Page 67 of The Icy Highlander's Bride
Daniel gestured to the guard to let the boy go. He wore the garb of a stableboy, though Daniel didn't recognize him.
"What's happened?" Daniel asked.
"There are men," the boy said. "Lairds, I think. They are with Lady MacCrawford and Lady Skye. Ye must go quickly."
Daniel glanced at the guard and saw surprise on the man's face. He looked guilty, realizing he had tried to stop the boy from entering the study when he had such important news.
Without another word, Daniel bolted toward the door, his hand resting on the pommel of his sword.
"Let's go!" he cried, and he and the guard raced toward the barn.
Lana watched as Laird MacDougal's man lifted Skye onto the horse's back. He tied the crying child's hands in front of her body.
"Be careful!" Laird MacDougal scolded him. He put his hands on top of Skye's, trying to calm her. "Daenae worry, child. Ye will like me castle. It is where yer maither lived when she was a girl."
"I daenae want to go," Skye whined.
"I will show ye her favorite toys," MacDougal continued, ignoring her. "We have yer rooms all prepared for ye."
He patted her gently on the back in a moment of tenderness, but it didn't calm Skye. She only cried harder, making Lana's heart scream in protest.
Lana fought harder against Laird Cullen, desperate to save the girl.
"Stop moving, woman," Laird Cullen growled, and she suddenly felt a hand collide with the side of her face.
Lana blinked, feeling pain radiating through her temples as she realized that he had just slapped her across the face. She stood still, stunned.
Laird MacDougal walked carefully toward her. "Be sure to tell yer husband who took her," he said, pushing his face close tohers as Laird Cullen chuckled behind her. "I want him to ken that he lost another one. Just like he lost me daughter."
"That wasnae his fault!" Lana cried, but Laird Cullen pulled hard on her arms, locking them painfully behind her back.
"Have fun, Cullen." Laird MacDougal laughed, glancing at his friend. "Be sure to give them exactly what they deserve."
He turned on his heel, walked back to his horse, and took the reins from the guard. Lana could think of nothing except Skye.
"It's alright, Skye," she called out to her, though Laird Cullen pulled even harder on her arms. "We will come for ye. Be brave, me love."
She caught Skye's eyes and saw the briefest flash of understanding in them. She knew the girl was terrified, but somehow the words had given her the smallest glimmer of hope.
"Let's go," Laird Cullen grunted.
He pulled Lana toward the woods, dragging her further away from Skye and Laird MacDougal.
"Cullen!" The voice boomed across the yard like thunder, shocking everyone into silence.
Lana squirmed in Laird Cullen's arms to look over her shoulder, and she saw Daniel rushing forward, the blade of his sword glinting in the sunlight. Cameron was there too, and the men rushed forward with battle cries.
"Ye dinnae learn yer lesson," Daniel growled as he charged at Laird Cullen.
The man squealed. If Lana were not so afraid, it would have been comical. He instantly dropped her arms and turned around, running toward the woods.
"Ye willnae get away so easily," Daniel cried.
He was much faster than the drunken man, who wobbled his way toward his horse. Daniel caught up with him and spun the man around to face him.
Laird Cullen snapped into action then. He scrambled for his own sword and swiped recklessly in Daniel's direction. Behind her, Lana heard the clashing of swords as Cameron faced off against Laird MacDougal's guard.
"There was a time I almost cut off yer hand for touching her, Cullen," Daniel hissed, easily parrying the man's attacks.
