“Untie her,” the Laird demanded. “Now.”
Ronan nodded sharply as he moved swiftly to Cleopatra. Pulling his sword from its sheath, he snapped the ropes around her wrists. Immediately, Cleopatra pulled the gag out of her mouth and gasped. She sat up and scooted back as Ronan glared at her. Rubbing her wrists, she looked to her captor.
“Ye have what ye came for, now let me go,” she said.
The Laird’s shoulders rose and fell as he took in a deep breath. She noticed the struggle in the Laird’s eyes. He cleared his throat and shook his head.
“Yer faither…” the Laird paused as he glanced to the boy before pausing. “Ye’re comin’ with us.”
“What?” Ronan and the others said in unison with Cleopatra. All eyes were on the Laird as tears began to pool in Cleopatra’s eyes.
“I don’t understand,” she said. “You got what you came for. Please, just let me go home.”
The Laird walked over to her. Towering over her, she tried not to reveal just how terrified she really was. In the back of her mind, she realized the only way to get free from them was to run away. She would have to wait. At the moment there were far too many of them surrounding her. Her heart sank as she glared up to the Laird.
“Get up,” he ordered. “We have a long journey ahead of us.”
Cleopatra crossed her arms over her chest and whipped her head away from him. If he were going to take her, she wouldn’t make it easy. The Laird reached down and grabbed her by the arm. His tight grip stung her arm as he hoisted her to her feet.
“Daenae make me force ye to go,” he warned. “Ye’re comin’ with us. But as long as ye corporate, nay harm will come to ye. On that ye have me word.”
“And how long will I be in your care?” Cleopatra asked as she felt her chest tighten.
“That is up to yer faither,” the Laird said. “But until he makes good on his promise, yer mine. And I expect ye to keep yer own.”
Cleopatra kept her eyes on him as the man named Ronan stepped closer to him. In hushed tones, Cleopatra could hear Ronan’s concern.
“Jude, are ye sure ye ken what ye’re doin’? The girl is of nay importance.”
“Aye,” Jude said shifting his eyes back to Cleopatra. She felt her heart flutter as Jude’s eyes fell on her. There was something about the way he held her gaze that rattled her. “And she will keep her own, willnae ye, lass?”
With her lip trembling, Cleopatra nodded sharply. Ronan moved to her and stood beside her as the Laird pushed through the shrubs. Ronan grunted and nodded to the dense forest. Twisting his head to face her once more, Ronan curled his arm around her waist.
“Let me be,” she screamed kicking and squirming to get free from his grip. Ronan struggled to restrain her, and she slipped out.
Cleopatra took off for the cottage. She knew she only had one shot at escaping, but as she glanced behind her to see where her captor was, her foot rammed hard against something. Losing her momentum, she plunged into the tall grass as a roar of laughter filled the space around her.
“Get up,” Ronan demanded as he moved to her. Towering over her, Cleopatra rolled onto her back and stared up at him. She shook her head.
“I said get on yer feet.” Ronan’s eyes narrowed as he leaned down and plucked her from the grass and tossed her like a bag of grain over his shoulder. Thrashing in his arms, she knew she wouldn’t get loose again. His arm tightened around her crushing the air from her lungs.
“Enough,” Jude said. “Ye willnae be doin’ that again.”
As Ronan carried her back to Jude over his shoulder, a plot began to form in her mind. It struck her like lightning, and she lifted her head trying to gaze the distance back to her father’s house unaware of the low hanging branch that crashed against her head.
The throbbing of her head was nothing compared to that of her heart. As her home slowly drifted out of view, she realized there would be no one coming for her.
If my Father made a deal with the Laird, surely, he will come for me. Perhaps waiting is the best option. But what if my Father does not come? What if he is letting me go to these brutes? Then what?
As different scenarios played out in her mind, Cleopatra felt the cold sting of tears streaming down her cheeks.
“Careful with her. Fetch the horses,” Jude said as Ronan swung Cleopatra around. Her eyes widened to see a group of men camped at the forest’s edge. “We leave at once.”
“Where will she ride?” Ronan asked, tilting his head to Cleopatra. Jude’s eyes narrowed.
“Bind her to my horse,” Jude said. “She can walk until she tires. Maybe then some of that fire will be put out.”
Ronan dropped her hard to the ground and secured her hands. Cleopatra couldn’t help but feel despair as she watched the men gather their supplies.
“Daenae go anywhere,” Ronan smirked as he tied the rope to the horse.
Suddenly, it was as if all the hope had drained from her body as they started on the journey. She looked up to Jude who had his son riding in front of him. The boy’s gaze was filled with pity, but she wouldn’t have a single ounce of it.
She whipped her head to the side as the horse pulled her arms, forcing her to walk. Trying not to give into her weariness, she stumbled along as they crossed the northern border of her father’s realm.
By the way the trees twisted from the wind and the chill in the air, she knew they had traveled further than she had ever dared to go.
“If ye were a lady, I might offer ye a horse, but I fear ye’d just take off with it and I cannae have that,” Jude said. His voice was muffled by the wind. “Yet if ye swear to me ye’ll behave, I’ll let ye ride for a wee bit,” Jude said.
