Bryce and Craig’s jolly voices infiltrated their silent war. They came to a forceful brake on assessing the situation. Duncan turned his head, and met Craig’s eyes. His lips pressed into a line, but his shoulders quivered. Bryce froze, flabbergasted color fleeing his face as he registered the naked man and arrested lass.
“What in the blazes!” Craig managed before doubling over in howling laughter. Duncan had never wished to murder his own as he did at that moment.
“Uh,” Bryce stuttered. “We didnae ken ye were busy.” He tugged on Craig’s hand, “we’ll come back,” and made to leave the tent. Duncan almost rolled his eyes like Sheena. Just like Bryce to assume every meeting between a man and woman had to mean something carnal.
“Bryce, hold her,” he said. “Make sure she doesnae escape.”
In battle, each of the men had seen the other unclad far too many times to be embarrassed by it. When you had few chances to wash, modesty flew out the window. For that reason, Duncan was able to ignore the jabs of Craig’s laughter. He threw on only his kilt, while the girl twisted around in Bryce’s hold. It was useless. Despite his misunderstanding of the situation, Bryce had quickly asserted that something was amiss and so his vice-like grip would remain so.
“I found her lurking,” Duncan said.
Craig’s laughter screeched to a stop. “A spy?” he said. “She doesnae look like one.”
“Who are ye?” Bryce questioned. She met Duncan’s eyes squarely. The lass’s throat worked.
“I wasnae lurking.” She paused for several seconds. “I was bein’ chased by dangerous men, brigands. This was the closest tent. It was me intention tae hide until daybreak, then run.”
“What is yer name and what brought ye to these parts?”
“Jo. What brought me, is none of yer business. I mean no harm, let me go.”
At that, Duncan scoffed. “Ye will stay here, until I am certain of yer sincerity.”
Grace had to make it seem like it was their idea. When she played with Harris as a child, she would get much more accomplished if she allowed him to think the ideas were his. These were Highlanders. Since she could not find Clan Hay easily on the map, they were her best bet. At the moment.
“’Tis what the Englishmen who captured me said. They only intended to keep me as a plaything. When they were celebratin’ something, I took the opportunity and ran. I just want tae go home,” she allowed her lips to tremble. “But I cannae. They destroyed it. ‘Twas beautiful in the spring up North.” She chanced a glance at them, and the lie had their faces tainted with pity. Clan Hay was in the North and she had hoped to draw some reaction from them.
The three men fell silent. The brute considered her with those long-lashed eyes. Grace flushed and trained her gaze to the floor. Her palms were sweaty. She really was no good with lies. If they heard her heart in her chest just then, she would be found out very quickly.
“In any case,” naked man said, “you stay. Until it is verified.”
“How did ye run?” the one who’d laughed inquired. His hand was in sling but he showed no other signs of discomfort.
“I stole a horse,” Grace said, injecting just the right amount of trembling in her voice. The kind that made men at balls weak at the knees.
The two exchanged meaningful glances. “That is why we came to see ye,” Bryce said to naked man. “Aside from the screams. A fine horse was found at the outskirts of the camp. Tis nae one of our own, but we can put it to good use. That must be the one.”
Grace’s heart dipped into her belly at the mention of Minnie. At least she would be close and if they were good to her, they would allow her to ride.
Naked man made a grunting sound. He moved toward the left side, his stride purposeful, like an animal on the prowl. All three men were tall but he towered over them. Grace tried to find a chain of command between them. It was apparent that they were close, still they’d come to report to him. Maybe she’d picked the right tent to crash.
Her thoughts came to a halt when he plucked a thick rope from the ground and faced her.
“Is that necessary?” she said, all but stuttering.
“Ye had a dagger to me belly,” he commented wryly. Her hands were jerked forward. Just before the rope was tied, he placed the rope on her wrist, then secured the thick length into a tight knot. Grace fought but it was for nothing. He looked at the other two men.
“She cannae escape. We will take her tae the laird.”
Grace fought harder.
“Duncan,” the one called Bryce started, “she’s one of us.”
“We cannae be certain,” the brute she now knew was named Duncan replied. He looked at her, with something akin to curiosity, and another thing she could not – nor did she care to – decipher. “Tie her to the tree outside. When she calms down and is willing tae speak the truth, bring her in.”
“Nay!” Grace exploded.
“Then will you stay calm inside?”
