Tamed by a Laird Read Online Free PDF

them
     I’m a waiting woman to her ladyship and she often gives me her castoff clothing.”
    “We’ll ha’ to hope that nae one o’ them kens what big feet she has, then,” Peg said dryly. “Will ye be having me tell any
     more lies for ye?”
    “Aye, if necessary,” Jenny said with a grin as she pulled off her caul and veil and began to unpin the long, thick golden-brown
     plaits thus revealed. “I’m no good at telling lies myself, so if we’ve any to tell, you must do it.”
    “What about Bryan? Must I lie to me own brother?”
    “Only if he cannot hold his tongue,” Jenny said. “But for this one night, I want to be just a common Border lass, Peg. That
     way, my going with you and the minstrels will not stir any talk or upset.” As she spoke, she took a fresh shift from one of
     the kists, rolled it up, and stuffed it into a covered basket along with a hairbrush, a long scarf, and an extra pair of stockings.
     Then, snatching up her oldest hooded riding cloak and a pair of warm gloves, she announced herself ready.
    “What be ye taking all them things for?” Peg asked suspiciously.
    “In case I need them,” Jenny said. “Hurry now, or they’ll be gone.”

    Hugh continued to watch the churning, moonlit tidal surge, letting his thoughts roam as and where they would until he grew
     chilly.
    Then, reluctantly, he went inside and up to his brother’s room. Finding it still empty, he went to bed, expecting Reid to
     disturb him on his return.
    Instead, he slept until a clamorous pounding on the door woke him.

Chapter 2
    L earning from Peg as they hurried down the stairs that the minstrels meant to travel only five miles before camping for the
     night on their way to Dumfries, Jenny assured her that they could walk with them for as long as she liked.
    “But ye’ll no be wanting to walk five miles, me lady,” Peg protested.
    “Don’t talk so loud,” Jenny said. “And do not address me so when we are with them, Peg. I think I should be your cousin—and
     gey common, remember?”
    “Aye, me la—” Clapping a hand to her mouth, Peg fell guiltily silent.
    They found the minstrels milling in the stableyard, chattering and laughing as they piled things in carts or lashed them to
     loudly braying mules while Dunwythie men-at-arms tried to see what they were doing and what they meant to carry away.
    “Do you see your brother?” Jenny asked, raising her voice so Peg would hear it above the din. She wished she had not done
     so when she saw the itinerant knacker, Parland Dow, passing by.
    A tradesman of many skills, Dow had butchered beef and lambs for the feast. He served many noble families in Dumfriesshire
     and Galloway, and had first-head privileges with most of them, meaning he could come and go as he pleased. One reason for
     his great popularity was that he cheerfully shared gossip with everyone he met. He knew Jenny well, and she did not want him
     to see her with the minstrels.
    When he rode past her, leading his laden pony toward the gate, she was sure he had not recognized her. In her old clothes,
     with her hood up and her hair in plaits, she doubted that anyone could who did not look her right in the face.
    Peg, still eagerly scanning the scene, was quiet a little longer before she pointed and said, “There he is, near the bell
     tower. Bryan!” Shouting, she waved.
    As the knacker passed through the gate, one of several young men standing nearby waved back to Peg and hurried to meet her.
    “I’m glad ye came,” he said, giving Peg a hug. “I ha’ scarcely seen ye!”
    “Aye, so we were thinking we’d walk with ye for a time,” Peg told him. “Ye dinna all ride them mules, do ye?”
    “Sakes, no, we’ll walk ahead and they’ll follow us— the carts, too,” he said, chuckling but casting a curious glance at Jenny.
     “Who’s your friend, lass?”
    Peg gaped but recovered herself when her gaze met Jenny’s. “I’ll tell ye true, Bryan,” she said. “But only an ye