Read Online MacDougall 01 - Laiden's Daughter by Suzan Tisdale - Free Book Online Page A

  “And again, not to be told in front of yer bairns.” he warned.  
    Duncan spoke up.   “Can we talk outside Aric, away from yer children?”
    With a quick nod of his head, Aric led the MacDougall men out of doors and to a spot behind the barn.   “Who is that lass and who the hell did such a thing to her?” There could be no doubt the man was angry.
    “Her name be Aishlinn.” Duncan said as he dusted the dirt from his trews.   “And ‘twas the Earl of Penrith that did it to her.” Aric’s eyes turned to dark slits at the mention of the earl’s name.  
    “What in God’s name for? What could such a wee lass as that done to him?”   Aric knew the answer before he finished asking the question.   “The whoreson!” he said as he ran a hand through his hair.   “She be a Sassenach?”
    “Nay,” Rowan offered.   “She be a Highlander, or at least her mum was. Her mum died when the lass was but a bairn and she be raised by a stepfather and three brothers.   The stepfather now be dead. ‘Twas her brothers that sent her into the hands of the earl.”
    Aric listened intently, his face growing redder as his anger increased.   “What of her father then? Her blood father?” he asked.
    Manghus shook his head.   “She says he died before she was born.”
    “A Highlander orphan, then she be?” Aric asked.   “What clan?”
    “She ken no’.   I think her stepfather kept it from her.” Duncan said.
    “It gets better.” Manghus said as he crossed his arms over his chest and hung his head.
    “Better?” Aric asked. “What do ya mean?”
    Duncan had to tell Aric the truth for a band of English soldiers could be fast approaching.   “The lass laying in yer bed, Aric?”   Duncan said.   “She killed the Earl of Penrith.”
    Aric attempted to speak but could not get the shock dislodged from his throat and ‘twas nearly all he could do to keep his chin from falling to the ground.    “She killed him?” he whispered. “How in the hell did such a wee thing as that kill the earl?”
    “Stabbed him.” Manghus said.   “With his own dagger. We ken no’ much else of it.”
    “We be fairly certain she stabbed him because he was rapin’ her.” Rowan said angrily.
    Aric glared at the men before him.   “So someone finally gave that bastard what he deserved?” There was not a clan in all of Scotland who did not despise the Earl of Penrith.   Once word spread of his death, great celebrations would most likely take place.
    “Aye,” the MacDougall men said in unison.  
    Aric’s chest puffed out as he crossed his arms.   “Then she must be a McDunnah, with courage like that to no’ only take such a beating from the earl, but to kill him as well!”   A sly smile came to his face.
    “While that is a possibility , Aric,” Duncan replied. He was not ready yet for anyone to lay claim to the lass.   “We’ve sworn our allegiance to the lass and will be taking her to Castle Gregor with us.   We’ll sort out who she belongs to later.   Right now, we have to get her healed enough to ride.   The English could be closer than we realize.   I’ve sent Richard and Findley to scout nearly three days ago.   We’ve no’ heard from them since.”
    With a band of English soldiers possibly descending upon his home at any moment, Aric decided it best not to argue to whom the lass might belong.   The McDunnah clan was small in comparison to the MacDougalls and he knew theirs would be a better match against the English than his own would be.  
    “Well then,” Aric said as he led the men around the barn, signaling the conversation was done, “We best see to it that the lass is well cared for.”   He turned and looked at the travel worn MacDougalls before him.   “I’ll make haste and warn Caelen that there might be trouble a comin’.   While I’m sure we’d do well against the English lads, I think it might take more than the four of us to do it.” Caelen was the chief of the