The Heather Moon Read Online Free PDF Page A

in the morn."
    "I'll note this well, I will," Archie said. "A sore wounded man and a fair young lass, held in a foul pit! I'll send word o' this to the queen o' Scotland!"
    "Your queen is a squalling infant," Musgrave retorted.
    "Aye, well, I'll complain to her mother," Archie grumbled.
    "And her father before her, King James, was never fond of Armstrongs," Musgrave went on. "He hanged a gang of your surname a dozen years ago, and 'tis a pity he did not take you with them! But he's dead now, and the Scottish crown and the queen dowager will show you even less sympathy than you would have had of King James. Complain, man—if you can even pen a word!"
    "My lass can pen well, for I had her tutored," Archie said. "'Tis true King James didna love Armstrongs. When he was scarce more than a lad, he hanged thirty o' my kinsmen, along wi' the greatest scoundrel of them all, my uncle Johnnie Armstrong." Archie paused and shook his head sadly. "But King James loved gypsies well. He gave a safe-conduct, and royal favor too, to Tamsin's grandsire, Johnnie Faw o' Lesser Egypt." He looked at his daughter, who nodded.
    "Damned thieves," Musgrave said. "But I can use a few thieves. Tomorrow I will have an offer for you, Armstrong. You had best accept it, or you and the girl will sing neck psalms before dusk tomorrow." He turned to stomp out of the cell. "Rookhope, come ahead!" he roared from the corridor.
    "I'll question them further and be with you shortly," William called. He turned back, still holding the girl's arm. "Armstrong, listen well to Musgrave. He doesna make jests."
    "Bah," Archie mumbled. "He has naught to say to me but 'beg yer pardon.' I should remind him how many sheep and horses his men have taken from my lands in the past months." He leaned his head against the wall and touched a hand to his brow, which had begun to bleed again through the bandage. "I'll tell him that, when I can think proper-like." He winced and closed his eyes.
    William looked down at the girl, who had ceased to tug against his grip. He had been aware of her warmth and strength all the while the others had been talking. Now he let go of her, half expecting her to snarl at him, shove at him.
    Instead, she tilted her head and looked at him without fear or resentment. "Tell Musgrave that we took only halters, as my father said. Taking horse gear isna a hanging crime. Tell him that, so he will let us go."
    He watched her for a long moment. "I would, if I believed you," he said.

 
     
     
    Chapter 2

     
    "I think ye maun be my match," she said, "My match, and something mair..."
    —"Proud Lady Margaret"
    "You dinna believe me?" Tamsin asked, as she looked up at William Scott. Torchlight spilled through the doorway, flickering in a bright halo around his dark hair and his wide, square shoulders. He leaned close, his gaze grim. She leaned slightly back.
    "'Twasna that dark, my lass, and you and your father are not that stupid," he murmured. "Nor am I. Musgrave thinks the pair of you are simple fools, but I see differently."
    She widened her gaze, hoping to feign innocence, but his steady gaze affirmed that he meant what he said. He did not believe her innocence for a moment. Likely those clear blue eyes never overlooked anything , she thought. He was not the least like Jasper Musgrave.
    This man was lean and hard, strikingly handsome, and keenwitted, much the opposite of her father's old enemy. But she had never regarded beauty or intelligence as an outward reflection of good character. She had learned to seek true worth within each person. Otherwise, her own flaws would have persuaded her long ago that she had scant worth herself.
    She could not allow herself to be charmed by William Scott's pleasing outward appearance, nor would she favor him based on his father's character, as her father was likely to do. She had heard of this man through her father, a tale of a lad taken long ago by the Scottish crown to stand as imprisoned pledge for the good behavior of