Free Tamed by a Laird by Amanda Scott Page A

who lost jewelry that I’ll investigate the matter, and
     each has agreed to leave it to me. Only one suggested reporting the thefts to the sheriff.”
    “I trust you persuaded that person to wait,” Hugh said. “It makes no sense for me to act quietly if the Sheriff of Dumfries
     will be sending his lads out and about to make noises about stolen jewelry, minstrels, and missing maidservants.”
    “I agree, and I did make it plain that I’ll take responsibility for the outcome. We must recover the jewels in any event.
     Much as I hate to think it, I fear we may have a thief here in the house. My lads wouldna ha’ searched one of our own.”
    “Aye, well, I’ll see if I can glean any useful information,” Hugh said.
    “You find Jenny,” Dunwythie said. “That she was unhappy here disturbs me.”
    “Unhappiness is scarcely sufficient cause to raise such a dust,” Hugh said. “I’d say that what that young woman needs—”
    “Now ye sound like Phaeline,” Dunwythie said. “But I dinna mind telling ye, lad, if this riot and rumpus causes her to lose
     our bairn, I may well take a strap to both of our missing lasses when ye find them.”
    Hugh had been hoping for some such declaration, if only because he found it a damned nuisance to be going after them. But
     when the mental image presented itself—of Dunwythie beating the self-contained young woman who had refused to let Reid intimidate
     her—an unexpected stirring of sardonic amusement banished it.
    As he and Lucas Horne rode away from Annan House, it occurred to Hugh that had anyone asked him to explain that amusement,
     he could not have done so, except by admitting a growing suspicion that the lass would deal as easily with Dunwythie as she
     had with Reid.
    She would not, however, deal so easily with him.

Chapter 4
Castle Moss, Annandale
    J enny looked around the noisy, crowded courtyard of Castle Moss, more than half expecting to see a familiar face. Reid must,
     she thought, be on her heels by now with a large party of men. She had been looking over her shoulder all day. But would he
     know to follow the minstrels or look for their camp?
    It was more likely, she told herself for what must be the hundredth time, that Reid assumed she must be returning to Easdale.
     But would he assume that?
    Recalling her conversations with Mairi and Fiona at the high table and on the way to her bedchamber, she feared she had said
     enough so that Mairi at least would easily deduce what she had done. But even if Mairi had, would she tell Reid?
    Reassuring herself that, in any event, he was unlikely to catch up with them before she and the minstrels were safely inside
     Lochmaben, she began to relax.
    Nearly all the residents of Castle Moss had gathered enthusiastically in the walled courtyard, leaving a large area for the
     entertainers and an aisle to reach it.
    Men-at-arms tried to keep a walkway clear around the perimeter but had little success. Music filled the air. Tumblers, including
     the two fools, tall Gawkus and wee Gillygacus, were trying to outdo each other with their antics. The festive atmosphere filled
     Jenny with the same excitement she often felt at a market fair.
    Standing to one side of the intersection of the arched entryway to the keep, the perimeter walkway, and the aisle, she had
     a fine view of the tumblers and was amazed again at how easily they accomplished each acrobatic movement.
    As they left the clearing, three jugglers darted past them to take their places there, sending colored balls into the air
     and to each other as they ran. The music quickened as a trio of dancers followed them, and Jenny suddenly wished the Joculator
     had asked her to play her lute with the three musicians strolling through the audience. Glancing toward them on the thought,
     she saw the flute player lean close to a pretty lass and wink, making her laugh. Nearby watchers laughed as well.
    Smiling, Jenny shifted her gaze back to the clearing as a burst of