His Bonnie Bride Read Online Free PDF Page B

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    Tavis's eyes narrowed as they rested on the Englishman. "Strip him and bind him o'er his saddle."
    Dislike of the man and temper aside, Storm felt for the shame that would bring Sir Hugh. "Oh, sir, can ye not leave him his attire? It will be shame enough for him to be sent back across his saddle."
    "I need no wench to plead for me," snarled Sir Hugh.
    Goaded, Storm glared at him. "Fine. Return to Hagaleah with your backside out for all to see. I daresay most of the women will recognize it well as it's occupied most every hedge, bed and hayloft there."
    Flushed with impotent rage, Sir Hugh sneered, "A man needs some relief when he makes the folly of pursuing the cold-blooded spawn of some Irish whore."
    With an incoherent sound of rage, Storm lunged at him, the long fingers of her delicate hands curved into talons. As he stepped back to avoid her, Tavis grasped her from behind. His strong arms wrapped around her slim form like the bands of a cage and he held her until her struggles ceased. He was surprised at the strength she displayed, for she barely reached his shoulder and was as slim as a reed.
    Calming down as the red mist of rage cleared from her brain, Storm felt the tight bonds encircling her 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. "