Between the Lines of Time

Chapter 28

Maddie followed what Stephen said, sitting on his lap and keeping mostly to herself. She was bored out of her mind listening to the men talk, most of it enraged her anyway, listening to them talk of their wives they left at home or their mistress they were struggling to keep happy. She was surprised to hear that Stephen does not have one and that he did not partake in that part of the conversation. Maddie knew it wasn't at her expense that he wasn't participating as the men all acted like this was a normal occurrence.

Jamie and Roger were in the corner talking amongst themselves, waiting for an opportunity to go speak with Maddie, they hated how controlling Bonnet was, and Jamie wanted to kill him for what he heard last night. Though it wasn't as loud as he was with Claire, he knew what Bonnet was doing to his daughter, and he hated how he could do nothing about it to protect her.

"Ye are being so good sweetheart," Stephen praised Maddie, while the others were deep in conversation. "Instead of a punishment later, y'ell be gettin' pleasure." He kissed her neck, circling his arms tighter around her waist so that his right hand was able to grip Maddie's ass. He loved holding her like this.

"I am just doing what you told me." Maddie said annoyed, she wanted more than anything to be with her mom and her friends.

"Well yer my good girl then." Stephen flirted back. He loved how obedient Maddie was being for once in these situations. Though he wished she was doing it out of sheer want for him, not out of fear of punishment.

Stephen was still kissing on her neck, whispering flirty notions in her ear when Jamie and Roger walked over to the pair.

"Bonnet," Jamie cleared his throat, causing Stephen to stop his antics, turning to glare at the Scott. "I'd like te talk te my daughter"

"Go ahead." Stephen said, returning his mouth back to Maddie's neck, not caring for the interruption.

"alone" Jamie pushed

"Not happenin'. Anything ye need to say to her can be said wit me too." Stephen said. He adjusted himself to pull Maddie back into his chest, sitting up straight, he turned his attention to the pair of Scotts standing over them.

"Da, its fine, he's not going to let me have any alone time anyways." Maddie said, annoyed at how her husband was acting.

"Well, we wanted to know that ye are okay. That the sinister bastard yer married te didn't hurt ye too bad." Roger cut in, really hating how Bonnet always got his way.

"H-how did, w-what are you talking about?" Maddie said, her face heating up from embarrassment, she really didn't think anyone would have said anything.

"We heard." Was all Jamie could say in that moment.

"O-oh. I see." Maddie said, very embarrassed now, "I am fine really, can we please not talk about it?"

"ye heard my wife, she said she is fine, now respect her wishes and drop it." Stephen said, tying to support his wife. He was not ashamed of what he did, that much was clear.

Jamie decided to drop it for now, hoping that later in town the girls could talk a little with her when they all got to meet. "well then, lets just visit with ye then."

The four of them spoke for the remainder of their time in the cigar room, Jamie and Roger making digs at Stephen, Stephen doing the same, all awhile Maddie just sat there, happy to be with her father but annoyed at the situation itself.

~

"We have to get her away from him." Bree said, once they were safely walking in the garden.

"I remember the sting of a belt, I only hope he didn't go that far with her." Claire said, with concern in her voice.