Page 78 of Promised to the Forbidden Laird

Instead, it felt dangerously like peace.

The following morning, Roy found Donaldina in the stables before sunrise. She stood beside her mare, her cloak draped over one shoulder and her hair loosely braided down her back. Pale light filtered through the high windows, catching dust and straw. Horses shifted in their stalls, filling the stable with the warm scents of leather, hay, and living breath.

“Ye are early,” Roy remarked.

Donaldina tightened a buckle. “Ye said we depart after the morning meal.”

“That is two hours from now.”

“I wished tae inspect the horses.”

“Bran was inspected last night.”

“By ye.”

“Aye.”

“Then a second inspection was necessary.”

Roy approached the mare and ran one hand along the saddle strap. “Are ye questioning me judgment?”

“I would never question it without excellent cause.”

“And have ye excellent cause?”

Donaldina considered him. “Frequently.”

He almost smiled.

The stable hands were occupied loading the first wagons. Near the outer doors, two empty buckets waited beside the well. Roy collected them.

“We require water for the horses.”

Donaldina followed him into the yard. The morning was cold enough that mist rose from the stone trough. Roy lowered the first bucket into the well while she held the rope clear of the wheel. The chain creaked, and water splashed faintly far below.

“Ye have checked the road three times,” she observed.

“Twice.”

“Three times.”

“The first inspection was performed by Hamish.”

“Under yer orders.”

Roy drew the full bucket upward. “The road passes through woodland. Cormac’s men remain unaccounted for.”

“The guards ken their duties.”

“A man may ken his duty and still perform it poorly.”

Donaldina rested one hand upon the well’s edge. “Ye might attempt tae enjoy the festival.”

“I intend tae.”

She looked pointedly at his face.

He gestured at his face with his finger. “This is me expression of enjoyment.”