Page 41 of Claimed Highland Brides

19

FAST HORSE

D aividh took six men with him, leaving twelve surrounding the keep to guard the family. The sisters were under strict instructions not to leave the walls of the keep. The children as well were to be kept in the nursery, with one soldier watching them. Under no circumstances were strangers to be allowed within the walls of the compound until the laird returned.

As independent-minded as they were, the girls agreed to all the conditions because they were so anxious for Jamesina.

Fiona clung frantically to her husband for a moment. “Ye have tae get her back, Daividh! Remember, I think she might be with child.”

He nodded grimly. “I swear t’ye my love, I shall bring her back.”

Fiona surged up, pressing her lips to his, in blessing and luck. Daividh nodded to her and she watched as he went back through the doors of the keep before turning his horse towards Drumacree. Scouts sent ahead had reported that various crofts had noted the sound of horses’ hooves passing in the night going in that direction. One of Daividh’s best trackers had found a trail, albeit a very faint one. Whoever had Jamesina, they knew how to cover their tracks and were expecting pursuit.

* * *

Jamesina took as much time as she could beside the burn. She was still clumsy and uncoordinated from hours of riding on her stomach, unable to straighten up in any way so it looked perfectly believable when her hands were shaking too much to hold the water even as she surreptitiously surveyed her surroundings, wondering if she might disappear into the underbrush.

What she did not count on is one of her captors scooping up water for her in a bowl and holding it out impatiently. She took it with a resigned sigh and drank before being pulled to her feet and viciously manhandled back to the horse.

The water helped. Her head was clear and she looked behind her at the path they were on. The tall grasses on both sides of the path obscured it from sight. But just as nobody nearby could see her because of it, she could also not see if anyone was following. She decided to take it as a given that somebody was.

Before they’d taken her, her captors had taken the time to tie a skirt around her waist and to cover her with an arisaid since she slept in just her shift. They had placed slippers on her feet, which were not really practical for running or doing anything really except lounging about at home.

I’ll just have to run barefoot .

She sighed with resignation, not even attempting to entertain the notion that she might not escape. She swayed from side to side as the horse trotted on, realizing for the first time that their pace had slackened. In fact, once they’d turned onto this path, her abductors had adopted a distinctly more relaxed attitude.

Either they think they cannae be found in the marshes or this is their territory .

She frowned, not having heard talk of any brigands near Drumacree. She knew the Hunters were agitating at the mines but that was a day and a half’s ride from here in the opposite direction from which they’d come. Jamesina didn’t know what to think.

They rode all day, without stopping for food, and by the time someone pulled her off her horse and set her down on the ground, she was weak with hunger and sick with nausea. She resolved to beg, if she had to, for some food.

Someone lit a fire while another skinned a rabbit. Saliva flooded her mouth and she swallowed hungrily, eyes staring fixedly at the rabbit. Someone snorted nearby and a stone bottle dropped beside her. Removing the cork, she leaned forward to sniff at it.

Cider .

She took a sip, savoring the crisp, tart, cool flavor.

Apple cider .

She took another sip, and then another. Soon she was downing the whole bottle. No sooner had she swallowed than a wave of nausea hit her and she swayed, struggling not to cast up her accounts. The cider was the only sustenance she’d had since she was abducted. She could not afford to lose it.

You should have drunk slower, you idjit!

She sighed, taking deep breaths in order to keep the liquid down. She resisted the urge to heave a few times and for a moment, she thought she’d managed and relaxed in triumph. Her throat took the chance to contract forcefully, and she disgorged all the cider she’d just drank in addition to the water from earlier.

Her captors were muttering amongst themselves in annoyance.

“She’s no sick is she?”

“She looks a bit pale.”

“Neacel isnae gang tae be happy if she’s deid when we arrive.”

She looked up at them, eyes pleading. “I’m sorry. Forgive me. I dinnae ken wha’s wrong wi’ me but I need food. Please.”

“Why should we gi’ ye any food if ye’re jes’ gang tae eject it all?”

“I wilnae. Please.”

The man who spoke to her had vivid blue eyes in a ruddy face, as he glared at her in suspicion.

