Fair Border Bride (26 page)

Margery Carnaby blotted her face with a wisp of lace-edged linen and took a deep breath. “Please come inside, sir.”

Harry put Cuddy back on his feet and grasped Alina’s hand. Following his hostess inside, he smiled at Alina. “All seems well?”

“Oh yes, but what’s happening, Harry? Father seems afraid to say a word! Has your father threatened him?” She swung round to her mother. “Mama, do you know?”

Margery Carnaby shook her head. “Harry’s father has not been here above an hour. We offered him refreshments, and there has been nothing said in my hearing.”

“We shall find out later,” Harry said.

The south window in the hall was open to the gentle breeze and as they walked through to the solar, voices from outside drifted up to them. Harry recognised his father’s cultured speech and nudged Alina towards the window embrasure. Eyes alight with
mischief,
she tiptoed into place beside him.

“Do you not find the ravine a dangerous thing to have on the doorstep, Carnaby? Children could vanish in a twinkling.” There was a pause. “Easy to get rid of a few unwanted guests, or enemies, for that matter,” Wharton added in a thoughtful tone.

Eyes widening, Alina clapped a hand over her mouth. Harry held a finger to his lips as he peered out of the window.

“Oh, I can’t believe anyone would…” Carnaby’s voice trailed away to silence. Harry and Alina exchanged gleeful glances and watched as Sir Thomas walked forward, stood on the extreme edge of the Leap.

He peered over. Hands clasped behind his back he stared around him.

“I heard tell once of a Scots baron similarly situated, except that the drop was into the sea. He gained a fearsome reputation for tossing enemies over the cliff. He laughingly called it The Leap, I believe. It’s still known as Harry’s Leap.” He chuckled, glanced back at Carnaby. “Of course, I don’t know that the tale is true, but it gives rise for thought, don’t you think?”

Alina closed her eyes and struggled to hold in her laughter. Harry grasped her wrist intending to drag her from the window, turned and found her mother behind them. She too had been listening to the exchange below. Her gaze still focussed on the treetops, she shook her head and stepped away.

Once in the solar Mistress Carnaby sat in her favourite chair. “Your father is clever, Harry.”

Harry bowed his head. “He is, madam.”

Alina came to rest with her hands on the back of her mother’s chair. “He knows what Father did and he’s let him know that he knows. I think you are quite safe now.” Alina looked down at her mother and back at Harry. “He won’t dare say a word and we can get married right away.”

“I hope Cuthbert is wise enough to understand he must accept you, Harry,” added Mama. She smiled, reached up to touch her daughter’s hand. “Why not take Harry to my room, Alina. I shall have hot water brought to you, and a change of clothes.”

“Thank you, Mama.” Stooping, she pressed her lips to her mother’s cheek, then whirled to grasp Harry’s hand and led him beyond the curtain that led into the private bedchamber that belonged to her parents. Their four-poster crouched in one corner, the rich red hangings soaking up the subdued light that came through the narrow lancet window. A large carved oak chest stood opposite the hearth, with a matching chair and stool alongside. The room was gloomy, but at night candles would make it a comfortable and private place.

“A bed,” Harry said softly behind her, his eyes alight. He kept hold of her hand when she would have let go and swung her around to face him. “May I help you with anything? Take off your gown, roll down your hose. Unlace you?”

He stepped behind her and already his fingers were busy with the pins that held her stomacher in place. Alina flattened her palms against it as it fell away. “Harry! The maid will come at any moment—”

His lips caught her ear, and then her
shoulders,
and her heart thundered. “The maids,” he said calmly, “can await our pleasure.”

“But they won’t,” she said, backing away from him. “They’ll barge straight in. And anyway, Mama sits just beyond the curtain.”

Harry walked over and twitched the heavy velvet aside with one finger. “Would you believe me,” he asked, glancing over his shoulder, “if I said your mother has left the solar?” He grinned and walked towards her.
“A most sensible woman.”

The End

Jen Black lives in Northumberland and has other titles to her credit:

The Banners of Alba
, available on Amazon Kindle

Follows the adventures of Finlay mac
Ruaidhri
as he challenges his cousin Prince Duncan for the crown of Alba, and discovers his soul mate along the way.

Shadows
, available on Amazon Kindle

A romantic holiday for two seems innocent enough, but when Melissa flies to France to meet Rory Hepburn, she discovers that two ghosts get in the way of her new romance.

Dark Pool
, available as an e-book at
WriteWords
,
Inc

By putting herself in the wrong place at the wrong time,
Eba
is kidnapped by Vikings and taken to their Dublin stronghold where she is forced into marriage with a violent young man.

Far After Gold.
Paperback copies to be found, new and used, on Amazon and other bookstore companies.

Tells the tempestuous story of Christian
Emer
and pagan
Flane
, the Viking who purchases her as his
bedmate
.

More information and buying links on Jen’s blog ~ http://jenblackauthor.blogspot.com