Page 77 of A Bridge Through Time
“Yes, I’m searching for a bed and since this is the only inn in the village, I’m hoping you have space for me. I’m a friend of this lovely young lass. Ashley do please tell him about me, won’t you?”
Ashley found she was frozen in place. She couldn’t speak, her terror at seeing Sir Richard again was so great.
“There’s no need for Ashley to vouch for you. I’ll be happy to help ye.” Angus walked behind the desk and stood beside Ashley. “Ashley, would you please go and find Edna for me? Tell her we have a guest who is in need of a room.”
Ashley nodded weakly and practically ran from the room in search of Edna. She found her in the dining room, going over the menu with the chef.
“Ashley, what’s wrong! You look as though you’ve had quite a shock.”
Ashley held a hand to her rapidly beating heart. “I think I have. Edna, Sir Richard Jefford is in the lobby.” She was shaking uncontrollably.
“The man who kidnapped you and took part in your abuse?” Edna stood up abruptly, her voice incredulous.
“Yes! What are we going to do? Angus sent me to find you.”
“I’m sure Angus can handle him if need be. Don’t worry. I’m going to call Senior Constable Douglas and tell him we’ve located the man who beat you. Hopefully he’ll get here quickly. You must go back out there, Ashley, make it seem like everything is normal. Tell Angus I’ll be right there, and don’t let on that we’re calling the police.”
Ashley tried not to look as frightened as she felt. Taking a deep, calming breath, she walked back into the lobby, making her way behind the registration desk and stood beside Angus’s calming presence.
“Edna said she’ll be right out.”
Sir Richard leaned against the edge of the desk, and Ashley instinctively took a step backwards, only calming when Angus squeezed her arm gently. “Ashley, my dear, I was very much hoping you could tell me how to return home? I’m sure you must have some idea.”
Ashley inhaled deeply, finding her voice, although even she could hear the fear in her words. “I’m afraid I don’t. If I did, I’d be there now.”
Sir Richard tapped his fingernails against the desk. “Perhaps later, you and I might take a little walk down to the bridge, to see for ourselves.”
“I don’t think so,” Ashley responded quietly. She forced herself to scan him from head to toe. “I thought you were hurt.”
“Oh, it was nothing serious. I’m perfectly fine now. They have a very good doctor here in Glendaloch, I’ll bet you’ve met him.”
“Yes, yes I have,” Ashley admitted.
“He was kind enough to let me stay with him until I was recovered from my injury.” He inclined his head towards the plaster cast. “What happened to your arm?”
“I fell from a horse and broke it.”
“I see. What a terrible shame.”
“Here I am, Angus.” Edna called as she hurried into the room. “I’m so sorry to keep you waiting, sir. My name is Edna and I’d be very happy to assist you. You’re in need of a room?” Edna did a wonderful job of greeting Sir Richard acting as her usual bubbly self. Ashley didn’t think he would possibly guess what they were up to.
“Yes. I do. Hopefully not for too long, however. I’m hoping someone here might help me find my way back to where I came from.” He stared pointedly at Ashley.
“I’m sure that can be arranged, sir, but in the meantime, let’s get you settled into a room.” Edna began searching through her reservations book. “I believe Room Three is available, the guests vacated this morning. The maid is just finishing up in there. Can we offer you a drink at the bar Mr…?
“Jefford. Richard Jefford.”
“Please come this way,” Edna announced cheerily, directing Sir Richard towards the dining room. “You can wait in here until your room is available. Perhaps you would you like some wine?”
Sir Richard offered her a simpering smile. “That would be lovely, Edna.”
Ashley watched through the open doorway as Edna poured Sir Richard a glass of wine. She prayed Senior Constable Douglas would arrive swiftly.
Angus kept a vigil at the front desk with Ashley close by his side. Ashley had begun to feel slightly more relaxed when she glanced down and realized what Sir Richard couldn’t have known – Angus kept his Claymore behind the counter and he’d kept a hand on it the whole time they were speaking with Sir Richard. Even though Sir Richard was occupied in the other room with Edna, Angus kept his hand on the hilt in readiness to protect Ashley and Edna from any danger.
Time seemed to creep by and Ashley could hear Edna keeping up a continuous conversation with Sir Richard. They were both laughing and Ashley was amazed at how cool Edna was, under the circumstances. It seemed like hours passed, but watching the clock, Ashley knew only thirty minutes had gone by before Senior Constable Douglas rushed through the door, along with two constables. Ashley was shaking like a leaf as she listened to Angus explaining Sir Richard’s arrival in a low voice to Douglas.
When he’d finished, Douglas strode into the dining room, followed by his men. “Mrs. Campbell. Thank you for the phone call. Is this the man, you were speaking about?”
