Once out the back door, Calla ran along the nondescript back of the stone buildings until she reached the livery, where she was to meet Hobbs. No one was out and about. Mayhap she was a bit early.Blast!But she had asked him to come early and wait if necessary.
She crept over the cobblestones and inside the stables, the scent of horse manure assaulting her nose. "Anyone here? Hobbs?"
A tall, thin man stepped out of the shadows. "Hobbs couldn't make it today." He grinned.
Claybourne?
The demon who took every penny she earned. Calla's heart vaulted into her throat. She turned and bolted toward the street. But the long-legged beast was quicker, and he snatched her off her feet. Calla screamed.Oh dear God, help me,she prayed. What would he do to her, rape her in the stables?
Chapter Six
Wearing his belted plaid kilt, Rebbie stepped out of theBreakstaneInn and approached his saddled horse where the groom from the livery stable held him. He secured his clothing behind his saddle. Dreading the trip toDraughonand the conversation to come with Barclay, he hoisted himself into the saddle.
A scream sliced through the air.
"What the devil?" His gaze scanned the village.
Down the street, in front of the livery, a man carried a kicking, screaming woman into the stables.
"Hold him," Rebbie said to the groom, then leapt off the horse and ran forward, determined to help her, whoever she was. She wore a black cloak and cowl but a lock of blond hair slipped free. Given her petite size, the woman looked like… Nay, it couldn't be.
Calla?
He withdrew his sword and charged into the stables.
"Release her, you whoreson!" Halting, Rebbie squinted into the dimness, waiting for his eyes to adjust.
"This is none of your concern, Highlander." The man's voice grated from the shadows.
Rebbie now easily discerned the man's gangly silhouette. He held Calla, his hand over her mouth muffling her protests. Her eyes wide with terror, she kicked and elbowed her captor, but he didn't loosen his hold.
"Release Lady Stanbury or I will cut you down where you stand!"
Laughing, the man shoved Calla into one of the stalls, latched the door, then drew his basket-hilt broadsword.
"Rebbie!" Calla rattled the door as if trying to open it. "Nay! Watch out!"
"Have no fear. I'll get you out," he told her. "Once I kill this whoreson."
Claybourne charged and thrust the blade, but Rebbie easily deflected his blow. The man was tall and thin, dressed in well-tailored dark brown breeches and doublet with an expensive collar at his neck. Obviously, some sort of laird. Rebbie struck out, his blade nicking the man's arm through his fine doublet. Blood soaked the exposed white linen of his shirt.
The man flicked a glance down at his arm. "Bastard!"
Rebbie sent him a malicious grin and sliced again but the man dodged back.
"Hastings!" the knave yelled through the wide, open doorway toward the street.
Och.So he needed backup, did he?
Rebbie pressed his attack and the man fled the stables. Rebbie ran to the stall where Calla was confined and opened the door. "Are you well?"
"Aye."
"What the devil is going on?"
Tears glinting in her eyes, she shook her head. "Is he gone?"
"He ran outside. Come. I must get you back toDraughon." He offered his elbow and she slid her hand around it. "What are you doing here alone?"
