Page 10 of Lady and the Scot

"Why would he believe you? After all, you ran away right after the attack." His grubby hand covered her breast; at the same time the other man came behind her and took her by the shoulders. "Have ye ever had two men at once?"

Bile rose in her throat and Breena screamed. The man in front of her covered her mouth with his, not a kiss but a punishment.

The sounds of horse hooves hitting the ground sent the two men to action. Swords drawn, one grabbed her arm and held her back while the other rushed to the door. Upon stepping through the threshold, they came face to face with a very menacing Aiden.

The man pulled her back to the doorway while the other went to speak to Aiden. Words were exchanged and Aiden finally nodded and seemed to accept whatever was said. He looked to her, his face devoid of expression. "If you are going directly to the McNeil's keep then I will follow."

"There is no need, Laird," one of her captures said. "We can be trusted to deliver the lady without harm."

"I am heading that way." He turned his horse away, not waiting for a response.

Had he turned her in? He didn't seem at all surprised to find the men there. Breena's stomach sunk. She didn't fear whatever punishment awaited her. What struck terror in her being was the thought of being kept captive for a lifetime. No doubt part of the consequence of her escape would be to marry Robertson immediately. This time there was no way to get out of it. He'd not give her any opportunity to refuse or time to find another way to leave.

No matter, she would never give up. As of this time she would also not trust a living soul. What a fool she'd been to trust Aiden Stuart.

She'd not told him about Robertson being behind the attacks. Perhaps if she'd disclosed what she suspected, he'd not have turned her in. But then she would have never known his true nature. A man who made empty promises.

The fact she'd offered her body to him barely bothered her at this point. What was the difference? Lying with one man or another, for a few hours she'd forgotten her dire situation, the harshness of reality. In Aiden's arms she remembered how beautiful things between a man and a woman could be.

They arrived at the McNeil's keep too soon. She was escorted to a chamber below the main house and locked in. The room was sparse with only a small bed and a side table with a lantern. Would anyone come to see her beside Robertson? She peered through the tiny window out to the courtyard. Aiden arrived and dismounted. His gaze traveled across the courtyard. One of the McNeil's guardsmen came to him and together they walked inside.

Two hours passed and finally Ita came for her. The maid was sullen as she was allowed inside her small chamber and the door slammed behind her. "Ye shouldna have run, milady. The laird is quite furious. I donna know what he will do to ye."

"I don't care." Breena sat on her cot. "I must speak to the McNeil. Or to Laird Gordon. Is that possible?"

"Nay," the maid replied. "I doubt it."

Breena stalked to the door. "I will begin screaming until someone comes. Please go to Lady Grisella and tell her I wish a word with her. I only wish to apologize for my actions."

Finally the maid nodded. "Very well. I will go and find her."

It was a long time before Lady Grisella appeared. The woman sank onto the small bed next to her. "Dear, I know you are not looking forward to a marriage to Laird Robertson. But you must accept it. It is your lot."

Breena's eyes burned with angry tears. "I hate the man. It is not fair that women do not get choices."

"I know." Lady Grisella patted her hand. "But it is the way of our world."

After checking to ensure no one stood within earshot, Breena moved closer to Lady Grisella. "Robertson is behind the attacks. I swear it."

The woman thought on her words. When her eyes met hers, it was obvious she didn't believe her. "Are you sure you just don't say it to avoid the marriage."

Breena shook her hair. "I am not that foolish. I saw warriors traveling toward the town speaking of it. Two were guards that came with us. They said Laird Robertson ordered them to attack and to not leave any injured behind. If the man could not mount, they were to deliver a mortal blow."

Lady Grisella gasped. "My God."

"Can you please speak to Laird McNeil and impart this information?"

"I can't," Lady Grisella glanced to the doorway. "They've all gone to set up camp near the village, to keep any new attacks at bay and show the townspeople they are protected. They've only left very few men behind. Most are Robertson's."

Something was about to go terribly wrong. Breena grasped Lady Grisella's hands. "Where is he? Robertson?"

"He remained here. Claimed not to be fit to battle, but sent half his escort with my husband."

"What should we do?" Breena wondered if Robertson's men would turn on their hosts upon the rest of their attackers coming.

"I will send one of my personal guardsmen with a message. My husband's men that remained here will also be warned." Lady Grisella looked into Breena's eyes. "If what you say is true. God help us."

"You must maintain an illusion not to be aware," Breena told the woman who quickly nodded in agreement.