Ransom

by Julie Garwood

  She finally decided to find Brisbane and demand his help. With that intent she got up from the table just as Bridgid came running into the hall, carrying two sets of bows and arrows. She paused to smile at one of Ramsey’s soldiers standing guard near the entrance, then continued on until she reached Gillian.

  “Shall we go to the lake and swim?” she suggested in a loud voice.

  “I don’t want—”

  “Yes, you do,” she whispered. “Play along,” she added with a barely perceptible nod at the guard.

  “I’d love to go swimming,” Gillian replied in a near shout.

  Bridgid’s eyes sparkled with merriment. “I’ve brought bows and arrows for both of us,” she said. “If we’re clever and quick, we will have rabbit stew for supper.”

  Gillian slipped the pack of arrows over her shoulder and carried the bow as she followed Bridgid through the buttery to the back door. They were outside and across the clearing in a matter of minutes.

  Once they reached the cover of the trees, Bridgid, in her excitement, clasped Gillian’s hand. “I know where Christen lives. Anthony didn’t forget after all. He followed Brisbane yesterday morning just like he promised he would, but then he was ordered to relieve one of the border guards and didn’t get back to the holding until dark. It was too late by then, of course. He even apologized,” she added. “He’s such a dear man.”

  “Yes, he is,” she agreed. “Will you take me to Christen now?”

  “Of course I will, but slow down, Gillian. People will notice if you run. Anthony’s hidden two horses near the lake, and if luck stays on our side, we’ll be on our way soon. You can’t tell anyone where we’re going. Anthony made me promise, and we can’t let anyone know he helped us.”

  “I won’t tell,” she assured her friend. “I wouldn’t like to see him get into trouble for doing a good deed.”

  “I doubt anyone will give us a second notice. It’s the perfect opportunity. Brodick and Ramsey have gone to settle some trouble on the western border.”

  “Do you think Ramsey will be angry because I didn’t wait for him to speak to Christen?”

  “Probably,” she replied. “But if he is, he’ll talk to Brodick about it, not you. He would never let you see his anger.”

  “I’m worried about you,” she countered. “I don’t want you to get into trouble.”

  “Then we’ll hurry and get back before anyone knows we’ve left,” she said. “Besides, I’d be more concerned about your husband’s anger if I were you. Brodick’s known to have a fierce temper.”

  “He won’t be angry with me. I told him I was going to take matters into my own hands if Ramsey didn’t keep his promise to me. And he didn’t,” she insisted vehemently.

  “He would have,” Bridgid said in defense of her laird. “Ramsey’s a man of his word.”

  “I don’t know what I would do without your help. I even thought about pounding on every door until someone told me where Christen was.”

  Bridgid lifted a tree branch for Gillian to duck under as she said, “You never would have found her. It’s peculiar really. Your sister lives in a very remote area. I’ve never been that far north, but Anthony assured me it’s part of the MacPherson territory.”

  “Did he tell you how long it will take us to get there?”

  “Yes,” she answered. “We should be there by midafternoon.”

  They finally found the horses Anthony had hidden for them. “The gray’s yours,” Bridgid decided as she ran to the chestnut mare and climbed into the saddle.

  Gillian took one look at the beautiful horses and the ornate saddles and shook her head in disbelief. “He borrowed Ramsey’s horses?”

  “Ramsey won’t miss them.”

  “But they’re such grand horses, and if anything—”

  “Will you stop worrying?”

  Gillian was too close to finally finding her sister to change her mind now.

  “Just think. In a very little while you’ll be reunited with your dear sister.”

  Gillian was suddenly brimming with excitement. Slipping the bow over her shoulder, she swung up into the saddle and tried to get comfortable. It was no easy feat. Made of a thin layer of wood, then covered with wide, thick strips of leather, the saddle was stiff, unyielding, but smooth against her skin. Because it was constructed to accommodate a man, she, like Bridgid, rode astride, and after tugging her skirts down over her knees, she picked up the reins and followed her friend down the gentle slope into the valley.

