A Bridge Through Time: Book 1 of The Thistle & Hive Series (14 page)

Cormac didn’t understand all she spoke of, but he sensed she was quite distressed.

“Why are ye not wearing it then, lass?” He gazed at the spot where her hand rested at her throat.

“I lost it,” she said solemnly. “It’s the only thing I had left from my father and now it’s gone.” Tears welled up in her eyes and Cormac did his best to keep them from falling.

“‘Tis a shame. Mayhap we could find you another.”

“No, it wouldn’t be the same,” she sniffled. “But thank you, it was a lovely thought.”

“So, do ye want to tell me the real reason ye were trying to walk away from us?” Cormac asked quietly.

Ashley remained silent for a long time and he wondered if she would tell him it was nae his business. Just as he was about to give up and suggest they walk back up the bluff, she sighed and spoke.

“I’ve been a fool.”

“A fool?”

Ashley tugged at the skirt of her gown, twisting the fabric between her fingers. “I’m not from around here, you know that.”

Cormac nodded.

“I guess I just misread the signs with Cailin,” Ashley admitted in a rush, fearful she’d lose her courage before she could finish explaining. “I thought your brother was…” she didn’t know how to put it, so Cormac would understand. “I thought your brother was interested in me,” she admitted miserably. “I thought that we were becoming more than just friends.”

Cormac threw his head back and chuckled. “Cailin, he’s verra interested in ye, lass. So interested, he would be most angry if he knew I was sitting here with ye on this beach, enjoying yer company on this glorious day.”

“If he’s so interested in me, why was he with someone else this morning?” Ashley snapped angrily. “He had his arm wrapped around her and they were laughing together as they strolled off.”

“Do ye ken who she was, lass?” Cormac asked curiously. He doubted there was anything-untoward going on; the look he’d seen in Cailin’s eyes told Cormac his brother was serious about Ashley.

“No. Remember, I’m not from around here,” Ashley admitted miserably.

Cormac silently vowed he would pummel his brother, if Cailin broke Ashley’s heart.

“Ashley, I dinnae ken what’s happened, but I ken Cailin. I’ve seen the way he looks at ye and I have
never
seen him look at another lass in the same way. That’s the honest truth, I swear. He is quite taken with ye, lass.”

He caught a little ray of hope spark in her eyes, but just as quickly, it faded away. “But why was he with that girl?”

“I think ye need to ask him that question yerself, lassie. And I think when ye do, ye’ll be happy with his answer.”

*****

Cailin had been so busy over the past few days, he’d barely had time to sleep, and worse, he hadn’t had any time at all to see Ashley. He missed her. He was never as happy when he was separated from her. Worse, he felt guilty for leaving her alone while they’d struggled to get everyone settled. He’d been on his way to find her this morning, determined to spend at least a few minutes in her company, when he was sidetracked by Kenna, who’d just arrived with Cailin’s good friend, Gavin. He hadn’t seen his childhood friends since they’d married last year and had left the keep to begin their life together. Cailin was delighted to see Kenna and happily agreed to go with her to greet Gavin. “Only for a few minutes though,” he warned Kenna. “I’ve things I need to get done this morn.”

Kenna led him through the multitude of campsites set up in the outer bailey. Gavin was busy setting up their shelter as Cailin and Kenna approached.

“Gavin,” Cailin called.

Gavin glanced up and gave his friend a huge grin. He hurried across the space separating them and locked arms with Cailin, who pulled him into a fierce hug.

“‘Tis good to see ye,” Cailin said.

“Aye. ‘Tis good indeed,” Gavin agreed.

“I’m sorry there be no room fer ye in the keep.” Every square inch of space seemed to be filled with warriors or tenants and their families, and had been for more than twenty-four hours.

“I ken there are many who have come in for their safety,” Gavin agreed.

“‘Tis good to see ye both. It brings back fond memories of yer days fostering with Robert,” Cailin reminded him. It was common practice among the clans, to send their sons to be raised by a respected leader or friend.

“Aye, that it does. I have yer clan to thank for taking me in, else I may not have met me lovely wife.” He lovingly cupped Kenna’s chin in his palm and pressed a kiss to her forehead.

