Free Fair Border Bride by Jen Black Page B

lands?”
    “A fall from my horse meant I needed a day or two’s rest.” The wide shoulders lifted an inch. “I intended to move on as soon as I was able.”
    “A likely story!” Hot with excitement, Carnaby leered at the prisoner. “Rode here with the rest of your thieving relatives, did you? What a pity you got left behind. How inept of you!”
    Harry glared at Father. “Unhappily we can’t all be fortunate as the man who talked an earl out of leaving his goods to his sons.”
    Oh God! Harry, no! He referred to Uncle Reynold, who talked the Earl of Northumberland into leaving estates to Reynold rather than the true Percy heirs. Blood rushed into her father’s face and his fists clenched.
    “Father, he was unhorsed and unconscious.” Alina cried. She could not let Harry face this alone.
    Carnaby swung round and glared at her. A cold shiver ran down her spine. She had spoiled his pleasure and he did not like it.
    Harry’s glance found her. His mouth tightened and he gave a tiny shake his head as if to say she should stay silent. Let me deal with this, his eyes commanded.
    “You know this man, daughter?”
    “Only that I found him unconscious in the meadow, sir. He had suffered a blow to the head.”
    Carnaby turned from Alina. He grasped Harry’s jaw in one large fist, tilted his head up towards the candlelight to search for bruises. “There is a mark, I grant you.”
    “He rode into a tree branch, sir.”
    Carnaby stared into Harry’s face, and laughed. The sentries at either side smirked. Harry scowled.
    Alina guessed he hated to be made to look a fool. “It was dark!” she cried. “Anyone could ride into a low bough in strange country in the dark.”
    The laughter slowed and stopped. The sentries looked at her father. She had made things worse. Father swung around and grinned at her.
    “He was riding the night we were raided? Alina, are your wits addled?” He turned back to Harry. “It’s a damned clumsy raider who gets knocked off his horse,” he snarled. “But the Scotts are ill-bred to the last snivelling bastard, so why am I surprised?”
    “I am no raider, sir. The fact that my name is Scott is pure chance. I bear no relation to any of the Scottish family of that name. My home is Carlisle.”
    “Anything to save your skin, eh?” Carnaby jerked his head. “Fling him in the dungeon. He can take the Leap tomorrow.”
    “Father! No!” Horrified, Alina sprang to her feet, unaware and uncaring that every eye in the room swung to her. “He is not a raider! You can’t do this! I beg you!”
    Lance leapt his feet, his eyes wide and frightened. Cuddy buried his face in his mother’s skirt.
    The sentries hustled Harry towards the door. Alina ran to her father and grasped his arm. “Please, Father. He is innocent of any crime. He is not a reiver.”
    Father detached her hand. He stared at the three men heading for the door and shook his head. “Don’t be a fool, Alina. The man’s guilty as the devil. Now go back to your seat and eat your dinner.”
    She stood there, unmoving. “Father…” She backed away from him. “Father, I…please don’t send Harry over the Leap tomorrow. He is innocent, and speaks truly.”
    “Are you listening to me, girl? What is this Scott fellow to you? Where did he come from?”
    “I met him in Corbridge when Mama and I went to market.” She wheeled round. “You remember him, Mama? The young man buying needles for his sister?”
    Her mother’s expression remained guarded, but she nodded slowly.
    Father snorted in derision. “Probably means he was looking the place over for the rest of those rogues.”
    “He saved my life!”
    “Oh, get away with your wild ideas, girl! How could he save your life in Corbridge market?” He laughed at her. “Stop mooning about him, and get yourself ready to meet Errington tomorrow. I won’t hear another word on the matter. Either eat or get yourself to your bed.”
    “Then I’ll go!” Alina ran from the hall