Rescued by a Highlander(43)

“Madeline!” he hollered. “Stop where you are and be still!” He turned to face the crowd.

Madeline froze in her path and turned toward the courtyard. “Yes, Laird Grant,” she whispered with her head down. She slowly raised her eyes to Kenneth’s. Kenneth sneered at her even with the gag in his mouth. He wasn’t so overbearing in his present state. Maddie inched her chin up and stood tall as he gave her a scathing look. She scanned the courtyard at Alex’s people, noting their bewildered looks. Well, they would probably hear all now. She was determined to keep her head up. Alex would want her to be strong.

Alex pointed to Kenneth with his sword. “Remove the prisoner’s gag!”

Kenneth shouted obscenities and accusations. “How dare you touch me, Grant! You have no right, you bastard! Return my sister to me, she is mine! I am her guardian. The law says she is mine to do with as I wish.”

“And does the law include beating the lass with a horsewhip? I witnessed your cruelty, MacDonald. You will never get the chance again. Madeline stays here with me. I will take the matter to the king if I must. He won’t side with you. You are my prisoner until the king decides!”

Madeline listened as the two men battled words and subconsciously took a small step toward Alex. She measured the distance between her present spot and Kenneth, Niles, and Alex. With all his movement, she now was behind Alex a little bit to his left. She thought it best she be closer to him. Yes, she trusted him to protect her, she would get as close to him as possible. Who knew if Niles could possibly break his bindings? Maybe Kenneth would try to lunge for her to slap her hard if he got one hand free, or dig his nails into her arms like he frequently had done. She rubbed the underside of her arms without thinking, tears blurring her vision. She inched a little closer to Alex.

Alex, I know you told me to stay still, but you are moving too far away. Please stay, don’t let them touch me again.

She brushed at the invisible tears that threatened to roll down her cheeks. Certainly he would not be upset by a little change.

Alex sensed change. What the devil, is she moving again? He caught a slight step again from the corner of his eye but was unsure of her direction. She would not dare! I told her to keep still! He stopped himself from being distracted and turned back to the events in front of him.

Alex pointed to the Comming and ordered his gag released. Niles spat on the ground in front of Alex. “You will pay for this, Grant. First, you back out of the contract with my sister, now you interfere with my betrothed. Madeline is mine, MacDonald betrothed her to me, and I want her back!”

“You are released from your betrothal to the lady. She does not want you, Comming. She never did want you.” Alex stated. “She is under my protection now, and you will not touch her again.”

“At whose orders is she under your protection, Grant?” Kenneth yelled out.

“At the lady’s request. She does not want anything to do with you or your friend.”

“And since when does a wench have any say about her future, Grant?” asked Kenneth.

Alex strode to Kenneth and placed the point of his sword at his throat. He heard Madeline gasp.

“Since she is in my keep, MacDonald.” A small trickle of blood slid down Kenneth’s throat. Kenneth’s face went white and his knees buckled. One of Alex’s guards caught him before he went down.

Alex chuckled before he turned away from him and stared at Niles.

“She is mine, Grant!” Niles glanced around at the crowd. “And she will tell you she is. She begged me to take her maidenhead! Who could possibly want her now?” he yelled out for the crowd.

Madeline cringed as a collective gasp ran through the spectators. The crowd quieted as they waited to hear their laird’s response to the accusation. What would his people think of her? Her secret was out. She was so ashamed. She took two more steps toward Alex. He might be the only one to help her. Mayhap the townspeople would throw stones at her and call her a whore. What other choice did she have? Too many men surrounded her now. Her stomach churned from the sight and smell of so many male bodies. Close men. They could reach her in a moment. Her eyes snapped shut.

She loved so many of Alex’s clan, they had welcomed her with open arms. Would they believe what Niles said about her begging him? Her world crumbled in front of her, what was left of it, anyways. Who would allow someone so wanton to tell stories to their children? She peeked through her eyes and took another tentative step toward Alex. Toward safety. She just wanted to be safe. Was that too much to ask?

Alex strode over to Niles and placed his sword at his belly. Madeline stared at the ground, her breath hitching in sheer fright. The convent, she would have to go to the convent to be safe. No one will ever welcome her into their home knowing the truth about her. How could the Comming say such a thing in front of everyone?