Page 9 of The Scot’s Secret

Clara knew of Chauncy Manor. She didn’t think it was more than two or three days’ ride from Barrington. Which made this conversation all the more dangerous. Lady Juliette might have known her father. . . or at least heard of him by reputation.

“So we may not have had an abundance of visitors, but certainly there were at least more female servants.”

“’Tis odd,” Clara agreed. “Well, there are at least two more females at Brockburg now.”

Juliette crossed her arms.

“Well, of sorts.” Clara’s smirk was an acknowledgment that she understood her predicament well.

Juliette stood. “I will not ask again for you to share,” she said more seriously. “But please do be careful. I wish you would agree to—”

“Nay,” Clara said, softly but firmly. “I am a squire and must remain as such.”

“But you will be Alex’s own squire. Surely you realize what that means? How are you to conceal yourself from someone you see every day, all day?”

“I served your husband, and he was not aware,” Clara reminded her.

“And I tease him about that even now,” Juliette said. “How he could not have known. . .”

“’Twas my duty to ensure he did not.”

My life depends on it.

But that was a thought Clara kept to herself.

* * *

Alex and Toren entered the heavily wooded area as they watched the men run ahead.

“Kind of you to finally join us, brother,” Alex said. Nearly a week had passed since Toren’s arrival, and he’d only seen his brother once—that first night, at the evening meal.

“I’ve been otherwise occupied,” Toren replied.

“If by ‘occupied’ you mean enjoying the company of your beautiful English bride, then aye. I am sure you have been.”

Dressed lightly without armor, the men entered the clearing Alex and Toren’s father had designated as another list for training. Surrounded by trees and cut in half by a river strong enough to carry a man at its center, it afforded more obstacles than the artificial field housed inside the castle walls.

They stood at the edge of the clearing, watching as the men paired off with their blunted swords. They’d been trained well, and all knew their positions.

“So your wife allowed you to escape? I assume she sickens of your overbearing presence?”

Toren shot him a glance, warning him away. But that look never scared Alex quite as much as his brother would have liked. And so he pressed on, smiling.

“Your wife. The same woman, for all eternity.” Alex shuddered. “At least one Kerr will have done his duty.”

“That’s enough, Alex.”

“Enough? Never!” He reached behind his brother so quickly Toren didn’t have time to react. He wrapped his arm around Toren’s neck, squeezing until his brother was finally able to loosen his grip.

Alex relented good-naturedly. “’Tis good to see your stubborn arse again, Toren.” Turning to the men, he yelled, “Switch,” and they did. Alex watched as they changed sparring partners and took up their swords against new opponents.

“I’d say the same if you’d manage to be serious just once.” Toren ruined the effect of the chiding comment by lifting the corners of his mouth just slightly.

“You’ll find I can be quite serious when the situation calls for it.”

He drew his eyebrows together, mocking his older brother’s expression as best he could.

“Tell me.”