Page 122 of Claimed Highland Brides

Perhaps there is hope for him yet.

They set out the next morning just before the sun rose. “We cannae go canny. They likely are expectin’ their men tae bring the lassie t’them. So we shall ride hard and fast, and try tae cause as much damage as we can afore they realize we’re no their friends. Above all, we mun’ get the leader. Neacel Hunter must die.”

There was a cheer and a thunder of hooves as they all rode forward, prisoners tied to the horses in the same way that they tied Jamesina. She rode next to Delwyn’s sister, trying to engage her in conversation while her husband rode to Daividh’s left.

“I cannae imagine what ye’ve been through these past weeks. I’m glad yer brother was able tae rescue ye at last. Rest assured ye’ll be welcome tae stay at Braenaird Keep for as long as ye like.”

The girl ducked her head, her cheeks pinkening as if she was shy of Jamesina. She could not imagine why Maegan would be shy of her. She was not much older than the girl and surely after running away with⁠—

Oh.

Jamesina realized the girl was embarrassed and resolved to put her at ease by talking about absolutely anything else. She told of her sisters instead, the scrapes they got into, and how loud they were. “I expect I shall be subjected to a great deal of fussing when I get home. I dinnae ken if’n I am looking forward tae it.” She grinned at the lassie who regarded her with solemn eyes.

“My father would not pay my ransom.”

Jamesina blanched, not knowing what to say to that. “Weel, yer brother saved ye.”

Maegan nodded slowly. “He did.” She shook her head sorrowfully. “And now he is stuck in a marriage with you whether he likes it or not.”

Bile rose up Jamesina’s throat at those words and she thought she might vomit. Taking a few deep breaths, she spurred her horse forward, so that she was riding beside Simon, leaving Maegan to ride by herself.

* * *

The prisoners had been telling the truth because they came upon the Hunter camp, just as they were awakening. Delwyn was torn between storming the camp and killing every single man therein and staying with his wife, who had been looking a bit peaky. He slowed his horse so he could walk beside her. He leaned anxiously towards her. “Are you alright?” he whispered. “Do you need anything?”

Her face lit up and her eyes grew soft as she looked at him. “I am well. Ye should worry aboot the coming battle, no me.”

“I’ll always worry about you. You are mine to care for.”

Her smile widened and she reached out to squeeze his hand. “As ye are mine. Now go. Daividh needs ye.”

He kissed the back of her hand, holding her eye before spurring his horse forward. Daividh suddenly stopped, turning to the men behind him. “Here we are about tae charge. Remember, Neacel must not escape. The women will stay here. Goraidh and Sawney will stay with them, keep them safe. The rest of us, charge!”

They took off down the hill, hooves thundering, swords waving in the air, hair flying. Jamesina watched them go, breathless with awe. She turned to Maegan and found her staring open-mouthed after the men.

“I have to warn him,” Maegan whispered, and then she was slipping off her horse and trying to take off down the hill. “Neac⁠—”

Goraidh scooped her up, covering her mouth at the same time. “Oh no ye dinnae,” he murmured, knocking her out with one blow. “Ye wilnae betray us the noo. Not when we’re so close.” He looked up at Jamesina and she nodded. It was the right thing to do.

* * *

It was as if a red mist took him over and all Delwyn could do was hack and slash, sparing no one. The camp tried to fight back but they were nowhere near as dangerous as they tried to make it seem. With fury and righteousness on their side, Daividh and his men decimated the camp within minutes. A few men tried to run but were rounded up by Campbell soldiers. There were a few women and children in the camp and they huddled together, guided by a grim-faced Simon. Two soldiers approached, dragging a man between them. They threw him at Daividh’s feet. “We found him trying to escape into the forest.”

The man panted, his voice hitching as if he was crying. “Please, let me go. I shallnae come anywhere near ye ever again.”

Daividh lifted his foot and pushed the man over so that he was lying with his face to the sky. “No such a fearsome lad when ye’re surrounded are ye Hunter?”

Neacel simply panted. Daividh looked up at Delwyn. “Will ye take yer vengeance?”

Delwyn looked thoughtfully down at the man before turning to Daividh. “My sister needs to see him. Kindly send for her please.”

Daividh nodded to one of his men, who immediately mounted and rode back up the hill to where they’d left the women.

While they were waiting, Delwyn squatted down by Neacel’s side. “What did you think would happen when you took my sister, eh? Did you think I would not find you?”

Neacel just continued panting and crying. “Please, I’m sorry. The laird, he promised us that gold. We were just trying to get what’s ours.”

“What’s yours? The gold is not yours!” Delwyn growled.