Beaming golden and strong, the streetlight spilled into the mouth of the alley, but it failed horrifically to pierce the darkness beyond. She craned her neck, focusing on the the light. Pent rage mounted within her at the helplessness of her situation.

Her legs were held immobile, and her arms were made equally useless. She tried to struggle halfheartedly, knowing all too well that her captors had successfully pinned her to the alley floor without any means of escape.

No one would come for her, either. No doubt, Ethan and the others were out looking for her, but what would possess them to come to some out-of-the-way village? Even though she was surrounded by people, her screams would be lost in the wind and rain. Besides, who would want to leave the comfort of hearth and mug to investigate the cries of a random girl?

"Coop, go stand watch." Rob's voice was barely audible above the pelting rain.

"Psh. Go yerself. I donnae answer tae ye, Rob. I've jist as much right tae th' lass as ye!" Coop's indignant tones were easier to understand.

"Look here, numbskull. She cannae hae come here alone. Someone will by apt tae look fer her. We need a warnin' if anyone starts approachin'."

They didn't realize she was alone. Cassandra felt a flicker of hope spark in her heart. If that was the case. . .

"You don't want to know who came with me." Her voice was uneven and rattled, but she gritted her teeth and continued. "You'd do right to imagine I wouldn't come alone. Honestly, what lady would travel without an escort?"

That gave them pause. Rob had likely been making up his 'fears' for their safety so that he could have a better chance of taking her first. They knew she was English, and they knew something of how the English nobility worked. Suddenly, the prospect of being discovered outweighed the benefits.

"I'll naught be hangin' fer this!" One of the others flung up his hands, freeing her legs. "Ye said it would be easy, Rob. Now, look at th' mess yoo've gotten us intae!"

"Hang on jist a minute!" Rob protested forcefully.

"Grang is right! Thes is a fool's errand. Yer gon'tae git us all hung!" The grip on her hands loosened as the men began quarreling violently.

Now. Jerking free of her last restraints, she rolled to her feet. Ignoring the dizziness that washed over her, she barreled her way through the midst of the surprised Scotsmen, plunging deeper into the alley. At this point, the darkness was her only ally. Without it, she would be exposed—not only to the current men, but also to others who happened to catch a glimpse of her.

She ran as if possessed, unsure where she drew her strength from but not caring, either. All she could think of was getting out of here. Out of the alley, out of the scummy little village. Even the empty moors seemed welcoming after this.

The sound of their cursing followed her. She could hear them half-heartedly following her. For all they knew, she was running towards the help of her escort, and that would mean imprisonment or hanging for them. There was little mercy for a lowlife who threatened a lady of her standing.

She stumbled over something and fell, scraping her hands against something sharp. She drew in a sharp hiss of breath, cradling her injured hands. Struggling to her feet, she surveyed her surroundings. It was too dark to make out anything in particular, but around the corner of one of the buildings, she could make out a glimmer of light. She moved toward it, her pace slowing as she listened for sounds of pursuit.

"Are ye lost, ma'am?" A masculine voice startled her as she approached the lit street, and a scream escaped her lips. "Don't be scared, lass. I'm only tryin' ta help." The man chuckled lightly. His accent was more refined, easier for her to understand, and from the little she could see of him, he was well dressed.

"I'm sorry." She tried to steady her breathing. "I've just gotten out of a rather terrible. . .situation." She heaved a sigh. "You only scared me a little."

"'Tis nothin' to be ashamed of. I'm frightened of the stiffs in this village myself half the time." The words were gentle, kind, and they set her at ease. "Do ye need anythin'? I'd be happy to help in any way I can." She couldn't make out his face, because he was standing with his back to the light, but if his voice was anything to judge by, he was a good man. A man she could trust.

"I was out riding when my horse threw me." She explained. "I've been walking for hours. I just want to sit and rest for a while." She had realized how exhausted she actually was until she spoke the words. "If you wouldn't mind, could you help me get back to Fergus Manor? I have friends there who will help me get home." She smiled, remembering that he could see her.

