Page 62 of A Bridge Through Time
The gates were pulled opened and Cailin urged his horse forward, desperate to begin. The horses filed out, breaking into a gallop as they headed off to begin the search for Sir Richard’s encampment.
THIRTY-TWO
Irene and Ashley were escorted into Sir Richard’s shelter by Thomas and Roger. Irene was treated as an honored guest, whereas Ashley was being treated as a prisoner, and it made Irene positively furious.
“Irene, my love. You look as beautiful as ever.” Richard took Irene’s hand and tenderly kissed her palm.
Irene’s gaze was steely when she snatched her hand away. “What goes on here, Richard?” she demanded.
“I have merely brought you back where you belong, dear Irene. By my side.”
“Richard, I belong with Robert,my husband,” Irene emphasized, glaring at him.
“I beg to differ. You were mine, and he stole you from me. I have rescued you from life in that barbaric Scottish castle that heathen calls home,” Richard argued imperiously, examining his fingernails as if already bored with the conversation.
“He didn’tstealme, Richard! Ichosehim. You’ve got to accept that and let us go!”
Anger flashed across Richard’s face, but he hid it quickly and turned towards Ashley.
“What have we here?” he asked.
“Cailin MacBayne’s whore, Sir Richard,” Thomas said, offering Richard a low bow.
Irene cringed when Richard grabbed Ashley’s chin roughly, examining her carefully. He pressed a finger to the bruises on Ashley’s neck, and Irene fisted her hands in anger when she saw Ashley cringe. “Did she give you trouble, Thomas?”
“Nay, sir. We handled her with no problem.”
Richard continued his inspection, as if Ashley were little more than an interesting animal in a stable. “This is the young lady who stole your horse and tried to kill you, is it not, Thomas?”
“Aye,” Thomas said grimly, and Irene caught the fury in his eyes as he glared at Ashley.
Sir Richard turned away from Ashley dismissively. “Then I’m sure you’ll enjoy exacting your revenge.”
Irene stepped forward anxiously. “Richard, please don’t let them hurt Ashley anymore,” she begged.
Sir Richard appeared amused by Irene’s concern and raised an eyebrow. “Ah, so you care about what happens to the whore?”
“Aye.” Irene lowered her gaze, trying to appear demure; frightened that if she showed any sign of temper, things would get worse. “She is Cailin’s betrothed. Thomas has treated her with much disrespect.”
Sir Richard waved a dismissive hand. “Do not fear my love. If all goes according to plan, you will both be free of your Scottish captors before too much longer. And then you will be free to marry me,” he smiled evilly, “but alas, your poor Ashley is destined to find herself in the position of being the camp whore.”
Irene was horrified when Sir Richard suddenly grabbed Ashley by the arm, dragging her along with him as he came to stand in front of Irene.
“Now, Irene, my love, you know I would never hurt you. I will, however, have no qualms whatsoever about hurting your companion.”
To prove his point he backhanded Ashley, who stumbled and would have fallen except for the iron grip Richard had on her arm.
“Richard, be reasonable,” Irene pleaded. I do not love ye. I never have, and I never will. Robert will see ye dead for what you do here this day.”
Richard released Ashley and she fell to her knees.
“Irene, I do not intend to argue the point with you. You are mine, and should have been right from the beginning. If you wish your friend here to remain in good health, you will cooperate with me and stop this nonsense.”
“Irene, don’t let him bully you. They’ll come for us, don’t worry.” Ashley struggled to stand up again and Irene was proud of her effort to sound confident, despite their dire situation. Ashley’s remarks earned her another slap, which sent her sprawling onto the ground again.
“Richard, if ye think hurting Ashley is going to make me love ye, yer wrong! It will only make me hate ye more! Ye cannae win me by beating her to death!”
“Perhaps you are right, my love. I’ll leave her be for the moment, but if things don’t go my way,” he leaned closer to Irene, speaking against her ear in a low voice and Irene shivered. “Well, we won’t discuss that now.”
