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“I want to make certain every bit of wool is shaved and collected,” Davina said as she pulled an old gown from the trunk and began to dress. “The fleece will be spun into wool, then weaved into cloth. We paid an exorbitant price for good wool last year; this year I intend to be the one selling, not buying.”

James studied her from the bed while she dressed, but made no further attempts to lure her back. By the time Davina had finishing dressing, James had also risen. On her way down to the great hall she met a sleepy-looking Colin going up, carrying a pitcher of hot water James required each morning to wash.

By the time she arrived, the hall was already bustling with hungry workers eating their fill. After checking with the cook that all was in order, Davina joined them. She ate quickly, enjoying each bite of her oatcakes, smothered in honey, then gulped a goblet of tangy buttermilk, pleased that she was able to keep down her meal, unlike the early months of her pregnancy when just the smell of food would make her stomach churn.

The bailey was filled with a restless excitement as the sheep were herded into pens to be shorn. For the most part, she and James observed, offering an opinion when asked. By the late afternoon impressive piles of wool dotted an entire section of the bailey.

As old Mangus had warned, the ewes were visibly anxious, having gone from a full thick winter wool coat to almost nothing. A sheep without her fleece looked naked, but the lambs would have an easier time finding the udder on a shorn ewe. And there would be many lambs in a few weeks, Davina was pleased to see, as so many of the sheep were pregnant.

Though she would never admit it to James, the day’s activities had left her feeling tired. Deciding that a short nap before the evening meal would be most welcome, Davina began making her way inside.

But a sudden commotion at the gate caught her attention. She shielded her eyes, tensing when she saw an unknown group of knights on horseback crowding the open portcullis.

James was instantly at her side, placing a soothing hand on her shoulder. His touch brought her an instant sense of calm. There was no need to be fearful—James would protect them.

One man broke from the group and entered the bailey. He came within a few yards of them before reining in his horse and dismounting. Then he removed his helmet and shook out his dark hair, which hung in waves down to his shoulders.

Her fear momentarily forgotten, Davina stared at his extraordinarily handsome face with its proud chin and angular jaw. As her gaze roamed his sculpted features, she realized that while she could appreciate his good looks, they did not call to her the way James’s did.

The stranger approached and when he was near enough, James astonished her by taking his hand off his sword hilt and reaching out his arm. The man grasped it and they locked arms, their muscles bulging as they held tightly to each other.

“My God, Gideon, is it really ye?” James asked.

“Aye, James. I thought the Scottish soil had opened and swallowed you whole, but then heard you were living out here,” Gideon answered.

The two men laughed.

“Come, meet my lady wife.” James’s chest and shoulders puffed out with pride as he brought her forward. “Davina, this ugly cur is Sir Gideon Croft, a brother Crusader.”

Sir Gideon executed a faultless, courtly bow. “I can see that you have made a conquest of this rogue. Well done, milady.”

Davina smiled, deciding that she liked the affable Sir Gideon. “I assure ye,’tis a mutual affection.”

“James always did have the best damn luck when it came to the ladies.”

“Oh, really?” Davina looked between the two men with great interest. “Do tell me more.”

“Pay no heed to this glib-tongued rouge. Have ye come looking fer a position?” James asked, hastily changing the subject. “I’ve a solid contingent of warriors, but would gladly make room fer a knight with yer skills.”

Looking pensive, Sir Gideon surveyed the desolate landscape, but when he turned back, Davina caught a fleeting furrow in his brow.

“There are some advantages to living in such a remote area,” she said.

A blush of red covered Sir Gideon’s cheeks. “I mean no disrespect, milady. ’Tis a fine holding.”

“No need to make a decision right now,” James said cheerfully. “Once given, the offer remains, if and when ye ever decide it would suit ye.”

Sir Gideon seemed relieved. “I’m on my way to a tournament in the south. The purse is enough to tempt any knight, though I see it will take more than coin to pry you away from your lady.”

“I’ve more riches than I can count right here,” James said, pulling Davina into his arms and kissing her soundly.

His open, uninhibited affection made Davina’s heart race almost as much as his sensual kiss. Still, she wanted to maintain some dignity and decorum in front of their guest, so she reluctantly pulled away from her amorous husband. Though she continued to tightly hold his hand.

“I’ve other news to share with you, James,” Sir Gideon said as they entered the great hall. “It concerns your family, specifically your brother, Malcolm.”

James stilled. “Is he in danger?”

“Possibly.” Sir Gideon glanced pointedly at her, clearly reluctant to say more.