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

"I ken that he's a bastard what beats wee lasses near to death and consorts with an amoral whore." Sholto grabbed her gloves away before she could don them. "Tavis can hold through a beating, lass."

"I am sure he can, though I have little wish that he must needs prove it. That, too, is not what I fear. The man wants me for my fortune, though I think 'tis also because I say nay to him. That enrages him. It enrages him that another man has had what he saw as his. The way Tavis humiliated him that day also enrages him. Sir Hugh is not a sane man when he gets into a rage. He also enjoys inflicting pain. He, as well as Lady Mary, are stirred by the inflicting of pain. So stirred that they made love by my side ere they ceased beating me.

"Nay," Sholto breathed, and his grip went lax, allowing her to retrieve her gloves.

"Aye. There is something else ye ought to know about Sir Hugh. When he wants a woman but she says nay and turns to another beating the man is not all he does. Aye, Tavis would be returned alive, but he could well be returned no longer a whole man. Sir Hugh's way of punishing a man who possesses what he wants is to remove that which does the possessing. He has done so to two men that I know of. That is what his parting words meant. He knew I would understand his threat."

"Ye say this to get me to let ye go," Sholto said, but he was deeply shaken by her words.

"Nay. She speaks the simple truth," Phelan said, causing everyone to jump with surprise, for even Iain had not seen him enter. " 'Tis a method that works.

Men turn their backs when he reaches for their women, and women all say aye."

Nearly choking on the words, Sholto said, "Mayhaps the deed is already done."

"I think there is time, for Lady Mary could ne'er turn aside a man like Tavis. She will want use of him as a man ere Sir Hugh changes that, mayhaps e'en promise it will not be done an he performs well."

Sholto rubbed his hands over his face. "How can a lad and a wee lass save him?"

"We are very good at sneaking about. Ye did not hear Phelan arrive just now, did ye?"

"Nay, but then, I wasnae expecting anyone. They will be looking for a rescue sortie to be made."

"Aye, but mayhaps not from the direction of Hagaleah. By using this tunnel, we shall circle about upon them and approach from the south. Then, too, they will expect men, not two wee ones."

"I cannae like it. Father said nay to the trade. He doesnae want ye in that man's hands."

"He also expects Sir Hugh to follow the rules of hostage-holding, and the man will not. Sholto, I must go. Surely ye must see that?"

"Aye, but that doesnae make me feel right about ye going."

"Ye cannot lose any more sword arms so ye cannot send fighting men. They would be killed if caught. Phelan and I will not be. We are also not important to the defense of Caraidland. E'en if we were caught, I can see to Tavis's release an only I threaten to kill myself ere Hugh weds my fortune."

"Do ye have a weapon?" he asked, which they all saw as the agreement it was.

Phelan held up two stout sticks. "Shillelaghs. Do not frown. We know how to use them."

"Aye. We know just where and how to strike to send a man down with nary a grunt." Storm held out a short, straight, double-edged dagger. "A skain. A good old Irish weapon. 'Twas my mother's. I know well how to use this too. Papa showed me. Just as good, I can make a man believe I will use it. Do not worry for us."

"I begin not to. Go then, lass, and take care. I will ensure that our watch doesnae cut ye down when ye return. What are ye doing now?" he asked as they smeared soot on their faces.

"Ensuring that our wee pale faces do not give us away." Storm opened the hatch to the tunnel.

"Who told ye o' this?" He watched as Phelan lit a covered lantern.

"Ne'er ye mind. We swore not to tell a soul, so it matters not."

He caught her hand as she started to follow Phelan into the tunnel. Already he was suffering doubts about the wisdom of the venture. Pushing them aside, he gave her a hearty kiss, grinning when she blushed.

" 'Twas for luck, lass. I will close the trap and leave it unlocked. Go on with ye."

An instant after he had shut the trap, Sholto heard someone approach. Startled, he looked up at Iain. With a sinking feeling, Sholto had a good idea that Iain knew all that had gone on.

"An anyone can do it, she and that lad can, an only through sheer pigheadedness. Why did ye stop?"

Sholto flushed a little, knowing what Iain referred to. "Three little words."

"Which were?"

" 'I love Tavis.' I kenned then that it wasnae right. She would have been shamed and hurt, and I didnae want that but, God's tears, I did, do want her."

Iain gripped his shoulder in understanding. "Aye. I have felt it too."

"Weel, let us be back to our posts."

Sholto stood up. "I will ne'er sleep a wink 'til they are back."

* * * * *

Storm shuddered as they made their way through the dark, cramped tunnel. It was damp and musty, and cloaked in cobwebs. She was glad the light was too weak to show her all that scurried about.

They emerged just inside the wood on the south side of Caraidland. The entrance to the tunnel was cleverly concealed, yet Storm had no worry about finding it again. She and Phelan began to circle their way toward Tavis.

Within clear hearing distance of the camp, they met their