Fraser 01 - Highland Legacy (19 page)

When Connor burst through the door of the priory and saw Mary sitting on the floor, amidst a pile of broken earthenware and toppled furniture, panic gripped his heart.
With a quick scan of the hall, he realized his worst fear. Cailin wasn’t there. He rushed to his cousin’s side and knelt down. “Are you hurt, magpie?” He used the name he’d called when she was a child and gently touched her shoulder to get her attention and allay her fear.

She stared up at him with dazed, tear-filled eyes, but she never made a sound.

“Lord Almighty, tell me what happened.” Completely unnerved by the scene before him, he fought the urge to grab his cousin and shake her for the answers. Instead, he gathered his wits and asked again in a gentler tone. “Please, tell me what happened. Where’s Cailin?” He touched her bruised cheek.

“The English attacked the priory with no regard for the sanctity of this holy place. They plundered and lay waste to anything they could get their hands on.” She dragged her hand across her damp cheeks. “What if they come back?”

He gently gathered her into his arms. “Dinna cry. I’m here now, and they’ll not be back. There’s no reason for them to return since they already raided the place and have taken what wanted.”

Mary turned her face into his chest, her hot tears soaking his tunic. “Och, Connor, they told me father was dead? Please tell me it is all a horrible lie.”

He didn’t want to be the one to tell her, but she had to know the truth. “Simon was captured in Kirkenclif after our stand at
Dail Righ
and taken to England to stand trial. He died a hero’s death, and will be forever remembered by all.” He spared her the grisly details of Simon’s brutal execution, unaware that Borden’s men had already told her everything.

“Why didn’t you do something to stop them?”

“Your father made us promise not to follow. You know how stubborn Simon could be.” When she clutched his tunic, he hesitated and glanced away, not wanting her to see the unshed tears stinging his eyes.

“Aye, Father was a wonderful man. He would never allow someone he cared about to risk their life on his behalf.”

Connor hugged her tighter and tucked her head under his chin. “He was the bravest, most unselfish man I have ever known. Your father believed too many men had already perished for the cause, and for more to die before we could regroup would serve no purpose. He made us swear that we would not interfere if he were captured. We all pledged the same to each other.”

“What of my mother? Is she all right?”

“Word is that she’s safe, and at Oliver Castle. Alasdair and Bryce went to check on her. They plan to meet me here.” His heart went out to his cousin, but his concern for Cailin mounted. Leaning back on his heels, he lifted Mary’s chin. “Please tell me of Cailin. Where is she?” Something in his gut told him the answer, but he prayed he was wrong.

“She’s gone, Connor. The English took her. I tried to stop them, but...” She lowered her head and twisted her apron in her hands.

With her words, the last glimmer of hope faded into oblivion. Connor’s heart lurched, and he struggled to speak. “Tell me what happened.” He found it impossible to hide the tremor in his voice.

“The one they called Borden arrested her. He said he was taking her to England to stand trial for witchcraft and murder. Please forgive me. I tried to stop him, but there was nothing I could do.” She sobbed even louder.

“Borden.” He felt as though someone had ripped the heart from his chest. The thought of Cailin, alone with the blackguard, caused his blood boil. Yet at the same time, his stomach clenched. Frightened and alone, she might be injured, or worse, dead.

He glanced down at his cousin, her face contorted with despair. With the loss of her father and the recent attack, she had enough to deal with, and he didn’t want to make her feel any worse. He swept the tears from her cheek with a gentle brush of his thumb. “I’m sure you did all that you could. I must go after them. When did they leave?”

She clutched his tunic again, her expression riddled with fear. “They left a few hours ago. Borden said if anyone tried to follow, he’d kill her. You cannot go after them alone. You must wait for Alasdair and Bryce.”

“There’s no time to wait. Even if they have already left, Oliver Castle is several days ride from here. There is no telling what that bastard might do to Cailin, and I won’t take that risk.” He helped Mary to her feet and escorted her to a nearby chair. “Tell me, Mary, did she go willingly, or was she taken by force? Did Borden harm her?”

“She dinna fight him, if that’s what you mean. I think she was afraid he might harm the babe if she did.” Mary’s blue eyes widened, and she covered her mouth as soon as the words left her lips. “I—I’m sorry. You were not supposed to find out this way.”

He stared at Mary. “Cailin is with child? When? How? Why wasn’t I told?” he stammered like a babbling fool.

Mary blushed at his question. “I’m not an expert in such things, but I’m certain she conceived in the usual way. Given she is several months along, my guess is that it happened the first time you tupped her. The poor lamb hasn’t had an easy time of it. Only of late has she managed to keep any food down.”

“Her mother died in childbirth. Do you think there is a chance she will not be able to carry and birth a bairn? That she might die?”

