The Laird's Captive Wife(86)

Hard by Fitzurse fought to control his plunging horse, realising too late how he had been tricked, even as his furious gaze took in the scale of the disaster. Then, seeing the day was lost, he turned and spurred away. Off to the left of the fleeing figure Ban lifted his bow and took aim. The quarrel flew. A moment later the horse screamed and fell, crashing on to its side in the heather and pinning its rider to the ground.

‘Good shot,’ said Dougal. ‘For a Sassenach, that is.’

Ban returned him a cool smile, never taking his eyes off the struggling figure on the ground. His hand went to the hilt of the blade at his side. ‘Say the word and I’ll finish him.’

‘No.’ The Scot turned to the men beside them. ‘Bring him here—alive!’

* * *

Trembling with reaction, Ashlynn looked around in stunned disbelief, her mind unable to accept what her eyes were telling her. Somehow, in a matter of minutes, the Norman force had been annihilated. Her gaze came to rest again on the riderless stallion standing some hundred yards off, and her cheeks paled.

‘Iain!’

Then she was running, her heart sick with dread, knowing what she must find. But before she got halfway there another dark-clad figure rose out of the concealing heather and caught hold of her. Ashlynn shrieked, kicking and struggling, fighting furiously. It took several moments before she recognised the voice speaking her name. Then she froze and looked up, seeing his face for the first time.

‘Iain?’

Half-fainting with relief she felt him draw her close, crushing her close to his breast as though he could never let her go, and for a moment neither of them spoke. Then he looked down into her face.

‘I thought I’d lost you. I thought…’ He took a deep breath, summoning the courage to ask the question uppermost in his mind. ‘Are you all right, lass? Did he hurt you? Did he…?’

‘No.’ She shook her head. ‘I’m not hurt.’

He experienced the sensation of heartfelt relief. ‘Thank God. Every moment since he took you from me I’ve lived in dread of what he might do.’

‘He was saving his revenge for today. He and Fraser both.’

‘Fraser! So that’s who was helping them.’

‘He spoke of a long-standing grudge.’

‘I’m sure he did. ’Twas he I kidnapped once when his father reneged on an agreement.’

‘But what of you, my lord? Are you not hurt?’ She held him at arm’s length, her anxious gaze searching for signs of injury. ‘De Vardes shot you.’

‘I let them think he had.’

He smiled down at her and then his mouth was on hers in a passionate and lingering kiss. When he eventually drew away it was to see tears on her face.

‘They meant to kill you, Iain. They meant to make me watch…’ Her voice caught on a sob.

‘Ach, lass, I’m sorry.’ He drew her to his breast until her sobs quieted a little. ‘You should not have had to suffer for my fault.’

‘It doesn’t matter now. His plan failed. It’s over.’

Iain glanced towards the waiting men. ‘No, lass. Not yet.’

She looked up quickly. ‘What do you mean?’

‘There’s one more thing I have to do.’

Her heart beat a little faster and with a sense of dread she followed his gaze to where his men stood. Then she recognised their prisoner.

‘Iain, you promised…’

‘I promised not to seek him out and I have kept my word. He has sought me.’

‘That is true, but even so I beg you…’

‘This must be settled, Ashlynn, and I mean to see that it is,’ he replied.

The tone was implacable and she knew that no words of hers would change his mind. They walked back to where Dougal and the others waited. In their midst stood Fitzurse, his hands bound. Seeing his sister, Ban hastened to greet her with a glad smile, folding her in his arms. Then, as he glanced down and saw her tear-stained face, his joy faded a little.

‘Dear God, are you all right, Ash? Did this scum hurt you?’

‘No, he did nothing, beyond holding me prisoner.’

‘I thank heaven for it.’ Ban threw a cold glance at the captive. ‘But this vermin will pay for his crimes in due course.’

‘Aye, he will,’ replied Iain.

‘It is your right, my lord,’ said Ban, ‘for yours is the prior claim. I acknowledge it and yield in obedience to the duty I owe you. But let his payment take into account the destruction of Heslingfield and the slaying of our kin.’

‘It will, good brother, I swear it.’ Iain looked at Fitzurse and then at Dougal, nodding toward the ring of stones. ‘Take him in there.’