Blackmane glanced in her direction. ‘Just make sure your mother and brother are safely inside first.’

Ita laughed.

Everard came out of the house and looked around. Spotting them, he cupped his mouth and shouted, ‘Defenders approaching!’

The three of them exchanged a questioning look, then headed around to the front of the house. Trotting along the road towards them were Tatum, Alveye, and Hadewaye. A smile flickered on Blackmane’s face before being replaced by a serious frown. He walked out to meet them, and Isabel followed.

It had been two months since Blackmane left Chadora, and while he seemed happy in his new life and role here, Isabel knew he missed his friends. It was evident in the topic change whenever she brought them up in conversation.

‘There he is,’ Tatum said, pulling up his horse and dismounting. ‘Unshaven and dressed like a ruffian.’

Isabel’s brow pinched. ‘I made those clothes.’

‘I can tell by the excellent fit and fine needlework,’ Tatum said awkwardly. He pulled Blackmane in for a brief hug, clapping him loudly on the back. ‘You’ve lost muscle.’

‘I’m exactly the same size as when I left.’

Tatum stepped back and looked him up and down. ‘We’ll see.’ He came to greet a grinning Isabel, kissing her on the cheek. ‘I’m sorry we missed the wedding. The warden isn’t much of a romantic.’

‘Do not apologise. It was small, simple, and perfect. It turns out Ryder is not one for public declarations of love. Who knew?’

‘Definitely not us,’ Alveye said, coming to kiss her.

Isabel looked over to where Hadewaye was holding on to her husband while he stood stiff as a board.

‘This is the longest we’ve ever been separated,’ Hadewaye said when he finally let go.

Alveye rolled his eyes. ‘It’s only been a few months.’

‘A long few months,’ Hadewaye added.

Blackmane was quiet amid the noise of their arrival, but Isabel could see the lift in his demeanour. He was happy.

‘So,’ she said, looking between the defenders. ‘What brings you to Maddock House?’

Alveye and Hadewaye exchanged a mischievous look.

‘What are you all up to?’ Blackmane asked.

Tatum reached out to squeeze his shoulder. ‘You may recall when you left that King Becket told you he would not be sending a unit to Carmarthenshire because England was being respectful of the borders, Chadora wished to remain neutral, etc.’

Blackmane lowered his brows. ‘I remember.’

‘But then a certain lord went against his king, putting a further divide between England and Wales and getting himself killed in the process.’

Isabel stepped closer to Blackmane and slipped her hand into his. ‘We definitely remember that part.’

Blackmane’s hand tightened around hers.

‘King Becket has since decided that he’ll support Carmarthenshire through their recovery to ensure they’re able to better defend themselves in the future,’ Hadewaye said.

Blackmane looked between the men. ‘What are you saying?’