Page 47 of A Bridge Through Time (The Bridge Through Time #1)

T he door to the inn was swept open a few minutes later and a very tall man with long, dark hair and dark eyes strode in.

He seemed a little out of place in the inn and Ashley’s heart sank to her toes when she recognized him.

Sir Richard Jeffords stood before her, wearing modern day clothing and shoes.

He looked around the room before his cold eyes focused on her at the desk.

“Well, well, if it isn’t Lady Ashley! I’ve been hoping to find a familiar face in this bizarre little village. How fortunate I am, to stumble upon you, of all people in this place.”

Angus put his newspaper down and stood up catching Ashley’s eye. He nodded faintly, letting her know that he understood.

“Can I help you, sir?” Angus asked, keeping his voice low and calm.

“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?”

“Why yes it is, Senior Constable Douglas.”

“I’m sorry, what’s going on here?” Sir Richard stood up, looking surprised.

“Sir, you are under arrest, for the assault of Miss Ashley Moore. You’ll be coming with me.”

“I don’t know what you are talking about! Miss Moore and I are old friends. I’m certain she’ll vouch for me,” Sir Richard said, his voice growing louder.

“Senior Constable Douglas, this is the man you’ve been searching for,” Ashley announced as she walked into the dining room escorted by Angus.

“Ashley, what is this all about? Is this some sort of cruel joke?”

Sir Richard honestly looked baffled and Ashley couldn’t get over what a good actor he was.

Either that, or he’d suffered a serious head injury during the battle outside of Breaghacraig and was delusional.

“You know what you did to me! Don’t try to deny it.

” Her fear was rapidly being replaced with seething anger.

Douglas instructed his men to handcuff Sir Richard and they did so, with some difficulty as Sir Richard realized he had no chance of getting away and began to struggle in earnest.

“Ashley! I’ll be back for you, you can be sure of it! You must help me get back home!” he yelled furiously.

“Goodbye, Richard. I hope I never see you again.” Ashley managed to control herself until the police left the building before she broke down.

Angus was by her side in a flash and wrapped her in his strong arms. Edna rubbed her back and cooed soft words of comfort in her ear as she sobbed with relief.

“Are ye okay, Ashley?” Angus asked.

“I’ll be fine. I think I need to go upstairs and lie down for a little while.”

“I think that’s a verra good idea, lass. We’ll call you when it’s time for the evening meal. Ye can rest now, and nae worry about this any longer. I promise ye lass, it’s verra nearly all over now.”