"Ye came here all alone?" He turned to look up the street as though expecting to see a group of servants waiting for her.

"Yes." She replied simply.

"Good." She took a step back at the word. There was nothing sinister in his manners, nothing to suggest anything was the matter, but something suddenly didn't feel right. "I'll get my horse. I donnae believe I could have helped you if there'd been others." Oh, she breathed easily again.

"Thank you so much!" She smiled.

"That's it?"

She frowned in confusion, trying to make out his features. "What do you mean?"

"That's all the thanks I get?" There was some indignation backing the words.

"I don't understand." She shook her head.

"Oh, come now. Don't play coy. Do you really think I'd want to help you for nothing?" He sounded incredulous.

"Once we reach the manor, I'll arrange to have you paid." Well! Only in Scotland!

"Ye think I want money? I was thinking of something a little more. . .personal." She realized that he was slowly closing the gap between them. "Honestly, how could ye refuse yer knight in shinin' armor such warmth after his rescue?" The honey dripping from his lips revealed itself fully for what it was: a ruse to get her comfortable. "Here now, give us a little kiss." He reached out for her.

"How dare you!?" She recoiled from him, her rage returning in full force. Men! What was their problem?

"Yer serious right now?" He sounded bored. "I should have liked to see ye bent over a table waitin' for me, but I suppose this'll have to do." He closed the distance between them before she could get away, his arm snaking around her waist, his hand drifting lower.

"Get off me!" She struck him. Hard. Full in the face. With both hands. He cursed violently, taking an involuntary step backwards. "You disgusting excuse for a man!" She pushed out of his grip, ignoring the pain it caused her torn hands. "If you dare touch me again, I'll—"

"What? Call fer help?" He spat. His voice was laced with anger. "There's no one to hear yer cries, is there boys?" A chorus of chuckles behind her caused her to spin on her heal. Her previous attackers had gathered at her back, blocking any means of escape. "What do ye say, Rob? Together? For old time's sake?"

"It'd be a pleasure." Rob's chuckled darkly.

Terror flooded her being. Why had she stopped? Why had she even tried to speak with the man? She should have just kept going.

Determination walled off her fear. She gritted her teeth. They weren't going to have her without a proper struggle. Not this time. Backing against the wall of the nearest building, she bent and grabbed a rock. Straightening her shoulder, she eyed the men, throwing a challenge in their direction.

"Oh, look. She's still not givin' up. Isn't that sweet?" She couldn't believe that that voice had once set her at ease. "Ye could make this easy, love. Yer alone." He moved closer. "No one's goin' to help ye. We're the only ones out at this time of night, and yer shrieks will only. . .please us." He moved toward her slowly, trying to throw her off her guard.

She glared defiantly at him, not bothering to mask her disgust. Her eyes darted among her attackers, and she raised her arm. There was a certain resignation in her. Her luck had run out; there was no possible way she could get out of it this time.

With a grunt, the man moved faster than she would have thought possible, smashing her hand into the stone of the wall behind her. With a cry of pain, she released her stone. His other hand had simultaneously buried itself into her stomach, and she struggled to breathe.

"Hold her up." Hands took hold of her, holding her arms above her head. "Oh, this will be loads of fun." He chuckled darkly. She glared at him, refusing to lean on them for support, standing on her own feet.

"You're right." Another voice came from the darkness. "You might have stopped to check you were alone first, though." The tone, the voice itself, it was all vaguely familiar.

"What the—" Her main attacker turned, and a bone-crunching crack met her ears. A figure stepped out of the shadows, and in the darkness, she could clearly make out a mocking smile on Graham's lips.

"Take 'im!" Rob growled.

Her hands were released, and the thugs rushed Graham, somehow imagining their numbers would scare him into submission. He caught one in the face with a wicked punch, smashing his face into the wall with fluid ease. Jumping, he brought his elbow down on the back of the second man's neck.

