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The words had barely left Aileen’s lips when a group of men on horseback burst from the trees on the other side of the clearing, racing toward them at a thunderous speed.

“Well, now that we’ve been discovered,” Aileen said with a pragmatic shake of her head, “we shall continue this conversation once we have returned to the castle.”

Her thoughts in a jumble, Fiona squinted at the riders. A sense of relief engulfed her when she realized Gavin was not among them. She was in no mood to face him, especially knowing he was going to be very angry when he discovered what she had done.

The riders continued to bear down on them. Fiona could see clumps of grass and dirt flying into the air as the horses’ hooves ate up the distance separating her and Aileen from their rescuers.

Fiona considered trying to mount her horse, but decided it was too difficult and cumbersome without assistance. Aileen also remained on her feet. An uneasy breeze stirred. Fiona could see the tension in the way the men hugged their mounts, the tightness in which they gripped the reins.

What she did not see was a single face she recognized, nor a McLendon or Sinclair plaid.

“Run!” Fiona yelled suddenly.

Aileen stood transfixed, her expression bewildered. “Fiona, there is no need—”

“Quickly,” Fiona shouted, shoving Aileen forward. “We have to find a place to hide.”

“But—”

“Now, Aileen! These are not the earl’s men or your father’s. Hurry!”

For a split second everything went still. And then Aileen lifted her skirts and broke into a run. Fiona followed right behind, matching the younger woman step for step. They ran with fear and purpose, yet had no set course. Escape was their only thought.

They made it to the tree line and disappeared into the underbrush. For the first time Fiona was glad they didn’t have time to mount their horses, since the large animals would not be able to follow the narrow paths. Branches snapped and swung, whipping their legs and arms, but the women kept running.

“Where can we hide?” Aileen called out breathlessly.

“I don’t know,” Fiona answered frantically. “Look for a thicket. Or maybe a cave?”

“We could climb a tree,” Aileen huffed.

Fiona’s eyes scanned the large trunks, looking for low branches. Seeing none, they pressed on, the sounds of pursuit drawing nearer.

“We should separate,” Fiona yelled. “When I give the signal, you go right and I’ll turn left.”

But Fiona never got the chance. A strangled cry escaped her throat as two large hands grasped her shoulders. They pulled her back, then clamped around her waist, squeezing so hard the breath was pushed from her lungs.

At her cry, Aileen turned around. The movement caused the young woman to lose her footing and she tumbled to the hard ground. The moment she fell, another man leapt on top of her, wrenching her arms behind her back and shoving her face into the moss-covered ground.

“Stop! You’re hurting her!” Fiona kicked and bucked, struggling to free herself from the iron hold. But her captor’s strength was unrelenting, making escape impossible.

“I’ll do a lot more than bruise her pretty wrists if ye dinnae shut yer mouth and keep still,” the ruffian snarled.

Fiona’s heart sank. She immediately went limp. Satisfied that they were being compliant, the men took their time binding first Aileen’s and then Fiona’s wrists. As they stood facing each other, Fiona caught the younger woman’s eyes and pursed her lips tightly, then shook her head sharply.

Aileen nodded. Fiona sighed. Thank the saints the girl understood they needed to keep silent. If they were lucky, these men were minions, under service to another. Their leader might prove more sensible, someone with whom they could negotiate. Someone who would be interested in collecting a substantial ransom for their safe return.

For Aileen, at least. When he discovers that I’ve run away, Gavin might not be so inclined to part with his coin to rescue me.

Taking her by the arm, Fiona’s captor marched her out of the woods. She and Aileen were brought to the edge of a clearing where the others were waiting.

“Looks like ye’ve caught a bonnie prize,” an arrogant voice proclaimed. “Good work.”

Fiona heard Aileen gasp. She turned and looked up. No wonder. The man sitting astride the large white stallion was as handsome as the devil, his eyes sharp and assessing, his countenance foreboding. He was flanked by two armed men on either side of him, both older than he, but there was no doubt who was in command.

Sweat glistened on the neck and flanks of all the men’s horses, evidence of their punishing ride. A shove from behind brought Fiona close enough to feel the animal’s heated breath on the top of her head. But she dared not shrink away, suspecting that this man would be respectful of a sign of courage.

His hard stare passed coldly over her. Yet try as she might, Fiona could not control her shiver. Beside her, Aileen stood rigidly composed.