Davina woke to warmth first. She felt the steady heat of another body, and an arm curved securely around her waist. For a moment, she did not move. She was merely suspended between sleep and waking, listening to the slow rhythm of Baird’s breathing behind her. That was how they had fallen asleep after the bath, exhaustion finally claiming them both, and their limbs tangled without thought or pretense.
She smiled to herself.
Carefully, she shifted just enough to look at him. His face was softened by sleep, the lines of command and worry eased away. He looked younger like this.
Less laird. More man…herman.
She might have stayed there longer, but the day would not allow it.
When they finally rose, the mood remained gentle rather than hurried. They dressed side by side, the familiarity of it still new enough to feel like a small miracle. Davina pinned her hair while Baird fastened his belt.
“Baird,” she said, suddenly remembering something. “I am worried.”
He glanced at her at once. “About what?”
“The farmers,” she told him. “The villagers nearest the eastern road. If the Sinclairs are moving troops, they willnae stop at harrying shipments. Those folk have nay walls, and nay guards.”
He nodded slowly, already following her thoughts. “Aye. And the store rooms beyond the outer fields are exposed as well. There is grain and dried meat, and if they burn those, winter will finish what swords start.”
She turned to face him. “Then we should bring everyone in, all of them. People and supplies alike.”
“There will be complaints,” he pointed out. “Crowding and fear.”
“There will besurvival,” she replied wisely.
A slow smile touched his mouth. “Ye are right.”
He crossed the room and took her hands. “We will go at once. We shall open the gates and clear space in the lower halls.”
She smiled. “Thank ye fer listening.”
“I always listen tae ye,” he said. Then, he added. “I am glad ye are on me side, Davina. I spent years believing a laird must carry every burden alone. Me faither saw it as strength.”
She squeezed his hands. “And now?”
“And now,” he said, “I think he was wrong.”
She laughed softly. “That is fortunate, because I have nay intention of letting ye dae anything alone ever again, if I can help it.”
He smiled fully then. “I was hoping ye would say that.”
The keep was already stirring when they went downstairs. For everyone present, the morning was sharp with urgency rather than ceremony. Davina felt it in the quickened steps of servants and the way every glance lingered a moment too long on Baird as he entered the hall.
He did not pause.
“Kenny,” he called.
Kenny was at his side at once, already armed and with his cloak fastened. “Aye, me laird?”
“Take six guards,” Baird said. “Ride ahead tae the villages. Tell them tae prepare tae leave immediately. We will help them take only what they can carry. Livestock, if there is time.”
Kenny nodded. “And if they resist?”
“They willnae,” Davina said before Baird could answer. “Tell them their lives are in danger.”
Kenny’s mouth curved briefly. “That will dae.”
Baird met her gaze, then turned back to Kenny. “If ye see Sinclair scouts?—”
