There could be no doubt.They were being hunted. But by whom? Had the king’s men found them out? Would her father’s men be imprisoned? Dear God, what would happen to Robbie? If it was discovered that he was a MacGregor, he would be hanged. Meg’s heart stalled. They couldn’t be caught.
Another spray of arrows headed for them. Jamie’s hands on her shoulders forced her down. “For God’s sake, Meg—get your head down!”
Her heart pounded, but she didn’t have time to panic. In the sudden commotion of a shared purpose, every effort was put into trying to evade their pursuers. The endless blue vistas of shimmering sea suddenly seemed the enemy. There was nowhere to go. They could not outrow the other boat, and they were cut off from retreat back to Lewis.
Her men gave it a valiant effort, but in the end escape proved futile. They were simply outmanned. When an arrow landed with a thud in the back of one of her clansmen, Meg knew she had to put an end to it.
“Stop. There’s nothing we can do.”
Jamie turned to her. “We can try—”
“They’ll kill us all,” she said, shaking her head. At least this way we have a chance. Maybe they’ve made a mistake.”
He nodded and repeated her order for the men to hold their oars.
It seemed to take an eternity for the other boat to reach them. They waited in seeming unison of tense apprehension as it neared.
A grappling hook was tossed over the side of theirbirlinn,and slowly their boat was pulled alongside their attackers. Close enough to make out the occupants. Meg let out an audible sigh of relief. Not the king’s men. These men wore plaids. They were Highlanders. Perhaps itwasonly a terrible mistake.
Her relief, however, was short-lived. A chill ran down the back of her spine that turned her blood cold. She recognized one of the men.
No.There was no mistake. They had indeed been hunted. At that moment, she almost wished for the king’s men. Because the man who’d captured them was none other than Dougal MacDonald. He stood at the helm with his arms crossed, a smug smile twisting his handsome features. The expression terrified her; she knew well what he was capable of.
He noticed Jamie, and his smugness quickly turned to anger. “What are you doing here, Campbell?”
“I would ask the same of you,” Jamie said, rising to stand. With the waves tossing their small boat around, he had to spread his feet to keep his balance. “My cousin will not be pleased to hear of your impertinence.”
Dougal flushed. “These men are rebels,” he said, indicating Robbie and Alex’s other men. When Alex’s men looked as though they wanted to protest with their swords, Meg shook her head. Dougal would only delight in the opportunity to kill them.
“These men are guarding a woman who is seeking to return home,” Jamie said. “Leave now, MacDonald, before you do something you will regret.”
Dougal stared at him, furious, as he considered what to do. Meg knew that Jamie’s presence had complicated things for him. Making war on the Highland rebels was one thing, capturing the cousin of the Earl of Argyll another. His eyes narrowed as he called Jamie’s bluff. “I think it is you who should reconsider, young Campbell. I have been authorized by the king to detain all rebels. If you oppose me, you are opposing the king. And I think your cousin would be surprised to see you with these men. Perhaps you’d care to turn them over to me instead?”
They were trapped. By bringing Jamie along, Meg had put him in a horrible position. She took his arm, forcing him to meet her gaze. “I’m sorry, Jamie. There is no use in opposing him. It will only make things worse for you.”
Jamie knew he was caught, but he wouldn’t give up. “Mistress Mackinnon is not a part of this,” he said. “Do you use a woman to win your battles now, MacDonald?”
Dougal shrugged, refusing to be shamed. “It is regrettable, but I will do what is necessary. The lass will be my trump card. The king will not care how the rebels are defeated, just that they are. Besides, the king will hardly concern himself in a matter between a man and hiswife.”
Meg gasped. “Never!” She would die before she married Dougal MacDonald.
Robbie and Jamie moved to protect her at the same time, using their bodies to shield her from Dougal’s vile glare.
Dougal’s face darkened. “Have care, Mistress Mackinnon. I am prepared to forgive you much, but do not try my patience.” Meg shivered at the coldness in his eyes. “You do not want to anger me.”
“You bastard!” Jamie growled. “You will not involve her.”
Dougal’s amusement fled, turning to annoyance. “You are hardly in a position to be issuing orders. I will do what I must. Alex MacLeod has proved exceedingly difficult to kill. If need be, Mistress Mackinnon will prove an irresistible lure.”
Meg’s heart sank.No.She could not be the instrument of Alex’s destruction.Dear God, what had she
done?She should never have come here.
“What are you planning to do with us?” she challenged, refusing to cower before such filth. She might be terrified, but she knew if Dougal sensed her fear, it would be like the scent of blood to a vulture.
Dougal sneered at her bravado. “I’d say that all depends on you, my dear.”
Meg quickly learned what Dougal meant. He would have killed Robbie and the other men when they’d landed back on Lewis, but he spared their lives at the last minute when Meg agreed to marry him. As long as she did what he wanted, the men were safe.
