The Heather Moon Read Online Free PDF

his kinsmen. He may have been friend to a king, but his deeds, so far, told her that he was not to be trusted. And she had to be honest with him now or risk worse trouble.
    "My father delights in annoying Musgrave," she finally admitted. "He and Jasper have been enemies since they were young. Usually my father manages to escape harm. But this time he was caught." And for now, she was left to face it alone , she thought, glancing at her father, who appeared to be asleep.
    "And you with him," William Scott said. He folded his arms, watching her. "What happened? And how is it that Archie rides with his daughter?"
    "I dinna ride with him by custom," she said. "He asked me to come along because he was scarce of able men." She shivered a little, remembering the harrowing moments last night when she and her father had been taken down. "Two nights ago, Musgrave's men snatched eight sheep from our lands. My great-uncle Cuthbert saw the deed and knew the men, but couldna catch them. My father swore to return the favor. But most of his kinsmen and comrades were gone to Kelso, to the market fair, and there was no one to ride with him but Cuthbert and me."
    William nodded. "I sent men and livestock to that fair myself," he said. "Go on. Why would he want to endanger his own daughter? Reiving is no game. 'Tis a serious and risky matter."
    "I am a nimble rider, taught by the Romany—the gypsies—who know horses better than most," she said. "My father knew I could help in the herding of beasts taken in payment for our sheep. So I rode with him and Cuthbert into England, and we were caught."
    "With Musgrave's horses in hand," he said.
    She shrugged and nodded. "We found a few horses pastured on Musgrave's land. My father thought 'twould be a good thing to sell Musgrave's horses at the market fair this week, since Jasper is likely going to sell our sheep there. So we took them. As we came back over the border, we met an ambush."
    "Musgrave's men were waiting for you?" he asked.
    "Aye. We nearly escaped, but my father was struck down and fell from his horse. I turned back to help him, and I was brought down too. They took us here." She looked away. "My uncle got away. At least I hope he did," she murmured.
    "He did," William said. "With the rest of the horses."
    She let out a breath of relief. "They waited for us, I see that now. They knew we would come after them for taking the sheep. Musgrave must have set those horses out to trap us. He doesna leave horses pastured like that at night by habit."
    William nodded his understanding. "This feuding has gone on a long while between your father and Jasper."
    "Since they were lads," she said. "Their fathers fought too, over the land boundaries. But 'tisna a deadly feud, just one of harassment. My father delights in finding ways to annoy Musgrave, but he wouldna truly harm him. There would be no pleasure in that. Jasper will let us go in a day or so. After a rest, they will go after each other again."
    "I wouldna be so certain. Jasper lacks your father's humor. And he is under the scrutiny of his King Henry just now. He may react differently than you think. Step carefully with him."
    She frowned. "Why does a stranger trouble to warn us?"
    "I do not want to see a hanging," he said quietly.
    "Hanging is naught to a rogue like you."
    "You," he said, "are wrong."
    "Besides, Jasper wouldna dare."
    "He would," he said. "This time, I think he would."
    She scowled, feeling wary. "Why should you care?"
    He shifted where he stood, facing the door. The torchlight spilled over his clean profile, his firm jaw, the long, wide column of his throat. "I remember your father, though I was a lad the last time I saw him," he said. His voice was quiet, calm. She watched him, and felt oddly warmed, in that chill, dank place, by the timbre of his voice, the steadiness of his presence. "My father thought well of Archie Armstrong. For the sake of that old loyalty, I offer you what advice I can. Take it or not, as you