Page 37 of Anice’s Bargain

James put his hands up in surrender and backed up a step. “I leave ye to yer training then, but I’d like to stay to watch.”

“Aye,” Leila answered. “Mayhap you can offer advice on how to fight a Graham, should the need arise.”

“If any Graham attacks here from this day onward, I’ll be fighting at yer side,” James said with sincerity.

Anice studied him skeptically. Did he truly mean he would go against his own people?

She put her back to Ella and set the question from her mind. If they were going to train, they ought to start soon, or it would grow too late to continue. “Help me with my armor, if you would please. It’s given me a beast of a time.” Ella turned from Peter and helped strap the thick padding to Anice’s chest, an impossible feat earlier while wearing her kirtle.

While they usually donned breeches and shirts for practice, they’d agreed dresses would be prudent in the event James or Laird Graham saw them coming to or from the stables. While Leila trusted James, Anice did not anticipate she would do so with Laird Graham.

Once her armor was securely in place, Anice swept her sword from the wall and strode past James. All the others followed her, except Ella who glanced toward Peter. “Would you spar with me tonight?”

The handsome Master of the Horse often trained with Ella, which most likely had only increased her affection for him. Anice didn’t have the heart to tell her sister how often Peter slipped away from supper early in the evenings with his arm around one of the various female servants of Werrick Castle.

“Come, Ella.” Anice nodded to the cleared space of the bailey behind the stables, an area unable to be seen from the castle. “You’re with me.”

Ella gave one last, lingering look at Peter as she walked outside.

Anice shot James a glance. “I hope you can keep a secret.”

The corner of his lip curled up. “Ye know I can.”

Before the implication could stain her cheeks, Anice followed Ella from the stables with Cat bounding after them.

Geordie was at her side in an instant. “Do you want me to set your target?”

“That would be lovely, thank you.” Cat beamed a smile that no doubt devastated the boy, and he ran off, casting glances back at her.

Not that Anice had much time to observe such displays of unrequited love. Not when Ella drew back her axe and swung.

Anice ducked low to avoid the blow and bolted upright with a jab of her dulled blade. Of them all, Ella had to utilize the most care during their mock battles. While the edge of her weapon had been dulled to render it safer, the impact could still shatter bone.

Ella leapt back, avoiding being struck by Anice’s blade, and the battle began in full.