Page 6 of Wedded to the Twisted Highlander
She looked up at the window and couldn’t help but notice that the fury in the Laird’s eyes burned hotter. His determined glare forced her to keep moving, despite the pain in her ankle.
“Ye’ll nae get away so easily!” he shouted.
His voice was closer than she had anticipated. She glanced over her shoulder to gauge where he could be. To her surprise, he’d jumped out of the window and was racing after her.
Unable to outrun him, Astrid would have to outmaneuver him.
Under the silvery light that haloed the trees and bushes, Astrid raced to the village. Her heart pounded as she darted from shadow to shadow, the Laird’s heavy footsteps echoing behind her.
Ahead, Astrid spotted the narrow path that wound through the shrubs and high grass. There was her chance.
With every ounce of her willpower, she pushed herself forward, her feet struggling to move faster.
Suddenly, two steel bands wrapped around her torso, and she tumbled to the ground. What little air she had in her lungs whooshed out of her as the edges of her vision grew hazy. But shedidn’t allow the darkness to enshroud her. She fought to remain conscious and threw her head back.
The groan behind her made her lips curl. Twisting and flopping like a fish out of water, she wiggled out of the arms that had her pinned to the moist soil.
“Let me go,” Astrid hissed as she clawed for her freedom.
The Laird’s fingers curled around her ankle. He might as well have put her in shackles.
At that moment, Astrid realized that she had no choice but to surrender.
The Laird climbed over her limp body, effectively preventing any further attempt at escape. Astrid couldn’t help but notice his precision as he moved. He was careful not to touch her unless he needed to.
Despite the situation, she marveled at his gentleness. He could have been rough with her. He could have thrown her over his shoulder and carried her back. Yet, he didn’t. His hands only pinned her to the ground as hard as he needed to. He was calculated and in absolute control. The other men Astrid had encountered were never as aware of their strength and usually left their marks on her to show it.
Still, he was a wall of solid muscle that anchored her to the ground. She tested his strength and intentions once more.
“Let me go.”
“I dinnae think so,” he panted.
His warm breath fanned her cheek as he leaned in. The rise and fall of his chest as he tried to catch his breath was soothing. Slipping a hand under her arm, he flipped her onto her back. Astrid’s eyes widened as she stared at him.
“Ye can run as far away as ye want, lass, but ye cannae escape me. I can track ye down on a cloudy day.”
“Ye dinnae understand,” Astrid said as she tried to buck him off.
But the longer he pinned her, the less angry she felt. It was almost as if the earth itself was soaking her ire and desperation, leaving her nothing but a hollow shell of her former self.
“I have to go.”
“Aye, right back to the castle. Ye ken, I thought I saw something honorable in ye when ye were first presented to me. Had I kenned it was treason I was sensin’, I never would have let ye near me faither.”
“Ye think me a traitor? Never, Laird McFair. I’m nae a traitor,” Astrid said, her voice thick with emotion.
Out of all the things she had been called before, a traitor had to be the one that stung the most.
“Ye’ve done nothing to show me otherwise,” the Laird hissed.
The ire in his voice rattled her to the core. She trembled with fear. The penalty for treason wasdeath.
Astrid’s heart rate quickened. If she was gone, then who would take care ofher?
Gulping in the air, she desperately racked her brain for a plan. Somehow, she had to get out of this mess and get back to the village.
She swallowed hard and studied the Laird. He arched an eyebrow as if he too were studying her and considering his options.
