Lucas stretched his arms above his head, sweat and peat wafted off of him. His body ached from sleeping on the stone floor of the cave, but his mind was clear. He was eager to see Ella. He knew that she would forgive him, once he explained about Evans and the threat to her and the clan. His heart. He wanted to hold her, taste her, bed her, and make sure she knew he would never keep information from her again. She was truly his wife in every sense of the word, and he was eager to let her know it. But first, he was in desperate need of a bath.

“Hopefully, the lass will forgive me more readily if I smell nice? What say ye cuddie?” The horse gave a solid whinny in agreement and Lucas laughed.

He also needed to find Magnus, he wanted to pull Thomas Graham from the MacKenzie lands and send him to scout Evans’s location. Maybe the lad would be able to blend in and gather information about what he man’s next steps would be. If he only knew where Evans was and what he was thinking he would better be able to prepare the men. Battle plans and strategies began to play out in his thoughts. He wished, and not for the first time in the last two weeks, that he’d had Gavin’s skill for battle.

He wasn’t too lost in thought to hear the crunching of footfall on gravel behind him. Lucas’s whole body stood at attention. Adrenaline coursed through him. Not a single clan member would be so brazen as to try and sneak up behind the Laird. He instinctively knew whoever was behind him meant to do harm. He calmly grabbed his sword from the saddlebag draped over the horse’s stall, waiting for the intruder to make their move. He hummed to the horse and continued to brush the beast with his free hand.

Without warning a rush of warm air slid past his head, He spun on his heal ducking, just narrowly saving his ear from the intruder’s sword. He heard Ella scream out from behind “Watch out!”

Coming up quickly and at the ready, Lucas was face-to-face with the pair of beady eyes he vowed to never forget.

“Evans.” The man looked mildly entertained, and sure of himself. Lucas was going to enjoy ending his life.

“Laird, we haven’t had the opportunity to meet. You are correct, I am Commander Evans. Congratulations on your new title. I’m simply here to claim what you have stolen from me.” He held his sword out and gave Lucas a mild bow.

“Aye, and that’s why ye just tried tae take me ear off, then?” How the hell had Evans known to call him Laird, and how the hell did he get into the keep without being detected. Lucas’s eyes were drawn to the familiar girl standing behind Evans. Her head was ducked in shame, and Lucas knew instantly how Evans entered the keep. Dammit to holy hell, Edina. He should’ve thrown her in the dungeon a month ago.

“You promised not to hurt him!” she screamed at the Commander. He whipped around and slapped her hard, knocking her to the ground.

“You’ve done your part wench. I thank you sincerely for writing to me and explaining how the Laird here… married my bride. But I will not have you screaming at me. Be gone.”

Lucas couldn’t believe the arrogance of the man, he moved toward Edina, she was no friend, but he wouldn’t allow her to be beaten by the bastard. He lunged for Evans and the Commander dodged with skill. Ella was running toward the door to the stable. Lucas’s gaze met hers and he implored her to run. She shook her head defiantly. Blasted woman. He didn’t dare yell out. Evans’s hadn’t seen her yet, and he didn’t want to draw attention. Kelly reached the door and grabbed Edina from behind.

“Come with me ye damn twit,” she snarled as she dragged Edina from the stables. Lucas looked back to Evans who was circling him, sword drawn. Eager for a fight.

“Evans, yer not wanted here. Ella is a MacGille now and under my protection.”

“I have your walls surrounded Laird. I would suggest you rethink your attachment to the girl. I’m sure there are plenty of other lasses you would find equally as eager to warm your bed.”

“That’s where ye are wrong, sir. Ella is my bride. I’ll not be givin’ her up. She is MacGille as much as I or any member of my clan.” Lucas had to keep him talking and get him out of the stable. If he could battle him in open air, he would have a better advantage. He walked toward the commander as he spoke, giving the man no option but to back out of the keep. Milly ran up and caught his eye. With his free hand he flashed her a small hand signal she and Gavin had made up as children. With the flick of his forefinger and thumb she knew to run and get help. As quickly as she came up, she darted back, rushing for the keep. Hopefully she would also get the women and children to safety. There was no way Evans was here alone. Men such as he always travelled with protection.

Good girl, he thought. Then turning back to Evans. “Maybe ye and I could reach an agreement of sorts where it comes to my wife,” he said.

“What kind of agreement did you have in mind, Scot?”

“Ella stays here where she belongs and ye get tae leave with yer life. For now.” The Commander’s laugh was loud and grating, making Lucas scowl. “I’m glad ye find me funny.”

“Grab him!” Evans said, and out of nowhere two soldiers grab either of Lucas’s arms. As his sword falls to ground, he let out a curse. He had led the bastard out of the stables and himself into a trap.

Kelly rushed passed Ella, breathing heavily and dragging a cursing, sobbing Edina in her wake.

“I’ll take care of this trash,” she said stopping by Ella. Edina tried to spit on her, but Ella was fast and dodged. Kelly yanked Edina’s hair hard in response.

“Take this,” she said, handing Ella a dirk. “Milly has gone tae get th’ men and tae bring th’ women and children intae the keep. I’ll throw this twit in the kitchens where Mrs. Thomas can string her up, and get me husband and be right back.” Ella could do nothing but nod. Her eyes were glued to Lucas and Evans circling each other.

This was all her fault, and while she was grateful for the knife Kelly gave her, she felt weak and questioned if she would be able to use it.

She watched in horror as Lucas emerged from the stable and was instantly grabbed from behind by two of Evans’s men. Where had they come from. She hadn’t seen them before. When he had implored her to run with his eyes, she had defied him. She flashed back to the pond, there was no way she was going to leave him. Now she was glad she stayed. He was outnumbered and outwitted.

Her world shrank, and all she could think of was her husband, and their unborn child. She hadn’t had a chance to tell him she was with child. He could die and not know. She gripped the dirk tightly, tucking it between the folds of her skirt. Evans was standing in the way of her complete happiness and a strength unlike any she had known filled her.

She would end this now, she would give Anton one chance to leave her, Lucas, and her clan in peace. If he chose to continue his ridiculous pursuit. She would kill him, without a second thought.

“Anton!” she bellowed. The Commander abruptly turned, smiling at the sight of her.

“Ella! No!” Lucas shouted.

She was calm. “It’s okay Lucas, my love. This has gone on long enough.”

Evans smiled like a cat having just dined on a delectable mouse. A chill ran up her spine. “My dear Ella, we’ve been so worried about you. Let me take you back to your father, dear. We can have this silly Scottish marriage annulled. Nothing has to change.”

“Save your fake concern, Anton. I’ll not be going anywhere with you. This is my home. Have your men unhand my husband this instant and leave us!”

He laughed. Ella flinched as if he had slapped her. “What is so funny?”

“Well dear, you must be in shock. I cannot in good conscience leave you alone here, with these…these ruffians. No, unfortunately, every man in this keep will be arrested for treason, including your husband. And once he is hanged as the leader of the Jacobite uprising, and of course for kidnapping a lady of the Crown. We won’t need to bother with an annulment. You will be a widow, and I will marry you of your own volition.”

He was insane, and Ella knew she had no choice. “I will never leave here with you. I will never marry you!”

Raising the dirk, she let out a battle cry, rushing Evans, she brought the knife down onto his upper leg with resounding force, she twisted it in and it stuck. Her own strength surprising her. He let out a loud scream of pain before bringing his fist down on Ella. She fell back, hitting her head, hard. The last thing she heard before everything went black was Lucas screaming in rage.