Page 64 of Abducted By the Highlander
At least, not alive. His stomach clenched at what torture Fergus would have inflicted on Roisin, given half a chance.
“And Darragh agreed with this?” There was a quiver in Roisin’s voice, but she seemed more sad than terrified at the prospect.
He shook his head. “I don’t think so. They were friends from long ago and I feel Darragh followed wherever Fergus led. Darragh may have decided to exchange ye for a ransom, but he wouldn’t have used ye to inflict retribution on William or the earl. He’s not a fundamentally cruel man.”
It was only as he spoke the words that he realized the truth of them. To be sure, Darragh had never fully trusted him, but when Symon had brought him into the camp, the chieftain had allowed him to stay because he had saved Symon’s life in Eire. He could just as easily have killed Hugh on the spot.
“So, we must be on guard against Fergus in case he tries to exactvengeance again on one of us.” Roisin shivered and before he could stop himself he reached for her and gently squeezed her hand where she held onto Ecne’s basket.
“Ye do not need to worry about Fergus. He’ll never harm another soul.”
She bit her lip before her gaze caught his. It was clear she understood his meaning. “Did he attack ye in the town?”
“Outside the town. After Darragh had already left.” He could leave it at that. But she deserved to know the full truth. “But whether he attacked me or not, there wasn’t any way on God’s earth he was leaving that place. Ye’d never be safe so long as he was alive and that was something I couldn’t allow.”
“I understand.” Her voice was hushed. “I’m grieved I put ye in that position, Hugh.”
“Don’t be. I’d do it again in a heartbeat. I know what men of his ilk are like. There’s no reasoning with them.” And it had nothing to do with Fergus being a MacGregor. There had simply been something rotten in his core.
He realized he still held her hand, and she hadn’t pushed him away. Their gazes meshed, and he had the insane notion to kiss her and, that somehow by doing so, he could wipe out the last year and once more be worthy of seeking her hand.
“Hugh.” Her whisper was as soft as a summer breeze, and he imagined he saw the promise of something more than an imminent farewell in her eyes. He forgot where they were, forgot everything he had done, and only knew if he didn’t tell her how desperately he needed her in his life he would regret it forever.
“Roisin.” Her name was like sunlight, filling his dark existence with hope. “I—”
A commotion up ahead as the scout returned whipped the words from him, and Symon wheeled his horse around and came to his side. “Ambush ahead.”
What the hell?He narrowed his eyes as Darragh swiftly led them farther into the forest, in the opposite direction from where they’d been heading to the glen with the waterfall.
Goddamn it.He couldn’t afford to take whatever detour Darragh had in mind. At some point between the glen and the manor the earl’s men would be waiting, and he needed to get Roisin and Grear there without delay.
“Symon.” His voice was urgent, and Symon gave him a shrewd glance. “Will ye cover for me? I must ensure Lady Roisin and her maid find safety.”
“Aye, Sergeant. Ye have my word.”
Hugh gripped the other man’s arm. “I’ll return and find ye.”
Symon gave a sharp nod before turning to follow the other men, and Hugh caught Roisin’s gaze. “This way.”
They swung around, and he led them away from Darragh, skirting the path they had previously been following, but heading in the direction where the waterfall was. From that glen, it was a straightforward journey to the manor. But first they had to reach the glen.
As he led them deeper into the forest, the notion of the ambush played on his mind. Was it the earl’s men? Or bandits?
He couldn’t worry about that now. The chances were high that if the scout had been spotted, those engaged in the ambush would follow Darragh and his small band of men. Certainly, he hadn’t seen or heard anything that suggested they were being followed, but he wasn’t taking any chances, and he continuously scanned the forest for a sign of movement.
They forged onwards as the forest gradually descended into another glen. Even Ecne remained silent, as though he understood the need for stealth. And finally, beyond the birdsong and snuffle of the horses, he heard the sound of cascading water.
The trees thinned, and he caught sight of a double waterfall tumbling into a rock-strewn river. And on the far bank was the earl and two dozen of his men.
Chapter Twenty-Four
Roisin gasped asshe caught sight of Freyja on the other side of the river and relief surged through her that they had made it to safety. She turned to Hugh, who had an oddly guarded expression on his face, and gently touched his arm.
“Thank ye,” she said. She didn’t understand how he had been in communication with the earl. Yet surely it had to be a good sign that, whatever the reason was for him having lived like an outlaw for God knew how long, the earl must surely pardon him now.
“’Tis my pleasure.” He sounded both strangely formal, considering all they had been through together, and despairingly resigned.
“Hugh,” she said, frowning, but before she could continue, he nodded back at the river.
