A Bridge Through Time: Book 1 of The Thistle & Hive Series (5 page)

“Where are you going, Cailin?” Robert had demanded.

“If I can’t go after Sir Richard, then I’m going to go hunting and while I’m off, I’ll be thinking about why yer so stubborn.”

“I dinnae believe I’m the stubborn one, Cailin! I’m concerned for yer well-being. If I let ye go and ye come to some harm, yer sister would have me head.”

“Oh, so I see. ‘Tis my sister who is the true laird of the clan!”

Robert sighed and Cailin knew the argument would not continue. “Do as I’ve told ye and stay away from Sir Richard! I’ve sent more of our best men off to guard our lands. He’ll nae get past them,” Robert said.

“I’ll do as ye say, but I’m still going hunting,” Cailin retorted.

Robert opened his mouth to respond, but Cailin beat him to it.

“Alone.”

So Cailin had gone. He’d nae disobey his Laird, but while he was hunting, if he happened to come across Sir Richard, he’d be honor bound to spy on him and perhaps formulate a plan of attack.

As he waited in the forest, deep in thought, he went over the things he knew about these interlopers. He was sure they must have arrived by sea, as it would have taken them many weeks to ride from England to the Highlands, and they would have been forced to cross the lands of many clans in their travels. Nae an easy task and Cailin was positive the MacKenzie’s would have been notified at once of their presence on other clan lands. He also knew they were stealing livestock to feed themselves. They’d been dining well, based on what he’d seen at their abandoned campsites. Still, it was a puzzle to him, as to where they had landed and what they planned to do next. He knew he was getting closer and was certain they were nearby. He decided to stay where he was and listen. A large group of men travelling in the vicinity would make enough noise for him to hear them, and allow him to follow behind without detection.

As Cailin waited, his ears perked up at what sounded like a woman screaming for help. He listened carefully and heard it again, this time paired with the sounds of a man’s voice. Cailin spurred his horse in the direction of the screams. They grew louder as he rode and seemed to emanate from the fog at the mouth of the woods. He hoped it wasn’t a trap. Nae matter what it was, a woman needed his help. As he rode through the strange fog, it cleared before him and he saw a young woman, dressed in tight fitting men’s breeches. She was fighting off a man, who was much larger than she was and seemed determined to drag her away with him. The woman put up a good fight, and succeeded in knocking her attacker down. She held something in her hand, which sprayed a fine mist into the man’s face. Whatever it was must be very painful, because the man rolled on the ground, shrieking in agony. She turned in Cailin’s direction, and looked ready to run when the man scrambled to his feet and lunged towards her. Cailin had seen enough and took action; spurring his horse into a gallop.

The woman seemed startled by his appearance, but had the presence of mind to run to one side as Cailin rode by. With one arm, Cailin hit her attacker and sent him flying over the side of the bridge. He wheeled his horse back towards the woman, who stared at him in amazement. As he reached her, she turned and began to run away. Cailin leaned over the side of his horse, wrapped one strong arm around her waist, and hoisted her into the saddle, so that she ended up in his lap.

“Dinnae fash, lass. Yer safe now.”

He held her close to his body and rode at breakneck speed, back through the fog before slowing Cadeyrn to a trot. He could feel the woman shaking and he spoke soft, soothing words into her ear.

Cailin rode a little further, before coming to a halt and moving the lass off his lap. He dismounted and reached up; encircling his hands around her waist, he easily lifted the young woman down from the horse.

“Did he hurt ye, lass?” he asked, examining her from head to toe.

“No, I’m fine. Thank you for saving me.” She smiled up at him and he saw her expression change to one of surprise. “Grey eyes… it’s you!” she said, and then she promptly fainted.

Cailin caught her before she hit the ground. Gently picking her up, he carried her into the shelter of the trees, Cadeyrn following obediently. Once assured they were safely hidden from anyone travelling the path, he found a small clearing and laid the woman down on the ground. He touched her cheek lightly with his fingers and gently brushed her hair back from her face.

