Page 23 of A Bridge Through Time (The Bridge Through Time #1)

H elene 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.

Cailin seemed so contrite, it was pulling at Ashley’s heartstrings, but the hurt she’d been subjected to would not allow for kind words. She wouldn’t let him off the hook that easily.

"I like Cormac, very much," she began.

She watched as pain lanced Cailin’s beautiful grey eyes. "I think of him as a brother and good friend. You say you don't want to share me with anyone, and yet I’m supposed to be okay with sharing you? I don't think so."

Cailin appeared very confused. "Who exactly would ye be sharing me with, lass?" he asked.

"Don't act all innocent with me." The anger boiled up in her chest again and everything burst out at once.

"I went looking for you this morning. I hadn't seen you for days and call me crazy, but for some reason I thought I missed you. I saw you in the courtyard, just as that, that woman threw herself at you! I thought you might push her away, but no, you go ahead and put your arm around her and the two of you were laughing together and strolling out through the gates without a care in the world. I assumed that’s where you’d been spending your time, and that's when I decided I wasn’t staying here and I was going to return to Glendaloch. "

Much to her disgust, Cailin didn’t even try to contain his laughter. "Yer jealous," he chuckled.

"Don't you laugh at me, you big jerk!" She swatted at him and he grabbed her and pulled her into his arms. Ashley found herself nose to nose with the handsome highlander and she couldn't wriggle out of his grasp.

"Ashley, dinnae fash like that,” Cailin ordered. “Ye have nae reason to be jealous. The woman you saw me with is Kenna. We've been friends since we were bairns; she's like a sister to me. She's married to my friend, Gavin."

The anger left Ashley’s body in a silent whoosh. She felt like an idiot. She couldn't even bring herself to face Cailin.

"Look at me," he commanded, lifting her chin with his finger.

She lifted her eyes to his and all the anger and jealousy left her as she recognized the truth of what he’d said in his eyes.

"Ashley Moore, there is no one that I want more than ye," he said quietly. He kissed her soundly and she melted into his arms. Ashley could feel his reluctance when he pulled away. "If we weren't expected downstairs, I'd be showing ye exactly what I mean."

"Maybe later?" she asked hopefully.

"Aye, later. Definitely."

***

Ashley kept her eyes lowered as they entered the great hall.

She was very aware that heads were turning as Cailin proudly escorted her through the crowd.

He stopped momentarily and seemed to be searching for someone.

He suddenly grasped Ashley’s hand in his and guided her to a table on the other side of the hall.

"Ashley, I'd like ye to meet Gavin and Kenna."

Gavin got to his feet and took Ashley's hand in his, raising it to his lips.

He was as fair-headed as his wife was, and had sparkling green eyes.

Gavin wasn't as tall as Cailin and Cormac, but had a stocky, muscular build.

Kenna was a petite woman with bright blue eyes set in an attractive face. She greeted Ashley warmly.

"It's so nice to meet you both," Ashley said. She was a little embarrassed by her earlier assumptions regarding Cailin and Kenna’s relationship.

She quickly discovered she had nothing to fear however, when Kenna smiled sweetly at her. "Cailin ye've been hiding Ashley from us," she teased. “She’s lovely.”

"I didnae want to just tell ye of Ashley, I wanted ye to meet her, so ye could see for yerself why I'm so taken with this beautiful woman."

Ashley saw Kenna and Gavin exchange knowing looks, while she blushed profusely.

"Ashley, we've known Cailin since we were wee ones and he's never introduced us to any lass. Ye must be verra special," Gavin said.

By now, Ashley assumed she was tomato red. She couldn't seem to find her voice and she squirmed beneath their scrutiny.

Kenna came to her rescue. "Ye boys are embarrassing poor Ashley. Enough with this talk. Ashley, I look forward to getting to know you. I can tell ye lots of embarrassing stories about yer man here."

"I'd like that," Ashley laughed.

"Come, lass," Cailin said. "They're waiting for us at the head table. Gavin, Kenna," he nodded to his friends. “We’ll talk more soon.”

As they walked to the dais, which held the head table, Ashley apologized. "Cailin, I'm so sorry for assuming you were seeing Kenna."

"Dinnae fash, lass, it proves you care for me and I'm happy to ken it." He squeezed her hand as he held her chair out for her. Once she was seated, Cailin leaned down and kissed her cheek before taking his seat on her left.

Cormac was seated to Ashley's right and he looked at her with some concern in his eyes.

"All is well, lass?" he asked.

"Yes, and I feel pretty dumb at the moment."

"I see ye’ve met the offending lass?"

"Uh huh, I did, and she is a very sweet girl."

"Good. I'm happy yer worries have been put to rest."

There was a festive atmosphere in the great hall, despite the circumstances that had brought them together. Goblets were raised and many toasts made throughout the gathering of the clan.

Irene and Robert were busy with their children, who’d been given permission to eat with the adults on this special occasion.

Ashley watched the family and was happy to be a part of their lives, even if it was only for a brief period of time.

Despite clearing the air with Cailin, Ashley was determined to leave as soon as possible.

No matter how attracted she was to Cailin, she needed to return to her own life.

***

When the meal ended and the tables were cleared, space was made available for dancing.

Soon musicians and their instruments appeared, and the room buzzed with excitement.

In a way, it reminded Ashley of the wedding receptions she’d attended in the last few years.

The only thing missing from this one was a bride.

When the musicians started playing a lively song, Irene and Kenna grabbed Ashley and drew her out onto the makeshift dance floor.

The music was fast, the tempo quick-paced and the women whirled around, giggling and laughing.

Ashley did her best to copy what Kenna and Irene did, but decided after a few minutes it really didn't matter. She hooked her arms through Kenna’s, and then Irene’s and then with the other women who’d joined the dancing.

The men stomped their feet and clapped their hands and eventually switched places with the women.

Ashley danced with Cailin, who whirled her around the room until she was dizzy. Cormac requested a dance with her next, followed by Robert, Gavin and a string of other men whom she didn't know by name, but recognized as members of the clan.

Out of breath, Ashley stumbled from the dance floor. Cailin greeted her, offering Ashley a mug of ale to quench her thirst.

"Are ye enjoying yerself, lass?" he asked.

"Yes," she agreed breathlessly. "This is so much fun!"

"Would ye like to get some fresh air?" Cailin suggested casually.

Ashley caught the seductive glint in his eyes. "I would," she smiled.

Cailin took her hand and led her through the crowds. Once outside, Cailin strode towards the heavy stone stairs, which went up to the battlements. Cailin greeted the men on watch and guided Ashley to a concealed spot, where they could be alone.

"Wow," Ashley gasped. "Look at the stars, they're unbelievable."

It was a clear, crisp night and the sky was full of stars. She had never seen so many before.

Ashley shivered as the cool night air hit her sweat-dampened skin and Cailin pulled her back against his chest and held her close. She sank appreciatively into the warmth of his body, aware of the telltale hardness pressing against her buttocks.

Cailin dipped his head to her neck and pressed soft, slow kisses from the base of her neck, working upwards until he was nipping lightly at her ear.

Ashley tipped her head back to give him better access, and small, satisfied sounds came from her throat.

Her breath quickened when Cailin's hands found her breasts.

His arousal pressed even more insistently against her and she wiggled against him, thrilled by his low groan of frustration.