Part 27 (1/2)

Gregor peered through the thicket.

”Can you see anything?” Dougal asked.

”Aye. I can see both of them. It looks as if they're having a picnic.” He glared at Dougal. ”So much for

your thought that Kincaid was bringing her here to murder her.”

”I didn't suggest any such thing.”

Gregor lifted a brow.

Dougal flushed. ”I don't trust him, that's all.”

”Sometimes I think he truly cares for her. Right now, he's looking at her as if she's the only woman in

the world. I wonder if he knows he does that.”

Dougal scowled. ”He needs a good thumping to wake him up. She's the best woman on the earth, andhe's a fool not to realize it.”

”Aye.”

”And we should be over there, protecting her. I don't trust him, and neither did you until recently.”

”Has it ever dawned on you that he's had many a chance to harm her if he wished? A push down the

stairs, a bit of poison in her daily tea. It wouldn't be so difficult,” Gregor pointed out.

Dougal scratched his chin, then peered through the leaves. ”Oh, G.o.d. He's going to kiss her. I hate seeing that.”

The brothers turned away, resting against the tree trunk. Silence reigned, except for the bubbling of the brook.

Finally, Dougal looked at Gregor. ”I hate to admit it, but perhaps you are right. We don't need to be

here.”

Gregor nodded, and they headed back for their horses.

Dougal turned to duck under a low branch, then pausing, peering back into the woods.

”What is it?” Gregor asked.

Dougal stared a moment longer, his blond head c.o.c.ked to one side. Finally, he shrugged. ”I thought I

saw something, but whatever it was, it's gone. Probably nothing.”

They crossed the small stream, and suddenly, a shot rang out.

Dougal turned a white face to his brother, and both of them yelled,”Fiona!”

Then they were running, through the trees, over fallen logs, their booted feet thudding, their breath

harsh.

They turned the corner in the overgrown path and burst into the clearing.

”Fiona!” Gregor charged across the clearing to where she lay on the blanket, a red stain spreading

across her gown, her face alarmingly pale. On the blanket beside her was Jack's pistol. Fury flooded him as he scooped up his sister, and lightning cracked overhead.

”To the village,” Dougal said grimly, tucking the gun into his waistband. ”Old Nora knows more about

medicine than any doctor.”

Gregor nodded, striding toward their horses with Fiona alarmingly still in his arms. How had he let this happen? As clouds gathered with amazing swiftness, he handed Fiona to Dougal, who was already astride his mount.

Dougal immediately set off at a gallop.

As Gregor swiftly followed, he silently swore vengeance. And not just on Jack Kincaid, but on the entire family who'd brought that son of a b.i.t.c.h into this world. h.e.l.l was now roused.