Thomas stepped forward, flanked by at least six other men – local justice men she recognised and had seen many times. He walked with a swagger – looking younger and more confident than she had ever seen him, and she wondered momentarily if the thrill of the chase had excited something in him.
The campfire was deserted, but behind the newcomers lay the young boy who usually tended the fire. He was hunched over on his side, and his face was bloody.
"Isabelle, wife, you appear to have forgotten something, in your haste to start a new life" his voice was filled with dangerous lightness. She shook her head.
"Indeed, you appear to have forgotten many things. Your promises and vows, your home and possessions...Your husband."
She tried to move back into the caravan, but with a nod of his head her husband sent forth the men to his side and they made a swift grab for her, holding her fast about her upper arms.
She was aware of her flushed face and the moistness between her legs – and felt that her husband must be able to see the change in her – the bestial spirit Peter had unleashed. The best she could do was turn her face from him, with a look of distain.
At his word the men who now flanked her dragged her from the clearing, through the rough ground and into the dense woods that surrounded the camp. She didn't know whether she most wanted Peter to return to rescue and defend her – or stay away to keep himself safe.
As though reading her mind her husband spoke,
"So, what prompted this flight? I am assuming it wasn't luxury and wealth – but there must have been something that tempted you away from your easy life in my household." She cast him a glance full of disgust. "What? You don't think your life with me was a good one?" he dared her with an ugly tone. "You greedy, selfish bitch! You had everything money could buy – a fine home, fine clothes, servants - you wanted for nothing!"
Catching her eye he saw, in one look, exactly what she had gone wanting, and was filled with fury.
"You were no comfort to me, husband!" she mocked, emboldened by her own anger, pent up for the past three years. "I needed something more than finery and fumbles."
The men about her laughed, and checked themselves quickly at the sight of Thomas – his face contorted with rage. He began to loosen his clothing and stepped towards her, chin raised and shoulders squared.
"Now, I take you back as my wife." She saw a flash of pink as he released his penis from his breeches, she shook her head, revolted at the thought of him inside her again. "I'll take you now or these men can have you." He gestured to the law men, and she cast a glance around them.
They were a motley group, and on each face she could see undisguised lust. One man rubbed the front of his clothes, massaging himself, on another she could see the raised lump of him within his trouser.
"Rather them than suffer you once more!"
Thomas stepped forward with frightening speed and smacked her forcefully across her face, she fell backwards with a cry and lay, stunned, on the floor. She had known he could be difficult, but had no notion of him as a violent man – and her bravado soon evaporated.
"Undress," he ordered.
She stood, gingerly, and looked about her, wondering if there were any means of escape. When she recognised that her fate was sealed she began, slowly to pull at the ties on her bodice. Unimpressed by her tardiness he kicked out at her shins.
"Undress now or I will have them tear the clothes from your body."
She slid the rich red dress from her shoulders and she could see the restless shuffling of the men from the corner of her eye. They were gazing at her, savouring the vision of her naked flesh as it became visible with agonising slowness. First the creamy smoothness of her shoulder, then the smooth arch of her back. She had turned away from them, but as so few of them had the pleasure of gazing on nakedness any part of her was enflaming.
Those who had wives were used to their modesty, those who used whores were used to a quickly raised skirt in an alleyway – but to see a fine lady peel away her garments was perfectly tortuous.
As the dress fell to the ground then she would loosen her linens and as more and more of her pale, smooth skin showed itself she was aware of the hush about her – as though every man were holding their breath in anticipation. Even through her fear she heard it, and felt it – recognising something in the power of the moment. These men were here to capture her – and yet she had them captured as they watched her.
With every inch of exposed flesh she felt the tension grow. As the soft cotton lawn of her underclothes slid from her skin to the ground she turned steadily around.