  They both spotted Proster on the rise when they crossed the meadow, and Gillian thought he was watching them leave, but Bridgid was just as certain he hadn’t noticed them at all.

  It was a beautiful day for a ride. The sky was clear, the sun was bright and warm, and the scent of summer was everywhere. They crossed a clearing golden with buttercups, and a few minutes later they climbed a hill. At the summit, Gillian turned to look back. The vista was so incredibly beautiful she imagined that this land surely resembled heaven.

  They continued along at a quick pace and descended into a narrow glen, following its long winding corridor until they reached a dense forest. The farther they rode into the wilderness, the more nervous Bridgid became. She kept looking behind her to make certain they weren’t being followed.

  Gillian also began to worry. She wondered why Christen and her husband would deliberately isolate themselves from all the other MacPhersons. It didn’t make any sense to her, for everyone knew there was safety in numbers against hostile clans and marauders. No, it didn’t make any sense.

  Bridgid was having the same thoughts. “I don’t like this,” she whispered, as though she were concerned she would be overheard. Pulling on her reins she stopped her horse and waited for Gillian to catch up with her. “I don’t like this at all,” she repeated.

  “We must have taken a wrong turn,” Gillian suggested.

  “I don’t think so,” her friend said. “I memorized Anthony’s instructions, and I’m sure this is the way he said we should go. He was very specific, but I must not have—”

  “Something’s wrong,” Gillian argued. “This cannot be the right way. Bridgid, do you notice how quiet it is? It’s as though the birds have all left the forest.”

  “It’s too quiet. I don’t have a good feeling about this. I think we’d best turn around and go back.”

  “I think we should too,” Gillian quickly agreed. “We’ve been riding most of the afternoon, and we should have found Christen’s cottage by now.”

  “If we hurry, we can be home by sunset. Are you very disappointed? I know how much you want to see your sister again.”

  “It’s all right. I just want to get out of here. I feel like the forest is closing in on us.”

  Their instincts were telling them to hurry, and both of them admitted that they had acted rashly by going into the wilderness barely armed and without an escort.

  Because the path was so narrow and broken, they had to back their horses to a wider area so they could turn around. Then Gillian took the lead. She had just broken through the thicket and was crossing a stream when she heard a shout. Turning toward the sound, she saw a soldier riding hard down the slope toward them. Squinting against the sun, she recognized the MacPherson plaid, but she couldn’t see the man’s face.

  Bridgid rode forward to flank her side. She put her hand above her eyes to block the sunlight, then cried out, “It’s Proster. He must have followed us.”

  “What in heaven’s name is he doing?” Gillian asked, as she watched the MacPherson soldier swing his bow up and reach for an arrow, his gaze intently locked on the trees behind them.

  The ambush took them by complete surprise. Gillian heard a whistling noise behind her and turned just as an arrow sliced through the air in front of her face.

  And then more arrows whizzed past. Gillian’s horse bolted into a gallop, keeping pace with Bridgid’s strong mare as they raced up the bank of the stream. Thinking they were easy targets together, Gillian veered her
horse away from her friend, screaming to Bridgid to get to Proster.

  There was a fleeting moment when she thought she was going to make it to the cover of the trees. She flattened herself against the gray, lifted her knees, and tucked her head low beside his mane to make herself less of a target. And that was when the arrow caught her.

  The force and speed of the weapon were so great, the tip went through skin and muscle and into the saddle. The pain was instant. She cried out softly, and instinctively tried to push the white hot agony away, but when she touched the arrow, a pang shot down her leg, and it was only then that she realized she was skewered to the saddle.

  She suddenly became enraged and was turning to get a look at her attackers just as Bridgid’s scream pierced the air. Gillian spun around and saw Bridgid’s horse stumble and fall, throwing her to the ground. And then suddenly the screaming stopped and Bridgid lay completely still.

  “No,” Gillian shouted as she kicked her horse to get back to her friend.

