Immediately, the corporal, together with several others, led the private away. The onlookers slowly drifted back to their conversations.
Bethie released a long, trembling breath, searched Nicholas’s face, saw his gaze soften as he looked down at her. “It’s all right, Nicholas.”
“Like bloody hell it is!”
“I—I’m just a wee bit startled.”
“I must apologize, madam.” The lieutenant bowed his head with such respect that Bethie was taken aback. “I would never have imagined one of our soldiers would make such a bold assault on an officer’s wife, or any woman for that matter.”
“I’m no longer an officer, Lieutenant Trent.”
Lieutenant Trent gave an impatient flick of his lace-adorned wrist. “As you wish. Rest assured the miscreant shall be punished. Good day to you both.” With a quick nod of the head, he turned and walked away.
Nicholas took her arm. “Let’s get you back to the barracks.”
She gave him a little tug. “No’ yet. I want to see Annie’s tradin’ post first.”
***
“You’ve got to help me, Richard! They’re goin’ to flog me! Thirty-nine lashes!”
Richard glared at Silas, glanced nervously around. “Keep your voice down! I’m no’ supposed to be here!”
“Can you get me out?”
“Are you daft? You shouldna have gotten yourself caught! I told you to be careful, did I no’?”
Silas nodded. “I didna think he’d see. Why, oh, why did I let you put me up to this?”
Richard reached between the bars, grabbed Silas by the throat. “Hold your whist, or I’ll duff you one! ’Twas your own foolish idea!”
Silas coughed, pulled away. “I willna tell. I wouldna do such a thing, Richard! But you must help me. You’re my friend!”
“I brought you this.” Richard held out the lead ball.
“What is that for?”
“Tuck it in your mouth on the mornin’ when they come to get you. Bite it while they’re floggin’ you. ’Tis to keep you from wailin’.” Richard watched in disgust as a tear rolled down Silas’s cheek, felt an urge to hit the spineless bastard.
Silas grabbed the ball with a sweaty hand. “I’m so frightened!”
“Pull your wits together! I’ve seen girls take a beating with less fuss than you!” Richard didn’t tell him that one of those girls was the woman whose arse he’d grabbed today.
Richard had wanted to test the waters, to see exactly how much of a guard dog Bethie’s man was. He had egged Silas on, then watched from the shadows as her man had threatened to cut Silas’s cods off. He had no doubt the man—a bleedin’ officer, no less—had meant every word he’d said.
Richard would have to be very careful.
Silas was still weeping. “I shouldna ha’ done it.”
“Christ, Silas! Dinnae be such a cutcher!” Richard gave a snort of contempt, turned, and walked past the sleeping guard out into the night.
***
Bethie poured cold water from the bucket Private Fitchie had filled into the glass bowl, then removed her clothes until she stood naked. Isabelle had finally fallen asleep, giving her a few precious moments alone. She dipped a linen cloth into the cool water, squeezed it out, pressed it against her throat and breasts, biting back a moan. It had been a hot and sticky day.
If only the water would cool her temper as well.
She didn’t know when she’d ever felt more cankersome. She’d tried to make herself useful in the cookhouse this afternoon only to find herself hauled back to the barracks by a very angry Nicholas.
