their swords. Realizing there was no danger, Percy ordered the men to sheath their weapons, then reined in beside the two women.
Your Highlands are beautiful! Brigette exclaimed.
Highlands? Percy was confused.
Look there, Percy. The Highlands!
Och, lass! Weve just left England behind. Percy dissolved into laughter and was joined by his men. Its the Cheviot Hills, Brie, no the Highlands. Its part of the borderlands â Bothwells country.
Bothwell?
The Earl of Bothwell, he told her. Unfortunately, we willna be enjoyin Jamie Hepburns renowned hospitality. Hes a guest of yer queen, in the Tower, but accordin to rumor, hell soon be freed.
Whatever did he do to be imprisoned in the Tower?
Do? Percy shrugged his shoulders. Nothin, as far as I know.
Then why â
Yer queen doesna need a reason, Percy interrupted. Its as I said before â politics.
Oh.
Ive sent a mon ahead to tell the earls men that well be passin through, he added. I dinna want them attackin us.
Attack? Spring cried, alarmed.
Percy glanced at his sister-in-laws tirewoman. The earls moss troopers are fierce.
And border raidin maintains their battle readiness, spoke Jamie, who had reined in beside Spring. Dinna worry aboot them, lass. Ill protect ye wi my life. Spring smiled radiantly at him, and over her head, Jamie cast Percy a meaningful look.
Lets ride ahead, Percy suggested, turning to Brigette. If yer interested, Ill tell ye a bit of Scotlands history.
They galloped ahead a short distance, then slowed their horses to a more leisurely pace, being careful to stay within sight of the MacArthur warriors. Brigette smiled expectantly at Percy.
The greatest of Scotlands heroes is Robert the Bruce, he began, who bested yer English forces at Bannockburn.
I dont believe you! Brigette cried indignantly. Ive never heard of the Scots beating the English.
I amna surprised, Percy returned, but its true. Robert the Steward was the Bruces grandson and James the first was Roberts grandson. All the royal Stewarts, includin Queen Marys father, have ended tragically. Percy warmed to his subject. James the first was assassinated. His son, James the second, was crowned king when he was a six-year-old. Unfortunately, he was accidentally killed by an explodin cannon, and his son, James the third, came to the throne at nine years of age. Like his grandfather before him, James the third was also assassinated. James the fourth married Margaret Tudor, yer queens aunt. His fatal error was invadin England â bein defeated and killed at Flodden.
I know of Flodden, Brigette interjected.
Percy smiled wryly. Again, I amna surprised.
I believe tis best a country emphasizes its victories and virtues, Brigette said loftily, but a mischievous smile flirted with the corners of her lips. Do continue.
James the fifth, Margaret Tudors son and yer queens cousin, married Mary of Guise. Queen Mary is their daughter. Puir James died only a few hours after she was born. Some say he was heartbroken he didna produce a legitimate male heir. A number of his bastards are scattered across the land, some acknowledged and some not.
How sad!
I hope, he added, whatever curse is upon the Stewart family will be broken wi our bonnie Queen Mary.
It would be wise, Brigette commented, if she refrained from naming any son of hers James.
I agree wi ye. Percy chuckled at her reasoning. But then, how could an English lady know the mighty power of the clans? She would never understand the love-hate relationship that generations of self-serving Stewart monarchs had with the Highland chiefs, who were independent monarchs on their own lands. Mostly, the Stewarts suffering was wholly deserved.
Well, lass. Percy changed the subject. Two days and a night of travelin will see us at Dunridge.
So soon? Brigettes voice was unmistakably apprehensive.
Theres nae need to worry, Brie, Percy said. Iain is a good mon. As a matter of fact, Ill be surprised if we dinna see him before then.
What do you
Your Highlands are beautiful! Brigette exclaimed.
Highlands? Percy was confused.
Look there, Percy. The Highlands!
Och, lass! Weve just left England behind. Percy dissolved into laughter and was joined by his men. Its the Cheviot Hills, Brie, no the Highlands. Its part of the borderlands â Bothwells country.
Bothwell?
The Earl of Bothwell, he told her. Unfortunately, we willna be enjoyin Jamie Hepburns renowned hospitality. Hes a guest of yer queen, in the Tower, but accordin to rumor, hell soon be freed.
Whatever did he do to be imprisoned in the Tower?
Do? Percy shrugged his shoulders. Nothin, as far as I know.
Then why â
Yer queen doesna need a reason, Percy interrupted. Its as I said before â politics.
Oh.
Ive sent a mon ahead to tell the earls men that well be passin through, he added. I dinna want them attackin us.
Attack? Spring cried, alarmed.
Percy glanced at his sister-in-laws tirewoman. The earls moss troopers are fierce.
And border raidin maintains their battle readiness, spoke Jamie, who had reined in beside Spring. Dinna worry aboot them, lass. Ill protect ye wi my life. Spring smiled radiantly at him, and over her head, Jamie cast Percy a meaningful look.
Lets ride ahead, Percy suggested, turning to Brigette. If yer interested, Ill tell ye a bit of Scotlands history.
They galloped ahead a short distance, then slowed their horses to a more leisurely pace, being careful to stay within sight of the MacArthur warriors. Brigette smiled expectantly at Percy.
The greatest of Scotlands heroes is Robert the Bruce, he began, who bested yer English forces at Bannockburn.
I dont believe you! Brigette cried indignantly. Ive never heard of the Scots beating the English.
I amna surprised, Percy returned, but its true. Robert the Steward was the Bruces grandson and James the first was Roberts grandson. All the royal Stewarts, includin Queen Marys father, have ended tragically. Percy warmed to his subject. James the first was assassinated. His son, James the second, was crowned king when he was a six-year-old. Unfortunately, he was accidentally killed by an explodin cannon, and his son, James the third, came to the throne at nine years of age. Like his grandfather before him, James the third was also assassinated. James the fourth married Margaret Tudor, yer queens aunt. His fatal error was invadin England â bein defeated and killed at Flodden.
I know of Flodden, Brigette interjected.
Percy smiled wryly. Again, I amna surprised.
I believe tis best a country emphasizes its victories and virtues, Brigette said loftily, but a mischievous smile flirted with the corners of her lips. Do continue.
James the fifth, Margaret Tudors son and yer queens cousin, married Mary of Guise. Queen Mary is their daughter. Puir James died only a few hours after she was born. Some say he was heartbroken he didna produce a legitimate male heir. A number of his bastards are scattered across the land, some acknowledged and some not.
How sad!
I hope, he added, whatever curse is upon the Stewart family will be broken wi our bonnie Queen Mary.
It would be wise, Brigette commented, if she refrained from naming any son of hers James.
I agree wi ye. Percy chuckled at her reasoning. But then, how could an English lady know the mighty power of the clans? She would never understand the love-hate relationship that generations of self-serving Stewart monarchs had with the Highland chiefs, who were independent monarchs on their own lands. Mostly, the Stewarts suffering was wholly deserved.
Well, lass. Percy changed the subject. Two days and a night of travelin will see us at Dunridge.
So soon? Brigettes voice was unmistakably apprehensive.
Theres nae need to worry, Brie, Percy said. Iain is a good mon. As a matter of fact, Ill be surprised if we dinna see him before then.
What do you
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