“No, just to the shop in the village. Willow will meet me there.”
“Very well, my love. Please be careful and talk to no one. Do you understand?” Jacq braked the lathe and brushed his hands clean on his shirt before hugging her and saying, “Don’t be gone too long.”
He and Nathan watched her mount Brinna and ride away over the hill, heading towards Belladore.
Nathan looked up at his older brother. They shared the same gap-toothed grin and curly hair. He scratched his head and said, “Does she know yet?”
Jacq shook his head violently. “I am not going to tell her. It would bring her nothing but danger.”
Nathan scoffed at this. “Come on, Jacq. You cannot keep it a secret forever. Sooner or later you are going to have to tell her something.”
Jacq stared down at the gold band on his finger f
