Devin giggled as Marcus tried to feed her the chicken they had packed for their picnic. It had been Devin's idea but Marcus was glad she had thought of it. They were having a wonderful time. "Marcus I Can't eat another bite." She said. "Your going to waste away before my eyes if you don't eat more." He said. Devin just smiled and lay back on the blanket. Marcus gave up and put the food away. He lay down beside Devin and closed his eyes. He felt something tickle his cheek and brushed it away. Then his lips. He opened his eyes to see Devin over him with a feather. Marcus grabbed her. "Thought you would tickle me little one?" he asked. She just grinned at him. He held her down and tickled her till she was screaming. "Marcus stop." She said laughing. Marcus smiled she was so beautiful. He let her go and sat up. "I have something to return to you little one." He said. He pulled out the necklace and put it in her hand. She took the necklace and put it back on. "Thank you." She said. "It's unusual; you say it was your mothers." He asked. "Yes. I think it was some kind of family design. She was Scottish. Her name was Meagan Macgregor. I don't know too much about her. My father would never speak of her." She said. Marcus saw the sadness in her eyes. "My mother was Scottish also. It seems we have much in common." Marcus said. She smiled up at him. He had made her feel better. They looked up; they heard horses galloping their way. Marcus recognized Byron, but for some odd reason he had Amanda with him. The horses stopped a few feet away from them. "Byron, how did you find us?" Marcus said. "Maggie was kind enough to tell me you were picnicking out here. My friend I never known you to be so romantic." He said laughing. "The Countessa here was looking for you also and followed me." Byron said rolling his eyes. Devin looked at Byron. Lord he was a handsome one too. He had black hair that had a hint of curliness to it. He had dark brown eyes that held a twinkle of laughter. He was tall and well built and his tight breeches did nothing to hide his muscular legs. Before Marcus could make an introduction the Countessa came running over. "Marcus darling how wonderful to see you." She said launching herself into his arms. Devin's eyes narrowed. She would scratch that witches eyes out she thought. Byron watched Devin she looked like a wildcat about to attack. Marcus pushed away from Amanda. "Marcus why in the world would you want to eat outside? You know spending to much time out doors is bad for the complexion." She said looking at Devin. Devin was about to lose it. Marcus also realized this. "This isn't a good time for a visit Amanda." He said. "Oh why not Marcus?" Amanda pouted. Byron was enjoying this his friend was really in a mess caught between his former lover and his wife. Amanda was furious. It was obvious Marcus wanted nothing to do with her. It was that little heathens fault. She must have him under some spell. "I see you got that little hooligan in a dress, are you actually trying to civilize her. I wouldn't waste your time its hope less." Amanda said in a nasty voice. Devin reached her limit. "YOU DAMNED DAUGHTER OF A WHORE!" she cursed at her. She jumped on Amanda before Marcus could grab her and started punching her. Byron was laughing. Amanda was finally getting what she deserved. He never did like her. "Byron stop laughing and help me get these two apart." He said. They were fighting tooth and nail. Kicking and biting. Byron grabbed Amanda and pulled her back. Marcus grabbed Devin in his strong grip. "Quit it Devin." He said as she struggled to get loose. Byron drug Amanda over to her horse kicking and screaming. "Byron you Bastard let me go." She yelled. "Amanda such language." He chided laughing. She pulled back her leg and kicked him hard in the shin. Byron tightened his grip on her. "Bad mistake Amanda." He said. He grabbed the riding quirt off the side of her horse where she left it. He pulled her skirt up and proceeded to whip her. He didn't stop till she was crying. Devin had stopped her struggling and watched. She would have thoroughly enjoyed the show, but somehow she figured she would be next. Byron put her on her horse and told her to go home and not to come back. She rode off furious. Devin knew Marcus was probably mad after all she had started a brawl in front of his best friend. Byron probably thought she was a brat. She sighed and looked up at Marcus but his expression was unreadable. Byron strolled over. "So this is the Lady Devin I have been hearing so much about." He said grinning at her. Devin looked into his brown eyes and smiled. It's nice to meet you M'Lord." She said. "Now we will have none of that. Call me Byron." He insisted smiling. She was lovely and fiery and bold. Marcus had done well for himself. He knew Marcus's temper. He knew the girl was probably in for a thrashing. Marcus let go of her and turned her to face him. He checked her from head to toe to make sure she was not hurt. "You are not injured are you?" Marcus asked. "No." she said. "You really must learn to control your temper little one." He said kissing her gently. He took her hand. "Come Byron lets go to the house. We have a long ride this evening. You must want to relax for a while." He said. Byron was stunned. Where was his bad tempered friend? He preened over this girl like she was a precious flower. He smiled. His friend was in love it was written all over his face. And the girl was looking at Marcus like he had created the world. She felt the same way. He glanced at the girl as they walked to the house. Marcus was a lucky man.
Marcus you old dog, how did you get so damn lucky to find a woman like that? Byron asked. Marcus grinned. "I was just lucky as you say my friend." Marcus said. He told Byron how he had come to wed her and about how she was raised. "Well my friend, you will have your hands full with that girl." Byron said. "Yes I know." He said smiling. He was beginning to realize he liked Devin the way she was. She needed a firm hand that was certain, but not so firm it crushed the spirit he admired so much in her. Devin came in. "M'Lords dinner is ready." She said. "Good I'm hungry enough to eat a bear." Byron announced. Devin giggled. She liked Marcus's big friend. Each man offered her their arm. She took both and they escorted her to the dining hall.
Devin stood in front of the stables watching the men prepare their horses. She did not want Marcus to leave. It broke her heart. Byron walked over to her and lifted her hand to his lips. "It was nice to meet you Devin. I will see you again soon. I'll keep Marcus out of trouble and return him to you safely." He said grinning. "It was a pleasure to meet you too Sir. I will hold you to your word." She said smiling back at him. Byron went and got on his horse. Marcus came over and picked Devin up. He kissed her gently on the lips. "I'll be back soon little one. Be good and remember no riding off by yourself take Tom or Joe with you if you go riding." He said. "Yes Marcus." She said. She threw her arms around his neck. "I will miss you." She said. Marcus held her tight for a moment then sat her down. "I will miss you too." He said. He mounted his horse and him and Byron took off. Devin watched as they disappeared from site. She hoped the three days would pass fast.
Byron and Marcus rode through the night. They didn't want to stop. Marcus wanted to be done with this business and be back to his wife. "My friend you are in a hurry to get back to your Lady?" Byron teased. Marcus smiled. "That I am Byron, wouldn't you be." He asked. Byron laughed. "Yes I would." He said. "You love her don't you?" Byron asked. The next thing Byron knew he felt something hit him in the head. The last thing he heard before he blacked out was a voice. "It's time to take the Lad home." Someone said. "Aye Fergus will throw a gathering such as was never seen." Someone answered. Then blackness took over and he knew no more.
Byron awoke to the daylight. He raised his hand to his head and winced when he felt the lump on it. "Marcus." He yelled. He got up but there was no sign of Marcus or his horse. He turned and found his horse and found his horse had been tethered to a tree branch. He looked around and seen the tracks of other horses. Someone had taken Marcus. He remembered the voices they had been Scottish. He needed to get on the trail now. But then he remembered Devin. He had to ride back and let her know what happened. He got on his horse and rode back in the direction of Marcus's home. He didn't know who had taken Marcus or why, but he would find them somehow. But first the unpleasant task of telling Devin.