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

by Jennae Vale

  “No!” Angelina heard herself screaming as she got to her feet and ran toward Richard. Before she could reach him, she was seized around the waist in an iron grip, thwarting her attempts to get away. Tears coursed down her cheeks. “No!” she cried repeatedly.

  “Everyone, clear the area. Light the fuse!” Malcolm snapped. Angelina found herself dragged further away from Richard, who still lay motionless on the ground.

  The Campbell clan was running towards the scene with Edna leading the way, but it was apparent they were too far away to stop Malcolm. The dynamite exploded, raining pieces of rock and dirt over the surrounding area. Angelina couldn’t see Richard through the smoke and debris, and she prayed he was still alive and had survived the explosion.

  Before the dust had a chance to settle, Malcolm bolted toward the mouth of the cave. Fortunately, Edna had arrived and she chanted a spell, casting it in his direction. Malcolm was frozen mid-stride, resembling a marble statue.

  “Would anyone else care to join him?” Edna challenged with a determined gleam in her eye. Malcolm’s men turned to run, but Edna stopped them with a firm warning. “Dinnae move or ye’ll find yerselves in a similar position to yer boss.” They all immediately stopped. Angelina pried herself loose and ran to where she’d seen Richard fall. Miraculously, he’d been unharmed by the rocks that had exploded all around them. Malcolm’s man Nash hadn’t been so lucky. He was buried under the debris, his arm the only visible evidence of where he lay.

  “Richard!” Angelina cried, dropping to her knees. “Richard! Please, wake up!”

  Edna joined her, kneeling at Richard’s side. “Richard, ’tis Edna. I’m going to do my best to help ye, lad, but ye must want to come back to us.” She tore open Richard’s shirt to locate the bullet wound and found it in his right shoulder. “Angus, bring my saddlebag, dear.”

  Angus did as she asked and placed it by her side. “Robert, Cailin, I’ll need yer help. Angus yer in charge of the saddlebag. Cailin, I need ye to hold Richard down in case he wakes while we work. Robert, I believe ye’ve more experience in treating battlefield wounds than I, so ’tis you who’ll remove the bullet. Do ye ken?”

  “Aye.” Robert removed his dirk from his boot and joined Edna at Richard’s side.

  Edna instructed Angus to retrieve a bottle of rubbing alcohol from the saddlebag. He reached in and pulled it out, along with gauze and other bandaging supplies. “Robert, let’s disinfect that blade, if ye dinnae mind.” Robert placed the dirk in her hand and she poured rubbing alcohol over the blade. She also poured some on Richard’s wound, for good measure.

  Robert retrieved his knife and inserting it into the wound, carefully probed the wound to locate the bullet. When he found it, he asked Edna to pour more alcohol over his hands, before he used his fingers to grasp the bullet and remove it. “I believe it hit the bone, Edna.” Robert showed them a piece of bone fragment, which had come away along with the bullet.

  “Never fear, Robert. Whilst a broken bone in these times can be a death sentence, especially if infection sets in, I assure ye I can make sure that doesnae happen.” She passed her hand over Richard’s wound, chanting a spell as she did so. She repeated this incantation a number of times and everyone watched in amazement as the wound began to close up, before their eyes.

  “He’s going to be alright, dear,” Edna said, resting a comforting hand on Angelina’s shoulder. “He’s going to be alright. Your tears, mixed with my spell are what did it. You see, my spell alone would nae have worked, but your love for him seeped into that wound, along with your tears – and that’s what saved him.” Edna got to her feet with a little help from Angus. “He’ll need some time to heal. Although the wound is no longer visible, he will still suffer the pain of it.”

  “Why isn’t he waking up?” Angelina demanded.

  “He needs to sleep, to recover. Now, I must reset these stones. We cannae take the chance of anyone else getting their hands on the Twin Sword. Believe me, it would be a terrible disaster. The longer the cave entrance remains open, the more likely it is that someone will answer the call of the sword as it seeks its entrance back into the world.” She hurried away leaving Angelina crouched over Richard’s prone body.

  “Are ye alright, lass?” Nick asked when he joined her. Edward joined them and knelt beside his brother. Both men gazed on Richard with brotherly love and eyes filled with unshed tears.

  Edward brushed the loose dirt away from Richard’s face. “He’s a good man.”

  “That he is, lad.” Nick placed a comforting hand on Edward’s shoulder and his other on Angelina’s. The three stayed at Richard’s side, determined to be there when he awoke.

  * * *

  Edna was preparing to reseal the vault.

  “What do ye plan to do with that one?” Angus asked, pointing at Malcolm’s motionless figure.

  “There’s nae I can do fer him now. He chose his own fate. He wanted the sword, and now he will share its resting place for all of eternity.” Edna began chanting and waved her arms across the cave entrance. With each new wave, the rocks began to drop back into place at the mouth of the cave. She gathered up the rocks covering Nash’s body, returning them to their original positions in the same manner. When the vault was completely sealed, Edna cast a second spell, leaving the cave entrance seamless. No one would ever know the cave had ever been there.

  With that accomplished, Edna stood over Nash’s lifeless body. “I see nae need that ye should suffer for the misdeeds of yer master.” She ran her hands over his broken body, paying special attention to the areas in which he had suffered major injuries. Slowly, Nash came back to life. His eyes opened wide in sheer terror as he recalled what had happened. “Calm yerself,” Edna soothed. “Ye’ll be well again, lad. I intend to see that ye and yer friends go safely back to where ye came from with no memory of ever having been here. Ye will also spend yer days doing good, and avoiding evil from this point forward. Do ye ken?”

  Nash nodded in agreement, as Edna called his friends to his side to assist him. The power of speech seemed to elude them, so Edna repeated what she had told Nash and left them to care for their friend.

  “Angus, my love? Once we are finished here, I would like to go back to visit with the Campbell’s for a brief time. Yer Uncle Tavish will be relieved to hear that the sword is once again safely hidden away.”

  “Edna, ye never cease to amaze me.” Angus pulled her into his arms and planted a big kiss on her lips. “I love ye, my wife.”

  She snuggled into his embrace. “After visiting the Campbell’s, we’ll head back to Castle Fionn for a wee while, before going home to The Thistle & Hive.”

  “That sounds like a wonderful plan, mo chroi.” Angus and Edna stood together and breathed a sigh of relief that it was over.

  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 behavior.”

  “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 tha
t 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.