The Border Trilogy by Amanda Scott Read Free Book Online Page A

what to make of the pair of them and asked if Douglas would take some ale. But Sir Adam, who was dressed in breeks and boots, said he had a fancy to take his lady riding this fine, brisk morning.
    The lady demurred. It was too cold. He would not wish her to risk her health in such uncertain weather, nor did she desire to keep him awaiting her pleasure while she changed her gown for more appropriate attire. And as a clincher, she informed him with wide-eyed innocence that she was by no means certain it was proper for her to ride out alone with him.
    Douglas seemed perfectly willing to continue this exceedingly polite conversation, but Duncan soon had had enough of it. “Dinna be daft, lass,” he said crossly. “The mon’s bound tae marry wi’ ye, and I trust him weel tae look after ye. As tae the uncertainty o’ the weather, there’s nobbut one wee cloud in the sky, which is nae great thing tae make a song about. ’Tis a fine spring day, forby, and the exercise will do ye good.”
    “If it be your wish, Father.” She swept a curtsy, casting Douglas a mocking look, but the twinkle in his brown eyes only deepened. Damn the man, she thought. Even her father’s trust, which heaven knew Douglas did not deserve, did not serve to curb his impudence.
    Changing into her riding dress and jerkin took little time, and she soon rejoined the gentlemen. The horses had been brought around to the front and, outside, Duncan moved swiftly to examine the borderer’s stallion with a close and expert eye.
    “Forby, lad, he’s a big ’un, but he looks sound enow.”
    “Aye, just under seventeen hands and the devil to go.”
    “Staying power?”
    “I’ve had him nigh onto an hour at the gallop, and he’s made some long journeys in his time.” As Duncan ran a hand over the powerful, rippling haunches, Douglas added, “I’ve not tried him hunting, but he easily clears most hedges and dikes even under my weight.”
    “It was today that you wished to ride, was it not?” Mary Kate inquired sweetly as she adjusted the fastening of the safeguard that protected her skirts when she rode.
    Masculine eyes met over her head in that look of combined regret, amusement, and helplessness that men have perfected in the face of feminine impatience over the passage of time, and Douglas apologized. “Sorry, lass. Given the slightest encouragement, I could discuss Valiant’s points all day.”
    “I pray you will not do so today.”
    “Nay, we will go.” Tossing her effortlessly onto her saddle, he gathered his reins and mounted the stallion, then said to Duncan, “We’ll ride along the river toward Braelairig.”
    “Will ye be taking the lass up tae Ardcarach, then?” Duncan referred to the great castle on the Braelairig estates, owned by Parian Drysdale, Laird of Ardcarach.
    “No, sir, not today. My uncle is in Edinburgh. I doubt there is a safe, direct route from here anyway, only that long, circuitous road to the south of us. I’ve no wish to spend the day searching for a way up the glen, so we’ll follow the river to the boundary between the two estates, then cut back through your fields. Be away three, maybe four hours, I should say.”
    Duncan nodded and waved them off. Riding down to the patchy trail along the riverbank, they turned southwest toward the source of the Spey, and Mary Kate drew a long, appreciative breath of the clean, crisp air. She loved to ride and had often followed this particular path, so when they came to an open space, though the trail disappeared into thick brown grass still bent from the weight of the winter’s snow, she didn’t hesitate to urge her horse to a gallop. Exhilarated by the cold air blowing against her cheeks, she failed to note that her impulsive action had caught Douglas by surprise until the thunder of hoof-beats from behind pierced her consciousness.
    Looking back to see that he was gaining on her, his grin a clear-cut challenge, she bent low and urged her mount with a flick of her whip