"Ye werenae bein' foolish. Ye were bein' careful. There's a difference."
"Still." She turned to face him fully. "Thank ye."
The courtyard was empty except for them. Music and laughter drifted from the hall, but it felt distant, muted. Like they were the only two people in the world.
Alpin reached up slowly, giving her time to pull away, and cupped her face in his hand.
"Ye're welcome," he said softly.
CHAPTER SIXTEEN
Mhairi woke to sunlight streaming through her window and the distant sound of the castle coming to life.
For a moment, she just lay there, staring at the ceiling, replaying the previous night in her mind. The dance. Alpin's hands on her waist. His voice sayingI'm attracted tae yelike it was the simplest truth in the world.
Then she forced herself out of bed before she could spend the entire morning daydreaming like a foolish girl.
The borrowed nightdress pooled around her feet as she moved to the washbasin. The water was cold, shocking her fully awake as she splashed it on her face. She dressed quickly in one of her new dresses, a practical brown wool that was perfect for working with the healer.
Her hands were steadier than they'd been in weeks.
By the time she made her way down to the courtyard, the sun was well above the horizon. Servants bustled past carryinglinens and breakfast trays. Warriors gathered near the training yard, their voices carrying across the open space.
And there, near the stables, was Alpin.
Mhairi stopped walking, just watching him for a moment.
He was brushing down one of the horses, a large bay stallion that stood patiently as Alpin worked. His movements were practiced, efficient, the kind of care that came from years of doing that same task. He'd rolled his sleeves up to his elbows, and morning light caught on the scars that marked his forearms.
"Are ye goin' tae stand there starin', or are ye goin' tae come say good mornin'?"
Mhairi jumped. She hadn't realized he'd noticed her. "I wasnae starin'."
"Ye were definitely starin'." Alpin glanced over his shoulder, grinning at their ongoing joke. "Though I dinnae mind."
Heat crept up her neck as she crossed the remaining distance. "I was just... admirin' the horse."
"The horse. Right." His eyes were dancing with amusement. "And here I thought ye might be admirin' somethin' else."
"Ye're terrible."
"So I've been told." He returned his attention to the stallion, running the brush along its flank in long, smooth strokes. "Sleep well?"
"Aye." Better than she had in weeks, actually. "Ye?"
"Well enough." He paused, then added quietly, "Though I kept thinkin' about a certain lass in a green dress."
Mhairi's breath caught. Before she could respond, Alpin moved on smoothly, gesturing to the horse. "This is Dùbh. He's been with me fer five years now. Stubborn as hell but loyal when it matters."
The stallion snorted as if in agreement.
"He's beautiful," Mhairi said, reaching out tentatively to stroke the horse's neck. The hair was warm and sleek under her palm.
"Aye, he is." Alpin watched her hand on the horse. "Have ye ever owned one? A horse of yer own?"
"Nay." Mhairi kept her touch gentle. "Me faither had horses fer the family, but they werenae reallyours. More like... shared property that he controlled."
Something shifted in Alpin's expression. "We should change that."
