would soon be reunited, but Branwen was reluctant to part from him. What if her uncle decided against them? She might never see him again.
She pointed to a side door hidden in the curtain wall. “We can sneak out this way.” No one was about, so she wasn’t worried about being seen. Most were busy working inside their buildings at their daily tasks. “The lists are on the other side so we can go this way. They’re well hidden.”
Once they were out the door, Alick’s gaze fell on the outer stables, two medium-sized buildings connected by a smaller building in the middle. The end was almost to the woods. “Your stables are outside your curtain wall?” he asked. “Do you not worry about horse thievery?”
“We have both. The finest steeds are kept inside, especially those used for breeding. But my uncle has many horses, so they added a building out here for the guards’ mounts.”
“We tried to talk Grandsire into that, but he didn’t like the thought. They had to expand our curtain wall to hold all the buildings. But Grandsire keeps suggesting that we add new sections to the keep. He prefers for everyone to stay together.”
“Your castle is the largest I’ve ever seen.”
They walked by the stables, and the stablemaster came out to greet them with a broad smile. Jep was short for a man, though still taller than Branwen, and had green eyes that sparkled whenever he told stories from the olden days, or so he called them. She doubted he could be too old given his hair was still brown. He used to give her riding lessons, back when she had been allowed such luxuries, and he’d continued to offer his help and encouragement ever since. He and Fia were the two people her father hadn’t been able to take away from her.
“Was that your fine stallion I found outside the gates?” Jep asked Alick. “It looked to be a Grant plaid. I brought him in to brush him down and gave him a bag of oats.”
“Aye,” Alick said. “Shadow will gobble up anything you wish to give him. My thanks to you for your hospitality.”
Branwen made the introductions quickly, keeping an eye out for the returning group of hunters. Jep must have caught her looking because he smiled and said, “Do not worry. They’ll not be back before nightfall, lass. Where did you meet this fine lad?”
“At the festivities at Clan Grant. Alick actually taught me a few dance steps.” She looked up at him and blushed. She swore he looked even more handsome than he had on Grant land.
Alick quickly cut in. “Aye, we met and shared some dances. She’s a quick learner, but you probably already know that.”
Jep glanced at her and said, “Aye, we do. What brings you to Thane Castle?”
“I was passing through and stopped by for a visit.” Then, turning to Branwen, Alick asked, “Would you like to ride? Mayhap you can show me your favorite place.”
Jep cleared his throat and said, “Lass, you know there are many eyes here, though the largest ones are gone. Mayhap it would be safer for Alick to leave first? You can sneak out a few moments later to meet him. If you take your usual turn with the horse, you can meet him off the main path.”
Everything inside of her lit up, both at Alick’s suggestion and Jep’s immediate offer of help. She already knew where she wished to take him—out to the loch. She explained where she’d meet him and then watched him leave, keeping her eyes on him until he disappeared from view.
Jep helped her mount but held her back before she left. “My thanks for your kindness,” she said, grateful that he hadn’t attempted to persuade her not to go off with Alick.
“He’s an honorable man, if I were to guess. Are you as taken with him as he is with you, lass?”
The flush started in her cheeks, but it seemed to spread until it encompassed her entire body. “Aye. He’s honorable and kind, more than anyone I’ve met.” She didn’t comment on her feelings, but she knew she didn’t have to—that flush was her answer.
He said, “I wish you much happiness, but please be careful.” With that, he patted the flank of her mount and they took off in a brisk canter, Branwen savoring the wind in her face as her horse ran free through the small meadow. She led the way, not slowing until they arrived at the