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

  A Matter Of Time

  Book 4 of the Thistle & Hive Series

  Jennae Vale

  Jenna Vale

  Contents

  Copyright

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  Chapter 30

  Chapter 31

  Untitled

  Copyright © 2015 by Jennae Vale

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Created with Vellum

  Chapter 1

  Richard landed with a thud on the hard ground of an unfamiliar place. “Where the hell am I this time?” he asked of no one in particular. Noting the smell of the ocean and the sight of a large orange bridge spanning a bay to his right, he assumed he was somewhere other than Scotland. “Or, should I ask, when am I?” He was just about to pick himself up when the sound of a lovely, sweet and concerned female voice broke through his self-absorbed thoughts.

  “Are you hurt?” she questioned.

  Richard looked up to find a dark haired beauty with vibrant blue eyes staring down at him. She was by far the loveliest woman he had ever laid eyes upon.

  “You took quite a tumble from the looks of it,” she said.

  “And you are?” Richard stood and dusted himself off.

  “Angelina Lawson,” she replied, holding out her hand.

  Richard wasn’t quite sure what to do with her proffered hand, so he did nothing more than hold it gently in his own. “What year is it?” he asked, wanting to confirm his suspicions.

  “Seriously! You don’t know what year this is? You must have hit your head hard when you fell.” She examined him carefully, walking around behind him and then back again. “Do you know where you are?”

  The concerned expression on her face was both touching and enchanting. Richard realized he was going to have to remember this definitely wasn’t his time and therefore he would need to behave differently. “I’m afraid I don’t. Am I in England, perhaps?” Too late he realized he shouldn’t have asked, but he really had no way of knowing what England of the future might look like.

  “I’m going to call 911,” Angelina announced, taking one of those cell phones he’d seen on his last trip to the future from her pocket. “I think you need some medical help.”

  “No!” Richard almost yelled. “Please, I’m fine. Just a bit shaken up. That’s all.”

  “Are you sure? I don’t like the fact you’re so fuzzy on a few important details.” Angelina tipped her head and was eyeing him with a slightly furrowed brow, which he found irresistible. “You’re clothes are unusual. Are you involved in medieval martial arts?” she asked.

  Richard saw his opportunity and grabbed it. “Yes. Yes. Medieval martial arts.” He had no idea what that was, but if it caused her to view him with less suspicion, he would agree to it.

  “Well, that’s one thing you know. The guys were here earlier today practicing, you must have been here with them. Although I don’t remember seeing you.” She was smiling at him now. “Do you know Nick?”

  “Nick?” Richard was trying hard to avoid her questioning his presence here. “Yes! I do know Nick.” Whoever he is.

  “Oh, good. I’ll just give him a call. I’m sure he’d be happy to help you get back home.”

  “If only he could,” Richard muttered.

  “Excuse me? I didn’t catch that,” Angelina responded.

  “Nothing.” If he knew what was good for him, he’d just be quiet or he might find himself in one of those jail cells he enjoyed on his last visit to twenty-first century Glendaloch. “Edna,” he said aloud. He grimaced when he realized he’d done it again.

  “Who’s Edna? Is that you wife?” Angelina asked, her focus on the cell phone she held.

  “I’m not married,” Richard said. “Edna is an old friend.”

  “There it is,” Angelina announced poking at the buttons on the phone. “I’ll have Nick on the phone in just a sec.”

  Richard had no response to that announcement, so he took the time to examine Angelina Lawson from head to toe. She was dressed in extremely tight black breeches and a matching jacket, which showed off her enticing figure. The women of his own time didn’t wear clothes anything like this. She wore unusual shoes on her feet, with tiny white bits of fabric peeking up from the top. Her ankles and lower legs were shapely and the fact that they were bare would be considered scandalous in his time. Her hair was long and loose and black, hanging nearly to her waist and her skin held a beautiful golden tone. Angelina’s eyes, an icy blue, were set off by thick, long eyelashes. She had full, rose colored lips and Richard found his thoughts wandered to thoughts of kissing them.

  “Nick? This is Angelina,” she paused and Richard assumed she was listening to the man on the other end of the line. “Hi. I need your help with something.” Another pause. “Yeah. I came across one of your guys here by the Marina. It looks like he fell somehow and hit his head. He doesn’t know the year or where he is, but he does know you.” Again she listened. “What’s your name?” she asked Richard.

  “Sir Richard Jefford,” he replied and hoped he hadn’t said the wrong thing, because she raised an eyebrow as though skeptical of his claim.

  “He says his name is, Sir Richard Jefford.” Angelina didn’t have to wait long for a response. “Okay. We’ll wait right here for you.” Angelina slipped the phone back into her pocket. “That’s a relief. He says he knows you and he’s on his way here right now.”

  Richard shifted nervously wondering how someone he didn’t know had accepted his presence so easily. Who could this be and how could he possibly know me?

