick chuckled and patted Richard on the back. “I don’t believe Mr. Granger or his friend will be verra happy with the outcome of this event.”

  “Agreed,” Richard nodded. He walked to the center of the arena, and Nick followed. The four men saluted one another with their swords and then assumed their fighting stances opposite each other. Since this was the most anticipated match of the day, the area surrounding the arena was jammed with onlookers. Richard could see Angelina and the rest of their team, standing by the gate. He focused on his opponent and deliberately put everything else out of his thoughts. Their carefully choreographed dance began. He and Nick had worked
on this together and he felt certain that they would have no problems defeating Malcolm and his man. If they could get one of the men out of the competition, that would leave the other to fight the two of them alone. Richard was confident there was no possibility anyone could beat them. They had been a feared pair in their own time, but of course, no one here was aware of that. Richard believed the crowd had no idea they were in for quite the show.

  The rules of the game called for no bloodshed. As Quinn had warned, Malcolm and Pierce were using real swords. Richard and Nick had theirs as well, but they were experienced swordsmen who could wield their weapons without harm coming to any one of them. It wasn’t until they started parrying back and forth, when both Richard and Nick realized they might be the only ones following the rule to avoid bloodshed. Malcolm and Pierce seemed intent on the exact opposite. Richard quickly exchanged glances with Nick, who nodded and then began to battle in earnest. Richard did the same, engaging Pierce, blocking his every blow. The clang of the metal was dulled only by the sound of the audience, calling out to them in surprise at the ferocity of the exchange. Richard spun to avoid Pierce and nearly knocked the sword from Pierce’s hand on his return blow, but much to his astonishment, Pierce held a dagger in his left hand, as did Malcolm. That was not part of the competition rules, but obviously these two were moving far beyond competing for a prize. They were out for blood. In the split second when Richard glanced in Nick’s direction, Pierce jabbed at him with his blade, making contact with Richard’s arm and slicing it open. The crowd gasped, but Richard remained unfazed. It only served to make him focus more closely on his opponent, whom he was determined was going to go down in defeat with but a few more strokes of his blade. Richard could kill the man, if the desire took him. It would be easy, but that was not what this was supposed to be about. Of course, Malcolm and Pierce had no idea this was merely a game being played by two true medieval warriors against two men who thought they were, but who had no idea what they were truly up against..