“She is going with you, of course,” Jubil finished for him. Then she called out: “Peyton, sweetheart? I have brought you a bag!”
Alec would have liked for Peyton to stay out of sight as long as he deemed necessary, but Peyton had a mind of her own. Her luscious red hair glistened in the weak light as she moved out of the stall and stood next to Alec.
“Why did you bring me a bag?” she asked her aunt.
Jubil thrust the leather and canvas satchel at her niece.
“You will surely need clothing for your journey.”
Peyton raised a slow eyebrow. “What are you talking about? Jubil, are you flying again?”
“Nay, sweetheart, not at all,” Jubil said softly. “I overheard Lord Summerlin and his wife speaking about your possible betrothal to Colin Warrington and I knew that Alec would not let you go. I could only assume that he was taking you away this night, since Lord Summerlin is already drawing up a contract between you and Warrington.”
Peyton felt a stab of distaste at the thought and looked to Alec for his reaction. As usual, his face was expressionless. “Did my father say he had already created the betrothal contract between Peyton and Warrington?”
“He was attempting to complete it, but your mother was most resistant to the idea,” Jubil said. “She seems to think that you and Peyton belong together, in spite of everything.”
Alec cocked a contemplative eyebrow, his only response. Jubil was staring at the man openly but managed to tear her eyes away long enough to look to her niece. “Ivy is being readied for her wedding, Peyton, and she is frantic to find you. Ali cannot keep her uninformed much longer and I would suggest that you leave immediately.”
Peyton’s eyes suddenly stung with tears as she realized that she would miss her sister’s wedding. With a heavy sigh, shenodded reluctantly and Alec put his hand on her shoulder, sensing her thoughts.
“Come on, sweetheart. ’Tis time to leave,” he glanced at the older woman. “I will trust you with our secret, then. Not a word, Aunt Jubil, and I shall be grateful.”
Jubil blushed at the use of her name. “Lucifer himself could not wrest it from my mouth.”
He nodded confidently in reply, turning to Peyton. “I want you to exit via the servant’s gate near the kitchens and meet me out in front. I must take Midas through the gates, as he is far too large to pass through the tunnel entrance.”
“But what if your father sees you?” Peyton asked. “Won’t he try to stop you?”
Alec shook his head. “I doubt it. After the conversation we had earlier, he shall most likely think I am going off to sulk.”
Satisfied, Peyton nodded and Alec led Midas from his stall, clutching her with his other hand. Jubil moved briskly to her niece, digging through the bag she held.
“Your cloak, sweetheart,” she said, swinging a heavy brocade cape over Peyton’s shoulders. It was a beautiful forest-green, lined with brown rabbit and nearly too hot on this warm night. But there was dampness to the air and she would be grateful for the protection later. Alec watched with approval as Jubil secured the cloak, oblivious to Peyton’s protests that it was too warm to wear.
“You will need the cloak to protect you from the night,” he said with a faint smile, casting a glance at Jubil. “Thank you, my lady. Your foresight is appreciated.”
“My pleasure,” Jubil smiled openly at him and Peyton shook her head.
“Traitorous cow,” she muttered. “You would do anything for him regardless of my feelings, would not you?”
“He is to be your husband,” Jubil said firmly. “We must obey the master, mustn’t we?”
Peyton snarled her lip at her aunt as Alec snickered. Outside the stables, the servants were beginning to return from their evening meal and Alec tossed Midas’ reins on to the pommel of the saddle.
“Go now,” he whispered to Peyton. “I shall meet you out in front.”
Peyton peered out into the stable yard. “But all of those servants are going to see me. Won’t they tell your father that I ran off– again?”
Alec started to reply but Jubil interrupted. “They’ll not see you, sweetheart.”
With that, Jubil left the stable and strolled through the yard toward the castle. Suddenly, she let out a rousing yell and launched into the loudest song Alec had ever heard outside of a tavern. Instantly, all of the servants in the stable yard turned to the thunderous source of the tune and watched the woman with great curiosity. Peyton, knowing that the time was upon her to depart while the servants’ attentions were occupied, pulled the cloak about her and started for the stable door.
But Alec grasped her before she could take a full step, planting his delicious lips firmly on her own. The warm, lingering kiss made her toes tingle. He pulled away, grinning.
“For luck,” he whispered.
Her cheeks flushed, she returned his smile shyly and slipped from the livery. Alec watched for several moments as she moved silently across the courtyard before mounting Midas and riding unmolested from the bailey of Blackstone.