“My Da loved Robert,” Kenna said. “He was so happy being his first in command, and he got to know Gavin and love him like a son during his time here at Breaghacraig. Ye ken he passed last year, just after our marriage. He’d been sick for months. We thought he’d recover, but ‘twas not to be.” Kenna seemed like she might cry.

“Aye. We were all verra sad to hear the news, especially Robert,” Cailin admitted.

They caught up on family news while Cailin helped Gavin with the shelter he’d been building. They made quick work of it and when they were finished, Gavin and Cailin promised to meet with each other later at the evening meal. Cailin bid them goodbye and went off in search of Ashley, determined to find her amongst the growing crowds.

He searched in the castle’s interior first, disappointed to discover no one had seen her this day. He visited her chambers, but they were empty. He thought he’d try the stables, thinking she might be checking on Destiny.

When he strode into the stables, he was disappointed to find Ashley hadn’t been there either. He was starting to get anxious. Where could she be? He went out into the bailey and searched some more. One of his men announced he’d seen her earlier in the morning and she’d seemed in a hurry as she left the castle grounds.

Cailin asked the gatekeeper if he’d seen her, and was alarmed when the gatekeeper told him Ashley had passed through many hours ago. He wasn’t sure whether he should be relieved or alarmed when the man also confirmed Cormac had followed her when she left. The gatekeeper pointed him in the direction she was headed and Cailin took off after her at an urgent pace. What was she doing, walking off on her own? He was relieved Cormac had followed her, but why hadn’t his brother just come and found Cailin, so that he could go after her himself? He’d warned Cormac to stay away from her and a surge of jealousy bit at his heart. She was his woman, not Cormac’s.

Cailin had known Ashley would be his, from the moment he rescued her from that man on the bridge. He’d never met a woman like her before, an amazing woman whom he thought about constantly. She had him feeling emotions he’d never experienced before, but right now, he was anything but happy with Ashley Moore. In fact, he was downright angry. She knew it wasn’t safe to leave the castle on her own, especially in the current circumstances. If anything happened to her… he couldn’t bear to think about it and instead he just concentrated on what he was going to do when he found her.

*****

“Cormac!” a voice bellowed from up above, where Cormac and Ashley sat on the beach. Cormac glanced around to confirm it was Cailin staring down at them, with an angry scowl marring his otherwise handsome face.

“‘Tis Cailin,” Cormac remarked calmly.

“I can see that,” Ashley responded with a roll of her eyes.

Cormac looked at Ashley with a cheeky grin on his face, as he tucked a windblown lock of hair behind her ear. He waved merrily up at his brother and reached for Ashley’s hand to help her up from the sand.

Although only seconds had passed, while they brushed the sand from their clothes, Cailin was marching down the beach towards them with the same scowl in place when Cormac glanced up.

Cormac saw Ashley cringe, as Cailin shoved him aside and focused his anger on her.

“What do ye think yer doing here? I’ve been looking all over for ye!” he snapped.

Cormac opened his mouth to retort, but before he could get a word out, Ashley’s eyes flashed with anger and she snapped at Cailin. “If you must know, I went for a walk - not that it’s
any
of your business!”

Cormac stifled a laugh, but not before Cailin took notice of his amusement.

“You should nae be encouraging her behavior, brother,” Cailin snarled.

Again, Cormac tried to speak, but Ashley didn’t give him any opportunity.

“He was not encouraging anything! If I want to go for a walk, I damn well will! Cormac saw me leaving and decided I needed some company. We’ve been having a lovely time, sitting here on the beach watching the waves and talking.”

Cormac saw the jealousy come crashing down over Cailin, like the waves hitting the shore. It was apparent Cailin could hardly contain his anger and Cormac briefly reconsidered whether taunting his brother by touching Ashley’s hair had been as good an idea as it had first seemed. Cormac braced his feet more firmly in the sand, preparing for his brother’s imminent attack.

“We’re going home now,” Cailin announced firmly, shooting a warning glare at Cormac as he put his arm around Ashley possessively. “Cormac, yer services are nae longer needed. I’ll see that Ashley gets back home to the castle safely.”

“I’ll be coming back with ye then, since ‘tis my home as well.” Cormac winked at Ashley, who couldn’t stop her giggle. Cormac suspected she was enjoying having both men’s attention on her.

