Page 3 of The Laird's Vengeful Desire
“I think nae.” The leader dismounted with malicious grace, his hand resting on his sword hilt. “Our laird’s been most eager to make the acquaintance of the MacAlpin daughters. Particularly the eldest.”
Laird Wallace.
The realization hit her like a physical blow. Douglas Wallace had been pressuring her father for months, demanding a marriage alliance that would give him control of their vast, but poorly managed, lands. Her father had refused repeatedly, so Wallace was clearly tired of negotiation.
“I told ye, I’m nae–”
“Aye. But ye are.” The man’s smile turned predatory. “The question is… are ye the eldest?”
Rhona’s mind raced. If they believed her to be Isolde, it might buy her sister time – assuming Isolde was even still alive to need it.
“And if I were?” She asked, surprised with her own boldness.
“Then ye’d be comin’ with us tae meet yer future husband.” The leader took another step closer. “Laird Wallace has been most patient, but his patience has limits.”
“I’d rather wed a diseased goat than Douglas Wallace.”
The sarcastic comment escaped before she could stop it, earning harsh laughter from all three men.
“Spirited,” the second man observed. “The laird will enjoy breakin’ that fire.”
Rage flared in Rhona’s chest, burning away the last of her fear. “Ye can tell yer laird that nay McAlpin daughter will ever willingly wed him. Our faither–”
The words escaped her before she could stop them, and ice flooded her veins as she realized what she’d just revealed.
Fool!Ye’ve just told them exactly who ye are.
The leader’s eyes sharpened with triumph, his scarred face splitting into a predatory grin. “MacAlpin, is it? Well, well…Faither’s nae here, is he?” the leader’s voice turned dangerously soft. “Just bonnie old ye, all alone in the dangerous borderlands. Anythin’ could happen tae a lass out here by herself, mind.”
Rhona’s hand closed around the dagger’s hilt as she continued backing toward her horse. “Me faither will hunt ye down like the dogs ye are.”
“All he’ll ken is that his daughter rode out alone and never came home.” The man shrugged. “Tragic accident, that. Wild lands these, filled with dangerous creatures…”
“Aye.” The tall one added with a leer. “Some even walk on two legs!”
Rhona’s back hit her mare’s warm flank. The horse shifted nervously, sensing the tension crackling through the clearing like lightning before a storm.
“Easy, lass,” the leader crooned, as if gentling a spooked animal. “Come quietly now, and no harm will come tae ye. Fight, and… well, the laird prefers his brides unmarked, but he’s nae particular about it.”
Like hell.
Rhona vaulted onto her mare’s back with practiced ease, her skirts billowing around her legs as the gathered the reins. “Give yer laird a message from the MacAlpin clan,” she called out, hervoice ringing clear through the forest. “We’d rather see our lands salted and barren than under Wallace rule!”
She dug her heels into her mare’s sides, and the horse leaped forward with a burst of speed that sent leaves and dust scattering in their wake.
“After her!” the leader roared from behind her. “Dinnae let her escape!”
The thunder of hoofbeats exploded through the forest as all three men gave chase. Rhona leaned low over her mare’s neck, urging every ounce of speed from the valiant animal as they wove between towering pines and ancient oaks. Branches whipped past her face, catching at her cloak and hair, but she pressed on with desperate determination.
Faster, girl. We have tae reach the main road.
Her mare’s breathing grew labored as they climbed a steep ridge, foam flecking the animal’s neck. Behind them, the pursuit grew closer – these men rode destriers bred for war, not the lighter horses favored by MacAlpin women.
“There!” one of the men shouted. “She’s headin’ fer the old kirk road!”
Rhona’s heart sank. They knew these lands as well as she did, perhaps better. Every shortcut she might take, they would anticipate.
A crossbow bold whistled past her ear, burying itself in an oak trunk with a solid thunk. Her mare shied violently, nearly unseating her, and precious seconds were lost as Rhona fought to regain control.
