Page 93 of By the Sword
His eyes narrowed and his fingers tightened on her arm causing her to wince with the pain. ‘You’re Thornton’s whore. I knew it as soon as I saw the ring that you wear around your neck. Now if you value your son’s life, you will do as I say.’
He flung her away from him and Kate stumbled against a table, catching at it to prevent her fall.
She looked up at Prescott. ‘Tom? What have you done to my son?’
Prescott’s mouth curled in a parody of a smile. He glanced at the window and nodded. ‘It’s past nightfall. If you wish to see your son and your lover, I suggest you come quietly. We have no wish to alarm the household.’
Prescott pulled out one of the heavy cavalry pistols he wore in his belt and took her arm again, pressing the muzzle to her side.
Kate struggled to control her breathing as he guided her towards the door. As Kate opened the door she almost bumped into Essie. Prescott moved in behind her and she felt the muzzle of the pistol press hard against her back.
‘Oh mistress,’ the girl said. ‘I’ve sent one of the stableboys to Knowles’ farm like you asked. Will Major Prescott be dining tonight?’
Essie glanced at the soldier who stood behind Kate. The pistol prodded her harder.
‘No. He is just leaving,’ Kate said, surprised at how calm she sounded. ‘Thank you, Essie. Get back to your work and tell Lady Longley that I will not be long.’
The girl bobbed a curtsey and disappeared down the corridor.
Once outside, Prescott pushed her ahead of him. She tripped and stumbled along the uneven path that led to the Long Barn. The old building loomed, a dark silhouette on a slight rise. On a moonless night like tonight, Kate could almost believe the tales of it being haunted.
Prescott opened the door of the barn and pushed Kate inside.
‘Thornton?’ he called, but there came no reply from the gloom. ‘Thornton? I have the woman. If you value her life, show yourself, now.’
The sound of tinder striking flint disturbed the silence. A light flickered in the dark and a man stepped out of the shadows, a drawn sword in his right hand and a lantern in his left. He hung the lantern on a nail in a post and turned to face Stephen Prescott.
‘Jonathan.’ Kate breathed.
He ignored her. His entire focus centred on the man who stood behind her.
‘I thought I told you to come alone. This is between you and me,’ he said.
‘I thought you might like to see your strumpet before you die,’ Prescott said.
His fingers tightened on her arm, twisting it behind her and forcing her to her knees. He put the pistol at her head and she gasped.
‘I don’t understand– ’
‘Let her go, Prescott,’ Jonathan said. ‘Kate knows nothing.’
‘Really? You mean she doesn’t know how you debauched my wife, turned her mind against me? She doesn’t know how you killed her with your bastard?’ He wrenched Kate’s arm again, forcing her to look up at him. ‘Mistress Ashley, let me tell you how Mary comes to me at night, wringing her hands and crying out for vengeance, begging my forgiveness. All for a bet, Mistress Ashley, all for a bet.’
Kate stared into a face contorted by bitterness and hatred that was beyond reason or logic. Her eyes flicked to her lover. He stood motionless, the sword balanced in his hand, his gaze still fixed on Stephen Prescott.
‘You know that wasn’t how it was, Prescott. Let the past go. Let Mary rest.’
Kate’s breath came in shallow gasps. How could he sound so calm? The man holding her arm would think nothing of killing both of them.
Prescott shook his head. ‘No. Mary will not rest until I have seen you dead.’
‘Jonathan,’ Kate cried out. ‘For pity’s sake! Where’s Tom?’
Jonathan glanced at her and back at Prescott. ‘He’s not here, Kate. Where is he, Prescott?’
Prescott laughed. ‘I don’t have him.’
‘You said–’ Kate began.
