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  Such a lie that statement was that she felt the warmth in her cheeks spread through her body. It was as if blushes covered her skin from tip to toe, although she had never known blushes to do any such thing.

  Fortunately, he was not looking at her but watching for the dogs. Nor did he look at her until he said, “I ken that fine, lass. ’Tis just as well, too. I’ve no time for a wife, because I’ve too much else to do. You will recall that the King wants me to lay a notorious reiver by the heels. Until I find that villainous creature, I’ll have time for little else.”

  She nodded, remembering that his men were seeking such a man, and they spoke of ordinary things until they reached the Hall. Then, he escorted her inside only to find Sym Elliot awaiting them.

  Sym smiled at Molly and said to Wat, “Herself wants to see ye, sir.”

  “I’ll go to her straightaway,” Wat said.

  Summoning a lad, he sent him to find Emma and then said, “Go up to the solar, Molly. You’ll find Janet and Bella there now, and Emma will find you.”

  He gestured for her to precede him. As she did, she told herself that, just as she had surmised, he was like any other man, giving orders without a thought for what she might have preferred to do.

  Not that there was anything like that, but it would not have mattered to him if there had been. It was just as well that he did not want to marry her, nor she him.

  Wat followed Molly only as far as the landing outside Lady Meg’s sitting room. He paused there, though, long enough to watch as Molly silently rounded the next turn of the stair and wonder what she was thinking.

  Reminding himself that she was entitled to her thoughts and had no reason to share them, he rapped once on the door and opened it.

  “So you are back,” Lady Meg said, setting down her needlework. “Did you enjoy a pleasant ride?”

  Deducing from this greeting that neither Sym nor his aunt Rosalie had spoken to her yet of their meeting—the startling nature of it, at least—he said, “It was invigorating to ride in the forest again with no duty demanded of me.”

  “As to duty, love, have you learned aught more about that reiver?”

  “I don’t recall telling you about Gilbert Rutherford,” Wat said with a knowing smile. “I must suppose that Sym did.”

  “Should he not have done so?” she asked, raising her eyebrows.

  He chuckled. “What would you do if I said he should not?”

  “You know very well that he tells me all he knows. And I doubt that short of hanging him, you could stop him, which I doubt you would do.”

  “It would never occur to me, Gram. I owe Sym too much. Although, if memory serves me, he did put me across his knee a few times when I was young.”

  “Aye, because your father and I both told him he should if the occasion arose. We trusted him then, and I trust him now.”

  “As do I. So why did you ask me about Rutherford?”

  “I recalled the King’s presence at Melrose whilst I was thinking about the abbot, and my thoughts flew next to Rutherford, that’s all,” she said. “His reverence put you in a bit of a corner today, though, did he not?”

  “He tried to put both Molly and me in a corner, and I suspect that you tried to aid him by telling Molly what he had suggested,” he said bluntly.

  “I had no such intention,” she replied. “I do believe that Molly deserved to know we were discussing her future. She has that right, Walter.”

  “Aye, but I was right in saying that she’d not take kindly to the idea.”

  “You were. So did she tell you to your face that she won’t marry you?”

  “She did, and I only made it worse when I tried to explain my position. I shan’t tell you the details, but she did something rather dangerous.”

  “Mercy me,” Lady Meg said. But her eyes were twinkling.

  “It was not funny then, I promise you,” Wat said. “I told her that I agree with her about our marrying but will do all I can to protect her from her ill-willed family for as long as she requires protection. I still disagree that only marriage can save her reputation. She is clearly an innocent. Anyone of sense can see that at a glance.”

  “True, but you cannot go on keeping her whereabouts from her father.”

  “I agree, so I will ride to see him tomorrow,” Wat said. “If you have any advice you can offer me about engaging with him, I’d welcome it.”

  “Just remember that Piers and your father were good friends before the King’s return from his English captivity,” Meg said. “Even after they realized how strongly they disagreed about Jamie’s intention to curtail the powers of many of his nobles, your father managed to stay on good terms with Piers and with Jamie.”

