The Border Lord's Bride Read Online Free PDF

of a rogue." She stood up. "I had best decide what I am to take with me tomorrow."
    "Dress warmly," Peigi advised. "It is October, and each new day grows a bit colder, and the nights will be quite chilly now."
    Ellen opened her trunk and dug down into its bottom, where she had placed her leather saddlebag when she had arrived at court. Drawing it out, she laid it on the foot of the bed, and then paused to consider. She would wear breeks, a shirt over a chemise, and her leather jerkin with the staghorn buttons. She took out a second chemise and shirt and two pair of knit hose, which she stuffed in the bag along with a hairbrush. She would wear her heavy woolen cape, which would serve as a coverlet at night wherever they slept. Digging deep into the trunk, she drew out last a small blue velvet cap with an eagle‘s feather in it. Pinned to the cap was her late father‘s silver clan badge with the MacArthur clan‘s motto, Fide et opera, which meant "By Fidelity and Work." Ellen always wore this cap when she rode out. She set it atop her saddlebag.
    "Ye‘re nae taking much," Peigi noted.
    "I don‘t want to burden the horse. I have what I need: a change of garments and warm socks, a hairbrush. I took the ashwood one. The carved oak one Grandsire gave me when I turned sixteen you will bring with you when you come home. Now I‘m going to go and fetch you some soup.
    And I want to speak with the princess to make certain you are remembered when she leaves for Falklands tomorrow."
    "Go along then," Peigi told her mistress.
    Ellen hurried to the princess‘s apartments. They was an untidy jumble of books and garments and small musical instruments. It was, to Ellen‘s mind, the coziest place in the palace. There was no pretension in any room the king‘s aunt inhabited, and, oddly, James, a man who prized order, seemed to enjoy visiting his aunt in her own quarters, despite the disorder, no matter the castle or palace that he was inhabiting.
    Seeing her enter, Margaret Stewart beckoned her forward and then, linking her arm through Ellen‘s, said, "We will walk." She directed their steps into her privy chamber, leaving the door open, but keeping her voice low. "You are ready?"
    "I am, madam, but one boon I would beg. Until my Peigi can leave her bed—and I believe that will not be for a few more days—can you make arrangements to see she is cared for and fed? I know you leave for Falklands tomorrow."
    "I will have one of my own women remain behind," the princess promised.
    "This laird with whom the king sends me north—do you know him well?" Ellen wanted to
    know.
    "He was one of the border lords who supported my nephew in the last troubles with my late brother. He is a good man, Ellen. Set your mind at ease. Jamie would not put you in his care if he could not trust him."
    "Thank you, madam," Ellen responded.
    "Go and get some rest, lass. The morning will come quickly. Farewell, and Godspeed," Margaret Stewart said, taking Ellen by the shoulders and kissing her on the forehead. "Tell your grandfather that I said you were a good lass, and did the MacArthurs proud. I want him to know that before his end."
    "Thank you, madam," Ellen replied, taking up the princess‘s big hand and kissing it. "It has been an honor to serve in your household." Then she backed from the room and hurried from the princess‘s apartments toward the kitchens to gather a supper for the bedridden Peigi and for herself.

Chapter 2
    It was dark when the little party led by the laird of Duffdour rode out from Linlithgow Palace.
    The air was raw and chill. A light wind blew across the loch. The riders hunched down into their cloaks, still half-asleep with the predawn hour. And when the day came it was a gray one, although there was no rain until late afternoon, when the darkness arrived early because of the time of year. They sheltered in a small dry cave on the side of a hill, which allowed them a little campfire, over which they cooked the three rabbits they