LORD OF DUNKEATHE Read Free Page A

patrolled the wall walk above, as if Sir Nicholas was expecting to be under siege at any moment.
    Yet the times were peaceful enough, and it would take a large army, much determination and a lot of effort to capture this castle . Riona couldn't think of any Scot who had such a force at his disposal, or who'd willingly rebel against Alexander now, for to move against the Norman would be a move against the man who'd rewarded him, too. Perhaps this show of force was just that—a show, intended to illustrate to all and sundry the might and power of the lord of Dunkeathe.
    "Ere now, what's this?" one of the soldiers asked, his accent revealing his Saxon heritage as he eyed them suspiciously. "Wot's in the wagon?"
    Riona wasn't impressed by the man's insolence. They should be addressed with more respect, no matter how they were dressed, or the state of their cart and horse.
    "Our baggage," she answered shortly. "Now if you'll be so good as to move out of the way—"
    "I don't take orders from the likes o' you," the soldier retorted. He ran another scornful gaze over them, his sandy brows furrowing. "Who do ya think you're foolin'?" He turned to his fellow soldier. "'Ere, Rafe, they must think we're bumpkins or sommat."
    Uncle Fergus's hand went to the dirk in his belt. "What are these louts saying, Riona?" he asked.
    While he'd learned Norman French, Uncle Fergus had never troubled himself to learn the language of the Sassenach. He'd always left it to Riona to deal with merchants or traders from the south.
    The last thing Riona wanted was a confrontation between her uncle and these likely well-trained and probably vicious soldiers. Uncle Fergus had been a fine fighter in his day, but that was long ago.
    "Leave this to me, Uncle," she said as she climbed down from the cart. "I'll speak to them and make sure they understand who they're talking to."
    The thin guard gestured at the cart with his spear. "You've come wi' somethin' to sell, I'll wager, and likely aiming to cheat. Well, whatever it is, his lordship ain't buying." Still using his spear as if it were an extension of his hand, he pointed down the road. "Turn around and go back to the bog you come from."
    Riona tried to keep a rein on her temper as she marched up to them. "This is Fergus Mac Gordon Mac Darbudh, Thane of Glencleith," she declared as she stopped in front of the soldier and shoved his spear aside.
    "Oh, this man in the skirt's a thane, is he?" the guard replied with a smirk. "Thane of the Bog of Bogworth, I think. And who're you? His daughter? Or his.. .something else?"
    Riona's lip curled with disgust and she drew herself up to her full height. "He's my uncle. I am Lady Riona of Glencleith, and you will let us pass, or I'll tell your overlord of your insolence."
    The stocky man's eyes widened. "You're a lady, are you?"
    A look of sudden comprehension came to his beady black eyes and he grinned as he nudged his companion. "Look 'ere, Harry. She says she's a lady—come to marry Sir Nicholas, no doubt." He tilted back his head and called up to the soldiers on the wall walk. "Did ya hear that? She thinks she's got a chance for Sir Nicholas!"
    As they burst out laughing, Riona turned on her heel—and discovered Uncle Fergus right behind her.
    "That's it," he declared, reaching for his dirk. "I don't know what they're saying, but I'm sure it's rude. I'm going to teach these Sassenach some manners."
    She put her hand on his arm to prevent him from drawing his weapon. "Don't bother, Uncle. They're not worth the trouble. Come on, let's go meet their master."
    Uncle Fergus hesitated and for a moment she feared he would indeed try to fight the more heavily armed and younger soldiers. But then, to her relief, he nodded. "All right," he grudgingly agreed. "He's more important than these worthless louts."
    Wondering how they were going to get inside the castle , Riona walked back to the wagon and climbed onto the seat. As Uncle Fergus joined her, she looked at the two