  Wat grimaced. “I’ll find it hard to forget the way Cockburn has treated Molly. Thanks to the way her menfolk behave, she finds it hard to trust any man.”

  “Then whoever her future husband may be, you will be doing him a great favor if you can teach her to trust you,” Meg said gently. “To do that, you must first learn to trust yourself and your own instincts. It might also help to consider that you can do her no good by further alienating her father.”

  Wat remained silent, thinking about her words.

  “I might tell you something more about your granddad,” Meg said, instantly regaining his attention. “You have heard the tale of our marriage.”

  “That he was caught reiving and given the option of marrying you or hanging,” Wat said with a smile. “I’m glad he made the choice he did.”

  “I, too,” Meg said. “But I was dead set against it then. Not that I had any choice. My mother said the marriage would be good for our family, and that was that. Afterward, my father fairly shoved the two of us into my bedchamber together. Then he stood outside the door, listening. We could hear him there.”

  Wat choked off a laugh. “I warrant Granddad said a few words about that.”

  “Let us just say that he resolved things,” she said. “My reason for mentioning it, though, is to help you understand Molly’s frustration. Imagine if you can how you’d feel if the abbot had the same right to order you to marry Molly that my parents had to order me to marry your granddad.”

  “It is not the same, Gram.”

  “Why not? Simply because you are male and Molly and I are female?”

  “Aye, sure. It is a father’s duty to find husbands for his daughters. And when he does, it is their duty to obey him and marry them.”

  “Not according to the law as it has stood in Scotland for centuries past,” Meg said. “Scottish women have rights, too, my laddie, and you know that.”

  “They do get rather mixed up with a father’s rights, though, don’t they?”

  “A loving father has no difficulty finding a path through the maze, Walter. Nor will a loving brother when that time comes, I think.”

  “I suppose you are right,” he said. “In any event, Molly understands that no one here means to force her to do anything she dislikes.”

  “Then we understand each other,” Meg said.

  Rather cryptically, Wat thought.

  But he did not question her. His thoughts had already shifted back to Gilbert Rutherford. An idea had occurred to him that he wanted to discuss with Tam.

  Excusing himself, he said, “When you see Sym, Gram, prithee tell him I’d like a word with him when he has a moment. I’ll be with Tammy.”

  As Wat had said she would, Molly found Janet and Bella in the solar with their lady mother and their stitchery. Molly had seen little of her hostess, so she was pleased to see Lady Scott looking well rested, if rather solemn and quiet.

  Janet was quiet, too, but Bella was restless enough to draw a rare look of censure from her older sister.

  Making a saucy face at her, Bella welcomed Molly’s entrance with, “I am glad to see you. It has been gey dull in here and I am tired of stitching hems.”

  “I’ll work on yours for a time if you like,” Molly said. “Good afternoon, your ladyship,” she added, making her c
urtsy to Lady Scott.

  “You need stand on no ceremony with me, Molly,” her ladyship said. “You are our guest and therefore must make yourself comfortable here.”

  The words were gracious, but Molly had the distinct feeling that Lady Scott said them only for civility’s sake. Nevertheless, she thanked her with sincere gratitude for the safety that Scott’s Hall provided her.

  “One doubts that you want to spend your time hemming sheets, though,” Lady Scott added. “Bella should attend to her own chores.”

  “I don’t mind, my lady. I enjoy such tasks, because I can let my thoughts wander whilst I do them. It is even more pleasant to do them here at the Hall, where I have other women to bear me company.”

  “Molly has no other females to talk to at home, Mam,” Bella said.

  “How unfortunate,” Lady Scott said. “None at all?”

  “We do have two women who come in to aid the cook and see to some of the heavier chores,” Molly said. “But they come only by day. It is rare for any family to let their women stay in our tower overnight.”

  “But why not?” Bella demanded.

  “That will do, Bella,” her mother said. “One must not be inquisitive.”

  “But how can I learn things if I may not ask?”

  “I don’t mind, my lady,” Molly said.

  “It is not a suitable subject for tender ears,” Lady Scott said.

