In the early dawn light Ella awoke alone, and stretched. Her body ached and her cheeks warmed at the memory of her and Lucas just hours before. The things he had done to her released the most amazing feelings. Why didn’t any of the women in society talk of such pleasure. Everything she had heard about the intimacy between a man and a woman made the act sound like a boorish duty. Something a wife had to endure, and the only reward was her husband’s pleasure or perhaps a baby. But what had happened between her and Lucas was not boorish at all. She had never in her wildest dreams imagined that a man and woman could experience so much pleasure along with so much connection. She must have imagined it, but she swore as she fell asleep in his arms, she heard Lucas whisper the word “mine” in her ear.

Even in her dreams she knew she would never willingly leave his side. She was his. Looking around she saw Lucas standing a small distance away with a plaid spread out and some of the meats and cheeses Sarah packed for their journey spread out. It reminded her of the first meal they took together out of doors and her heart flipped.

He noticed her staring at him and smiled.

“Mornin’ lass,” he said. “I’ve got some food laid out for ye. We should get tae our journey. By foot from here I think we hae two and a half days by foot. We made good strides last night.”

Ella blushed, even though she knew what he meant, she couldn’t help but think of the other great strides they had made. As if reading her mind Lucas smiled, and gave her another wink. She giggled and got up to meet him at the blanket.

“Lass I could listen tae the sound of yer laugh forever,” he said, and she smiled broadly at him. No one had ever complimented her laugh before. It felt at once strange and wonderful. She would expect nothing less from Lucas. Since the moment she saw him lying, lifeless on that barn pallet, he had surprised her at every turn.

They ate in silence, but Ella thought their silence was comfortable. The weight of all of her secrets had been lifted off by her confession the night before and their lovemaking. She was still worried the soldiers would somehow be on their trail and told Lucas as much.

“They verra well could be lass,” he said addressing her fears. “But I think once we get a tad closer to my people, we should be much safer. The English rarely venture to deep into the highlands,” he said.

“When we arrive at Cadney, what will your family think of you bringing home an English lass?” she asked. She saw the look on Lucas’s face turn tense. Was he not interested in bringing her to meet his family? After what had occurred between them the night before Ella had felt at ease with Lucas and trusted that their relationship would continue. Now catching a glimpse of the hard set of his jaw she was no longer sure. “Will they not want to meet me?”

“Nay, lass. My mother and sister will be more than happy tae welcome ye into our home and our clan,” he said, reaching out and taking her hand in his own. Ella let out a breath of relief.

“Then what has you worried?” she asked.

“’Tis Evans,” he said. “Lass, he willnae stop until he finds ye. Even though it’s better that ol’ Fergus’s barn, the keep may not be th’ safest place for ye right now, and I need tae keep ye safe. Ye understand right?”

She nodded in agreement, unsure of what he was getting at, but the sinking feeling in the pit of her stomach made her think whatever it was, she wasn’t going to like it.

“I’m afraid I wasnae completely honest with ye last night,” he continued. “When ye were talking about Evans. I left out an’ important reason why I needed to ken so much.”

“I don’t understand,” she said. How could he have left anything out, he didn’t know the commander, and it was her story to tell.

“Lass, the same Commander Evans that yer da traded ye to in a game of cards is the Commander Evans I watched run my da through with a sword at th’ battle o’ Dundee,” he said. Ella covered her mouth with her hand. It couldn’t be true. What cruel twist of fate would put that evil man in both of their lives. He had caused so much damage. She felt the tears welling up in her eyes again. Poor Lucas, he had been through so much, and every time he looked at her he would be forced to relive his father’s death. No wonder he was hesitant to bring her home to his family. She brought nothing but pain to everything and everyone she touched.

“Lucas, how is it possible?” she asked.

“I dinnae ken lass. All I ken, is that I cannae lose another tae Evans, and until I’m able tae take my revenge and kill the bastard, ye won’t be safe,” he said.

“My safety means nothing to me. Not when I have brought you and your family so much pain,” she said.

“Och, lass, ‘twasn’t yer fault. The man is evil and a bastard for sure, but ye dinnae make him that way. I couldnae bare it if he ever got his clutches in ye again. ‘Tis why I think once we arrive at Cadney, I want me ma to send word to her family in France. I want ye tae go to there, ye’ll be safe.”

“France!?” Ella shouted. “You must be out of your head Lucas MacGille, to think you can ship me off to a foreign country.”

