Page 19 of A Bridge Through Time (The Bridge Through Time #1)
L ightning flashed in the distance, followed closely by the rumbling of thunder.
Ashley buried her head in Cailin's chest and he tightened his hold on her. She’d always been afraid of thunder and lightning, ever since childhood.
When she was a little girl, her mother would reassure her, saying it was just the angels bowling in heaven.
While the image captured her imagination, she still couldn't help but be scared during a storm.
"Wheesht, lass, dinnae fash. We're home now," Cailin announced, as he galloped the last few hundred yards towards the castle.
Ashley looked up from his chest, in time to see the gates of Breaghacraig opening for them.
The boys ran outside from the stables, ready to relieve the couple of their horses.
Cailin jumped down from the saddle and helped Ashley to the ground.
He instructed the boys on how to tend to Destiny, as Ashley’s horse was limping quite badly.
Satisfied the horse was in good hands, Cailin wrapped an arm around Ashley and hurried her inside.
***
Irene greeted them at the castle doors, as the first drops of rain let loose from the sky.
"Ye’ve made it back just in time. Ashley, yer shaking with cold. Come, sit by the fire, and warm yerself."
The wind howled outside and rain pelted the stone fortress. The world could be falling apart out there, Ashley thought, but she felt safe as long as Cailin was nearby.
"Ashley, have some Uisge Beatha." Irene handed her a cup of amber liquid and Ashley studied it covertly for a second or two, before sniffing the liquid surreptitiously. She sipped it and a smile lit her face. It was whiskey.
Irene handed a second cup to Cailin. "All is well to the north?" she queried.
"Aye," Cailin agreed, draining his cup quickly.
"Robert and Cormac will be back soon, I hope," Irene said, watching the doorway anxiously.
"The weather will nae keep them away. They’ve ridden in worse," Cailin reassured his sister.
Cailin's eyes met Ashley's and held as she sipped her drink. Ashley silently cursed the storm that had forced their return, even though it was probably a blessing in disguise. She really shouldn’t let the attraction they had for each other go any further. After all, she couldn’t stay. It was that simple. Or was it?
The door banged open a few minutes later, and a drenched Cormac and Robert sloshed into the room.
Irene rushed to relieve them of their wet cloaks.
She placed them near the fire to dry and then handed Robert and Cormac mugs of Uisge.
The two men huddled by the fire and quietly sipped their drinks, steam rising from their sodden clothing.
Robert was the first to speak. "We found evidence that Sir Richard has been on our lands," he stated grimly.
"Aye. Cian and Kate's cottage was burned to the ground and the two were left for dead," Cormac muttered darkly. “They managed to escape into the woods without being noticed by Sir Richard’s men. We’ve brought them back to safety with us."
"They’ll be staying here until it’s safe for them to return home. Kate was badly beaten, and will need some tendin’ from Ann. Cian's injuries were nae as bad, but he needs tendin’ as well. I've had Helene settle them into the solar above the great hall," Robert added.
"I'll find Ann and arrange for some warm food and hot water for bathing," Irene announced, heading towards the door.
"Can I help, Irene?" Ashley offered.
"Nay, lass, ye stay there by the fire. I have all the help I need." With that, Irene hurried out of the room, calling out to servants as she left.
***
Ashley stared wide-eyed, from one man to the next, trying to comprehend such an attack on innocent people. Finding her voice, she asked, "What about Finn and Heather, will they be attacked?" She couldn't bear it, if anything happened to that sweet little family.
"We're ordering our tenants in to the outer bailey, until we can run Sir Richard off. ‘Twill be crowded, but if need be, we can get everyone through the gates in a hurry. We've lookouts posted along our borders. They'll alert us to any danger."
Did ye see Donal and Fergus, Robert?" Cailin was frowning, obviously concerned for his men.
Robert nodded, pouring himself another mug of Uisge.
"Aye, we met with them at the burnt-out cottage. They’d been following Sir Richard and saw what happened.
They knew there was naught they could do tae stop the attack.
Two against twenty are nae good odds, but they bided their time and were able to help Cian and Kate to safety.
We arrived shortly afterwards, and Donal believes the men they followed were nae the only ones Sir Richard has about.
They saw messengers being dispatched in three different directions.
So, there may be as many as eighty to a hundred men approaching us, from all sides.
I’ve sent more men out to search for evidence of these elusive bastards.
But until we know for sure how many we’re dealing with, keeping the clan close is best."
Cailin paced back and forth, deep in thought. "We have enough men prepared for battle; we should be able to handle them easily. Ye think they’re unaware we know their plans?"
Robert nodded firmly. "Aye. It seems so."
Ashley suffered a sick feeling, deep in the pit of her stomach.
Fighting was something that she had only ever seen on the news, she’d never seen a battle in real life, and this situation, in this time, could only be worse than her imaginings.
These people, who had been so kind to her in the past few days, could be hurt or killed.
She turned to Cailin, finding he was watching her closely.
Tears welled in her eyes at the thought of what could happen to them, and yet they all seemed so maddeningly calm.
Cailin knelt in front of her and gently brushed a single tear from her cheek with his thumb.
"All will be well, Ashley, love. Dinnae fash." He took her hand in his and standing upright, pulled her gently to her feet. "Ye look tired, lass. I'll walk with ye back to yer room."
***
Upstairs, Cailin opened the door to Ashley's sleeping quarters and followed her inside.
She hadn't said a word since they left Robert and Cormac behind.
He watched as Ashley sank wearily into the chair beside the fireplace.
Cailin started a fire in the hearth, and then stood behind her, resting his hands on her shoulders.
"I'd feel better if I could help somehow," she stated quietly.
"I'll talk to Irene tomorrow. With all the families arriving, there will be much to be done. She will need yer help."
Ashley nodded and offered him a shaky smile over her shoulder.
"I'll have Helene bring a tray of food up for ye and I'll check on Destiny. I'm sorry to leave ye now, but I must speak more with Robert and Cormac." Cailin didn’t want to leave her, she’d been so happy all day and in a split-second, that had all changed. He desperately wanted to stay and be alone with Ashley, to continue what they’d started earlier, but those were selfish thoughts.
There were more important things to worry about, for now.
She stood up and turned around, so she could search his eyes. "It's okay. I understand."
Cailin gently cupped her chin in his hand. "I wish today had ended differently," he admitted.
"Me, too." She smiled up at him and her beauty nearly made his knees buckle. He pulled her close and his lips met hers, in a kiss that said everything he believed they were both thinking and feeling. He was the first one to pull away, albeit unwillingly.
"Good night, Ashley, love," he murmured. He pressed another brief kiss against her forehead and slipped out the door, before he could talk himself into staying.