Page 95 of A Thistle Beyond Time
“I’m sorry, Cailin. I’ve let ye down. Sophia filled me cup with ale and I stupidly drank it,” Latharn apologized.
“As did Fergus and I,” Donal added.
It seemed that all the guards were telling the same story.
“Where would she get a sleeping draught from?” Cormac wondered aloud. He felt a bit nauseous from the aftereffects of the drink and abject fear for Jenna’s safety. The other men all seemed to be experiencing similar symptoms and swayed precariously on their feet.
“Sir, Sir!” one of the stable boys came running over to them, breathing heavily. “Sir, someone has stolen three of the horses!”
“Are ye sure?” Cailin asked.
“Aye. I went in to feed them this morning, and they were gone.”
“Which horses are missing?” Cormac demanded.
“Rose, Sir, and Donal and Fergus’ horses are both gone, too.”
Donal and Fergus both let loose with a guttural curse.
“Saddle up my horse, lad. I must go after them,” Cormac announced.
“Cormac, you don’t look very good,” Ashley said doubtfully. “Maybe you should take a few minutes to rest. Get some food in your stomach. You all should,” she insisted.
Cormac shook his head impatiently. “We dinnae have time for that. They must be headed for the bridge. We have to stop them. We cannae allow Jonathan to take Jenna back to San Francisco.” Cormac was almost overwhelmed with worry and unanswered questions. Did Jenna go with them willingly? Surely not? Or had Jonathan kidnapped her? How much of a head start did they have? Standing around was not going to locate her. He needed to act now.
“I’ll come with ye,” Cailin stated.
“We will all go,” Latharn volunteered and Donal and Fergus nodded in agreement, although it was obvious that it made their heads ache to do so.
“Let’s be off then. Ashley, go back inside and tell Robert what has happened. Make sure the other guards are looked after.”
“Okay, but you all be careful. Jonathan is a sleaze bag,” Ashley said.
“A what?” Cailin asked, his eyebrows rising almost to his hairline. Cormac exchanged a long look with his brother that confirmed they both chalked it up to twenty first century slang.
The horses were brought out, everyone mounted swiftly, and they galloped out through the gates in search of Jonathan, Sophia, and Jenna.
Jonathan stretched and yawned. “Happy you two didn’t decide to make a run for it again. Smart. Let’s get on those horses and head for the bridge.”
“Do you even know where it is?” Jenna questioned curtly.
“I do. I happen to have a perfect sense of direction. It’s not too much further.” He mounted his horse and ordered Sophia and Jenna to do the same with a wave of the gun.
“I’m so sorry, Jenna,” Sophia said unhappily.
“I know. I believe you wouldn’t have been involved, unless Jonathan threatened you.” Jenna wasn’t interested in blaming Sophia for her predicament. She blamed herself – for being stupid enough to become involved with Jonathan in the first place. Jenna mentally shook her head, warning herself that laying blame would do little good at this point. She could remind herself of all the warning signs that were blatantly obvious to her now, but what good would that do? She was in trouble right now. She had to believe that Cormac would come searching for her. But what if he didn’t. Then what? The thought terrified her. She might have to plot her own escape. And where was Edna? She’d been all about getting Jenna to Breaghacraig. Why wasn’tshehelping out? Grrr…
“Jenna, are you okay?” Sophia asked quietly.
“Yeah. I’m just thinking.”
“Well, don’t think too hard, babe. You might hurt yourself,” Jonathan barked, a crazy laugh escaping his lips.
“Jonathan, could we stop for a minute,” Sophia pleaded.
“No.”
“I’ve gotta pee… please, Jonathan,” Sophia begged.
