“Tie her hands behind her, Rupert,” Hugh ordered another of his men.
Her arms were pulled roughly behind her and tied so tightly the pain brought tears to her eyes.
“Ye will share this delectable morsel, Hugh. Equal portions, that’s what ye said.”
“Of course. After I am through with her, you and the others are welcome to my leavings.” Hugh laughed again.
“Do you remember what Malcolm told you?” Alethia hissed. “He said if you touch me, it will be the last thing you do. You are on MacKintosh land. Malcolm is my husband, and he is only a short distance behind me on the road.”
“Let us hope so,” Hugh smirked.
The sound of a horse screaming with pain pierced the air, and Hugh looked uncertain for a second. She bit her lip to keep from crying out and prayed Hunter was OK. Hugh growled, tossed her mare’s reins to his man, and dragged her into the woods.
“To camp,” he ordered.
As they made their way along a narrow trail, Hugh shook her. “If what you say is true, he’d no’ let you out of his sight. You are the perfect bait for my little trap.”
She swallowed hard. After all that had happened, she could very well be the cause of Malcolm’s death. She could not bear such a thing.
It wasn’t long before they reached a clearing where a rough camp had been set up. Hugh shoved her hard. Without the use of her hands to break her fall, she landed on her side and slid across the ground. Her face scraped over protruding roots and stones embedded in the dirt. It stung, and her hip ached where she’d landed on it.
The men laughed. Hugh took great pleasure in looming over his unexpected prize where she lay sprawled on the ground. Mayhap things had taken a turn in his favor at last. He’d hoped to catch Malcolm out for a ride and unguarded. Catching Malcolm’s woman was even better.
“I owe Malcolm for his many insults against me.” He nudged her with his boot. “’Tis the reason I have camped so near Loch Moigh for the past fortnight. Though I had hoped to catch him, you will suffer my vengeance in his stead.” He leered at her. “’Twill be a far sweeter endeavor, I think. And when he comes, he’ll see what has befallen you at my hands before I plunge a sword through his heart.”
Just then the fourth man broke through the brush, breathing hard as if he’d been running. “The little rotter put an arrow in me horse and got away. Give me your horse, Hugh, and I’ll go after ’im.”
“Nay,” Hugh said. “Our plans have changed. Let him lead Malcolm to us. The lad saw only the four of us, and Malcolm is arrogant. He’ll bring only a few men, certain he can take us. Hie yourself to the others and bring them back here. Set up a guard, and let me know the moment you see Malcolm and his men approach.” Hugh dragged his catch to a tree and tied her to it. “In the meantime, I will no’ be disturbed.” He glared at the men. “No’ even by you.”
He grabbed his crotch and eyed the little bitch from the top of her head to her feet. He watched the repulsion rise in her eyes, but not fear. It angered him. He reached to grope her breasts, giving them a vicious squeeze, and waited for the fear. He grew hard waiting for it. He needed it, and stepped closer in anticipation.
She spit in his eye. “Bitch!” He swiped at his eyes, and her knee came up hard against his groin. His first blow caught her left eye. She turned her head to lessen the impact, and rage washed through him. His second blow caught the bottom of her chin, sending her head back with a loud, satisfying crack against the tree.
She slumped against the trunk, unconscious.
“Damnation.” Hugh bent over in pain.
“Can we have a go at her, Hugh?”
“Nay, Rupert,” he growled. “I want the bitch wide awake when I take her, and I will have her first.” He straightened and turned to face his men. “Did you no’ understand my orders? I want two men here with me, the rest hiding in the forest. Be off.”
Malcolm returned to the keep from the lists plagued by unease. Hunter had not appeared to train, and the great hall felt bloody empty as he strode through it to take the stairs two at a time. He rapped his knuckles against the door of his mother’s solar and entered. The room stood empty. He made straight for his chamber, cursing under his breath. Throwing the door wide, he scanned the room. Alethia’s gowns hung from their pegs as they always did. He let out the breath he’d been holding.
Then he noticed the quiver holding her bow and arrows missing from their customary place. A closer look sent a chill down his spine. Where was her violin? Striding over to her trunk, he flipped it open and found it empty.