Page 58 of Anice’s Bargain

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As it turned out, being absent for an hour had its consequences, and came in the form of a cluster of agitated tenants. The crowd of them hushed as he approached, scowling their disapproval.

The grumpy man from the day of their arrival was in the crowd, his mutterings causing those around him to bob their heads in agreement.

Engelbart made haste to James’s side. “The people have been waiting, Mr. Graham.”

“I’ve a favor to ask ye.” James leaned down to the lad’s height. “Will ye teach me how to read in English?”

Engelbart cocked his head in an inquisitive bird-like fashion. “Aye, of course.”

James nodded, pleased. He couldn’t read Anice’s book now, but he certainly would be able to later. How much harder could it possibly be than Gaelic?

The grumpy man threw his arms in the air and several women nearby shook their heads and tsked with what he’d said.

“Who is that man?” James nodded in the direction of the one riling up the crowd.

Engelbart clutched a parchment to his chest like a shield and regarded the man with a discreet side glance. “Tall Tam. He used to head the raids across the border.”

“Used to?” James regarded Tall Tam. His head rose above those around him, but not above James’s .

“Aye,” Engelbart confirmed. “He got nipped by an arrow in the arse on his last run and hasn’t been able to ride comfortably since. Now he works the fields.”

James strode through the crowd and ignored Engelbart’s squawk of protest. Tall Tam was so consumed by his own grousing, he did not see James approach, not until it was too late.

James stood over him, looking down at the shorter man. If there was anyone James knew how to manage, it was a reiver. “They say ye’re Tall Tam.”

The man looked up and squinted his eyes. “Aye. And ye’re our new master. Guess neither one of us lives up to our names, eh?”

“That remains to be seen in one of us.” James cupped the fingers of his right hand in the palm of his left and pressed them together. The knuckles popped audibly in the suddenly quiet room. The action also flexed James’s massive arms. “My wife isna here to protect ye this time.”

He took a step forward, and Tall Tam jerked one back.

“Ye’re going to regret yer obstinance.” James took another step and loomed over the man. “Go to the back of the line.”

The man blinked. “What?”

“I’ll resolve yer troubles last and ye best pray my temper calms by then.”

Tall Tam’s mouth fell open, revealing several missing molars. “But I’ve got complaints about the baker’s boy—”

“If any of ye lift a finger to help him,” James said to the waiting crowd. “I will force ye to the back of the line with him.”

The people waiting immediately stiffened and threw hostile glares in Tall Tam’s direction. With a lord once more established in Caldrick Castle, they did not want to ruin their opportunity for their grievances to be heard.

And hear them, James did. A thatch roof that had fallen in on an old widow’s cottage in need of repair, a man who swore his neighbors were stealing eggs, followed by the panicked neighbors who swore the missing eggs were due to a fox. On and on the list went, with several he had to tuck away to bring to the Earl of Werrick for the next Truce Day between the March Wardens.

As it was, the line did not finish within the time allotted and the remainder of the people, Tall Tam included, would need to return the following day.

The remainder of the daylight would need to be spent with the Graham reivers who had arrived on James’s heels. They waited for him in the fields outside the castle, restless and moving about with impatience. At their head was James’s father and Anice.

The full sun overhead warmed over Anice’s golden hair and made her eyes sparkle. Or perhaps it was the way she smiled at him that did it. Either way, she was lovely. And she was there to offer her support.

Piquette bounded over to James and stuck fast to his side, there to support him as well. Which was much appreciated when his father glowered at him with distaste, obviously opposed to the plan, regardless of his hand in making it happen.

The opportunity had been offered to all of the clan, but it appeared only half were interested, based on the number of people in front of him. The rest most likely remained in the pele towers in the Debatable Lands, content with reiving and not willing to sacrifice such a life.

The crowd of people in front of him, clustered with children and women, gazed at him with open skepticism.