  Bella’s eyebrows shot upward, making Molly certain that the younger girl would find opportunity to ask her again. As it was, Janet changed the subject to a safer one, and a few minutes later, Emma came in.

  She said, “Herself would like ye to visit wi’ her for a time, Lady Molly.”

  “I’ll go when I finish this hem, Emma,” Molly said. “I’ve only inches to go.”

  Emma waited patiently, and Molly soon tied off her thread and stood.

  “Should I tidy my hair, Emma, or will I do?”

  “Ye’ll do. Herself isna used t’ waiting long,” Emma warned.

  Molly smiled. “Then, let us hurry, aye?”

  Wat found Tammy leaning against a stall in the stable with his brawny arms folded across his chest and one ankle crossed over the other. He was watching one of the younger lads curry the horse that Molly had ridden.

  “I have an idea, Tam,” Wat said. “Come to the tackroom where we can talk.”

  “I’ve learned summat, too, laird,” Tam said. “I were talking to Sym,” he went on as he followed Wat to the far end of the stable and into the room where they kept most of the gear. “He tells me Rutherford were seen in Redesdale nobbut a sennight ago. Afore that, he were farther east. What I be thinking—”

  “He’s moving westward, aye,” Wat said. “Did he raid in Scotland or in England before Redesdale?”

  “Scotland,” Tam said. “He’ll avoid anyplace near Berwick if he’s wise. Too many English soldiers there. Nor will he venture through any o’ the larger towns.”

  “Likely you’re right about that. Sithee, I’ve been thinking that, rather than looking for the man, we might draw him closer to us.”

  Tam frowned. “To raid us?”

  “To suggest it, aye. We might let him think I’m moving horses or kine to Rankilburn, perhaps from Kirkurd, since I mean to visit there tomorrow. Or mayhap we could say I’m moving kine from here to Melrose.”

  “Methinks that would sound more likely,” Tam said.

  “Aye, it might. Rutherford must know that we Scotts help support the abbey. The trick would be to get word out and about without being too obvious about it.”

  Tammy grinned. “We’ll need Sym, then, won’t we? The man kens every road, path, and deer’s track in the Borders. On both sides o’ the line, come to that.”

  Wat nodded. “He’s studied them since he was a bairn when he took more than a few licks for his explorations, he said.”

  “True, but his knowledge has proved useful to us afore now and will likely be useful again. Moreover, he kens near everyone for miles and can drop a word here and there where such words will be useful.”

  “Exactly what I want,” Wat agreed. “I don’t mean to travel with kine, though, just to give Rutherford reason to head toward us, rather than away.”

  “Ye’ll be wantin’ a full tail when ye ride t’ Henderland and Kirkurd, tomorrow, aye?”

  Wat hesitated, but he knew Tam was right. To take only his usual six men would be foolish when he did not know what reception he would meet at Henderland.

  Chapter 12

  Dismissing Emma at the sitting-room landing, Molly entered to find Lady Meg standing by the window at the far end of the room, looking out. As Molly shut the door, Meg turned and said, “Come right in, my dear. I understand that you had an interesting ride today.”

  Feeling a twinge of anxiety, Molly forced herself to meet Meg’s steady gaze and said ruefully, “I suppose that the lady Rosalie must have told you what happened, madam. I am—”

  “Nay, nay,” Meg interjected, coming toward her. “Rosalie stopped in here long enough only to tell me that she had returned, ordered a bath, and intended to wash her hair. She was never a talebearer, even as a child. I should be amazed if she were to begin now.”

  “Then…” Absurdly distressed by the thought that Wat might have told her, Molly almost named him but thought better of it.

  She was glad that she had when Lady Meg smiled warmly and said, “Walter did not tell me, either. My informant… Ah, but I see that you’ve guessed. You have a most expressive face, my dear.”

  Realizing with another tickle of trepidation that Meg had a more discerning eye than Cockburn or her brothers did, Molly said, “I remembered that people have reason to call him ‘Lady Meg’s Sym.’ I gave thanks at the time, too, that I was not his daughter,” she added. “I am not the only one with an expressive face.”

