MacDougall 01 - Laiden's Daughter Read Online Free PDF Page A

paid no attention to the ground under the horse’s feet. Her only thought was o f escape.   She was horrified when she felt the horse stumble, and then rear its head.   Unsuccessfully she tried to settle the mare, holding     on as long as she could.   When the horse reared again, Aishlinn knew instantly that all was lost.   She was sent flying from the horse’s back. Agonizing pain enveloped her the moment she hit the ground and bright dots of light flickered in her eyes before everything went black.
     
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    Duncan and his men had heard the rider coming toward them at a full run.   They barely had time to draw their swords and step out of the way before the rider came crashing through the trees.   They caught only a glimpse of a lass atop a gray horse as she tore past them.   Before he could warn her that she be running too fast upon the rocks, the mare stumbled and reared. Duncan could tell that the lass was holding on for dear life as she tried to settle the spooked animal. Before she could gain control, the horse reared a second time, pitching its rider off.   The lass had fallen hard! Momentum worked against her as she rolled a few times before coming to a stop face down in the frigid water of the stream.
    Duncan reached the stream first and hurried in after the lass.   The icy water rose past his ankles.   He scooped her limp body into his arms and was surprised at how slight she felt. As Duncan carried her to a small clearing, Tall Gowan and Rowan pulled plaids from their packs. The men moved on instinct for there was no time to do much thinking on the matter. Duncan held the lass in his arms while his men covered her with the plaids and blankets.
    Her clothes were soaked and clung to her skin and her wet hair was plastered to her face. Audible gasps were heard from each man when Duncan brushed aside her wet hair. Swollen black eyes and bruises covered most of her face and there were many small cuts on her swollen cheeks and lips.   Duncan wondered who could have done such a thing to someone so young and small!   Anger swelled in his belly where it quickly blended with disgust.   He’d seen soldiers wounded in battle that had looked better.
     
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    Aishlinn dreamt she was covered in deep snow. She was hiding from the earl and her brothers.   She could not remember ever being so cold or frightened.   The earl cursed while he made promises that once he found her he would have what he had wanted.   Then he would kill her.
    The cold snow and her fear of the earl brought violent shivers to her body.   She wished her mum and Moirra would come and take her away to somewhere safe and warm.   Her heart sank when they did not answer her pleas for help.
    Suddenly there were hundreds of soldiers surrounding her. They pulled her from her hiding place. She tried to explain to them that she had only been defending herself; she had not meant to kill the earl, only to frighten him.   Her pleas went unanswered as they lifted her from the snow and began stabbing her with their swords.   The earl and her brothers were laughing. The more the soldiers stabbed her, the more they laughed.   Bile rose in her stomach but she could not retch; she could only beg and plead for mercy.
     
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    Duncan rubbed her arms and legs in an attempt to warm her.   After several long and tense moments, her small body began to shiver fiercely.   He could not make out the mumbled words that were coming through her chattering teeth but he felt relieved she be not dead.   He heard Tall Gowan say he would start a fire.  
    With her head resting upon Duncan’s shoulder, she slowly began to move her arms as if fending off something only she could see.   Duncan began to whisper soothingly to her that all was well, that she was safe now and no more harm would come her.  
    Tears flowed from her swollen eyes and she looked such a sad sight that it nearly made the Highlander want to cry.   “Ye be fine now,