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

to having a seizure as he watched the pair upon the battlements kiss to the hearty encouragement of their fellows. Storm could not have chosen any better way to convince the man that there was no chance of a trade or that she cared little for her lover's fate.

"Methinks ye play the game too seriously, rogue," Storm murmured to Sholto when the kiss ended.

"Play your whore's games then, bitch," Sir Hugh roared. "I will see you crawl yet."

"Only away from ye, Sir Hugh. Always and ever away."

"Think of what I am doing to your lover whilst you enjoy your new rider, Eldon slut."

Storm did not see Sholto wince as her grip upon his arm tightened convulsively. "I would keep Tavis away from dear Lady Mary, Sir Hugh, or she will see what a wee man ye are."

"Have ye any words of advice, Tavis?" Sholto called as Sir Hugh stormed off, leaving someone else to bring Tavis and causing several of his men to stumble over each other as they tried to light his way.

"Aye," Tavis called as he was led off, "if ye get a bit weary, ye let her do the riding. She likes that. Aye, and Sholto, ye have inherited a mouth worth a king's ransom."

He was not surprised to hear a burst of angry Irish flow from the battlements, although he did not like the way she was standing upon the parapet to hurl the words at him, despite how glorious she looked up there. It was also not to his liking to talk of her that way, but it was necessary to the game. She was playing the cold-hearted whore for Sir Hugh's benefit, and so he had to act as if she were one. A sigh of relief escaped him when she was yanked down from her precarious position and he turned to watch where he was going.

In the dark of the wood on the south side of Caraidland, a lone watcher shared the laughter of the Scots. Hadden had reached his viewing place with ease, for the guard was weak on that side, as no one expected a threat from that direction. He had a long ride before him, but he started on his way with a light heart. Storm was safe and there was clearly no chance that she would be handed over to Sir Hugh.

* * * * *

"Lord, lassie, ye near stopped me puir old heart, standing up there like that," said Colin as he sat next to a now calm and somewhat despondent Storm. " 'Tis a wonder your father's hair wasnae snow white if ye carried on so at Hagaleah. Just what were ye shouting after that impudent son o' mine?"

A weak smile touched her wan face. "Let us just say that, if my curses take, he will be a changed man." She clasped Phelan's hand when he came to sit near her. "Sir Hugh is not a sane man when he is enraged."

"Aye, I ken that weel, lass. Still, 'tis sure I am that he'll nay kill the lad. The possible ransom will tempt him. I ken he is a greedy man, and Tavis is like coin in his hand. He'll nay toss it aside." He patted her shoulder. "Go and rest, lass. Dawn will bring a fair bit o' work for ye ladies."

As he watched her leave with Phelan, Sholto murmured, "That Tavis is one lucky bastard."

"I kenned ye were enjoying that kiss," Colin said with a chuckle. " 'Tis a sweet mouth, I ken."

"Lord, it turns a man's bones to water. Are we to leave Tavis in Sir Hugh's hands then?"

"We maun do so, lad, though it grieves me. Sir Hugh will not kill the lad. He'll have an eye to the possible ransom," Colin mused, voicing Tavis's assumptions. "They will be awatching for an attempt to free him, and I cannae lose e'en one fighting man. When the battle begins in the morn he may e'en be safer there."

Storm thought that Tavis was in extreme danger, although she, too, felt that Sir Hugh would not kill him. She sat drinking ale with Maggie and Phelan, her mind picturing all that Sir Hugh would do to Tavis. The man might not kill Tavis, but he could have Tavis praying that he would. At long last, an idea came to her. Maggie needed some hearty persuading, but soon not only provided them with what was needed but even told her and Phelan of a way to slip out of Caraidland.

Sholto saw a small figure dart to the stables and frowned. Thinking Iain asleep, he quietly left his post to follow. Iain watched him through half-closed eyes and, after a moment, followed him. He, too, had seen the small figure, and he knew that Sholto's admiration for his eldest brother's lover had been deepened to a dangerous level by the kiss and the tense yet stirring atmosphere of battle. They faced a fight and, quite possibly, death on the morrow. Iain feared it would make Sholto reckless.

At the back of the stables Storm busily cleared off a trap door. It opened up to a tunnel that would lead her out into the wood on the Eldon side of Caraidland. Maggie had explained that it had been used for slipping out during a siege and raiding the Eldon camp. It would serve her purposes excellently.

It was not until she flopped on her back upon a pile of straw that she realized she was not alone. Wide-eyed, she stared up at Sholto. His gaze was busily surveying her attire of a black tunic, snug black breeches and soft dark boots. Her hand nervously clutched a black knit cap and black gloves. Neither saw Iain slip into the stables and find a spot to watch from, yet not be seen.

"Planning to go somewhere, lass?" Sholto drawled, his gaze lingering on her heaving breasts.

Too distraught to fully notice desire's hold on Sholto, she replied, "Aye. To get Tavis."

"Nay. I cannae allow that."