Page 60 of A Bridge Through Time
“Oh, you really don’t want me to stop, little horse thief. You’ll be begging for more, before too much longer.” He released the reins, so he could use both hands in his assault. One continued to torment her left breast, while the other snaked up under her gown and caressed her naked thigh. Every time she struggled, Thomas brutally bit her neck or squeezed her breast unmercifully. Tears of anger and frustration threatened to spill, but she wouldn’t give him or any of the other men the satisfaction of seeing her cry.
Thomas grabbed her crotch roughly, groping her mound and trying to penetrate her with a finger. She swatted at his hands, but it only served to anger him further. He yanked her arms behind her back and quickly tied her wrists together with a leather strap, ensuring her hands lay conveniently against his groin, where he could rub himself on them.
“Now, where was I?” he laughed cruelly.
He returned to molesting her and Ashley shrieked. She tried kicking at the horse’s flanks but it didn’t have any effect. Their mount was a warhorse and extremely well trained to respond only to his master.
Ashley decided to try another tactic. Physically, she couldn’t do anything, but perhaps she could upset Thomas’s plans in other ways. “Good grief, you smell as if you haven’t bathed since we last met.” She could only hope he had a sense of vanity. “You really should think about bathing more often. Maybe if you didn’t smell so bad, you’d be more appealing to women. Honestly, it’s so bad I’m trying not to gag. You smell absolutely disgusting.”
The men laughed uproariously and Thomas glared at them. It stopped his groping hands for a moment, so Ashley continued the verbal assault.
“Don’t you want to be more appealing to the ladies?” she queried, trying to keep her voice casual.
“They like me just fine, exactly the way I am,” he spat the words, and again his hands stilled.
“I’m not talking about the women you have topayto spend time with you.” When no reply was forthcoming, Ashley continued. “What about your wife? I heard that she killed herself, because she couldn’t bear being with you.”
Thomas grabbed her throat and squeezed. “Quiet, woman,” he growled. “Do not mention my wife, ever again, or you shall live to regret it.”
Ashley pressed on, despite his hand at her throat. “You do know Cailin isn’t responsible for her death, don’t you?”
“Enough!” Thomas yelled and squeezing his horse with his thighs, they took off at a run again.
Ashley was relieved that her plan to distract Thomas had worked, but she was afraid of what was going to happen when they reached their destination.
They seemed to ride for hours, and just when Ashley began to wonder if they would ever stop, they came to a large encampment in a clearing.
Several shelters had been set up around a large central fire pit. The largest of the shelters seemed to be the one Thomas was galloping towards.
Thomas dismounted and left Ashley alone with Roger, who made certain to fondle every inch of Ashley as he lifted her out of the saddle and slid her down the length of his mountainous frame. He grabbed her buttocks and pulled her against his crotch rubbing her indecently against something scarily large and hard.
“Thomas!” Ashley gasped, shoving at Roger’s chest.
“Roger, let her go! She’s mine for the time being, but you’re welcome to her, once I’m done. That is, if there’s anything left of her.” He leered at Ashley and licked his lips, as if he were contemplating his next meal.
***
Irene had remained quiet during the ride, shocked and horrified by Ashley’s treatment at Thomas’ hands. The man who was riding with Irene hadn’t attempted to touch her inappropriately, or even spoken to her. She imagined she was immune to their abuse because Sir Richard had commanded it.
Irene only hoped she could keep Ashley out of harm’s way until Robert and Cailin came to rescue them. There was no doubt in Irene’s mind, they would be coming, and when they did, there’d be hell to pay.
***
Heather had searched everywhere for William. She hadn’t seen him in hours and it was getting dark now. She didn’t know what to do, but she needed some help because she was certain William was nowhere in the castle. Searching frantically, shefound her husband, Finn and told him William was missing, gripping his shirt worriedly.
Finn immediately ran to the main gates, dragging Heather along behind him. The guards there hadn’t seen William. They went to the postern gate next, where the guard informed them that William had followed Lady Irene and Lady Ashley when they left to go for a walk earlier in the afternoon. They hadn’t returned through the postern gate, but the guard thought they might have come in through the main entrance.
Heather stared up at her husband and burst into tears. They both knew that hadn’t happened. “We must find the Laird,” Finn announced. As they approached the door, Heather and Finn ran into Cailin and Robert, who appeared as concerned as Heather was.
Heather bobbed into a curtsey. “Beggin’ yer pardon, sirs, but I be wonderin’ if Lady Irene or Lady Ashley have returned to the castle? I must seek their help.”
“What is it, Heather? We were just lookin’ for them ourselves,” Cailin said curtly.
Heather paled and her mouth dropped open. Finn glanced down at his wife and spoke for her. “We’ve been searchin’ for William all over, and haven’t found him. The guard at the postern gate said William followed Lady Irene and Lady Ashley out when they left earlier this afternoon, but they hadn’t returned that way. The guard at the main gate says he hasn’t seen them, either.”
***
Cailin stared at Finn in horror, before turning his gaze to Robert. “I told Ashley nae to leave the castle!”
