“And what, pray tell, unsettles my lady?” Greylen asked through clenched teeth. He was ready to throttle the man.

“Well…” Duncan shrugged. “There was the time she helped your mother tend one of the children who’d fallen ill. It seems she’s quite the practiced healer, and her way with the boy was amazing. When we left the cottage, however, she cursed her way back to the keep, muttering something about not being able to help as she should. Then there was the time she happened upon the butcher.” Duncan laughed, a hearty belly laugh. “I think she’s not seen how meat goes from pasture to table. But…” He smiled looking pointedly at Greylen. “Your lady becomes most upset when your fighting skills are bandied about. Nothing sends her to the decanter with more speed than a tale of you in battle. The transformation’s astounding,” he exclaimed before quipping the order in which it occurred. “Unsettling news, muttering curses, brisk walk to the brandy, her hand held in gesture to be left for a moment’s peace. Then, finally, she turns with the most serene of smiles upon her face.”

Greylen tried not to smile, appeased at last with information and not surprised in the least at what that information was. “Continue, Duncan,” he instructed, his hands now clasped behind his back.

“She spends most of her time with Isabelle and takes her morning and evening meals in the great hall. She walks throughout the holding and visits the chapel in the late-morning hours, often speaking with Father Michael when he’s present.”

“What of her reaction to my departure?” Greylen asked.

“I wasn’t privy to the telling but was told she handled it with grace.”

Greylen ignored the last of Duncan’s statement. No doubt, Gwendolyn bit Gavin’s head off when he informed her of his absence. He asked now of the former, for his men met daily to discuss all, significant or not. “Gavin didn’t inform you of what transpired?”

“Nay. Though we saw her that day, Gavin remained her only guard until the following morn.”

“And your time with her after?” Greylen asked.

“There’s not much to tell. Our guard duties have shifted. Kevin, Hugh, or I follow her only in the morn and afternoon. And during those times, she’s shown us nothing but respect and kindness. Your sister and Lady Madelyn are always by her side, and her only time alone is when she remains behind the keep while Isabelle seeks her lessons,” Duncan revealed easily.

“What of her night guard? Does no one watch her then?” Greylen demanded. His hands fisted by his sides and the muscles in his face tightened.