They rode in silence at a leisurely pace, and Brigette studied the countryside, consigning it to her memory. It would be a long, long time before shed see her homeland again.
The morning progressed and as the sky gradually lightened, so, too, did Brigettes mood. Why must I suffer with an ignorant husband? she thought. Because the queen commanded it? Bah! If living with the heathen proves intolerable, Ill run away!
Approving of her newfound confidence, the sun broke free of its confining cloud cover. Brigette, feeling the excitement of high adventure, giggled with youthful joy and spurred her horse forward. Racing against an invisible opponent, she galloped ahead of her escort. Cursing, Percy bolted after her.
Glancing back, Brigette saw Percy gaining on her. She spurred her horse faster, but his stallion was too potent for her gelding. Percy shouted for Brigette to stop, but she ignored him. He reached over and yanked the reins from her hands, forcing the gelding to slow and then stop.
Dinna be ridin ahead wiout givin fair warnin, Percy scolded. Its dangerous!
The sun is shining and its grand being alive! Brigette exclaimed, undaunted by his sternness. Her joy was contagious, and in spite of himself, Percy smiled. Glancing back at their approaching entourage, she added, I do not approve of the way your man Jamie has been eyeing Spring.
I hadna noticed her complainin, Percy said. I did notice, however, yer changin the subject.
How very astute of you!
Seriously, he added, ye canna take off like that whenever ye wish. Its impossible to protect ye and there could be highwaymen lurkin aboot.
Oh. Brigette nudged her horse closer to his and looked around, half expecting to be attacked.
Percy, she asked suddenly, why did Lord Iain seek an English bride?
Twas Black Jacks idea. Politics, Im supposin.
Politics?
Why did yer queen match ye wi a Scotsman?
Probably so thered be one less papist in England to worry about, Brigette replied drily.
As I said, politics.
Each passing mile saw Brigettes mood and derriere chafed by the endless ride. By dusk, her excitement had vanished. They stopped for the night at St. Albans, a town overlooking the Ver River.
They halted in front of the Red Lion Inn where they were expected, one of the MacArthur men having ridden ahead to make arrangements. Too fatigued even to dismount, Brigette swayed precariously in her saddle.
Puir lassie, Percy clucked. He lifted and carried Brigette into the inns common room. The innkeeper, a short and stocky man, led him immediately to Brigettes chamber. An equally suffering Spring followed behind.
No! Brigette cried, realizing Percy meant to set her down on the bed. Ill eat standing and sleep on my stomach.
Hiding his amusement, Percy turned to Spring. Jamie will be back wi supper. Be ready to leave at dawn.
The door closed, and fully clothed, Brigette lay facedown on the bed. Forget my supper, cuz. Im too weary to chew. The last word was barely out of her mouth and Brigette was asleep.
After five days in the saddle, Brigette and Spring were still sore, but suffering less. Theyd traveled north, passing through Leicester, Derby, Sheffield, and the medieval town of York.
York was the end of civilization as Brigette knew it. At night, Spring and she slept on uncomfortable cots in a tent raised by the MacArthur men. Unbelievable as it was to the Englishwomen, the hearty Scotsmen wrapped themselves in their black and green plaids and slept comfortably enough on the ground.
Commiserating about their calloused buttocks and debating whether the sun would ever be seen again, Brigette and Spring rode together, surrounded by the MacArthur men. Glancing away from her cousin, Brigette was stunned by the sight just ahead.
Look! she cried, pointing a finger.
On the horizon was a carpet of purple heather. Breathtaking mountains, painted a vibrant green by their blanket of trees, rose majestically in the distance.
Alarmed by Brigettes cry, the MacArthur men drew
The morning progressed and as the sky gradually lightened, so, too, did Brigettes mood. Why must I suffer with an ignorant husband? she thought. Because the queen commanded it? Bah! If living with the heathen proves intolerable, Ill run away!
Approving of her newfound confidence, the sun broke free of its confining cloud cover. Brigette, feeling the excitement of high adventure, giggled with youthful joy and spurred her horse forward. Racing against an invisible opponent, she galloped ahead of her escort. Cursing, Percy bolted after her.
Glancing back, Brigette saw Percy gaining on her. She spurred her horse faster, but his stallion was too potent for her gelding. Percy shouted for Brigette to stop, but she ignored him. He reached over and yanked the reins from her hands, forcing the gelding to slow and then stop.
Dinna be ridin ahead wiout givin fair warnin, Percy scolded. Its dangerous!
The sun is shining and its grand being alive! Brigette exclaimed, undaunted by his sternness. Her joy was contagious, and in spite of himself, Percy smiled. Glancing back at their approaching entourage, she added, I do not approve of the way your man Jamie has been eyeing Spring.
I hadna noticed her complainin, Percy said. I did notice, however, yer changin the subject.
How very astute of you!
Seriously, he added, ye canna take off like that whenever ye wish. Its impossible to protect ye and there could be highwaymen lurkin aboot.
Oh. Brigette nudged her horse closer to his and looked around, half expecting to be attacked.
Percy, she asked suddenly, why did Lord Iain seek an English bride?
Twas Black Jacks idea. Politics, Im supposin.
Politics?
Why did yer queen match ye wi a Scotsman?
Probably so thered be one less papist in England to worry about, Brigette replied drily.
As I said, politics.
Each passing mile saw Brigettes mood and derriere chafed by the endless ride. By dusk, her excitement had vanished. They stopped for the night at St. Albans, a town overlooking the Ver River.
They halted in front of the Red Lion Inn where they were expected, one of the MacArthur men having ridden ahead to make arrangements. Too fatigued even to dismount, Brigette swayed precariously in her saddle.
Puir lassie, Percy clucked. He lifted and carried Brigette into the inns common room. The innkeeper, a short and stocky man, led him immediately to Brigettes chamber. An equally suffering Spring followed behind.
No! Brigette cried, realizing Percy meant to set her down on the bed. Ill eat standing and sleep on my stomach.
Hiding his amusement, Percy turned to Spring. Jamie will be back wi supper. Be ready to leave at dawn.
The door closed, and fully clothed, Brigette lay facedown on the bed. Forget my supper, cuz. Im too weary to chew. The last word was barely out of her mouth and Brigette was asleep.
After five days in the saddle, Brigette and Spring were still sore, but suffering less. Theyd traveled north, passing through Leicester, Derby, Sheffield, and the medieval town of York.
York was the end of civilization as Brigette knew it. At night, Spring and she slept on uncomfortable cots in a tent raised by the MacArthur men. Unbelievable as it was to the Englishwomen, the hearty Scotsmen wrapped themselves in their black and green plaids and slept comfortably enough on the ground.
Commiserating about their calloused buttocks and debating whether the sun would ever be seen again, Brigette and Spring rode together, surrounded by the MacArthur men. Glancing away from her cousin, Brigette was stunned by the sight just ahead.
Look! she cried, pointing a finger.
On the horizon was a carpet of purple heather. Breathtaking mountains, painted a vibrant green by their blanket of trees, rose majestically in the distance.
Alarmed by Brigettes cry, the MacArthur men drew
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