"Mary A. Turzillo - Ben Cruachan" - читать интересную книгу автора (Turzillo Mary A)

wasunmanly, and if the lad was to stay, he would have to learn better ways. It
wasunseemly to ask a lad not much younger than he himself to work for his
keep, yetnoble lads -- Duncan felt sure Angus was of noble birth -- often did
menial,hard labor."I trust you know horse grooming?""My Laird, I would serve
you by playing the pipes."An odd request, but Duncan called old Andrew, his
piper, and asked that theStewart lad be instructed along with young Andrew,
the piper's son.All day long, as Duncan went over his accounts before the
fire, he heard tunesplayed: "Carls w' the Breeks," "The Old Sword's Lament,"
and "The FriedPeriwig." Angus had some knowledge, it seemed, for it was only
by listeningclosely that Duncan could hear when the tune was played by the
master, and whenby young Angus.Daylight brightened, the storm abated, and a
man beat on Duncan's gate: oldRobert Campbell, his uncle who was to be his
father-in-law.Robert Campbell strode into the hall and tore off his bonnet.
"You harbor onewho has spilled blood, Duncan Campbell, and you must give the
murderer up."In the far corner of the castle, Duncan could hear the bagpipe
lessons going on:"The Bells of Perth." The skirl of the practice chanter made
the hair of hisneck suddenly stand on end. He rose and with two strides was at
the mantel wherehis claymore lay."I have sworn protection to the
killer."Robert put his hand to his own claymore. "Then I fear you've done
unwisely,Duncan, and it shall go ill with you when you come to fetch Elizabeth
as yourbride. The one you shelter has murdered Donald, your own cousin."Horror
and confusion rose in Duncan's heart, but he had given his word. He said,"Be
that as it is. My word is my bond." His hand tightened on the claymore."You
will regret that pledge," said Robert.Duncan stood in the open door and
watched Robert mount and ride away in thefreezing rain.Duncan's anger boiled
within him. Angus Stewart had made him give his word,after killing his cousin
and his friend, the man who was brother to his beloved!He strode into the
chamber where old Andrew instructed the lad, and curtlydismissed his
piper."What do you mean, seeking the oath of the cousin of the man you
killed?" hesaid."I have done nothing --"Duncan struck the lad on the cheek,
knocking him backward into the wall.Young Stewart sank to his knees before
Duncan and tore open his shirt.Duncan staggered backward. No flat chest, hairy
as a man's or smooth as a boy's,was revealed beneath that shirt, but two full,
bonny breasts as ripe asSeptember apples."Do what you will with me," said the
stranger, "but remember your pledge."Duncan raked a hand through his beard.
"What manner of creature are you?""I am a lass," said young Stewart. "My true
name is Annie, and I disguisedmyself in man's dress." She fluffed out her dark
hair, bit her lips and flushed,and he marveled how he could ever have thought
her a lad."Well, cover yourself," Duncan said, feeling the color creep over
his own face.Instead she reached her arms out. "Remember your pledge! Donald
your cousintried to ravish me, and I defended myself as a good woman ought. I
didn't meanto kill him, but my wee knife slipped."Duncan turned his eyes away,
but the lass seized his hands and pressed them toher lips. He could feel the
heat of her bosom, smell her skin, and he was movedby dark passions. "This
must be a lie," he said. "Donald was a mild man, marriedto the bonniest lass
in Inverawe save my own beloved. He cannot have tried toravish you."She
sobbed, "I swear to you, by Ben Cruachan, and by St. Andrew.""You are free
with oaths, lass." Duncan tried halfheartedly to pull his handaway."See these
bruises on my neck and bosom," she said. "I got them in defense of
mymaidenhead."Duncan looked, as she opened the shirt further and displayed a