Highland Lover: Book 3 Scottish Knights Trilogy Read Online Free

from the one that you and your friend will occupy.”
    “We decided that people should call me James whilst we are all on this ship,” he replied, looking her up and down as if he were assessing her but without any sign of impertinence. Then, he added matter-of-factly, “Orkney said ye were beautiful, my lady. I believe he understated that fact considerably.”
    His seriousness invested his words with charm that surpassed that of most adult males she had met and drew a smile from her as she thanked him.
    He was a sturdy-looking lad with a mop of dark auburn curls, doubtless inherited from his Drummond mother, since most Stewarts were fair and blue-eyed. His were dark brown, with long, thick eyelashes. He would be nine at the end of July, but he had spoken with solemn dignity far beyond his years. When she smiled at his compliment, he smiled back rather wistfully.
    Then, as if recalling his duty, he gestured toward his companion and said, “This be my friend, Will Fletcher. He isna used tae the Fletcher bit yet, though. We began calling him so on Bass Rock, ’cause they had three other Wills there. Sithee, Will’s da was a fletcher, so calling him Will Fletcher seemed a good notion.”
    “It sounds wise to me,” Alyson said, smiling at Will, who bobbed a bow in return. He looked a year or two older than Jamie, had darker, curlier hair, and a demeanornearly as solemn. “Your father made arrows, did he, Will?”
    “He did, aye, m’lady.”
    “A cousin of mine is a highly skilled archer, so I know about fletchers. How did you come to be friends with James?”
    “Me mam were dead, and when me da fell out o’ an apple tree, he died, too. I didna like the tanner we worked for in Doune, so I joined up wi’ Jamie instead. D’ye ken how long we’ll be aboard this ship, m’lady?”
    “That likely depends on the weather,” she replied. “The winds have been unpredictable, so we cannot count on their goodwill. Would you two like to go below with me and see your cabin and mine?” When they nodded, she said, “Did you bring aught with you to occupy yourselves?”
    “I have a chessboard and pieces tae play chess or dames,” Jamie said. “Orkney and I taught Will tae play, too. So if you know how…”
    Alyson grimaced. “I know the moves, but I fear that either of you will beat me easily. Still, it will be good for me to learn more.”
    “Aye, well, I can teach ye, m’lady,” Jamie said. “Mayhap Orkney will, too, or your husband, Master Clyne.”
    Alyson nodded as she passed them to go down the ladder. In truth, she had barely spoken with Niall since they’d arrived at Leith Harbor to meet Mungo. And now that Orkney was aboard, she doubted she would see much of Niall at all. Orkney’s business would keep him and Mungo busy, as it usually did.

    Unstable weather continued as they traveled south. By Tuesday, their fifth day at sea, the wind had picked up again, and Jake thought the merchantman’s captain was letting it push the ship dangerously near the English north coast.
    Although England, France, and Scotland were enjoying a rare truce, he had no faith in truces. Moreover, he had heard men say that pirates prowled that coast.

Chapter 2
    B y Thursday, Alyson had still seen little of her husband, because other than brief encounters, the only times she saw him were when they took their midday dinners with the boys, Mungo, and Orkney in the earl’s cabin. The three men spent the rest of their days and evenings together, while Alyson, Ciara, and the boys occupied themselves below or walking on deck when they could.
    Seamen brought down trays each morning for them to break their fast and again at night for supper. Meantime, they played chess or dames, or walked, and talked about any number of things, including the boys’ time on the Bass Rock.
    Alyson found it hard if not impossible to imagine how any business of Orkney’s could consume so much of three men’s time. But so it was, and it was no business of