All Her Men (The Queen's Men Book 1) by Brina Cary Read Free Book Online Page A

hesitated again. “It’s just six stinking feet. I’ve got this.” She let go of the window frame and stepped off the gutter.
    As she landed a small pain went through her right knee. The ground was harder than she gave it credit for being. “Next time, I’m going to do the fancy rolls they do in movies.” She blanched. “What am I saying? There’s not going to be a next time. This is insane.” She wrapped the jacket tighter around her and pulled the hood up over her head. “I’m getting out of here and never coming back.”
    Quietly, like a thief in the night, she slipped away down the alley. She walked quickly, hoping that she appeared as someone trying to get out of the cold. Occasionally she looked around to see if she was being followed, but didn’t see anyone, despite the unnerving feeling of being watched.
    After a good bit of walking she came to fountain. It was beautiful. Surrounded by benches, it seemed to be a good resting spot. The water gushing into the fountain brought peace to her. The sun shined through the mist, creating a tiny rainbow. Here she was, in Scotland and surrounded by magic, but her heart was breaking. If she left, would the country be attacked? Who would they have left to turn to? Would anyone protect them?
    Her mother had often told her stories of how great Scotland was — how great the Scottish people were. Was she failing them by leaving? Her mother had once told her that Scotland protected its own. That they would do anything to protect their country and their people. Nationalism in its finest. Was it truly nationalism or was it just plain and simple love?
    Could she, Amelia MacRory, actually help if she stayed? Or would she doom the country to failure? “Craziness,” she whispered.
    “Hello.”
    Startled, she turned towards the little voice. A young boy of about six or seven stood a foot away from her. “Hello.”
    “Ye look verra sad. My mum says never to let a lass be sad. Do ye need a hug?”
    This little boy was offering her a hug because she looked sad. Tears gathered in her eyes. “I could most definitely use a hug.” She smiled at him. As he came forward to hug her, she realized that he was right. She was exceptionally sad. Mainly because she missed her mother. She also missed her father. The man who had chosen Scotland over her. Maybe it was time to learn more about him — more about the country he loved so much.
    The little boy hugged her as if her very life depended on it, his tiny arms wrapped around her neck like a life line. Then he kissed her cheek. “There, all better.” He smiled at her before walking off, back to his mother that watched from afar. She smiled and waved. As tears fell down her cheeks, Amelia waved back.
    She pulled the map that she had swiped, out of her coat pocket. “All right, now that my sightseeing is done, I guess it’s time to go back.”
    “Ye could have asked one of us to take ye.”
    Amelia jumped at Jacob’s voice and slid off the bench onto the hard ground. She sputtered in an attempt to speak, “I… I…”
    “’Tis alright. I expected ye to try. Now we can teach ye how to properly escape and evade. Yer right terrible at it.”
    “Are you seriously critiquing my escaping skills?”
    “Aye. They need some work.”
    “I take it back.”
    “Take what back?”
    “I’m not sorry I punched you.”
    “There ‘tis. Took long enough to make an appearance.”
    He helped her up from the ground. His hands were strong, yet gentle, on her upper arm as he hauled her up. She grinned as he dusted her jacket off. “There what is?”
    “The anger of a fiery woman. Scotland’s Queen needs to be witty, full of wisdom, and have the anger to seek vengeance if needed.”
    “Why would I need to seek revenge?”
    “Not revenge, vengeance. Tis a verra big difference between the two.”
    “Depends on who you ask.”
    “Aye, in some cases. Not in all.”
    “Jacob?”
    “Aye?”
    “Can we walk back slowly? I’ve never gotten to