I agree about TWN being a sort of 'dry run' for FotH—I do think the central relationship in this book is much better developed and more interesting, if not quite so id-tastically over-the-top.

Ah, so Sutcliff did read Broster! That similarity had also occurred to me, and it's great to have it confirmed. (And, returning to the 'did they mean it like that' question, it's certainly a possibility Sutcliff was aware of for her characters, given the canon m/m relationship in Sword at Sunset).

I feel like I could end up with a research project on my hands if I'm not careful.

Sounds like a great idea :D

And that line about the trees is one of my favourites—aww, Keith...