"Duck!" He shouted. She stared wide-eyed at him. "Duck!" He said again, and it took her a moment to realize he was talking to her. Without hesitation, she flattened herself to the ground, bruising her knees in the process.

The were shouts and a few curses, followed by the sound of human flesh being pummeled. Then, as if they had never been, the noise died away in a gurgle of passing breath.

A hand latched onto her arm, pulling her to her feet. Its iron grip bruised her skin, and she winced. With a gasp, she flinched away from whoever held her, closing her eyes against what might happen.

"Move." The voice was strong and sure. Graham's voice. "Now." At the sound of his commanding voice, she felt the hairs on the back of her neck stick out. He had just saved her, however, so she gritted her teeth and moved.

"Thank—"

"No." The word was flat, emotionless. "You can complement my daring acts of bravery and irresistible good looks later." There it was, that mocking jabbing tone she had become accustomed to. "Move." She resisted the urge to snap at him. It would only prove to be an encouragement for him.

Apparently, he didn't think she was going fast enough, because he shoved her along, prodding her with his knuckles. Who did he think he was? She tried to reign in her annoyance with him, tried to be calm.

He jerked her to a stop as they entered another alleyway. She could dimly make out the outline of a horse in the shadows. He nudged her with his elbow, turning to watch the street.

"Get on the horse." His voice was a sharp command. That was the last straw.

"Well, aren't you the perfect example of a chivalrous gentleman." Cassandra scoffed sarcastically, refusing to budge. There was no other horse, so they would be riding together, and she'd almost rather stand here all night than ride home in the company of this infuriating man.

"I'm glad you think so. Although, I must warn you: you aren't the first to say it." He replied glibly. "Now, get on the horse! I told you, the complements can wait. Any time you want to admire my rugged good looks, come find me." He grinned. "Now, I'd prefer not to meet up with any more of your friends." His voice turned sharp with command that left no room for argument, but she still refused to budge. It wouldn't hurt him to say 'please'. He turned to her, and she could almost see him raise an angered brow. She'd gotten to him. Good. "Are you deaf?" His voice was warm with humor. Never mind, he was amused.

"I don't know how you think you have the right to speak to me like this, but if you expect me to obey everything you say simply because you command it, you are dreaming." Cassandra replied hotly.

Graham chuckled in the dark. She imagined his lips splitting in his arrogant smile, and the image infuriated her. "Look, I was being nice before." His amusement was still evident in his voice. "Now, get on the horse before I sling you over my saddlebow."

"You wouldn't dare!" Cassandra was aghast. Graham's boots scraped on the cobbled walkway as he took a threatening step toward her.

"Try me." His voice was flat and unassuming, but suddenly, she knew if she gave any more resistance, he would do exactly as he had said.

"Fine!" She spat. "I'll get on the horse, but only because I'm tired of standing here talking with a mindless oaf." Spinning on her heel, she swung herself into the saddle, biting her lip against crying out in pain.

"Talking?" He swung into the saddle behind her and turned the horse to face the street. "Is that what that was?"

Before she could respond, the horse leapt into action, bolting down the street. A sudden chill ran the length of her body as the air buffeted her, reminding her that she was soaked to the skin. She was, however, relatively safe, and she would be able to rest soon. Despite her displeasure with the man behind her, a smile touched her lips. She would see another day.

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Well, well, well. That was quite the chapter!! What do you think will happen next? I'd prepare myself for a few more sassy exchanges. Poor Cassie just can't help herself, can she? Oh, dear, I think she's going to get herself into some trouble one of these times. . .

Oh, by the way, I wanted to ask simply out of curiosity. Do you guys like seeing pictures of people and whatnot for books? Or do you prefer just getting the story and nothing else from the author? I quite like seeing pictures/posting pictures, but I've heard from a lot of people that they don't like them. . .I guess it depends on the person. . .