Page 75 of The Laird who Craved her
"If anything happens, ye run," Claire insisted.
"I am nae leaving ye," Molly argued stubbornly.
"Molly," Claire warned, squeezing her hand.
"I said nay," the maid replied.
Before Claire could argue further, the carriage door was thrown open so violently that it slammed hard against its iron hinges, allowing the bitter, cold air to rush inside. A broad-shoulderedrider sat astride a dark horse, his massive frame completely blocking the doorway.
"Lady Claire," he greeted, his tone far too calm for the chaos surrounding them. "Ye will come with us."
Claire remained firmly seated, her grey eyes flashing with absolute defiance. "I will do nae such thing."
A flicker of dark amusement crossed the man's face. "So the stories are true."
"What stories?" Claire demanded.
"That Finn MacRae chose himself a stubborn English bride," the stranger smirked.
The casual mention of Finn sent another terrifying warning racing through her veins, but she stubbornly lifted her chin. "If Lord MacSween has truly sent ye, then tell me why."
The man merely smiled a wicked, knowing smile. Behind him, the sharp ring of drawn steel pierced the quiet forest. A brutal shout split the air, followed instantly by another. Claire's heart lurched violently against her ribs.
"Our escort!" Molly cried out in horror.
The rider moved with terrifying speed. In one swift, practiced motion, he reached his hands into the carriage to grab her. Claire reacted before he could even touch her, snatching the small brass lantern hanging beside the seat and swinging it outward with every ounce of strength she possessed. The heavy brass struck his broad shoulder hard, causing him to curse loudly, but she did not wait to see the damage.
"Run!" Claire shrieked at Molly, throwing herself desperately toward the opposite door.
She nearly reached the iron latch when a second man burst through the opening, catching her violently around the waist. Claire drove her elbow backward with brutal force, earning a grunt of pain from her attacker. She stamped hard on his leather boot, twisted wildly, and bit down viciously on the thick hand gripping her arm.
"Bloody hell!" the man roared, ripping his hand away.
His crushing grip loosened just enough for her to tear free, and for one glorious heartbeat, she thought she might escape. Then, someone caught a massive fistful of her heavy winter cloak, jerking the fabric dangerously tight around her throat. She gasped for air as she was hauled backward.
"Nay!" Molly screamed, launching herself forward and grabbing Claire's arm with both trembling hands. "Let her go!"
One of the attackers shoved Molly backward with a careless, brutal strike, sending Molly crashing heavily against the wooden carriage wall.
"Molly!" Claire cried, lunging toward her maid, but another pair of strong, unyielding hands seized her from behind.
She kicked wildly, her heavy boot catching one of the riders squarely in the chest and causing his horse to dance sideways in the mud.
"Hold her!" a man shouted.
"I am!" another grunted, straining against her thrashing weight.
Claire clawed desperately at the thick, muscular arm locked around her waist. "I will nae go wi' ye!" she screamed.
One of Rosewood's loyal guards charged toward them with his broadsword raised, but he never reached the carriage. Another attacker intercepted him, steel clashing violently before the guard fell heavily to the muddy ground. Claire stared at the fallen man in absolute horror, the finality of the violence breaking her control.
"Finn!" Claire screamed, the desperate name escaping her lips before she could stop it.
The rider behind her tightened his punishing grip, hauling her effortlessly out of the carriage and up onto the wet saddledirectly before him. She fought like something feral, striking, twisting, and throwing her head backward until it cracked painfully against his jaw.
"Wild little thing," the man hissed, rubbing his bruised face.
She struggled even harder as the massive horse surged forward into the trees. "Molly!" Claire cried out.
