Faolan wanted to shake the woman. "Why would she be walking home alone in the dark? She should have waited for you."
The older woman ignored him and headed back to the stairwell. Faolan took her arm. "I need shoes, mine were taken." She motioned to Ian's bedroom. "In there, take the boots. He never wears them."
"I'll see about rousing Ian, you remain here in case she returns."
Once he had the boots on, Faolan grabbed his heavy tartan and fur covering then headed to the stables.
The cold wind circled him, but Faolan barely felt it past the anger and fear. Someone took Catriona. She'd been alone and unprotected, neither he nor Ian by her side. Instead they'd been drinking in the pub, wasting time and money. He was sure once he sought out her brother, Ian too would feel as angry with himself.
The night sky began to lighten enough to tell him the new day arrived. A day in which the woman he'd held in his arms, just days ago could be in terrible danger, alone and cold. At the thought he urged his horse and Ian's, which he'd tethered to his to go faster.
Ian roused before Faolan could finish the first sentence, the wenches pushed away as he rushed from the bed to dress. His hair stood comically on end and his green eyes bore into Faolan's. "How long since she's been seen?"
"I am not sure. Bessie claims she left hours before her, so a couple hours before midnight by my calculations."
Ian peered to the window. "Hours have passed. It will be hard to track if no one saw anything." They raced down the stairs and outside to the horses. Once mounted Ian raced with Faolan beside him. "First let us check by Osla's house, perhaps someone saw her."
The only person about was a young boy out feeding hogs. They neared and Ian called out. "Bertrain, have you seen Catriona?"
The boy shrugged. "Nay, not since last night. I overheard her. She was talking to Nevin McPherson. She told him quite loudly to get on and after that I heard no more."
Faolan looked to Ian whose face had gone pale. "I thank you." As Ian spurned the horse towards the wood, he caught up.
"Who is this Nevin?"
"A nearby laird's son. He's been after Catriona for years. Always accosting her at every turn. I've spoken to the laird about it, but it did little good. He claimed Catriona flirts with him and the laird believed him."
Faolan's blood ran cold at the thought of another man touching Catriona. If the bastard hurt her, he would be hard-pressed not to kill him. "Where are we going?"
"There is a small cottage in the forest the laird uses to hunt. I have heard Nevin takes women there for bed sport. If he was on the edge of the village near Osla's then it makes sense that he'd head there. Tis just up the crest."
Before long they spotted the cottage, smoke coming from the chimney. "Someone is definitely there," Ian said while guiding his horse toward it.
On the side of the small dwelling a horse was tethered. The animal had been left without protection from the wind and it huddled close to the wall. When they neared and dismounted, Ian signaled for Faolan to take the opposite side of the doorway.
Chapter Eight
Catriona hugged her legs close to her chest. She sat on the floor next to the hearth. Thankfully the fire remained warm enough. She'd gotten a small log from the now dwindling pile on the floor, just moments earlier and managed to push them into the waning fire even though her hands remained bound.
Nevin lay sprawled across the bed, after she'd managed to fight him off the night before. He'd drank his fill of whiskey and passed out.
Upon arriving at the cottage, the idiot had tried to rape her, but after a knee to the groin he had been unsuccessful in getting aroused.
When he'd mounted her a second time she'd done it again, hit him right between the legs with her fist. She'd earned a slap for it once he'd been able to move. Deciding against trying a third time, he'd dragged her to the floor and dropped her by the hearth and bound her hands.
For the next hour or so, he drank whiskey and described what he'd do once he recovered. Although he'd failed by over indulging and then falling asleep, she was unable to escape as he'd tied her hands behind her back and feet at the ankles.
Catriona groaned in relief when the bindings around her legs finally loosened. Just a few more shifts and hopefully she'd be free of them. Once that was completed, she could run. Somehow she would somehow have to open the door and get outside with her hands bound behind her back without waking Nevin. She held still when he mumbled something incomprehensible under his breath and let out a snore. Good, he continued to sleep.