“Soup’s ready,” a decidedly higher voice said from the other side of the fire. Jamesina thought it might even be a woman. The man snorted, went round, and accepted a bowl before bringing it to Jamesina.

“If’n ye vomit tha’ ye’re no getting any more food.”

Jamesina nodded quietly, taking the bowl eagerly.

Slowly. I must eat slowly .

She tilted it, letting the fragrant soup slide into her mouth before swallowing. She closed her eyes, savoring the burst of flavor in her mouth. She took tiny sips, all the while keeping track of any sign of nausea. There were none.

She was able to finish the soup without further incident and happily handed back the bowl. To her surprise, the gruff man who had spoken to her earlier handed her a piece of roasted rabbit and a slice of slightly hard bread. She could hardly breathe for gratitude, taking delicate bites of the food even though she wanted to gulp it all down in one fell swoop.

Her discipline was rewarded with no further incidents of disgorgement.

“Sleep,” the higher-pitched voice ordered and she hastened to obey, laying down in the grass and watching the stars. She had no covering save her arisaid but that was enough in the warmth of the fire.

The fire!

She lifted her head, trying to gauge if it was visible enough to be seen at a distance. Surely in the dark of the night, somebody would be able to tell. She scrambled for a few sticks and pieces of grass, throwing them into the fire to build the flame.

“Stop tha’!” someone growled nearby. “Afore ye burn us all.”

She burrowed back down into her arisaid and prayed.

* * *

Goraidh came to a stop and pointed. “Fire,” he said softly. Delwyn craned his head, looking in the direction that the guide was pointing. It still took him a while to notice the slight glow coming from the east and not even that far away.

“You think it’s them?” he asked as voicelessly as he dared.

Goraidh nodded. “Aye.”

He lifted his hands, palms up to ask, “What next?”

Goraidh slid off his horse, hobbling it so Delwyn did the same. “We cannae risk the horses making a sound as we approach, or their horses sensing ours and raising the alarm,” he whispered.

Delwyn nodded his agreement. “Good thinking.”

Goraidh disappeared into the brush and Delwyn hastened to follow. Jamesina was within reach! He could feel his heartbeat rise with every step they got closer. He would not fail.

* * *

Simon had been getting ready to leave Drumacree, having stopped for a few hours to get supplies when he overheard a conversation about an Englishman and his female companion who was staying at the inn. He frowned, wondering if perhaps…he shook his head, continuing to pack his belongings, but the thought would not leave him.

With a sigh, he turned to his men, “Alrigh’ men, before we go, there is something we mun’ just check at the inn. It wilnae take long.”

He had been their captain for a long time and his men nodded their agreement without questioning. They had been told there was some urgency to this mission but if the captain said they needed to stop, they did not doubt him.

They came to a stop in front of the inn a few minutes later and Simon swung off his horse and went in search of the innkeeper.

“Alasdair? I mun’ speak wi ye.” He strode into the kitchens where the publican was haranguing the cook. He turned around, his eyes widening.

“Och aye? Wha’ aboot?”

“One o’ yer guests. A Sassenach?”

“Ach, ye’re too late. He already went off wi’someone. Dinnae ken who, dinnae ken where. He left his sister here, though.”

Simon’s eyebrows rose. “Is that so? Can I speak wi’ her?”

“I shall ask her if she’ll speak wi’ ye. Aifric is wi’ her.”

“ Aifric ? Is she the one who sent the Sassenach off wi’ Goraidh?”

The innkeeper shrugged.

“Alrigh’ then, please ask her if I may have a word.”

Alasdair went off as Simon waited in the taproom. Soon after, both Aifric and a young woman arrived. The woman was wearing a skirt that was frayed as if she’d been rolling about in the thorny brush with it. But it was clean, as was her person. She came up to him, looking at him with Delwyn’s eyes.

This must be his sister. But if so, where has he gone ?

“Forgive me for disturbing ye, ma’am. My name is Simon Campbell and I believe ye are the woman I was sent tae try and rescue by my laird?”

She snorted, turning her nose up at him. “I did not need rescue. I was perfectly fine.”

Simon was at a loss. “I see.”

His eyes shifted to Aifric and he raised his eyebrows.

