Page 424 of Wicked Highland Heroes

“Do not bother telling me to mind my own business, Evan.” She stopped beside him, her eyes on Victoria. “The woman speaks the truth. This man has stolen her from her husband.” Aurari canted her head. “And he has no intention of returning her.”

The words, spoken matter-of-factly, sent fresh alarm through Victoria.

“Be about your business,” David growled. “The world will not miss a few more Egyptians.”

Aurari’s attention never left Victoria as she said,

“It is time.”

David shifted abruptly and Victoria realized he was reaching across her for his sword. His grip on her loosened and she bit down on the edge of his palm. David stiffened, but still slid his claymore from its scabbard.

Evan urged his mount close and jammed the point of his sword against the back of David’s neck.

“Release her.”

David eased his weapon back into place. He gripped Victoria’s shoulders. Too late, she comprehended his intention. His fingers bit into her flesh, and she was hurled to the ground. She landed on her side. A sudden high neigh rang out, and David’s horse reared. Victoria watched the powerful hooves of the stallion hang motionless in mid-air before beginning their descent toward her.

“Move!”

Aurari’s shout broke the spell. Victoria rolled away an instant before hooves met solid ground. She lay unmoving as Evan’s sword pierced David Robertson’s neck. In one great spasm, David keeled forward, then dropped to the ground beside her with a sickening thud, blood pooling under his neck.

In the chaos that followed, Victoria was lifted from the ground and carried to Aurari’s wagon. The Gypsy women chattered as they patted her shoulder, offered her tea, and pointed to the high bed in the back of the wagon. Victoria didn’t miss the fact that Aurari slipped out the door. Victoria stood and, despite the loud objections, stumbled through the door and down the steps. Men had already begun digging a grave alongside where David Robertson’s body lay where it had fallen.

“What sort of fool are you?” a loud male voice riveted Victoria’s attention onto the man talking to Evan.

“Manouche,” Evan said in a calm voice.

Aurari glanced over her shoulder at Victoria. “That one is a fool.” She pointed at Manouche. “He believes helping you was a mistake.” Without waiting for comment, Aurari strode to the two men and said, “Leave this old woman to his babbling. He should join the other women, hiding in the wagons.”

Manouche looked at Aurari. “This is a grave error.”

“Manouche,” Evan began again, “Aurari has never led us astray.”

Manouche’s lips pursed. “She is wrong this time. We should not return the Englishwoman to her husband. You know as well as I do the Gajikane will slaughter us in payment for our kindness.”

“Coward,” Aurari said with a low snort.

“Aurari,” Evan admonished. “You should not speak to him in that manner. His father will not like it.”

Her mouth twisted with derision. “I care not if he is chief tomorrow. I will never bow to him.”

“You will do more than bow to me.” Manouche looked at Aurari as a man would a possession. Victoria expected him to deal Aurari a blow just as David had her, but instead Manouche turned back to Evan.

“You allow beauty to influence you in matters where it has no place.” With that, Manouche strode away.

Evan sighed. “You will someday regret your actions, Aurari.”

“Perhaps.” She tossed her hair in a manner that said she had little faith in Evan’s prediction.

* * *

Victoria spread the MacPherson tartan across her shoulders and looked at the sun, sunk low in the sky. She closed her eyes, her body rocking with the slow rhythm of the wagon. Not one night had yet passed since her rescue. Many days of travel still lay ahead. How was she to deal with not knowing if her husband lived or died? A chill ran through her. What if it was Edwin who discovered him first? Would Iain have allowed Edwin to walk away alive? Had Edwin kept his word and freed Iain? The wagon swayed. Victoria opened her eyes to see Aurari swinging up onto the wagon next to her.

“I woke you?” Aurari asked.

“Nay,” Victoria replied. “I feel as though I will never again be able to sleep.”

They lapsed into silence, and Victoria fell to studying the men who rode before them.