She pressed her lips together and grimaced when her face throbbed. Besides a swollen jaw, her lip was split. Catriona glared at the sleeping man. It was probable once he woke, he could easily over take her. All energy gone, it took all her strength to continue to move her feet in an attempt to further loosen the straps around them. Her skin was raw and bleeding, however nothing mattered more than getting away from there.
What seemed like an eternity later, finally the ties loosened enough that she could get her balance and stand. On her feet, Catriona wobbled a bit, yet somehow managed to take slow steps toward the door. She looked over her shoulder to a still slumbering Nevin. Somehow she had to manage opening the door. She turned and lifted her arms grimacing at the pain from the tight bonds. Her fingers curled around the door handle and she pulled it down.
The blast of cold air took her breath, but she turned into it hurrying to close the door before it woke her captor. Just as she stepped through the doorway, she was yanked backward. "Where are you off to so early Catriona?"
His reddened eyes narrowed into hers. "Neither of us is leaving until you are mine. I may even allow you to go after a few times. Have no doubt about it lass. You will succumb."
When she lifted her knee, he was prepared and blocked it. "You little bitch." Nevin brought her face to his contorted one. "I am going to make you pay."
He dragged her toward a table and pushed her face down onto it. With a hand on the back of her head he shoved her cheek onto the hard cold surface. With his other hand he lifted her skirts and underskirts baring her bottom. The frigid air from the open door touched her bare skin and she couldn't stop the tears from falling. He stretched as if attempting to reach for something while continuing to hold her down.
The first blow caught her by surprise; he used a leather strap of sorts, the sting from the smack making her lose her footing. He hit her bottom again so hard she screamed.
At the next blow and she attempted to kick back, but it only served to make her unsteady. It was quiet for a few moments the only sound her harsh breathing. She tried to see what he did, but could only hear his movements. He was readjusting himself, studying her bare bottom with a look of satisfaction. Would he stop now?
Her answer came with a resounding smack followed by a burning sting across her bottom. "Stop!" she managed to cry out as the next slash crisscrossed her skin.
"Are you ready for me now?" His rancid breath in her face was followed by laughter. "I have to admit, your reddened bottom is quite enticing. I can't wait to thrust into you. You will enjoy it Catriona."
"Let me go, you imbecile," she screamed and struggled to rise up. It earned her another whack of the crop.
"Now how about spreading those legs for me wench?" He kicked her legs apart and she screamed again.
His laughter made her skin crawl. He was enjoying this, liked the pain and fear he was causing. Catriona could not stop the trembling. Her face ached from being held against the tabletop, her pride gone as she lay bent over the hard surface, her bottom half bare and throbbing with pain while a man prepared to take her.
His calloused hand rubbed over her tender skin and she winced. "There now. It didn't have to be so hard. Now this is how I like you, meek and waiting for me." His hand slid between her legs and he prodded at her entrance with his finger. His breathless voice grated next to her ear, the rancid breath blowing over her face. "You could have not fought. It would have been so much easier for you. But I
have to admit, this is much more pleasurable." Nevin chuckled. "For me at least."
"Let me go. My brother will kill you when he finds out." She managed to turn and gave him a swift kick to the shin. Nevin cursed and grabbed her hair hauling her up.
"Now you will pay doubly." Once again he slammed her onto the table making her groan in pain when her sore face hit the surface. When the riding crop struck this time it was with so much force she knew it cut through the skin. Catriona let out a long scream when the second hit came.
"Get away from her you bastard!" A primal rage laden voice boomed and Catriona wasn't sure if it was Ian, Faolan or both who spoke. Nevin's hold was gone but she could not move, all her strength gone.
There was crashing and groans as the men battled. She tried with all her strength until finally managing to stand from the table and take a few wobbly steps to lean on the wall. Too scared to sit on her sore bottom, she managed to stay upright while watching the men. Faolan held a bloody nosed Nevin against the wall and Ian punched him in the stomach. Then when the man fell forward, Faolan grabbed him by the hair, lifted the bastards face and punched him again.
