shifted to look at her. “My father has been the same way. My mama died two years ago, and nothing’s been the same since.”
The younger lass nodded with a wisdom that went beyond her years. “He misses Mama, and I understand. She was always happy and smiling, kept the house just so. I’m not as good at it, and I just don’t want to do it anymore. Was it the same for you?”
“Nay. Papa is still nice to the lads. I have two brothers. We live in my uncle’s castle, so I don’t have to cook, but I have to watch the two lads. Papa lets them do whatever they wish and never gets upset. He’s always angry with me about something or another. I’m tired of it. ’Tis a most hateful way to live. Alick made me realize there is more to life than taking care of my brothers and wondering when I would be hit next.”
“How awful! My sire never beat us. I’m glad you ran away. But where do we go from here? I grabbed a loaf of bread, but I have little else for us to live on.”
“We are not far from Thane land. One of my favorite people there is the stablemaster, Jep. I’ll sneak in to see him, see if he’ll find my bow and arrow and give me a horse. My uncle’s castle is large, and they have over a hundred horses. I cannot see them missing one. Then we can search out my true husband.”
Lora’s eyes flew open wide. “Tell me more about him.”
“I fell for him at the Grant festival. He came to court me, but my father refused and promised me to your father instead. So Alick and I ran away to get married. It had naught to do with you or your siblings.”
“But where is he now? Why didn’t he take you away? You should be together.” Lora’s words preyed on her own dark feelings, making her wonder why Alick hadn’t found a way to do just that.
But then she thought about their situation. “His cousin’s land was about to be attacked by an English garrison. He left after it was dark and had no guards with him. He worried about not being able to protect me from the English. If I were to guess, he probably also wanted to reveal the news to his family after they were attacked rather than before.”
“Your husband sounds like a fine man. He’s a warrior?”
“Aye, he always has his sword with him, and his cousin is the lass I mentioned, the one who found a bow for me and taught me how to use it.”
“I would love to meet both of them. Do you think your stablemaster could get you another bow and arrow so you can teach me?”
“Aye, I’ll ask. I’ll also try to get some food. Then we just have to wait for Alick to return for me. We can go to Grant land once he comes along. I’ll tell Jep to send me a message when he arrives.”
“You’re sure we can trust Jep?”
“I am.”
“And you believe Alick was being truthful when he said he would return?” Lora stared at the ceiling as they spoke, the stone as smooth as the water in a loch on a calm day.
“Aye, I do. I trust him with my life.” How she hoped she was right.
***
Branwen stood far enough away from Thane Castle to assess the situation. It was just before dawn, and she knew there was usually little movement until the men broke their fast, something they did after starting their morning in the lists. Her sire wouldn’t be up yet. Nab usually woke up first and ran down for his porridge just after dawn, their father would follow, and then Roy would stroll into the hall just before high sun. Her father insisted on keeping his bairns away from the others, although she’d never understood why.
This was the safest time to see Jep in the stables. Once she was confident no one was about, she made her way to the stables outside the gate, pleased to see her friend already awake and moving about. She startled him, but she quickly gave him the sign to keep quiet. He followed her outside, where they stepped into a copse of trees for privacy.
“Lass, what are you doing? I heard your sire forced you to marry that old man. ’Tis true?”
“Aye, and nay. He forced me to wed Osbert Ware, but I refuse to