“If the Macnaughtens send men, it’ll be with the Gunns.” Thor spoke from behind her. She twisted to look back at him. “I recognized their plaid among the men with the Gunns, MacDonnells, and MacDonalds. I dinna ken if they’re playing both sides or if they’ve aligned with the Gunns, but I ken some were there.”
Greer looked at the floor before meeting Thor’s gaze. “I didna ken their plaid well enough to recognize any of them.” Her mother had been a kind woman who’d done her best to raise Greer despite her violent husband. It embarrassed Greer that she couldn’t even recognize her mother’s plaid. She couldn’t recall them at Highland Gatherings, and she’d definitely never been introduced to any.
“I understand the Gunns and their allies are still a threat, but I worry aboot the English just as much. They may nae send enough men here to defeat ye, but what aboot all the other threats? Yer land, yer coin, yer titles. What of those? What if Edward is of a mind to strip ye of those things?”
“Ye’ve clearly learned to lead, lass.” Liam’s voice held approval. “It’s good that ye think of those things. But there is nay one in the Highlands who would take our land except for the Gunns, and we already ken how things work out for them when they try to take aught that is ours. As for the titles, aye, they give me authority and power, but I’ve also earned those in ma own right. Callum has done the same. Nay one will think less of him or fear him less if he doesnae hold the title of earl. The English certainly arenae sending any of their own up here to take our land, and even if one of them bears the title, the people of Caithness ken who rules this land.”
“What aboot yer coin? They could levy heavy taxes against ye. Isnae going to pay taxes and fines for fighting how Magnus found Deirdre at court?” Greer knew the various couples’ stories from Rose.
“We barter as much as we sell things. If nay coin exchanges hand, that doesnae mean we canna still get what we need. I dinna want ye to fash over this until there is a reason to, Greer. Ma clan and I have survived three Edwards, all as arrogant and daft as the other. We’ve had contingency plans for more than thirty years.”
Greer nodded, only somewhat reassured. She didn’t think herself important enough to fear being an entire clan’s ruination. But she did fear causing them so much trouble that they would banish her. She looked at Siùsan as her hand to came to rest on Greer’s forearm.
“We willna send ye away, so ye can cease worrying aboot that. We dinna abandon any of our family.” Siùsan’s fierce gaze and tone froze Greer, so she didn’t dare argue with her mother-by-marriage. The woman was decisive, and it was clear to Greer that Siùsan had already made up her mind that Greer was her third daughter. Her voice softened as she continued. “Now that ye’re ma daughter, I canna imagine nae having ye here. I’ve missed ye dreadfully.”
“I’ve missed ye, too,” Greer whispered. That didn’t entirely allay all her fears, but they weren’t screaming for her to run anymore.
“There’s naught more to be done for now, so we may as well enjoy our evening meal. Callum, ye and Alex will brief the men before ye retire.” Liam turned to Thor. “Lady Greer, ye look a wee fatigued. Mayhap ye and Thor would like an early evening after the meal.”
Thor gritted his teeth before he nodded, realizing Liam didn’t slight him by not having Thor brief the men with his father. Liam was giving him an excuse not to leave Greer’s side, which he realized was far better than what he’d originally wanted.
“Thank ye, ma laird.” Greer offered a wan smile. Her fatigue slammed into her when Liam mentioned it. She wondered if she could make it through the meal.
“Liam or Grandda, lass.”
“Thank ye, Grandda.” It amazed Greer how that one word, affirming her place in the family more assuredly than anything anyone else could offer, perked up her drooping energy.
“Get settled, then join us belowstairs,” Siùsan said, embracing Greer as those who sat rose. Everyone filed out of the solar, each with their own duties. Thor led Greer to the chamber they would now share. Before she could step over the threshold, Thor scooped her into his arms and carried her across, kicking the door shut.
“I’m knackered. I canna imagine how ye feel. Do ye wish to rest? Or would ye like a bath?” Thor eased his petite bride onto the bed. He still worried that she would fall ill since she’d lost so much weight.
“A bath and a nap sound marvelous.”
It wasn’t long before servants brought an enormous wood and copper tub accompanied by an army of buckets containing steaming water. Greer had never seen a bath as large as the one that now sat in the middle of the chamber. She looked at Thor, who grinned wickedly. She considered how tall and broad he was, and he didn’t differ from the other men in his family.
“I’m certain the blacksmith already kens to speak to the cooper again.”
“Why?”
“Because every time one of us gets married, we end up needing another tub.”
Greer’s brow furrowed until her eyebrows shot up to her hairline. She stared at the tub before glancing at Thor then down at herself. She realized that if she sat on Thor’s lap, she could fit in the tub as well.
“Do ye mean all the couples bathe together?”
“Mayhap nae for every bath, but aye, the husbands and wives often leave their chamber at the same time, both with wet hair.”
“And ye would like to share a bath with me?”
“Only if that’s something ye’re comfortable with. Greer, just because we’ve started making love again doesnae mean that I expect aught from ye. If this isnae something ye want, then ye will always have privacy for yer toilette.”
“I didna ken taking a bath together was a thing couples do. But I dinna see how it’s any different from us coupling in the loch. I—I’d like to try.” Greer walked across the room to Thor, who’d moved a couple buckets closer to the fire to keep the water warm. She turned her back to him and waited for him to pull the laces loose. “I shall never need a lady’s maid, Husband. Ye do too fine a job.”
“Aye, well, I prefer the undressing to the dressing, but I’ll always gladly lend a hand.” Thor kissed her neck as Greer pushed her sleeves down. They undressed together before Thor stepped into the tub, ensuring the temperature was comfortable. He helped Greer in and sat, then he guided her to straddle his thighs. He knew she wanted to talk.
“Thor, what happens tomorrow? I can guess ye’d rather I be inside, but I dinna think I can stay in the keep and nae ken what’s happening to ye.”
“Naught is happening to me, wee one. I ken ye’ve never seen Grandda train, but he’s more like a mon half his age than some auld and graying grandfather. He doesnae ride into battle every time there’s trouble, but he doesnae shy away from it either. He’s ridden to Blake and Magnus Óg’s side.”
