A Rough Wooing Read Online Free PDF Page A

you
should wear breeches more often. They cost less than fancy frocks,
and they’re ideal if you plan on helping with the lambing.”
    Douglas pulled on a warm doublet. “I’m just
going to have a look at the new lambs now. Then I’ll ride along the
river before the afternoon sun is gone. The banks of the Esk are
thick with blue forget-me-nots.”
    Rob Elliot came clattering down the stone
steps that led from the castle ramparts.
    “Riders! Two dozen!”
    Before his warning was out, they heard the
thunder of hooves in the castle bailey.
    “Christ, you should have spotted them
half-an-hour back.” Gavin strode to the window. “English! I
recognize Cumberland’s livery.”
    “God Almighty, what’ll we do?” Rob cried.
    “Keep yer gob shut,” Gavin ordered.
    A servant came into the castle hall with two
dozen troopers behind him. Without hesitation Gavin spoke to the
trooper who looked to be in charge. “Afternoon, gentlemen. You have
business at Castle Elliot?”
    “We have arrest warrants for the Elliot
brothers.” Greystoke’s lieutenant brandished a fistful of
papers.
    “On what charges?” Gavin demanded.
    “Raiding English horses and selling them in
Langholm.”
    Gavin squared his jaw. “Where’s yer
proof?”
    “Sim Armstrong sold you out. We have him
under arrest in Carlisle Castle. I have warrants here for four
Elliot brothers.”
    “You are mistaken. Armstrong is lying. There
are only three Elliot brothers.”
    “All Scots lie, so save your breath. I have
warrants for Gavin, Jock, Rob, and Douglas.”
    “I am Douglas Elliot.” She stepped forward
and raised her chin.
    The lieutenant’s eyes narrowed. “Lying won’t
save your brother Douglas.”
    “We have no brother by that name,” Gavin
declared. “Douglas is our sister. Are ye accusing her of raiding
English horses? On the word of a firking Armstrong?”
    “I have a warrant for Douglas Elliot. It
matters not if he’s male or female. Arrest the girl,” he ordered
his men.
    Douglas brandished her riding crop and they
hesitated. “Strange as well that you have an arrest warrant for
Jock Elliot. My brother Jock happens to be with King James. He’ll
have your head for this!”
    The lieutenant snorted. “I was born at night,
but not last bloody night.” He turned to the servant. “Where
is Jock Elliot?”
    “Laird Jock is in Edinburgh.”
    “With the king, no doubt,” the lieutenant
sneered. “Which of you is Gavin Elliot?”
    “I am.”
    “And I’m Rob Elliot,” the youngest said with
bravado.
    “Arrest all three.” Greystoke’s lieutenant
watched stony-eyed as the troopers bound their prisoners wrists
with leather thongs. Then he directed some of Cumberland’s troopers
to make a cursory search of the castle to see if they could turn up
Jock Elliot.
    After half-an-hour he called off the search,
and they took their prisoners down to the bailey. “The light is
fading fast. It’ll be dark before we get back.”
    “Let my sister go. She has nothing to do with
this.” Gavin tried to shame him. “It’s cowardly to arrest a
woman.”
    The lieutenant struck Gavin across the face,
and Douglas spat, “It’s also cowardly to strike a bound man. But I
don’t expect much from an Englishman, and I’m sure I won’t be
disappointed.”
    The lieutenant ignored the insult. He told
two of his men to take up the Elliot brothers to ride pillion.
“I’ll take the girl.”
    Douglas glared daggers at him. “I’d rather
ride my own mount.”
    “Not likely. You’d be off like the wind,
given half a chance.” He mounted his horse and took her up behind
him.
    Douglas wished she still had the knife in her
boot. I swear I’d use the bloody thing!
    She knew she had never been as angry in her
life. But anger was a good thing; it kept her fear at bay as the
troopers rode relentlessly toward Carlisle Castle. By the time they
crossed the Border into England, it was dark, and a bone-chilling
terror crept over her. But Douglas swore she