For a moment, Cleopatra thought of not answering. In the core of her being she wished to make the journey as complicated for them as it was for her, yet her leg muscles burned, and her arms ached from being stretched out for so long. She didn’t know if she had it in her to keep going on in such a manner.
“Fine,” she grumbled.
“That is nae swearin’ to me, lass,” Jude said. “Ye’ve walked a long way already and I ken ye’re tired.”
“I swear,” she snapped. “Is that what you want to hear?”
“Aye, that will do,” Jude said as he pulled the reins of his horse. The caravan behind them eased to a stop.
“What is it?” Ronan asked riding hard to Jude’s side.
“Take Hugh,” Jude said helping his son off his horse. “The girl will ride with me.”
“Ye sure ye want to do that?” Ronan asked flashing a malicious glance to Cleopatra.
“The fire is out of her,” Jude said as he slipped off the horse and moved to Cleopatra. She glared at him as he took her by the wrists and walked her to the side of the horse.
“Up ye go,” Jude said helping Cleopatra onto the steed. Terror rippled through her as she clung to the horse’s mane. Jude slipped behind her with ease and took the reins. Her heart fluttered feeling Jude’s body heat pouring on to her back side.
She became very aware of Jude’s arms as they circled around her. Once Jude kicked his heel into the horse’s side, Cleopatra found her balance off.
“Easy there,” Jude said in her ear. “Wouldnae want ye fallin’ from this height. Ye might hurt yerself and then where would we be?”
“Why did you take me?” Cleopatra asked as she felt his hot breath on her neck.
“Ransom,” Jude answered.
“My father will not pay it, no matter how cheap the price,” she said. “He is not like you. He’d rather see my body in a ditch than pay for me to come home.”
“Are ye so certain of that lass?” Jude asked.
If only you knew my Father and knew what he was like, you wouldn’t ask or demand such things.
She lifted her head up and looked into the sky. The light baby blue sky had been masked with gray clouds. A chill in the wind caused her to shudder as she pulled her hand down. The company wasn’t far ahead, but she noticed the trail t
hey were on weaved up the mountain.
“Are we going up there?” Cleopatra asked as fear began to solidify within her.
“Tis nae as bad as it seems,” Jude said as he looked past her.
Cleopatra shifted her attention to the company of men. They had stopped and were waiting for them to catch up. Pressing her lips into a tight line, Cleopatra felt the horse begin to climb the slope of the mountain. Her body pressed into Jude’s. Trying with all her might not to touch him, it became clear struggling was futile.
She leaned forward and closed her eyes. The only solace she had was knowing if the horse fell, she wouldn’t be the only one injured. Slowly the path before them leveled and Cleopatra exhaled the air she had trapped in her lungs.
“We will camp here tonight and lead the horses through the pass come first light,” Jude said over his shoulder. Cleopatra wasn’t sure if she was relieved to have stopped, or if it was merely that the first terror had passed and more was coming.
“Come now,” Jude said slipping off the horse. He reached his arms out to her. Hesitating, she released her grip on the horse’s mane and slid down into Jude’s outstretched arms.
As her foot touched the ground, she stumbled on a rock and her body flew into Jude. He stepped toward her and cradled her in his arms. Cleopatra gasped as she felt his warm body pressing so tightly against hers. She was not expecting him to be so strong, yet as her fingers pressed into his skin, she felt the firmness of his muscles. Her mouth parted as she gazed up at him feeling a flush of fire burning under her skin.
“Forgive me,” she said pushing away from him as her heart pounded relentlessly in her ears. Glancing down, she chewed her lower lip as she felt her nerves rattle deep within her. She wasn’t certain if she was more embarrassed by tripping and falling into him, or touching his firm chest and allowing herself to find pleasure in his embrace.
“Ye’re all right,” he said brushing her hair from her face. Cleopatra glanced up at him for a moment before lowering her eyes. “See?”
Cleopatra’s eyes widened as she scanned the area. Tall, mangled trees were scattered across the sloping plains. The yellow grass swayed in the wind as the clouds rolled over the top of the jagged mountains. A tiny stream cut through the grass and flowed from the base of the mountain.
“Here,” Jude said pushing a jug into Cleopatra’s hands. “Fetch water for me men.”
“But–” Cleopatra started only to have him turn his back on her before she could finish.
“Adam, go with her. Make sure she doesnae get into trouble,” Jude said as he snapped the branches from the ragged tree and tossed them to the ground.
“Keep yer eyes on her,” Ronan shouted. “She’s crafty. Wouldnae want her to slip out of yer hands.”
“We’re sleeping here?” Cleopatra asked looking around.
“Nay,” Adam said moving to her. “Over there.” He pointed to the boulders stacked behind her. Cleopatra’s eyes widened as she noticed the small nook between the rocks. “Now let’s fetch that water.”
Cleopatra moved carefully over the jagged rocks as she followed Adam to the river. The crashing of water against the bank of the river startled her. As soon as she was at the ledge, panic crushed her. What she thought was a smooth-running river was in fact raging and racing down the valley floor. Whitewash spit up at her. Wiping the cold water from her face, she glanced at Adam.
