Page 10 of The Devil in Plaid
He swung up behind her, sliding his leg under her. “Hamish, ye come with me and bring the maid. The rest of ye head to the keep.”
She was furious at being treated so roughly. “I will ask ye again to let us go.”
He leaned over in his saddle. “Would ye rather I ransom ye or leave ye here to feed the wolves?”
“Neither,” she answered.
“Then be silent, or ye’ll find out what happens when a woman disobeys her laird.”
“Ye’re not my laird.” What was wrong with her? Did she have a death wish?
“When ye’re on my land, I’m yer laird.”
Remembering his threat to hold her for ransom, she swallowed her reply.
Blast the storm that washed away the bridge! She should be nearly home by now, not draped over the enemy’s horse. Shifting her gaze to the side, movement in the trees caught her eye. She gasped realizing it was the fawn, still slowly limping. Emotion swelled in her chest.
I’m sorry I couldn’t save ye, sweetling.
Her gaze followed the deer as it slowly tramped through the trees toward a sight that flooded Fiona’s heart with warmth. A doe stood amid the thicket.
Despite the tenuousness of her own position, she could not help but smile, such was her happiness knowing the fawn had been reunited with its mother.
Now, if only she could be reunited with her men.
She grunted after the MacLeod drove his bare heel into the stallion’s flanks. Her stomach jarred against his thigh. She heard Esme groaning behind her and knew she suffered the same treatment.
Before too long, the trees began to thin, and Fiona saw shifting figures out on the roadway. The red, blue, and deep green of the MacDonnell tartan caught her eye. She opened her mouth to call out, but the MacLeod’s hand flew to her lips, silencing her.
He pulled her up-right, her back flush against his hard chest. “Would ye have me thrown into a MacDonnell prison as thank ye for my trouble.” His lips grazed her ear. “Just like a MacDonnell woman, full of deceit and treachery.”
She bristled at his insults. “Of all the filthy and unruly men,” she sputtered.
“By rights, yer ransom should be filling my coffers.”He set her roughly on the ground. “Congratulations on yer betrothal,” he spat before he turned his horse around and disappeared into the forest.
Esme made the sign of the cross as they watched the men retreat into the wood. “The next time ye see yer Adam MacKenzie, ye’ll have to thank him for saving yer life. Mine, too.”
“I’ve never felt happier with my father’s decision than I do right now. Not only because our alliance with the MacKenzie forced that beast of a man to return us, but, imagine, I might have been promised to a hateful man like that.”
“MacLeod men aren’t men at all. They’re devils, and their wives bear the worst of their anger.”
Fiona shuddered as she turned away and hastened toward her men. Still, the memory of his amber gaze, bright with fury, filled her mind, and she prayed never to set eyes on the MacLeod ever again.
