Chapter Nineteen
"Do not harm him!" Elspeth's heartbeat stalled at the devastating sight of Henry's knife so close to Cyrus's throat. With shaking hands, she placed the fire poker on the floor. "I will go with you." Icy chills coursing over her, she held her breath until Henry released Cyrus, dropping his head back to the floor.
She prayed he would recover from such a hard blow to the head. She would accept defeat if Cyrus could stay safe.
Henry glanced at the guard. "MacGirk, put her on the spare horse. Now."
"I can walk." Straightening her shoulders, she strode forward.
Henry's malevolent glare bit into her. "You're lucky I don't drag you behind the horse all the way to Wingate Castle."
Bastard!
The brawny guard he'd called MacGirk picked her up and roughly tossed her over his shoulder, sending pain slamming through her stomach.
Fraser and a couple of the MacKenzie guards protested fiercely, calling Henry and his men insulting names, while unsuccessfully trying to free themselves from the bindings. She could not see all of the MacKenzies, but she hoped they all lived.
"Load up our dead and injured guards," Henry commanded as they descended the steps. "You five, stay and make certain the MacKenzies do not escape until I return."
"Aye, m'laird."
In the courtyard, MacGirk dragged her from his shoulder, set her on her feet and leered down at her with sharp blue eyes.
She took a step back and glanced at Henry, forcing a pleasant tone. "Will you allow me to ride astride?"
"Fine, but if you try anything, I'll break your leg," Henry warned as he mounted.
She would love naught more than to break both his legs, and she was certain Cyrus would if he ever got hold of him. "I shall be well behaved." Feigning submission, she kept her voice calm.
"Help her mount," Henry barked at MacGirk.
After the brutish man lifted her to the saddle, he ran his hand over her hip and thigh, then chuckled.
She shuddered with revulsion. "Are you going to release me after I sign the deeds?"
"Of course." Henry sent her a smirking grin as if 'twas the biggest lie ever. "Surround her as we ride!" he ordered the guards.
As they left Darby Hall behind, she prayed Cyrus would awaken soon with no lasting injury. She truly hated that he, Fraser, and their guards had been injured because of her. She hoped she would get the opportunity to make it up to them, but… she didn't know if she would ever see them again. She was at Henry's mercy now. Not knowing whether he would kill her or throw her to his pack of wolves, she felt intense nausea churning in her stomach.
Dear God, help me survive this.
Most of all, she prayed she would see Cyrus again, for he was the most remarkable and astonishing man she had ever met. She hadn't known men could be so unselfish and generous with their help.
After a short time, they passed through Aberdeen, then rode about a mile outside of town. The tall, foreboding towers of Wingate Castle looked down upon them as they approached. She had seen the castle from a distance but had never been close to the bleak structure. She had always refused to go to Alexander's home. They'd worked out their bargain at Greymont. After that, he'd always visited her at Darby.
Once inside the walls of Wingate, the portcullis clanged shut behind them. Saints, she couldn't believe how lofty the thick walls were… about twice as tall as those at Darby. Suddenly, she felt completely trapped in this fortress, almost as if she could not draw in enough air. Remaining calm, she forced herself to breathe deeply and slowly, then dismount with the rest of them. Several of the guards and servants stared at her.
"Escort her into the great hall," Henry ordered MacGirk.
He leered down at her. "Can I carry her again?"
"I can walk!" She strode quickly toward the steps. If the maggot picked her up, she feared she would elbow him in the nose. Which would anger him, and he might well cause her injury… or worse.
Would Cyrus storm this place? Lay siege and burn it down? Would he put that much effort into helping her? Or would he do it in vindication for the loss of life, pain and hardship Henry had inflicted upon Cyrus and his men? Either way, 'twould be an explosive and terrifying confrontation. She prayed they would survive it.
∞∞∞
Pain lancing through his skull, Cyrus slowly became aware he was lying on a hard wooden floor. Teeth clenched, he tried to move but couldn't. His hands were tied behind his back, and his ankles were bound as well. "'Slud!" he grated out.