Confirming his suspicions, he watched as Ashley wriggled out of Cailin’s grip and planted herself squarely between them.

“Shall we?” she queried, as she started walking without them.

The MacBayne boys both watched the gentle sway of her hips appreciatively, as she walked away. Cormac didn’t quite hide his open admiration quickly enough, and Cailin punched him on the arm, giving Cormac an angry glare. “I’ll deal with you, later,” he warned, before he strode off to catch up with Ashley.

Although Cormac’s arm stung from the blow, he could barely restrain his laughter as he made his way up the beach towards the bluff. No doubt, his brother was falling hard for the lass. Of that, he was positive.

*****

The walk back was uncomfortable for all of them. Cailin found himself in a verbal battle with Ashley, whilst Cormac was sullenly doing his best to mind his own business. Cailin noticed Cormac’s pace dropped considerably, so he could create some distance between them and himself. Cailin could nae blame his brother - given the opportunity, he would have avoided this verbal onslaught also.

“Stop treating me like a child!” Ashley complained.

“Stop acting like a child!” Cailin retorted.

“I am not acting like one!”

“Oh, so you are one then?”

Ashley rolled her eyes. “Oh for goodness sake!”

“‘Tis for yer own good, lass. I’ve known ye but a short time and I’ve had to save you twice already, once from the man on the bridge and a second time from Sir Richard’s arrows.”

“I beg your pardon! I don’t think I’ve asked for, or needed your help - and if I remember correctly,
I
saved
you
and managed to get you back home before you died from your wounds!”

“She has a point there, brother,” Cormac piped up.

“Hush Cormac. Dinnae stick yer nose in where it doesnae belong or ye may find yerself without it.”

Cormac immediately lapsed into silence, confirming he’d learned from experience that Cailin always meant what he said.

“I’m nae going to argue about this anymore,” Cailin growled at Ashley. “Ye will not leave the keep on yer own again. I’ll nae see any harm come to ye, not while yer my responsibility.”

“You can’t tell me what to do,” Ashley argued.

“I can and I have. You will do as yer told, or I’ll lock ye in yer quarters until ye see reason.”

Ashley sighed loudly, but made no further comment.

When they reached the doors to the castle, Ashley turned to Cormac. “I had a lovely time today, thank you.”

Cormac gave her a courtly bow, “It was my pleasure, lass.”

Cailin glared at them both and grabbed Ashley’s arm, dragging her upstairs to her chamber. He practically pushed her through the door; his rage had built to such a point.

“You have no right to treat me this way!” Ashley cried. She turned her back on him, but he’d seen the tears forming in her eyes.

Cailin realized he was being too hard on her, but he was terrified something would happen to her. Or worse - that she might prefer Cormac’s company to his.

Taking a deep breath and calming himself, he spoke quietly. “I’m sorry, lass. I’ll return to escort you to the evening meal.”

She refused to answer him and Cailin left her chambers, feeling utterly miserable.

TWENTY-TWO

Helene helped Ashley prepare for the evening meal. It would be the first time she’d eaten in the great hall since preparations had begun to defend the castle against Sir Richard. Ashley had dressed in the same beautiful green gown Irene had loaned her. She only had two gowns to choose from - unlike her closet back home - which had been crammed full of clothes and shoes. Irene had sent the castle seamstress to visit Ashley earlier, so she could be measured for her own wardrobe. Ashley had tried to argue against the necessity, she wouldn’t need more clothing as she’d be leaving soon, but Irene wouldn’t hear it.

Helene was finishing with Ashley’s hair, when there was a knock at the chamber door.

“Come in,” she called.

A very handsome Cailin opened the door and entered. His heated gaze studied Ashley from head to toe and he nodded approvingly.

“You look lovely, lass,” Cailin said appreciatively.

“Thank you. You clean up nice yourself,” she begrudgingly admitted. She was still hurt and angry over his mystery blonde.

“Ashley, I’m sorry for my behavior earlier. Can ye forgive me?”

When she didn’t answer, he continued quietly. “Ye ken I was just worried for yer safety, but when I saw ye with Cormac… I was jealous. I behaved verra badly. I dinnae wish to share ye with anyone.”

She still didn’t respond.

“Do ye have feelings for him, then?” he asked cautiously.