Jack: A Scottish Outlaw (Highland Outlaws Book 1) Read Free

Redesdale?”
    Isabella swung around to find Mary once more standing in the arched doorway. Behind her stood another man. He had thick gray hair and stern, dark eyes. “Yes, Mary.”
    “Another messenger, my lady. Sent by Lord Percy.”
    Her father gasped, drawing her gaze. To her surprise, his nostrils flared and he narrowed suspicious eyes on the new messenger. Isabella placed a hand on his tense shoulder. His body eased at her touch. She looked down and saw his brow unfurl. After several moments, he shifted his gaze away from Lord Percy’s messenger back to the young man still standing in front of them. “What is your name?” he said.
    “Thomas, my lord.”
    “Thomas, how are our borders? Is it safe enough for travel?”
    The young man pulled at the thin whiskers on his chin. “Our borders have been peaceful for some weeks now, but mind you, the journey would not be without some risks, thieves and the like. Still, the distance is fewer than seven leagues.”
    Lord Redesdale’s gaze shifted to look out the windows, but he crossed his arm over his chest and patted Isabella’s hand still at rest on his shoulder. In a quiet voice he said, “You may go.”
    Her hands flew to her lips. Relief untwisted her stomach. She leaned down and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “Thank you, Papa.”
    A throat cleared near the doorway. Isabella turned and locked eyes with Lord Percy’s messenger. He scowled, clearly not appreciating having been kept waiting. She glanced at her father who continued to speak to Thomas, ignoring the other man’s displeasure. “Make haste to the kitchen, Thomas. Find my manservant, William. Tell him to begin preparations for Lady Redesdale’s journey north. She will depart in two days’ time.”
    Thomas nodded eagerly. “Lady Ravensworth will be most pleased by this news.” He turn and bumped headlong into a maid carrying a tray laden with their next course. The dishes clattered to the ground.
    “My lord,” the other messenger said, stepping over the spilled food and broken dishes. Not waiting for Isabella or her father to grant him leave to speak, he continued. “Lord Percy is concerned that our peaceful borders are making some of the lords complacent. Rumors have spread of talk against the king’s campaign north into Scotland. Lord Percy hoped that given the unfortunate events surrounding your wife’s death that your support would be readily offered.”
    Isabella’s stomach clenched. She glanced down at her father’s white knuckles as he gripped the edge of the table. Slowly, he stood, his hands now tight fists at his sides. “And why would I offer my support?” His voice grew louder with every word spoken.
    A cruel smile twisted the messenger’s lips. He appeared to delight in her father’s anger. “Because, my lord, the Scottish people killed your wife.”
    Isabella gasped at the blatant lie.
    Moving faster than he had in years, Lord Redesdale stormed around the high dais, his eyes bulging wide. “Get out,” he shouted. “Get out of my house!”
    The messenger stepped back, slipping on the spilled food. He regained his balance and eyed his soiled shoes with disgust. “Lord Percy will not be pleased.”
    “Get out,” her father yelled. His chest heaved as he labored to breathe. Isabella rushed to her father’s side. 
    The messenger scowled at them. “You would do well to remember Lord Percy is favored by King Edward. You’ve been warned.” Then he turned on his heel and left.

Chapter Three
    Isabella stepped out into the courtyard just as a coach bearing the Trevelyan coat of arms clattered through the gate.
    “Damn,” she muttered under her breath before forcing a smile to her lips.
    Her betrothed, Lord Hugh Trevelyan smiled when he saw her. “Dearest Isabella.” He brushed his lips against her gloved hand. His light brown hair grazed his shoulders, and his fine, blue eyes shone bright.
    She dipped in a low curtsy. “You have come to see me off?”
    He smiled. “Of