  “Nay, Sym’s has always revealed his feelings,” Meg said with a twinkle. “I expect your wild ride did stir thoughts of retribution in his head. But you need never fear Sym, or Wat, although I’d wager he was angry, too.”

  Remembering that icy anger and then his kiss, Molly felt heat flood her cheeks again. “He was angry, aye,” she said. “His voice froze the marrow in my bones. But he is kind, my lady. Despite his anger, I could still talk to him. He even let me offer an explanation with my apology, which is unusual for a man, I think.”

  “Aye, he is a good listener, is Wat, and one cannot say that of many men. My father rarely listened to what we said. He…” She paused, then said calmly, “But we are talking about Wat. I feared that if he scolded you, you might feel unwanted here, or as if you were imposing.”

  “I don’t,” Molly said. “Even Lady Scott said she wants me to be contented. And Janet and Bella make wonderful friends. I own, though, that I am a trifle concerned that Wat—Walter, that is—means to tell my father that I’m here.”

  “You do see why he must, though,” Meg said, moving from the window to her usual seat and gesturing toward the stool opposite her.

  “I trust him not to stir coals,” Molly said, taking the seat. “But my father is not the only one who worries me. My brothers…” Fear swept through her, choking off her words. She spread her hands.

  “I see. Cannot your father control them?”

  “In troth, I no longer know the answer to that question. He controlled them easily when they were young. But now, Will and Ned are big men, too. And Will takes orders from no one.

  “He rarely defies Father to his face,” Molly went on. “He just takes his own road and makes his own friends. And Ned is like his shadow. Will was the one who decided I must marry Ringan Tuedy.”

  “I see,” Meg said again. “I’m glad you’ve told me this, Molly. I want to learn as much about you as I can. I missed so much of your life, fearing that I’d draw Piers’s ire down on both of us if I spoke up.” Shaking her head, she added, “Rarely am I such a coward, but Marjory’s own inability to tell him she had named me your godmother daunted me.”

  “I don’t
blame you, my lady. When my father is in a fury, he can terrify anyone. And Will…” Feeling another shiver up her spine at the thought of Will, Molly shook her head and fell silent.

  “I see that the men in your life have been poor examples of the creatures,” Meg said in a lighter tone. “I hope you will not judge all men you meet by them.”

  “How could I?” Molly asked. “I have met Lord Westruther, who is very kind, and his lordship. Come to that, the men who live and work here are all different from those at Henderland. Yours are respectful and kind. I have not met one who has behaved disrespectfully to me or to anyone else.”

  “Nor will you if our lads know what’s good for them,” Meg said tartly.

  Molly smiled. “I did hear that you’d hand them their heads in their laps.”

  “So I would, if Wat did not do so before me,” Meg said. “Now, tell me what you remember about your grandmother Marjory. Then I will share some of my memories of her, as well.”

  The time passed so comfortably after that that Molly was startled when Sym rapped on the door to ask if they were coming down to supper.

  “I must change my dress,” Molly said hastily as she stood.

  “There is no need,” Meg replied. “We do not stand on ceremony at supper.”

  Nevertheless, Molly felt that telltale heat in her cheeks again when she stepped onto the dais and her gaze collided with Wat’s.

  Turning swiftly away, only to find Lady Meg eyeing her speculatively, she collected her wits and said, “Do you expect Lady Scott this evening, madam?”

  Learning that her ladyship had declined to come downstairs, Molly moved to her usual place. She noted gratefully then that Bella and Janet were entering the hall.

  Later, when she was alone in her chamber, her thoughts flew back to the forest and lingered on Wat’s kiss. She wondered if she might dream about him, then called herself a fool for thinking such a thing. One thing was certain, though. She had been wrong, very wrong, to believe that the man was not dangerous.

  He was climbing a mountain taller than any he had seen before. Indeed, the mist-occluded peak seemed to grow taller the nearer he came to it. More oddly yet, the sunset had turned the gauzy mist and the peak within it an orange-gold color.