His Bonnie Bride by Hannah Howell (the beginning after the end read novel .TXT) 📕

ease slightly. She kept her eyes fixed upon Sir Hugh as he was roughly stripped of his clothing. There was no denying that he was a fine figure of a man, but she was unmoved, knowing well the rot that the attractive edifice tried to disguise. She watched with the detachment of a physician, her features set and cold.

Releasing her, Tavis glanced from her unreadable face to the naked man. "Like what ye see?" he purred.

Meeting Sir Hugh's eyes as he was tugged to his horse, Storm replied clearly, " 'Tis a fine enough form, though I have seen too few to judge well. Nay, I was merely wondering what draws so many women to his bed or causes them to invite him into theirs. The attraction eludes me, though I daresay he serves Lady Mary well enough, for her tastes have e'er been less than exacting." She ignored Tavis's soft laughter and continued to meet Sir Hugh's gaze, refusing to flinch beneath his rage and hate.

She watched as Sir Hugh was slung over his saddle with little consideration for his lack of clothing. He was tied down, and the rump of his horse given a sound slap. The animal trotted toward Hagaleah for a few yards before slowing to a walk. It would be a long while before Sir Hugh reached the castle. His threats and curses served to entertain the Scotsmen but failed to prod the horse onward.

Turning to look at Tavis, Storm said, "What do ye plan to do with me, sir? I fear if 'tis ransom on your mind ye are lost. Lady Mary will give naught for me e'en if ye threatened to send me home piece by piece. She runs Hagaleah now and she would rejoice to see me dead or gone."

"Where is your father then?" He took her arm and urged her in the direction of the rest of his men.

"France. Our king felt his services would be of more use there than along our fractious border."

"And ye feel the man left in charge wouldnae see to your safe return?" Tavis asked.

"He is completely under Lady Mary's control." Storm struggled to keep pace with the man so that his hand upon her arm stayed as a guide and not a drag. "They just need not tell anyone. I fear 'tis as bad at the Fosters, for Lady Mary exerts a great deal of control over the lady there. What I truly fear is that the lords and their heirs may not return, and I speak not of an honorable death in battle."

"What would it gain them?"

"They have each borne a son, and Sir Hugh is sure of being appointed guardian." She looked at the animals the men had stolen when they reached the place where the remainder of the raiders waited. "A successful raid, I see. It would ne'er have been so easy if things were as they should be. Was anyone hurt?"

"We left a few bound up who'll suffer a sore head on the morrow," Tavis replied. "It did occur to me that the raid was far too easy," he mused. " 'Twas little guarding going on."

Storm sighed. " 'Tis sure to ruin us. So, sir, what do ye plan to do with me?" She was not at all sure she liked the way he smiled, for she was no child now but a woman.

Tossing her upon his horse, Tavis mounted behind her, grinning at the way she tried to tug her skirts down over her slim legs. "I am sure there'll be some benefit from your abduction." Slipping an arm around her tiny waist, he started his mount on the way to Caraidland, the keep of the MacLagans.

Tavis was not at all clear on what he would do with Storm Eldon. All he knew was that he wanted to keep her with him for a while. There was also a very healthy desire for her involved but, although he could take her at any time, he strongly wished for her to succumb willingly. He certainly did not want to send her back to Hagaleah so that Sir Hugh could maul her.

He was puzzled by his attitude toward her as, for a long time, he had felt women were good for only one thing and aside from that he had no use for them and less interest. Yet, when Sir Hugh had attacked the girl a white-hot rage had seized Tavis far in excess of any offended sense of chivalry or honor. He wondered if it was because he still saw Storm as that engaging child of the past.

Storm was no less confused. It was a wonder to her that she was unafraid. It was well known what a man did with a woman captive, yet she could not seem to conjure up any real fear. Some instinct told her she would not be tossed out as amusement for the men. That same instinct told her that Tavis was not taking her along simply to reminisce about their meeting in the past.

Despite that, she felt relatively calm. A part of her acknowledged that she would prefer Tavis MacLagan to steal her virtue than Sir Hugh, who was plainly not going to give up and so would therefore eventually succeed. That thought managed to stir up a little resentment over the way that men simply took as they pleased with little or no thought to the lady involved. The fact that it had always been so did little to ease that resentment.

Several hours later they halted, although they had not gone far. Driving the stolen animals made it impossible to gain any speed. Storm was also sure that they were not all that far from Caraidland, but the men were plainly in need of a little respite. She sat calmly on a rock as the animals were secured and a guard chosen. As they seemed to, she doubted there would be any immediate attack put forth. Her father would have hesitated for fear