“Things have transpired since ye left Braenaird, dear sergeant at arms,” she said without preamble. “They took Lord Barton’s wife. He has gone after her. He left this one in my care.”

Simon immediately frowned. “They took Mistress Barton? And Lord Barton went after her, alone ?”

“Aye.”

Simon shifted from foot to foot in agitation. “I must...”

“Aye.” Aifric nodded with wise eyes.

“Where?”Simon demanded.

“I will show ye.” Aifric’s voice was calm as she stared at Simon.

The lassie was looking from Simon to Aifric as if she was not quite following. “You’re going to my brother?”

“Aye, Simon nodded quickly.”

“I want to come with you,” Maegen demanded

Simon and Aifric exchanged glances.

She clutched Simons’s shirt. “I mean it! I am coming with you!”

“Why? If ye’re worried aboot yer brother, we will help him, I promise ye.”

“It’s not that. If…if Neacel took my brother’s wife, then…everything Delwyn said about him…was true.” Her bottom lip trembled. “I need to see for myself.”

Simon rolled his eyes. “We dinnae have time for?—”

“I won’t slow you down. I am an excellent rider and I do not want my brother facing this alone any more than you do. He is a brave man but he is just one man. And the man he described Neacel to be is ruthless and without mercy or...compassion.” Her eyes were misty with tears and Simon turned away, unable to watch her disillusionment.

“Alrigh’ then. Let’s ride.”

* * *

They found the horses first, two of them, hobbled in the long grass. “Delwyn and his guide,” Daividh murmured. His tracker nodded.

“Can ye follow them?”

His tracker nodded again and they followed him in single file, weapons already drawn. He was thankful for the breeze, which made the grass sway like waves in the ocean and obscured their movement through it. No doubt Hunter and his men would have lookouts and the closer they could get before being detected, the better.

Still, it was a surprise when they almost stepped on Delwyn and his companion. They surged upwards, a sghian dhu already lashing out in Delwyn’s hand and only a quick swerve saved Daividh from losing an eye. He reached out and grabbed Delwyn’s hand, squeezing the wrist so tight he could feel the bones grind together. He stared into the man’s eyes as Delwyn blinked in surprise.

“Where did you?—”

Daividh’s eyes widened and he put an urgent finger to Delwyn’s lips even though the man spoke like a whisper of sound in the breeze.

He pointed towards the camp where a fire was still glowing softly. Delwyn nodded and Daividh let go of his hand.

They all squatted in the grass.

“What were ye doing?” Daividh asked softly.

“We heard you coming behind us. Or Goraidh did. We thought you were lookouts for them.” He pointed with his thumb towards the camp. Delwyn had never been so glad to see anyone as he was to see his brother-in-law. Their presence just increased their chances of getting Jamesina out alive.

“Do you have an extra sword? I am afraid all I have is this.” He held up the knife.

Daividh raised an eyebrow. “And ye were going tae attack the camp wi’ just tha’?”

“No. We were thinking of ways to sneak her away.”

“Aye weel, I dinnae have another sword but I do have a matchlock gun.” He dug into the duffel he was carrying and handed a long, slim copper gun to Delwyn. “Unless ye prefer a claymore?”

Delwyn shook his head, not really having experience with such a heavy weapon. “This and my knife is fine. Thank you. Shall we go?”

“Aye. Three approach from the north and we’ll go up tae them from the west. Await my signal.”

The men nodded before melting into the night. Daividh nodded to Goraidh. “Lead the way.”

* * *

Jamesina could not sleep. Something was telling her to stay alert. That the end of this nightmare was almost nigh. She shifted uncomfortably and realized that she had been lying on a stone, and began to burrow beneath her to get it out.

Snoring abruptly ceased from somewhere close. “What are ye doing?” the grumpy-voiced man asked.

“I am laying on a stone. Just trying tae remove it.”

He snorted, turning away, and soon the snoring resumed. Finally, her hand closed on the stone and she brought it up to her face, amazed to find that it was a sharp-pointed piece of obsidian, the shiny blackness of it visible even by the light of the stars alone.

How strange. What are ye doing here ?

She turned the stone in her hand as she turned to the side and tried, once again, to get comfortable. A rustling sound in the grass made her freeze as she wondered if it was some woodland creature or someone approaching.

