MacDougall 01 - Laiden's Daughter by Suzan Tisdale Read Free Book Online Page B

over him as he stood with his men trying to sort it all out.    
    “And her hair!” Findley said. “Tis cut short!” He shook his head, disgusted with the notion.
    Duncan knew plenty a Highlander woman who would rather have her eyes pulled clean from their sockets by ravens than to have her hair cut.   Aishlinn’s blonde locks barely went past her shoulders.   It was difficult for him to shake the images of her battered body from his mind. She was defending herself, he was certain, but the English did not put much stock in self-defense.   And apparently, they had also gotten to the point of savagery where they cared not about beating and raping a small young girl.   
      “If she did kill him,” Rowan began, “then surely the English will be after her.”   He looked at Duncan.   “They probably be no’ far behind.”
    They had to agree with him.   If the lass spoke the truth, then the English would definitely be looking for her.   They would want to bring her back to Penrith to mete out unthinkable punishments. Duncan vowed he would not let that happen.   Kin or not, stranger or no, this lass had suffered enough.   No matter who she was, he knew two things: they could not leave her here, and they would not allow her to be captured by the English.  
    Duncan looked into the faces of the men standing before him. They had pledged their fealty to her for killing the man who had haunted each of them for so many years.   They would die before they’d allow the English to get their hands on her.
    “We take her back with us.   The reivers can have the cattle,” Duncan said, pulling himself straight and tall.   The lass was worth far more than the thirty cattle.   He found himself suddenly thankful for the thieves.   Had they not stolen the cattle then Duncan and his men would not have been here this day and Aishlinn most certainly would have drowned in the stream.   He knew as well that if by some miracle she had managed to survive her fall she would either die from starvation or at the hands of the English when they caught up with her.
      “The English will not get their hands on the lass.   The Earl deserved what he received,” Duncan said. ‘Twas settled and they made plans on what to do next.   Duncan would send Findley, Tall Gowan and Richard back in the direction the lass had come to scout for any soldiers that may be looking for her. Duncan and the others would take the lass the fastest route possible back to Dunshire, to Castle Gregor.
    With no idea how many soldiers might be looking for her, they thought it best to return as quickly as possible.   They would be safe within the walls of their home surrounded by hundreds of able-bodied warriors.   Duncan had great faith in his men, knowing that if there were soldiers out looking for the lass, they would be able to assess the situation quickly and return unscathed.
    If it were just Duncan and his men, they could make it to the safety of their castle within four days, five if the weather turned against them.   He knew the lass needed rest and proper attention for her injuries, but what she needed most was the safety his home offered. They would allow her to rest for a short while before heading out to Dunshire.
    They returned to the fire some time later and Rowan filled the others in on their decision.   As expected, the men readily agreed.   No more harm would befall this lass, not while they still had a breath left in them.   Each man was certain as well that once they arrived safely at Castle Gregor, their clansmen would show her nothing but kindness.
    The men let Aishlinn sleep while they hurried to pack the camp. It would be a long and arduous ride back to Dunshire.   Duncan prayed it would be an uneventful trip for the lass’s sake.  
    When they were ready and dared not wait any longer, Duncan gently touched Aishlinn’s shoulder.   She woke with a jolt and sat up, disoriented, afraid and in a good deal of pain.   “Haud