A Bridge Through Time: Book 1 of The Thistle & Hive Series (10 page)

Cormac looked puzzled at this.

“We have a mayor and a city council. They all live in their own homes or apartments,” she quickly explained.
They have no clue what I’m talking about
.

“Who lives in yer home?” Robert wondered aloud.

“Just me. It’s a small apartment. Only room for me.”

Robert sounded shocked when he responded. “What of yer family? Do they approve of this?”

“My family is all gone. I mean, they’re all dead.”

“I’m so sorry, lass. So who protects ye, if ye have nae family?” Cormac questioned.

“I take care of myself. It’s not unusual where I come from.”

Laird Robert obviously couldn’t believe his ears. “A young lady, such as yerself, needs to be protected. I am verra happy ye found yer way to Breaghacraig. We will protect ye.”

Ashley thought better of telling him that women didn’t need the protection of a man. She knew that in 16th century Scotland, women were treated differently than they were in her time, so she merely thanked him and took a sip of wine. What she wouldn’t give for a good shot of tequila right now, but the wine would have to do.

What she really wanted to do was head back upstairs and clamber into bed with a certain grey-eyed dream man.
What was wrong with her?
One handsome face, one gorgeous smile, and she turned into putty in his hands. He’d been such a gentleman, yet all she could think about was kissing him and touching him and…

“Ashley.” Cormac was trying to catch her attention.

“Yes,” she said. “I’m sorry; I guess I’m just a bit tired, what were you saying?”

“‘Twas nothing, lass. I just wondered if ye’d like to go outside for a wee bit of fresh air, but I can see yer tired from yer journey. Would ye like me to escort ye to yer room?”

“I’ll escort Ashley to her room, Cormac. Ye and Robert must speak with Cailin about Richard,” Irene interrupted.

Cormac had clearly been put in his place by the beautiful Irene. Ashley could see that she was not one to be argued with when she made a decision.

“If yer done, Ashley, I’ll walk with ye to yer room,” Irene said, getting to her feet.

“Thank you, Irene, and thank you Robert, and Cormac. You’ve all been so kind.”

The men nodded in her direction as she walked away with Irene.

SIXTEEN

Irene and Ashley mounted the stairs to the sleeping chambers. Ashley was still marveling over how welcoming and accepting these people had been to a perfect stranger. They were a tight knit family, from what she could see, and it had put her in a melancholy mood as she thought about her own family.

“Do ye feel well, Ashley?” They’d reached the door to Ashley’s room and Irene opened it, ushering Ashley inside.

The tub had been removed and a fire blazed in the hearth to help ward off the chilly night air. Ashley walked across to the bed and slumped down on the edge, watching tearfully as Irene settled beside her, taking Ashley’s hands in hers.

“I asked if ye were well and I can see that yer nae happy. What troubles ye?” She waited quietly for Ashley to speak.

It took Ashley a few moments to compose herself. “I don’t want to cry, I really don’t,” she began. “I’ve been trying so hard to be strong these past two days. I’m not used to being attacked and having to fight off two men in one day and then trying to get Cailin safely back here… I guess it’s just all been too much.”

Irene wrapped her arms around Ashley to provide her with comfort. It seemed a very natural thing for Irene to do, although Ashley had not seen this side of the woman until now.

“Ashley, there is nae shame in tears. Ye are a strong woman, but even strong women must cry. Fate has brought ye to us. If the man at the bridge had not attacked ye, then Cailin would not have saved ye, and ye in turn, would not have saved Cailin. So it’s grateful I am to the man on the bridge.”

Ashley sniffled and pulled back to look at Irene.

“But those men thought Cailin was the one who attacked me, and that’s why they tried to kill him!” A fresh stream of tears made their way down her cheeks.

“Nae matter what they said to ye, Ashley, they would have shot Cailin. Thomas holds a deep hatred for him and Richard has vengeance in his heart and would see my family dead to get to me.”

Ashley shook her head, brushing at the tears on her cheeks. “I don’t understand, Irene.”

