Page 111 of Claimed Highland Brides

Simon stepped forward. “But we cannae leave the keep undefended. An’ if ye’ll allow me, Laird, I shall go tae Edinburgh and seek out this McTavish. I can take a few trusted men wi’ me. That way ye can stay here and protect the women.”

Jamesina looked desperately at Daividh. “I want to go to Edinburgh. I must!”

Daividh shook his head. “No. Ye mun’ stay here. Let Simon go. He will send a message an’ he needs yer help in some way. If’n ye go wi’ him, ye’ll just slow him doon. Wi’out looking oot for ye, he can ride fast.”

“I dinnae need—” Jamesina began to protest.

“Jamie! Do ye no trust us anymore?”

Jamesina bit her lip, looking at her sister with bleak eyes. “O’course I do.”

“Then let Daividh do what he feels is right.”

She deflated, dropping down onto the bench seat. She sighed, lifting her eyes to Simon. “When will ye go?”

“I will gather some men and head out at once. If we ride fast, we can be at Drumacree by midnight. Edinburgh early morning, the day after tomorrow.”

Jamesina nodded, acknowledging to herself that she could never have kept up with that pace. “Go then. And bring him back, please.”

“We shall do our best.”

* * *

They procured another horse with some of the gold Delwyn had obtained at the beginning of his journey and were able to go faster as Delwyn’s horse did not have to bear both of their weight. Still, Delwyn was hard put not to insist on a faster pace. Maegan was not used to riding for long distances. She was not dressed for rough living and complained constantly.

Delwyn tried to remember that she was very young and had just recently had her heart severely broken. She was also probably very embarrassed by everything and facing scandal should she return to London.

She is allowed to feel put out.

Still, it was a hardship to remain pleasant when all he wanted to do was ride hell for leather and make sure that the Hunters had not done anything to his new family. He burned with guilt because he’d brought trouble to their unsuspecting door.

“We have to hurry.”

“Yes, you’ve said that at least ten times. I understand.” She spurred her horse on while pouting.

Delwyn sighed tiredly, refrained from rolling his eyes, and followed her.

* * *

Jamesina was asleep when they came for her. Covered in so many layers of plaid and burlap, it was impossible to see her womanly shape. Her hair was covered with a bonnet and she had an arisaid over that. Jamesina sat up as she felt a shadow loom over her and the woman pressed her down, covering her mouth.

She squirmed, trying to find some leverage to sit up but then felt a thud, and everything went dark.

* * *

When Jamesina woke up she was bouncing up and down on a horse, her head hanging down. The urge to vomit was undeniable and she heaved as last night’s supper exploded out of her.

Someone made a sound of disgust close by and she could hear the clip-clop of other horses around her. She tried to lift her head but found she could not because her hands and legs were tied together beneath the horse. She could not lift her head without contorting herself in ways she was not comfortable with.

“Who are ye? What d’ye want wi’ me?” She was gasping for breath as she spoke, her chest tight from being pressed against the horse’s side.

Her captors ignored her and she turned her head, trying to gauge where she was. It was still dark although she could see the horizon begin to lighten with the dawn. The countryside was familiar. It seemed as if they were on the road to Drumacree. She did not know if that was a good thing or not.