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Thomas was dead inside. How on earth they knew, how in hell they found him, he knew naught. They had the devil on their side, a sorcerer with a cauldron who could read minds. But he did know that Jordan’s life was over and he held out little hope that Jemma would make it all the way back to Northwood for help. He pulled his daughter close, wondering what he could promise or pledge to Dunbar McKenna to spare her life.

Abner McKenna pushed his way to the front of his men atop a beautiful white steed. Thomas felt the bile rise in his throat when he realized it was Matthew’s horse. Lord, if he’d had a dirk, he would have taken both his life and his daughter’s rather than let her be taken by this man.

Abner gave a weak smile. “Thomas Scott. What are ye doing so far from yer magnificent keep?”

Thomas’ cheeks were shaking with fear and fury. “Out for a ride, Abner. Little more.”

Abner looked at him and leaned forward in the saddle, tilting his head. “Who’s yer lover?”

Thomas wasn’t sure if he recognized Jordan or not. She had her head down, staring at the earth.

“No one ye need concern yerself over,” he replied evenly. “Why dunna ye go away and leave us be?”

Abner dismounted the horse and went over to his prisoners. The power he felt at their fear was addicting. Reaching out, he ripped the cap from Jordan’s head and immediately her messy, glorious hair spilled out all over her.

Abner’s eyes bugged and Thomas knew that until this moment he hadn’t realized who she was. He cursed himself silently for not being quick enough to talk his way free before she had been discovered.

“Sweet Jesus, Joseph and Mary!” Abner exclaimed. “It’s her.”

Jordan raised her beautiful face, looking him right in the eye. His reaction was instantaneous delight.

“It ’tis!” he crowed. “Jordan Scott, right in my hands.”

Murmurs went up through his men and Abner swung to them. “Did ye hear me, lads? Little did we know when we went out on patrol today that we would capture the queen herself. God is indeed good.”

As small, amazed cheers went up and Jordan felt sick. All she could think of was her unborn child. She didn’t care what they did to her, but she was deathly afraid for the safety of the new life she carried. She felt her father’s grip around her tighten.

Abner swung around to her, his lips foaming with excitement. “Jordan Scott. Or should I call ye Jordan de Longley, Countess of Teviot? We are honored at my lady’s presence.”

He was mocking her, infuriating her. Damn, she never could keep her mouth shut. “Ye think yer so smart, Abner McKenna.” she shot back. “Ye know nothing about me.”

Thomas squeezed her tightly to shut her up. Abner must not know who her true husband was or it would sign her death warrant for sure. Jordan, silently rebuked, pulled back against her father.

“I know that ye are nothing more than an English whore.” Abner snipped back. “Sleeping with that soldier captain and then marrying an English laird. Dunna think that I am that ignorant.”

Jordan, thankfully, kept her mouth shut. Abner, seeing no reaction, calmed somewhat. Then, suddenly, he reached out and grabbed her.

“Ye’ll ride with me.” he yanked her cruelly away from Thomas.

“Nay!” she screamed, struggling.

Thomas lurched forward, only to be stopped by several soldiers plummeting down from their mounts.

Separated, Jordan and Thomas could do nothing more than stare helplessly at each other as Abner threw Jordan up across his saddle, mounting heavily behind her as she struggled to right herself.

“I shall take her back to the keep.” Abner announced loudly. “I dunna care what ye do with him.”

As he reined the horse around, Jordan grew hysterical. Her father, unarmed, surrounded by a dozen McKenna soldiers terrified her. He was a dead man.

“Da!” she screamed in anguish.

Her hand outstretched to him in torment. He called back to her, telling her not to worry. She was as good as dead, he knew, and so was he. He prayed that the soldiers would be merciful. But as Jordan’s hand extended to him, his reached out to her as if they could somehow touch even with the great distance separating them. But her face, the fear in her eyes, burned into his brain until he could see nothing else. He had failed his daughter and he deserved to have his life ended.

Abner pounded off across the moor with Jordan across his saddle, leaving Thomas alone with the soldiers.

Thomas didn’t care anymore. His reason for living was gone. He sank to the cold ground, awaiting a blow from even colder steel.

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