“What’s our move?” Quinn said.
Jack shook his head. “We have no move. Those thieves stole our prize.”
Rory tore off his mask. His blue eyes sparkled. “They’re Scottish rebels. ‘Tis as Bishop Lamberton predicted. Our people are once more ready fight.”
“And look at how well they do against guards on horseback,” Ian said.
Jack shot a glance back at his youngest brother. His long red hair hung in tangled disarray.
“Cover back up, lads. I want a closer look.”
Jack eased his horse further down the slope to watch the skirmish. The peasants were, indeed, making surprising progress. Three guards were slain and the others would soon be overwhelmed. He leaned forward in his saddle and eyed the ragged gang. Their humble clothing bore the wear of toil but their broad shoulders and thick waists belonged to men who did not know scarcity.
Jack shook his head. “Look at their swords. Those aren’t the weapons of farmers?”
“What does it matter?” Rory said. “They’re fightin’ the English and winnin’.”
Jack’s eyes narrowed on the scene below. “Somethin’ isn’t right.”
Quinn nodded. “Look at the skill with which they fight.”
“They are not peasants,” Jack said with certainty.
His brothers fell silent as the last guard was pulled from his horse. Several blades glinted in the sun as the tips were plunged into the wretch’s belly.
“’Tis done then,” Jack murmured. He was about to turn away, but then the coach door opened and a lady fell to the ground. Veils obscured her face. The fineness of her tunic bespoke of great wealth. Again he cursed their luck. Whatever fortune she carried with her, should, by rights, be theirs. They had, after all, tracked her for miles. She disappeared behind the sea of men.
Ian slid off his horse. “What are they doin’?” Crouching low, he darted past an opening among the trees, then squatted behind a large copse.
“Ian, ‘tis nothin’. She’s in no real danger. Whoever these brigands are, they will not harm her, not when they can ransom her for a sizable fortune. Come along, all of ye. The lady is no longer our affair. We certainly cannot rob her now.”
Jack urged his horse around, but then a sob rent the air. Several men fell on top of her, tearing at her clothes. A scream of pure terror sent chills up Jack’s spine. “Perhaps I spoke too soon.”
“Scottish rebels or not, we cannot allow them to hurt her,” Quinn said.
“Why not?” Rory said. “She’s the enemy.”
“We do not condone the rape of women, English or otherwise,” Ian snapped.
“Silence,” Jack hissed. One of the men ripped away the lady’s veils. Tears streamed down her face. “Damnation,” he cursed when he beheld her wide, terrified eyes.
Ian stood straight. “For the love of God, Jack.”
Jack turned about. “Back to the horses, lads. We’ve an English lady to save.”
To discover more books by Lily Baldwin, check out her Amazon Author page.
New from Jennifer Siddoway
New from Ceci Giltenan
From Duncurra Authors
Award Winning, Bestselling Author
Lily Baldwin
The Highland Outlaw Series
Jack: A Scottish Outlaw (Book 1)
Quinn: A Scottish Outlaw (Book 2)
Rory: A Scottish Outlaw (Book 3)
Alec: A Scottish Outlaw (Book 4)
Rose: A Scottish Outlaw (Book 5)
The Isle of Mull Series
To Bewitch a Highlander (Book 1)
Highland Thunder (Book 2)
To Love a Warrior (Book 3)
Flights of Love Series
A Jewel in the Vaults (Flights of Love Series, Book 1)
Beautiful Darkness Series
Highland Shadows (Beautiful Darkness Series, Book 1)
The Devil in Plaid
Stephanie Joyce Cole
A Late Hard Frost
New York Times Bestselling Author
Kathryn Lynn Davis
A Tear for Memory
Highland Awakening
Too Deep For Tears
All We Hold Dear
Somewhere Lies the Moon
Child of Awe
Sing to Me of Dreams
Weave for Me a Dream
James Donbar
Pacificus
Award Winning, Bestselling Author
Ceci Giltenan
The Pocket Watch Chronicles
The Pocket Watch
The Midwife
Once Found
The Christmas Present
The Choice
The Gift
Highland Revenge
Highland Echoes
Highland Angels
The Duncurra Series
Highland Solution
Highland Courage
Highland Intrigue
Duncurra Legacy series
Highland Redemption
A Wee Highland Predicament
Ford Murphy
Taking the Town
MJ Platt
Somewhere Montana
BJ Scott
Talisman of Light
Forever and Beyond
Legacy of Love