place Fagan would rather be. He never minded riding out to the border for that reason alone. For a slight moment, he had even forgotten Grace was with him because sheâd been silent ever since theyâd departed from the gates.
She sat on her mount, and her head whipped from left to right. âI find myself rendered speechless.â
He had a quip ready on the tip of his tongue, but after his last remark about Graceâs English behind, he decided heâd better heed Ruairi and Ravennaâs advice and keep his mouth shut if he didnât want more trouble.
âHow long have these lands been in the Sutherland clan?â
Fagan had heard Ruairi spin the tale of Sutherland clan history more times than he could count, and the lass had an eager look on her face. Perhaps she was interested in hearing a bit of history. When he hesitated and met her gaze, she nodded for him to talk.
âBy the early tenth century, Norsemen had conquered the islands of Shetland and Orkney, as well as Caithness and Sutherland on the mainland. The Norse had control over Scotland beyond Moray Firth. The lower portion of the lands was called âSuderlandâ because it was south of the Norse islands and Caithness. Ruairi and I share a common ancestor.â When he noticed her eyes glazing over, he asked, âDo ye want me to continue?â
âYes, please. Iâm interested to hear about Ravennaâs new family.â
âA Flemish nobleman named Freskin de Moravia was commissioned by the kingâDavid the Firstâto clear the Norse from the lands. De Moravia was a legend in his time, having killed the last breathing Norseman in Scotland. Some years later, the Sinclairs rebelled against the Bishop of Caithness over tithes he imposed, and once again, the Sutherland clan was charged with restoring law and order. These lands have been in the hands of the Sutherland clan for centuries. Ruairiâs clan descends from Freskin de Moraviaâs eldest grandson, Hugh de Moravia, whereas the Murrays descend from the youngest grandson, William de Moravia.â
âYou must be very proud. Do you ride out here often?â
âMy men make their rounds along the border.â
âWhatâs over that mountain pass? Can we go up there?â
âNay. This is far enough. The lands beyond that field arenae our own.â
She nodded. âAre they Laird Gordonâs?â
âGordon?â
âI thought I heard Laird Munro mention something about him. Perhaps I was mistaken. I had assumed the Gordons were a neighboring clan. Was Laird Gordon at the wedding? I donât remember meeting him.â
âNay. The Gordon is dead.â Fagan wasnât going to tell her about the father of Ruairiâs first wife. He also believed it unwise to mention that the land where Graceâs mount now stood had been the site of a bloody battle between the Sutherlands and the Gordons not all that long ago.
âSo who owns the lands beyond the mountain pass, Laird Munro?â
âNay. They belong to the Gunns. Ianâs lands are farther south.â
Grace mumbled under her breath, but loud enough for Fagan to hear. âLetâs hope theyâre far enough south that a certain someone wonât decide to cross them.â
âLady Elizabeth mayhap?â
Grace glanced down at her reins, twirling the leather straps between her fingers. âElizabeth? Why would you say that?â
âI think ye already know the answer to that question.â He didnât miss it when Grace suddenly turned her head and promptly changed the subject.
âDo you mind if we stay here for a moment? Thereâs so much heather in the field. Iâd like to walk around.â
âNay, I donna mind.â He dismounted, and by the time he moved in front of his horse, Graceâs feet were already planted on the ground. âIf ye want to walk, give me your horse. Iâll hold him for
Frankie Blue
john thompson
Alaina Stanford
Alexandra Ivy, Laura Wright
C.W. Gortner
Helena Newbury
Jessica Jarman
Shanna Clayton
Barbara Elsborg
James Howard Kunstler