Chapter Eighteen
Ian and Daimh led the group of hundreds as it approached the Gordon castle. More a manor house than a stronghold, it was surrounded by woods and situated not on a hill but instead on flat ground. Choosing to stay back out of sight in the trees until they agreed on the best approach, the leaders gathered in a makeshift tent furnished with a small table and several chairs.
John, Master of Forbes, stepped forward.
“I hae never been inside, but I hae no doubt there is a dungeon. And that is certainly where they would be keeping the lady. It would be too easy for her to escape otherwise, and they would lose their advantage.”
“Then we shall surround the place and kill them all,” Daimh said, his voice low and menacing.
“They will be expecting an attack and will probably bring Harper out to stop us from a siege. Instead, what if we suggest a negotiation?” This from Ian.
“You would bargain with these animals for Harper’s life?” Daimh’s outrage puffed his cheeks. “Would that be your idea if it was the Lady Skye?”
Ian patted Daimh on the shoulder. “Listen to me. I do nae think they are expecting a force of hundreds. If we can act as if we are but a few come to talk, we can ask that they prove she is still alive. We will demand to be taken to her and once a few of us are there to protect her, the others can attack.”
“Aye,” agreed John. “Any other way might put her life in danger.”
The unspoken was that she might be dead already and that was one thought Daimh dismissed at once. He had waited his whole life for a woman like Harper and he would never accept she could be taken from him. It would mean the end of him.
***
The pounding of boots on the steps caught their attention. Fenella pressed herself against the side wall outside the cell, seeming to vanish into the shadows. Reassured she was not alone, but terrified by what whoever was coming had in store, Harper took a deep breath and curled into a ball against the back of the cell, remembering again to wrap the ropes about her wrists and ankles.
Alex Gordon swung the door wide. “Gorach galla,” he spat, obviously referring to Fenella. “Cannae even be trusted to lock the gate.” He approached Harper like a stalker reveling in the sight of his prey. Her heart lurching and beat uncomfortably against her ribs, she tried to affect calm. She was certain he would thrive on her fear, and she refused to give him the satisfaction.
Hovering above her, he grinned, his eyes reptilian. “Did ye think to be rescued?”
Harper pressed her lips together, refusing to play his game. If this was to be her fate, she would embrace it. Well, maybe not embrace, but certainly not act the coward.
“A bheil iad a’ smaoineachadh as if I do nay ken they hide in the woods?”
Even though Harper did not understand Gaelic, she got the gist of what he was saying. Her clan—yes, her clan—meaning Daimh and the others, had come to rescue her. A thrill of hope wiggled through her, and she had to work to suppress the pleasure she felt. Keep your expression neutral, she counseled herself. Give him no indication the news affects me. But she was worried the pounding of her heart was discernible in the quiet of the cell.
The man knew her clan had come to get her. They’d lost the element of surprise. But she had to have faith. They had won at Corrichie, and they would be victorious here. But the reality was Harper was trapped in a cell with an animal. When they came to save her, would it be too late?
Grabbing her by the ankles, he pulled her onto her back away from the wall. The action caused the ropes to fall away. Digging his nails into the flesh of her legs, he shook his head. “Gorach galla. Did she think untying you would end well? For either of you? Me wife, she is a waste of air and food. But when I have finished with ye, I will see to her. For now…” He grinned again, with the look of one who enjoys inflicting pain. “And nae ropes makes it so much easier to spread yer legs.”
Rape? He intended to rape her now? Was he mad? His castle was under siege, and he was thinking of lust? Well, the knife attached to her garter was going to dissuade him of that notion.
“And once I hae had me way, I intend to throw you to those dogs in bits and pieces.”
Neutral, keep your expression neutral, she reminded herself again, although cold terror was seeping into her bones. Wait for the right moment or he will wrest the dagger away. Patience.
Shifting his plaid so the skirt was thrown over his shoulder, his manhood stretched forward in anticipation. He dropped to his knees, grabbed her wrists, and pinned her arms above her head. The move was quick, too quick. He jammed his knee between her thighs and thrust them apart. “Ye may nae enjoy this, but I certainly will,” he promised.
