Kings of the Boyne by Nicola Pierce Read Free Book Online Page A

fighting the tears that threatened. Outside, he had time to collect himself. What on earth had come over him? Perhaps it was just as well he didn’t brave the bookshops of Dublin.
    The other two were taking their time saying goodbye to the bookseller. How wonderful it was that Nancy knew him . A passerby glanced at Gerald, and the boy hoped that his face wasn’t red. Well, as long as I don’t look like I’m about to cry … that would be embarrassing.
    Unfortunately for Gerald, he was destined to be embarrassed when Jacques and a grinning Nancy joined him.
    Doing his best to look normal, Gerald smiled in all innocence. ‘What?’
    Nancy nudged Jacques. ‘Best give it to him now. I have to get going in a few minutes.’
    Gerald turned his head from one to the other as Jacques handed him a hastily wrapped package. Again he asked,‘What?’
    Then he opened the package and found that gorgeous book, and Nancy, who couldn’t wait any longer to explain, exclaimed, ‘We bought it for you.’
    In fairness to him, Gerald managed to open the book and also managed to read aloud the new inscription: To Gerald, a good friend and the best of companions. From Jacques and Nancy .
    The next words that Gerald remembered hearing were from Jacques: ‘I think we need a bigger handkerchief!’

Chapter Seven
County Down, June 1690
    T here was a confused silence and the woman glanced from one Sherrard to the other as if trying to guess who would speak first.
    ‘You are so tall!’
    The words were out before Daniel could stop them. Immediately he felt foolish and ashamed, saying, ‘Forgive me, I did not mean to be rude.’
    The woman blinked and replied, ‘Well, I am tall. There is nothing I can do about it.’
    She was Scottish then or, at least, that was what her accent suggested. Her voice was softer than they expected.
    Robert speedily pieced together the various reasons why he had mistaken her for a man. For starters, Daniel was right, she was the tallest woman he had ever seen, plus her shoulders were broader than his own. The wide-brimmedhat nicely camouflaged her long, thin nose; high cheekbones and the odd wispy strands of blonde hair hinted at the rest of her crown. Furthermore, she had misled him with her attire. Unlike every other woman and girl he knew she was not wearing a dress. Robert wondered at the farmer allowing his wife to appear in his jacket, trousers and even his old boots. Corporal Sherrard could not even begin to imagine his mother wearing anything else except her skirts and apron.
    She sighed and asked them, ‘Are you lost?’
    Robert was instantly huffy. ‘Lost? No, we are not lost. We are soldiers from King William’s army, as I have already said.’
    To counter the sting in his brother’s tone, Daniel offered her a small smile and decided to make a formal introduction, saying, ‘My name is Daniel and this is my brother Corporal Robert Sherrard.’
    The woman did not look impressed and only asked a second question, ‘Where are you from?’
    Robert answered first, ‘Derry. It’s fifty miles from here.’
    The woman shrugged. ‘I’ve never been to Derry but I would imagine that it’s a lot more than fifty miles away.’
    ‘Well, we live there and have walked from there. So … I think we ought to know!’
    Robert could not bear to be criticised and the slightest whiff of being faulted in any way made him choppy in manner.
    It seemed to Daniel that the woman suppressed a fleeting smile.
    ‘Mama! Mama!’
    And just like that, they were surrounded. Six children in all, including the girl they had seen washing clothes. She was younger than Daniel had supposed, no more than thirteen or fourteen years old. She carried a chubby baby who reminded Daniel of his sister Alice. The baby sat upright against his sister’s hip and fearlessly met Daniel’s gaze while sucking on its thumb.
    ‘What’s wrong, Mother? Who are they?’
    Robert would not deign to introduce himself to children, and Daniel followed