“Nay, she’s a healthy lass.” She grasped his hand and patted it. “For a woman to feel unwell in her early months is common. I’m sure she will give you many fine, healthy sons.”

Mary’s reassurance did little to squelch his concern. He raked his fingers through his hair and began to pace. “It might be common for a woman in her condition to suffer from sickness when she wakes, but not to be held prisoner by an animal like Borden, or dragged across Scotland on horseback. She’s in grave danger, and I must go to her. I cannot stand around doing nothing while that bastard has Cailin.” He gently touched Mary’s bruised cheek again and examined her split lower lip. “Are you certain you’re uninjured?”

“I am shaken, and my heart aches for my father, but I’m uninjured.”

“What of Marjory Bruce? I’m told her mother sent her here before the castle was raided.”

“She is safely hidden.”

“Good, then I must go after Cailin.” He placed a kiss on the top of Mary’s head, then moved toward the door. “I’ll see Father Paul before I leave and make arrangements for you to go home. Cameron is with me, and he’ll see you and Marjory to Oliver Castle.”

“You cannot go alone. Borden had at least a dozen men with him.”

“A dozen English soldiers are no match for a Highlander.”

“Damn your Highland pride! That is what got my father killed. It might be too late for him, but not for you.” The words spilled from her lips before she could stop them. “Those men are ruthless, and will show you no mercy. You’ll be of no use to Cailin if Borden kills you. I’m begging you, dinna go alone.”

“I cannot rest while she’s in danger. If he harms one hair on her head, I’ll kill him with my bare hands and feed his ballocks to the dogs.” With that oath on his lips, he stormed down the hallway toward Father Paul’s cell.

Cailin shifted her weight in the saddle. The only things that hurt more than her legs and lower back were her wrists. The coarse ropes binding her to the pommel bit into her tender flesh. They’d ridden for two days, only stopping long enough to rest the horses and to relieve themselves—which she needed to do often at this stage in her pregnancy. They ate and slept on horseback. But between the babe kicking and the discomfort of sleeping upright, she got no rest. Not that she would dare relax or let her guard down around a lecherous man like Borden. At this rate of travel, they’d be in England by week’s end. It was beginning to look like help was not going to reach her in time.

A young lieutenant rode up beside Borden. “There is a stream up ahead, and we’ve already traveled halfway to the border. I wondered if we might stop for a bite to eat. The horses need to rest, and I would wager the lady would appreciate a chance to stretch her legs. I know I would.”

Borden glanced over his shoulder at Cailin. “Her comfort is of no concern to me, Williams, but perhaps you are right. The horses are tired, and this might be the perfect spot to rest.” A wry grin crossed his lips. “What do you think, my lady? Shall we stop here and get better acquainted?”

She offered no response. The thought of Borden touching her made her skin crawl. But to tell him what she thought would only feed his ire.

Borden raised his hand in the air and shouted to his men. “We will rest here.”

A second officer rode up beside the two men. “I beg your pardon, Lord Borden, but do you think it is prudent to stop in such an open place?”

“I will decide what is prudent and what is not.” Borden slid from his saddle and handed the reins over to his squire. “See that the horse is well fed and watered, boy.”

“Aye, my lord.” The lad bowed, and led the horse toward the stream.

Borden was up to something. Cailin felt it in her bones, those that hadn’t crumbled or turned to mush. Lieutenant Williams lifted her from the saddle, but when her feet touched the ground, her knees buckled. While he managed to cushion her fall, she still found herself sitting in the dirt. But not for long.

“Get up.” Borden wrapped his hands around her upper arms and roughly hauled her to her feet. “You best make the most of your chance to stretch your legs. We’ll not be stopping for long.”

“I must tend to my needs.”

Without saying a word, Borden dragged her across the field to a small copse of trees and shoved her in the direction of a thicket of bracken. “Do what you need to do, and make haste.”

“I cannot relieve myself in front of you and would ask for some privacy. Even your men have the decency to turn their backs.”

“I’m not my men, and I have no intention of letting you out of my sight. You either go here, or not at all.” The imposing tone of his voice and the menacing look on his face let her know that he had no intention of negotiating.

She lifted her bound hands in his direction. “I cannot hold my skirts and do what is necessary if my hands are tied.”

Borden pulled his dirk from its sheath and cut the rope, freeing her hands. “Don’t give me a reason to regret my decision.”

“Will you turn your back and give me some privacy?”

“No. Squat, and be done with it.”

Regardless of her request, Borden watched her every move. She hiked up her skirts and tried to ignore the hitch in his breath, his raised brow, and the lewd stare he fixed on her exposed ankle and lower leg.
If he won’t turn around, I will.
She turned her back to him, surprised when he didn’t try to stop her.

After completing the task as quickly as possible, Cailin spun around and smoothed her hands down the front of her gown. “If you are finished ogling me, I’d appreciate a wee bite to eat, and mayhap some water to quench my thirst.”