  Bridgid’s arrows were strewn about the ground, and only then did Gillian remember she wasn’t defenseless after all. She grabbed one of her arrows and swung her bow up. A man on horseback broke through the trees, racing to intercept her, but Proster rode toward her from the other direction, shouting at her to get away as he notched an arrow to his bow and took aim. A second later there was a bloodcurdling scream, and the man slumped to the ground, an arrow imbedded in his belly. He continued to howl, squirming like a snake in the dirt. And then the squirming stopped and the scream became a death rattle.

  The other attacker rushed Gillian then. Proster notched another arrow. For the barest of seconds he hesitated as he recognized the man, but then he let the arrow go. His enemy threw himself flat against his horse, and Proster’s arrow narrowly missed. Frantic, Proster searched for another arrow as the horse’s thundering hooves galloped toward him. He flung the bow down and struggled to get his sword out of its sheath.

  As the attacker closed the distance, his attention was on Proster, and Gillian seized the opportunity. She raised her bow, prayed for accuracy, and dispatched her arrow. Her aim was true. The arrow struck the man in the center of his forehead and flung him backward over his horse. He died instantly.

  Gillian was panting with fear and then began to gag. She threw her bow to the ground and broke into sobs. God forgive her, she had just killed a man and had even begged for His help. She knew she had no choice. It was their lives or his, but the truth didn’t ease her torment.

  She took a deep breath and steadied herself. Now wasn’t the time to fall apart, she told herself as she wiped the tears from her face. Bridgid was hurt and needed her.

  Proster reached her friend first. He held Bridgid in his arms, but her head was slumped down and she wasn’t moving. There was blood trickling from her forehead.

  Even as she heard Bridgid groan, she cried out, “Is she breathing?”

  “Yes,” Proster answered. “She struck her head on a stone, and it knocked the wind out of her.”

  Bridgid groaned again and slowly opened her eyes. Gillian was so relieved, she began to cry. “Thank God,” she whispered. “You’re all right, Bridgid? You didn’t break anything?”

  Dazed, it took her a moment to figure out what Gillian was asking, and then she answered. “I think I’m all right,” she said as she put her hand to her forehead. Grimacing from the pain her touch triggered, she let her hand drop back to her lap and noticed then that it was covered with blood. Turning in his arms, she looked up at the soldier. “Proster, did you save us, then?”

  He smiled. “It seems so.”

  “You followed us.”

  “Yes,” he admitted. “I saw you crossing the meadow and I wondered where you were going. Then you turned to the north and I became more puzzled. I kept expecting you to come back, and when you didn’t, I decided to go after you.”

  “Thank God you did,” Gillian said.

  “Who were they?” Gillian demanded. “Did you recognize the men who attacked us?”

  “Yes,” he answered, his voice grim now. “Durston was one and Faudron was the other. They’re both Sinclairs.”

  “Faudron?” Bridgid cried out. “But he’s one of our laird’s commanders.”

  “He isn’t any longer,” he said bluntly. “Lady Gillian killed him.”

  “Were there more than two?” Bridgid asked, and before he could answer her, she said, “They could come back—”

  “There were only two.”

  “You’re certain?” Bridgid asked. “If there were more—”

  “There weren’t,” he insisted. He looked at Gillian when he added, “It was an ambush, and you were their target, Lady Buchanan.”

  “How could you know that?” Bridgid asked.

  “The arrows were all aimed at her,” he answered patiently. “Their goal was to kill you, milady,” he added. “And if Bridgid had seen their faces, they would have killed her too. I’m sure they didn’t think they would need more than two men to kill one woman. The element of surprise was on their side as well.”

  “But why would they want to kill her?” Bridgid asked.

  “Do you know why, milady?” Proster asked.

  She didn’t hesitate in answering. “Yes, but I cannot speak of it without permission from Ramsey and Brodick.”

