'Hugh,' I said quietly.'It was equally as joyous and sweet for me.'
'Oh…' His mouth dropped open.I think that was the first time I had surprised him.'Now I think it best that we get our clothes on, don't you?'I forced a smile that I hoped was sweet.'I for one am getting cold standing here in the rain, and if we are to get up this cursed valley we should move soon.'
He nodded, once, and put out his hand, but dropped it before he touched me.'Let us get on then,' he said, with his gaze not faltering.He stooped to lift his sword and slid it into the scabbard with an audible hiss.'If things were different between us,' he said, 'I would not be walking away from you.'
I watched him dress, with my eyes savouring every movement of his body and limbs.Despite my guilt, I could not control my feelings and had no desire to do so.
'Put this on, Jeannie.'Hugh opened the second bag he had brought with him and passed over a pair of male breeches and a protective jack.'A woman riding astride will attract attention wherever she goes.A young man dressed like everybody else will hardly merit a glance.'
'Thank you.'I had never worn men's clothing before.They were loose nearly everywhere, yet not uncomfortable.I placed my own clothes in the bag and tied that to the back of my saddle.
'Follow me,' Hugh said.He passed over the steel helmet he must have stolen on his earlier visit.'Your hair is too obvious.Pile it under this.'
'I will look out of place wearing a helmet when I am just riding through.'
'You will look more out of place as a man with hair down to his…' Hugh changed the word quickly, 'hips.'
I smiled.Most of the men in the Lethan, including Robert, would have used a much more graphic term.'Thank you,' I said, referring to Hugh's gentlemanly language rather than the loan of the helmet.I stacked my long hair on top of my head and fitted the helmet on top.It was heavy and uncomfortable.
'Ready?'Hugh's eyes wandered down me.'I wish…' he said, turned his horse abruptly and walked it away.
'You wish?'I probed.
He did not finish his sentence.
Chapter Ten
LIDDESDALE
SEPTEMBER 1585
We rode down from the Nine Stane Rig where my faithfulness to Robert had been tested and my passion had emerged victorious, and we rode up Liddesdale in full view of everybody.
Now, you may not know that in the Borderland all the major people were known to each other and were recognisable by sight and by name.Despite the size of the area and the number of people, it was really quite a close community, so when we walked our horses down from the ridge and stepped boldly up the valley, I felt certain that somebody would realise we were strangers and shout out a challenge.
What I had not reckoned with was the nocturnal nature of the Borders.It was an elemental mistake I made.Hugh had not made the same error.With so many of the men engaged in night-time reiving, only women, children, and ordinary farmers were abroad in the early morning.That, added to the shifting, uncertain light of autumn and Hugh's iron nerves, worked in our favour.
I was inclined to rush, to try and pass through the valley as quickly as possible so pushed in my spurs to hurry things along.
'Slow down.'Hugh's voice was calm as his hand rested on the bridle of my horse.I could not resist the temptation to touch it.'We are ordinary men going about our business.There is no need to rush.'
He was right of course.Respectable travellers, even in such an extraordinary locality as Liddesdale, did not rush.They move at a steady pace, as Hugh insisted we do, and nodded to people they passed, even taking the time to remark on events to whosever they met on the road.
'Well met, fellows!'The cheerful call took me by surprise, so I nearly jumped up from my saddle.
'Well met.'Hugh responded with a lift of his hand as the small group of people reined up in front of us to pass the time of day.I looked up briefly from beneath the brim of my helmet.There were five in the company, two women and three men.
'Are you bound for Hawick, friend?'The leading man seemed inclined to speak.He was a young-looking man with a neat beard and an air of obvious authority.
'Hawick and points north,' Hugh said.'Peebles if we can get there by nightfall.And yourselves?'
The bearded man laughed.'Hermitage Castle for a night or two,' he said, 'and maybe some sport.'
'There is ill sport in Liddesdale,' Hugh responded.
I was less interested in whatever sport this gallant young blade intended than in the attention that both women in his train were paying in me.Perhaps men believe that they can spot a pretty woman a mile away, as many of my Lethan boys claimed, but it is a fact that women are more perspicacious than men.These two were studying me and whispering together behind raised hands and with wondering, calculating eyes.
'Ill sport?'the gallant man asked.'Why is that, pray?'
