Page 21 of The Lass and the Laird

To the very end. Her mind demanded. Keep fighting. She kicked at him, but missed and fell when he loosened his grip on her hair.

Unable to get back up, sobs racked her injured body and she accepted defeat. Heartbroken, Meredith let go and allowed unconsciousness to draw her in.

Chapter Eleven

The pounding of the horse’s hooves on the ground echoed though his body. Declan leaned forward almost lying on the horse's back as they raced towards the small group that scrambled atop horses. He spotted one man with a burden over his shoulder. It was Meredith. Hands bound, her hair trailing past the man’s thighs, she was limp. Passed out or injured, but she was alive. If not, they’d not carry her, but leave her behind in their haste to escape.

Determined not to allow them to get away, he pressed his mount faster. Aiden beside him did the same. After Aiden’s missive, they’d followed the markings the abductors left. They were obviously not familiar with the lands and had not traveled with much care, constantly stopping and leaving an easy trail to follow. They’d split upon spotting two riding without other companions, Dugan and Ian going after them in case they would lead them to Meredith. But he’d followed his instincts with her brother, feeling the larger party would most likely have her.

Aiden had not explained the reason for what happened. It was evident his sister’s taking was not a coincidence.

They were gaining ground now and Declan drew his sword. Two of the riders turned and faced them, weapons held high.

The clash between them was short but bloody. The outlanders were rudimentary in their fighting, making up for their lack of skill with sheer brute force and determination. Declan’s opponent fell to the ground and he returned to the chase again, not waiting to see what happened with Aiden. Within seconds, Meredith‘s brother caught up. “They head toward Mackenzie lands. I trust they are stopped once sentries catch sight of them.” Aiden grunted and tore through the trees, not waiting for his reply.

Finally they caught sight of the group and Meredith thrown across the horse remained limp. They closed the gap and the man who carried Meredith shoved her to the ground. Aiden let out a loud growl and attacked. On the ground, she lifted a hand to her face relieving him of any doubt that she lived. Declan rushed head-on to attack the men.

* * *

Meredith shifted and groaned. Her ribs ached at the intake of breath. Wherever she was, it was time to face it. It was a good sign she didn’t feel the sway of the ocean. Hopefully, it meant she was still on land.

The light that streamed in from the window was quite bright. It was at least the middle of the day. On a chair against the wall, Declan Gordon slept, his legs sprawled before him, his head angling to the left. On his lap was a leather bound book of sorts, telling he’d been there for a while and needed something to occupy his time. His hair was longer than she remembered, touching his broad shoulders and his jawline was darkened with a beard.

Surely he’d not had her abducted. The room did not look familiar. Did not resemble the chamber she'd stayed in before while at his keep. But then again, she’d only seen the one chamber she’d slept in.

No, he'd not kidnapped her. There was no reason for him to go to those lengths to take her. Aiden had already agreed to their marriage. Unless her spurning his incessant pleas had driven him mad to the point of it.

She eyed the doorway. It was cracked open, just enough to slip through. Meredith inched to the side of the bed and gingerly placed one foot then the other onto the floor. A soft snore caused her to freeze in place. Declan inhaled deeply and his mouth moved, but he continued sleeping.

How handsome he was. For the first time in her life, she was in awe of the beauty of a man. His elegant, but large, hand lay atop his book and she wondered if, perhaps, she’d made a mistake. It was an incredible notion to believe he was her kidnapper.

Pain shot though her legs when she stood and she fell back onto the bed. “Declan?”

Heavily lashed eyes met hers. He straightened in the chair and stretched, causing the tome to fall to the floor. The thud of the book was the only sound while he took her in, his eyes scanning her face and down to where her feet dangled over the edge of the bed. “Did you mean to escape?”

“Am I in your home?” she asked in return, not about to admit her intentions. “Aiden? Where is he?”

“You are in Moriag. Do you wish for something to drink?” He stood and moved to a table that held a pitcher and goblets, not waiting for her reply. In truth, her throat was dry, her stomach grumbled, but it was more important to find what happened to Aiden.

“My brother?”

“He’s gone.”

Meredith gasped, not taking the goblet Declan held out. “What do you mean? Did he die while trying to rescue me?” Her chest constricted as she waited his reply.

“Nay. Your brother is not dead. He’s gone after whoever the leader of the group was. Told me he had matters to see to and ensure you are not in danger in the future.”

“Is that why I’m here?”

His eyes narrowed and he studied her for several moments. “Your brother feels that you are safer under my protection, yes.”

“I don’t understand.” Meredith met his narrowed eyes. Suspicion hung in the air as they locked gazes. “Why do you look at me that way?”

“What did your brother do before taking the helm of Torraibh? What causes men from the north to come and seek you out to capture and take?”

She’d asked herself the same questions the day before. Was it possible this all had something to do with Aiden? “He took to the seas. For the crown…during the war.”

“And made enemies it looks like.” Declan seemed to relax as he pushed the drink into her hands. “Drink. I will ask a meal be brought to you.”