"This way." He got to his feet and led her down the lane and over the other side toward the sound of trickling water. Another few yards and they reached a deep river. "This side of the village is upstream of the tavern. The other side, I would not bathe there for all the money in the kingdom."
"You want me to bathe in a river in the middle of the night?"
"You want rid of the lice?"
She thought about the icy chill of the water. Then the itching began again, removing all thoughts of anything but getting rid of the pain. "All right but no peeking."
"Of course."
He turned away, leaving her alone. She glanced around her to make sure no one else was nearby before undressing quickly, untying her barbette and wondering if she'd be able to reattach it on her own. She threw off the bliaut and shivered in the cold.
"I can do this," she said out loud, looking at the water below her. Taking a deep breath, she stepped down into it and couldn't help crying out in shock at the icy bite of it.
In seconds Lennox was there. "What's wrong?" he asked, sword in hand.
"Lennox!" she snapped, dipping below the water until only her head was visible. "I said no peeking."
"You screamed."
"It was just the water. It's freezing."
"Oh." He fell silent for a moment. "You ken you'll need to soak your clothes too."
"So I didn't have to undress then?"
"I suppose not."
"Hmmm. Well, I'm fine. Off you go then."
"You're sure?"
"I'm sure." She watched him walk away, waiting until she was sure he was gone before pulling her clothes into the water. After soaking them thoroughly, she threw them onto the bank.
Ducking her head under the surface, she scrubbed her hair with her hands, holding her breath for as long as she could, hoping any lice remaining on her couldn't hold their breath for as long as she could.
Her limbs going numb, she climbed back onto the river bank. Only then did she realize she was going to have to climb back into soaking wet clothes.
"Fantastic," she said out loud. Something caught her eye, and she saw something draped over the wall in front of her. It was another bliaut. Dry and clean and folded neatly.
"Lennox," she muttered to herself, somehow knowing it was him. "Full of surprises." She smiled as she dressed, leaving the stockings dripping over the wall and her hair uncovered. She walked back toward the inn. Lennox was standing there still as a statue among the prone forms of his men.
"I thought you’d be asleep," she whispered.
"Not until I knew you were safe."
"Where did you get this bliaut from?"
"Rodrick's way of apologizing for the state of the room. Had a couple of unsavory guests the night before. Had their dogs in the room with them. The dress belonged to his daughter."
"Doesn't she need it?"
"She died last year. Come, he has prepared another room for you. Swears this one is lice free."
"Thanks but I think I'd rather sleep out here."
He raised his eyebrows. "Perhaps you are more MacGregor than you look."
"I do have the Laird’s son as my dressing maid."