“Would you now?” Borden snaked his arm around her waist and pulled her against his chest. “You’re a saucy wench. Perhaps I have a better way to sate your hunger, and mine, too.” His hands roamed seductively up and down her spine, kneading her buttocks with each pass. He pulled her hips into the hollow of his thighs, nipped at the side of her neck, and groaned aloud.

His touch repulsed her, made her want to vomit. She braced her hands on his chest and tried to push him away. “You cannot be desperate enough to take your pleasure from a woman heavy with child,” Cailin challenged.

“I’ll do as I damned well please.” Borden grabbed the back of her head, fisted his hand in her hair, and lowered his head. “You’ll do as I tell you, and give me no sass.”

His eyes darkened, but not with desire or passion. It was something sinister and evil. For a moment, she was certain she’d come face to face with the Devil. Despite her attempt to break free, he held her firmly in place. The more she kicked and clawed, the more he seemed to enjoy the challenge. He pulled on her hair, yanked her head back, and bit her neck. When she yelped, he laughed, and did it again. She soon found her back pressed up against a nearby tree, the weight of his body making it difficult to breathe. She felt faint.

“Please dinna do this.” Cailin turned her head when he lowered his, but to no avail. He held her chin and forced his tongue past her lips in a rapacious kiss. Her stomach wretched and just as she thought to clamp down with her teeth, the sound of footsteps approaching caught her attention.

Lieutenant Williams cleared his throat. “I’m sorry to interrupt you, sir, but Morrison has returned, and informed me that we may soon have a visitor.”

Borden released his hold on Cailin and spun around to face his aid. He straightened his tunic and stepped away from where she stood trembling and gasping for air. “Excellent. I didn’t think it would take long for him to find us.”

Cailin staggered backward and brought her hand to her mouth in an attempt to wipe clean where his vile lips had been. He seemed unaffected by her actions, and the fact that someone might be following them appeared to please him. A sudden feeling of impending doom caused her gut to clench. Could it be Connor? And if so, did he have any idea he was walking into a trap?

Borden pointed to a lone oak standing at the edge of the field. “Take her to the tree and see she’s bound securely. Post a guard and tell him to kill her if she gives him any trouble. When you’re done, meet me by the horses.” He pushed her toward Williams with a force that caused her to stumble.

The lieutenant reacted quickly, catching her before she hit the ground. Once steady on her feet, he frowned. “I’m sorry, my lady, but I must follow orders.”

“Stop wasting time and do as you’re told, or I’ll have your bars,” Borden snapped as he crossed the clearing.

Williams nodded, took Cailin by the elbow, and escorted her toward the tree. With a hardened stare, he glanced over his shoulder at Borden. “The man is a cruel, unyielding bastard. He’d hang his own mother if he thought it would gain him favor with the king. I’d be careful not to cross him if I were you.”

When he looked at her, his expression softened. Was that empathy she saw in his hazel eyes? Her heart raced, as did her mind. She had to do something to warn Connor. If she attempted to run, would Williams stop her? She could try, but knew if he didn’t intervene, Borden would tackle her before she got a few feet. In her condition, she’d not get far, and she wouldn’t risk injury to the babe. If she called out, Connor would be more determined than ever to attempt a rescue. As she contemplated her options, the lieutenant eased her back up against the tree and gently grasped her wrists, binding them behind her. Even though he tied them loosely, the ropes aggravated her already torn flesh. Cailin bit down on her lower lip, swallowing hard against the pain shooting up her arms.

Gaining Williams’s sympathy was her only hope. “Please, sir. I am innocent and wish only to go home to my family. Surely you cannot condone the torture and execution of a woman with child. If you could find it in your heart to release me, I would be most grateful.”

“I do not have the authority to release you, nor do I have a death wish. Borden acts on behalf of King Edward. When you escaped the first time, our revered sovereign threatened to strip him of his title and see him hanged in your stead. There is nothing I can do nothing to help you, my lady.”

“I understand, and dinna hold you responsible for my fate.” She could tell by his tone of voice and the look of remorse on his face he resented having to follow Borden’s orders. Despite the urge to argue her case, she decided she would say nothing more. She may need to rely on the man’s sense of honor at a future time and didn’t want to do anything to anger him.

Williams turned to face a soldier standing a few feet away. “George, guard the lady, and if she gives you any trouble—” He hesitated. “Gag her.” He turned and walked across the field toward Borden and his men.

If she was right in her assumption, Williams might prove to be an ally after all. He followed his commander’s orders and saw her tied to the tree, but didn’t tell the guard to kill her, reinforcing her suspicions. She craned her neck and tried to hear the conversation between Borden and Morrison, but they were out of earshot. She thought she heard Connor’s name mentioned by two men who walked by, but nothing more. Had Borden known his identity all along?