In another, much more busy, tavern in Dumbarton, Elizabeth was glad to be out of the saddle. The destrier was too large a mount for her, she had known as much as soon as she was lifted into the saddle, though she had not dared to complain for fear she would be left behind. Her knees ached nigh as much as her buttocks, for she had had to clench the steed tightly to ensure that she was not cast into the dirt.
They had ridden for more days than she could count. Elizabeth could not recall having ridden for more than half a day before this seemingly endless journey. She wondered whether she would ever walk with ease again.
She also wondered why Madeline had ever possessed any fondness for James. Elizabeth was certain that she had never met a man so tedious in all her days. She could not imagi