Irene sighed and patted Ashley’s hand with her own. “Sir Richard is a jealous, vengeful man, with a black heart. Ye see, I was quite young when I first met Richard. He was visiting a neighboring clan to attend the marriage of his cousin, to their daughter. My family and I were invited to the celebration and Robert, who was fostering with us, stayed behind. From the moment Richard set eyes on me, he was determined to make me his. I was young and I didn’t realize this, or I would never have allowed his attentions. He spent the evening at my side. We danced some and spoke much, about Richard mostly. My mother and father were not at all happy with his attentions and we left the next day to head home. I thought nothing of it. I was not interested in him and I was happy to leave. A few days later, Richard rode up to our gate for a visit. My family did not wish to offend him or our neighbors and so they invited him in and allowed him to stay for a time. He realized very quickly that Robert and I only had eyes for each other and he did his best to come between us. At one point, he challenged Robert. Robert agreed on the condition that the loser would leave, never to return. Robert was not worried. He knew he would come out victorious, but Richard was not aware that Robert was the best swordsman amongst all of the neighboring clans. Much to his disappointment, he was no match for Robert and he was forced to leave. If Richard had won, I would have left with Robert. There was never a choice to be made. I knew whom I wanted and it was not Richard. My heart has always belonged to Robert.”

“And why does Thomas hate Cailin?

“‘Tis a long tale.”

“I’d like to know, Irene.”

“Very well. Thomas married a lass named Elise. She had long been in love with Cailin, although he never returned her affections. In fact, he barely knew the lass. They met a time or two at clan gatherings, but no more than that. Elise’s father tried to arrange a marriage through Robert, he wanted his little lass to be happy, but we would nae force Cailin to marry someone he did not love. Her father was impatient and felt Elise was far beyond marriageable age. He wanted her married quickly, so he arranged the marriage to Thomas through Sir Richard. It was a good match for Thomas, giving him a fine dowry. Elise was devastated and Thomas did not take kindly to her refusals to join him in their marriage bed.”

“I can understand why she wouldn’t. He is the smelliest, dirtiest man I’ve ever come across.”

“He wasn’t always. At that time, he took pride in his appearance. He was never a handsome man, but ever since Elise rejected him, he has not cared how he looks.”

“But I still don’t understand why he hates Cailin.”

“Well, let me finish my tale and you’ll ken. After they were married, Thomas and Elise left for England, and along the way, they ran into Cailin and his men. They all dined and camped together that night and after everyone was asleep, Elise snuck away from Thomas and woke Cailin. Cailin was shocked to see her and told her he would walk her back to her tent. She cried and told him she hated Thomas, and that Cailin was the one she loved. He tried desperately to calm her, but her pleas for Cailin to take her with him got louder and louder. Soon Thomas awoke and was most unhappy at the scene before him. Elise had thrown herself into Cailin’s arms and was pleading with him. She told him it wasnae too late, as she and Thomas hadn’t consummated their marriage. Thomas pulled her away from Cailin, roughly throwing her to the ground. He pulled his sword on Cailin, who was unarmed. He wanted to kill him then, but Cailin’s men surrounded them and Thomas knew he wouldnae win that night. He dragged Elise back to their tent, where he had their belongings packed up and they left immediately. Cailin was upset to see Elise treated so poorly and was of a mind to follow them, but there was naught he could do. Elise was legally wed to Thomas. After that, Thomas wouldnae wait any longer to bed his wife. As I mentioned, she refused and so she was forced by him and as a result, she took her own life. Thomas blames Cailin for that.”

“That’s crazy. Cailin couldn’t help the way Elise felt about him!” Ashley’s head was spinning with the information Irene had imparted. “What will you do to stop them?”

“I’ll leave that to Robert and me brothers. There be nae finer warriors in all of Scotland. Richard would be wise to collect up his men, go home to England, and never darken our borders again.

Ashley didn’t know how to respond. This appeared to be a medieval turf war; instead of fighting over land, they were fighting over Irene and a dead girl. Ashley hoped the MacKenzie’s would emerge the victors, but from what she’d seen of Sir Richard, he was a dishonorable man and would likely resort to whatever means necessary to get his way.

Ashley managed a watery smile. “I hope you’re right, Irene.”

“I am,” Irene stated. “Dinnae fash, all will be well.” She squeezed Ashley’s fingers. “Let me help ye out of yer gown.”

