“They’re aware you’re here, lady, and you wrap yourself in the MacGreggor plaid.” He waited a moment. “Besides, by now ’tis common knowledge their laird saved a helpless lass from the water.”

“I’m an incredible swimmer, not helpless,” Gwen said rather indignantly.

“I could tell,” he replied dryly.

Gwen shot Gavin a nasty look before pulling away. She walked to the stables to the right of the keep. She stopped when she reached the front, then turned to look at the castle now to her left. She gasped.

It was magnificent.

It stretched wide across the beautiful land and stood probably four stories high. Stone steps with a marble or limestone balustrade led to the front doors. And decorative emerald green shutters adorned all of the windows, each with flower boxes beneath. To the left of the castle was the garden Anna had spoken of earlier. And to the right, directly across from the stables, was a simple one-story structure. It had a beautiful wooden door and large stained glass windows.

She assumed it was the chapel and decided to ask Gavin about it later. For now, she wasn’t speaking to him. Her inspection was interrupted when the current bane of her existence stopped before her. He held the reins of his horse, and the bag Anna had given him was secured to the saddle.

“How did Anna know we were leaving?” she asked without thinking. Damn, she forgot she wasn’t talking to him.

“We’re not leaving,” he corrected. “I’m merely showing you where you are.”

“Whatever,” she replied, brushing off his imperial tone. “You didn’t answer my question.”

“Anna came to check on you while you rested,” he explained. “I told her I’d be showing you the holding.” He grabbed her waist, and a second later, she was sitting atop the saddle with Gavin behind her.

They left the gates of the courtyard and traveled down a wide path. There were cottages on the left and fields where men were engaging in various states of swordplay on the right. They continued past a lake, riding quietly for over an hour.

Gavin helped her from the saddle, then held her while she gained her stand. She gave him a warm, genuine smile. “It’s more beautiful than anything I’ve ever seen,” she said. He nodded his agreement and handed her a small bag. Pointing toward the trees, he told her she could see to her needs.

“I’m impressed, you’ve thought of everything.”

“Not everything,” he remarked. “I’d not expected Greylen to be called away last night.”

His candor humbled her. “Was he surprised too?” she asked.

“Surprised? Furious was more the case.”

“Do you think he’ll return soon?”

“Mayhap in less than a week. It depends whether he rides or sails.”

“Is he in danger?”

“He was called to court to be present for a trial, lady. He’s in no danger.”