  “This is my fault,” Bridgid said then. “And I will tell my laird so. I shouldn’t have—”

  Gillian cut her off. “No, it’s my fault for taking matters into my own hands. Bridgid, you and Proster both could have been killed.” Her voice shook, and she took a deep breath to calm herself. She wanted to weep, for the pain in her thigh was burning intensely and she was becoming sick to her stomach.

  Proster helped Bridgid stand, then swung up onto his horse’s back. He was going to get Bridgid’s mare, but Gillian whispered, “I need help.”

  “The danger’s over now,” Bridgid said. “Don’t be afraid.”

  Gillian shook her head. Proster noticed the arrow protruding from her saddle when he rode forward and, without thinking, reached over to pull the arrow out.

  Gillian screamed. “Don’t touch it.”

  And that was when he and Bridgid both noticed the blood dripping down her leg.

  Bridgid was horrified. “My God, you must be in terrible pain.”

  “It’s not so bad if I don’t move, but I need help getting it out.”

  Proster leapt from his horse and rushed to her side. Gently lifting her skirt away, he said, “I can’t see the tip. It’s in deep. It went clear through the leather into the wood. Milady, this is going to hurt,” he added as he tried to get a grip on the arrow by sliding his fingers between the saddle and her thigh.

  The blood made his hands slick and twice he lost his grip. The third time he tried, she cried out and he let go of her. He couldn’t put her through the torture any longer.

  “I can’t get it out without assistance.”

  “I could help,” Bridgid offered. She reached up and took hold of Gillian’s hand to offer her friend comfort.

  Proster shook his head. “It will require more strength than you have. I’m not sure what to do.”

  “It isn’t as bad as it could be,” Bridgid announced in hope of cheering Gillian. “The arrow didn’t go through bone. It looks like it just caught the edge of your skin.”

  “But it’s firmly lodged,” Proster pointed out.

  “Maybe if we removed the saddle—” Bridgid suggested.

  “Dear God, no,” Gillian shouted.

  “Removing the saddle will only pull the arrow further through,” Proster said.

  “I’ll stay here,” Gillian said. “You and Bridgid go and get help. Find Brodick. He’ll know what to do.”

  “I won’t leave you.”

  “Please, Proster.”

  “I’m not leaving you either,” Bridgid insisted.

  “Then you stay with me and Proster can go.”

  “I will not leave you.” Proster’s voice was firm, and she
knew it was pointless to continue to argue with him. He obviously felt honor-bound to stay with her.

  “Then what are we going to do?” Bridgid asked.

  “If we take it slow and easy, and if I hold my leg down, we could try to go back.”

  “We’ll see how you do,” Proster decided. “I’ll go get your mare, Bridgid. Do you think you can ride? You took quite a spill.”

  “I’m fine,” she replied.

  The two of them watched Proster ride down the hill and when he was out of earshot, Bridgid whispered, “I lied. My head’s pounding. It’s going to get worse too when my laird finds out what I’ve done.”

  “You haven’t done anything wrong,” Gillian insisted. “Anthony sent us this way. If anyone’s to blame, he is.”

  “You cannot think that Anthony had anything to do with this. He’s one of Ramsey’s most trusted . . . he’s second only to Gideon . . .”

  “And Faudron was third under Gideon, wasn’t he?”

  “Yes, but—”

  “He betrayed Ramsey,” she argued. “And now he’s dead.”

  “Yes, but Anthony—”

  “How can you not think he’s responsible? Bridgid, it was an ambush. They were waiting for us and Anthony set the trap.”

  “But why?” Bridgid cried out. Stunned, her mind rebelled against the truth. “My God, it’s too much to take in. My head is spinning.”

  Gillian was immediately contrite for losing her temper. “Why don’t you go to the creek and put some cold water on your cut. You’ll feel better.”

  Bridgid nodded and then started down the hill. She stopped suddenly, turned around, and asked, “You do trust Proster, don’t you?”

  “Yes, I do, but I think you should tell Ramsey what happened and no one else.”

  “I’ve never killed anyone before, but I swear to you, when I see Anthony again, I’m going to kill him.”