Highland Captive by Hannah Howell

Author:Hannah Howell [Howell, Hannah]
Language: eng
Format: epub, mobi
Tags: Fiction, Romance, General, Historical
ISBN: 9780821780039
Publisher: Zebra
Published: 2008-11-01T07:00:00+00:00

Chapter Fifteen

Aimil woke to more pain than she thought any body should have to bear. If this was to be her treatment at Rory’s hands, she knew she would not last long. That he had not yet raped her seemed small consolation. One more hurt would hardly have mattered.

Through her swollen eyes, she saw the door open. If Rory tried to beat her anymore, she knew he would kill her. Panic seized her, but she was unable to move her battered body. In stead of Rory, it was a buxom, young maid and Aimil’s terror receded. For now, at least, she would have a respite from that madman’s attentions.

“Who are ye?” she rasped as the young woman set a bowl of water down on the table near the bed.

“Maggie. He did ye weel, didnae he? I am here to try and mend ye.”

“So that he may have at me again?” She grit her teeth against a scream when the girl began to wash her back.

“Aye. He wants ye to last awhile yet.”

Noticing the faintly discolored skin around Maggie’s eyes, Aimil said, “He has had at ye as weel.”

“There isnae a wench here that hasnae been done. He is a madman, a bastard.”

Hearing the hate in Maggie’s voice, Aimil sensed a possible ally and asked, “Help me?”

“I can give ye a potion that will take ye out of his hands.”

“Nay, I dinnae mean that.” Aimil was shocked that the girl would offer something so cowardly and sinful. “Help me escape.”

“I will be slain the instant ‘tis found that ye are gone.”

“Then come with me. Black Parlan or my family will take ye in gladly if ye aid me.” She saw that the young woman was pondering the move, knew that such an offer would be a sore temptation for the girl. “He will kill me if I stay here. ‘Tis my life I am asking of ye, my life ye will save.”

“Nay doubt he will kill me soon as weel. His sort of loving does that. I could be saving me own life, too.”

“Will ye help me then?”

“Aye, I be willing since ye offer what I have always lacked, a place to go, but I dinnae ken how.”

“If I can get into the bailey, can ye get us out without us being spotted?”

“That isnae any trouble. ‘Tis the getting out of this room that will be difficult.”

“Nay, it willnae. Just get me a sturdy rope to reach the court below this window.”

“Ye mean to go out the windy? Ye are daft,” Maggie gasped, her hazel eyes wide.

Although she was unable to change Maggie’s attitude concerning the sanity of such a venture, Aimil was finally able to get the girl to fetch what was needed. Aimil tried not to think of how weak she was now. Knowing what faced her if she stayed had to be enough to give her the strength to escape. If she was to die, she would much rather do it in an attempt to save herself than in cowering beneath the blows of a madman.

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