  “Let’s go sit over there.” Angelina pointed towards a bench positioned near the water’s edge.

  “Of course,” Richard said. He placed her hand in the crook of his elbow and escorted her.

  “You’re quite the gentleman, aren’t you?” Angelina asked, seemingly flustered by his gesture.

  “Always,” Richard said. That wasn’t necessarily true in the past, but he was a new man now and he intended to be nothing if not proper, from this point forward.

  They sat on the bench and Angelina seemed uncomfortable sitting too close, making sure to put some space between them. She turned to face him, daintily tucking one leg underneath her and resting her arm across the back of the bench. Richard was completely entranced. He smiled warmly, but could think of nothing to say.

  “Do you remember anything at all?” Angelina asked.

  “Yes. I do.” Richard responded as he gazed out at the water. Wherever he was, it was exceedingly beautiful. There were many sails visible on the water, along with other, much larger vessels. They moved effortlessly, even without sails.

  “Do you remember how
you fell?” Angelina questioned.

  “Yes.” Richard needed to tread carefully here. He wasn’t sure what he could tell her that might keep him from being locked up. If he’d answered no to her question it would give the young woman cause for concern and answering yes, while it was the truth, might cause him even more trouble in the long run, but he thought perhaps the honest response was the best.

  Angelina sat gazing at him with those beautiful eyes. “Well, are you going to tell me?”

  Time to change the subject. “What are those boats over there?” He pointed to one of the larger vessels as it cruised through the water, leaving large swells in its wake.

  “That’s the ferry arriving from Sausalito,” Angelina explained, turning her focus to the water.

  “Ah. I see.” He didn’t see at all. He’d never seen a ferry before and he couldn’t believe how it moved so swiftly and effortlessly through the water. He remembered many things from his time in Glendaloch, but he had not seen any boats while he was there, so this was all new to him. “And what of that bridge?” His focus was still on distracting Angelina from asking too many questions about him, but from the expression on her face, the things he was asking her were obviously giving her pause.

  “The Golden Gate?” she questioned, as she glanced towards the towering structure.

  “The Golden Gate – of course. It’s all coming back to me now.” Maybe that acknowledgement would satisfy her desire for answers.

  Richard and Angelina lapsed into a companionable silence, which Richard was grateful for as it allowed him time to contemplate what had happened and why he’d found himself abruptly shifted into the future.

  “I hope Nick gets here soon. He lives right around the corner, so it shouldn’t take him too long,” Angelina said, glancing around. “Oh, there he is. Nick! Over here!”

  Richard was disappointed that this Nick fellow had arrived so swiftly. He’d have liked a bit more time alone with Angelina. Not that he wanted to answer any more of her questions - just to gaze upon her lovely face would have been enough. He turned in the direction Angelina was calling and almost fell off the bench. The man approaching them was an old friend of his.

  Sir Nicholas Mackall was striding purposefully towards them dressed in modern day clothing. How on earth had he gotten here? Richard stood up and stared in astonishment at his long-time friend and confidante.

  “Richard? Is that ye?” Nick was approaching with both arms spread wide. He pulled Richard into a hug and held on to him for dear life. “Saints be praised, it’s so good to see ye. How on earth did ye get here?”

  “It’s a long story, but I imagine much the same way you did. I can’t believe I’m seeing you.” Richard was trying not to appear completely astonished at the sight of his friend in the modern world, but knew he was failing miserably.

  Angelina was standing off to one side, appearing baffled by this turn of events. Sir Nicholas turned to her with a warm smile. “Angelina, this is my long lost friend, Richard Jefford.”

  “I wouldn’t say I was the one who was long lost, Nicholas.” Richard smiled broadly and clapped his friend on the back.

  “Wait. I’m confused,” Angelina said. “I thought he was one of your medieval martial arts guys, but it sounds like you haven’t seen each other in quite a long time.”

  “It has been quite a few years. Can ye imagine it?” Nick said to Angelina, his expression stunned. “Let’s head back to my place and I’ll explain it all to ye.” He met Sir Richard’s curious gaze. “Angelina has been kind enough to let me stay in her family’s home here in San Francisco as no one was residing there.”

  There it was! He was in San Francisco. Now, he just needed to find out exactly where that was and how he could get back to England.

  “My niece is out of town on an extended holiday and I thought Nick might like a place to stay in the city.” Angelina smiled brightly at Nick, who put an arm around her shoulder as they walked.

  Disappointment and a touch of jealousy washed over Richard as he watched Nick and Angelina walking together. He mentally shook himself, determined he wouldn’t allow jealousy to overtake him. He had turned over a new leaf and left that green-eyed monster behind and he was not about to head down that same path again. “How long have you two known each other?” he asked.

  “A few years, isn’t it?” Nick answered, glancing at Angelina for confirmation. “We are the very best of friends.” He smiled warmly at Angelina and pressed a quick peck on her cheek.

  “He’s the only man I know who can take no for an answer,” Angelina teased.

