Total pages in book: 108
Estimated words: 98745 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 98745 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 494(@200wpm)___ 395(@250wpm)___ 329(@300wpm)
“I pray it is so,” Leora said, hoping that the possible miracle she and her husband often teased each other about would, in this situation, come true.
“Call out as I grow weak in your arms and tilt to the side to draw attention,” Lady Elizabeth ordered and went limp.
Leora did not have to pretend, Lady Elizabeth delivering her performance without preamble and startling her. She called out her name with worry when she went completely limp in her arms and tilted precariously to the side. She grabbed the older woman’s arm as she began to slide off the horse and frantically continued calling her name. She grew heavy to keep hold of as she tumbled off the horse and Leora was barely able to keep hold of her before she hit the ground. She hurried off her horse, and as Lady Elizabeth predicted, chaos soon ensued. Novice Angelica battled her way out of Simmons’ arms and hurried to Lady Elizabeth. Everyone came to a stop and hurried off their horses, eager to see what had happened and Hedely shoved everyone out of his way to get to the core of the problem.
Leora took advantage just as Lady Elizabeth told her to and moved away as they all pressed forward, far too curious to pay her heed, not having given thought that she would dare make an escape. Once she was beyond the curious onlookers, Leora ran into the woods and again did as Lady Elizabeth advised… she did not stop running.
Surprisingly, she was able to run a distance before she heard the first roar of discovery. The next shout had her stopping.
“I will take great pleasure in making the old woman suffer if you do not return right now, Leora,” Hedley yelled, his roar carrying loudly throughout the forest.
Let nothing stop you. Lady Elizabeth’s warning rang in her head.
She started running again and halted when a bloodcurdling scream echoed through the woods.
“There will be nothing left of the old fool by the time I get done with her,” Hedley bellowed angrily.
How did she let the old woman suffer? It wasn’t right. She froze where she was uncertain as to what she should do. If she ran for help, Lady Elizabeth and the novice could be dead by the time she returned. If she didn’t go for help, none of them would have a chance. Wasn’t the choice easy?
A hand suddenly closed over her mouth and a strong arm circled her waist holding her tight. “Never hesitate. It gives your foe the advantage.”
She did not recognize the voice nor the man’s scent, potent and earthy. He was tall, the top of her head hitting his chin, and though his arms were lean, he had a powerful grip. She did, however, recognize the furious roar that suddenly ripped through the woods in the distance… it was her husband.
“Time to take our leave,” the man whispered.
Her feet suddenly left the ground, and she was carried away and no amount of struggling would free her. His grip was far too strong. All she could do was listen in the distance to the sound of clashing swords and cries of pain as men met their death as her husband fought to rescue her.
Noble swung his battle axe with such anger and power that all moved out of his way, none daring to fight him. The fight was brief. The few men who hadn’t been felled by a Gallowglass sword laid down their weapons in surrender, especially after Noble got a hold of Hedley by the nape of his neck and swung him around like he held nothing more than a sack of feathers.
“Where is my wife?” he yelled in Hedley’s face.
“She escaped,” Hedley said and sneered. “And I wouldn’t be surprised if another troop of mercenaries got hold of her. Lord William is generous with his coin, eager to have Clan MacMurray for his own.”
“He will never get Clan MacMurray,” Lady Elizabeth said, holding her injured arm and leaning heavily against Novice Angelica. “My granddaughter will inherit and rule the clan.”
Hedley laughed. “A foolish old woman’s wishful thinking.”
“Who is the fool here, Hedley, since I am free, and you are about to meet your death?” Lady Elizabeth asked with a smile.
“Enough!” Noble yelled. “How long has it been since Leora escaped?”
“Not long,” Lady Elizabeth assured him. “She had to have heard when Hedley had my arm nearly broken, I cried out in such pain. Leora has a good heart, and I would not be surprised if she stopped and considered returning so I would not continue to suffer, though I had warned her against it.”
Noble didn’t wait… he let loose with a roar. “LEORA!”
Everyone remained silent, listening for her response.
Noble shouted out again. “LEORA, ANSWER ME!”
His shout was met with silence.”
“She might have fallen and gotten hurt,” Finley suggested. “I’ll have Lance track her.”