“Then yer daft. We could be accused of poaching salmon from the River Esk.”
“We simply followed the Esk from beside our own castle, when we saw the salmon were running. How are we to know where Scotland ends and England begins?”
“We know, all right. You know these Borders like the back of yer hand.”
“I’ll give you the back of my hand, Rob Elliot, if you don’t shut your gob!”
Rob thought Douglas looked like a cat that had swallowed the cream as they rode the dozen miles back to Castle Elliot and he wanted to wipe the smug look from her face.
“Jock should be back from Edinburgh this week. That will curtail yer freedom. You know how he likes to rule the roost.” Their eldest brother had been head of the family for the past five years, since their father had died in service to the Crown. King James had appointed Jock and his moss-troopers to his late father’s wardenship, patrolling the Scottish side of the Borders.
Douglas hid a smile. “You forget that Jock will likely bring Mother back with him.” Their grandfather, Sir Archibald Douglas, had bequeathed his Edinburgh townhouse to his daughter Katherine, and she spent the winter months there, often attending Court functions, returning to Castle Elliot in April each year.
Rob lapsed into silence. His mother’s return could curb his own freedom.
~~~
“Salmon—my favorite fruit!” Gavin Elliot sat at the head of the long trestle table in the Great Hall. “We have Douglas and Rob to thank,” he told the dozen moss-troopers, who were mostly Elliots and a few Grahams, who made the castle their home.
“Ye havemeto thank,” Rob asserted. “Douglas buggered off and left me to it.”
“I was on a fishing expedition of my own.” As all eyes swung to her, she leaned forward and shared her news. “Once we crossed the Border into England, I took advantage and did a bit of exploring. A couple of miles beyond where the River Esk empties into Solway Firth lies the River Eden. When I saw I was at Beaumont, I scouted about for the grand English mansion known as Beaumont Hall.”
“When we go on our occasional night rides, Jock always insists we stay clear of the place,” Gavin declared. “Its owner is rumored to be the nephew of Clifford, Earl of Cumberland, who is high in the favor of the English Queen.”
Douglas licked her lips and shrugged a shapely shoulder. “His name is Lance Greystoke. He’s a Border Warden.”
“The Warden who patrols Cumberland has a fierce reputation—he’s hanged more than his fair share of Scots. That’s why we give Beaumont Hall a wide berth,” Gavin explained.
“Ah, but did you know that he breeds magnificent thoroughbred horses? The paddock at Beaumont Hall is packed with priceless horseflesh, ripe for the plucking.”
“This Greystoke and his moss-troopers are just going to sit on their arses while we ride in and steal him blind?” Neil Graham laughed. “Don’t be daft, lass.”
“But he isn’t sitting on his arse at Beaumont Halleverynight. He and his moss-troopers are patrolling Cumberland—and Cumberland covers a lot of territory.”
The men fell silent as each one contemplated the tempting prize that lay little more than a dozen miles away, as the crow flies.
Douglas pictured the lovely antique mirrored pendant. She could see every detail of its silver scrolling, every precious jewel. Then she remembered seeing Greystoke’s dark reflection when she held it in her hands. He had an animal magnetism that was both compelling and dangerous. The image made her shudder.
~~~
At Beaumont Hall, Lance Greystoke pulled on his boots and donned his leather jack. The female visitor from earlier in the day lingered in his thoughts. He strongly suspected she was a Scot, and marveled that her family allowed her to ride about the Borders unescorted. His mouth curved.No doubt she’s a willful wench who’s difficult to control. I warrant she does exactly as she pleases.
Before he joined his men-at-arms who were in the stables, saddling their mounts for their night patrol, his thoughts drew him into the library. His spurs clattered on the oak floor as he crossed to the desk and picked up the antique pendant. As he gazed into the mirror, he saw her reflection as clearly as if she were standing before him. He could even smell her scent of verbena. She was the most tempting female he’d seen in a dog’s age. He set the jeweled mirror down, remembering how possessively she’d held it in her hands.She coveted this priceless bauble, all right.Then he mocked himself for a fool.And you coveted the Firebrand!
CHAPTER TWO
“Yer cousin Will is riding in, hell for leather.” A breathless Neil Graham rushed down from Castle Elliot’s ramparts where he’d been on watch. Will Elliot was Jock’s lieutenant and everyone realized he must be bringing a message from Edinburgh.
By the time Will arrived in the castle hall, everyone had gathered to hear what news he brought. Gavin poured his cousin a tankard of ale and thrust it into his hand.
“The Queen of England is dead!” Will blurted before he took his first mouthful. Then as everyone gaped open-mouthed, he thirstily quaffed the ale. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. “James is nowKing of Englandas well as Scotland.”
The loud whoops of his audience almost raised the rafters.
When some of the racket died down, Will conveyed the rest of his news. “Jock won’t be returning just yet. King James intends to waste no time riding south to claim his inheritance. Within a sennight he will leave Edinburgh for Berwick. Jock and his men are to accompany him. The news is spreading like wildfire. The mobs have filled Edinburgh Castle, all jostling for appointments from the new King of England.”
Gavin Elliot spoke up. “Hells bells, this is a God-sent opportunity. When a monarch dies the laws of the land are automatically suspended. The Border families will ride into England in a mad dash for plunder.”