Her hands pinned, she knew she couldn’t reach the weapon before he had violated her and her ribcage tightened, pressing on her. She writhed and tried to kick him off, but he was too large, too strong. His twisted smirk made it clear he was enjoying her fight. But the moment of action had come and gone. And if he discovered her blade, he would certainly use it on her. Oh, God. This couldn’t be happening. One thought. She had one thought. I’m so sorry Daimh. I love you.
In that brief moment, a flash of movement behind him caught her eye. Fenella, her years of misery at his hands played out in her expression, as she lifted a thick piece of wood she had grabbed from the pile near the cell. Leaning back, she swung it, connecting with his head in a satisfying crunch. But she was small and weak and only managed to knock him aside. But before he could react, she swung again. And again. And once more.
Alex was thrown off Harper by the force of the blows. Immediately, she scrambled away from him. He lay limp beside her.
Harper’s mouth dropped open in shock and relief. Respect for the mouse of a girl who had finally found her power brought a smile to her face. “Impressive,” Harper said. “Thank you.”
“Is he… is he dead?” Fenella choked.
Blood dripped out from the back of his skull, and it appeared he wasn’t breathing. She crawled on hands and feet close enough to feel for a pulse at his throat. Harper confirmed he no longer lived. She shook her head in answer to Fenella’s question.
Fenella crumpled to the floor.
“You saved me.” Harper crouched beside Fenella. “But now we have to leave before anyone finds out.”
The girl didn’t move except for the heaving of her breath and the sobs racking her. Harper shook her by the shoulders. “Fenella, we must go. And now.”
Commotion from above seemed to finally reach Fenella and she stood, shaking off the tears. “I know a way out. The men will be too busy organizing for the attack to pay much attention, but that will only be for a few minutes before they seek Alex for instructions. Come.”
Leaning out and checking the corridor, Fenella led the way down a dark corridor pulling them further away from the steps leading to the hall. The torches were absent here, making it necessary to feel their way along the moss covered, damp wall.
“What are we looking for?” Harper asked, her voice barely above a whisper.
“There is a break in the wall down here that leads to the garden. It was to be used for escape in case of an attack. Few know of it. It hasn’t been used for many years, but I grew up here. It should be about…”
Noise in the corridor behind them had them plastering themselves against the stones. Pounding boots and shouting echoed down to the women. Men cursed. They had obviously found Alex’s body.
Shaking with terror, Harper pressed her lips together and breathed slowly through her nose. Knowing if they were caught, they would be immediately tortured and killed, Harper closed her eyes and tried desperately to remain calm. Reaching for Fenella’s hand, she squeezed it to offer comfort. Neither woman moved, though Harper desperately wanted to scream.
“There?” Harper heard one man ask, guessing he was pointing in the direction the women had gone.
“Nay. ’Tis a dead end.”
“Did ye see them leave?” the man demanded of another.
“I left the top of the stairs for only a moment to see if I was needed. They must have slipped through then.”
The sound of a fist hitting bone followed by a thud reverberated as the offender was obviously struck as punishment for the offense of not seeing their captive leave.
Footsteps moved away and back up the steps. Air flowed back into Harper’s lungs.
Fenella was slumped alongside her, exhaling her relief as well. Quiet descended once more.
Then Fenella whispered for Harper to help her push against the wall. The two pressed their bodies against the cold stone until it finally gave way just an inch. Continuing to push, the wall shifted another few inches and then little by little it grew wider. Points of sunlight dotted the filthy stones at their feet and Harper thought she had never seen anything so beautiful.
Peering out, Fenella looked to see if any guards were nearby, but all that was visible was a garden unattended by guards, underbrush, bare trees, and bushes. Stealthily, they eased their way past the opening into the foilage replacing the wall as it had been just in case someone remembered this exit.
Quietly, they edged along the trees, holding hands, alert for any noise.
Please let Daimh be here, Harper prayed silently.
***
The MacKenzies and the Forbes lined up just behind the tree line, shadows concealing their presence. Their swords were drawn and arrows nocked. Ian started forward when Daimh spurred his horse in front. “We cannot risk ye when we know of their treachery,” he said to Ian.
“They would take great pleasure in killing the laird of Clan MacKenzie and ye would be a perfect target. I will make the demand.”
