Wild Hearts by Virginia Henley Read Free Book Online Page B

which was ten miles on the other side of Edinburgh but still twenty miles from home.
    Paris rode directly to Dalkeith Palace where the ivy grew thick on the walls. He rode quietly up to the postern-gate where the guard on duty was his own clansman, who let him enter without question. Troy awaited him in the bailey with his small troop. His large body obscured the small passenger clinging on behind.
    Paris grinned at his brother. He felt great relief that they had pulled it off without incident. He went up to his captive to lift-her down. "She's still gagged, you great fool."
    "Truth to tell, I tried to take it off, but she bit me," Troy admitted sheepishly.
    Paris reached up and removed the gag from Tabby's mouth. She sagged from fatigue. Numb with cold and terror, her mind shrank from what these brutish men might do to her. "She didn't bite me," mocked Paris accusingly.
    "The thing is"—Troy smiled with his explanation —"I'm such a sweet-looking lad, the lassies take advantage of me, while you look like such a cruel bastard, they are all afraid of you."
    As Paris lifted her down, her breath stopped in her throat with fear. He could feel her body trembling beneath his hands and heard a half-sob escape her lips. She winced because the unaccustomed ride had made her sore. He lifted her to the saddle of his own mount, and she clutched the pommel desperately. Worn out from the wedding, she was now near exhaustion with fear, cold, and the wild night ride. He swung up behind her, knowing she would-be warmer and more secure in front of him than clinging on behind. One word to the men, "Cockburnspath!" before he left them far behind.
    His horse knew its way across country almost as well by night as it did by day. There were two ranges of hills between Dalkeith and home, the Moorfoot Hills and the Lammermuirs. Sometimes the ground was uneven and strewn with boulders as they rode what seemed like mile after endless mile. Curving ever upward between hills, through woods and shallow rivers, they rode on into the night. The moon, playing games, would hide behind a cloud, turning the countryside black and sinister, then it would sail back out to touch everywhere with its silvery, mysterious light.
    "Where are you taking me?" she asked, afraid of the answer.
    He glanced down at her upturned face and gently whispered:
    "And see ye not yon bonnie road that winds about the fernie brae? That is the road to fair Elfland where thou and I this night maun gae."
    He spurred through a stand of firs at so reckless a speed, it took the Iast of her breath away. He was quoting poetry, begod! He seemed completely indifferent to her plight.
    "Let me go," she begged.
    "Shut up, lest I set you down and you can walk home."
    "I'd walk!" she said with more spirit than she felt.
    "Quiet while I maneuver the bog. It protects Cockburnspath from many an enemy. It has been known to swallow men in minutes. Now, would you really like to walk?" he offered.
    "No," she whispered, and shivered against him.
    He savored her helplessness and the surge of power it gave him. For the first time in months he was enjoying himself. Thin veils of gray mist began to wrap themselves about his horse's legs, and by the time they reached the seacoast, the fog was so thick, she could no longer see his face. A million diamond droplets clung to her hair and decorated her eyelashes.
    Even with the double burden, he had arrived far ahead of the other men. Only Troy managed to keep up, and he clattered into the castle yard minutes after him. Paris dismounted and lifted Tabby to the ground. She took one step, staggered, and sank to her knees. He cursed under his breath and swung her up into his arms. Troy, his handsome young face alive with the excitement of the venture; impatiently brushed his damp red hair from his forehead and ran to aid his brother.
    "Troy, you will have to see to my horse for me," he called as he strode across the courtyard and carried her into the castle, Although it