Katie shook her head in disbelief. "Is she dirty as well?"
"Aye, she is covered in it, her clothes are torn and her belongings are gone." He bowed his head and took a forgotten breath. "She does not complain. She has been kicked."
"Kevin, you must cover her before you bring her here. She will not like anyone seeing her like that."
Kevin's arms were by his sides now and his fists were clenched. It didn't take long for the growing crowd to pass the word, which made the women bow their heads. The men narrowed their eyes and closely watched their laird, waiting for his command. Filled with rage, Kevin didn't trust himself to say a word, but he nodded to his sister and then to his stable master on the other side of the courtyard. Everyone knew what he meant to do and instantly, several men headed for their horses.
"Find the priest," Kevin ordered finally.
"Do you think she will die?" Katie asked.
"I will not let her die; I intend to marry her now instead."
In a matter of minutes, his horse was ready, the priest was found and a contingent of men followed him across the drawbridge. The priest was normally a talkative, friendly man, but he'd never been surrounded by so much anger, and he wisely kept his mouth shut. God help the man who did this, he thought as he crossed himself.
They rode hard, slowing to follow a narrow path when it was required, and then racing across the open land. At last, they spotted Anna's small band of protectors in the distance.
Anna was not on her horse and Kevin began to panic, until he noticed Thomas holding her in his lap. He slowed his men and when they were close enough, he put his hand up to stop both guards. He signaled the priest to follow and then slowly walked his horse toward his future wife.
The closer he got, the worse she looked. Someone had cut off all her hair, she was slumped against Thomas and for a moment, he thought she was dead. If she was, all his attempts to avoid a war were for naught. For this, all of Scotland would feel his wrath. She finally moved her hand and he remembered to breathe. He guided his horse around to the other side and looked at her back. The moment he saw it, he closed his eyes and brought a hand up to his forehead.
His rage turned to pity and for a reason he could not understand, he wanted her in his arms. If she died, he wanted to be holding her when it happened. Somehow, this was his fault, but he couldn't think of that just now. First, he had to get her home where Katie could try to keep her alive.