Lindsey could afford to waste no more time.The man would return to her side again soon.And the next time hewould be even bolder.She knew what men like this did to theirfemale captives.But she would not allow herself to dwell upon suchthoughts.
Flattening herself to the ground she began tocrawl toward the line of horses.If she could make it without beingseen, she could escape into the forest.She decided to take therest of the horses with her so that these villains could notfollow.With her pulse roaring in her ears she scrambled forward,the unnamed terror driving her.
It seemed to take forever to crawl thedistance that separated her from freedom, but at last she reachedthe horses.With a surge of anticipation she came to her knees,ready to spring.
A heavy boot came down on the small of herback, crushing her into the grass.A deep voice said, “So, my finelady.You are more clever than I thought.Even rope cannot holdyou.Were you hoping for a stroll in the forest?Surely you wouldnot go alone?Come, we will go together.Who knows what adventurecan be found?”
Bending, Argus rolled her over and caught herroughly by the front of her gown, dragging her to her feet.
He threw back his head and roared withlaughter as she struggled to evade his cruel hands.“What?Could itbe you had hoped to leave our pleasant company?Ah, my fine lady.There is so much pleasure still awaiting you.”
He pinned her hands behind her and draggedher close.“I have something very special in mind for you.”
She cringed as his hot breath stung hercheek.
Tangling his fingers into her hair, he forcedher face close to his and gave a cruel laugh.“I have decided thatyour father will pay the same price whether you are touched oruntouched.And as for me, I have every intention of touching andenjoying the pleasure of your company while I may.”
He ground his mouth over hers until shetasted her own blood.Though she kicked and fought, she was nomatch for his strength.She struggled to free her hands from hisgrasp.
He seemed surprised by the fury of thisfragile-looking female.As she continued to struggle his smiledisappeared.His face suddenly became contorted with rage.“I haveindulged you long enough.Now I will take what I want.”
As if in slow motion, Lindsey saw his handswing out in an arc.She heard the sound of his palm connectingwith her face and felt an explosion of pain that sent tiny starfragments dancing in front of her eyes.Then the pain grew hotterand hotter, until she cried out.A terrible roaring sound filledher brain, and she drifted into a cushion of darkness.
Chapter Seven
Through the miststhat clouded her mind, Lindsey heard the sound of her gown beingtorn.A sense of outrage drove her, despite the fact that she wasbarely conscious.With fingernails and teeth she scratched and bituntil her attacker let out a hiss of pain.
“Now you will pay, wench,” Argus snarled.“When I finish with you, you will beg to die.”
He slapped her again with a force thatsnapped her head to one side.With a little moan, she fell back,forced to endure the cruel hands that tore at her garments.
“I am going to enjoy this,” Arguswhispered.
As if from a great distance Lindsey heardanother voice, one she recognized as Jamie MacDonald’s, saying indeadly coldness, “Not nearly as much as I am going to enjoy killingyou.”
At the icy tone, Argus looked up in terror.His movements stilled as the cold blade of a knife pressed into hisback.
In a voice low with fury Jamie added, “Forevery pain you inflicted upon the lass, I will inflict a hundredupon you.”
Argus swallowed.“Unless you spare my life,my men will see that you never leave this place.You had best dropyour weapon.”
“Save your empty threats.”Jamie brought hisarm around the highwayman and pressed his knife to his throat.“Your men have already been overpowered.”His voice loweredominously.“Where is your leader?”
Argus felt sweat bead his forehead as therough grasp began to cut off his breath.He could feel the barelycontrolled tension in the man’s hands.Any moment now his attackerwould explode.“He rides to the lady’s camp to seek a ransom.Itwas he who suggested that we entertain ourselves with her.”
“You miserable cur.”Jamie itched to slit theman’s throat.But his first thought was of the lass who lay asstill and broken as a wounded bird.
With a vicious shove Jamie tossed the man toRobbie, who, with Neal, stood guard over the others, who had beensubdued.
“Bind him,” Jamie ordered.“And kill any manwho attempts to escape.”
Lindsey’s brothers had never before witnessedsuch blind fury.Jamie MacDonald’s temper was a terrible thing tosee.Without a word they led the villain away.
Sheathing his weapon, Jamie dropped to hisknees and cradled Lindsey in his arms.Blood trickled from her lip,trailing a crimson ribbon along her creamy throat.Her gown wastorn, revealing bruised flesh.Seeing her, Jamie fought a wave ofemotions: fury at the animal who had inflicted such pain on thishelpless maiden, self-hatred that he had let down his guard andallowed this terrible thing to happen to one under his protection,and a sudden rush of tenderness toward the woman who lay beforehim.
With her last ounce of energy Lindsey broughtup her hands to ward off any further blows.“Nay,” she cried.“Leave me.”
“You are safe now, my lady,” Jamiewhispered.
