Betrayed Read Free Page A

sternly.
    â€œWe were just helping this young lady and her son across the bridge,” answered the thief. “’Tis so dark, we feared that they might end up in the creek.”
    â€œThat’s not true!” blurted Connor. “They demanded money, then they attacked us!”
    â€œThieves?” questioned the leader. “On my land?”
    He stepped closer and peered into the eyes of one thief then the other. The point of a glistening blade suddenly came to rest under the highwayman’s stubbly chin.
    â€œI know you. You’re Dougal McPhee. And you, you’re Niall Kincade. What kind of disloyal filth attacks a helpless Scottish family while the English are ransacking our lands?”
    â€œâ€™Tis . . . ’tis not as it looks . . .” stammered the thief. “I swear.”
    â€œI do not tolerate traitors on my land,” the horseman growled. “I should kill you both on the spot. You have until sunrise to get yourselves off my land, or else I’ll run you through and display your worthless swinging corpses atthe crossroads. Don’t ever set foot within a week’s walk of Roslin again!”
    â€œYes, sir, your lordship, sir,” answered the cowering men. “Thank you! Thank you for your mercy!”
    They turned and fled, stumbling across the bridge and disappearing into the foggy moors. Tegan and Connor’s mysterious saviour then turned and approached the shivering woman and child.
    â€œAre you well, my lady?”
    â€œAye, thank you,” Tegan whispered, her free hand trying to pull together her torn dress.
    â€œAnd why are you walking in your current state on such a dangerous road?” he queried.
    â€œOur farm, my lord, was attacked by the English. Our home was in flames when my son and I fled for our lives.”
    â€œThe MacDonald farm,” answered the stranger, looking off toward the distant glow. “You must be Tegan and this must be your son, Connor.”
    â€œY—yes, we are MacDonalds,” answered Tegan. “Do I know you, sir?”
    â€œYour father accompanied mine on his doomed quest to the Holy Lands. Forgive me for not introducing myself. I am Henry Sinclair.”
    Connor could see the shock in the silhouette ofhis mother’s face. Tegan humbled herself, curtsying deeply. Connor followed his mother’s lead and bowed to the stranger.
    â€œPrince Henry,” she said, her eyes lowered. “Thank you for coming to our rescue.”
    Prince Henry looked to the hill that glowed from the distant fire.
    â€œMy good knights and I were on our way to scout theEnglish movements when we heard your screams. I’m sorry that I was not able to save your homestead. Their advance has caught us by surprise. Where were you heading?”
    â€œTo Aunt Maggie and Uncle Ian’s farm,” answered Connor bravely.
    Prince Henry hesitated. “The farm of Ian MacEwen, near the village?”
    â€œYes,” said Tegan. “Maggie is my sister.”
    His face dropped. “I’m afraid, then, that I am a bearer of further sad tidings. The English moved through that area earlier tonight. Angus MacEwen’s farm is no longer.”
    â€œNo longer?” asked Tegan, weakly. “My sister, Maggie . . . her family . . . Are they well?”
    There was a long pause. “I’m sorry. They were killed during the sacking of the farm.”
    â€œNae, say ’tis not true . . . !” sobbed Tegan. Connor caught his mother by the arm, but his tired legs buckled under her weight.
    Prince Henry leapt forward to steady her other side. He turned to his men. “Rudyard, you ride on ahead to keep an eye on the English and their movements. Report back to me before daybreak. Alex and I will take the lad and his mother back to Roslin.”
    â€œAs you wish, my lord,” answered the taller of the two, who leapt up onto his steed. The