Without waiting for Ian’s certain objection, Daimh rode forward to the door of the castle.
“Clan MacKenzie has come to discuss terms,” he shouted.
The door flew wide and a man with a furious expression stomped out. “Terms? Terms, ye say? Yer galla has killed Lord Alex and we know she has run to ye. Ye wish to discuss terms? I shall give you terms. Give over the woman and we will not kill ye all.” The man retreated and the slamming of the heavy door echoed. Men appeared at windows pointing bows and arrows. They were not going to release Harper or give up without a fight. But Daimh savored the idea of killing any and all who had harmed his Harper.
Harper killed their lord?The baineann is even more remarkable than I imagined. But, then where was she?
A movement to his left in the distant foliage caught his attention. A bit of fabric waving in the wind, the red color stark against the dark bark of a tree. It could only be Harper. The sheer relief he felt was like a drowning man breaking through the surface of the loch, gulping in fresh air. She was alive and, as far as he could tell, safe. Squinting into the splintered sunlight, he could see another was beside her, a slight girl, and no threat.
Without acknowledging what he had just seen, he spun his horse back to the line of men and approached Ian. “The lady Harper is hidden in the wood to the right.”
Ian turned to John Forbes. “We have what we came for. Ye were kind enough to offer support, so I ask what ye need now so we may return the favor.”
A slow smile lit John’s face. “Take what is rightfully yours and go. We have enough men to see these cowards and miscreants regret their actions.”
“And ye will enjoy it?” Ian asked, returning John’s smile.
John shrugged. “Ye can’t begrudge a man his pleasures.”
The Forbes men moved forward as if stalking their prey. They knew they had no need to hurry, but soon the sounds of battle cries and metal clanging filled the air. Daimh was certain he heard John laughing in the distance and he shook his head. The man loved his battles, especially when he was the definite victor.
Daimh summoned Rory, and together they rode to where he had spotted Harper just outside the manor. Skimming close to the trees, Daimh extended his arm into the greenery and Harper grabbed for it. Taking hold, he hoisted her up onto the saddle and wrapped her in his arms, his joy knowing no bounds.
Behind him, Rory mimicked the same action and Fenella was lifted onto his horse.
Daimh spurred his horse forward, but as Rory made to follow, an arrow flew through the air and caught Fenella in the shoulder. She yelped and slumped forward and Rory scrambled to keep her mounted as he raced over to the others. Arrows flew around them, plunging into the ground and trees. But they were faster.
Then, as a group, the MacKenzies bid farewell to the Forbes and kicked their horses toward home.
***
Looking back and seeing Fenella had an arrow protruding from her shoulder, Harper let out a gasp.
“Daimh, we must save her! She protected me and I cannot let her die.”
“Aye, my love. Let us ride away from the battle and we can see to her. The arrow landed high; she should recover. I am almost certain of it.”
“Are ye hurt?” Daimh asked. “Did they harm ye?”
“Nay. But I am a mess.”
Daimh laughed, the vibration in his chest comforting her. “Ye are the most bonny, the most blasta, the… I cannae find words to describe ye. But I must include brave. Ye survived and I am hoping ye hae not been harmed.”
She knew what he meant. “No. I wasn’t thanks to Fenella. You should have seen her. Alex was trying to… and she killed him. Hit him with a chunk of wood.” Harper looked over at the girl cradled in Rory’s arms in front of him on his horse. “She was so brave.”
“Then I shall be forever in her debt.”
“Are you sure she will be all right? I would never forgive myself if she didn’t recover.”
“Aye, we will see to it. I give ye me word.” Wrapping her more tightly in his plaid, he nuzzled her neck. Shivers ignited her flesh, and she savored the feeling. If she’d had more energy, she would have exploded with pleasure. But exhaustion took hold of her as she nestled against him.
“Later, I need to hear what happened.”
“Yes. I will tell you how stupid I was. But for now—I love you,” she whispered.
He pressed her tighter against him. “I love ye, lass.” He heaved a sigh. “But I fear we missed Hogmanay and our wedding date.
“Then we can celebrate when we return, right? Then if you still want to make me your wife, we can see it done as soon as we are home.” Home.
“Aye. First thing.”
“Well,” she said, crinkling her nose, “after I have had a bath.”