Read Online The Highlander's Outlaw Bride by Cathy MacRae - Free Book Online Page B

mother, but Lord John once mentioned her to me. He said she was a beautiful, clever lass who fell deeply in love with yer father, and pined for him every day until permission was given for them to marry.”
    Brianna ducked her head, dismayed his kind words again threatened to make her cry. She took a deep breath. “I thank ye, Sire. I remember it so. She has been dead these past five years, and I miss her still.”
    King Robert’s eyes twinkled. “Ye seem to have inherited her spirit.”
    “Mayhap, though I remember her as elegant and composed even under the most provoking circumstances.”
    “What provoking circumstances was she subject to?” The king’s frown was puzzled.
    Brianna laughed. “’Twas most likely me, Sire. I would imagine I was the most provoking thing in her life.”
    King Robert roared with appreciation. “Ye realize Lord John’s divorce was a political move, not a personal choice, though I believe he and Margaret suit each other well. And such a move has very likely saved yer life.”
    “’Twas my thought as well as I stood before the sheriff, Sire.”
    “Then tell me, Lady Brianna. What is yer petition of yer king?”
    Brianna sobered immediately. She bowed her head for a moment to collect her thoughts. In her banter with the king, she had all but forgotten why she was here.
    She lifted her gaze. “Sire, my people are clan Douglas of Wyndham. We are small in number, but have always been fortunate in the raising of cattle and crops. Several months ago, my father and Laird MacLaurey entered into a protection agreement against reivers on our southern border, and until two months ago, this benefited us greatly.” Brianna paused, her gaze sliding away from the king as she delicately avoided mention of the betrothal that had sealed the agreement.
    “But Laird MacLaurey died, and his son has been gone from Morven for some time. His cousin laid claim to the title and dinnae see fit to continue the agreement, and the reivers have now decimated our herds.”
    Agitated to remember the cause of her problems, she began to pace the floor in front of the king. “Five years ago, Ma died, and since then, in his sorrow at her passing, Da’s mind has slowly left him. He is currently incapable of protecting our clan.”
    She whirled abruptly and faced the king. “Sire, I couldnae bear it. Last year the adults went hungry. This year, since the agreement has failed, the bairns will also suffer.” Drawing herself up proudly, she gave the king a frank stare. “I gathered six trusted Douglas soldiers, and together we have been taking back cattle stolen from us. We cannae fend the reivers off—there are too few of us. We know the land well and have been fortunate to locate most of our cattle before they were sold. So far we have returned nearly all to their rightful owners.”
    King Robert leaned forward on his throne, rapt fascination on his face. Brianna continued her story.
    “Two weeks ago, cattle were stolen from Wyndham land. We went to retrieve them, but were captured by the sheriff at Glenkirk and his men. My soldiers and I were to be hanged, but I pleaded with the sheriff to allow us to fall upon yer mercy.”
    Brianna’s voice softened and she spread her hands in supplication. “Sire, we are not reivers. We were caught with cattle not our own, but we dinnae steal from other crofters. We truly believed the cattle to be ours. I have since learned it was a trap set by someone as yet unknown to me. I beg ye to remove the title of ‘outlaw’ from me and the brave Douglas soldiers who but did as their hearts and circumstances dictated, and let us return to our families at Wyndham.”
    King Robert nodded, looking thoughtful. After a moment, he smiled. Raising his hands, he stood before his court as Brianna sank to her knees, head bowed as she prepared to hear her doom.
    “Lady Brianna, We find ye and yer soldiers not guilty of reiving, but caught trying to keep yer clansmen and their possessions safe.