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

her fortune. She has refused him in all ways and it sorely angers him. He had her once, and I fear he and Lady Mary treated her harshly, but she escaped back to Caraidland and the MacLagans. 'Tis felt the Scots had a hand in rescuing her. 'Twas indeed the brothers who brought her back to Caraidland, and the lass was in a sore state. When the ransom was flat refused they did not send her back here. Would not."

After venting a boiling rage in some very colorful language, Lord Eldon asked, "How fares my only daughter? Is she ill treated at Caraidland? Have they abused her or the boy in any way?"

Lawrence met Eldon's steady gaze. "They are both in good health and are actually much liked. The laird was being poisoned by his young wife and 'twas Mistress Storm who aided him. The lady knifed Mistress Storm before she was slain, but the lass recovered. So, too, did they nurse her after her treatment at Hugh's hands. She is treated more as a guest, though she is watched at all times. The people treat her with respect."

Although he nodded, pleased with that information, Lord Eldon's gaze remained fixed upon an increasingly agitated Lawrence. "There is more. You will tell me all that concerns her."

"She is no longer a maid," Lawrence said weakly, noting the flare of rage in his lordship's eyes and fearing he would suffer for it.

"Was it rape?" Lawrence shook his head. "Be it more than one? Is she treated as a whore?"

"Nay. After the ransom was refused the first time Tavis MacLagan took her to his bed. There she had stayed the whole time.

She is treated well, I swear. Treated as if she is wife to the man. No other man touches her. None would dare."

With a cry of rage, Lord Eldon hurled a vase, shattering one of the numerous mirrors. He strode out of the room, vowing to make his wife and her lover pay, for they were the ones truly responsible. They had left Storm without protection, given her to the enemy to do with as they pleased.

Lord Foster was waiting for him in the hall, having found things less chaotic at his Keep, and Eldon said flatly, "We ride to Caraidland at the dawning."

"I thought as much, and have brought my men. They are ready to fight MacLagans."

"Then you best have a word with them, for we go after Sir Hugh and my wife, who now besiege Caraidland," said Eldon and smiled grimly at Foster's surprise. "It seems that to save my daughter from Sir Hugh and that Sussex whore, I must needs save Caraidland. I wouldst love to see old Colin's face as we ride to his rescue." For the first time in many a day, Lord Eldon smiled with honest delight.

Chapter Seventeen

Dawn's meager light was struggling to pierce the darkness when Storm suddenly found herself awake and shivering. Tavis's warmth did not chase away the chill that had invaded her very bones. The very first time she had suffered such a thing was the time her mother had been poisoned. To her the sensation meant danger, was a valid warning not to be ignored. Since her family was gone, that meant that Caraidland was in danger. Without considering the chance that he might treat her feelings with scorn, Storm shook Tavis awake.

"Mmmm?" Tavis nuzzled her breasts as he woke, and then sleepily began to suckle upon one.

"Are ye awake, Tavis?" she asked inanely as she strove to keep her mind on what she wanted to say.

After looking at the hard tip of her breast and admiring the results of his attentions Tavis moved his eager mouth to her other breast to tease the nub of that awake with his tongue before his mouth fastened on it. "Increasing. 'Tis early, m'love. Ye havenae opened your eyes so early for a long time."

"What?" she queried blankly, her mind caught by passion's haze as his mouth continued to play over her breasts and his hands moved intoxicatingly over her body. "Oh. Have ye posted extra guards?"

"Aye." He slid the covers down, following their slow progress with his mouth. "Why do ye ask?"

"Ye may think 'tis foolishness, but I sense danger, trouble. I woke up chilled to the bone." Her words came out in husky gasps as his lips played over her stomach. "I feel we should beware."

"Nay, 'tis not foolish, and we do watch. If trouble comes, we will hear the warning." He knelt between her slim thighs, his own breathing unsteady. "All the men can be armed and ready in no time." Resting his palms on either side of her, he ran his eyes over the slim body he was about to possess. "Dinnae fash yourself, little one. Now, if ye maun talk, ye can say, 'Oh, Tavis,' " he said with a grin.

She did just that several times. Dawn's light was much stronger when Tavis finally rose from her arms, watching her stretch like a contented cat, displaying an unconscious sensuality that never failed to stir him. He was half seriously considering rejoining her in bed when a half-dressed Sholto burst into the room. Sholto took a fleeting but thorough look at Storm, who hurriedly gathered the sheet around herself.

"Enjoy yourself?" Tavis growled as he moved to stand before his younger brother.

Thinking of the full alabaster breasts that were as perfect as any he had ever seen, Sholto grinned. "Aye."

Tavis sent Storm a quick, repressive look when she giggled despite her embarrassment. "What has brought ye racing in here?"

"The watch ye sent to the forest has just arrived at full gallop. There is a large force o' men moving our way. They are from Hagaleah but fly not the Eldon banner. Ah! Father sounds the alarum."

" 'Tis that bastard Sir Hugh, no doubt." Tavis placed an arm around Storm's slim shoulders when she paled, and tangled his hand in the thick, glorious hair Sholto was openly admiring. "His men number