Ian seized the almost unconscious man by the tunic and brought him up until they were almost nose-to-nose. "The only reason I do not kill you is because of your father. But have no doubt, it will come to that if you ever touch my sister again."
Seeming to sense she was on the verge of collapsing, Faolan came to her and pulled her hard against him. He mumbled soft words while bundling her up in furs and then carried her out to the horses. He was very gentle with her, holding her until her brother came outside. Once Ian came to them, he hugged Catriona and kissed her hair. "We're going home. You will be all right sister."
Ian lifted Catriona to Faolan who then cradled her against him ensuring she was as comfortable as possible.
Catriona couldn't weep, the only emotion she had at the moment was shock and embarrassment. That her brother and Faolan had seen her in such a manner, half undressed as a man hit her and was on the verge of taking her was beyond mortifying. Did they think she went there with Nevin willingly? Her face burned with shame and she turned it into Faolan's tartan, burying her disgrace for the time being.
Once they arrived home, her brother would no doubt have words for her. She'd shamed him and what little family they had left and because of this Faolan would call off the betrothal and no one would fault him. Certainly not she, she'd never blame him for it because after all who would believe that she was forced there by the laird's son?
They arrived at the home much too soon. Bessie ran out to meet them as Faolan lowered her to Ian who then carried her inside. Catriona, much too upset to listen to what they said, could only hear Bessie's ramblings and Ian's curt one-word replies. He took her to her bedchamber and then assisted Bessie in removing her clothing. Her brother then left after informing Bessie he'd be right outside the doorway.
Bessie dipped a cloth in warm water and approached the bed. She wiped at her ankles, which made her wince. "I am so sorry dear girl, it has to be cleaned up to keep from festering." She'd pulled a thick fur covering over her, yet it was not enough to keep the bone deep cold from her body.
"Who did this to you?" Bessie asked, her voice shaking with emotion. "From the cuts on Ian's hands, he taught the bastard a good lesson."
"Nevin McPherson," Catriona responded, her teeth chattering. "Can I just sleep please?" She pulled her leg away from Bessie and pulled the fur Faolan had wrapped her in over her body. "In the morn we can talk about this."
"I'll go make tea," Bessie said walking to the door. "A mix of herbs to help with the pain and bruising." The woman hustled out. The sound of voices in the hallway made Catriona hold her breath. Faolan was there, asking questions it seemed. Both Bessie and Ian spoke in low tones in response.
Boot steps neared and she forced herself to look to see who it was. Faolan pulled a chair close to the bed and lowered into it. His amber gaze ran up from the foot of the bed to meet her eyes. "Rest. I told Bessie I would stay here with you. Ian insists on riding to the Laird's keep to speak to him about this."
"Stop him," Catriona rasped out, her throat constricting with the repercussions if Ian lost his temper in front of the laird. "He is too angry. Won't be able to control himself if the laird doesn't believe him."
"It will be fine. Do not worry," Faolan placed a hand on her shoulder. "Do you need anything?"
What could she say? The last thing she wanted at the moment was for him to be there in the room, witnessing her shame. Although she'd yet to sense condemnation, it was coming. How could she expect him, a man who didn't know her well, to believe her? Instead of attempting to speak to him, she closed her eyes.
"I think …" Faolan began. "What I believe is that women are treated horribly by some men and those men are rarely made to pay for it. Tis obvious you did not go willingly. A willing woman is not bound, nor does she protest as you did. The young boy at your cousin Osla's home told Ian you'd told the bastard to let you be." His voice was low, without emotion, almost as cold as she felt. He continued to speak. "Even if the laird does not punish his son, as he should, I agree that Ian should go stand for you. As your brother he is bound to protect you."
Apprehension made it hard for Catriona to keep from worrying, although Laird McPherson was a fair man, she feared the outcome of Ian's visit.