She was a beauty. Dark auburn hair and before she’d fainted, light amber eyes had looked at him with familiarity. Why had she called him grey eyes? His eyes were grey, it was true, but she’d stared at him as if they’d met before and she was shocked to see him again. He didn’t know what to do, or how to wake her, so he settled down next to her and waited. It gave him the opportunity to study her unabashedly. Her clothing was unusual for a woman, exposing so much skin. The scant piece of clothing covering her breasts left little to the imagination and the gap between it and her breeches displayed soft, womanly curves. He wanted very much to touch her, to see for himself just how soft her skin was, but he forced his mind away from those thoughts. Mayhap the man had taken her clothes. He’d be sure to ask her when she woke. Until then he was happy to sit back, gaze at her, and wait for her to awaken.

NINE

Ashley’s eyes fluttered open and she suffered a moment of sheer panic.
Where am I? What just happened?
And then a gentle touch from a warm hand on her shoulder kept her from bolting.

“Are ye well then, lass?”

He was still there. Her knight in shining armor, who wasn’t actually wearing shining armor, was gazing down at her. She wished he were still holding her against the warmth of his body. And that voice - the deep Scottish burr rumbled deep in his chest, sending pleasant vibrations rushing through her.

“Wow. You’re even better looking in person.” Ashley squeezed her eyes shut in dismay and embarrassment.
Did I just say that aloud? He’ll think I’m crazy.

The man watched her with a bewildered expression on his handsome face. She had to be dreaming. Ashley closed her eyes for a second and looked again. He was still there. She quickly glanced around and spoke to no one in particular. “I can’t be awake. It’s not possible.”

“Ye are awake, lass. Dinnae fash; I willnae harm ye.” It seemed the object of her imagination sensed her anxiety and wanted to put her at ease.

“Oh my, this is really weird.”

“Weird?” He looked confused by the word - as though he’d never heard it used before.

“Never mind. I’m sorry; I seem to have forgotten my manners. Thank you again, for saving me. I don’t know what would have happened if you didn’t show up when you did.” She shuddered at the thought.

“I heard yer screams and when I saw that man trying to run off with ye, I couldnae let him harm ye.”

“And I thought chivalry was dead.”

He cocked an eyebrow and tipped his head quizzically.

Ashley realized she was staring at him again, as if he were an apparition, and shook her head impatiently. “It’s nothing really. My name is Ashley, by the way.”

She held out her hand, but instead of shaking it, he merely held it gently in his much larger one. He looked as confused as Ashley felt.

“I’m pleased to meet ye, Ashley Bytheway. I am Cailin MacBayne of the Clan MacKenzie, at yer service.” He lifted her hand to his lips and softly kissed it.

Ashley thought she might faint for a second time, but took a deep breath and tried to get her rebellious body under control.

“My last name is ‘Moore’, not ‘by the way’. Ashley Moore,” she laughed. “I love your accent.”

“Accent?” He seemed puzzled again.

“Oh, I guess you don’t have an accent, do you?
I’m
the one with the accent. This is your country after all.”

“Are ye Sassenach, Ashley?”

“What is Sassenach?”

“Are ye English?”

“Oh… no, I’m American.”

“American?” He raised one eyebrow in query, as if he’d never heard of the United States.

While she was certainly enjoying meeting the real Mr. Cailin MacBayne, something seemed a bit off. “I’m from America,” she repeated with a cautious smile.

He frowned. “Where is America?”

“Really? You don’t know where America is? Have you been living under a rock?”

“Nay, lass, I live in the castle at Breaghacraig.”

“You live in a castle?”

“Aye.”

It was Ashley’s turn to look puzzled.

“Do ye nae have castles in America?” Cailin queried.

“Um, no, not really.”

“Well, ye will see one soon enough.”

“That sounds great, but maybe some other time. I really need to get back to the inn. I don’t suppose you could take me there?” she asked hopefully. Maybe she could buy Cailin dinner to thank him properly for his help. She’d enjoy the opportunity to get to know him a bit better. After all, she’d travelled all this way, in hopes of meeting her mystery man. She still couldn’t believe he was standing here, right in front of her.

Just then, Cailin put his finger to his lips, motioning for her to be quiet as he listened carefully for something she hadn’t heard. Ashley looked around, but saw and heard nothing. Cailin stood up and reaching for her hand, strode along silently, taking her with him.

Ashley wondered where they were going. Although she’d only just met him, she was not in the least bit apprehensive about following Cailin. Instead, she was busy wondering what it would be like to kiss this gorgeous man. Was he searching for a spot where they’d have a bit more privacy?
I really need to get my mind out of the gutter.
Ashley mentally shook herself - what was she thinking? It was simply not in her nature to kiss some guy she had just met only moments before, no matter how gorgeous he was.

