“It took only one person to see it and wake the whole village,” Rannock said. “You need to see it yourself and calm the people.”

“Send Nettle here, then wait in the Great Hall for me,” Tarass ordered.

Rannock nodded and left, Tarass closing the door.

“What is it?” Snow asked anxiously.

“I don’t know,” he said, as he slipped his plaid off to hurry a shirt on and wrap his plaid around him. “But since Rannock disturbed me on our wedding night, it can’t be good. Nettle will stay with you while I’m gone.”

“I’ll go with you,” Snow said, rushing out of bed and bumping into a chair as she searched for her clothes. His hand was on her arm in an instant.

“You’ll stay here,” he ordered and walked her back to the bed.

“I want to go with you,” she insisted.

“Get into bed, wife, and stay there.”

His demanding tone spoke louder than his words and Snow held her tongue and got into bed, pulling the covers around her.

Thaw barked again, though wagged his tail this time.

“Nettle is here,” Tarass said and opened the door.

“My lord,” she said with a bob of her head.

Tarass could tell by her disheveled appearance that she had rushed to dress and he was glad the lass hadn’t wasted any time in getting here.

“You’ll stay with Lady Snow,” he commanded and Nettle bobbed her head again.

“I hope not to be long, wife,” he said and was out the door.

Snow was out of bed as soon as she heard the door latch. “Fetch my clothes, Nettle.”

“Aye, m’lady,” Nettle said and went to the chest against one of the walls and started hunting through it.

“Do you know what happened?” Snow asked.

“No, I came straight here. I didn’t hear or see anything and Rannock wouldn’t tell me anything until my endless questions annoyed him so much that he at least let me know that I was being summoned to stay with you while Lord Tarass tended to an urgent matter.”

“I can’t wait here. I must know what’s going on,” Snow said.

“I’m curious myself,” Nettle said.

“Help me dress and we’ll see what we can find out,” Snow urged pleased that Nettle was as curious as her.

Snow ran her hand over the soft wool shift Nettle got her into and an equally soft tunic she placed over it.

“These are lovely,” Snow commented, the soft wool warming her chilled body.

“They belonged to Lord Tarass’s mum. She was petite, but courageous from what I’m told. She was much like you.”