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

found out, it would be a most certain death for each of them.
    Aishlinn was too tired and cold to care if these men had mothers or not.   Visions of what they were going to do to her raced through her mind. “P-please do n-not take me back.”
    “Back where lass?” Duncan asked.
    Aishlinn looked at the men who surrounded her.   Perhaps they were cruel men, wanting only to toy with her before they would shackle her and take her back to Penrith.
      “Are you not K-king Edward’s s-soldiers?” Aishlinn asked breathlessly.   It was near agony to speak. She wanted only to sleep and to be warm and to be away from them.
    The men looked insulted by her question.   “Och!” they protested in unison, apparently quite appalled by such an accusation.  
    A wry smile formed on Duncan’s mouth.   “Now lass, do we look like the king’s soldiers?”
    She stared at each of them for several long moments. They certainly did not wear the uniforms of soldiers.   Bare-chested each of them was, with scabbards at their sides and long flowing hair and braids on either side of their temples.   Nay, the English did not dress in such a manner.   As she lay there terrified and freezing, she searched the cloudy regions of her mind for a few moments before it finally dawned on her.   These men were Scots!
    But that meant little to her at the moment. She could not be certain as to their intentions. They could be mercenaries hired by the king or the earl’s own men to find her.  
    “Nay,” she said.   “Ye d-do n-not.”
    They were quite pleased with her answer.
    “I be Duncan McEwan,” the one whose bare shoulder her head rested upon said.   “And that be me cousin, Rowan Graham and that be Richard and Findley McKenna, and that be Manghus Williams.” Each man bowed at the waist in acknowledgement of his name.
    “Tall Gowan be the one building us a nice fire.”   Duncan patted Aishlinn’s arm.   “Now,” he began.   “Tell us what be yer name lass?”
    Wanting nothing more at the moment than to be free and warm, she gave up attempting to make sense of anything or to fight.   Perhaps, if they were mercenaries, she could buy herself some time and escape the moment the opportunity arose. Weakly she answered him.   “Aishlinn.”
    Duncan thought it a fine name and repeated it.   “Aishlinn. We be pleased to make yer acquaintance.” Her body still shook from cold and he knew he needed to get her to the fire quickly.   He held her tighter and stood.  
    He had moved so quickly that it frightened her.   Afraid he was going to toss her to the ground, she reflexively wrapped an arm around his neck. Her body instantly tensed from the fear that shot through her and the pain intensified. The doubt and despair were overwhelming.
    Standing still for a moment, Duncan smiled and said, “Now let’s see how Tall Gowan be doin’ with that fire.”
    With his men following, Duncan carried the lass to a spot by the fire. He held her close to his chest as he sat down upon a plaid.   Aishlinn remained fearful but was glad for the warmth his body was providing.   She wondered if she would ever be warm again. Her wet shift and dress clung to her body and chilled her to the bone. Someone gave Duncan another plaid and he carefully wrapped it around her.  
    Embarrassed, humiliated and terrified, she remained rigid, ready for whatever onslaught, abuse or treachery these men might inflict upon her. She wondered if she would ever be able to get free and make it to her mother’s clan.
    Duncan sat holding Aishlinn close to his chest as the others helped collect more wood for the fire. Aishlinn was afraid to speak and could not find the strength to ask what they planned on doing with her.
    It did not take long before a blazing fire flickered before them.   Tall flames crackled and licked up towards the sky, the heat a welcome relief from the bone-chilling cold.  
    It was Rowan who finally broke the long silence. His low deep voice