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

twitched. "Aye, weel, mayhaps I think ye have done enough riding and need a wee rest."

Pulling free of his hold, Storm started out of the room, remarking haughtily, "Ye are a very vulgar man, Tavis MacLagan. Ye have no concept of how to speak to a lady."

"Show me a lady and my gallantry will ken no bounds," he retorted from a safe distance behind her , and met the glare she shot him over her shoulder with a wide grin.

It was not to his liking to watch the looks the men gave Storm as she strolled out to the stables. Even his dark visage as he strolled beside her did not stop them, only made them look amused or all too knowing. Despite it all, Tavis could not help but feel some pride in the fact that the woman who shared his bed was plainly desirable to a number of men. He also knew that their interest was not all of a carnal nature, but of respectful curiosity about a person who had proven herself, winning people to her side despite the fact that she was an Eldon and English.

Phelan looked her over as they mounted. "Ye do not look much like a boy, cousin."

"Thank ye, Phelan," she said with a grin. " 'Tis a relief to me to know that."

"Do not take them too far, Angus. 'Tis her first ride since her wounding," Tavis advised.

Angus nodded, and Tavis watched them ride out. Storm rode well, and Tavis recognized that she was plainly well accustomed to riding astride. She was rapidly destroying his conceptions about proper English ladies. Lord Eldon had clearly raised his daughter with a light and loving hand. It was a side of the man Tavis was not sure he wanted to know.

A short gallop was all Angus allowed, but Storm did not mind. She realized she had not regained the full strength she needed to control a racing horse for any distance. It was pleasant just to be riding. Angus was a lenient guard, for he had their promise not to try and escape while out on their rides, and he knew their word was bond enough.

When they reached the shores of a loch they dismounted, save for Phelan. With Angus's permission, he disappeared to survey as much of the shore as possible.

The boy was still gone when Angus's and Storm's childish game of skipping stones was rudely interrupted by a highly unwelcome source. For the first time in her life, Storm was not pleased to see a rescue party from Hagaleah. Instinct told her she would be far safer staying with the Eldons' old enemy.

There was no time to mount and flee. She and Angus were quickly encircled and Angus, with his sword drawn against the dozen well-armed men, stood protectively before Storm. Storm wondered how Sir Hugh had known to come to the loch, their usual place to pause while on a ride, and the name Katerine MacBroth came to mind. It was the type of thing the woman would do for, with her gone, Storm felt sure Katerine was justified in thinking that she would soon be back in Tavis's bed. He was not a man to go very long without a woman.

"Kill him," Sir Hugh ordered casually, nodding toward Angus.

"Nay!" Storm put herself between the men of Hagaleah and Angus. "Ye don't need to kill him. Just take his horse and leave him bound. 'Twill be a fair long while ere he is found."

"Where's the Irish brat?" asked Sir Hugh, signaling his men to do as Storm said, thinking it could be to his advantage to placate her in this matter.

Storm watched as Angus gave up after a brief struggle and allowed himself to be tied up. It was a relief to know he would not be hurt. Plainly, he, too, had recalled that Phelan was near. With luck, the boy would continue to stay away. Phelan was definitely better off at Caraidland.

"He stayed at the keep today. There were doings there that interested him."

Sir Hugh looked Storm over with obvious contempt. "You dress the whore as well as act it. Get on your horse. An it were not for your fortune, I would leave you here to serve this border scum."

Whatever resistance she felt was useless as one of Sir Hugh's men grabbed her and tossed her into the saddle, handing her reins to Sir Hugh. Before she could say any of the words that burned in her mouth they were off at a gallop. She had to fight to maintain her seat, and it was not long before her shoulder began to protest. This was not the way she wanted to come home to Hagaleah.

Phelan appeared at Angus's side as soon as Sir Hugh had left. He had known to stay away, not only to aid Angus but to be free to help Storm. His stay at Hagaleah had shown him that she was not safe there. It was not only the dismal prospect of her being forced to wed Sir Hugh that troubled him. Phelan had the strongest feeling that Storm would never survive that marriage. Sir Hugh would enjoy the role of a rich widower.

Tavis was just stepping into the bailey when Angus and Phelan returned astride one horse. "Sir Hugh?" he asked when they came up to him. "How in Hades did he know where and when to strike? I refuse to believe that any of our people told him, but I nay doubt that he was told."

"Aye," agreed Angus. "It were too neat." He cleared his throat. "I was thinking jealousy could weel breed a traitor."

A black scowl touched Tavis's handsome face. "Aye. Katerine would do it, burn her eyes." He turned on his heel and strode back into the tower house, Angus and Phelan right behind him, telling him all that had happened. " 'Tis glad I am ye suffered no hurt, Angus. It would all have been for naught." Entering the great hall, he