“Calm down, lass,” he said, and Ella seethed. She ripped her hand from his. After everything they had been through, he wanted to ship her off. Get her out of his hair, just like, well just like, she didn’t know what, but she would be damned before she would allow him to dictate her future to her.

“Don’t tell me to calm down, this is madness. I’m sorry that Evans murdered your da, I would give anything to have that taken back. I understand you don’t want me around as a reminder, but France? What gives you the right?” Ella didn’t even try to hide the hurt in her voice. She must have imagined the tenderness he lavished on her the night before. It was a betrayal. She had given Lucas everything and he wanted nothing more than to be rid of her.

He didn’t respond, and Ella knew it was because there was nothing he could say. She silently began clearing their meal and packing up the plaids. The journey ahead was long, and she needed the time to think of a way, once again to get out of the situation she had found herself in. This time it would be harder. Evans revolted her. Running from a fate entwined with his had been easy but Lucas was different. Her heart would break at leaving him. Even now, as furious as she was, a part of her wanted nothing more than to be held in his arms and told everything would be ok. Leaving Lucas would be hard, but she refused to be sent to France. She had proven she could take care of herself and that is what she would have to do again.

Lucas worked silently beside her, and his looming presence was hard to handle.

“I need to relieve myself,” she told him and he nodded.

“Dinnae go tae far lass,” he said as a word of caution.

She walked away from him, tears stinging her eyes. Damn that man, even when she wanted nothing more than to hate him, she found it difficult.

She wandered behind the large tree, which was even more glorious in the morning light, and set to look for a place where she could have some privacy. Wandering just out of eyesight of Lucas she spied tall grasses, and swore she heard the gentle lapping of water. Oh how she would love a bath. It had been ages since she felt the soft touch of clean water against her skin. She walked in the direction of the sound.

The daylight was coming fast, and Ella noticed the clouds building to her west. There will not be much sun today, she thought. A typical cold, Autumn day. She just hoped the rain would hold off until they found a spot to camp for the night. Possibly they could find shelter. Coming through the tall grasses she was surprised to see a lovely small pond. On the far side of the pond, a deer was taking an early morning drink. Upon her approach its ears perked up but seeing Ella was not a threat, it kept on drinking.

The water was so clear and blue, she thought it might be a good idea for her to take a sip as well. She stepped closer to the pond and heard the distinct sound of crunching leaves behind her. Anger began to rise again, she told Lucas she needed time. How dare he follow her. She would just keep heading toward the pond, and ignore the man behind her. If he wanted to apologize let him be the first to speak. She was in no hurry to except his apology, at least not until he let go of the silly notion that she would be better off in France.

“That’s right, sweet thing, I’m not here to hurt you,” she said as she drew closer to the deer, still happily lapping away at its drink.

“Well, well, well,” she heard the sinister voice behind her. “Hey, Peters, looks like we found us a runaway bride.” It was Stewart. Ella turned slowly, coming face to face with the three soldiers Evans sent to find her.

“Looks like it,” the one who must be Peters replied. She would recognize his voice anywhere. Now having a face to put with a name, she was even more terrified. All three men were large, not as large as Lucas, but still much larger than she was. She frantically looked around for anything she could use as a weapon.

“What say we bring ya back home where ya belong?” the third soldier said. Ella thought that he must be Smith. He couldn’t have been a day over twenty and had a scattered look about him, that made Ella think he would turn tail and run at the first sign of danger.

Peters walked toward her, “Well miss, what do ya have to say for yourself? You know your betrothed has been half mad with missin’ you. He has us looking all over this hellish landscape, tasked with bringing you back for your weddin’.” He smiled, but Ella noticed the smile never reached his eyes. Peters, she decided, was the most dangerous of the lot of them.

She backed away from the soldiers slowly. She was in trouble. She understood, France or no France, she should’ve never left Lucas’s side. She wondered briefly if they had already come upon Lucas. Did they hurt him? Was he dead? Fear began to grip her. She felt herself sinking into terror, the same way she had in the barn only now Lucas was nowhere near here to pull her into his arms and calm her fraying nerves. What are you going to do, Ella? she thought. How can we get out of this one?

She felt in the pocket of her dress and was relieved that the dirk was still there. She hadn’t lost it during the night. She dropped to her knees, dirk hidden in hand, and let out a blood curdling scream.