Page 21 of My Notorious Highlander

"Release me! I refuse to marry you. You cannot force me."

"Aye, indeed, I can." He chuckled. "I only need tell the minister we were in a trial marriage which was consummated. You ken how they hate those trial marriages and want them made legal and binding in the eyes of God as soon as possible."

"That makes no difference." She kicked at one of the men. "No minister would agree that this sort of abuse is allowed."

"I'm not abusing you. Only disciplining my disobedient wife. You're the one hurting yourself by fighting us. Tie her hands and her ankles and carry her to the horses."

"What the hell are you doing?" a deep and forceful male voice demanded.

Who was that? From her position on the ground, Jessie turned her head and looked up at Torrin, standing among the grasses, sword drawn, Iain Stewart beside him.

Two of the MacBain men drew swords. Considering how well-armed they were, all of them had clearly obtained their swords as they'd exited the portcullis at Dunnakeil.

"You stay out of this, MacLeod!" MacBain ordered.

"Nay," he said with deadly calm. "Release her or suffer the consequences."

MacBain laughed. "You only brought Stewart with you. You're outnumbered."

"I knew you were a whoreson the moment I saw you," Iain said.

Two of MacBain's men launched into action, engaging Torrin and Iain in swordplay.

When both of MacBain's men fell, her captors fled.

"Where the devil are you going?" MacBain yelled.

"I'll get them!" Iain chased after the two cowards.

With her hands and feet tied, Jessie could do naught but roll upon the ground like a worm.

Torrin charged MacBain and their swords clanged, sparks popping in the gloaming. MacBain yelped, but she couldn't see if he'd been cut. Torrin was the aggressor, driving MacBain back, but he ran to her other side.

How she wished she could get her wrists untied, or the bindings cut.

Blades clanged multiple times. Someone cried out. A sword flew over her head, and she glanced back to see what had happened. MacBain fell to the sand and Torrin stood over him, the tip of the sword at his throat. A sudden fear seized her and she felt transported eight years into the past. 'Twas like seeing Torrin's sword just before he'd slit the throat of her foster brother.

"Don't murder him!" Jessie yelled.

Torrin sent a quick, dark glance her way then focused on MacBain again. "Should I listen to the lady? Or rid the world of some vermin?"

MacBain held his hands over his head. "I'll go and… and leave Lady Jessie alone," he proclaimed in a desperate voice.

"In truth?" Torrin asked. "Or is this just another lie?"

"I speak the truth. If you let me live, you nor Lady Jessie will ever see me again."

"If we do see you again, I'll take that as leave to kill you. Get up. We're going back to the castle."

"What about my men?" He motioned to the two lying on the ground.

"You'll have to tell the rest of your cowardly men to come back and fetch them… if Iain let them live."

More of the MacLeods burst through the bushes and grasses, their breathing elevated. "Sorry we didn't arrive sooner, Chief."

"'Tis all under control," Torrin said. "Gordon and Sim, go find Iain and MacBain's two men. They went that way. Luag, see to those lying on the ground."

They did their chief's bidding. One of the MacBain men lying on the ground stirred and groaned. Luag announced that the other was dead.