The Heather Moon by Susan King Read Free Book Online Page A

kept close for years. I never thought 'twould be possible, but now the lad is back from the royal court. So if they hang me this day, you must remember what I said, and go to Rookhope to tell him what I wished."
    She bowed her head. Guilt slipped through her, for she knew that she could never tell her father about the accidental bond of blood between her and William Scott. Archie would put far too much value on it. She stayed silent, uncertain how to reply.
    "Seems to me," Archie said, "that Will Scott is just the sort o' rogue ye want, lass. A fine rogue, with a good heart. He did help us last night."
    "But I dinna really know him," she said. "Nor do you."
    "He's Allan Scott's lad," Archie said stoutly. "He's another Rogue o' Rookhope."
    "But the son isna like his father. You told me that William Scott was taken hostage as a lad and raised at the royal court."
    "I know he had a gentile confinement, educated beside King James himself, sharing his tutors, learning foreign languages, letters, books, and such. And I know he was a friend and an advisor to King James too. A fine lad, that Will Scott. He didna return to Rookhope until last year, I heard."
    "He isna the Border rogue you wish him to be. He's a man of the court, and a friend to the English. I know you were a loyal friend to Allan Scott, and he to you, but that may blind you to the truth of his son. We dinna know him. He might indeed be treacherous, Da."
    Archie sat in silence. Then he grunted. "He might be a foul rascal, true. But then again, he might be a bonny scoundrel like Allan. We dinna know yet. Do ye look at his palm, and ye can tell if he be a bad or a good rogue."
    "Palmistry isna for spying on a man's character," she said. She could hardly tell her father that she had already seen William Scott's palm briefly, and that the qualities she saw there only affirmed what her father saw in the man.
    "I dinna need to see his hand," Archie said. "I know he's a braw man, and a trusty one. Rogue's Will, we called him, though he was but a scrap o' a lad and the shadow o' his father." He smiled a little to himself, as if lost in memories.
    Tamsin sighed in exasperation. "He is in agreement with Musgrave on some secret matter!" She glanced toward the door as a guard walked past, and lowered her voice. "I told you what he said to me. Accept whatever Musgrave offers you, no matter what, or we will both be hanged."
    "See, Rookhope tried to help us. He's a good rogue."
    "He wants us to side with the English!" she insisted.
    "Hey, guard!" Archie called. The guard reappeared and looked at them. "Tell me. Is Rookhope wedded?"
    Tamsin sighed and shook her head in frustration.
    "What? Wed?" The guard frowned. "Nay, I dinna think so."
    "Hah!" Archie looked at Tamsin triumphantly.
    "Promise me you will say naught to him about a wife!" she said. "Da, you must promise me!"
    Archie mumbled reluctant agreement and closed his eyes.
    * * *
    Later, Tamsin and her father followed the guards out of the dungeon and up a narrow winding stairway. Archie stumbled, alarming Tamsin, but he recovered his balance. They emerged into a dim corridor, walking along until the guards stopped at an arched oaken door.
    "In here." One of the guards knocked and opened the door.
    Tamsin entered the chamber, which contained a large curtained bed and several pieces of furniture. A window, its lower shutters opened, spilled golden sunlight into the room. She walked past the bed and stood in the middle of the wooden planked floor, her father just behind her.
    Three men watched them. William Scott stood by the window, leaning a shoulder against the wall with taut grace. Nearby, Jasper Musgrave and a third man, younger than the other two, sat in chairs beside a table.
    In daylight, Jasper Musgrave was huge, with pale, doughy skin, sparse gray hair, and a quilted maroon doublet stretched tightly over his belly. By contrast, William Scott was lean and striking to look upon. Long-limbed and raven-haired, his jaw