  “Well, it wasnae easy at first, but I understand.” Nick turned his attention to Richard. “Angelina isnae interested in romantic entanglements, ye see.”

  They were approaching a broad street with many ‘automobiles’, similar to the ones he’d seen in Glendaloch. They stopped and waited for the traffic to come to a halt, before crossing and then heading down a side street. Richard was relieved to hear that Angelina was not Nick’s woman, but disappointed to learn she wasn’t interested in romance. “Angelina, if I might ask, why are you not interested in finding love?” Richard knew it was pushy, but found he just had to know the answer to that question.

  “As silly as it sounds, I don’t need the headache of having a man around. I like my life just the way it is. I enjoy the company of men, but not so much that I want to give up my independence. Does that make sense?” she asked.

  “I suppose it does,” Richard agreed, thinking it made absolutely no sense at all. Catching Nick’s eye, Richard’s friend shrugged his shoulders as if to say that he didn’t understand it either. Richard thought it was probably just as well. He had one goal at the moment and that was to get back home to his family so he could start the process of finding a wife. A woman who would fit in at his castle, who would take charge of running his household. He had no time for a dalliance in this time and place.

  Turning another corner, they came to a vibrantly colorful building and Nick led the way up the stairs to an ornate entryway. Richard had never seen such a colorful home. All of the little bits and pieces of wood were painted in different colors.

  “Isn’t it pretty?” Angelina asked, obviously observing his interest. “I love all the gingerbread on the house. It’s a beautiful old Victorian.”

  “Yes, it’s lovely,” Richard said. Gingerbread! I don’t see any gingerbread and what is Victorian? What on earth is she talking about?

  Nick must have seen his confusion. “The gingerbread, as ’tis called, is all the wooden trim ye see around the doors and windows. Not what we’re used to, but pleasing to the eye, wouldn’t ye agree?”

  Richard merely nodded in agreement as Nick opened the door for Angelina to pass through. He extended his arm for Richard to go next and then closed the door after they were all inside. Richard experienced a moment of awe as he surveyed the architecture and furnishings of this home. The places he’d seen in Glendaloch had been very nice, but they paled in comparison to what lay before him.

  “Nick, I’m concerned that Richard has hit his head. He didn’t know what year it was or where he was and I don’t know if that’s changed.” Angelina placed a dainty hand on Richard’s arm as she spoke. Richard tried with everything he had not to appear affected by her touch, but deep down inside he was experiencing the most unbelievable level of pleasure. This woman had charmed him, something that had seemed an impossibility when he’d met other women in the past.

  “I’m sure ’tis only a concussion. I’ll make sure that he’s okay, don’t ye worry about it, but if ye’d like to stay here tonight, ye can keep an eye on him as well,” Nick suggested in a cajoling tone.

  “No, I really need to get home and besides, you two must have a lot of catching up to do, I’m sure,” Angelina headed towards the door. “Do you want me to put something together for your dinner before I leave?” she asked.

  “Nae, love. I’ll take care of it. I’ll order a pizza. ’Tis my favorite as ye well ken.” Nick win
ked at Angelina in a familiar way that set Richard’s teeth on edge. He had to remind himself once again that jealousy was no longer a part of his life.

  “I’m surprised you’re not sick of it yet,” she laughed. “Richard, it was a pleasure to meet you. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you again some time.”

  “I hope so, m’lady.” Richard bowed in her direction and was pleased to see Angelina seemed impressed by the gesture.

  “Ye’ll see him, Angelina. I’ve an idea to enlist Richard in the tournament at the Renaissance Faire. He’s an expert at the medieval martial arts, arenae ye, Richard?”

  “I am and I’d be delighted to help in any way I can,” Richard said, watching for Angelina’s reaction. Why he cared what she thought was beyond him. He had to set his mind on getting back home, not on wooing this beauty.

  “Okay. I’ll leave you two for now. Have a good night and I’ll see you for the next practice,” Angelina said.

  Richard watched as Nick walked her to the door, tamping down a surge of jealousy as his friend kissed her cheek and closed the door after her.

  * * *

  Angelina walked to her car, thinking about Richard all the while. He was that take-your-breath-away kind of handsome that she was attracted to and she loved his English accent. Funny how they just happened to be at the Marina at the exact same time. If she hadn’t found him and he hadn’t needed her help, he might not have reconnected with Nick. Such an odd coincidence. It really was a small world, she told herself. As Angelina approached her car, she had the feeling that someone was watching her. She turned her head in every direction, but found herself completely alone on the street. Her intuition told her to hurry. Quickly unlocking the car door, she hopped in and slammed the door, hitting the lock button as she did. She’d been suffering that same unnerving sensation a lot lately and she didn’t like it one bit. It felt as if someone was following her, but there was never anyone there when she checked. It was probably just her overactive imagination at work. She started the car and headed home with thoughts of Sir Richard Jefford dancing through her brain.