Page 16 of The Anguish of the Scottish Lairds (Clans of Mull #3)
Sloan
Sloan had to calm himself down.
“She passed out, Lennox. I don’t know who the hell he was. I landed a few punches, but he got away. Your sister hit her head, fainted, her horse tried to rear, and I was more worried about her, so I let him go to catch her. He escaped out the back door.”
Sloan settled her in his arms, noticing the blood on her gown at the same time as Lennox did. His friend’s face turned furious, and he wisely rearranged her skirts so the blood wouldn’t show.
“My thanks to you, Sloan. We’ll get her into her bedchamber, and I’ll find my mother and have her send for Doiron. Say naught to anyone.”
Sloan carried her inside, focusing on her face because she seemed to go in and out of consciousness. Lennox stood behind him, making sure no one got close. “Who, Sloan? Who was he? What plaid?”
“No plaid. Dirty hair and clothing. Never seen him before. Dark tunic and trews. We’ll see what Jasper says. Someone else must have seen him leave.”
They entered the keep, Rut’s face paling when she saw her daughter. “What happened?”
Lennox said, “We’ll update you in her chamber. Get Doiron now.”
Meg came out of the kitchens and gasped. “I’ll bring fresh water and linens.”
Sloan carried Eva up the stairs, then set her gingerly on the bed, kissing her forehead once he took his hands away. He feared he’d get slapped, but he couldn’t help himself.
Lennox started right away with his questions. “Eva, who was he? Did you recognize him? Where are you hurt?”
She shook her head, tears misting her gaze, but she controlled it. “I’ve never seen him before. He came from outside and said he would make me happy. Then he attacked me, punched me, slapped me, knocked me down. The last thing I recall is his hands ripping my skirts. I fainted, I think. What did he do to me?”
“You don’t recall the rest?” Her brother took her hand, and Sloan could feel the rage emanating from Lennox as much as from himself.
Sloan’s preference would be to set Eva on his lap and hold her tight. She needed comforting more than anything, yet Lennox focused on catching her attacker.
Eva swallowed and whispered, “Nay. I woke up, and he was panting over me and Sloan grabbed him from me and I don’t remember anything else. What did he do? How will I know?”
The door opened and Doiron entered with their mother, Meg behind them with a basin of water and a pile of linen squares.
“What happened, Eva? Your face? Someone punched you?” Rut was frantic, grabbing her daughter’s hands. “Who did this? Lennox, find him and whip him in front of everyone. How dare he touch my sweet daughter!”
Doiron studied Eva, her hand running up the scratches on her arm, checking the blood on her skirt, her swollen eye, her cut lip. “The blood could have come from many places.”
Eva said, “Meg. A wet linen. I must wash myself. I’m dirty. Get him off me. Get him …”
Rut said, “Lennox and Sloan, out.”
Sloan took his leave without any more encouragement. It wasn’t a place for men. Lennox led him straight to his solar, closed the door, and poured two goblets of his best amber brew.
Lennox whispered, “I’ll kill him.”
Sloan said, “Not if I get him first. I’ll torture him first, then kill him.”
Lennox whispered, “I don’t think either of us knows exactly what happened, but I’m not going to mention rape. For Eva’s sake, I’m going to let it be known that you stopped him before he was able to complete the act, and I pray it’s the truth. I thank you graciously, Sloan, for coming to her aid. What made you stop here?”
“I was coming from Clan Grantham a bit behind her. I saw the lone horseman taking the back way to your castle. Didn’t trust him, but I had no idea that he was going to attack her.”
“Glad you got there when you did. I’m not going to say another word until my mother and my wife update us.”
Sloan fell into the chair, his heartbeat finally slowing.
He’d find out who the bastard was, one way or another.