“How am I to do this?” Cleopatra asked, too scared to dip the jug in for fear of falling. She didn’t know how to swim and the thought of being slammed against the rocks wasn’t something she was looking forward to.
“Just dip the jug in,” Adam said shrugging. “Surely ye’ve fetched water before.”
“Yes, but in calmer waters,” Cleopatra said as she began chewing on her lower lip.
“Same thing nay matter where ye go,” Adam said as he extended his hand to her. “Here, let me show ye.”
Cleopatra handed him the jug and watched as Adam dropped to the ground and rested on his stomach. He reached the jug out and dunked it into the freezing waters. In a matter of seconds, he pulled the jug up and sat it on the bank next to him.
With a huge grin stretching over his lips, he got to his feet. “See? Nae so bad.”
“Looks easy enough,” Cleopatra said. Her mouth dropped and her eyes widened as she watched Adam dump the water from the jug back into the river.
“Now ye try,” he said handing her the empty jug.
“Why did you do that? It was full.”
“Aye, but how are ye to learn unless ye do it yerself? Now, give it a go. I’ll hold yer feet,” Adam said as Cleopatra moved the bank. She looked down at the raging waters. Slowly, she dropped the jug to the ground and knelt down. Glancing over her shoulder, she looked to Adam. He nodded as he smiled at her.
“Go on then,” he said. “The Laird is thirsty.”
Cleopatra stretched out onto her stomach and grabbed the jug from beside her. Holding onto the jug with all her might, she dunked it into the water. The jug filled in a matter of seconds and she struggled to keep her grip on it. Mustering all her strength, she pulled the jug out of the waters and sat it down beside her.
With her arm muscles burning, she dropped her head and sucked in the deep breaths.
“Well done,” Adam said clapping. “Now, let’s get this back to the Laird.”
Rising to her feet, Cleopatra reached down for the jug. Her arms shook as she carried the heavy jug back over the rocks. Dropping the jug at the foot of the cave, Cleopatra realized the cold didn’t bother her anymore. She peered into the cave. The men all looked to her with huge smiles.
“Well, are ye comin’ in?” Jude asked as he rose from the small fire and walked to her. He glanced at her and picked the jug up. “It will be dark soon and I wouldnae want to be out here unprotected.”
“If you’re trying to scare me, it will not work,” Cleopatra said. “There is nothing out here that can hurt me.”
“Ye say that now, but when ye see the beady eyes of the Kelpie, ye’ll be rushin’ in here for sure,” Jude said with a wink. Cleopatra glanced around. She had heard tales of the monstrous beast and her rational mind thought nothing of it, until that very moment. The light of the sun slowly faded as the clouds blocked out the light.
A chill ran up her spine causing her to shutter. She stepped into the cave to get out of the frosty breeze. It surprised her how much a small fire could heat the area. As she walked closer to the group, the men looked at her.
“Thank ye for fetchin’ the water,” Ronan said.
“Aye, thank ye,” the others said as the jug was passed around to each of them. Cleopatra moved to the outskirts of the circle and sat beside the cave wall. Although the fire warmed her a bit, she wished to be closer.
“There’s plenty of room by the fire,” Jude said as he tapped her on the shoulder. “Come sit with us.”
“You want me to sit with you?”
Jude shrugged and looked to the men. “Aye. It’ll be gettin’ colder and I daenae think ye’ll be wantin’ to get sick.”
Stunned by his request, Cleopatra shifted closer to them but kept her distance. She had always been the outcast in her father’s house. Never in all her years had her father asked her to sit with him or share the fire.
“Cleopatra?” A young voice caught her attention. She turned her head to find the boy sitting close to Jude.
“Yes?” she answered shifting her eyes to the men around her. The boy got up and moved to her. She scooted closer to the wall as she kept her eyes locked on him.
“I’m Hugh,” the boy said.
The name sounded familiar. She had heard of the servants speaking of a boy that had been brought into the manor, but never laid eyes on him before. After all, her father kept her hidden well away. Even when she managed to escape to the ruins and dashed through the manor, she never laid eyes on him. For all she knew, Hugh was nothing more than a bit of gossip. Although, she did harbor pity for the young boy. After all, he was as
much a prisoner in her father’s house as she was.
Cleopatra looked to the small hand extended out to her. Hesitating, she waited for a clue as to what to do. She had been so used to not being paid any attention that to have someone come to sit with her frightened her.
“Ye ken ye can sit closer,” Hugh said with a little smile. “My faither may be rough, but he and his men daenae bite.”
“I hope not,” Cleopatra said as Hugh shifted his eyes to his hands.
“Ye ken, I’ve seen ye skirtin’ the shadows of yer faither’s house.”
“I’m afraid I did not see you,” Cleopatra said.
“Aye, they put me up as a servant. Suppose ye wouldnae have seen me much, if at all. But, ye daenae have to sit here all alone. Come, warm yerself by the fire.”
Highlander’s Wicked Temptation: A Steamy Scottish Historical Romance Novel Page 3