“Thanks. I’d never be able to get out of this on my own,” Ashley admitted with a grimace. She was uncomfortable getting undressed in front of someone she’d just met, but Irene didn’t seem to mind and before Ashley knew what was happening, she was standing there, shivering in her birthday suit.

A pretty linen gown had been laid out for Ashley to sleep in, and Irene helped her slip it over her head and then tucked Ashley into bed.

“Sleep well, Ashley. I’ll come and get ye in the morning.”

“Irene?”

Irene turned back at the doorway. “Yes?”

“Good night and thank you again.”

*****

Before heading off to bed, Robert and Cormac made a stop in Cailin’s chambers.

“‘Tis happy I am to see ye both. I dinnae think I need to lie abed. I nae be sick enough to need this mollycoddlin’.” He had been laying there for what seemed like hours, impatiently waiting for some company. Cailin never spent much time in his chambers under normal circumstances - in his mind there was no worse torture than boredom and being stuck in his bed without the pleasure of a woman beside him was the worst kind of torture he could imagine. He would’ve much rather been downstairs enjoying the evening meal with everyone else, especially Ashley.

“Aye. I ken your problem, but when Irene makes up her mind, there’s nae arguing with her,” Robert commiserated.

“Whether that sister of mine likes it or nae, I’ll be up and about in the morn, and I willnae allow her to keep me here against my will for a second longer.”

Robert and Cormac both laughed heartily, aware of past clashes between the headstrong Irene and equally stubborn Cailin.

“How is Ashley?” Cailin asked when their merriment died down.

“She be well, lad. Yer brother took good care of her,” Robert teased.

“Dinnae be getting any ideas, Cormac.” Cailin warned his brother. He was surprised by the intensity of his emotions regarding Ashley and recognized that he was jealous.

“What kind of ideas do ye think I’d be getting?” Cormac asked innocently, although he had a distinct look of mischief about him.

“Ye ken my meaning. Dinnae make me have to hurt ye.”

Cormac laughed good-naturedly at his brother. They’d always enjoyed a close relationship and loved each other dearly, but fisticuffs had occurred in the past on more than one occasion, over the lasses. Cailin had staked his claim to the lovely Ashley, but that wouldn’t deter Cormac from having a little fun at his brother’s expense.

“That’s enough,” Robert said gruffly. “I’ve come to hear what ye have to say about Richard’s doings, but before that, I have to say, I’m disappointed that you didnae obey my orders to stay away from him.”

Cailin shifted his gaze to his brother-in-law. “Robert, I was out hunting as I’d said I’d be. I cannae help it, if I ran across them during my hunt.”

Robert seemed doubtful at the honesty of Cailin’s pronouncement, but he didn’t question it. “Well, tell us, then. What have ye found?”

“I came across several abandoned campsites on MacKenzie land, and then I eventually came across them, about a day and a half’s ride to the south. They seemed to be heading this way and they could be close, but they’re staying hidden in the woods.”

“How many are they?” Cormac asked.

“At least twenty men from what I could see, and heavily armed. There could be more travelling in separate groups.”

“The men have been training hard.” Robert announced confidently. “We’ll have them continue and when yer shoulder is well enough for ye to wield yer sword, we’ll make the first move and attack. I’ll send Donal and Fergus to keep an eye on them until we’re ready.”

“I be fine, Robert. There’s nae need to wait. ‘Tis nae my sword arm that’s injured.”

“I ken that, but I may have mentioned to ye before, that if I let any harm come to ye, yer sister will have me head,” Robert announced sheepishly.

Cormac and Cailin both laughed. “Robert, how can ye let a wee woman like Irene frighten ye so?” Cailin teased.

“The same way she frightens ye both,” Robert retorted, winking conspiratorially at his two friends.

“Robert, there’s one more thing I’m thinkin’. Sir Richard has surely come to Scotland by boat, but where do ye think they may have hidden their vessels?”

“Aye. I’ve wondered that meself. They must be far enough down the coast to be hidden from our men, but close enough to avoid trouble with our neighbors. It’s also possible that if they are only twenty men, they could skirt the borders of the clans and still make it to us unnoticed.”

The three men pondered that question for a moment, before continuing to strategize long into the night. When they finally left Cailin, they were confident about the coming battle with Sir Richard. The Englishman would be soundly defeated.

SEVENTEEN