Free A Bridge Through Time: Book 1 of The Thistle & Hive Series by Jennae Vale

shirtless and engaged in some form of combat on an open patch of ground inside the walls. They didn’t seem to be hurting each other, so Ashley assumed it was just a show. They were probably practicing for when the tour buses arrived. The women’s clothing varied, from the simple dresses of those who appeared to be servants, to the intricately detailed gown of the woman approaching them at a run.
    “Cailin! Yer hurt! Cormac!” she called. “Help yer brother!”
    A man bearing a resemblance to Cailin came bounding across the courtyard, concern in his eyes. “Cailin, are ye well?”
    “Aye. I’m fine.”
    “What happened to ye?”
    As Cailin explained everything, Ashley sat stock still on top of her horse. No one had noticed her yet, or so she thought, and she liked it that way. Looking around at the people and the castle, she felt very out of place. She was surrounded by high stone walls. She’d done some research on medieval castles, and she believed they were called the curtain walls. Ashley saw stables off to her right and more buildings off to the left. Directly in front of her, stood a five-story keep. It was incredibly authentic. Even though she knew it to be a medieval castle, it did not appear to be old. Maybe it was a replica, which had only been built recently.
    Cailin had completed his story and raised his hand towards Ashley. “This be Ashley Moore. Ashley, this be me sister, Irene and me brother, Cormac. Irene is married to Robert MacKenzie, laird of Breaghacraig.”
    “Thank ye, Ashley, for saving our brother. We’d nae want to lose him,” Irene said.
    “Aye, ‘tis true.” Cormac added. He reached up and lifted her down from her horse, much to her surprise. Ashley noticed both Cormac and his sister were eyeing her curiously.
    “Thank you, but you really didn’t need to help me,” Ashley said. “I could’ve dismounted on my own.”
    With her back to the horse, Cailin, Irene and Cormac formed a wall around Ashley, much to her annoyance. She could see very little beyond the three of them and wanted to see more of her surroundings.
    Irene took charge. “Cormac, take Cailin in and find Helene. Tell her what happened and see that she gathers everything Ann should need to care for his wound. I will find some appropriate clothing for Ashley to wear and introduce her to Robert and the children at the evening meal. He’ll wish to thank her for her assistance.”
    “No need to worry about me,” Ashley blurted indignantly. “I’m fine with what I’m wearing.”
    “Ye may be fine, but the men willnae be,” Irene retorted sharply. She grabbed Ashley’s hand and started to pull her along, leaving the two men behind.
    As they walked, Ashley noticed the men in the yard staring, looking her over from head to toe, elbowing, and commenting to one another. It was as if she were on display, as though she was walking around in her underwear. No one had ever paid much attention to her back home when she was out in her workout clothes.
    Irene scolded the men. “Ye surely have other things to do! Put yer eyes back in yer heads and get back to it!”
    The men shuffled uncomfortably, lowering their gazes as if they had been firmly put in their place, but Irene apparently wasn’t taking any chances, tugging at Ashley’s hand. “Quickly, Ashley, let’s get ye inside.”
    *****
     
    Once through the oversized wooden doors, Irene continued to bark out orders. “Margaret, prepare quarters for Lady Ashley. Get the boys to bring hot water for a bath, then go to my room and find a gown. Bring it to Lady Ashley’s room. I will help her dress.”
    “You don’t have to go to so much trouble on my account. I can’t stay here, anyway,” Ashley protested.
    Irene stopped dead in her tracks, and appeared perplexed by Ashley’s statement. “You can’t leave. ‘Twill be dark soon and ye would need an escort. Where did ye need to go?”
    “I have to get back to Glendaloch. Mrs. Campbell will be worried about me.