Bride of Vengeance (Highland Romance Series Book 1) by Anna Pruitt Read Free Book Online Page B

also wrong.
    It took Duncan only minutes to catch up the horse Chaim had lent to the girl. She was giving it her all, riding the black beast like a champ. Duncan was faster, and much more skilled than Lydia. He was upon her almost as soon as he saw her. Duncan reined the horse to a stop, nearly knocking Lydia off the horse and to her certain death. Luckily, the rider was skilled enough to gracefully stop the beast before anything horrible could happen.
    Duncan dismounted and marched the few feet to the beast. “Ye are a troublesome bit of goods, aren’t ye?” Duncan reached up and grabbed hold of what he assumed was Lydia. He pulled her to the ground and was getting ready to unleash hell down on her when he saw who it truly was. Little Hector Garrison smiled up at him.
    “God almighty.” Duncan sighed.
    ****
    Lydia was deep in the belly of the Highland woods before Duncan ever caught up with Hector. Traveling by foot was always best for her anyway. It would require a few more days than she wanted, but she was a lot less likely to be tracked this way. Callum had taught her as a child how to travel barely leaving a trace. Only a very skilled hunter would be able to pick up her trail. She knew, chances were, that Nathanial Garrison was that hunter. It was all the motivation she needed to move a little bit faster.
    God willing, she would never see that man again. This was not the English in her coming out, either. She hated him. Lydia held onto that thought for the next several hours of her journey. She forced herself not to dwell on the way he touched her, the way he held her and kissed her. The way he made her feel in his arms. Instead, she focused on the way he had treated her the night before. She focused on the way he so callously used her and tossed her aside like an old saddle. She was no saddle. She would never be used by him again.
    Lydia would be with Callum by early next week. That was the second thought that stayed with her. It was the one that kept her warm. She would be with Callum and then no one would ever be able to hurt her, to use her again.
    ****
    It was very difficult for Chaim to explain to his brother what exactly happened. It was even more difficult for his son, Hector, who now sat at a table with the Laird, trying to explain himself.
    “She said she was being hunted and was in danger.” Hector pleaded with his uncle. Nathanial was taking it all in. He watched the poor boy try to talk his way out of a severe punishment. Duncan growled low in his throat, letting the lad know what he thought of his actions. Hector looked to his father for support. “Had I known you were the hunter, I never would have intervened. She was just so…” Hector stopped himself.
    “So?” Nathanial urged. He knew exactly what the boy would say.
    “Fragile.” Hector shrugged.
    Nathanial couldn’t help but smile now. There was nothing fragile about that girl. “Get out of here, Hector.”
    “Yes, Laird.” Hector was out of the tavern before anyone could say another word.
    Nathanial was lost in thought. He had no idea what his next move would be. Where was she going? What was her next move? These were the answers he needed in order to track her down. Nathanial had no idea.
    “What would you have me do to him, Laird?” Chaim was Nathanial’s brother. More than that, he was a loyal follower. He would do what needed to be done.
    “Keep him away from women.” Nathanial commented, earning a huge boom of laughter from Angus.
    “Aye, good advice for any young man.” Angus slammed his hand down hard on Chaim’s back. “If only I’d had that bit of wisdom when I was a lad.” Angus, realizing no one else was laughing, quickly sobered.
    “Duncan,” Nathanial stood now, fierce as ever. “Get word to Margret. Tell her to come to me.” With that, Nathanial was gone from them.
    Nathanial moved hastily back to the spot where Hector showed him, the spot where he switched places with Lydia and did not see her more. He