The raging water collided against the lash of grass and rocks as it hauled limbs and small trees within thestrangled rush.
Wiping her brow, she glanced at him. “I see no place tosafely cross.”
“Nor I. We will find something ahead.” Frustrated, he started down the incline, half-slipping with each step. “Take care,” he called back, “’tis treacherous.”
The cool slap of rain filled the air as they followed the bank. Around the next curve, he halted.
White water churned around rocks and slammed against a fallen tree, mired in the river, long since dead.
He pointed toward the weathered trunk extending over halfway across the powerful torrent. “Once across,” Aiden said, “we will stopfor the night.”
She nodded.
Rain slid down her face, her sodden clothes clinging to her slender frame, but to him she had never looked more beautiful. Aching to reach out and draw her against him, he trudged forward, prayed that the downpour had washed away their trail before any of the Englishmen rode past.
As they neared the roots of the downed tree, he frowned at the violent swirl of water. ’Twas stronger than it had appeared from above. “’Tis still too dangerous.” Aiden smothered his frustration, pushed on.
A short distance ahead, the roar of water grew. Aiden stepped up on a thick slab.
Gwendolyn moved to his side, gasped.“A waterfall.”
Another delay. “A small one. At least,” he said as he slanted a look toward the sky, “the clouds are thinning. Mayhap we will see a bit ofsun this day.”
A weary smile creased her mouth. “I doubt ’twill be enough to dry our clothes.”
“We can hope.” He climbed down the bank, reached up totake her hand.
“There!” a man’s deep voice boomed.
Aiden whirled.
On a distant knoll, one of several mounted knights was pointing toward them.
“Run!” Brush slapped his face, cut at his arms as he led her toward the falls. Gasping for breath, at the bottom of the knoll, he glanced back. “Blast it!”
Frantic eyes followed his gaze, widened. “They are going to catch us.”
“Nay.” He caught her hand. “When I tellyou to, jump.”
Her face paled. “You want to go over the falls?”
Aiden refused to voice his own doubts; they had little choice. “’Tisna far, and the pool is deep. Once you surface, if we are separated, swim with the current and allow it to carry you downstream. Though on horseback, they canna keep up.” He paused, silently cursed.“Can you swim?”
With a wary eye, she studied the white water colliding against the boulders and the half-fallen tree as it rushed down the river. She swallowed hard. “Aye.”
Thankful, he exhaled. “Keep your feet together when you hit the water below.” Damning his decision, he laced his fingers with hers. “Whatever you do, keep hold of my hand.”
Fear flickered in her eyes,but she nodded.
“Jump!”
Together, they leaped.
Mist-driven air rammed down his throat as Aiden flailed his arm to help balance their fall.
A blast of frigid water erupted around them, tore her from his grasp. Fighting panic, the surge of bubbles erasing her from his view, Aiden kicked to the surface. Gulping a deep breath, he scanned thechurn of white.
Water splashed as Gwendolyn surfaced nearby.
