Torr stopped beside the block, and Cat dismounted. She left his bag of clothes and belongings just inside the stable doorway, then ran to pet the mare she had grown so fond of.
"Rosie, you sweet lass. I'm so glad you're all right. Are you hungry, or did you eat your fill of grass?"
She led the mare into a stall and scooped a cup of oats into her trough. When Cat opened the stall door for Hercules, he trotted inside and nickered, looking at her expectantly. She brought him oats as well.
Torr waited in the corridor.
"Do you want some oats, Torr?" she teased.
He neighed, prompting her to laugh.
"I'll wait until you shift, then we can go inside together."
He picked up the satchel in his mouth and entered an empty stall. Clearly, he didn't want her to watch him shift or view his naked body, even though she had already seen both.
The gangly, stable lad clambered down the ladder from the loft. "Och, you're both back, m'lady?"
"Aye, Charlie. A good morn to you. Sir Torr is in here." She pushed the stable door closed so he could shift and dress in privacy.
"Pray pardon. I was asleep. You should've called me."
"Nonsense. All is well. The horses are eating oats," she said.
"I'll brush them down."
"So kind of you."
"Nay, you are the one who is kind, m'lady." He grinned, making her a bit uncomfortable. He was likely only a few years younger than her own twenty summers, and she hoped he didn't develop an interest in her. Thankfully, he grabbed a curry comb and proceeded into Hercules' stall.
Hearing female voices outside, she turned her attention in that direction. 'Twas the two maids.
"I'll be outside," she called to Torr, then hurried into the barmkin.
Maude and Aggie carried two baskets each as they crossed the cobblestones.
"Oh, m'lady, you're back!" Wide-eyed, Aggie hurried toward her. "Thank the saints. I was worried sick."
"We just arrived, and all is well." Still thankful the horses were here and unharmed, she smiled.
Aggie glanced toward the stables. "Did Lady Elsea come with you?"
"Oh, nay. That turned out differently than I'd hoped. She's enamored with someone else."
The maid smirked. "Nay surprise there. She's a light skirt, I tell you."
Ignoring Aggie's negativity, Cat asked, "Where are you off to?"
"We're going to pick blackcurrants for a preserve," Maude said eagerly.
"Oh. 'Twill be delicious." Cat imagined the sweet and tangy fruitiness. "I cannot wait to eat some of it."
"Where is Sir Torr?" Aggie asked.
"In the stables."
"I'm sure you're both starving. I'll go fetch the leftover bannocks and porridge from the kitchen," Maude said.
"Nay. We can serve ourselves," Cat said. "I'd much rather you harvest the blackcurrants. That way, I can eat the preserve sooner." She grinned, starting to crave it now. "Do you have any, by the way?"