Tears stung until she released them. When Faolan climbed into the bed, he sat with his back to the headboard and pulled her into his arms. Catriona sobbed into his shoulder. He caressed her back and rubbed it in an effort to calm her. When Bessie returned, the woman pressed a handkerchief into her hand and Catriona blew her nose. "Drink this tea child. It's for what I told you, plus in case..." She stopped talking and let out a breath. "Would you excuse us please?" Bessie said to Faolan.
Catriona wasn't sure why Bessie asked such a thing, but she was too overwhelmed to make sense of much. "He can remain Bessie. Right now I need him here."
"Very well." Bessie cleared her throat. "I put an herb in the tea to keep anything from taking root. You know a child could come from it and you would not want that."
"No." Faolan said pushing the cup away. "She will not drink that."
"But you don't understand," Bessie said. "Catriona does not wish to carry a McPherson bairn. Tis bad enough to be taken against one's will."
"Stop." Catriona pushed away from Faolan and looked to Bessie who's red flushed face showed her irritation. "I won't be carryin' Nevin's bairn. He never got that far. I fought him off."
"Well drink it then anyway, what harm can it do," Bessie held the cup out to Catriona and then her eyes widened when Faolan and she exchanged a look. Catriona had not considered the consequences of giving herself to him. She'd planned to drink the herb tea at Osla's but with her cousin becoming ill, it had slipped her mind. Faolan had not allowed her to drink the tea, which meant he had considered a possible outcome of their actions. He did not wish her to drink it.
Once again he pushed the cup away. "She will not drink it with those herbs in it."
"I will leave you for a bit. I'll go make tea without the herbs then." Bessie left, her steps fast, her head shaking side to side while she mumbled about too much happening in the past few days.
Faolan lifted Catriona's chin and looked down into her eyes. "You need to let Bessie look after your wounds. Your lip is split." The warmth in his eyes made the pains lesson.
Catriona let out a long breath when he pulled her against him again. "I am so sorry for all of this. You did not plan to enter into so much."
A chuckle rumbled in his chest. "Nay I did not. However I must tell you, I will not leave until I am assured you do not carry my bairn."
Emotions churned within her. On one hand his words calmed her but at the same time she considered if he would resent it years later after giving away the woman he truly loved.
"Do you believe me then? That I didn't allow him to take me fully?" Catriona choked and coughed, a huge lump i
n her throat. "How is that?"
"Of course I believe you." Faolan's deep voice soothed her and she allowed her body to relax against his harder one. "Now try to rest. Once Bessie returns, she will have to tend to your poor tender arse."
It was strange, but she couldn't stop a smile from curving her lips. The action made her bottom lip sting and she grimaced. "Don't make me laugh."
"Sorry," he replied kissing her hair, and not sounding the least bit repentant. "Rest now beauty."
Chapter Nine
Rage took over and Ian glared toward Nevin McPherson. The man's face was pale, his left eye almost swollen shut and his lips split. "I demand your son be made to pay for his attack on my sister. I mean no disrespect to you laird, but this time it will not be forgotten."
The Laird's shrewd eyes never left his son's face. "I know of you Ian Grant, of your farm and lands. You are well to do, have flourishing crops and manage your assets quite well. You are well regarded in the village and by me. I have no doubt in what you say about my son's actions, as it's not probable you need anything from me. Therefore your word is good and I believe you."
Everyone in the room murmured in surprise. It seemed no one up until this day had been brave enough to demand retribution for one of Nevin's misdeeds. Ian could not keep from glaring at the man now as he waited for the laird to ponder upon his decision.
"What have you to say son?" The laird's expression gave no inkling of what he thought as he looked at Nevin. "Is what Ian Grant states true?"
Nevin McPherson looked to the ceiling as if bored with the entire proceedings. Ian suspected Nevin didn't expect any kind of punishment and honestly neither did he. It was all for show, the laird would rant and publicly denounce his son's actions and then all would be as usual. "I was in town, the wench seemed willing enough until her brother showed up."
"Liar," Ian spat. He took a step forward and stopped when the guard's drawn swords stopped him. "Do you usually bound and beat a willing woman?"
A Merry Medieval Christmas: Historical Romance Holiday Collection Page 23