Gripping Ashley’s hand, Cailin crept further into the trees and hid them both beside a large boulder. To Ashley’s ears it was still quiet in the surrounding area, but suddenly she picked up the sound of voices and undergrowth breaking beneath the hooves of horses, which were coming this way. Cailin motioned for her to stay behind the boulder, while he pulled his horse further into the bushes and out of sight.

Ashley didn’t have a good feeling about the situation. The little hairs on the back of her neck were standing at attention. It seemed to be taking Cailin a long time to return, and she was getting increasingly more nervous. If she could just see where he was, she’d feel better.

Ashley moved out of her hiding place in search of him. When she caught sight of Cailin, he was crouched low to the ground, and rushing back towards her. Ashley still wasn’t sure what was happening, but she was going to figure it out. She had opened her mouth to question what was wrong, when Cailin grabbed her shoulders and pushed her back behind the boulder. Ashley was about to protest when she heard a whizzing sound and something flew past her head. Whatever it was, it hit Cailin in the shoulder, knocking him backwards. He went down hard, landing on his back and hitting his head on one of the large rocks that littered the ground.

Ashley stifled a scream, slapping her hand over her mouth, and scrambled on hands and knees to Cailin’s side.

“Oh, my God! Cailin, are you alright?” It was obvious he wasn’t all right, he had what appeared to be an arrow sticking out of his shoulder, which was bleeding profusely, and he was out cold. Ashley knew instinctively that she had to get him some help, or he could die. She scanned the area helplessly, trying to figure out what to do, where to go. Surprisingly, she still had the backpack, but she doubted snacks would be of any use right now.

Why was someone out in the woods, shooting arrows at them? This must be some terrible mistake. Maybe they were hunters and they’d mistaken Cailin and herself for deer. She had to locate the hunters and ask for their assistance. She darted out into the clearing, just as a group of riders came crashing through the trees. They barely came to a stop at her sudden appearance, almost running her down.

Before her stood a dozen or more men on horseback, all dressed as if they were going to attend a Renaissance Faire. Ashley craned her head back to look up at them. The horses were enormous and the men riding them were tall and heavily muscled. The leader stood out among the men, his fine clothing and ‘in charge’ demeanor giving him away. He sat atop an eighteen hand black stallion that was pinning his ears and gnashing his teeth at her. Ashley tried to appear brave as she grabbed the bridle, so the horse wouldn’t knock her over with his nose.

“Well, well, what have we here?” the leader spoke with an English accent and leered at her.

“You shot my friend, Cailin and he needs help,” Ashley forced a calm tone and revealed little of the anxiety she was feeling. “He’s bleeding badly.”

A brief flash of recognition crossed the man’s face and then it was gone. “Oh, my, how did that happen?” He looked at the men around him, who just laughed, really ticking Ashley off.

“Where are your clothes, my dear?” he continued. “We heard your screams and we were riding to your rescue. Was Cailin having his way with you?” The stranger still had a lecherous expression on his face, as he perused her body from top to bottom. He was seriously frightening.

Despite her discomfort over what the man might be capable of, Ashley’s patience was wearing thin, and her concern for Cailin overrode her fear. “Don’t be a dumb ass. Cailin saved me from Teddy.”

“Does Teddy have your clothes then, my dear?”

“Look, I’m not ‘your dear’ and I’m wearing my clothes. You idiots,” she waved her arm to encompass all of them, “are out here, parading around in your fancy costumes and shooting people with real arrows.” She obviously wasn’t winning this guy over, because he looked reasonably angry right now. Maybe she shouldn’t have called him a dumb ass. “Look, I’m sorry; I’m just upset. Please,” she pleaded, “I need your help.” She was on the verge of tears, but she was not going to let this jerk see her cry.

“What’s your name?” he demanded.

“Ashley.”

“Thomas,” the apparent leader turned and addressed the man on his right. “I’m sure you’d be happy to take care of our friend, Cailin, and then escort the lovely Ashley out of harm’s way.” He had an evil grin plastered across his face and Ashley wasn’t sure what to make of him. Could she trust him? She didn’t think so, but she really had no choice.