Read Online Come the Morning by Heather Graham - Free Book Online

elsewhere. Granted, the northern English nobles were exceptionally dangerous at this time, with Henry’s daughter and nephew struggling for his throne, but, as Sir Gabriel had said, a Norman lord would usually strike with greater strength and purpose, and make a claim on property, riches, and titles. He wasn’t sure what the enemy had been rebelling against, or what the rebels had hoped to achieve. Despite their camp of the previous night, his men were more tired from marching than fighting.
    Angus was right, he had let his mind wander, and they were nearly at the gates of Stirling. Torches blazed along the walls, and the fortress seemed alive in the night. Above him, the sky appeared far more fascinating than the lights of the city. The night was clear, and stars dotted the heavens like jewels cast against an endless black sea.
    He reined in, slowing his horse. “Angus, my friend, I think I’ll leave you here.”
    Angus frowned, arching a brow. “Waryk, you are the leader of this company. Stirling lies ahead. The king summoned you. He will be anxious to see you, he’ll want to hear what you have to say. You were eager to reach the king, remember? We’ve ridden hard to come here quickly, you’ve sent messengers ahead telling him that you will see him tonight—”
    â€œAye, that’s true. But the night is long, and we’ve ridden faster than I thought we could. There’s time. And I’m not sure as yet what I have to say to the king,” Waryk told Angus. “Tell our liege that I will ride in shortly and report to him immediately upon my arrival.”
    Angus still wasn’t pleased. “Waryk, there’s a Viking camp downriver—”
    â€œAye.”
    â€œYou plan to ride alone—”
    â€œI do. The Vikings downriver have come here to negotiate with the king, they are not a group of maddened berserkers out to kill off the Scottish, man by man. I’m not going downriver. I plan to stay here, along the embankment.”
    â€œFor what?” Angus demanded, puzzled.
    â€œTime alone, Angus, a precious thing.”
    â€œYou can be alone in your chambers at Stirling—”
    â€œIt’s not the same as having the stars over your head. You needn’t worry about me. We are back to civilization. The gates lie just ahead. No one more dangerous than a fisherman roams here. I’ll take good care. Bring the men in. Report to the king. Tell him I’ll be with him very soon.”
    â€œWaryk, you’re no longer wearing any armor, not a plate, not a coat of mail—”
    â€œI have my knife,” Waryk said quietly. He looked back to Geoffrey of Perth, the lad serving as his gall-oglach, or armor-bearer. The boy was careful with all his belongings, polishing and tending his claymore, shields, mail, and plates constantly. Waryk had shed his fighting attire last night, and now, he realized, in his simple tartan and wool cloak, he looked more like some of the wildmen he had fought.
    â€œWaryk—”
    â€œAngus!” he groaned. “You are a good man, a good protector. Now be a good friend, and give me some peace.”
    Waryk lifted a hand to the trail of mounted men following behind him. He turned his horse and rode downriver, into the night.
    Angus, watching him go, shook his head. No one man was an army.
    And Angus had enough Viking in his own blood to be worried about the situation. Civilization! Angus snorted to himself. God alone knew what danger a man could come about in the dark of the night, even with a field of stars above.

C HAPTER 3
    â€œAll men are tyrants!” Mellyora declared, closing the door to her chambers at Stirling. She had just given Sir Harry her sweetest and most flirtatious smile and sincere thanks for his safeguarding of her.
    Jillian MacGregor did no more than arch her brow at the words. She was far more Mellyora’s friend than her maid since she had all but raised her. She now