Border Fire Read Online Free PDF

rushes needed changing, she swiftly scanned the chamber to be certain that her brother was presently its sole occupant.
    Sir Hugh Graham sat in his armchair at the big oak high table near the far end, writing in his ledger. Near his feet, two dogs scuffled, snarling, and behind him a fire roared in one of the two enormous fireplaces that faced each other from the ends of the hall. He did not look up.
    A lackey came to take Janet’s cloak, gloves, and whip. Dismissing him, she moved past her brother to warm her hands at the fire.
    Hugh looked up then with a frown. “Where the devil have you been?”
    “Visiting Jock’s Meggie and others, as I do every Thursday, Hugh. We bake on Wednesday, and I take our extra baked goods to those who need them on Thursday. I have done so for years, and every week you ask the same question.”
    “You’ve no business riding out alone,” he growled. “I tell you that every week, too, my lass, but you never heed me. One day, some heathenish Scot is going to abduct you, and when he does, I hope you won’t expect me to rescue you.”
    “I shan’t, Hugh. I believe you’d warn him to have a care, though.”
    “Aye, of your sharp tongue.” Grudgingly, he smiled at her. “Truly, Janet, you should take one of the lads with you—a groom, a lackey, the kitchen boy. I do not care who it is, so long as he carries a weapon of some sort.”
    “I’ve got my dagger, Hugh. I never go out without it.”
    “Much good it would do you if you were attacked. A wench against a strong man is no contest, as you’ve found out to your cost more than once.”
    She did not reply, for it was true, and it was not a subject that would grow more agreeable with discussion. Sir Hugh, like most men she knew, was quick to violence, and his response to any confrontation was to exploit his physical superiority. He was more likely to knock a man down than to reason with him, and a woman, too. As a result, Janet chose her battles with him carefully.
    Now she said casually, “I heard that reivers struck Haggbeck last night.”
    “Aye, they did.”
    “One of the lads said you caught some of them.”
    “Aye, well, we caught one.” His gray eyes gleamed, but he said no more.
    “Only one?”
    The gleam turned to flint. “In this instance, one is enough.”
    “Indeed, sir, and how is that? I should think that the people of Haggbeck would prefer you to catch them all and save their livestock a trip across the line.”
    “The one we caught will save more than their livestock. We captured Rabbie Redcloak. What do you think of that, eh?” Smug triumph underscored his words.
    “Well done, Hugh. Lord Scrope will be so pleased that I warrant he will write the queen and tell her how grateful she should be. Did you ride to Carlisle last night, then? You must have ridden swiftly to go so far and yet return so soon.”
    “I did not ride to Carlisle.”
    “Ah, then you trusted one of your land sergeants to deliver him to his lordship. That surprises me, but I do not question your judgment in such matters.”
    “He’s in the dungeon,” Sir Hugh said curtly, “and in the dungeon he’ll stay.”
    “ Our dungeon? But surely you must take him to Carlisle, Hugh.”
    “Nonsense. My dungeon here is as stout as any at Carlisle and will be all the stouter for the fact that his Bairns do not know where to find him.”
    “But, Hugh—”
    “That’s enough, Janet,” he said implacably. “Rabbie Redcloak has led more raids into Cumbria, Redesdale, and Tynedale than any other six of those damned Scotch villains. The sooner he meets his Maker the better it will be for all of us. I aim to hang the bastard at first light Wednesday morning.”
    Thinking of young Andrew and deciding that men sounded much the same at nine or ninety, she said, “Hugh, you have sworn to uphold the law.”
    “Aye, so?”
    “Border law is clear on such matters, sir. When you capture a man from the other side, you must offer him for ransom until you