Kilts and Daggers

Read Online Kilts and Daggers by Victoria Roberts - Free Book Online

Book: Kilts and Daggers by Victoria Roberts Read Free Book Online
Authors: Victoria Roberts
Ads: Link
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 she’d been silent ever since they’d departed from the gates.
    She sat on her mount, and her head whipped from left to right. “I find myself rendered speechless.”
    He had a quip ready on the tip of his tongue, but after his last remark about Grace’s English behind, he decided he’d better heed Ruairi and Ravenna’s advice and keep his mouth shut if he didn’t want more trouble.
    â€œHow long have these lands been in the Sutherland clan?”
    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.
    â€œBy 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 ‘Suderland’ because it was south of the Norse islands and Caithness. Ruairi and I share a common ancestor.” When he noticed her eyes glazing over, he asked, “Do ye want me to continue?”
    â€œYes, please. I’m interested to hear about Ravenna’s new family.”
    â€œA Flemish nobleman named Freskin de Moravia was commissioned by the king—David the First—to 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. Ruairi’s clan descends from Freskin de Moravia’s eldest grandson, Hugh de Moravia, whereas the Murrays descend from the youngest grandson, William de Moravia.”
    â€œYou must be very proud. Do you ride out here often?”
    â€œMy men make their rounds along the border.”
    â€œWhat’s over that mountain pass? Can we go up there?”
    â€œNay. This is far enough. The lands beyond that field arenae our own.”
    She nodded. “Are they Laird Gordon’s?”
    â€œGordon?”
    â€œI 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 don’t remember meeting him.”
    â€œNay. The Gordon is dead.” Fagan wasn’t going to tell her about the father of Ruairi’s first wife. He also believed it unwise to mention that the land where Grace’s mount now stood had been the site of a bloody battle between the Sutherlands and the Gordons not all that long ago.
    â€œSo who owns the lands beyond the mountain pass, Laird Munro?”
    â€œNay. They belong to the Gunns. Ian’s lands are farther south.”
    Grace mumbled under her breath, but loud enough for Fagan to hear. “Let’s hope they’re far enough south that a certain someone won’t decide to cross them.”
    â€œLady Elizabeth mayhap?”
    Grace glanced down at her reins, twirling the leather straps between her fingers. “Elizabeth? Why would you say that?”
    â€œI think ye already know the answer to that question.” He didn’t miss it when Grace suddenly turned her head and promptly changed the subject.
    â€œDo you mind if we stay here for a moment? There’s so much heather in the field. I’d like to walk around.”
    â€œNay, I donna mind.” He dismounted, and by the time he moved in front of his horse, Grace’s feet were already planted on the ground. “If ye want to walk, give me your horse. I’ll hold him for

Similar Books

Forbidden Quest

Alaina Stanford

The Last Queen

C.W. Gortner

Kissing The Enemy

Helena Newbury

Leaving Dreamland

Jessica Jarman

Rebounding

Shanna Clayton

GirlMostLikelyTo

Barbara Elsborg

A History of the Future

James Howard Kunstler