Free The Princess and the Rogue by Jordan St. John Page A

the whipping, let’s find out who she is.” His dry tone suggested he was humoring the old woman. He turned to Juliet and said, “And just who are you, girl? And I might add, where did you get that horse?”
    This was her chance. Juliet drew herself up and said with as much authority as she could muster, “I’m Princess Juliet Greystone of the kingdom of Westvale. King Robert Greystone is my father and I demand that you take me to him at once.”
    The brigand shook his head. “Well, there you have it, mother. She’s a princess.”
    The woman cocked her head and squinted at the girl. She seemed less angry now, and now stared intently at Juliet, as if trying to place her. “Rand, you must do something.”
    “I intend to, Mother Theda. But first, let’s find out who she really is.”
    Juliet stamped her foot. “I just told you. I’m Princess Juliet Greystone.”
    Rand LaFlors started toward the girl, who stood there defiantly at first then started to back up.
    “Forgive me, your highness,” said Rand with a bit of sarcasm, “but I find that highly unlikely. My sources tell me that Princess Juliet is alive and well, living at Greystone Castle.”
    “But that’s impossible. I’m right here, standing before you. Is this place not within the boundaries of Westvale?”
    “That it is, your highness. You are in Darkwood Forest on the western boundary, but then again, being the princess, you should know that.”
    “I was abducted! Abducted and brought here in a wagon. They made me sleepy. I did not know where I was. There was a castle—I was a prisoner of this horrible woman. So I escaped. Now take me home,” Juliet stamped her foot again and folded her arms across her chest, “or my father will have your head on a spike.”
    Rand’s eyes narrowed. “I do not take kindly to threats, especially from a village girl who should know better.”
    “The girl perhaps meant no harm,” said the old woman. “This young woman looks familiar…” Mother Theda let her thought trail off as she tried to remember. Then she shook her head, as if the memory wouldn’t come. “Still, someone should teach her not to steal from a helpless woman and to hold her tongue. You could take her to the village and turn her over to the constable, but he might place her in the village stocks and apply the lash.”
    “That might be a bit extreme, Mother Theda, but I agree, chastisement is warranted.” To Juliet he said, “You broke into the home of the woman who prepares medicines and healing herbs for my people, and you ate her supper.”
    “I… I didn’t know. I was hungry. But—but she is my subject and I am royalty,” said Juliet with a stammer, recovering some composure.
    “Well, princess, I think it’s time you saw how the common folk live. When they misbehave like you are doing, they are punished.” Rand looked at the old woman. “Mother Theda, with your permission?”
    “What are you going to do to her?” said Theda.
    “Nothing as drastic as a village flogging. I think a good, sound spanking will do,” said Rand, advancing on the girl.
    “Don’t you dare!” screamed Juliet, back-pedaling to place herself out of reach of the determined outlaw.
    But it was too late. The outlaw moved faster than Juliet believed possible and grabbed her wrist. She felt herself being tugged forward as the man made for a chair that he jerked away from the table with one hand. With the other, he held onto her wrist. Once seated, he toppled her across his lap.
    Juliet fell forward, the earthen floor rushing toward her face. Miraculously, her fall was arrested before her nose touched the floor. Juliet panicked. She hadn’t been in this position since her mother had disciplined her years ago for some bit of impertinence. It was a helpless feeling, and Juliet felt mortified beyond belief. That a commoner, probably an outlaw, would do this to her, a royal princess, was unthinkable. But it was happening. And her mortification was just