She raised her head slightly, listening to hear if any of the horses were agitated. She could hear them snorting and snuffling but nothing about them seemed alarmed. Slowly, she put her head back down.

Probably a rabbit then .

Her heart almost jumped out of her breast when a man leaped into the middle of the sleeping circle with a battle cry and brandishing a claymore. She screamed, sitting bolt upright and holding her belly. She wanted to call out but could not tell if it was friend or foe.

More men came pouring in and she could hear the clash of iron on iron, the occasional pained grunt as iron met flesh rather than iron. Dust blew up, creating a kaleidoscope of color above the banked fire. That was until someone stepped right in the flame with a pained cry and put it out.

She got to her feet, and began to edge backward, trying to get as far away from the fighting as possible. She had only one thought in her head.

Protect the baby .

Suddenly, a hand closed around her waist, pulling her against a strong body with an uncompromising grip. She writhed, twisted, trying to get away, but he held on tight. “Hush, it’s me, Jamesina. It’s me. ”

She froze, unable to believe her ears. “Delwyn?”

“Yes.”

She turned in his arms and looked up into his face, disbelieving.

“What…? How…?”

“I’ll explain it all to you later, my love, but for now I need you to stay here, close to Goraidh. Can you do that?”

She frowned, wondering who Goraidh might be only to turn and see a vastly bearded gentleman standing beside Delwyn as if he’d materialized from the night. She let out a quickly cut-off squeak, startling slightly. Delwyn grinned. “He can be very quiet. Don’t worry, he’ll protect you.” With that, he tossed Jamesina towards Goraidh and disappeared back into the fray.

There were shouts, growling, the occasional high-pitched scream. The horses were upset but not panicked. It was all very smoothly done even as Goraidh pushed her to the ground and stood over her with a staff.

She felt the uncommon urge to laugh.

Delwyn is here. It’s going to be alright. I can trust him.

An interminable time later, the fighting died down and there were three people in the midst of the circle, who were tied up. Their companions lay dead on the ground, including the man with the gruff voice. Goraidh gestured for her to get to her feet and escorted her to the others. Daividh caught sight of her and broke off from the whispered conversation he was having with Delwyn to give her a tight hug.

“’Tis good t’see ye again Sister,” he murmured before stepping back and examining her critically. “Are ye hurt?”

She shook her head. “No really.”

He touched her cheek with affection before his attention returned to the captured men. “None o’ them is Neacel. Was he wi’ ye? Did he escape?”

“I dinnae see their faces but I heard them talking. They said Neacel would be upset if I was deid so I dinnae think he was wi’ us.”

Both men whipped around to stare at her with angry eyes. “I beg yer pardon?” Delwyn shouted at the same time that Daividh said, “What did ye say?”

She grinned at them.

“What do you mean, if you were dead ? Were you hurt in some way?” Delwyn demanded with fear for her in his voice.

Her hand went to her belly. “No. But…well, they had me tied upside doon on my horse. It wasnae comfortable. I vomited a few times.”

Delwyn took an angry step towards the remaining men, sghian dhu raised. Daividh put out a hand to stop him. “Not yet. We mun’ find Neacel. They’re our on’y way tae do tha’.”

Delwyn breathed in and out like bellows a few times but he understood the logic enough to know that it was true. If they did not deal with Neacel now, they might find themselves in this situation again.

“I think they were heading towards him,” she piped up. “I suppose we can just follow the path?”

Daividh blinked at her a few times and then narrowed his eyes. He turned to one of his men. “Fetch the scout.” The man nodded, taking off.

Daividh sent the man ahead to see if he could track the camp. Then he got down on his haunches to face the captured men, knife in hand. “Now, ye’re going tae tell me wha’ I want tae ken or yer own mothers wilnae recognize ye when I’m done.”

Jamesina shivered at the coldness in his voice, thankful that it had never been directed at her. Her eyes sought her husband, standing in the circle surrounding the prisoners. Their gazes locked and then he was stepping away from the men and heading in her direction. They met in the middle and he put his arms around her, squeezing tight. She closed her eyes and relaxed, feeling safe once again.

Home.